What Walter Nolen’s top 5 means for Michigan Football

Where does Michigan football stand with Walter Nolen after making the cut for his top five. 

One of Michigan football‘s top target and five-star defensive lineman Walter Nolen released his top five today and the Wolverines made the cut.

Nolen has grown tired of the recruiting process in recent months and he is currently set to announce his commitment in August. Michigan football has not received any crystal balls for Nolen, but no school has.

Michigan football has reason for hope

I think there is reason to have cautious optimism about Nolen at this point.

As we’ve previously mentioned, the Wolverines have several connections going from them in Nolen’s recruitment. Safeties coach Ronald Bellamy got Michigan football in this race through a connection to Nolen’s high school.

Nolen has formed friendships with Michigan commitments Will Johnson, Kody Jones, and Myles Pollard. Like Nolen, Jones and Pollard are both from Tennessee. Nolen also family members that live in the Detroit area.

Nolen took a dead period visit to Michigan in  March and the Wolverines were able to secure an official visit in June. Nolen took his first official visit to Florida and there was buzz that Nolen would shut down his recruitment afterward. However, Nolen’s father denied that and clarified his son’s tweet.

Nolen took his official visit to Michigan two weeks later and said his trip to Michigan was better than Florida’s according to Sam Webb of the Michigan Insider (subscription required). Nolen also ended June with unofficial visits to Georgia and Alabama.

With Nolen making a decision before the end of summer and the Wolverines having momentum, there is reason to believe he will pick Michigan.

However, if the Wolverines do land his commitment, this race won’t be over until he signs. Getting Nolen out of the South will be difficult and the SEC schools are not going to give up. Nolen has plans to take an official visit to Alabama this fall via 247 sports (subscription required).

It remains to be seen if those plans will change if he does not commit to the Crimson Tide. Either way, a strong season on the field for Michigan will be imperative to get Nolen and keep the class together as well.