Michigan Commit Brandon Peters: 'Why Would You Not Want to Play for Harbaugh?'

Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh entered April searching for his first commitment on the 2016 recruiting trail. Still five months shy of his inaugural season in Ann Arbor, the only high school prospects on board were holdovers from a Brady Hoke era that ended last December. 

Then Brandon Peters came to town. 

The prized Indiana product visited alongside family for Michigan's first spring game under a new regime. By the time Peters departed, Harbaugh had bagged his blue-chip quarterback target.

Check the rear-view mirror today and it's easy to identify the 4-star recruit as a catalyst. 

Peters, who also considered Nebraska, LSU, Indiana and Wisconsin, was the initial domino to fall in an incredible stretch that featured 13 pledges before spring's end.

"It was crazy," he told Bleacher Report. "It felt like really good players were joining our class almost every day for a while there."

The Wolverines' class now features 21 total commitments, rated No. 6 nationally in 2016 composite rankings. Peters, a 6'5", 205-pound senior at Avon High School, believes the motivation behind this group's rapid expansion is rather simple.

“Why would you not want to play for Harbaugh?"

"You’re learning from the best with that entire staff," he added.

The Elite 11 finalist feels that sentiment was solidified this fall when Michigan finished 9-3 and qualified for a Citrus Bowl matchup with Florida. The Wolverines went just 12-13 during the previous two campaigns, slumping to 6-10 against Big Ten Conference opponents.

“They definitely exceeded expectations. They surprised me," Peters said. "I didn’t really know how much talent Michigan had, but it just shows how good of a coach Harbaugh is. He can develop players, he can change their mindset and the way guys think about the game.”

Harbaugh, who led the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance in 2013 and spearheaded Stanford's rise to prominence last decade, starred as a Michigan quarterback in college. Peters understands there's a lot to comprehend for passers in Ann Arbor, and he's attempting to develop early chemistry with the coach.

“We’re still trying to figure out each other. We’re building a good bond," he said. 

Evan Habeeb/Getty Images

Harbaugh traveled to Indiana for an in-home visit with Peters last week. It was another step in the continuation of a relationship that began with plenty of praise.

Harbaugh compared Peters to former pupil Andrew Luck during a conversation that preceded his April pledge. The Indianapolis Colts quarterback signed with Stanford in 2008, developing into an eventual No. 1 overall NFL draft pick.

"It's a similar situation to what he had at Stanford, with Luck being the first quarterback recruit he brought in [with a full cycle]. He thinks I'm a really good fit for him at Michigan like Luck was for him there," Peters said after his commitment.

This comparison places immense expectations on the young quarterback, who recently wrapped up the best season of his high school career.

Peters led Avon to state semifinal action, eliminating two reigning Indiana champions along the way. He completed 60 percent of pass attempts in 2015, resulting in 3,097 yards and 37 touchdowns, per MaxPreps.

His impressive campaign earned Peters recognition as one of six finalists for U.S. Army All-American Player of the Year:

Rated No. 6 among pro-style passers in composite rankings, Peters is prepared to enroll early at Michigan. Wolverines starting quarterback Jake Rudock is a senior, so it's imperative Peters hits the ground running in Ann Arbor if he aims to enter the equation as a potential replacement.

“They have a bunch of other quarterbacks up there right now, but it’s up in the air. It’s anybody’s spot to take," Peters said. "Going in early will help me get the playbook down and put on some muscle before spring practice. Hopefully I can compete for the job, but if that doesn’t happen they’ll probably redshirt me just so I don’t lose a year.”

He'll spend time on campus again this month, visiting with several fellow Wolverines commits just weeks before his enrollment. Peters has noticed life in Ann Arbor becomes quite different after you hop on the Michigan bandwagon.

"Everybody knows you. It’s amazing," he said. "The atmosphere in Ann Arbor is really cool. I can’t wait to play there.”

Peters expects a strong supporting cast to join him.

Aside from current commits, who communicate frequently, he places undecided prospects like Detroit wide receiver Donnie Corley, Georgia tight end Isaac Nauta and New Jersey running back Kareem Walker on his "wish list."

All eyes are also on No. 1 overall recruit Rashan Gary, a New Jersey defensive tackle projected to sign with Michigan by 68 percent of experts' predictions in 247Sports' Crystal Ball. Peters is paying close attention to that pursuit, which could punctuate the strong 2016 class he helped spur.

“If the No. 1 player wants to come to Michigan then we’re going to be on top soon," he said. "Something big is coming."

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