The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/201975
michigan recruiting Nov. 14 — his 18th birthday. Hand unofficially visited Michigan in March, where he saw the opening of U‑M's 2013 spring practices. He returned to Ann Arbor for his official visit Sept. 7, seeing the Wolverines take down Notre Dame in the Under The Lights II contest in Michigan Stadium. That visit has gone a long way toward helping Michigan take over the pole position for Hand. "It was amazing and crazy," he said "It was cool to be a part of history with the largest crowd in history. They had chants saying, 'We want Da'Shawn!' It was wild. "It was more laid back," he continued. "They were just acting like normal people. They weren't even acting like they were recruiting me. It was more about seeing how I was doing, catching up with people and seeing what I remembered. I talked to all the coaches, and it was the same old, same old." His second official visit was to Alabama Oct. 26. He saw the Crimson Tide take down Tennessee 45‑10. Like his time in Ann Arbor, Tuscaloosa was a very positive experience for Hand. "I got down here on Saturday," Hand said. "After we ate breakfast we went to the game. The game was amazing, and of course they won. After that I ate a lot. The food was crazy good. I met with all the coaches and players and hung out with some of the players. It was a good visit." The final phase of his recruitment will come Nov. 9 — just a few days before his commitment ceremony — when the five-star will officially visit Florida. It will be his first trip to Gainesville, and the Gators are a serious threat to Michigan's leadership position. Michigan has already reeled in its best-ever pledge in the Rivals.com era, with Paramus (N.J.) Catholic cornerback commit Jabrill Peppers' standing as the No. 2 player in the nation and surpassing Ryan Mallett (No. 4 in 2007). Adding Hand would be an unprecedented coup not only for Michigan, but in the history of Rivals.com. No school has ever reeled in the top two players in the same class. Other Openings Defensive ends Da'Shawn Hand and Malik McDowell are the top two prospects remaining on Michigan's board, but it's possible that they aren't the only two players that end up in the Michigan class before National Signing Day in February. It's possible that players in the defensive backfield or even running back could join the fold for the Maize and Blue. U-M has long been pursuing a number of defensive backs, though the list has been pared down. No longer are five-star California corner Adoree' Jackson and four-star Chicago safety Parrker Westphal considering U‑M. There's no dearth of talent in the players still on the board, however. Long Beach (Calif.) Poly safety/ athlete John "Juju" Smith is one of the top remaining uncommitted players in the nation. He's a high four-star, the No. 2 safety in the country and the