The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/402034
FOOTBALL RECRUITING 197‑pounder remains a solid pledge to Michigan, pending how the season turns out. "I know they're down right now, but they'll get it together," he said. "I know there's a lot of talk about the coaching staff not being there, and since then other schools have been coming at me, but they'll get it to‑ gether. I committed to a school. The coaches were a big part, but you can't just commit to the coach." Like Malzone, he's doing his part to convince his fellow pledges to stay in the fold. "I talked to a lot of other guys there, and Darrin [Kirkland] is good in his commitment," Kinnel said. "He's still really high on Michigan, and I don't think he'll go anywhere." Kinnel made his second visit of the fall for Michigan's night game victory over Penn State and is trying to con‑ vince teammate Ahmad Wagner — a 6‑6, 215‑pound wide receiver cur‑ rently committed to play basketball at Iowa — to, at the very least, take a visit to Ann Arbor. Richmond (Va.) St. Christopher cornerback Garrett Taylor could be the commit Michigan is most likely to lose, regardless of what happens on the field or with the coaching staff over the remainder of the season and beyond. The 6‑1, 188‑pounder is un‑ easy with any signs of instability. "I know people are bouncing ideas around about whether Coach Hoke will be back next season or not and if the coaching staff is going to stay there," he said. "I know Michigan's program isn't where Coach Hoke and people want it to be. We'll see how things go and see if they can turn things around." Taylor, the No. 6 cornerback and No. 48 overall player nationally ac‑ cording to Rivals.com, has planned several official and unofficial visits to other schools, including Ohio State, Penn State and Virginia Tech. He does hope to visit Ann Arbor at the conclusion of the regular season (along with his fellow commitments), but the Maize and Blue will have to work to keep him in the fold. Massillon (Ohio) Washington kicker Andrew David was the first commitment in Michigan's 2015 class, picking the Wolverines in June 2013. He cites that "first one in" status as a reason for staying strong with the Maize and Blue. "I'm emotionally starting to get fed up with everyone telling me Coach Hoke is going to be gone," he said. "Hoke is the guy that recruited me, and if he's not there I'll be devastated. But I was the very first 2015 commit and right now the first commit is still 100 percent Blue. That's all I can say." The 5‑9, 170‑pound David is un‑ ranked nationally or within the state of Ohio, but has shown flashes of greatness, including a 58‑yard field goal this fall. 2016 Trotwood (Ohio) Madison quarterback Messiah deWeaver and Downers Grove (Ill.) South offen- sive lineman Erik Swenson are just juniors, so they have more time — nearly 16 months — to take a wait‑ and‑see approach with Michigan's program. Both four‑stars are longtime