The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/418536
FOOTBALL RECRUITING The next player to decommit from Michigan was the shortest-lived pledge — he hadn't even yet com- mitted to the Maize and Blue at the time of the previous decommitments. Lincolnton (N.C.) defensive end Dar- ian Roseboro picked Michigan in a ceremony at his high school Aug. 29, but within a month the No. 6 de- fensive tackle and No. 42 overall prospect nationally felt the desire to stick close to home. He committed to North Carolina State a week af- ter pulling back from his Michigan pledge. The 6-4, 283-pounder picked the Wolfpack Oct. 11. Richmond (Va.) St. Christopher 's School cornerback Garrett Taylor was next to decommit, making the de- cision to drop the Maize and Blue Oct. 27. He expressed uncertainty about the future of the program fol- lowing a 3-5 start to the Wolverines' 2014 season. The No. 6 cornerback and No. 48 overall prospect nation- ally is considering Ohio State, Penn State, Miami and Virginia Tech. The most recent decommit came from Indianapolis Lawrence Central linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. Like Taylor, the 6-1, 232-pounder was wary of the direction of Michigan's program and the potential firing of Hoke at the conclusion of the season. He unofficially visited Notre Dame early in the 2014 season, and made an official visit to Ole Miss Oct. 31, decommitting from Michigan a week later. The No. 7 inside linebacker and No. 167 overall prospect nationally is considering a host of programs, with the Rebels joined by Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia Tech, among oth- ers, on his list. The Michigan coaching staff has lost its leverage on enforcing any sort of "take visits, lose your spot" policy in the 2015 class. Prospects see it as an empty threat with few top targets around the nation knocking down doors to join the group. Coaching uncertainty has inflicted another blow upon the opportunity for the coaches to keep the class to- gether, with prospects unwilling to commit to a staff that may not be around in the future. The decommitments Michigan has already suffered may not be the last: four-star tight end Chris Clark of Avon (Conn.) Old Farms School, and in-state four-stars Mike Weber (a running back from Detroit Cass Tech) and Brian Cole (a wide receiver/ath- lete from Saginaw Heritage) are also exploring their options. GOING FORWARD Michigan's 2016 class — like the three before it — is off to a strong start. The Wolverines hold commit- ments from a trio of four-star Ri- vals250 prospects. Downers Grove (Ill.) South offensive lineman Erik Swenson is the headliner of the bunch, the No. 9 offensive tackle and No. 70 overall player nationally. Trot- wood (Ohio) Madison quarterback Messiah deWeaver is No. 9 at his position and No. 210 overall in the nation, and the most recent commit, Elkton (Md.) Eastern Christian Acad- emy linebacker Dele' Harding, is the No. 5 inside linebacker and No. 186