The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/603303
FOOTBALL RECRUITING favorite for Nauta, but Michigan gave him plenty to think about on his of- ficial visit for the Michigan State game Oct. 17. The sentimental qualities provided by the Bulldogs could ultimately be out- weighed by the pragmatic choice of playing tight end in a Jim Harbaugh offense. KAREEM WALKER Wayne (N.J.) DePaul Catholic No. 21 overall — 209 team recruiting points The 6-1, 208-pound Walker was a longtime Ohio State commitment, who picked the Buckeyes the night they won the national title in January, but re- scinded his pledge in early November. The running back took an official visit to Ann Arbor for Michigan's game against Northwestern Oct. 10 and to Tuscaloosa for Alabama's win over LSU Nov. 7, and will also see Arizona State, Ole Miss and a school to be named later before seal- ing his final commitment. Michigan is the heavy favorite for Walker thanks again to U-M's strong connections to northern New Jersey through Partridge. U-M was one of his favorites — though he didn't get to visit before committing to Ohio State — the first time around, and could seal his pledge in the end. If Michigan were to land all five of the five-star prospects realistically on the board (with no other changes to the composition of their commitment list, which is not likely), they would have a net of 2,812 team recruiting points. That would get them close to the mark that could see them end up tops nationally, and would almost cer- tainly see them finish in the top two or three classes. However, it's unlikely that all of those players join — just as it's unlikely that all remaining U-M pledges come from that group. OTHER POTENTIAL SIGNEES While they're not quite as exciting as their five-star counterparts, a few four-star prospects are also high on the Maize and Blue. That includes six members of the Rivals250. TERRANCE DAVIS Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha No. 46 overall — 180 points The 6-4, 307-pound offensive guard has made no secret that Michigan is his top school. His official visit to Ann Arbor for the Ohio State game Nov. 28 should be the main obstacle to clear in secur- ing his commitment. Maryland, Florida, and LSU have been among his other top schools, but the primary contend- ers have not remained as consistent as the school they're chasing on his list. DYLAN CRAWFORD Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) Santa Margarita Catholic No. 90 overall — 155 points Michigan will almost certainly sign another wide receiver. If not the 6-1, 175-pound Crawford, then perhaps Miami (Fla.) High three-star Keyshawn Young, though for the sake of this ex- ercise, we're looking at the most highly rated players on the board. Crawford visited for the Michigan State game Oct. 17 and came away impressed.