Team 136 Best Guess Recruiting Class: April 28th

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

The Team 136 class will be smaller than most, likely around 13-16 members. This has the coaching staff being very careful and thorough with who they are offering. I believe this has hurt them a little when it has come to some recruits since they dropped Michigan because of it, but the staff has their reasons.

They have three great defensive back commitments already and are likely done at that position, unless an elite prospect comes forward. The main position they will likely look to fill soon is the QB spot. They have plenty of interested prospects but all of their offerees are committed elsewhere. When they get their quarterback, it could start a bit of a domino effect.


The class will be small but will feature several impact prospects:

1. QB: 4* Alex Malzone, 6\’3\’\’ 200lbs. West Bloomfield, MI (Birmingham Brother Rice)

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– The top quarterback in Michigan, Malzone is a talented signal caller with that winners mentality that every coach wants. Now, he\’s clearly not the first choice, but with Nussmeier getting a late start on the recruiting trail, it\’s how it goes. But luckily, Malzone is a very talented player that has plenty of room to grow. He has a live arm and poise, and would add even more depth and talent to the QB room.

Offer: No

Visit: Multiple Times

Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

2. RB: 5* Damien Harris, 5\’11\’\’ 195lbs. Berea, KY (Madison Southern HS)

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Damien Harris #34, RB

-The #1 running back in the class and one of the top players in the country, Harris grew up a huge Michigan fan and made his original commitment a bit fast. That is why he has decommitted to be able to enjoy the process, but signs still point to him signing with Michigan when things are all said and done.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good, Top School (former commit)

Highlights

Other Options: Johnny Frasier, Jacques Patrick, Ty\’Son Williams, Dexter Williams

3. RB: 4* Mike Weber, 5\’10\’\’ 205lbs. Detroit, MI (Cass Tech HS)

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Mike Weber #25, RB

– One of the best players in Michigan and the Midwest, Weber is a powerful running back from Detroit\’s top high school program. He was very high on the Wolverines until they landed Harris and slowed down their pursuit. However, Coach Nuss has made Weber a priority again. It looks like they want two RBs in this class and Harris and Weber would be among the best duo\’s in the nation.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan\’s Chances: Very High, Top 3

Highlights

Other Options: Johnny Frasier, Jacques Patrick, Ty\’Son Williams, Dexter Williams

4. WR: 3* Auden Tate, 6\’4\’\’ 195lbs. Tampa, FL (Wharton HS)

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– Growing up a Michigan fan had Tate waiting for one offer. And that offer has finally come. Tate has landed his \”dream offer\” and admitted the Wolverines are his new leader, and is looking to visit in the near future. He has the size, speed, and playmaking ability that every coach, especially Michigan\’s staff, is looking for in an outside receiver.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good (Top Team)

Highlights

Other options: George Campbell, Brian Cole, Christian Kirk, Juval Mollette, Grant Perry

5. TE: 4* Chris Clark, 6\’6\’\’ 247lbs. Avon, CN (Avon Old Farms)

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– One of my favorite recruits in this class, Clark is a prototypical tight end that has the size and skill to be a star. He was committed to UNC for about a month, but that is no longer that case. Especially after a visit to Ann Arbor. He loved his visit and how the Wolverines use and develop tight ends. That is why he has named Michigan and Ohio $tate as his top 2. Thanks to the lack of tight end use in O$U\’s offense and Hale Hentges rumored to be leaning that way, I think Clark will be a Wolverine sometime in June.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good (Top Team)

Highlights

Other options: George Campbell, Christian Kirk, Juval Mollette, Auden Tate 

6. 4* TE/DE Tyrone Wheatley Jr., 6\’6\’\’ 235lbs. Manlius, NY (Fayetteville-Manlius HS)

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Tyrone Wheatley Jr #9, TE

-Son of former Michigan star running back, Tyrone Wheatley, TJ (as he is referred too) is one of the most physically gifted players in the 2015 class. He can dominate at both tight end and defensive end, and Michigan sees him playing either side of the ball. With his Dad in his ear, the Wolverines have a great chance.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good

Highlights

Other Options: Cole Chewins, CJ Conrad, Hale Hentges

7. OL: 3* Jon Runyan Jr., 6\’4\’\’ 250lbs. Philadelphia, PA (St Joseph HS)

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Jon Runyan Jr. #75, OT

-The son of former Wolverine great, Jon Runyan, Jr is a talented youngster that is still growing. He landed his offer after a very good showing at the 2013 summer camp and committed soon after. He could grow into an All-Big Ten talent, like his father.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

8. OT: 4* Grant Newsome, 6\’7\’\’ 280lbs. Mclean, VA (The Lawrenceville School)

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Grant Newsome #72, OT

– After being offered by Michigan, Newsome has blown up in the recruiting world. Landing offers from most of the top programs in the country, including Alabama, LSU, Miami, and O$U. However, there is a good feeling that he is leaning heavily towards the Wolverines. With the staff looking to take three guys, his big, physical, nasty style would fit in perfectly.

