The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/402034
FOOTBALL RECRUITING State, Michigan State and Tennessee. Saginaw (Mich.) Heritage wide receiver/athlete Brian Cole was adamant at the time of his commit‑ ment that he picked Michigan for the school, rather than a coach (or even just the football program). That said, the 6‑2, 200‑pounder has kept his op‑ tions open and even took an official visit to Wisconsin Oct. 11 for its game against Illinois. Cole is listed as the top player in the state of Michigan, the No. 5 athlete the country and the No. 89 overall player nationally by Rivals.com. Avon (Conn.) Old Farms tight end Chris Clark was considering official visits to other schools even before Michigan's season started to tail off, and the direction of the program has him going on officials to North Caro‑ lina Nov. 15, and Texas and USC at later dates he has yet to nail down. "I'm definitely still strong with my commitment," Clark said. "It's some‑ thing I'm playing by ear, though. I want to wait and see what hap‑ pens with the coaching staff. They've struggled a lot this year, which is kind of surprising to all the com‑ mits. Right now, I'm not making any decisions." Should Hoke stay as Michigan's head coach, it's highly likely that Clark remains the 2015 tight end commit‑ ment, a big deal given his ranking as the second‑best player at the position and No. 56 overall prospect nationally according to Rivals.com. In any other circumstance, though, he'll have to be re‑recruited and may not be likely to end up at Michigan. Lawrenceville (N.J.) School offen- sive lineman Grant Newsome has been unequivocal that, no matter what happens to the season or coaching staff at Michigan, he'll be showing up next fall. "I'm fully committed to Michigan," he responded to any question about his status. Rivals.com's No. 21 offensive tackle and No. 199 overall player nationally, Newsome is U‑M's most vocal solid pledge and a boost to Michigan. The 6‑7, 280‑pounder is an important piece to helping reach further success in coming years. Philadelphia St. Joseph's Prep of- fensive lineman Jon Runyan Jr. is the son of a former U‑M All‑America of‑ fensive lineman and a solid commit to Michigan — the first (and only) school to offer him — no matter what hap‑ pens to close out this season or the fate of the coaching staff. The 6‑5, 280‑pounder is ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 39 offensive guard nationally, though his physique has improved since last time the rank‑ ings were updated — he was listed at DIGITAL BONUS: Tim Sullivan Football Recruiting Podcast CLICK THE ICON TO PLAY OR STOP THE AUDIO