The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/262939
Michigan didn't bat 1.000 when it came to bringing in its top targets. Here are some that the U-M coaches will most regret missing on. Defensive End Da'Shawn Hand • Alabama Woodbridge (Va.) Five-star recruit, No. 1 overall pros- pect and No. 1 strongside defensive end in the country, and No. 1 player in Virginia Michigan was in the final group for Hand, and the Wolverines looked poised to reel in the country's top player for the first time ever when he made his pledge Nov. 14 in a ceremony at his school. However, in something of a surprise, the 6-5, 245-pounder instead donned a crim- son cap and committed to Alabama. He is one of six five-star prospects in the Tide's 2014 class. Hand cited the ability to study engineering and play football together — a very difficult proposition at a school with Michi- gan's engineering program — as one reason he picked Alabama. Defensive Lineman Malik McDowell • Michigan State Southfield (Mich.) Five-star recruit, No. 26 overall prospect and No. 2 strongside defensive end in the country, and No. 1 player in Michigan McDowell grew up a Michigan fan, and when he left Notre Dame-friendly De- troit Loyola High School in the spring for a more neutral Southfield High — which also counted U-M defensive end pledge Lawrence Marshall among its student- athletes — things were looking up. However, instead of committing to Michigan (which he was close to doing at multiple points during the fall), he decided to take all five official visits, and committed to Michigan State on National Signing The Ones That Got Away Woodbridge (Va.) High defensive end Da'Shawn Hand, Rivals.com's No. 1 overall prospect nationally, surprised many when he spurned Michigan to sign with Alabama. PHOTO BY TIM SULLIVAN