Team 136 Best Guess Recruiting Class: January 1st

With Harbaugh in the fold as well as the additions/likely additions of Greg Mattison, Roy Manning, Tyrone Wheatley, Tim Drevno and DJ Durkin, this class will rocket up the recruiting rankings in the month before National Signing Day.

1. QB: 4* Alex Malzone, 6’3” 200lbs. West Bloomfield, MI (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. He is a very talented player that has plenty of room to grow. He has a live arm and poise, and adds even more depth and talent to the QB room. While Harbaugh will look to add a top ranked QB in 2016, I think Malzone could be the steal of this class.

Alex Malzone Commitment Story

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

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

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– The former commit and current OSU commit is the best back in Michigan and is a legit possibility of a flip for Harbaugh. He grew up a Michigan fan and committed once the staff made him their #1 RB target. If Harbaugh gets him on campus, like he says he will likely do, I think he will make another flip back to the Maize and Blue.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan\’s Chances: Decent (Committed to OSU)

Highlights

Other Options: Johnny Frasier 

3. FB: 3* Reagan Williams, 6\’3\’\’ 232lbs. Jackson, OH (Jackson HS) 

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– Everyone knows that Harbaugh loves full backs and with only 3 on the roster (2 who will be seniors in 2015) I think he\’ll try to bring one in this class and Williams is a perfect fit. Versatile, tough player out of Ohio that is committed to Stanford. If Harbaugh calls, I could see him make the switch to stay closer to home.

Offer: No

Visit: No

Michigan’s Chances: Decent (Committed to Stanford)

Highlights

Other Options: Johnny Frasier

4. WR/S: 4* Brian Cole, 6’2” 210lbs. Saginaw, MI (Heritage HS)

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– Cole is the top recruits in Michigan and one of the highest rated players in the country. He has the skill and athleticism to play running back, wide receiver or safety at the next level. It is not known exactly where he\’ll play under Harbaugh but I imagine him ending up on offense.

Brian Cole Commitment Story

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

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

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– The FSU commit grew up a huge Michigan fan and is still very interested in the Wolverines, especially with Harbaugh on board. He was one of JH\’s first calls and with FSU having several receiver commits, he can sell him on playing time with Michigan. I really like the chance of a flip.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan’s Chances: Very Good (Committed to FSU)

Highlights

Other options: Grant Perry, Kirk Merritt 

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

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– The #1 tight end in the country and former commit decided to open things up once Brady Hoke was fired. However, with Harbaugh calling him right away once he got the job, it looks like he will recommit once he visits later in January.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Decision Date: Late January/NSD

Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good

Highlights

7. TE/DE: 4* Tyrone Wheatley Jr, 6’6” 240lbs. Buffalo, NY (Canisius HS)

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– The son of the former Wolverine running back great Tyrone Wheatley Sr, TJ is a physical specimen that stars at both tight end and defensive end. He\’s very quiet on the recruiting end but with his dad likely joining Harbaugh\’s staff, I think there\’s an excellent chance he follows his father to Ann Arbor.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Decision Date: Anytime

Michigan’s Chances: Very Good

Highlights

8. OL: 3* Jon Runyan Jr., 6’5” 270lbs. Philadelphia, PA (St Joseph HS)

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– The son of former Wolverine great, Jon Runyan, Jr is a talented youngster that is still growing. He had a very good showing at the 2013 and 2014 summer camp but is looking like more and more like a center at the next level. But that is not a bad thing at all. Michigan needs help all over the line.

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

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

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– 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 OSU. However, Michigan was the program and University he fell in love with and stayed true to through the coaching change.

Grant Newsome Commitment Story

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights 

10. OG: 5* Chuma Edoga, 6\’3\’\’ 276lbs. Powder Springs, GA (McEachern HS)

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– One of the best lineman in the country, Edoga camped at Michigan for four days but never saw an offer from Hoke so he committed to USC. If Harbaugh and Drevno shoots an offer his way, and is expected to, I think there is a good chance they flip him to the Maize and Blue.

