Team 137 Best Guess Recruiting Class: August 22nd

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

It may be early, but we have put together our August edition of our 2016 Michigan football recruiting prediction and it has some big time names on it, including several top 100, four and five star recruits. With a good season in 2014, this class could be in the top 10, for sure. Peep the strategy:

1. QB Messiah deWeaver, 6’4” 205lbs. Dayton, OH (Trotwood-Madison)

deWeaver is a very accurate quarterback, that has great pocket presence. He has an above average arm that is getting stronger with natural growth, weight lifting and the tightening up of his mechanics, is class valedictorian, and reminds me a lot of former Heisman trophy winner Sam Bradford. After showing out in front of Nussmeier for four days, deWeaver was offered and was a Michigan commit within a couple hours. And now, he\’s the lead recruiter for the class.

2. RB: Elijah Holyfield, 5’11” 190lbs. Atlanta, GA (Woodward Academy)

As one of the most physically impressive 2016 recruits, Elijah Holyfield is a Pit Bull type of a back that would fit Nussmeier’s offense perfectly. 2016 commit Messiah deWeaver has been talking with Holyfield and WR Austin Mack about joining forces at Michigan, and it’s rumored to be gaining a little steam. After two summer visits, it looks like the Wolverines are now the favorites for his commitment.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Kareem Walker, Robert Washington, Matt Falcon, Martell Pettaway

3. RB: Kentrail Moran, 5’10” 180lbs. O’Fallon, IL (O’Fallon HS)

One of the recruits I am sure of about landing in this class, if offered, Moran has a ton of interest in the Wolverines and is a great fit for Nussmeier’s offense. He is an all-purpose back that can run in between and outside the tackles. Once he landed his offer, he admitted that Michigan was #1. I fully expect Moran to be the first tailback to join the class.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Not yet
  • Michigan’s Chances: Very, Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Kareem Walker, Robert Washington, Matt Falcon, Martell Pettaway

4. FB: Antwand Wilson, 5’9” 215lbs. Dayton, OH (Charminade Julienne)

This is a guess all the way but Houma and Kerridge will be graduating and Shallman will be the only scholarship tailback suitable to play fullback left on the roster. Wilson is a good power back that will be moved to fullback in college. He is right in Ohio and would be a very good fit.

  • Offer: No
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good, if offered
  • Highlights

5. WR: Dylan Crawford, 6’1” 175lbs. La Canada Flintridge, CA (St. Francis HS)

One of the most polished receivers in the class, Crawford (or \”Kekoa\”) is a smooth receiver that can make plays inside and outside. He needs to add size before he\’ll be ready for college but for now, he is dominant on the high school level. As far as his recruitment goes, most would call him a pipe dream since he\’s a top prospect from California. However, his best visit was when he came to Ann Arbor and it looks like the Wolverines may be at the top of his list. With a good season and heavy recruitment, I believe he could end up at Michigan.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Josh Imatorbhebhe, Kalebb Perry, Steven Smothers, Jalen Martin, TJ Chase, Emmanuel Rugamba

6. WR: Austin Mack, 6’2” 205lbs. Fort Wayne, IN (Bishop Luers HS)

The #1 player in Indiana for 2016, Mack is a very talented, physical receiver. He uses his size and strong hands to make catches all over the field. Lucky for Michigan, an offer from the Wolverine staff is what he wanted more than any other. Once that offer was extended, they jumped to the top of his list, like predicted. It will be a familiar battle for his commitment as OSU and Notre Dame are the biggest competitors, but in the end, I think he goes blue.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good, Top 2
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Josh Imatorbhebhe, Kalebb Perry, Steven Smothers, Jalen Martin, TJ Chase, Emmanuel Rugamba

7. WR: Donnie Corley, 6’2” 170lbs. Wyandotte, MI (Detroit King HS)

Corley is one of the more impressive recruits in the state and Midwest thanks to his playmaking ability and great hands. He has yet to earn an offer from Michigan but I feel like transferring to Detroit King and playing against better competition will give the coaches everything they need to extend an offer. If/when that happens, the Wolverines should be at the top of the list, if not land a quick commitment.

