Who’s Next?: Michigan’s Top 2016 Recruits Left on the Board

Now that Michigan has secured the commitments from LB Devin Bush Jr. and RB Kareem Walker, the staff and commits have turned their attention to the top targets remaining on the board. And the recruits aren’t exactly hiding it:

On top of their Twitter actions, according to both Wolverine247’s Steve Lorenz and The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich, Bush Jr is already recruiting WR Keyshawn Young. Lorenz was also told that the new linebacker commit is also targeting LB Jonathan Jones, LB Dontavious Jackson and DL Rashan Gary ($).

As for Walker, he looks to already be targeting TE Isaac Nauta and will likely go after fellow Garden State recruits, Gary and ATH Jordan Fuller.

Here’s a look at the top names on the board and where UM stands with each of them:

Chances Key:

  • Excellent – Expected to Commit
  • Very Good – Definitely Possible 
  • Good – Realistic Option
  • Decent – Puncher’s Chance
  • Low – Likely Not happening
  • WR Keyshawn “Pie” Young

    • Looked to be the next addition to the class but a new report came out that said he has bumped back his decision date. Since that came out, I have been unable to confirm that report. Either way, Michigan is in the driver’s seat for Pie and should land him, as long as a spot remains available*.
      • Michigan’s Chances: Excellent*
  • CB Lavert Hill

    • After decommitting from Penn State, Hill looked like a sure-fire get for the Wolverines. However, according to The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb, Hill was a big fan of Durkin and his departure has hurt UM a bit ($). Luckily for UM, they were able to get him on campus for an official visit this past weekend and look to still be the outright favorites moving forward. I believe it’ll take a bad DC hire or an amazing visit elsewhere to keep him out of the class.
      • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
  • DT Rashan Gary

    • The top player in the country and on the board looks destined for Michigan but, as every UM fan remembers clearly, it’s tough to sign the #1 player in the class. But unlike Da’Shawn Hand, Gary seems to be higher on UM than Hand ever seemed to be. And I believe a lot of that has to do with his mother guiding him through the process and UM’s relationships they’ve built with both her and her son. Still, even with the confidence, I’ll remain cautious until he signs his LOI.
      • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
  • LB Jonathan Jones

    • With Bush on the board, Jones looks like the next linebacker on deck to join the class. Though Michigan does not have the outright lead for him anymore, I believe the opportunity to play early as well as the relationships he’s built with the staff will help UM beat out Notre Dame for his commitment and signature.
      • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
  • OT Jean Delance

    • The top offensive lineman on the board officially visited Michigan this past weekend and, from all signs, it looks like it went extremely well. Thanks to that as well as Ahmir Mitchell’s tweet about a 3rd commitment this week, some have suggested that Delance is that person. I wouldn’t rule that out but at the same time, there are too many heavy hitters still making a priority out of him to be sure until he announces at the Under Armour All-American game on January 2nd (which happens to take place in the same stadium as UM’s bowl game the day before).
      • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
  • WR Dylan Crawford

    • With Nate Johnson on the board, it looks like the staff may only have room for one more wide receiver (if that). So, it may come down who commits first out of Crawford and Pie Young. Some view Crawford as a long shot but I believe UM could be, at least, tied at the top of his list with Oregon. It’ll be a recruitment to watch closely moving forward as he may make his announcement at the Army All-American game.
      • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
  • CB David Long 

    • Long is still committed to Stanford but there are still questions out there about whether he’ll be admitted to the school or not. Because of it, he’s been looking around a bit and Michigan has jumped at the opportunity to prove that he’s a priority for this class. And it seems to be working pretty well. If Long ends up decommitting from the Cardinal, I believe UM ends up swaying him away from the west coast.
      • Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
  • OG Terrance Davis

    • Davis was the top candidate to (publicly) commit for months but still has yet to do so and now it looks like his spot could be in jeopardy. The staff may be waiting to see how things go with Delance before really pushing for Davis because of the few amount of spots available and needs at other positions. But if it’s still available, he remains a legit option for this class.
      • Michigan’s Chances: Good
  • LB Dontavious Jackson

    • D-Jack is a tough recruit to get a read on. Most believe he’ll end up staying in state and choosing Texas but with all of the questions surrounding Charlie Strong’s job, I believe he ends up elsewhere at the end of the day. Will that be Michigan? Maybe. He’s had two very good visits to UM this year and they look to be high on his list. But it’ll be tough to beat out the other southern schools like LSU and Florida State (yeah, them again).
      • Michigan’s Chances: Good
  • TE Isaac Nauta

    • The top tight end in the class has looked to be staying home in Georgia and being a Bulldog for awhile now but still has yet to pull the trigger. The coaching change in Athens definitely shook things up a bit but thanks to QB Jacob Eason reconfirming his commitment and Kirby Smart hiring an offensive coordinator that utilizes the tight end, UGA looks like the favorites again. But I don’t think UM is completely out of it. According to Wolverine247’s Steve Lorenz, the staff believes they have a legit shot at landing Nauta ($). Add in commits trying to recruit him and there may be a glimmer of hope for the Wolverines to get him to move up north.
      • Michigan’s Chances: Good/Decent
  • ATH Jordan Fuller

    • Since taking over, Harbaugh and his staff have made Fuller a top target in 2016 and thanks to the heavy amount of New Jersey flavor to the class already, they could end up making a late move in his recruitment. It looks like they’ll have some ground to make up but thanks to the high need of playmakers and the relationships he has with the current NJ commits, UM looks to have a puncher’s chance here.
      • Michigan’s Chances: Decent

Other Names to Watch

Photo Credit: The Miami Herald/CanesWarning.com

Garrett Fishaw