The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/465847
M ichigan's coaches didn't solely focus on uncommitted targets in filling out the 2015 class. Instead, they managed to mine other programs' commitment lists for some top targets to close out the group. Zach Gentry was a longtime commit to the University of Texas when the 6-7, 230-pound quarterback opted to take an official visit to Ann Arbor, ultimately flipping to the Wolverines on the trip. The No. 105 overall player nationally hails from Albuquerque, N.M., but will play his college ball as a Wolverine, not a Longhorn. Sarasota (Fla.) Riverview three-star running back Karan Higdon had a long sojourn on the recruiting trail, at one point committing to South Flor- ida before flipping to Iowa. A sudden Michigan opportunity just days be- fore Signing Day — and a spur-of-the- moment official visit — led the 5-10, 190-pounder to end up with a different Big Ten program than the one he ini- tially committed to. Another Big Ten flip was a more ob- vious outcome for the Maize and Blue. Bloomfield Hills (Mich.) Brother Rice three-star receiver Grant Perry grew up cheering for Michigan, and spent much of his recruiting process hoping for an offer from the Wolverines, before he gave up the dream in December, committing to Northwestern. When Michigan came calling a week before Signing Day, he joined teammate Alex Malzone on the 2015 commitment list. West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West offensive lineman Nolan Ulizio had just FCS offers near the end of his se- nior season, so when UConn puled the trigger on him, he almost immediately returned the favor. However, the 6-5, 293-pound two-star picked up oppor- tunities at Kentucky and Michigan in early January, and an official visit to Ann Arbor saw him flip to the Wol- verines. Defensive end Reuben Jones was a Nebraska commit when he took an of- ficial visit to Michigan in January. The three-star product of Lakeland (Fla.) Lake Gibson — where former Lake Gibson and U-M offensive lineman Ricky Barnum is an assistant coach — MICHIGAN RECRUITING U-M Filled Out Its Recruiting Class With Some Late Commitments Quarterback Zach Gentry had been commit- ted to the University of Texas, but he was one of several players to make a last-minute switch to the Wolverines. PHOTO BY LILY WICKSTROM/ELDORADO HIGH SCHOOL