The Wolverine

November 2015

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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  MICHIGAN RECRUITING hold U‑M in a leading group). Davis has long favored Michigan, and with a rotating cast of co‑leaders, the Maize and Blue are most likely to land him. So too with Kemp. Should Michigan land that group, it would end up with 2,793 points. That wouldn't be good enough in any re‑ cent year to take the mantle as the nation's top class, but would average a 3.33 national rank from 2013‑15. — Tim Sullivan MATT FALCON'S INJURIES JEOPARDIZE U-M CAREER Southfield (Mich.) High 2016 run‑ ning back Matt Falcon is one of the na‑ tion's most exciting ball carriers when healthy. The problem thus far in his career is that he's rarely been healthy. The 6‑1, 210‑pounder committed to U‑M in April, but tore his ACL for the third time in four years and will miss the entirety of his senior season. That could cost him his opportunity to suit up in the Maize and Blue during his college career. "I want to play football, and I can still play at a high level," he told Allen Trieu of Scout.com, "but at this time, I'm di‑ vided because Michigan is only giv‑ ing me one option. Coach Harbaugh told my mother, 'If Matthew comes to Michigan, he will not be able to play football.' But they would pay for my college education for academics. "I would have to sign a waiver say‑ ing I can't play, even though top sur‑ geons told me, my family and Coach Harbaugh I will be able to get back on the field and play at a high level." It's possible that Falcon explores other programs to keep the possibility of seeing the field in college alive, but he has yet to make that determination. GARDEN STATE OF MIND The Michigan coaching staff has put a huge emphasis on recruiting the state of New Jersey, and it started with the successful recruitment of Paramus Catholic alumni, redshirt freshman safety Jabrill Peppers and sophomore offensive tackle Juwann Bushell‑Beatty. When Jim Harbaugh took the job as head coach, he strengthened his grip on New Jersey by hiring former Paramus Catholic head coach Chris Partridge as director of player personnel. There has been a heightened focus on the Garden State in the 2015 recruiting class, and it's already paid off in the form of three verbal commitments with potentially two more on the way. Ron Johnson is Rivals.com's No. 10 weakside defensive end and No. 222 overall player nationally, and its No. 6 player in New Jersey. The 6‑3, 221‑pounder out of Camden High DIGITAL BONUS: CLICK THE ICON TO PLAY OR STOP THE PODCAST Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Adam Friedman discusses five-stars Rashan Gary and Kareem Walker.

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