Team 136 Best Guess Recruiting Class: 2nd to Last

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

With the dead period ending, Harbaugh and company went to work on the recruiting trail. They sent out multiple offers and hosted several top targets, which has expanded the possibilities to end up in this class. Because of that, this was very hard to predict.

According to the current scholarship situation, the staff has 14 spots available for this class. But they\’re recruiting like they have room for more (there is a chance there is more attrition), which is why I have 16 commitments in this class.

See who I predicted to be apart of the Team 136 recruiting class:

1. QB Alex Malzone, 6\’2\’\’ 205lbs. Bloomfield Hills, MI (Brother Rice)

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One of the top gun slingers in the class, Malzone has a strong arm and can fit the ball inside tight windows. He also has the smarts to become a very talented quarterback under Harbaugh. He committed back in May and was a leader for most of the commitments, and will continue to be until NSD.  As for a second QB recruit, Zach Gentry looks like a possibility but I see him sticking with Texas.

Commitment Story

Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED 

Highlights

Other Options: Zach Gentry, McLane Carter

2. RB Mike Weber, 5\’10\’\’ 219lbs. Detroit, MI (Cass Tech)

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The former commit and current OSU commit looks to be on the fence of flipping back to his childhood favorite thanks to the hiring of Jim Harbaugh and Tyrone Wheatley. If they can secure a visit, I believe the chances of him joining the class increase dramatically.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Multiple Times

Michigan\’s Chances: Committed to OSU

Highlights

Other Options: Nick Brossette 

3. RB John Kelly, 5\’10\’\’ 203lbs. Oak Park, MI (Oak Park)

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Kelly is one of the most explosive players in the Midwest and a fan of the Wolverines. However, they were one of the last schools to offer him which gave other programs a change to impress. But now that Michigan\’s new staff is recruiting him as a tailback, they may have become the favorites again over Tennessee and Minnesota. If they flip Weber, it will help even more.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Decision Date: Near/on NSD

Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good

Highlights

Other Options: Nick Brossette 

4. FB/HB Reagan Williams, 6\’3\’\’ 232lbs. Jackson, OH (Jackson)

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Harbaugh\’s offense always features a hard nosed H-back and two of the three on the roster will be seniors in 2015. Enter: Reagan Williams. The Stanford commit will be taking an official visit to Ann Arbor this weekend after landing an offer from Harbaugh himself last week. He says he\’s still committed to Stanford but hinted at a chance for a flip if he likes what he sees.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan\’s Chances: Committed to Stanford

Highlights

Other Options: None 

5. WR/S Brian Cole, 6\’2\’\’ 190lbs. Saginaw, MI (Heritage)

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One of the most talented players in the midwest and nation, Cole has the explosiveness to star in all three facets of the game but I believe he will find his place at receiver for Michigan. He\’s already on campus which means we should be able to see where the staff feels he fits best during the Spring Game.

Commitment Story

Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

Other Options: Auden Tate, Ryan Davis, Cordell Broadus, Austin Aaron

6. TE Chris Clark, 6\’6\’\’ 247lbs. Avon, CT (Avon Old Farms)

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The #1 tight end in the country and former Wolverine commit is down to Michigan and UCLA with most believing that he\’s bound to end up back with the Maize and Blue. His official visit with the new staff couldn\’t have gone any better and as long as the Bruins coaching staff doesn\’t completely blow his mind on his visit to Westwood this weekend, he\’ll likely pick Michigan on NSD.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Decision Date: National Signing Day

Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good

Highlights

Other Options: Matt Snyder, Tyrone Wheatley Jr 

7. TE/DE Jake Pickard, 6\’6\’\’ 231lbs. Millburn, NJ (Millburn Senior)

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The Wisconsin commit saw an offer two weeks before National Signing Day and looks to be a very real option to flip to the Wolverines. He is being recruited at both tight end and defensive end, and is scheduled his official visit to Ann Arbor for this weekend and could possibly flip while on campus. This spot may be a first come, first serve between Pickard, Matt Snyder and Daishon Neal. Tyrone Wheatley is another possibility but he\’ll get a spot either way.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan\’s Chances: Committed to Wisconsin

Highlights

Other Options: Matt Snyder, Tyrone Wheatley Jr

8. OT Grant Newsome, 6\’6\’\’ 290lbs. Trenton, NJ (The Lawrenceville School)

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The most underrated addition to the Team 136 recruiting class, Newsome is a technician tackle that could end up being a very productive college player. With great coaching and time in the weight room, there\’s a good chance he reaches his potential.

