Michigan Football: Josh Gattis is already helping with recruits

Michigan football fans are excited about what Josh Gattis can bring to the offense but his impact on recruiting could be just as important.

When Michigan football hired Josh Gattis, a lot of fans were excited about what it could mean for the offense. But on another front, with his reputation both as a coach and recruiter, he will be a big help on the recruiting trail.

And even though Gattis literally just got to Ann Arbor Saturday, when the team plane went and picked up him and his family, his presence on the coaching staff is already having a positive impact with recruits.

Gattis, who held the position of co-offensive coordinator at Alabama, as well as wide receivers coach, has landed some big-time players during his time with both Penn State and the Crimson Tide and recruits took notice of the work he has done developing their talents like he did this season with Jerry Jeudy, who had over 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Gattis was also ranked by 247 sports as the No. 23 recruiter in their rankings, which makes him the second-best on the Wolverines staff behind Chris Partridge. And after Wolverines Wire caught up with a couple of potential commitments, it’s easy to get that Gattis is seen positively.

One of the players Wolverines Wire spoke to was Devell Washington, a three-star wide receiver from Bay City, Michigan. Washington, who also has offers from Ohio State and Michigan State, seemed very excited about the prospect of playing for Gattis. Here’s what he had to say:

"“That’s big. He coached guys like Calvin Ridley and Jerry Jeudy, so he knows how to coach players up. He would make me a better person and player. He has a championship mentality.”"

Another Michigan football target, Cameron Martinez, a three-star quarterback that the Wolverines would like to play at either slot receiver of safety, according to Wolverines Wire, also told the outlet good things about Gattis:

"“I think it’s a really good pick up. I can’t wait to meet him when I go back to visit. He’s helped programs win. He’s a winning coach. Anytime you have somebody on staff like that, it’s big.”"

You can see how both players view Gattis, so you can imagine the impact he will have on recruits down the road. One such player could be 2020 five-star Julian Fleming, a guy that Michigan football has been after. The Wolverines were his first offer and Gattis also has been the lead recruit for Alabama until he joined Jim Harbaugh‘s staff.

247 sports lists Penn State and Ohio State as the two favorites right now for Fleming, but with Gattis reputation, maybe he can get the Wolverines into more serious contention. That’s just speculation, but with the tangible impact other recruits feel about the addition of Gattis, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

It remains to be seen what the offense will look like and what his impact will be there, but on the recruiting trail, it’s already looking like the Wolverines made a solid move by hiring Gattis.