Team 137 Best Guess Recruiting Class: January 3rd

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

Harbaugh has taken over and the nation has taken notice. Several top recruits have let it be known that they are now even more interested in Michigan. With the amount of scholarships available and a full year to work with, I think Harbaugh brings in the best class in the country.

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

 

– One of the best QBs in the class, Costello is a prototypical pro-style quarterback thanks to his size, arm strength and poise. He visited Ann Arbor last summer and it was rumored he nearly committed. Even with deWeaver in the fold, I think Harbaugh will look to bring in his own guy (which will likely see the decommitment of deWeaver). If he lands Costello, there\’s a very good chance Michigan gets his good friend and elite WR Dylan Crawford, as well.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances:
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Messiah deWeaver (commit), Shea Patterson, Jacob Eason

2. RB: 5* Kareem Walker, 6\’1\’\’ 210lbs. Wayne, NJ (DePaul Catholic)

 

– The #1 RB in the class, Walker is one of the best runners I have seen in high school. His mix of speed and vision makes him a early impact type recruit. As for his interest in Michigan, he was high on them with Brady Hoke and that has increased with Jim Harbaugh. Expect the staff to pursue him very hard.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Robert Washington, Tavien Feaster, Matthew Falcon, Martell Pettaway 

3. RB: 4* Elijah Holyfield, 5\’11\’\’ 200lbs. Atlanta, GA (Woodward Academy)

 

– The son of former heavy weight champ Evander Holyfield happens to be one of the most physical and talented running backs in the country. He has visited Ann Arbor before and was very high on the Wolverines before the coaching change. With Harbaugh taking over, his interest may have increased even more.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Robert Washington, Tavien Feaster, Matthew Falcon, Martell Pettaway 

4. RB: 4* Kentrail Moran, 5\’10\’\’ 192lbs. O\’Fallon, IL (O\’Fallon HS)

 

– There aren\’t many recruits that are as high on Michigan as Moran. He was very interested with Hoke and is rumored to be a quick commit if/when Harbaugh lets him know he still has an offer. If he pulls the trigger, Michigan will be getting a very talented running back with home run hitting ability.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Excellent
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Robert Washington, Tavien Feaster, Matthew Falcon, Martell Pettaway 

5. WR: 4* Austin Mack, 6\’2\’\’ 205lbs. Fort Wayne, IN (Bishop Luers)

– Receiver is the hardest position to predict thanks to the amount of options. However, one guy who Michigan was very high on before and likely will be now is Mack. He has the size and skill that every coach looks for in their wideouts. While he dropped Michigan during the season, he let it be known that Michigan is back in it with Harbaugh on board.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Justin Layne, Brad Hawkins, Donnie Corley, Theo Howard, Nate Craig

6. WR: 4* Josh Imatorbhebhe, 6\’2\’\’ 202lbs. Suwanee, GA (North Gwinnett HS)

 

– Another recruit that was high on Michigan before the coaching change who has expressed how excited he is about the Harbaugh hire. If Harbaugh shows big interest, I think Imatorbhebhe is a very likely choice to end up in this class.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Justin Layne, Brad Hawkins, Donnie Corley, Theo Howard, Nate Craig

7. WR: 4* Dylan Crawford, 6\’1\’\’ 175lbs. La Canada Flintridge, CA (St. Francis)

 

– The top 40 recruit was extremely high on Michigan over the summer and is even higher on them with Harbaugh in the fold. He told me he\’s already interested in visiting again (with Costello) and if his offer stays on the table, I like the Wolverine\’s chances at adding him to the class.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Justin Layne, Brad Hawkins, Donnie Corley, Theo Howard, Nate Craig

8. TE: 5* Isaac Nauta, 6\’5\’\’ 240lbs. Buford, GA (Buford HS)

 

