After four very long months, the Michigan coaching staff picked up a commitment. 4* CB Garrett Taylor visited two weeks ago and was so blown away that he moved up his timeline to make his commitment for the Wolverines. It was great news and hopefully starts a bit of a snowball effect with some of the other top targets nearing a decision.
The 2015 class will be a smaller one, around 15-18 spots. So, the staff is being very particular about who they offer and when they offer. For example, the quarterbacks are not receiving offers until the staff watches a live throwing session. Expect the class to slowly fill up since most of the top guys they are going after are planning post-Senior season or All-American game announcements.
Since we\’re Americans and we hate waiting, here is our latest Best Guess Recruiting Class for Team 136:
1. QB: Travis Waller, 6\’4\’\’ 190lbs. Anaheim, CA (Servite HS)
![\"\"](\"http://images.maxpreps.com/site_images/editorial/article/1/6/3/16305e07-7fc1-4afc-8110-5c3c57bf4662/2003a871-ec1b-e311-99e4-002655e6c126_original.jpg\") |
| Travis Waller #11, QB |
– \”He\’s only scratching the surface of how good he can be and don\’t be shocked if down the road, he\’s the one everyone is talking about\”. That\’s what Scout\’s Greg Biggins had to say about Waller. That is a big time reason Nussmeier has ramped up his interest in the West Coast signal caller. His size, athleticism and skill makes him a great fit for what Nuss wants to bring to this offense. If offered and he visits, I think the Wolverines could jump to the top of his list.
Offer: Soon
Visit: Not Yest
Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good, if offered
Other options: Alex Malzone, Blake Barnett, Brandon Wimbush, David Sills
2. RB: 5* Damien Harris, 5\’11\’\’ 195lbs. Berea, KY (Madison Southern HS)
![\"\"](\"http://images.maxpreps.com/site_images/editorial/article/e/f/1/ef10c798-72e5-4304-8f0d-c6e71ba66d81/3c40058e-782e-e211-ad0c-002655e6c126_original.jpg\") |
| Damien Harris #34, RB |
-Possibly the #1 running back in the class and one of the top players in the country, Harris grew up a huge Michigan fan and now is living the dream of being committed there. He is just bigger, faster, and stronger than his competition and has an Arien Foster running style. There is a good chance he re-commits sooner or later.
ESPN 300 Rating: #17 Overall, #1 RB
Offer: Yes
Visit: Yes
Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good, Top School (former commit)
Highlights
3. RB: 4* Mike Weber, 5\’10\’\’ 205lbs. Detroit, MI (Cass Tech HS)
![\"\"](\"http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/121/1214453.jpg\") |
| 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.
ESPN 300 Rating: 226th Overall, #20 RB
Offer: Yes
Visit: Yes
Michigan\’s Chances: High
Highlights
4. WR: 4* Brian Cole, 6\’2\’\’ 190lbs. Saginaw, MI (Heritage HS)
![\"\"](\"http://www.mybaycity.com/images/FB_2012/20120923_Western_DSC_4258.jpg\") |
| Brian Cole #1, WR |
-One of the top players in Michigan, Cole is a big play receiver that can stretch the field and go across the middle. He is starting to receive a ton interest from Michigan and is a top recruit in the class. It looks like it could be a Michigan-Michigan State battle.
ESPN 300 Ranking: #105 overall, #9 WR
Offer: Yes
Visit: Yes, Camper
Michigan\’s Chances: Getting Even Better
Other options: Christian Kirk, CJ Sanders, David Dowell, Juval Mollette
5. TE: 4* Tyrone Wheatley Jr., 6\’6\’\’ 235lbs. Manlius, NY (Fayetteville-Manlius HS)
![\"\"](\"http://images.maxpreps.com/site_images/editorial/article/3/3/7/337b70d8-da0c-4b94-b7dc-d32587975790/018c3c59-4874-e311-b330-002655e6c126_original.jpg\") |
| 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.
ESPN 300 Ranking: #188 overall, #6 TE
Offer: Yes
Visit: Yes
Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
Other Options: Cole Chewins, CJ Conrad, Hale Hentges, Chris Clark
6. OL: 3* Jon Runyan Jr., 6\’4\’\’ 250lbs. Philadelphia, PA (St Joseph HS)
![\"\"](\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iDQwo24gZw8/UcDBaGZD24I/AAAAAAAABzM/sYPVB6m6VA0/s1600/Jon+Runyan.jpg\") |
| 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, Camper
Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED
Highlights
7. OT: 4* Grant Newsome, 6\’7\’\’ 280lbs. Mclean, VA (The Lawrenceville School)
![\"\"](\"http://media.nj.com/rutgers_football/photo/12959713-standard.jpg\") |
| 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: Good
Other options: Sterling Jenkins, Jake Fruhmorgen, Matthew Burrell
8. SSDE: 5* Keisean Lucier-Smith, 6\’4\’\’ 230lbs. Orange, CA (Lutheran HS)
![\"\"](\"https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000474834481/4871e56807bc330a46716f9516ca5fd4.jpeg\") |
| 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.
