The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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64 THE WOLVERINE NOVEMBER 2016 The Michigan Wolverines have solidi- fied themselves as a preeminent des- tination for the top football recruits in the state of New Jersey, highlighted by the pair of redshirt sophomore line- backer Jabrill Peppers and freshman defensive end Rashan Gary. Linebackers and special teams coach Chris Partridge also dominated prep football in the state as the head coach of Paramus Catholic before joining Jim Harbaugh's staff. With the 2018 class in the state begin- ning to take unofficial visits, programs in the Atlantic region like Rutgers are doing everything possible to make sure that the top talent doesn't leave for the Midwest. The Scarlet Knights, since offering four-star weakside defensive end Dorian Hardy of Montvale (N.J.) St. Joseph's Re- gional back in late April, have hosted the four-star pros- pect unofficially a total of four time, most recently for Michigan's 78-0 win Oct. 8. Hardy has not traveled to Ann Arbor since May 21, but has expressed high interest in the school, most notably be- cause of the alumni base and academic program. "It was a great experience," Hardy told The Wolverine after the visit. "I got to see some great coaches including Coach Harbaugh and Coach [Greg] Mattison." Rivals.com's No. 3 player in New Jersey and No. 76 overall prospect nationally in the class of 2018 has compiled a total of 22 offers, including from the likes of Alabama, Clemson, Florida, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin. Hardy hasn't taken any unofficial visits this season to a school besides Rutgers, but did attend both Florida's and Penn State's camps this past summer. He hasn't planned a return trip to Michigan and traveling to schools out- side of Hardy's home state will likely occur during the offseason. He told NorthJersey.com that he isn't worried about his future college plans, rather the success of his prep team. St. Joseph's will face Egg Harbor (N.J.) Cedar Creek Oct. 22 for a share of the West Jersey Football League Indepen- dence Division title. Hardy and the Wildcats have won 28 games in a row against public-school opponents since 2012. T h r o u g h m i d - October, the 6-4, 232-pound junior had accumulated 19 total tackles (three solo), 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hurries. — Zach Libby Four-Star DE Could Be Another N.J. Product To End Up In Ann Arbor PREP PROFILES Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County three-star fullback Tory Carter has been commit- ted to LSU since early June, but after the recent dismissal of head coach Les Miles there is reason for him to be con- cerned. Carter's only other Power Five offer is from Michigan and, depend- ing on how things shake out in Baton Rouge, La., the nation's top fullback might have more reason to give the Wolverines a look. "Michigan offered me this summer, and it was sort of a mild offer," Carter ex- plained. "Coach [Jim] Harbaugh called me and told me that he wanted me. I told him, 'That's a long ways for me to drive, Coach.' "We talked about setting up an official visit so they could pay for the travel. I'm excited to see a game day and see what the atmosphere is like. That way if I was to go there I will know what it feels like to play a game there." Michigan will get Carter on campus for the Indiana game Nov. 19, but for now he's still a Tiger. Former LSU as- sistant Ed Orgeron is now running the show as interim head coach, and that's a positive for Carter. That being said, the 6-2, 255-pounder knows it's in his best interest to keep all doors open. "I'm definitely looking around be - cause I don't want to put myself in a bad situation," Carter explained. "I'm still fully committed to LSU right now, and how the head coaching job plays will determine where I'm going to play. Right now I'm sticking with LSU while Coach Orgeron is the head coach." Houston head coach Tom Herman is going to be a hot name when the coaching carousel begins to turn, and LSU seems like a solid fit. If that happens the fullback position will be rendered obsolete, and Carter is fully aware of that. "I'm waiting to see who LSU hires be- cause if they're not going to have an offense with a fullback there's no point in me going to a school just to sit there," Carter said. "It's really a wait-and-see with LSU. Coach Orgeron is my main recruiter, and I talk to him on a regular basis. I want to play for him, and I like everything about the LSU program. But I don't want to put myself in a bad situ- ation where if he doesn't get the job I'm screwed. "That's why I'm keeping everything open, and Coach O knows that and so does Coach Harbaugh. I've been open with both of them. I told Coach Har- baugh that I'm committed to LSU, but I'm keeping everything open. I'm going to take my visits and get it figured out." — Brandon Brown LSU Commit Is Giving Michigan A Real Shot ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Lee County H.S. Leesburg, Ga. Class: 2017 Position: Fullback Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 255 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 1 fullback in the nation Tory Carter ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ St. Joseph's Regional H.S. Montvale, N.J. Class: 2018 Position: Defensive End Ht.: 6-4 • Wt.: 232 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 4 weakside defensive end and No. 76 overall player in the country Dorian Hardy Carter "I told Coach [Jim] Harbaugh that I'm committed to LSU, but I'm keeping everything open. I'm going to take my visits and get it figured out." Hardy on his May 21 visit to Ann Arbor "It was a great experience. I got to see some great coaches including Coach [Jim] Harbaugh and Coach [Greg] Mattison."