Michigan Wolverines: Michigan recruiting
While Michigan football and basketball continue long breaks with spring and summer sessions, other sports are hitting the postseason.
Included in that is Michigan softball, which travels for a NCAA tournament game for the first time since the 2009 Women’s College World Series when it heads to Louisville, Ky., this weekend for an NCAA regional.
And of course, there is always recruiting as Michigan continues to pile up recruits in both football and basketball.
Included in that is Michigan softball, which travels for a NCAA tournament game for the first time since the 2009 Women’s College World Series when it heads to Louisville, Ky., this weekend for an NCAA regional.
And of course, there is always recruiting as Michigan continues to pile up recruits in both football and basketball.
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FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- It’s the question Drake Harris gets all the time.
As the Class of 2014 dual-sport prospect starts to figure out whether he wants to play football or basketball in college, even he gets confused sometimes. For now, that answer depends on the time of year.
“It just depends on what season I’m in,” Harris said. “I like football more if I’m playing football and during basketball season I like basketball more. But I love them both, and right now I’m looking to maybe play both in college but I don’t know right now.
As the Class of 2014 dual-sport prospect starts to figure out whether he wants to play football or basketball in college, even he gets confused sometimes. For now, that answer depends on the time of year.
“It just depends on what season I’m in,” Harris said. “I like football more if I’m playing football and during basketball season I like basketball more. But I love them both, and right now I’m looking to maybe play both in college but I don’t know right now.
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Wangler name resurfaces in 2013 prospect 
May, 15, 2012
May 15
7:35
AM ET
By
Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
For Michigan fans the name “Wangler” is pretty familiar.
John Wangler was Bo Schembechler’s first pass-first quarterback, and when he made that perfect throw to a streaking Anthony Carter in 1979 for the Wolverines’ 27-21 win over Indiana, he solidified himself in Michigan football history.
And now his son, 2013 wide receiver prospect Jack Wangler (Warren, Mich./De La Salle), might be the next Wangler who dons a winged helmet.
John Wangler was Bo Schembechler’s first pass-first quarterback, and when he made that perfect throw to a streaking Anthony Carter in 1979 for the Wolverines’ 27-21 win over Indiana, he solidified himself in Michigan football history.
And now his son, 2013 wide receiver prospect Jack Wangler (Warren, Mich./De La Salle), might be the next Wangler who dons a winged helmet.
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With the offseason in full swing, our stable of writers took on some interesting questions this week, including who is the best current coach on campus, who impressed them at the various recruiting events they attended and what quarterback they'd take to lead a Michigan all-time team.
And for the first time, our panel disagreed on almost every topic. What do you think, WolverineNation?
1) If you were putting together an all-time Michigan team and had to pick one quarterback to lead it, who would it be and why?
And for the first time, our panel disagreed on almost every topic. What do you think, WolverineNation?
1) If you were putting together an all-time Michigan team and had to pick one quarterback to lead it, who would it be and why?
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Receivers are always going to be a hot commodity, and finding the right type of wideout for Michigan's offense will be crucial for the future. While there haven't been many commitments at receiver in the 2013 class, the Michigan coaching staff is already looking ahead to 2014.
A few of those prospects were in Columbus, Ohio, for the NFTC, including Damon Webb (Detroit/Cass Tech), Kendric Mallory (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison), Dominique Booth (Indianapolis/Pike) and Thaddeus Snodgrass (Springfield, Ohio/Springfield).
Snodgrass currently holds an offer from Toledo, but is already hearing from more programs.
A few of those prospects were in Columbus, Ohio, for the NFTC, including Damon Webb (Detroit/Cass Tech), Kendric Mallory (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison), Dominique Booth (Indianapolis/Pike) and Thaddeus Snodgrass (Springfield, Ohio/Springfield).
Snodgrass currently holds an offer from Toledo, but is already hearing from more programs.
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WolverineNation will be holding a message board chat at 7 p.m. (ET) Wednesday in The Den with ESPN National Recruiting Director Tom Luginbill.
Our readers will have the opportunity to talk scouting, rankings and ask questions about specific players with Luginbill. The chat will be available only to Insider subscribers and WolverineNation members, so sign up today if you haven't already to join in on the discussion.
Michigan has 11 players in the ESPN 150, more than any other school.
Our readers will have the opportunity to talk scouting, rankings and ask questions about specific players with Luginbill. The chat will be available only to Insider subscribers and WolverineNation members, so sign up today if you haven't already to join in on the discussion.
