The 2015 class is expected to be a small one and the 2016 class isn\’t expected to get much bigger. However, there are 18 seniors graduating in 2016 and there will likely be more spots available via attrition.
Luckily for Michigan, the state and Midwest are producing one of their best classes in years. The staff has already got in good with most of the top guys in region and nation which will help them put together a fantastic class. And if they have two good years on the field, this class could get even better.
This class is a long time away but the staff has a head start. Check out our latest Best Guess 2016 Recruiting Class:
1. QB: 4* Messiah deWeaver, 6’3” 180lbs. Dayton, OH (Trotwood-Madison)
The one 2016 QB the coaching staff is really focused on, de Weaver is a very accurate, pocket passer that can move in the pocket. He reminds me of Sam Bradford a little bit.
- Offer: No
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: Good (if offered)
- Highlights
2. RB: 4* Robert Washington, 5’10’ 205lbs. Huntersville, NC (Southlake Christian)
Junior Marshawn Lynch aka Robert Washington is one of the best running backs in the class and has a similar build to and running style as the Seahawks tailback. Luckily, the staff got in early and has built a fantastic relationship all of them. He has admitted that \”Michigan is very, very high\” on his list and, if offered, I believe they very well could land his commitment.
- Offer: No
- Visit: No
- Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good (if offered)
- Highlights
3. RB: 4* Martell Pettaway, 5\’11\’\’ 185lbs. Saint Clair Shores, MI (South Lake)
The local product will very likely be the #1 RB in the state of Michigan. He doesn\’t have top end speed but he is built like a Wolverine and can cut better than most. Expect him to be a top target.
- Offer: No
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good (if offered)
- Highlights
4. WR: 4* Desmond Fitzpatrick, 6\’1\’\’ 175lbs. Farmington, MI (Farmington)
The state is loaded with wide receiver prospects for 2016 and Fitzpatrick looks like the best option to Go Blue (even though they all seem very possible). He is a smooth, polished receiver for his age.
- Offer: No
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good (if offered)
- Highlights
5. WR: 4* Scott Bracey, 6\’3\’\’ 195lbs. Richmond, VA (Benedictine)
The Michigan coaches have made it a point to move out east and they have done a fantastic job. Jabrill Peppers, Freddy Canteen, Wilton Speight, Garrett Taylor, and now, possibly Scott Bracey. He is a big time talent and has elite size that any quarterback would love. Luckily, the Wolverines got in early and may have him on campus soon. His high school is big on football and academics so many think Michigan is the perfect fit.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Soon
- Michigan\’s Chances: Good (if offered)
- Highlights
6. WR: 3* Jalen Martin, 6\’2\’\’ 190lbs. Harper Woods, MI (Chandler Park Academy)
Out of the same school at 2013 commit Csont\’e York, Martin is a bit bigger and more polished as a receiver. He visited for the Wisconsin game and really seemed to enjoy his time.
- Offer: No
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good (if offered)
- Highlights
7. WR: 4* Donnie Corley, 6\’2\’\’ 170lbs. Wyandotte, MI (Roosevelt HS)
The best pass catcher of the class, IMO, Corley is big, strong and could end up having the highest rating of all the local receivers. He showed out at the Best of the Midwest and has high interest in the Wolverines.
- Offer: No
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good (if offered)
- Highlights
8. TE: 3* Naseir Upshur, 6\’4\’\’ 223lbs. Philadelphia, PA (Imhotep Institute)
One of the prospects who started receiving a lot of interest lately is Upshur. He\’s been talking to the staff and received a visit by Coach Ferrgino in January. It is still very early, but his size, skill and physicality will make him a top target for Michigan.
- Offer: No
- Visit: No
- Michigan\’s Chances: Good (if offered)
- Highlights
9. OT: 5* Erik Swenson, 6\’7\’\’ 285lbs. Downers Grove, IL (Downers Grove South)
The first commit of the class, Swenson is an elite talent that has already said he will be the leader of the class. He already has a good relationship with many of the top targets.
