UM Football Recruiting - by WM Wolverine

[WM Wolverine]

re: Class of '18

I really don't even consider Taylor committed, I take Irvin's 'commitment' far less seriously. I guess right now we 'lead' for those two?

[The Oracle]

A couple excerpts from Rivals today...

Rivals100 Luiji Vilain is set to make his announcement on June 12. With the Wolverines gaining two commits this week in Corey Malone-Hatcher and Jalil Irvin – we don’t think it stops now. In what should be a very Maize and Blue month of June, we believe the Alexandria (Va.) Epsicopal defensive end will be the next to commit to U-M.

Vilain is a four-star, the 89th overall player in the country and no doubt a game-changer for this class. He and Malone-Hatcher on the same defensive line is a great combo for success.

At the satellite camp in Springfield, Ohio we were able to chat with the Pulitzer Prize award winner David Turnley about his new book with Jim Harbaugh. A lot of the word has been that it's just a picture book, and while there are a lot more pictures than words - Harbaugh isn't lying when he put himself as an author of this book, according to Turnley. He said Harbaugh shares his full 'mission statement of football' in the book, and much, much more.

On the West Coast … the kids love Jim Harbaugh. They grew up with him coaching at San Diego, Stanford and then the 49ers. Harbaugh was a California team builder their entire childhood, so that connection right off the bat was good for these kids.

But, it's what he's doing now that has attracted them so much.

Brett Neilon is a four-star center out of Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) and he said some good stuff after Harbuagh's "amazing" Saban tweet.

"That was so funny," he said with a laugh. "It just shows he's not going to back down. He knows his program is at a national level."

Brighton (Utah) running back Sione Lund is a Stanford commit who is very high on the Wolverines, and he commented on the Harbaugh tweet too.

"The man is a legend," he said with a big laugh.

Four-star Ohio tight end Matt Dotson isn't a West Coast kid, but even the Penn State favorite got a kick out of it.

"The tweet is great," he said. "I love it."

And four-star Las Vegas Arbor View defensive tackle Greg Rogers …

"That's my guy," he said. "Harbaugh is comedy!"

It's obvious that Harbaugh has a grip on the West Coast kids, and it's only getting better. They have a realistic shot with every kid out there that they're after. The ones we see them having the best shot with right now on the West Coast are Brett Neilon (Calif.), Greg Rogers (Nev.) and Darnay Holmes (Calif.).

[iam416]

Those Rivals guys sure know their market.

[WM Wolverine]

Luiji Vilain DE (4*, Virginia) will announce on the 12th, M has 84% of his crystal balls...

Baron Browning LB (5*, Texas) will visit later this month, he's a blue chipper M has a decent shot at. We'll know much more after the visit.

[The Oracle]

Those Rivals guys sure know their market.

You'd almost think they write for a Michigan website.

[iam416]

Heh. It's just something that annoys me. OSU's 247 site writes the same way. I canceled. I don't need constant updates cast in a hugely favorable light. JMO.

As for Browning, if M has a "decent" shot then OSU has a "really, really decent" shot.

[The Oracle]

I haven't seen much on Browning on out end. Haven't really been looking either tho.

[iam416]

He visited with Okudah on his own dime and is coming back with his parents. Okudah and him are apparently close for whatever that's worth (virtually nothing). I'd be surprised if he left the region, and if he did, I'd be shocked if it were for M.

[SeattleLionsFan]

Me too, but Harbaugh did coach his brother. That might give us a look, but I haven't heard anything To make me think more than that.

[WM Wolverine]

Browning has had kind words for both the University of Michigan and Jim Harbaugh; he's a longshot till he visits but M does have an 'in' with him due to HARBAUGH! coaching his brother.

[iam416]

How many of M's current 13 verbals will be a part of this class? And to be clear, I don't think any of the 13 are "flip" candidates...but some of the 13 very well may "hmmmm, you didn't develop quite as well as we hoped..." candidates.

[WM Wolverine]

Very few, 2 maybe. Couple others aren't completely solid commits.

[The Oracle]

I'd put it at around 8-9 tops.

[The Oracle]

Very few, 2 maybe. Couple others aren't completely solid commits.

2? I'll bet that all day.

[edindetroit]

He visited with Okudah

Sounds like a lathe I used to run.