The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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JANUARY 2017 THE WOLVERINE 53 FOOTBALL RECRUITING Quarterback Dylan McCaffrey, 6-4, 185, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (Valor Christian) As the No. 4 dual-threat quarterback and No. 52 overall player in the country, he is the face of the class and perhaps the future of U-M football at the quarterback position. Running Back Eno Benjamin, 5-9, 203, Wylie, Texas (East) The former Iowa commit is the No. 71 overall prospect in the country and tweeted out a "Go Blue" before Michigan's unex- pected loss to the Hawkeyes. Stephen Carr, 6-0, 180, Fontana, Calif. (Summit) Currently committed to USC, but there's been interest between the No. 1 all-purpose back in the country and Michigan throughout his recruitment. An official visit has not been arranged, but could still take place. Najee Harris, 6-2, 222, Antioch, Calif. (Antioch Senior) The nation's top overall prospect is currently committed to Ala- bama, but officially visited Michigan Dec. 9-11. The five-star hopes to enroll early, and a flip to U-M is looking more and more realistic. O'Maury Samuels, 5-10, 190, Los Lunas, N.M. (Los Lunas) The four-star back is firmly committed to Michigan, but did check out Arizona to ensure that U-M is the best spot for him. Kurt Taylor, 5-9, 201, Covington, Ga. (Newton) Has been a solid ambassador for the Michigan program since committing in October 2015, but his talent level may not be where it needs to be for a place like U-M. Depending on how the domi- noes fall with guys like Carr and Harris, he could end up elsewhere. Fullback Tory Carter, 6-2, 255, Leesburg, Ga. (Lee County) The nation's top fullback is committed to LSU and will likely re- main so now that interim head coach Ed Orgeron has been hired as the full-time head man. Wide Receiver Tarik Black, 6-3, 201, Cheshire, Conn. (Cheshire Academy) On Dec. 14, he selected Michigan over Alabama, Auburn, Stan- ford and UCLA. The No. 76 overall player in the country plans to enroll early. Nico Collins, 6-5, 193, Pinson, Ala. (Clay) Long thought to be a Michigan lean, the four-star is also being recruited by Georgia and Alabama. The No. 9 wide receiver and No. 59 overall player in the nation has been to Michigan five times, including once for an official. Mike Harley, 5-10, 153, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas) The No. 26 wide receiver and No. 164 overall prospect nationally was once high on Michigan before committing to West Virginia. U-M stopped by to see him in his home in early December indicat- ing that he's still a fringe option. Oliver Martin, 6-1, 190, Iowa City, Iowa (Iowa City West) Quiet when it comes to his recruitment, the top player in Iowa is considering Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Iowa. Donovan Peoples-Jones, 6-1, 188, Detroit (Cass Tech) The five-star is Michigan's top in-state target and perhaps its top offensive or even overall target on the board. The No. 2 wide re- ceiver and No. 13 overall player in the nation plans to enroll early and had a Dec. 15 commitment date. Tight End Josh Falo, 6-4, 216, Sacramento, Calif. (Inderkum) Likely to stay somewhere out west, the No. 6 tight end in the country has tried to make it to Ann Arbor several times with no luck. Is the only uncommitted target at tight end for U-M as of mid-December. Tre McKitty, 6-4, 225, Bradenton, Fla. (IMG Academy) As of Dec. 15, was an Oregon commit — but after Mark Helfrich's firing and the hiring of Willie Taggart, the No. 17 tight end in America had some things to figure out. He picked up his Michi- gan offer after coaches swung through IMG Academy in early December. Offensive Line Toryque Bateman, 6-8, 310, Gadsden, Ala. (Gadsden City) Has a top three of Miami, Michigan and Louisville, and plans to take official visits to all three. The massive offensive lineman says that he may graduate early depending on his ACT score and hopes to be enrolled in the school of his choice in January. Mekhi Becton, 6-7, 300, Highland Springs, Va. (Highland Springs) The nation's No. 189 overall prospect officially visited Michigan for the Maryland game and thoroughly enjoyed himself. He plans to commit to either Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State, Virginia or Virginia Tech on National Signing Day. Chuck Filiaga, 6-6, 335, Murrietta, Calif. (Vista Murrietta) The No. 16 offensive tackle and No. 118 overall prospect nation- ally has visited Oregon, Michigan, Nebraska and Oklahoma in an official capacity and plans to commit Jan. 7 at the U.S. Army All-America Bowl. 2017 Scholarship Offer Master List Antioch (Calif.) Senior running back Najee Harris — the nation's top overall prospect according to Rivals.com — took an official visit to Michigan Dec. 9-11, which could help the Wolverines flip his pledge from Alabama. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM Rk. School Commits 1. Alabama 25 2. Ohio State 17 3. Oklahoma 22 4. Georgia 19 5. Texas A&M 26 Rk. School Commits 6. Michigan 20 7. LSU 18 8. Notre Dame 18 9. Tennessee 25 10. Miami (Fla.) 22 RIVALS' 2017 TEAM RECRUITING RANKINGS As of Dec. 15