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan\’s Chances: COMMITTED
- Highlights
10. OL: 4* Thiyo Lukusa, 6\’5\’\’ 300lbs. Traverse City, MI (Traverse City West)
The Traverse City West product is extremely high on the Wolverines and is very likely to be the next 2016 commitment. He has the size and agility that any coach would love, especially a power run team like Michigan.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan\’s Chances: Very, Very Good
- Highlights
11. OL: 4* EJ Price, 6\’5\’\’ 262lbs. Lawrenceville, GA (Central Gwinnett HS)
Offered not too long ago, Price is a monster offensive lineman that actually grew up in Michigan and is a big time fan of the Wolverines. He is planning to visit Ann Arbor this spring or summer and that very well could put the program ahead of the rest of the heavy hitters recruiting him.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Not Yet
- Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
- Highlights
12. WSDE: 4* Lawrence Gordon, 6\’6\’\’ 260lbs. Saginaw, MI (Arthur Hill)
Another local product (Yeah, Michigan is loaded in 2016), Gordon is a force but extremely raw. He has not been offered yet, but it is rumored that if/when that happens he could commit on the spot.
- Offer: No
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan\’s Chances: Very, Very Good (if offered)
- Highlights
13. SSDE/DT: 5* Prince Michael-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 play either DE, DT or OT and be a five star talent. Luckily for Michigan, he is very high on the Wolverines and could be a commitment (if offered) in the near future.
- Offer: No
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan\’s Chances: Very, Very Good (if offered)
- Highlights
14. DT: 3* Michael Onwenu, 6\’2\’\’ 300lbs, Detroit, MI (Cass Tech HS)
Defensive tackle is by far the toughest position to predict for the class. The staff has not reached out to a ton of recruits and there aren\’t too many top guys in the Midwest. However, Onwenu has been consistently in contact. The talented local is from UofM Detroit aka Cass Tech and is one of the best players in the state. It will likely be a battle between Michigan, MSU and Tennessee.
- Offer: No
- Visit: Many Times
- Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good (if offered)
- Highlights
15. OLB: 4* Daelin Hayes, 6\’2\’\’ 210lbs. West Bloomfield, MI (St. Mary\’s Prep)
Whataya know, another Michigan prospect. Hayes is the next big thing out of Orchard Lake St. Mary\’s (Jame Ross III\’s school). He is very athletic and projects to either running back or linebacker in college, however the staff seems to be recruiting him as a linebacker.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
- Highlights
16. LB: 4* Dele\’ Harding, 6\’1\’\’ 218lbs. Elkton, MD (Eastern Christian)
After visiting and camping at Michigan last summer, Harding has become a known name in the Wolverine recruiting-sphere. He is from Michigan\’s newest pipeline school (Eastern Christian) and is rumored to really like Michigan. He may fall in love with it even more once he sees his old teammates (Freddy Canteen and Brandon Watson) hit the field early.
- Offer: No
- Visit: Yes, camped.
- Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
- Interview
17. LB: 4* Brendan Ferns, 6\’3\’\’ 212lbs. Saint Clairsville, OH (St. Clairsville)
Brother of 2014 commit, Michael, Brendan could be even better than his older brother who was the first commitment and leader of the class. It is not a sure-fire get for the Wolverines as he has a lot of interest in Penn State as well.
- Offer: Not Yet
- Visit: Multiple Times
- Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
- Highlights
18. MLB: 3* 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 im sure Mattison is selling him on.
- Offer: Not Yet
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
- Highlights
19. CB: 4* LaVert Hill, 5\’11\’\’ 195lbs. 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.
- Offer: No
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good
- Highlights
20. DB: 4* Patrice Rene, 6\’1\’\’ 180lbs. Ontario, Canada (St. Peter Catholic)
The Canadian prospect is one of the best in the either country. Rene has great length, athleticism and skill that would make any coach drool. Luckily, the Wolverines\’ coaching staff has already been in touch and looks to be a favorite through his recruitment.
- Offer: No
- Visit: No
- Michigan\’s Chances: Good (if offered)
- Highlights
21. DB: 4* Tyrece Speaight, 5\’10\’\’ 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.
- Offer: No
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good (if offered)
- Highlights
22. S: 3* Tru Wilson, 5\’11\’\’ 180lbs. Warren, MI (De La Salle HS)
One of the hardest hitting safeties in the class, Tru Wilson is out of the newest Michigan factory, De La Salle. With his former teammates in the Maize and Blue already, there is a good chance he could become a Wolverine, if offered.
- Offer: No
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan\’s Chances: Very Good, if offered
- Highlights
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