– The #1 tight end in the class happens to be from Michigan and still has a lot of family in the state. Though he\’s committed to FSU, the addition of Harbaugh and retainment of Mattison gives the Wolverines a real shot here. He said he\’ll look to visit, and with Harbaugh wanting to turn Michigan into \”Tight End U\”, there\’s more than a decent shot at flipping him.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Good (Committed to FSU)
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Kaden Smith, Luke Farrell, Jake Hausmann, Nasier Upshur

9. OT: 4* Erik Swenson, 6\’7\’\’ 285lbs. Downers Grove, IL (Downers Grove HS)

 

– The first commitment for the 2016 class, Swenson has been solidly committed to Michigan for awhile and remains the same. He has the ability to become another top tackle for the Maize and Blue, and I expect him to be a leader of the class.

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

10. OT: 4* Clark Yarbrough, 6\’5\’\’ 255lbs. Woodberry Forest, VA (Woodberry Forest)

 

–  Yarbrough is one of the best tackles in the class and was high on the Wolverines before the coaching change and will likely be a top target for Harbaugh and company. If they can keep the positive momentum going, I really like Michigan\’s chances here.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: EJ Price, Terrance Davis, Michael Jordan, Greg Little

11. OL: 5* Ben Bredeson, 6\’5\’\’ 270lbs. Hartland, WI (Arrowhead HS)

 

– Bredeson is one of the best lineman in the country and has been very high on the Wolverines for awhile now. With his brother on the baseball team and Harbaugh taking over, I really like Michigan\’s chances to land the 30th ranked player in the class (via 247Sports).

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: EJ Price, Terrance Davis, Michael Jordan, Greg Little

12. OL: 4* Liam Eichenberg, 6\’6\’\’ 280lbs. Cleveland, OH (St Ignatius HS)

 

– Eichenberg is one of the best lineman in the country and has had a been high on Michigan, Notre Dame and OSU over the last year. He dropped Michigan after the poor season but with Harbaugh taking over, he is now interested in the Wolverines again. With Harbaugh and Drevno on him, I like their chances.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: EJ Price, Terrance Davis, Michael Jordan, Greg Little

13. DE: 4* Josh King, 6\’6\’\’ 250lbs. Darien, IL (Hinsdale South)

 

– King is one of the most physically impressive recruits in the country and has the talent to justify his top 50 ranking. He is one of the best in the Midwest and visited Michigan over the summer. If Harbaugh shows him the interest, I like Michigan\’s chances here.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Auston Robertson, Rahshaun Smith, Kyree Campbell, Khalid Kareem

14. DE: 4* Prince Sammons, 6\’8\’\’ 280lbs. Cincinnati, OH (CHCA)

 

– Another physical specimen, Sammons was born in Nigeria but has found a home in America and on the football field. He has been very high on Michigan for awhile now but was never offered by Hoke. I imagine that will change under Harbaugh and could speed up his decision making process.

  • Offer: No
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good, if offered
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Auston Robertson, Rahshaun Smith, Kyree Campbell, Khalid Kareem

15. NT: 4* Garrett Rand, 6\’3\’\’ 275lbs. Chandler, AZ (Hamilton HS)

 

– A bit of a reach pick but his style just screams \”Harbaugh\” and I could see him become a legit option at nose tackle. If the staff reaches out and makes him a top choice, I think they could pull him away from the favorited Arizona State Sun Devils.

  • Offer: No
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Decent
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Michael Onwenu, Dexter Lawrence, Blake Roe

16. DT: 5* Rashan Gary, 6\’4\’\’ 285lbs. Scotch Plains, NJ (Paramus Catholic)

 

– The best player in the entire class (IMO), Gary is a dominant force on the interior and just so happens to go to one of Michigan\’s newest pipeline schools, Paramus Catholic in New Jersey. He let it be known how big the Harbaugh hire is and if they make him their top target (like they probably will), the Wolverines will have a very good chance.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Michael Onwenu, Dexter Lawrence, Blake Roe