  • Offer: No
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good, if offered
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Josh Imatorbhebhe, Kalebb Perry, Steven Smothers, Jalen Martin, TJ Chase, Emmanuel Rugamba

8. TE Naseir Upshur, 6’3” 231lbs. Philadelphia, PA (Imhotep Institute)

Upshur is another old school tight end that Tight End Coach Ferrigno loves; Big, strong blocking tight with good hands. He has been in contact with the staff for a long time and let us know he was “very excited” when he finally received his offer. Tons of schools have offered but thanks to his relationship and early recruitment will see him end up in Maize and Blue.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Luke Farrell, Isaac Nauta, Kaden Smith

9. OT Erik Swenson, 6’7” 285lbs. Downers Grove, IL (Downers Grove South)

The first commit of the class, Swenson is an elite talent. With growth and strength conditioning, Swenson has the chance to be the next 1st round left tackle from the Wolverines. He’s that talented. To make things even better, he has already said he will be the leader of the class and that he has a good relationship with many of the top targets.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED
  • Highlights

10. OT: Clark Yarbrough, 6’5” 255lbs. Woodberry Forest, VA (Woodberry Forest)

Yarbrough is a name that hasn’t received the attention that he deserves. He is highly rated and one of the top talents in the country. He also happens to have big interest in the Wolverines and visited twice over the summer, including the BBQ. From the reactions, it looks like Michigan is the clear cut favorites to land the Virginia star.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Tommy Kraemer, EJ Price, Juaun Williams, Ben Cleveland, Willie Allen, Liam Eichenburg

11. OT Michael Jordan, 6’6” 265lbs. Canton, MI (Plymouth HS) 

One of the fastest rising juniors in the class, Jordan has been showing out at summer camps this year. But the athletic offensive tackle had yet to see an offer until Michigan extended one following the Michigan technique camp. He isn’t trying to make a quick decision but it’s said that this was his “dream offer”. It looks like a matter of time before he makes a decision for the Wolverines.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Tommy Kraemer, EJ Price, Juaun Williams, Ben Cleveland, Willie Allen, Liam Eichenburg

12. OL: Ben Bredeson, 6’5” 255lbs. Hartland, WI (Arrowhead HS)

Easily one of the most talented prospects in the class, Bredeson has the ability to be a star on the inside or outside. And the staff knows that, which is why they have made him a top target. With his recruitment likely coming down to his home state Badgers, OSU, Notre Dame and Michigan, it looks like the Wolverines have the best shot at pulling him away from Wisconsin. Add in his relationships with the coaches, his amazing visits with his family and the fact that his older brother committed to play baseball for Michigan, and I believe he ends up in the Maize and Blue.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Tommy Kraemer, EJ Price, Juaun Williams, Ben Cleveland, Willie Allen, Liam Eichenburg

13. DE: Josh King, 6’6” 250lbs. Darien, IL (Hinsdale South HS)

Possibly the #1 player in Illinois, the Midwest, and one of the best in the nation, King is a stud defensive end that has the size and skill similar to previous top recruits. Luckily for Michigan, they have gotten in early and started a great relationship. When they offered, he expressed how excited he was and how much he loved Michigan and Ann Arbor each time he visited. I see him as a top target that the coaches will not let slip away.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Joseph Jackson, Janarius Robinson, Khalid Kareem, Kyree Campbell

14. DE: Auston Robertson, 6’5” 235lbs. Fort Wayne, IN (Wayne HS) 

Robertson is one of the most athletic players, let alone defensive ends, in the class. He is able to beat tackles with speed and power, but could also play  tight end at the college level, which is impressive since he is also very raw. With great coaching, he could be a superstar. As for his recruitment, he is great friends with Austin Mack and it looks like they could be a packaged deal. Luckily for Michigan, Robertson and Mack are very high on the Wolverines.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Joseph Jackson, Janarius Robinson, Khalid Kareem, Kyree Campbell

15. DL Prince Sammons, 6’8” 260lbs. Cincinnati, OH (Cincinnati Hills Christian)

One of the most physically gifted players in the country, regardless of class, PMS (that’s a horrible nickname) is a force on the line. He is raw but could excel as anywhere on the DLine. But for some reason, Michigan is taking their time offering him. If an offer finally comes (which I believe it will), I think the Wolverines will shoot to the top of his list.

