The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/418536
MICHIGAN RECRUITING ing committed to the Wolverines is Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne safety Tyree Kinnel. The 5‑11, 197‑pounder is ranked as the No. 11 safety and No. 195 overall player in the nation by Rivals.com, and he plans to stick to Michigan no matter what. "I know they're going through some tough times right now, but they'll get it worked out," Kinnel said. "They're going to turn the sea‑ son around, and I'm still committed to Michigan." While a hypothetical coaching change may switch up Kinnel's tune, he plans to be a Wolverine. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES • The Wolverines continue to evaluate Bloomfield Hills (Mich.) Brother Rice 2015 wide receiver Grant Perry. The 6‑0, 183‑pounder is an unranked three‑ star, but the favorite target of U‑M quarterback commit Alex Malzone. If the Wolverines are on the hunt for another wide receiver late in the 2015 process, a playmaker like Perry — who caught 15 touchdown passes in nine regular‑ season games — could be an option. • Michigan legacy Tyrone Wheatley Jr. remains on the radar for the Wolver‑ ines' 2015 group. The four‑star athlete out of Buffalo (N.Y.) Canisius Prep is a 6‑6, 245‑pounder who is ranked as the No. 15 strongside defensive end and No. 246 overall prospect nationally, though he could also play tight end or even offensive line in college. The son of the former U‑M running back by the same name has stayed quiet in his recruiting process, but includes U‑M in his final five, along with Alabama, Miami, UCLA and USC. • Detroit King 2016 wide receiver Donnie Corley picked up a Michigan offer Oct. 15, giving him options in Ann Arbor, East Lansing and Madison, Wis., along with a handful of out‑of‑region and Mid‑American Conference options. The 6‑2, 174‑pounder is ranked as the No. 38 wide receiver and No. 226 overall prospect in the 2016 class. He visited Michigan for the Indiana game Nov. 1, but plans to take his time making a college decision. • Michigan's coaches have let the 2017 recruiting class play out slowly, taking their time to issue new scholarship offers. That gives each offer more signifi‑ cance, and such was the case for St. Joseph (Mich.) High defensive end Corey Malone‑Hatcher. The 6‑3, 235‑pounder has visited Ann Arbor several times — including for multiple games this fall — and could be an early decider in his class. He also holds offers from Ohio State and Penn State. • While the Michigan coaching staff anticipates enough openings to sign 16 prospects in the 2015 class, the availability of top prospects to fill those slots may result in a smaller group. If U‑M can't find enough suitable targets, bank‑ ing scholarships for a 2016 group that already looks to be bigger — about 20 signees — and should come on the heels of a better season than 2014 could be the right move to make.