Offer: Yes

Visit: No

Michigan’s Chances: Good, if offered (Committed to USC)

Highlights

Other Options: David Moorman

11. LB: 4* Roquan Smith, 6\’2\’\’ 205lbs. Montezuma, GA (Macon County)

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– The 46th best player in the country (according to 247Sports) is a huge fan of DJ Durkin and has already said he will take an official visit to Ann Arbor because of him alone. Add in Harbaugh and the possibilities at Michigan (playing time, education, etc) and I think they could sway him to Michigan before NSD.

Offer: Yes

Visit: No

Decision Date: Now and NSD

Michigan’s Chances: Good

Highlights

12. CB: 5* Iman Marshall, 6\’1\’\’ 190lbs. Long Beach, CA (Long Beach Poly)

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– The top corner in the country, Marshall is a physical lockdown type that may not have the hype or athleticism of Jabrill Peppers (lets be honest, who does?) but may be a better cover guy. He is an instant impact type player and is already planning on officially visiting Michigan. After that visit, I think the Wolverines may be the favorite thanks to Harbaugh and his friendship with WR Freddy Canteen.

Offer: Yes

Visit: No

Decision Date: Now to NSD

Michigan’s Chances: Very Good

Highlights

Other Options: Shaun Crawford, Garrett Taylor 

13. CB: 4* Marcus Lewis, 6\’1\’\’ 187lbs. Washington, DC (Gonzaga HS)

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– The once likely commit lost interest in the Wolverines with the failures on the field and the firing of Brady Hoke. However, he has said he is nterested in the taking an official visit to Ann Arbor to meet Harbaugh. With his top three of Kentucky, Washington State and Miami, it looks like Michigan could jump back to the top of his group after visiting.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Decision Date: Now to NSD

Michigan’s Chances: Very Good

Highlights

Other Options: Shaun Crawford, Garrett Taylor 

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

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– Kinnel stayed true to his Michigan commitment throughout the entire coaching change process and it paid off with the Harbaugh hire. He is one of the most underrated players in the class and could make an instant impact at a position with plenty of questions next year.

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

15. ATH: John Kelly, 5\’10\’\’ 194lbs. Oak Park, MI (Oak Park HS) 

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– The best athlete in Michigan happens to also be best friends with former Michigan commit Mike Weber and could be a combined commitment. He was one of Harbaugh\’s first calls and instantly became a popular Crystal Ball prediction change on 247Sports. While his position is settled (CB or RB/WR), it looks very likely that he\’ll be one of Harbaugh\’s first commitments for this class.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Decision Date: Now and NSD

Michigan’s Chances: Excellent

Highlights

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

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– 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 and looks like he could be that star kicking and punting specialist every team and coach wants.

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

Preferred Walk-Ons

17. DE: Jack Dunaway, 6’3” 215lbs. Bloomfield, MI (Brother Rice HS)

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– The son of former Michigan tight end Craig Dunaway, Jack is a talented prospect that features that motor, will and heart that every coach wants on their roster. He may not have had any offers but most analysts agree, he is a steal as a walk-on.

Jack Dunaway Commitment Story

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

18. QB: Manny Miles, 5’11” 170lbs. Baton Rouge, LA (University Lab)

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– The son of former Wolverine offensive lineman and current LSU head coach, Les Miles, Manny is a talented quarterback that would be another steal as a walk on. His father wants him to get the same education as he did, and without an offer, it looks like there’s a very good chance he ends up enrolling at Michigan.

Offer: No

Visit: Yes

Michigan’s Chances: Very Good

Highlights

19. K/P: Ryan Tice, 6’1” 160lbs. Saline, MI (Saline HS)

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– Team 136 picked up a preferred walk-on commitment from Saline (MI) K/P specialist Ryan Tice today. He’s a strong legged kicker out of Saline HS that happens to be a member of the Kornblue Kicking Academy.

Commitment Story

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED 

Highlights

Garrett Fishaw