The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MICHIGAN RECRUITING their fifth year of eligibility, early entrants to the NFL Draft, transfers and injuries are the most common ways for spots to open up. Now that Michigan has reeled in its first 2014 commitment, it's also time to peek ahead to the number of openings that the Wolverines will have in that class. There are 17 players on the current roster whose eligibility is set to expire follow- ing the 2013 season. It is possible that number will shrink through attrition — the 2013 class will, in one way or another, likely end up taking three of those spots — by the time the 2014 recruiting season rolls around in earnest. The earliest projections for the class indicate 16 additional classmates for St. Clairs- ville (Ohio) High linebacker Mi- chael Ferns. committed prospects in the coun- try who hold (or at one time held) Michigan offers, only a few players are realistic options at this time. Although there are several un- STILL ON THE TABLE Crete (Ill.) Monee star Laquon Treadwell, the nation's No. 5 wide receiver according to Rivals.com, has tabbed the Wolverines as a favorite during his recruitment, but plans to take official visits to other schools this fall. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM Charlotte (N.C.) Mallard Creek wide receiver Marquez North, for example, has an offer from the Wol- verines, but has not been consider- ing U-M for several months. prospects — visited Ann Arbor July 29 for Michigan's Barbecue at The Big House recruiting event, which has become an annual tradition. Quarterback Shane Mor- ris, offensive lineman Patrick Kugler, and defensive linemen Maurice Hurst Jr. and Henry Poggi were the only commitments that couldn't make the trip. • The night game against Notre Dame was Michigan's biggest recruiting week- • The majority of Michigan's 2013 commitments — and a host of uncommitted MISCELLANEOUS NOTES end during the 2011 season, and ultimately resulted in a commitment from Al- liance (Ohio) Marlington defensive back Dymonte Thomas early the next morn- ing. Since Michigan has fewer home games in 2012, the non-conference visit weekend will likely be replaced by the Michigan State game Oct. 19. Cornerback commitment Jourdan Lewis of Detroit and running back target Derrick Green of Richmond, Va., are among the players planning official visits that weekend. • Should Michigan strike out on their top two remaining prospects (Green and wide receiver Laquon Treadwell of Illinois), it seems likely that increased at- tention will be given to any of several players from Arizona — Tempe Nicos de Marza cornerback Priest Willis, rated as the nation's No. 6 cornerback and No. 68 player by Rivals.com; Phoenix Brophy Prep wide receiver Devon Allen, the No. 15 wideout and No. 129 prospect in the country; and Chandler Hamilton cornerback Cole Luke, the No. 21 cornerback and No. 202 recruit in the land. Allen visited Michigan unofficially for the Barbecue at The Big House. • Michigan has reeled in at least two players from Detroit Cass Tech in three of the past five recruiting classes. That trend could continue in 2014, since the Technicians have yet another talented group. Cornerback Damon Webb is the only player that has already received an offer from the Wolverines, but linebacker Deon Drake holds offers from multiple Big Ten programs (including Michigan State), and linebacker Will White already stands 6-1, 215 pounds and is continu- ing to grow. • The top in-state prospect for 2014, Detroit Loyola defensive end Malik Mc- Dowell, is high on Michigan, but has no plans to make an early decision. He will consider all of his options — including Michigan State and Notre Dame, among others — before narrowing his list. important to closing Michigan's class — only one plays at a time, and the Wolverines already have commitments from Warren (Ohio) Howland three-star Deveon Smith and Novi (Mich.) Detroit Catho- lic Central four-star jumbo back Wyatt Shallman — but a player of Green's caliber would be more than welcome. The 6-0, 215-pounder is ranked as the No. 1 running back and No. 12 overall recruit in the nation by Rivals.com, earning him five-star distinction. His opinion of Michigan is on the rise, particularly after he visited July 27-29 for the Barbecue at The Big House recruit- ing event. Some prospects are still on the radar, but have slid from the fore- front for Michigan. Seffner (Fla.) Armwood four-star defensive back Leon McQuay III removed the Wol- verines from his top three following the commitment of cornerback Ross Douglas, and Upland (Calif.) defen- sive end Joe Mathis has shifted his focus to other schools after briefly favoring Michigan. ❑ On The Web For regular reports on Michigan football re- cruiting plus videos of U-M commitments and targets visit TheWolverine.com. SEPTEMBER 2012 THE WOLVERINE 71 out the recruiting process about fa- voring Michigan, but he plans to see several schools on official vis- its — Oklahoma State, Auburn and Ole Miss are among the likely des- tinations — and the longer his re- cruitment goes, the more likely the Wolverines' lead erodes. Wide re- ceiver is the last position of strong need in the 2013 class, and the 6-3, 185-pound Treadwell, the No. 5 wide receiver and No. 39 overall prospect in the country according to Rivals.com, is a top priority of the Wolverines. A running back is not quite as in terms of Michigan's realistic shot at them: Richmond (Va.) Hermitage running back Derrick Green and Crete (Ill.) Monee wide receiver La- quon Treadwell. Both have visited campus multiple times and con- sider Michigan among their favor- ites — or even at the top of the list. Neither, however, is planning to make an early commitment. Treadwell has been open through- Two players stand above the rest