The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN RECRUITING to Michigan prior to his junior year, but as he enters his senior campaign, the 5-11, 210-pounder doesn't even have the Wolverines in the picture. The nation's top running back and No. 4 overall player has narrowed his list to Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio State and Texas A&M. OTHER PEOPLES' PROSPECTS Michigan's coaching staff has a policy prohibiting the Wol- verines' own commitments from taking recruiting visits — either unofficial trips or officials — to other schools' campuses. The policy is in- tended to help the Maize and Blue put together the top class possible in each recruiting cycle, and by all accounts it has helped retain prospects and build strong groups. Without it, top 2014 signee Jabrill Pep- pers planned to officially visit (and may have ultimately flipped his com- mitment to) UCLA, for example. Some other coaching staffs across the country have no such policy, and with the 2015 group that could play to Michigan's advantage. The Wolverines have already hosted a Florida commit who immediately rescinded his pledge from the Gators, and are scheduled to bring in players committed to Geor- gia and Florida State later this fall, in hopes of encouraging a flip. Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga cor- nerback Marcus Lewis committed to Florida April 17, and the No. 2 player in the District of Columbia, the No. 8 cornerback nationally and No. 84 over- all player in the class of 2015 made it no secret he was open to other schools. Following a July 27 visit to Michigan, he officially decommitted from the Ga- tors, and now Michigan is considered the favorite for the 6-0, 194-pounder. U-M is hoping to repeat the stunt with two other recent commitments. Resiterstown (Md.) Franklin offen- sive lineman Pat Allen narrowed his list to Georgia, U-M, Okla- homa, Arkansas and Ten- nessee before committing to the Bulldogs — who he'd held No. 1 on his list for months — Aug. 4. Despite the pledge, the second- best player in Maryland, the No. 11 offensive tackle in the land and the No. 95 overall player nationally will still take official visits to all five finalists. The trip to Ann Arbor is for the Sept. 27 game against Minne- sota, and the Wolverines will have their chance to make a statement — and potentially steal the 6-4, 285-pounder away from Georgia. Tampa (Fla.) Wharton wide receiver Auden Tate is similarly soft in his Aug. 5 commitment to Florida State, though Michigan appears to be the main school left in the running. The No. 32 player in Florida, No. 22 wide receiver nationally and No. 196 over- all player in the class of 2015 picked the Seminoles from a group of seven schools, but the 6-4, 199-pounder will take visits to both Tallahassee and Ann Arbor. PAT ALLEN