Calm before the storm. That is what I, along with other several recruiting analysts, believe is about to happen for Michigan’s 2016 recruiting class. With all of the satellite camps, in-state camps and Ann Arbor visitors, I believe a commitment frenzy is on the horizon.
Check out who I believe will commit in the near future and who will end up making up the Team 137 recruiting class:
1. QB: Brandon Peters, 6’5” 205lbs. Avon, IN (Avon)
– After a fantastic visit for the Spring Game, Peters pulled the trigger and became Harbaugh’s first commitment for 2016. He has the size, smarts and arm to be a very good player under Harbaugh, and when you watch his tape, he reminds me a ton of Harbaugh’s #1 pupil, Andrew Luck, in terms of athleticism, accuracy, release and ability to make plays under pressure. And I wasn’t alone in that comparison, as Harbaugh told him the same. Expect him to come in and compete right away for the starting job.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED
- First on List: March 2015
- Highlights
2. RB: Kingston Davis, 6’1” 225lbs. Prattville, AL (Prattville)
– Davis isn’t highly rated and only held offers from three other Power 5 conference teams so once Michigan offered him and landed his teammate and good friend Keith Washington (2015 CB signee), the Wolverines looked like the favorite. Add in a wonderful visit for the spring game and Michigan has it’s 1st running back of the 2016 class. However, with the latest SEC offers piling up, the staff will have to continue to recruit him to keep him in the fold IMO.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED
- First on List: April 2015
- Highlights
3. RB: Matt Falcon, 6’1″ 215lbs. Southfield, MI (Southfield)
– Falcon is the top running back in the state and, until Harbaugh came calling, looked like he was going to leave the state. But with the Michigan offer in hand and the relationship built, he didn’t waste too much time and committed to the Wolverines after his spring game visit. Look for him to become the leader of the in-state recruiting moving forward.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED
- First on List: September 2014
- Highlights
4. ATH: Kiante Enis, 6’1” 200lbs. Winchester, IN (Winchester)
– Enis is one of the latest offers from the staff and looks to be a very realistic 3rd running back/athlete for the class. He has the size and athleticism to contribute right away at multiple positions. And with him quickly setting up a visit for May 30th, a quick decision is a possibility.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: May 30th
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- First on List: Now
- Highlights
- Other Options: Devaughn Cooper, Rakeem Boyd, Dez Fitzpatrick, Daevon Vigilant
5. ATH: David Reese, 6’1” 235lbs. Farmington, MI (Farmington)
– Reese is a physical, aggressive, hard nosed player that will actually be moving to the offensive side of the ball for good in Ann Arbor. According to multiple reports, he’ll start off at linebacker but will also see time at fullback, and that’s where I believe he’ll end up. He plays with great passion and I believe he could be a future team captain.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED
- First on List: March 2014
- Highlights
6. WR: Donald Stewart, 6’4” 180lbs. West Orange, NJ (Paramus Catholic)
– Stewart quickly became one of the top targets on the wide receiver board and the most likely addition to the class after receiving his offer from the Michigan staff back in mid-April. He’s expected to visit at the end of the month and a commitment is becoming more and more likely.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: May 30th
- Michigan’s Chances: Excellent
- First on List: Now
- Highlights
- Other Options: Austin Mack, Dez Fitzpatrick, Simi Fehoko, Tre Nixon, Tren’Davion Dickson, Dyland Crawford, Jack Jones
7. WR: Brad Hawkins, 6’2” 190lbs. Camden, NJ (Camden)
– Hawkins is one of the premier receivers in the country and looks to be one of the top receivers on the staff’s board. He has the size and athleticism they’re looking for, and they have a very good chance at landing him. He visited with the other top New Jersey targets at the end of March and, according to Go Blue Wolverine’s Sam Webb’s interview with DE Ron Johnson, Hawkins “really liked it” ($). With the wide receiver haul looking to being soon, I see Hawkins pulling the trigger this summer to guarantee his spot.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- First on List: April 2015
