The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/589596
PREP PROFILES Early in the process, it was easy to assume that Michigan wouldn't be a contender for five‑star prospect Me‑ cole Hardman. The defensive back/ wide receiver from Bowman (Ga.) E l b e r t C o u n t y w o u l d b e t h e first to admit he didn't pay much heed to the early pursuit by the Wolverines. However, that changed quickly with the arrival of Jim Harbaugh. Along with the former U‑M quarterback returning as the head coach of his alma mater came a lot of wins, and that opened Hardman's eyes. "I'm talking with the coaches more, and building relationships and feeling more comfortable with the school itself," he said. "I know they've got great coaches there, what Coach Harbaugh is doing with the team is great, and they've got some big‑time recruits up there." The buzz around U‑M's 5‑2 start is expected to help it close the 2016 recruiting cycle strong. Hardman is the sort of athlete — special with the ball in his hands, or locking down opposing receivers in the defensive backfield — that could help Har‑ baugh take things to the next level. The 5‑10, 171‑pounder will take his official visit to Ann Arbor for the Nov. 28 contest against Ohio State. "I never hope to see anything specific," he said. "I don't want to have expectations to get let down. I'm ready to be s u r p r i s e d o r s h o c k e d . I t ' s about the feeling I get, meeting the coaches face to face, and learn‑ ing about the aca‑ demic program. "It's a school that's been good over the years and has been consistent. Plus, it's up north, so everything might be differ‑ ent than the South. I'm ready to see a different experience up there." Hardman has already taken an of‑ ficial visit to Miami, and will see Ole Miss the weekend before making the trip to Ann Arbor. Georgia and Ten‑ nessee are also considered among his top schools. He insists, however, that a school like Michigan has a chance. "I'm not leaning to any of the schools," he said. "I'm really just neutral and looking at everybody equally, because every school de‑ serves that chance." He plans to privately make his de‑ cision in November and announce to the public on National Signing Day. — Tim Sullivan Five-Star Georgia Athlete Is A Serious Option For U-M ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Elbert County High School Bowman, Ga. Class: 2016 Position: Athlete Ht.: 5-10 • Wt.: 171 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 2 player in Georgia, and No. 2 athlete and No. 16 overall player in the country Mecole Hardman