Team 136 Best Guess Recruiting Class: September 23rd

Team 135 has started off rough, to say the least. But that doesn\’t mean the 2015 recruiting class will suffer. In a report from Tom VanHaaren of ESPN, the commits reaffirmed their commitment to the Wolverines with the belief that the team will turn around and they will help the program do the same. As for how the class will end up, I still see it ending very strong with known names, two un-offered offensive weapons, and two walk-on steals.

Check it:

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

\"\"

 

– 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. Add in his ability to recruit and you can see that the staff may have landed one of the biggest steals of the class.

Alex Malzone Commitment Story

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

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

\"\"

 

– Weber is one of the most talented tailbacks in the country and the Michigan coaching staff has finally showed him that type of attention. Both the coaches and commits put the full court press on the Cass Tech product and it worked out as Weber pulled the trigger on a surprise visit to Ann Arbor. Now, he is looking like a very possible early enrollee.

Mike Weber Commitment Story

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

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

\"\"

 

– 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. But the Wolverines coaching staff sees him as a big play receiver on the inside and outside. Expect for him to play and play early.

Brian Cole Commitment Story

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

4. WR: NR Ahmad Wagner, 6\’7\’\’ 190lbs. Dayton, OH (Wayne HS) 

\"\"

– This is a reach but 247 Sports\’ Steve Lorenz hinted at the Iowa basketball commit becoming a legit Michigan wide receiver target. At 6\’7\’\’, he has beyond elite height and with a listed 4.5 forty, he has the speed to be a force all over the field. He is obviously a very raw recruit but if the staff is going to take a flyer on target, Wagner would be a very good option. Lorenz reported that it is likely that he visits Ann Arbor for the Minnesota game with teammate and Michigan commit Tyree Kinnel. If he\’s offered, I couldn\’t imagine him going with basketball at Iowa over football (and maybe basketball?) at Michigan.

Offer: No

Visit: Minnesota Game

Michigan\’s Chances: Good, if offered

Highlights

5. WR: 3* Grant Perry, 5’11” 175lbs. Bloomfield, MI (Brother Rice HS)

\"\"

– One of the most underrated talents in the Midwest, Perry is a quicker than fast receiver with great hands that can play inside and out. He also happens to be Malzone’s #1 target at Brother Rice and a life long Michigan fan. And with the uncertainty around the receiver position in this class, I believe he will see his offer (and commit on the spot) sooner or later. He\’s the type of person you want representing your program.

Offer: No

Visit: Yes

Decision Date: Immediately, if offered

Michigan’s Chances: Very Good, if offered

Highlights

Other options: George Campbell, Kirk Merritt, Daniel Imatobhebhe, Auden Tate 

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

\"\"

– 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 second visit to Ann Arbor. He loved both visits and didn’t waste any time committing to Brady Hoke and the Wolverines. However, if there was one commit to keep an eye on, it would be Clark. He\’s a top talent so every school is still coming after him. I still believe he ends up in the Maize and Blue.

Chris Clark Commitment Story

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

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

\"\"

– 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 which is why the coaches have switched from recruiting him as just a tight end to an athlete. He has been extremely quiet during his recruitment but all signs are still pointing towards him following the family lead to Michigan.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Decision Date: Anytime

Michigan’s Chances: Very Good

Highlights

8. OL: 3* Jon Runyan Jr., 6’4” 270lbs. Philadelphia, PA (St Joseph HS)

\"\"

– 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)

\"\"

– 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. He is that big tackle that the staff had been looking for and it looks like he has the chance to be a star.

Grant Newsome Commitment Story

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

10. DE: 4* Darian Roseboro, 6’4” 285lbs. Lincolnton, NC (Lincolnton HS)

\"\"

– Roseboro is one of the top defensive lineman in the country. He is a beast that can play inside and outside (or even as a fullback), 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 at the beginning of the summer. After another visit, it looks like Michigan is the sure-fire bet to be his choice on August 29th.

Darian Roseboro Commitment Story

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

11. OLB: 5* Keisean Lucier-Smith, 6’4” 235lbs. Orange, CA (Lutheran HS)

\"\"

– One of the highest rated players in the class, KLS is an explosive pass rusher that has admitted his life long admiration for the Maize and Blue. However, questions have arose with his recruitment after the commitment of Roseboro. According to GoBlueWolverine\’s Sam Webb the staff is done with defensive end recruiting but is now targeting Lucier-South as an outside, rush linebacker, which most people believe he fits best. He is still expected to officially visit for the Penn State game. And if things go over as well as normal, there\’s a small chance he pulls the trigger for the Wolverines.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Decision Date: Signing Day (could happen earlier)

Michigan’s Chances: Very High, Top 2

Highlights

Other options: Asmar Bilal, Osa Masina 

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

\"\"

– A prototypical MIKE linebacker, Kirkland was the first linebacker commit for the class. His bulldog type style is a perfect fit in Mattison’s defense. He has the size, speed and skill to dominate from sideline to sideline. With great coaching, he has the chance to be a star.

Darrin Kirkland Cmmitment Story

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

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

\"\"

– Seen as a Stanford lean since last summer, Taylor’s recruitment completely changed when he visited Ann Arbor during the spring 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.

Garrett Taylor Commitment Story

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

14. CB: 4* Marcus Lewis, 6’2” 180lbs. Washington, DC (Gonzaga HS)

\"\"

– The former Florida commit made it up to Ann Arbor for the BBQ at the Big House and had a fantastic time. Lewis is a prospect that I really hoped Michigan would land, and it looks like it could happen as he has admitted that the Wolverines are the favorite. His physicality and length make him a perfect fit in Mattison\’s defense. He could make a decision anytime between now and the end of his season.

Offer: Yes

Visit: Yes

Michigan’s Chances: Very Good 

Highlights

Other Options: Mook Reynolds, Iman Marshall, Tyrone Miller, John Kelly

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

\"\"

– 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 named DB MVP at the Rivals Challenge, which featured some of the top prospects in this and next years classes, and has been improving with each and every game he plays. The Wolverines landed a big time steal.

Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Highlights

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

\"\"

– 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: 2* Jack Dunaway, 6’3” 215lbs. Bloomfield, MI (Brother Rice HS)

\"\"

– 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: 3* Manny Miles, 5’11” 170lbs. Baton Rouge, LA (University Lab)

\"\"

– 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

Garrett Fishaw