- Highlights
- Other Options: Austin Mack, Dez Fitzpatrick, Simi Fehoko, Tre Nixon, Tren’Davion Dickson, Dyland Crawford, Jack Jones
8. WR: Ahmir Mitchell, 6’3” 206lbs. Egg Harbor City, NJ (Cedar Creek)
– Mitchell is another New Jersey product that the new staff made a priority. He has elite size and athleticism but is very raw as a receiver. And according to TMI’s Sam Webb, he looks to be down to Ohio State and Michigan, with the Wolverines starting to really gain some momentum. If he doesn’t pull the trigger before WR Austin Mack (June 7th), the odds of him ending up in Maize and Blue goes up even more.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- First on List: September 2014
- Highlights
- Other Options: Austin Mack, Dez Fitzpatrick, Simi Fehoko, Tre Nixon, Tren’Davion Dickson, Dyland Crawford, Jack Jones
9. TE: Naseir Upshur, 6’3” 231lbs. Philadelphia, PA (Imhotep Institute)
– Upshur is the most likely tight end on the board to end up in the class thank to his relationship he’s built with Jay Harbaugh. The staff is looking to turn Michigan into “Tight End U” so look for them to keep the Philly star at the top of their board and look for a commitment when he visits this summer.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- First on List: March 2014
- Highlights
- Other Options: Isaac Nauta, Devin Asiasi, Jacob Mathis, Nick Eubanks
10. OT: Erik Swenson, 6’7” 285lbs. Downers Grove, IL (Downers Grove South)
– The first commitment of the class is a life long Michigan fan and will have the chance to not only don the Maize and Blue, but become a star on the offensive line. Swenson has all of the characteristics of the elite offensive tackles Michigan has produced over the last 20+ years.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED
- First on List: January 2014
- Highlights
11. OT: Devery Hamilton, 6’6” 290lbs. Baltimore, MD (Gilman)
– Hamilton has been on the Michigan recruiting radar for a long time but the interest has started to really pick up recently after a spring visit. According to 247’s Steve Lorenz, his visit went so well that he believes there is a good chance he ends up in this class. While he doesn’t have a commitment date picked out yet, I believe he will choose the Wolverines sometime this summer.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- First on List: Now
- Highlights
- Other Options: Michael Onwenu, Alex Akingbulu, Jean Delance, Bryce Mathews, Will Fries, Josh Sills
12. OL: Ben Bredeson, 6’5” 275lbs. Hartland, WI (Arrowhead HS)
– Bredeson is the top offensive line target on several team’s boards, including Michigan’s. He has the elite skill and size to be a star at just about any spot on the line. With the familiarity he has with the program thanks to the previous staff, as well as his brother joining the 2015 Michigan baseball recruiting class, things are looking very good for Michigan here. He’s expected to visit again on May 30th, which gives Harbaugh and company a chance to move to the top of his list for good right before his decision.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- First on List: April 2014
- Highlights
- Other Options: Michael Onwenu, Alex Akingbulu, Jean Delance, Bryce Mathews, Will Fries, Josh Sills
13. OG: Terrance Davis, 6’4” 305lbs. Hyattsville, MD (DeMatha)
– Davis is one of the top offensive guards in the country and near the top of the board for the staff. He visited for the Spring Game with several members of his family and told me he had a great time. Thanks to the opportunities on and off the field in Ann Arbor, most believe that Michigan now leads for the talented East Coaster. As for a commitment, it could come at any time but he is looking to visit other schools first. However, if a couple other lineman jump on board, he may make a decision to secure his spot.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- First on List: April 2015
- Highlights
- Other Options: Michael Onwenu, Alex Akingbulu, Jean Delance, Bryce Mathews, Will Fries, Josh Sills
14. OG: JonCarlo Valentin, 6’4” 320lbs. Philadelphia, PA (Imhotep)
