Team 137 Best Guess Recruiting Class: February 1st

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

While Harbaugh has put his main focus on finishing out the 2015 class, things look very good for the 2016 to be an elite class. The level of talent that is highly interested in the Wolverines is off the charts and with Harbaugh targeting California, there\’s a good chance this ends up as a top 10 class.

Check out my latest Team 137 Best Guess Recruiting Class:

1. QB KJ Costello, 6\’4\’\’ 213lbs. Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (Santa Margarita)

 

– Costello is one of the best quarterbacks in the country and happens to be very high on the Wolverines. Rumor has it that he nearly committed after his visit over the summer. With Harbaugh in the fold, KJ is planning to visit again with his good friends and top recruits Dylan Crawford, Theo Howard and David Long. If things go well, there\’s a chance he pulls the trigger and becomes the leader of the class.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Shea Patterson, Jacob Eason, Messiah DeWeaver, Dwayne Huskins

2. RB Elijah Holyfield, 5\’11\’\’ 200lbs. Atlanta, GA (Woodward Academy)

 

– The son of former heavy weight champion Evander Holyfield, Elijah is one of the best running backs in the class. He also happens to be very high on the Wolverines and there rumors about him being another recruit that nearly committed to Michigan after a summer visit. If Harbaugh can get him on campus again, he has a chance of adding him early.

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

3. RB Kentrail Moran, 5\’10\’\’ 192lbs. O\’Fallon, IL (O\’Fallon)

 

– Moran is one of the best running backs in the Midwest and happens to have named the Wolverines his favorites without even visiting campus. If he does make it to campus this spring, there\’s a good chance he could become a member of this class.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Favorite
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Matt Falcon, Kareem Walker, Robert Washington, Martell Pettaway 

4. FB Luke Termin, 6\’2\’\’ 230lbs. Rockwall, TX (Rockwall)

 

– After the staff missed on Reagan Williams in the 2015 class, they will likely try to bring in a fullback/halfback in this class and Termin would be a nice fit. He has the size and athleticism needed to be a very productive HB in Harbaugh\’s offense.

  • Offer: No
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Good, if offered
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Kingston Davis, Malik Miller

5. WR Dylan Crawford, 6\’1\’\’ 175lbs. La Canada Flintridge, CA (Santa Margarita)

 

– Crawford is one of the most electrifying players in the country and happens to be very high on the Wolverines, just like his two good friends KJ Costello and Theo Howard. He\’s expected to visitt Ann Arbor with those guys in February and if things go well, he could possibly join Harbaugh\’s first full class.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Donnie Corley, Josh Imatorbhebhe, Brad Hawkins, Steven Smothers, Justin Layne

6. WR Theo Howard, 6\’0\’\’ 170lbs. Thousand Oaks, CA (Westlake)

 

– Howard is another member of the California group that is expected to visit in February and also has the Wolverines very high on his list. He has admitted that he was a big fan of Michigan while growing up and is his \”dream school\” (via 247Sports). After his visit this late winter/early spring, there\’s a chance he\’s a member and leader of this class.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Favorite
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Donnie Corley, Josh Imatorbhebhe, Brad Hawkins, Steven Smothers, Justin Layne

7. TE Isaac Nauta, 6\’5\’\’ 240lbs. Buford, GA (IMG Academy)

 

– The top tight end in the country, Nauta is a recruit that Michigan has been targeting heavily since the get go. With his family ties to the state and the staff\’s ability to recruit and produce tight ends, I believe there is a real possibility of them flipping the Florida State recruit before National Signing Day 2016.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Committed to Florida State 
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Luke Ferrell, Kaden Smith, Naseir Upshur, Devin Asiai

8. OL Ben Bredeson, 6\’5\’\’ 270lbs. Hartland, WI (Arrowhead)

 

– Bredeson is one of the best players in the country and is likely one of the top names on the recruiting board for the coaching staff. And thanks to the work put in by Hoke\’s staff and the fact that his brother is a member of the baseball team, things are looking very good for Michigan in the pursuit of 30th ranked player in 2016.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: EJ Price, Michael Menet, Sean Foster, Alex Akingbulu, Terrance Davis, JP Urquidez

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

 

– Swenson committed to the Wolverines back in November of 2013 and looks to be a leader of this class going forward. He has the size and skills needed to develop into a very good player for Harbaugh and company.

