The Wolverine

  MICHIGAN RECRUITING a staggering amount for one offseason (assuming the current roster remains intact through 2015), radical change is more likely during a coaching change, one of which the Wolverines recently experienced with Jim Harbaugh. The expectation that U-M ultimately signs 26 players may even end up a conser- vative one. There are plenty of talented play- ers remaining on the board to fill the remaining openings. Paramus (N.J.) Catholic star Rashan Gary is rated as a five-star prospect, the No. 2 defensive tackle in the land and the No. 6 overall player nationally by Rivals.com. The 6-4, 290-pounder has taken multiple visits to Ann Arbor, and his former high school coach, Chris Partridge, is now the Wolverines' director of player per- sonnel. While the competition — in- cluding Auburn, LSU and Clemson, among many others — will be fierce, the Wolverines have a legitimate shot to land Gary. Linebacker Caleb Kelly of Fresno (Calif.) Clovis West is another five-star target high on the Maize and Blue. The 6-3, 215-pounder is the No. 5 outside linebacker and No. 19 overall prospect in the nation, and plans to take an of- ficial visit to Ann Arbor. Michigan and Oklahoma are widely regarded to be his top two, though he has only nar- rowed his list to eight finalists — in- cluding home-state USC, and national powers such as Ohio State and Notre Dame. Though he's not a five-star recruit, Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha offensive lineman Terrance Davis may not end up far from it. The 6-4, 310-pounder is the No. 6 offensive guard and No. 122 overall prospect nationally, but a domi- nating summer — including at the Ri- vals Five-Star Challenge — should see him move up the rankings. Michigan and Maryland are his top two, with Alabama and Ohio State among the others in the running. Dozens of other four-star prospects still have U-M on their lists, and a suc- cessful season could be the key for the Wolverines when it comes to finishing strong. SEASON VISITS TAKING SHAPE In recent years, Michigan's recruiting classes have been mostly finished by the start of the fall, and Brady Hoke's coaching staff was content to host the commits on their allotted official visit (at the school's expense, rather than the player's), plus just a few key re- maining prospects. While the pace of pledges hasn't been much slower un- der Jim Harbaugh, the coaching staff appears to be more open to bringing in official visitors who seem like long shots to end up playing their college ball in Ann Arbor. Many prospects have already scheduled their official visits to home games this fall, with the rivalry show- downs with Michigan State (Oct. 17) and Ohio State (Nov. 28) the dates in most demand. Before those kickoffs, though, U-M will still see a steady stream into Ann Arbor. Hudson (N.C.) South Caldwell offen- sive lineman Landon Dickerson head-

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