Offer: Yes

Visit: No

Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good

Highlights

Other options: Sterling Jenkins, Matthew Burrell, David Moorman 

9. DE: 5* Keisean Lucier-Smith, 6\’4\’\’ 230lbs. Orange, CA (Lutheran HS)

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Keisean Lucier-Smith #16, DE

– One of the best players in the class, KLS is an explosive pass rusher that has admitted his admiration for the Maize and Blue. The coaches have been picking up their interest with him and have finally offered. He hasn\’t put out a top list but many believe Michigan is definitely in the top group, if not the favorite.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan\’s Chances: Very High, Top 2

Highlights

Other Options: Josh Sweat, Jalen Dalton, Clelin Ferrell, Jalen Bates

10. SSDE: 4* Darian Roseboro, 6\’4\’\’ 265lbs. Lincolnton, NC (Lincolnton HS)

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– Not a huge name on the recruiting radar, but he should be. Roseboro is a beast on the defensive line that can play inside and outside, which would fit in perfectly at Michigan. There wasn\’t much hype between him and the Wolverines until he spent 4 straight days in Ann Arbor recently. Knowing how well the coaches do on visits, I believe Michigan has made their move to, or near, the top of his list.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good

Highlights

Other Options: Jashon Cornell, Dre\’Mont Jones, Terry Beckner Jr

11. OLB: 5* Justin Hilliard, 6\’2\’\’ 230lbs. Cincinnati, OH (St. Xavier HS)

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Justin Hilliard #47, LB

– As a consistent visitor to Ann Arbor, Hilliard is clearly the #1 linebacker target for the staff. He is one of the best in the country and would be a fantastic fit in Mattison\’s defense. Being a 5 star recruit, there is obviously a lot of competition, including Notre Dame, Ohio $tate and Iowa. This will be a close one but I believe Michigan will win out in the end.

Offer:

Visit:

Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good

Highlights

Other Options: Tyriq Thompson, Joshua McMillan, Asmar Bilal, Osa Masina

12. MLB: 4* Darren Kirkland Jr, 6\’1\’\’ 213lbs. Indianapolis, IN (Lawrence Central HS)

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– A prototypical MIKE linebacker, Kirkland is one of the top LBs on the board and Michigan is near, or at, the top of his list after their offer. He has visited Ann Arbor multiple times and I believe he will choose the Wolverines when he makes his decision.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Multiple Times

Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

Other Options: Tyriq Thompson, Joshua McMillan, Asmar Bilal, Osa Masina

13. CB: 4* Shaun Crawford, 5\’10\’\’ 170lbs. Lakewood, OH (St. Edward HS)

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Shaun Crawford #17, CB

-This speedster is one of the best playmakers in the country and happens to go to the same school as 2012 commit, Kyle Kalis. He is a tackling machine at the cornerback position and will fit into the Mattison defense perfectly.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

14. CB: 4* Garrett Taylor, 6\’1\’\’ 187lbs. Richmond, VA (St. Christophers)

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Garrett Taylor #11, CB

– Seen as a Stanford lean since last summer, Taylor\’s recruitment completely changed when he visited Ann Arbor two weeks ago with his parents. Thanks to full dedication from the coaching staff, professors and University, Taylor fell in love with the school and moved his commitment up. And as they say, the rest is history.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Not Yet

Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

15. S: 4* Tyree Kinnel, 6\’0\’\’ 185lbs. Huber Heights, OH (Wayne HS)

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Tyree Kinnel #2, S

– Another camper at the 2013 summer camp, Kinnel is rising fast on the recruiting boards. He is a very instinctive and athletic ball hawk that Mattison seems to love. Look out for him now that he has an offer. Im a really big fan of this kid already. He was recently named DB MVP at the Rivals Challenge, which featured some of the top prospects in this and next years classes.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes, Camper

Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

16. K: 3* Andrew David, 5\’8\’\’ 170lbs. Massilon, OH (Washington HS)

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Andrew David, K

– The member of the Chris Sailer Kicking Academy is one of the top kickers in the country and landed an offer after his great showing in front of the coaching staff. He didn\’t wait long to become the first commitment of Team 136.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED

The class will be small, but it could be a very impactful haul. I only have 16 in the class for now, but there is a very good chance another safety, another offensive lineman and/or another receiver/tight end is added before national signing day.

If you\’re interested, check out how this class would fit in with the Team 136 Depth Chart.

Let us know what you think on Twitter, Facebook and here on the comment section!

Garrett Fishaw
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