17. OLB: 5* Caleb Kelly, 6\’3\’\’ 215lbs. Fresno, CA (Clovis West)

– Th #12 overall player in the class (according to 247Sports), Kelly is an athletic playmaker that every coach will be chasing. His style fits perfect as a rush linebacker, similar to Aldon Smith (which i\’m sure he\’ll be sold as) He has seen some interest from Michigan and told me he\’s hoping to meet Coach Harbaugh and is looking to see how he does in 2015. He said in an interview with Rivals that he\’s looking at high academics, accomplished coaches and a family feel. That\’s why he makes sense to Michigan.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Daelin Hayes, Lokeni Toailoa, David Reese, Eric Rogers, Darrian Franklin 

18. LB: 3* Dele Harding, 6\’1\’\’ 232lbs. Elkton, MD (Eastern Christian Academy)

 

– The first defensive commitment of the class, Harding has been very high on the Wolverines since he first camped in Ann Arbor a couple summers ago. He pulled the trigger for Michigan while they were at their lowest this pass season and has stuck with them the entire time. There\’s a good chance he\’s one of the leaders of the class.

  • Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Caleb Kelly, Lokeni Toailoa, David Reese, Eric Rogers, Darrian Franklin 

19. LB: 3* Ali\’i Niumatalolo, 6\’3\’\’ 226lbs. Annapolis, MD (Broadneck Senior)

 

– The son of Navy head coach, Ken Niumatalolo, happens to be very high on the Wolverines. Niumatalolo is a hardnosed, versatile backer that has the ability to play inside and out which makes him a great fit for any defense. Add in Harbaugh\’s respect for the military and I believe this could be a perfect match.

  • Offer: No
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good, if offered
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Caleb Kelly, Lokeni Toailoa, David Reese, Eric Rogers, Darrian Franklin 

20. OLB: 4* Noah Burks, 6\’3\’\’ 216lbs. Carmel, IN (Carmel HS)

 

– One of the best players in the Midwest, Burks is a perfect fit for a Harbaugh coached team. He is aggressive and tough at the point of attack as well as athletic enough to make plays from sideline to sideline. He let me know that he would \”love to play for\” Coach Harbaugh. If he\’s offered, his process could speed up.

  • Offer: No
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good, if offered
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Caleb Kelly, Lokeni Toailoa, David Reese, Eric Rogers, Darrian Franklin 

21. CB: 4* Lavert Hill, 5\’11\’\’ 170lbs. Detroit, MI (Cass Tech HS)

 

– The top corner in the state and one of the best in the country. His coaches believe he may be the best corner to come out of Cass Tech, which is saying a lot. He also happens to be the younger brother of current Michigan safety Delano Hill. As for his recruitment, he visited Ann Arbor several times and should hear from Harbaugh quickly.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: Yes
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Patrice Rene, Levonta Taylor, Saivion Smith, Damar Hamlin 

22. CB: 4* Treyjohn Butler, 5\’11\’\’ 190lbs. Rancho Cucamonga, CA (Etiwanda)

 

– Butler is one of the best corners in the class and has shown significant interest in Michigan for awhile now. He let me know that he thinks the Harbaugh hire is \”very intriguing\”. If the staff makes him a top target, which i\’m sure they will, there\’s more than a decent chance he ends up in Maize and Blue.

  • Offer: No
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Patrice Rene, Levonta Taylor, Saivion Smith, Damar Hamlin 

23. S: 4* Ahmir Mitchell, 6\’2\’\’ 190lbs. Egg Harbor City, NJ (Cedar Creek)

 

– Mitchell is one of the best athletes in the class but looks to be suited as a safety in college. Michigan was showing him big interest before the coaching change and there\’s a very good chance he is a top target at safety for Harbaugh. If they can land the other top players from New Jersey, I like their chances of bring Mitchell in as well.

  • Offer: Yes
  • Visit: No
  • Michigan\’s Chances: Good
  • Highlights
  • Other Options: Stefan Claiborne, Brandon Jones, Keyvone Bruton, Jonah Morris 
Garrett Fishaw
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