Michigan Wolverines

Big Ten

Shaping 'The Game'

Some recruiting battles in recent past should impact Saturday's matchup

Updated: November 20, 2012, 4:32 PM ET
By Chantel Jennings | WolverineNation
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan and Ohio State always will have some kind of overlap in players they go after, but it seems that when the teams take the field on Saturday there will be a few past recruiting battles that truly impact "The Game."

1) Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins: Hankins grew up in Dearborn Heights, Mich., as a Wolverines fan, but Michigan didn't jump on board until late in the recruiting cycle. At Ohio State he has become a top player and an NFL prospect. With the Wolverines' woes on the defensive line this season, he's a player who would have been a big help. And with how Michigan's offensive line has looked recently, it will have its hands full with Hankins.

2) Quarterback Braxton Miller: Miller had offers from both schools and while the Buckeyes managed to lead for most of his recruitment, the Wolverines did have two of his high school teammates (Terry and Terrence Talbott). It was former coach Rich Rodriguez who extended the offer but in the end Michigan just didn't have enough to pull Miller from his home-state favorite.

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Chantel Jennings | email

Reporter, WolverineNation
  • Reporter for WolverineNation
  • Covers Michigan Wolverines sports and recruiting
  • Joined ESPN in 2011

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