These 10 targets could complete U-M’s 2015 recruiting class (Pt. 1)
By Joel Greer
Aug 31, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Derrick Green (27) rushes with the ball in the third quarter against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Michigan Stadium. Michigan is looking for more top drawer running backs. Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
By the time the cheering subsided after landing two elite 2015 recruits, disappointment reigned with the de-commitments of both prospects.
WR George Campbell and RB Damien Harris , each the No. 1 player at they respective positions, were there and gone before Michigan coach Brady Hoke completed his 2014 class.
Campbell to be a Gator?
“He’s (Campbell) just doing what is good for him and his family and you can’t fault him for that,” said OT Jon Runyan, one of the five current 2015 commits (see the tables below).
Unfortunately, Campbell appears to be leaning heavily toward the Florida Gators.
Wolverines in good shape for Harris
Harris, on the other hand has stayed close to the Wolverines.
“I’ve gotten a chance to know (Michigan offensive coordinator Doug) Nussmeier pretty well, and we talk on the phone quite often,” Harris said. “It’s just that it was hard being committed and now transitioning to being decommitted when I wanted to see other schools.
“It’s not like they’re out of the mix; that’s not the case by any means,” Harris added. “They’re still up there with other schools. People don’t realize that there’s something that I love up there, and just because I’m decommitted doesn’t mean they’re right there with the other schools.”
Harris could be the second No.1 rated running to sign at Michigan in the last three years. Derrick Green, who rushed for 270 yards as a freshman last year, is expected to have a breakout season in 2014.
2015 class could still be super
Along with Harris, Hoke has a good shot at landing legacy recruit TE Tyrone Wheatley, Jr., 5-star WDE Keisean Lucier-South and 5-star OLB Justin Hilliard. Taking possible defections into consideration, most recruiting gurus figure next year’s class will number about 15 or 16.
The first table below contains Michigan’s five commits, while the second shows the top prospects of the 2015 class.
| Commit, Position | Size | 247 Composite Star Rank | Nat'l Pos. Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garrett Taylor, CB | 6-1, 188 | 4 | 7 |
| Darrin Kirkland Jr., ILB | 6-2, 228 | 4 | 6 |
| Tyree Kinnel, S | 6-0, 190 | 4 | 11 |
| Jon Runyan, Jr. OT | 6-4, 250 | 3 | 10 |
| Andrew David, K | 5-9, 165 | 2 | 4 |
| Alex Malzone, PRO-QB | 6-2. 200 | 3 | 11 |
| Prospect, Pos. | Visit | 247 Composite Star Rank | Nat'l Position Ranking | Chance of Signing LOI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyrone Wheatley, TE | Yes | 4 | 10 | Very High |
| Keisean Lucier-South, WDE | Planned | 5 | 2 | Medium |
| Darian Roseboro, SDE | Yes | 4 | 8 | Medium |
| Grant Newsome, OT | Yes | 4 | 20 | Very High (New Commit) |
| Justin Hilliard, OLB | Yes | 5 | 2 | Medium |
| Damien Harris, RB | Yes | 5 | 1 | High |
| Brian Cole, ATH | Yes | 4 | 4 | Medium |
| Chris Clark, TE | Planned | 4 | 2 | High |
| Shaun Crawford, CB | Yes | 4 | 9 | Medium |
| Auden Tate, WR | Planned | 3 | 47 | High |
Other possibilities: SDE Terry Beckner, Jr., OLB Josh McMillon, WDE Clelin Ferrell, OLB Tyric Thompson, WDE Jashon Cornell, P-QB Alex Malzone.
Bolded players linked to Sports-reference for expanded stats
Rankings in tables via 247sports ♦
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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Joel Greer