Michigan has 11 players in the ESPN 150, more than any other school.
While the spring signing period for the Class of 2012 is starting to come to a close, interest from Michigan in one prospect back on the board is starting to intensify.
Guard Caris LeVert (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington Central) was initially committed to Ohio, but LeVert asked for a release from his Letter of Intent after the Bobcats had a coaching change from John Groce to Jim Christian. He received it, and now Michigan has shown interest.
“He wanted a different environment academically,” Pickerington Central coach Jerome Francis said. “We were very fortunate to win the state and as we moved along our state title run our program got a lot more publicity. As far as central Ohio is concerned, having Trey Burke on your team keeps big blue nation in central Ohio.”
Guard Caris LeVert (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington Central) was initially committed to Ohio, but LeVert asked for a release from his Letter of Intent after the Bobcats had a coaching change from John Groce to Jim Christian. He received it, and now Michigan has shown interest.
“He wanted a different environment academically,” Pickerington Central coach Jerome Francis said. “We were very fortunate to win the state and as we moved along our state title run our program got a lot more publicity. As far as central Ohio is concerned, having Trey Burke on your team keeps big blue nation in central Ohio.”
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Linebacker E.J. Levenberry (Woodbridge, Va./C.D. Hylton) was down to Michigan and Florida State for his final decision. The talented linebacker was originally going to wait to make his decision, but decided that he had seen enough and held a press conference on Tuesday to announce his choice.
He ultimately chose Florida State over the Wolverines in what seemed to be a tight race to the end. There were certain aspects that Levenberry liked about both schools, but he chose to go south to play for the Seminoles.
While losing out on a four-star linebacker is never a good thing, it isn't the end of the world for Michigan. If the Wolverines would have landed Levenberry it would have been icing on the cake for the defense. The coaching staff already signed four linebackers in the 2012 class, and has two linebackers committed in 2013 ranked as four-stars with Mike McCray (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison) and Ben Gedeon (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson).
He ultimately chose Florida State over the Wolverines in what seemed to be a tight race to the end. There were certain aspects that Levenberry liked about both schools, but he chose to go south to play for the Seminoles.
While losing out on a four-star linebacker is never a good thing, it isn't the end of the world for Michigan. If the Wolverines would have landed Levenberry it would have been icing on the cake for the defense. The coaching staff already signed four linebackers in the 2012 class, and has two linebackers committed in 2013 ranked as four-stars with Mike McCray (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison) and Ben Gedeon (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson).
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Improved defensive recruiting under Hoke
April, 20, 2012
Apr 20
11:30
AM ET
By
Tom VanHaaren | ESPN.com
The Michigan defense has been a question mark the past few seasons to say the least. Dropping in rankings, and without a lot of help along the recruiting trail, it seemed as though the defense had bottomed out. That is until head coach Brady Hoke took over.
Not only did Hoke and defensive coordinator Greg Mattison turn around the defense in what seemed like an overnight transformation, Hoke and his staff also made it a point to hit the recruiting trail hard on the defensive side.
They took over at the tail end of the 2011 class and secured cornerback Blake Countess' commitment, also bringing in linebacker Antonio Poole, defensive backs Raymon Taylor and Tamani Carter and defensive ends Frank Clark and Keith Heitzman.
Not only did Hoke and defensive coordinator Greg Mattison turn around the defense in what seemed like an overnight transformation, Hoke and his staff also made it a point to hit the recruiting trail hard on the defensive side.
They took over at the tail end of the 2011 class and secured cornerback Blake Countess' commitment, also bringing in linebacker Antonio Poole, defensive backs Raymon Taylor and Tamani Carter and defensive ends Frank Clark and Keith Heitzman.
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The spring game is over and already, discussion over whether or not someone will wear the No. 1 jersey next season has begun.
There has been increased discussion of the ESPN 150 and Michigan's strong representation in the initial list when it was released Tuesday.
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Unranked commits still have a shot at 150
April, 17, 2012
Apr 17
12:13
PM ET
By
Tom VanHaaren | ESPN.com
Michigan currently has 17 total commitments, and 11 of those are within the ESPN 150. That obviously means that six of the commitments have yet to be ranked, but are not necessarily out of the running for making the final ESPN 150 list.