  • Offer: No
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Joseph Jackson, Janarius Robinson, Khalid Kareem, Kyree Campbell

16. DT: Rashan Gary, 6’4” 280lbs. Scott Plains, NJ (Paramus Catholic HS)

Gary is a beast. He’s the best player in the entire class (IMO and many others) and is likely the #1 guy on the staff’s board. The mixture of athleticism, speed, size and tenacity makes him an ideal fit on the interior and a nightmare for every opposing defensive coordinator. And lucky for Michigan, he is very high on them as well. With a great season and visit, the Wolverines will have a very good chance at landing the top player out of New Jersey again.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Dexter Lawrence, Michael Onwenu, Kendall Jones

17. LB Dele’ Harding, 6’1” 218lbs. Elkton, MD (Eastern Christian) 

Two years of camping and visiting Ann Arbor has opened up the eyes of Harding, who happens to be the former teammate of Team 135 freshmen Freddy Canteen and Brandon Watson. His athleticism and aggressiveness gives him the ability to play the MIKE, WIL or SAM (similar to James Ross III). Given his love for Coach Mattison and the Wolverine program, it looks like just a matter of time before he commits.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan’s Chances: Extremely Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Daelin Hayes, Shaquille Quaterman, Tuf Borland, Noah Burks, Zack Sandwisch, David Reese 

18. LB: David Reese, 6’1” 235lbs. Farmington, MI (Farmington HS)

One of the top recruits in the state, Reese is a prototypical MIKE linebacker and loves Greg Mattison. His tape is very impressive and he plays with an intensity similar to Ray Lewis, which i’m sure Mattison is selling him on. With a hot start to his junior year, it is likely that Reese will land the offer he covets the most. If it happens, a quick decision is very possible.

  • Offer: No
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Daelin Hayes, Shaquille Quaterman, Tuf Borland, Noah Burks, Zack Sandwisch, David Reese 

19. CB LaVert Hill, 5’11” 165lbs. Detroit, MI (Cass Tech HS)

The younger brother of 2013 safety commit Delano, LaVert is one of the top players in the state of Michigan and has the length to be a big time prospect and another top player out of Cass Tech. Thanks to his relationship and familiarity with the program, the Wolverines look to be the early favorites. From what analysts and his own defensive coordinator is saying, he could be the best corner to ever come out of Cass Tech, which is saying a lot.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: LaVonta Taylor, Jordan Overton, Hasise Dubois, Julian Love, Taurus Carroll 

20. DB Tyrece Speaight, 5’11” 175lbs. Akron, OH( St. Vincent-St. Mary)

One of the best players in Ohio for 2016, Speaight is an athletic defensive back that could play either corner or safety. Luckily for Michigan, he grew up rooting for the Wolverines and absolutely loved his visit to Ann Arbor. His offer may be on hold until his junior tape comes out and the staff can see him again in person. If it happens, a decision may not be too far behind.

  • Offer: No
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good, if offered
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Jonah Morris, Keevon Harris, Michah Croom, Tru Wilson, Keyvone Bruton

21. S Patrice Rene, 6’1” 180lbs. Alexandria, VA (Episcopal HS)

The Candian star has burst on the scene thanks to great showings a summer camps. His size and athleticism allows him to dominate receivers, which makes him a perfect fit in Mattison’s defense. After visiting in June, it looks like Michigan may have jumped near or at the top of his list. Add in the fact that he wants to play in college with his two of his good friends, 2017 WR Jonathan Sutherland and DE Luiji Vilain, who are also high on the Wolverines. Add in his love for Charles Woodson and I think Rene ends up in Ann Arbor.

  • Offer: No
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Treyjohn Butler, Jordan Overton, Hasise Dubois, Levonta Taylor, Taurus Carroll 
Garrett Fishaw
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