The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/152358
michigan recruiting Closing 2014 With A Bang M ichigan's 2014 class is already a strong one. The Wolverines' 15man commitment list is ranked No. 12 nationally by Rivals.com, and includes the nation's top committed player in Paramus (N.J.) Catholic defensive back Jabrill Peppers. The 6-1, 210-pound Peppers, however, might not end up being U-M's highest-rated pledge if the coaching staff has its way. Woodbridge (Va.) High defensive end Da'Shawn Hand is the nation's top prospect, thanks to his combination of size (6-4 and 250 pounds), explosive athleticism and knowledge of the game. He is also high on Michigan and is planning to visit Ann Arbor officially for the Notre Dame game Sept. 7. He also intends to take official visits to Florida and Alabama — though neither is scheduled — prior to making his commitment Nov. 14 at his high school. One player who's a longer shot for Michigan but could make a bigger splash (if it's possible to upstage the No. 1 player in the country) is New Orleans St. Augustine running back Leonard Fournette. The No. 3 player nationally is a 6-1, 225-pound bruiser at the tailback position that claims more than 100 scholarship offers. Although he tentatively plans to take an official visit to Michigan, LSU and Alabama are considered the teams to beat. Michigan's odds to land any other five-star prospect are even longer, with Gardena (Calif.) Serra cornerback Adoree' Jackson and Oakley (Calif.) Freedom running back Joe Mixon Woodbridge (Va.) High defensive end Da'Shawn Hand, the nation's No. 1 player according to Rivals.com, is planning to take an official visit to U-M for the Notre Dame game Sept. 7. photo courtesy rivals.com considering the Wolverines, but leaning elsewhere. However, there is still plenty of talent on the board for Michigan. The Wolverines' recent pickup of Warren (Mich.) De La Salle two-star linebacker Jared Wangler shows the emphasis on recruiting in the state, and his family connections — his dad, John, was U‑M's starting quarterback in 1979 and 1980, older sister Halle will be a walk-on for Michigan's basketball program this winter, and brother Jack will be a freshman walk-on with the football program — were a strong tie