Michigan Football: Analyzing the Wolverines recruiting in Ohio

Michigan football has long relied on players from the state of Ohio to impact their program. From Elvis Grbac to Desmond Howard to Charles Woodson, some of the Wolverines best players have hailed from the Buckeye State.

Michigan football coaches Bo Schembechler and Gary Moeller placed an extreme emphasis on recruiting the state of Ohio and it paid off with 16 Big Ten championships during their combined 25 years at the helm.

While Michigan football is recruiting at more of a national level than ever before under Jim Harbaugh, the importance of signing top Ohio talent still rings true today.

Let’s take a look at how Michigan’s 2019 & 2020 classes are faring in Ohio.

Player rankings are courtesy of the 247Sports Composite rankings for 2019 and 2020.

2019 Commits

Six of Michigan’s 26 commits in this class played their high school ball in Ohio. For comparison’s sake, only two of the program’s commits are in-state talents.

4-star TE Erick All

An early enrollee, All possesses intriguing size at 6’4″, 225 pounds. Per 247Sports’ Allen Trieu, he has the capability to play on the ball, in the slot and out wide. Already a strong blocker, All is a name that Michigan fans will likely become very familiar with in the next few years. I picture him being used similar to how Alabama used Irv Smith Jr. in Josh Gattis’ “Speed in Space” offense.

4-star G Nolan Rumler

The No. 5 overall player in the state of Ohio in the 2019 class, Rumler was a big get for Michigan when he signed his Letter of Intent in December. He is expected to redshirt in 2019, but that could come off if an opening emerges. A high-motor player, Rumler has the ability to play either guard or center at the collegiate level.

Other commits: 3-star G Zach Carpenter; 3-star WR Quintel Kent; 3-star DE Gabe Newburg; 3-star S Joey Velazquez

2020 Targets

The Wolverines currently have nine verbal commits in their 2020 class. As of now, none of these nine come from the state of Ohio. Michigan has offered 20 prospects from the state in the 2020 class. Only four of these prospects have pledged to a school, so Michigan’s current goose egg is very likely to change.

Here are some of the top uncommitted prospects in Ohio that Jim Harbaugh & Co. have offered.

3-star RB Jutahn McClain

A product of Fairfield, OH, McClain ran a 4.59 forty on March 31. Kentucky is considered the leader for his services at the moment, but Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State are in the mix, too. He will announce his commitment on July 4.

3-star WR Chris Scott

Ranking just inside the top-100 receivers nationally, Scott received an offer from Michigan in early-December. While he lacks top-end speed, the Pickerington native impressed with a 30.9″ vertical jump at The Opening Regional. It appears to be coming down to Michigan and Kentucky to secure his commitment, but Penn State is making a late push.

3-star DE Ty Hamilton

Whereas Scott attends Pickerington North, Hamilton attends Pickerington Central – the same school that former Michigan basketball star Caris LeVert attended. Considered an Ohio State lean, the Wolverines offered Hamilton in January. Despite Ohio State only extending their offer on May 28, it may be tough to pry the DE away from home. Columbus is only roughly a 30-minute drive from Pickerington.

3-star DE Brandon Taylor

Unlike Hamilton, Taylor is considered a Michigan lean. Already standing at 6’3″ and weighing 250 pounds, Taylor has the size to be ready to contribute soon at the collegiate level. Currently the No. 32 player in Ohio and the No. 43 DE prospect nationally, expect these rankings to improve even more throughout his final year at Lima Senior.

3-star ATH Bangally Kamara

At 6’2″, 200 pounds, Kamara is one of the more intriguing athletes from Ohio in the 2020 class. While he has played DB in high school, many schools at looking at him as a linebacker. He is believed to be favoring Penn State, but Michigan and Purdue are still in on the Akron East product.

Other notables: 4-star LB Jaheim Thomas; 3-star CB Deshawn Jones.