– Valentin was recently offered and looks to be another very realistic option for this class. He has the elite size and agility to be a road grader in the Maize and Blue, and that could definitely happen thanks to the staff showing major interest and their relationship they’ve already built with his best friend, teammate and the staff’s top tight end target, Naseir Upshur. He told TMI’s Sam Webb that they are looking to play together in college. Look for the staff to push hard for them when they visit this summer.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- First on List: Now
- Highlights
- Other Options: Michael Onwenu, Alex Akingbulu, Jean Delance, Bryce Mathews, Will Fries, Josh Sills
15. DT: Rashan Gary, 6’4” 280lbs. Scott Plains, NJ (Paramus Catholic)
– The #1 player in the country and #1 player on the Michigan recruiting board, Gary is a dominant defensive lineman that has the size and power to play on the inside but also the athleticism and speed to be a pass rusher. He has been targeted by the Wolverines for a long time but it looked like a pipe dream until Harbaugh came on board and hired his high school coach and good family friend, Chris Patridge. The two met back up when Gary visited at the end of March, and from reports, he really liked his visit and could lead for him (per Wolverine247’s Steve Lorenz). This will likely be a long recruitment, but look out for him when he visits Ann Arbor again with his mom. It could be a game changer.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- First on List: August 2014
- Highlights
- Other Options: Chris Daniels, Naquan Jones, Boss Tagaloa
16. DE: Ron Johnson Jr, 6’4” 240lbs. Camden, NJ (Camden)
Johnson (left) and Hawkins (right)
– Johnson is an under the radar recruit for most Michigan fans but that may need to change as he visited with the other New Jersey targets at the end of March, and had a great time. He spoke Sam Webb about his trip and admitted he thought about committing ($). He also said that he wants to play college ball with teammate and top Michigan WR target Brad Hawkins. So, if the coaches continue to make them top priorities, I really like their chances at landing the Camden duo. A summer decision is very possible.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- First on List: April 2015
- Highlights
- Other Options: Auston Roberson, Connor Murphy,Levi Onwuzurike, Rahssan Thornton, Khalid Kareem, Patrick Bethel, Isaiah Chambers
17. DE: Xavier Kelly, 6’5” 230lbs. Wichita, KS (East)
– Kelly is one of the most athletic defensive ends in the country (also stars on the basketball court) and has become a top target for Michigan. He was committed to Kansas State for a bit, but when the Wolverines came calling, he decommitted and quickly added them to this top three. In an interview with The Wolverine’s Brandon Brown, Kelly raved about Michigan and why they’re among his top teams($). He let me know he’ll be on campus in June and I believe everyone will be on #CommitWatch that weekend.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: June 13th
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- First on List: April 2015
- Highlights
- Other Options: Auston Roberson, Connor Murphy, Levi Onwuzurike, Rahssan Thornton, Khalid Kareem, Patrick Bethel, Isaiah Chambers
18. OLB: Caleb Kelly, 6’3” 215lbs. Fresno, CA (Clovis West)
– Kelly is one of the best players in the country and is the #1 player in California, according to Scout. He has the size and athleticism to be a star off the edge and thanks to a great unofficial spring visit, it looks like Michigan has a real shot at landing him. According to Wolverine247’s Steve Lorenz, Kelly received the red carpet treatment, including an academic tour, hanging with Jabrill Peppers and speaking with John Harbaugh ($). Rumor has it that Michigan and Oklahoma are out front but I believe the California satellite camps will push the Wolverines out front for good.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: Good
- First on List: January 2015
- Highlights
- Other Options: Carlo Kamp, Camilo Eifler, Lamar Winston, Jonathan Smith, Darrian Franklin, Koby Quansah
19. LB: Devin Bush Jr, 6’1” 220lbs. Hollywood, FL (Flanagan)
– Bush is one of the top targets on the linebacker board and he told 247’s Christopher Stock why Michigan is his leader over the nearby Hurricanes ($). He’ll likely be apart of one of the summer satellite camps and the staff will likely pull out all of the stops on his return visit on June14th. If things go as well or better than his first visit, I believe he joins the class (and look out for his teammate/Miami commit S Devin Gil, who will visit with him).