Commitment Story

Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

9. OL Jon Runyan, 6\’4\’\’ 276lbs. Philadelphia, PA (St. Joseph\’s)

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The son of former Wolverine and NFL great, Jon Runyan Jr was one of the first commitments to the class. He has the skill of his father but not the size (yet) which means he\’ll likely play either guard or center at the next level.

Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

10. OL Nolan Ulizio, 6\’6\’\’ 280lbs. West Chester, OH (West Chester)

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The latest 2015 offensive lineman offer just happens to be the most likely non-commit to join this class. When a two star recruit lands an offer from a program like Michigan, it is almost always a sure-thing. However, it is not known if the staff will accept his commitment right away (I believe they wil), which may come this weekend on his official visit.

Offer: Yes

Visit: This Weekend

Michigan\’s Chances: Committed to UConn

Highlights

Other Options: Pat Allen

11. DE/OLB Reuben Jones, 6\’3\’\’ 233lbs. Lakeland, FL (Lake Gibson)

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Jones was one of the new coaching staff\’s first offers and thanks to that, it looks like he is a very legit option for a flip. His versatility and aggressiveness is a perfect fit for the defensive end/outside linebacker tweener that Durkin and Harbaugh are looking for in this class. With a great visit this weekend, there\’s a real chance he flips.

Offer: Yes

Visit: This Weekend

Michigan\’s Chances: Committed to Nebraska

Highlights

Other Options: Daishon Neal, Keisean Lucier-South, Shelton Johnson 

12. LB Roquan Smith, 6\’2\’\’ 205lbs. Montezuma, GA (Macon County)

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Smith became a top target for the Michigan with the addition of DJ Durkin. After officially visiting this past weekend, things are quickly trending towards the Maize and Blue (Georgia is still the favorite). If they can land him on/before NSD, it would be a huge coup for this class and the program moving forward. Smith is an elite athlete and playmaker at the linebacker position.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Decision Date: Before/on NSD

Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good

Highlights

Other Options: Joshua McMillon

13. CB Damon Arnette, 6\’2\’\’ 185lbs. Fort Lauderdale, FL (St. Thomas Aquinas)

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Another early offer from the new staff that is rumored to be favoring the Wolverines, Arnette is a physically impressive corner that has the coverage ability, ball skills and aggressiveness to thrive in Durkin\’s defense for multiple years. After officially visiting this past weekend, things are looking very good in Michigan\’s attempt at a flip.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan\’s Chances: Committed to South Carolina

Highlights

Other Options: Iman Marshall, Chris Williamson, Will Lockett, Nate Dalton

14. DB Jarius Adams, 5\’11\’\’ 180lbs. Palm Beach Gardens, FL (Dwyer)

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Adams is another underrated defensive back that the staff targeted early on and is a very good fit as a nickel corner or free safety in the future defense thanks to his tackling ability and aggressiveness. As for his chances at flipping, it is very possible once he visits in late January. However, his spot could be gone before he steps foot in Ann Arbor.

Offer: Yes

Visit: January 30th

Michigan\’s Chances: Committed to Rutgers

Highlight

Other Options: Iman Marshall, Chris Williamson, Will Lockett, Nate Dalton

15. SS Tyree Kinnel, 6\’0\’\’ 205lbs. Dayton, OH (Wayne)

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Kinnel was on the fence about decommitting after the coaching change but he stuck it out and is now 100% on the board and has become a top recruiter for the class. As for his play, he\’s a very instinctive and talented safety that has really grown into a college sized safety during his senior year which should help him see the field early.

Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

16. K/P Andrew David, 5\’9\’\’ 165lbs. Massillon, OH (Massillon)

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David was the first commitment of the class and stuck it out through all of the ups and downs. After putting together an impressive senior year, it looks like he\’s ready to step in as the full time place kicker and, possible, punter.

Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

On the 247 Sports Class Calculator, this class would be 21st in the country (219.28 total) 

Garrett Fishaw
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