The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/201975
michigan recruiting No. 26 overall prospect in the nation according to Rivals.com, just three spots away from five-star status. The 6‑1, 207-pound Smith could play a variety of positions in college, but his highest upside is at safety. He will take an official visit to Ann Arbor Nov. 30 for the Ohio State game. Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oregon are other schools also still in the mix for him. Hometown schools USC and UCLA are also still in the mix for the No. 3 player in their state. Jenks (Okla.) safety Steven Parker isn't ranked quite as highly as Smith, but he's not far off. The No. 46 prospect in the country is tops in Oklahoma and the No. 6 safety nationally, according to Rivals.com. While his recruitment hasn't been quite as active, he plans to take an official visit to Michigan for either the Nov. 9 Nebraska game or the Nov. 30 contest against Ohio State. The 6‑2, 185-pounder is another attractive safety prospect to U-M's coaches. Cleveland Glenville has long been an Ohio State stronghold, but Michigan junior defensive end Frank Clark and redshirt freshman defensive tackle Willie Henry have opened some eyes at the school. Athlete Marshon Lattimore is the school's top 2014 prospect, a 6‑2, 207-pounder who could play running back, wide receiver, safety or even cornerback in college. He's the No. 54 overall prospect in the nation and is a possibility for Michigan to fill any of those spaces. Teammate Erik Smith is a pure safety, and though he's not as versatile, is still the No. 195 overall recruit in the nation. The duo visited Ann Arbor together for the Notre Dame game Sept. 7 and could return for an official visit later in the year. U-M's coaches have also left the door open for running backs. While it's extremely unlikely that five-star Leonard Fournette picks Michigan, the No. 6 player in the country out of New Orleans St. Augustine has mentioned a desire in the past to visit campus. Still, he will be tough to pull away from home-state LSU. Other options at the position include a handful of unoffered players that could see more U-M interest should the coaches opt to pursue the position. Niles (Ill.) Notre Dame three-star Chris James and Minneapolis Washburn four-star Jeff Jones, currently committed to the hometown Gophers, could become options down the road. Some players who hold Michigan offers — but whose position seems to be filled — include Gardena (Calif.) Serra linebacker Dwight Williams, a four-star and the No. 85 player in the nation. The 6-1, 212-pound Williams still hopes to take an official visit to Ann Arbor for the Ohio State game. Seven Wolverines Set To Enroll Early Michigan's coaching staff has benefitted from early enrollment during the course of two full recruiting classes in Ann Arbor. Players get the opportunity to participate in spring football and, more importantly, acclimate to college life prior to the arrival of their remaining classmates. The 2012 group saw three Ohioans — linebackers Joe Bolden and Kalen Ringer, and safety Jarrod Wilson —