Successful recruiting for Michigan has always included the Midwest. The foundation of some of the best recruiting classes for the Wolverines has been prospects from Michigan and its surrounding states.

Coach Brady Hoke and his staff have emphasized that their game plan will be to recruit in-state first, then the Midwest and then nationally. The coaching staff proved that on paper by signing nine prospects from the state of Michigan, 10 recruits from neighboring Midwest states and six from outside the Midwest in the 2012 class.

Oddly enough, however, Michigan did not gain a commitment from an Illinois prospect in this cycle. In fact, since the 2005 recruiting class Michigan has signed only six prospects out of the state of Illinois.

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Tom VanHaaren | email

Reporter, WolverineNation

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