ESPN 300 Ranking: 65th Overall, #9 DE
Offer: Yes
Visit: Yes
Michigan\’s Chances: Very High
Other Options: Darian Roseboro, Joshua Alabi, Tim Settle, Anthony Rush, Elijah Daniel
9. WSDE: 4* Clelin Ferrell, 6\’5\’\’ 225lbs. Richmond, VA (Benedictine)
![\"\"](\"http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/p/sp/r/6c/6c202a9f395c8919a8c3507f59a97802/338141.jpg\") |
| Clelin Ferrell #11, DE |
– One of the best pass rushers in the class, Ferrell is newer to the Michigan recruiting scene but is still a big time target. He comes from a very good high school that has a strong football program and stress academics. Sounds a lot like Michigan, huh? That is why many believe once Ferrell gets on campus, the Wolverines will become a viable option.
Offer: Yes
Visit: Not Yet
Michigan\’s Chances: Good
Other Options: Jashon Cornell, Josh Sweat, Jalen Dalton
10. MLB: 5* Justin Hilliard, 6\’2\’\’ 230lbs. Cincinnati, OH (St. Xavier HS)
![\"\"](\"http://media.247sports.com/Uploads/Assets/599/103/1103599.jpg\") |
| 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 it is rumored that Michigan is in very good shape.
ESPN 300 Ranking: 34th Overall, #2 OLB
Offer:
Visit:
Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
Highlights
Other Options: Asmar Bilal, Darrin Kirkland, Joshua McMillan, Jerome Baker, Cassius Peat
11. OLB: 4* Osa Masina, 6\’4\’\’ 215lbs. Salt Lake City, UT (Brighton HS)
![\"\"](\"http://media.247sports.com/Uploads/Assets/474/814/814474.jpg\") |
| Osa Masina #3, OLB |
– Masina is a long, athletic strong side linebacker that has been getting a lot of love from the Michigan coaches and has shown the love back. He put Michigan in his top two with Utah and said that he \”loves Brady Hoke\”. I think after Jake Ryan was injured, the coaches will want to load up the SAM depth in every class. Masina reminds me of Kyle Van Noy of BYU.
ESPN 300 Ranking: #126 Overall, #13 OLB
Offer: Yes
Visit: Yes
Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good, Top 2
Other Options: Osa Masina, Joshua McMillan, Jerome Baker, Cassius Peat
12. OLB: 4* Tyriq Thompson, 6\’1\’\’ 220lbs. Detroit, MI (King HS)
![\"\"](\"http://media.scout.com/media/image/123/1232954.jpg\") |
| Tyriq Thompson #17, OLB |
– The son of former Michigan safety Clarence Thompson, Tyriq is an aggressive linebacker from Detroit that Michigan is hoping follows in his fathers footsteps. The Wolverine staff sees Thompson at outside linebacker and I think he would fit in perfectly at the WILL. With this looking like an in-state battle between Michigan and Michigan State, it will likely go down to the wire.
Offer: Yes
Visit: Yes
Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good, Top 2
Highlights
Other Options: Darrin Kirkland Jr, Josh Barajas, Joshua McMillan, Jerome Baker, Cassius Peat
13. CB: 4* Shaun Crawford, 5\’10\’\’ 170lbs. Lakewood, OH (St. Edward HS)
![\"\"](\"http://static.hudl.com/users/prod/936413_83decb1cb4de45a49022bc751c4597e7.jpg\") |
| 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.
ESPN 300 Ranking: #74 Overall, #7 ATH
Offer: Yes
Visit: Yes
Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED
Highlights
14. CB: 4* Garrett Taylor, 6\’1\’\’ 187lbs. Richmond, VA (St. Christophers)
![\"\"](\"http://media.247sports.com/Uploads/Assets/123/706/706123.jpg\") |
| 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.
ESPN 300 Ranking: #73 Overall, #7 CB
Offer: Yes
Visit: Not Yet
Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED
Highlights
15. S: 4* Tyree Kinnel, 6\’0\’\’ 185lbs. Huber Heights, OH (Wayne HS)
![\"\"](\"http://www.tristatefootball.com/admin/images/Media/Tyree-Kinnel-200.jpg\") |
| 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. With weight training, he could be a star.
Offer: Yes
Visit: Yes, Camper
Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED
16. K: 3* Andrew David, 5\’8\’\’ 170lbs. Massilon, OH (Washington HS)
![\"\"](\"https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/9136445918_465ac071b1_o.jpg\") |
| 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 2015 class small one, but with these players having very good chances of joining the class, 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 135 Depth Chart.
Let us know what you think on Twitter, Facebook and here on the comment section!
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