Michigan Tuesday: Michigan's Big Board

With St-Juste in the class, Michigan has 20 commitments for the 2016 class.   Right now they have 14-15 spots and still recruiting some big named guys.  I think the class will end up in the 24-25 range which means a number of guys won't be getting a 5th year.

Michigan has a number of offers on the street but with only 5 spots left and still plenty of needs on defensive line, LB, TE and WR.   I don't have any first hand knowledge on Jimmy's big board, this is just my educated guess:


#1:  There is little doubt that DT Rashan Gary is the Wolverines top prospect in the 2016 class as he is rated as the #1 player in the nation.  Michigan has hired his HS head coach and reportedly impressed Mom this weekend on her son's second visit to Ann Arbor.   Many believe this could be a Michigan - OSU battle, but you never know if Alabama will show him that earthquake simulator.

#2: LB Caleb Kelly is a great fit in Michigan's defense but he is really going to be hard to get out of California.  Michigan has a great shot as anyone if he leaves the state but the odds on favorite to win this recruiting battle is UCLA. 

#3: DE Xavier Kelly just released his final 8 schools yesterday (Bama, FSU, Clemson, GA, TCU, Kansas State, Oregon and the Wolverines).  Kelly was in A2 a couple of weeks ago for a great visit but he will be one of the nation's top recruited players and pulling him in from Kansas could be tough.

#4: LB Devin Bush Jr. who we know already has two teammates heading to A2 next year.  Jimmy did a Satellite Camp with his father and it sounds like Michigan is his leader.   The longer this plays out the worse it is for Michigan.   His father is FSU legacy and it might be hard to get him out of the Sunshine State.

#5: TE Nasier Upshur just visited Ann Arbor and will announce on the 8th.  This kid has offers from everybody but really seems to like the Wolverines.   Jimmy and staff will have to recruit him up to the bell, but Michigan has a very good shot at landing this talented TE. 

That is who I would consider my Top 5 recruits for the Wolverines.   There isn't one WR on there and Michigan might need two. 

Others that just missed the top 5 include:

• WR Brad Hawkins who announces on Friday
• OL Terrance Davis who has had Michigan as his leader for awhile
• LB Dontavious Jackson from Houston, TX

With 20 spots filled and 5 left at max.  There isn't much space left in Ann Arbor.  That might be a reason why Hawkins is announcing on Friday instead of waiting to take another visit to Ann Arbor in a couple of weeks.