Where Michigan Turns After Missing on 4-Star Naseir Upshur

The Michigan Wolverines football team hasn't suffered many setbacks on the 2016 recruiting trail, soaring near the top of national class rankings. 

Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh faced a rare dose of adversity on that front Tuesday afternoon, when elite tight end target Naseir Upshur announced intentions to attend Florida State.

The 4-star Philadelphia prospect picked the Seminoles over Michigan in an exclusive commitment video with Bleacher Report:

Upshur, a 6'2", 233-pound senior at Imhotep Institute, received interest from the Wolverines as an underclassman. The program's pursuit intensified upon the arrival of a new coaching regime, as tight ends coach Jay Harbaugh made him a priority.

"I talk to Michigan just about every day, so I'm very comfortable with them," Upshur told Bleacher Report in April. "I talk to Jay Harbaugh on the phone at least twice a week for like an hour. We have a great relationship."

Michigan seemed to be in the driver's seat for this recruitment when summer arrived. A June visit to Ann Arbor further solidified his strong rapport with the Wolverines:

Just a month ago, Upshur discussed plans to spend an official visit at Michigan. He told Bleacher Report the goal was to attend a Wolverines home game against either Michigan State or Ohio State.

It remains to be seen whether Upshur, rated fifth nationally among tight ends in 2016 composite rankings, will still visit other universities. For now, his decision fills a need at Florida State and leaves Michigan searching for an alternative tight end option.

Ultimately, this entire process may come full circle.

Isaac Nauta, the nation's top overall tight end prospect, backed off an eight-month verbal pledge to the Seminoles in late July. The coaching staff suffered a major blow but quickly moved on to Upshur, who told Bleacher Report he frequently heard from Florida State even when Nauta remained committed.

This development turned the tide of his recruitment, gradually shifting momentum from Ann Arbor to Tallahassee. Rather than wait to weigh things further, Upshur elected to make a decision before the season.

As a result, Nauta now becomes the Wolverines' chief offensive concern. He already revealed plans to use an official visit at Michigan in October. 

The 5-star IMG Academy (Florida) standout will travel north for the team's Oct. 17 matchup with Michigan State. Nauta also locked in official visits to TCU, Georgia and USC.

He isn't just the country's No. 1 tight end recruit, as Nauta also sits atop the entire crop of receiver rankings in this cycle. His skill set and stout 6'4" physical frame will provide an immediate boost for whichever offensive attack he joins next season.

Credit: 247Sports

Michigan already claims a pair of 4-star running backs and an Elite 11 quarterback in its 2016 class. Solid pieces are in place, but none would arrive in Ann Arbor with greater initial expectations than Nauta, who is also mulling visits to Alabama, Oregon, Ole Miss and Oklahoma State.

A rough 2014 season and eventual coaching change cost Michigan top-tier 2015 tight end Chris Clark, who decommitted and eventually signed with UCLA. Nauta carries even more potential than Clark and could warrant all-conference consideration as a true freshman if he arrives healthy and motivated.

Expect Jim and Jay Harbaugh to heavily recruit Nauta for the duration of this cycle. He and 5-star New Jersey defensive tackle Rashan Gary likely own the top two spots on the Wolverines' recruiting board.

Nauta's decommitment may have inadvertently derailed Michigan's chances with Upshur on Tuesday. Still, there's a possibility Wolverines fans will ultimately sing his praises on national signing day.

Quotes and info obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.