  • Commitment Story
  • Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED
  • Highlights

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

 

– Yarbrough visited Ann Arbor twice between July and October of 2014 and may have been favoring the Wolverines before the coaching change. With Harbaugh in the fold, Michigan has a good chance at making up the ground on the rumored favorite at the moment, Virginia.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: EJ Price, Michael Menet, Sean Foster, Alex Akingbulu, Terrance Davis, JP Urquidez

11. OT Michael Jordan, 6\’6\’\’ 285lbs. Canton, MI (Plymouth)

 

– The local product is one of the fastest rising juniors in the class after quickly landing offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and others during his 2014 season. But even with the elite level offers, it has been reported that he and his family are fans of the Maize and Blue. If the staff pursues him hard, he could be a member of this class before the start of his senior season.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Favorite
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: EJ Price, Michael Menet, Sean Foster, Alex Akingbulu, Terrance Davis, JP Urquidez

12. DE Connor Murphy, 6\’7\’\’ 250lbs. Phoenix, AZ (Brophy College Prep)

 

– Murphy happens to be the younger brother of former Stanford standout under Harbaugh, Trent Murphy. Thanks to the long relationship, he may be the most likely uncommitted recruit to be apart of the 2016 class for Michigan.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Favorite
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Rahshaun Smith, Prince Sammons, Josh King, Auston Roberson 

13. DT Rashan Gary, 6\’4\’\’ 285lbs. Scotch Plains, NJ (Paramus Catholic)

 

– The #1 player in the class (according to Scout) is looking to visit Ann Arbor soon and with Harbaugh adding his former head coach, Chris Partridge, to the staff, as well as Michigan\’s high academic standards, things are looking very good for the Wolverines.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Dexter Lawrence, Garrett Rand, Ed Oliver, Kyree Campbell 

14. NT Michael Onwenu, 6\’2\’\’ 310lbs. Detroit, MI (Cass Tech)

 

– Onwenu is one of the best players in the state and has dominated on both sides on the line for Cass Tech. However, Hoke extended an offer to him as a nose tackle and Harbaugh is targeting as well. He will likely be high on the board thanks to his position of need, talent and the fact that Michigan needs to lock up the top talent in the state.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Dexter Lawrence, Garrett Rand, Ed Oliver, Kyree Campbell 

15. OLB Caleb Kelly, 6\’3\’\’ 215lbs. Fresno, CA (Clovis West)

 

– Soon after Harbaugh took over and completed his staff, Michigan was in California to see and offer Kelly. He\’s interested in what the Wolverines have to offer and is looking to visit. If they have a big 2015 and impress on his visit, there\’s a shot at them pulling one of the top players in the class.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Dontavious Jackson, Jeffrey McCulloch, Camilo Eifler, Tim Walton, Shaq Quaterman

16. LB Dele Harding, 6\’1\’\’ 232lbs. Elkton, MD (Eastern Christian)

 

– Harding was the third commitment for Michigan thanks to everything the University offers as well as his good friends and former teammates Brandon Watson and Freddy Canteen already on campus. He may not be the highest rated recruit in the class, but he should be a very productive player for the Wolverines.

  • Commitment Story
  • Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED
  • Highlights

17. CB Treyjohn Butler, 5\’11\’\’ 190lbs. Rancho Cucamonga, CA (Etiwanda)

 

– Butler is one of the fastest corners in the class and, even without an offer, has already put Michigan in his top five. Add in Harbaugh\’s goal of turning California into a pipeline state again and he should be very high on the cornerback board.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Lavert Hill, Damar Hamlin, Levonta Taylor, Trayvon Mullen

18. CB David Long Jr, 6\’0\’\’ 175lbs. Los Angeles, CA (Loyola)

 

– One of the first 2016 cornerback offers from the new staff, Long also happens to be apart of the California group that is looking to visit in February. He was very excited to land his offer from the Wolverines and if things go well on his visit, they could jump to the top of his list.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Lavert Hill, Treyjohn Butler, Damar Hamlin, Levonta Taylor, Trayvon Mullen

19. S Ahmir Mitchell, 6\’2\’\’ 190lbs. Egg Harbor City, NJ (Cedar Creek)

 

– Mitchell is one of the top players in the class and is likely to join the five star ranks before his senior year. He holds an offer from the previous staff and is a top target for the new staff which shows after he added Michigan in his top 8. If they can get him on campus, the staff has a good chance at landing him thanks to their high need for a game changing safety commit.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Brandon Jones, Stefan Claiborne, Deontay Anderson

20. P Braden Mann, 6\’0\’\’ 200lbs. Cypress, TX (Cy-Fair)

 

– Harbaugh signed a kicker in 2015 but is still in need of a punter, and Mann is one of the best in the country. With Michigan\’s high need and their new found love of the Houston area, this looks like a real possibility, if an offer is extended.

  • Offer: No
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Good, if offered
  • Highlights
  • Other Options:Quinn Nordin, John Young, Will Hart
Garrett Fishaw
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