The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/122487
football recruiting ments. The coaching staff's focus has shifted toward overall talent, when in previous years there had been an emphasis on not only skill, but also decision timeline — the earlier, the better. The prospects that Hoke and his coaches are pursuing this year are mostly content to take their time, and since the Wolverines have no depth issues that lead to urgency in filling the class, the U-M staff is willing to wait. While the class could still end up mostly filled by kickoff against Central Michigan Aug. 31, that's not the top priority, like it had been in previous years. The level of talent that Michigan's coaches are pursuing is a little easier to wait on, too. While five-stars Kalis and Pipkins made early decisions in the 2012 class, the only fivestar player to sign with Michigan in 2013, Richmond (Va.) Hermitage running back Derrick Green, waited until Jan. 26, 2013 — just more than a week before National Signing Day — to make his pledge. The Wolverines hope to land even more five-star talent in the 2014 class. The top two players nationally, Woodbridge (Va.) High defensive end Da'Shawn Hand and Paramus (N.J.) Catholic cornerback Jabrill Peppers, both plan to make decisions late in the recruiting process. Hand has been invited to the U.S. Army AllAmerican Bowl, and Peppers to the Under Armour All-America Game. Each could make his commitment in early January 2014 at the game of his choosing. Both players are high The Tipping Point There hasn't been a rush of commitments in 2014 like there had been in the two previous classes, but a few prospects could trigger an avalanche. Tarpon Springs (Fla.) East Lake wide receiver Artavis Scott Wide receiver is one of the few positions at which Michigan will be taking several prospects: three, to be precise. With Grand Rapids, Mich., standout Drake Harris already committed, Scott is at the top of the wish list and is high on Michigan. He has been to campus multiple times with teammate Mason Cole (a Michigan commitment). When Harris committed following the spring game, it moved Scott into the lynchpin position on a domino effect in the receiving corps. There are a number of prospects for just one opening at the third wideout spot, and if both primary targets commit early, others may not want to risk missing the opportunity. Nashville (Tenn.) Montgomery Bell Academy offensive lineman Alex Bars Bars is the younger — and more highly rated — brother of U-M redshirt freshman Blake Bars. The 6-6, 290-pound Alex is the No. 55 overall player nationally and could follow Blake to Ann Arbor. He's a bit bigger and could be a true offensive tackle (whereas big bro is an inside/