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- First on List: Now
- Highlights
- Other Options: Carlo Kamp, Camilo Eifler, Lamar Winston, Jonathan Smith, Darrian Franklin, Koby Quansah
20. LB: Dontavious Jackson, 6’2” 248lbs. Houston, TX (Alief Elsik)
– Jackson is a prototypical MIKE linebacker and defensive enforcer. He is a heavy hitter that plays with great passion and Michigan is looking to bring in to be the face of their defense. And according to Steve Lorenz’s sources, the Wolverines may be his leader at the moment ($) thanks to an amazing, 5 day visit to the Great Lakes state. It’s still early for the national target but with the successful visit, the staff’s need for interior linebackers and his teammate, Chris Brown, also being extremely high on the Wolverines, I really like the chances of him wearing the winged helmet at the next level.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- First on List: April 2015
- Highlights
- Other Options: Carlo Kamp, Camilo Eifler, Lamar Winston, Jonathan Smith, Darrian Franklin, Koby Quansah
21. LB: Jonathan Jones, 6’2” 220lbs. Orlando, FL (Oak Ridge)
– Jones is another recruit that should skyrocket up the recruiting rankings in the not-so-distant future. He has been dominating every camp he’s attended, including landing an invite to The Opening and being named the Linebacker MVP at both the Orlando Opening Regional camp and the Rivals Speed and Strength Challenge in Orlando. And at both events, he let it be known that Michigan is his leader and has already planned his official visit to Ann Arbor for October 25th and will also be on campus this summer for a visit. I believe a decision will be made during/quickly after that summer trip.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: No
- Michigan’s Chances: Excellent
- First on List: March 2015
- Highlights
- Other Options: Carlo Kamp, Camilo Eifler, Lamar Winston, Jonathan Smith, Darrian Franklin, Koby Quansah
22. LB: Dele’ Harding, 6’1” 218lbs. Elkton, MD (Eastern Christian)
– Harding pulled the trigger on his commitment to Michigan right after Coach Hoke was fired, which is very strange but let people know that he is committing to the University and program, not a coach. And though he’s been pretty quiet outside of his spring game visit, he looks to be very solid with his commitment.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED
- First on List: January 2014
- Highlights
23. CB: Mark Gilbert, 6’2” 170lbs. Fayetteville, NC (Sanford)
-By far the hardest position to predict is at corner where Michigan does not look to have an outright lead with any of their top targets. However, they need to bring in at least one and I see Gilbert being the most likely choice at this point. He had a great spring trip to Ann Arbor and I believe he could end up in the Maize and Blue if the staff makes him a priority.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: Good
- First on List: Now
- Highlights
- Other Options: Tony Butler, Lavert Hill, David Long, Korey Banks, Camryn Bynum
24. S: Chris Brown, 5’11” 183lbs. Houston, TX (Alief Elsik)
– Brown is one of the more underrated players on the Michigan recruiting board and happens to be teammates and good friends with LB Dontavious Jackson. He was also on the Spring Game visit and looked to have a fantastic time, as well. Add that in with what his father told TMI’s Sam Webb about his trip ($) and I believe he definitely ends up in the Maize and Blue, and it could very well happen at a satellite camp in Texas this June.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
- First on List: April 2015
- Highlights
- Other Options: CJ Pollard, Devin Gil, Lamar Jackson, Andrew Pryts, JJ Givens
25. K/P: Quinn Nordin, 6’1” 200lbs. Rockford, MI (Rockford)
– Nordin is the nation’s #1 kicker, according to Kornblue Kicking, and landed his Michigan offer while visiting for the Spring Game. Though he says both Penn State and Michigan are at the top of his list, 11 analysts have already put in predictions for the Maize and Blue. Add in him telling Go Blue Wolverine’s Sam Webb that most of his family are Michigan fans and he’s good friends with new commit David Reese ($), and I believe he chooses Michigan this summer.
- Offer: Yes
- Visit: Yes
- Michigan’s Chances: Excellent
- Highlights
Next to Join the List
- WR Dez Fitzpatrick
- RB Daevon Vigilant
- ATH Devaughn Cooper
- DE Connor Murphy
- DT Chris Daniels
- CB Lavert Hill
- CB Tony Butler
- TE Isaac Nauta
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