The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/111015
The Ones That Got Away: Top Targets Michigan Missed On In 2013 WR Laquon Treadwell: Michigan came into the 2013 recruiting calendar with a definitive need at wide receiver, and the nation���s best resided in U-M���s footprint. The five-star from Crete, Ill., flirted with the Wolverines considerably for the first six months of 2012 and was considered Michigan���s to lose, but dropped his two favorites ��� Michigan and Oklahoma State ��� in favor of Mississippi. TE Durham Smythe: The Maize and Blue entered the fray for Smythe in the final two months, but they coveted the 6-6, 230-pounder and were hoping to bring him in for an official visit. However, Smythe went to South Bend to see Notre Dame Jan. 25 and committed two days later, forgoing an Ann Arbor trip. OL Steve Elmer: The top player in the state of Michigan in 2013, the fourstar from Midland grew up a huge Notre Dame fan and was terribly disappointed with the results of the Sept. 11, 2011, ���Under the Lights��� matchup between the two schools. He lessened the ND grief when he committed to the Fighting Irish less than a week later. LB E.J. Levenberry: Michigan made it clear to its linebacker targets it intended to take only two this year, speeding up the timetable for signees Mike McCray (March 6, 2012) and Ben Gedeon (April 10, 2012). Their decisions left Levenberry, who went back and forth between U-M and Florida State, out of luck. CB Kendall Fuller: The five-star cornerback, ranked the No. 9 player nationally, made his decision in July, but before picking Virginia Tech he had narrowed his final three to Clemson, Michigan and the Hokies. Friends with U-M redshirt sophomore cornerback Blake Countess, Fuller couldn���t be swayed to make Ann Arbor his home. CB Gareon Conley: Conley was discovered by the Maize and Blue and rewarded their find by committing March 10. However, his play on the field garnered greater attention, and he began to sway in his loyalty, ultimately opening up his recruitment in November with the hope of an Ohio State offer. The Buckeyes obliged and the 6-2, 165-pound three-star pledged Dec. 7, 2012. S Leon McQuay III: The Wolverines wanted a second safety in this class to complement Dymonte Thomas, and liked McQuay���s ability to play nickel and dime coverage also. Michigan made the finalists cut with the five-star, ranked the No.��22 player nationally, but the Seffner, Fla., native chose Southern Cal Dec.��14. ��� Michael Spath