This release was the initial list, and there will be another updated release sometime in June. There are various reasons why some prospects haven't made the list, but all are not created equal.
That being said, there is a chance that a few of Michigan's commitments could ultimately make the list down the road. Tight end Jake Butt (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington North), linebacker Ben Gedeon (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) and running backs Wyatt Shallman (Novi, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central) and Deveon Smith (Warren, Ohio/Howland) were all among the ESPN 150 watch list prior to the actual list coming out.
This release was the initial list, and there will be another updated release sometime in June. There are various reasons why some prospects haven't made the list, but all are not created equal.
That being said, there is a chance that a few of Michigan's commitments could ultimately make the list down the road. Tight end Jake Butt (Pickerington, Ohio/Pickerington North), linebacker Ben Gedeon (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) and running backs Wyatt Shallman (Novi, Mich./Detroit Catholic Central) and Deveon Smith (Warren, Ohio/Howland) were all among the ESPN 150 watch list prior to the actual list coming out.
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Michigan only had a handful of uncommitted prospects on hand for the spring game, but the targets that were there were big names. That includes defensive end Christian Lacouture (College Station, Texas/A&M Consolidated), who made the long trip all the way from Texas just to see Ann Arbor in person.
Lacouture was committed to Texas A&M at one point, but opened things up once there was a coaching change with the Aggies. Ever since that happened he has listed Michigan as one of his favorites, and this visit only solidified that for him.
"It was really good for me to come up to Michigan," he said. "It was a great visit, and I'm looking to possibly come up again soon. My dad didn't get to come this time so I'd like him to come up and see it, too."
Lacouture was committed to Texas A&M at one point, but opened things up once there was a coaching change with the Aggies. Ever since that happened he has listed Michigan as one of his favorites, and this visit only solidified that for him.
"It was really good for me to come up to Michigan," he said. "It was a great visit, and I'm looking to possibly come up again soon. My dad didn't get to come this time so I'd like him to come up and see it, too."
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The defensive line will always be a main focus at Michigan since there are technically three defensive line coaches on staff. That fact has caught the eye of many linemen, and most recently has intrigued 2014 defensive tackle Brandon Hines (Mequon, Wis./Homestead).
The 6-foot-2, 275-pound tackle recently took a visit to Ann Arbor and came away more than impressed with what the Wolverines have to offer.
"I think Michigan is ahead of a lot of the competition. They have so many resources, such a nice campus and nice people around," he said. "They really just have the whole package. You can't really say anything bad about Michigan. The coaches are all experienced, and that's one of the main things I love there is that they basically have three defensive line coaches."
The 6-foot-2, 275-pound tackle recently took a visit to Ann Arbor and came away more than impressed with what the Wolverines have to offer.
"I think Michigan is ahead of a lot of the competition. They have so many resources, such a nice campus and nice people around," he said. "They really just have the whole package. You can't really say anything bad about Michigan. The coaches are all experienced, and that's one of the main things I love there is that they basically have three defensive line coaches."
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There are roughly seven spots left in Michigan's 2013 class, and there are still a few needs to fill. Some of the top prospects in the nation are still considering Michigan, and it would be tough to turn away those kinds of recruits. So WolverineNation will rank the top 12 uncommitted prospects for Michigan based on need and want leading up to the spring game.
No. 1
No. 1
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ABOUT WOLVERINE NATION
Michael Rothstein
Michael Rothstein joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for AnnArbor.com, Notre Dame for the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Journal Gazette and a host of colleges for the Daily News-Record (Harrisonburg, Va.). A Syracuse graduate and an East Meadow, N.Y. native, he lives in Ann Arbor, Mich. He can be reached at michaelrothsteinespn@gmail.com.
Tom Van Haaren
Tom VanHaaren joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for three years at MGoBlog.com. VanHaaren and his wife currently reside in Royal Oak, Mich. He can be reached at TomVHESPN@gmail.com.
Chantel Jennings
Chantel Jennings joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering University of Michigan athletics for three years at The Michigan Daily. Chantel graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in English and Spanish and lives in Ann Arbor. She can be reached at jenningsespn@gmail.com.
Bob McClellan
Bob McClellan joined ESPN.com in 2011 after more than 20 years as a sports editor and sports writer at Rivals.com, The (Nashville) Tennessean and The Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville. He is a Northwestern University graduate. He resides in Franklin, Tenn. Email him at robert.x.mcclellan.-nd@espn.com.