Michigan Football Recruiting: An Early Look at the 2013 Wolverine Class

Despite a late start, the Michigan Wolverines had a consensus top-10 recruiting class in 2012. Now that Brady Hoke's staff has had a year to settle in, the 2013 class may prove to be even better.

It actually took until mid-April for the Wolverines to land their third commitment of the 2012 class.

This time around, Michigan is two months ahead, having landed its third player this week. The Wolverines have already landed a 5-star quarterback and a talented safety from Ohio State's backyard.

With the newfound confidence in the Michigan program, players are now part of the recruiting process. Quarterback commit Shane Morris has been working on running back Ty Isaac and linebacker E.J. Levenberry.

“(We’re) just trying to become part of the number one recruiting class in the nation, 'cause we will, I think, be that," Morris told Scout.com.

Let's take a look at who's already committed, whom Hoke and the Buckeyes are competing for, and the list of top prospects.

Commit: Khalid Hill, TE—Crockett Vocational Tech, Detroit

With the pipeline to Detroit Cass Tech solidified, Hoke and his staff are now recruiting the entire Public School League.

A 6'2”, 230-pound tight end/H-back, Khalid Hill becomes the third commit of the 2013 class. Hill caught 29 passes for six touchdowns as a junior, while tallying 55 tackles and six sacks as a defensive end.

“I've always lived in Detroit.” Hill told the Free Press. “I watched Michigan as a kid and hoped one day it would be me.”

Commit: Dymonte Thomas, S—Marlington HS, Alliance, Ohio

The first Michigan commit offered by both Brady Hoke and Urban Meyer, Dymonte Thomas will immediately get a taste of the off-field struggles between Michigan and Ohio State.

Not only will Thomas get calls from Meyer, he'll also get them from his cousin, Bri'onte Dunn.

Dunn, who earlier decommitted from Ohio State and might have joined the Wolverines, is now back with the Buckeyes and enrolled in the school.

Thomas, too, is not wavering. “I'm staying committed,” Thomas told Scout.com. “I've already given (Michigan) my word.”

A 4-star safety, the 6'1", 180-pounder could play cornerback considering his 4.53 speed. On the other hand, Thomas gained 801 yards on 91 carries as a running back.

Commit: Shane Morris, QB—De La Salle Collegiate, Warren, Mich.

Michigan's first commit could be the surprise replacement for Denard Robinson in 2013. Shane Morris, the 6'3”, 195-pound southpaw from Warren De La Salle, could beat out Devin Gardner and Russell Bellomy for the starting quarterback job.

Realistically, Morris will most likely wait his turn, thus allowing the two competitors to fight it out.

As a high school junior, the 5-star signal-caller passed for 1,658 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

“(He) has great arm strength and can make all the throws,” Scout.com's Allen Trieu said.

The New War

It may have started when Bri'onte Dunn decommitted from Ohio State and flirted with the Wolverines. Or when Kyle Kalis left Columbus to sign with Michigan.

It certainly continued when new Buckeye coach Urban Meyer tried to poach a player or two from Michigan when he took over in November.

There's no question Wolverine athletic director Dave Brandon was irritated when the NCAA allowed Ohio State the luxury of two head coaches. Luke Fickell was able to coached the team in the Capital One Bowl while Meyer got a head start on recruiting.

Truth is, Michigan has rejoined Ohio State as two of the tougher teams in the country. Things should get as nasty on the recruiting trail as they are during The Game itself.

Just in case you might be interested, the following players have been offered by both Michigan and Ohio State. Where they end up is anyone's guess:

Billy Price, DT—Youngstown, Ohio COMMITTED TO OSU

Lovell Peterson, OT—Huber Heights, Ohio

Ty Isaac, RB—Joliet, Ill.

Ben Gedeon, LB—Hudson, Ohio

Jaylon Smith, LB—Fort Wayne, Ind.

Eli Woodard, CB—Voorheis, N.J. COMMITTED TO OSU

Michael Hutchings, LB—Concord, Calif.

Robert Foster, WR—Monoca, Pa.

Laquon Treadwell, WR—Crete, Ill.

Top Prospects

Listed below are Michigan's top 16 prospects for 2013. Each will be preceded by Scout.com's rating, and all are part of the B/R Top 100 or the ESPNU 150, unless noted otherwise.

5-star LB Michael Hutchings

4-star QB Kevin Olsen

4-star RB Ty Isaac

4-star WR Jake Oliver

4-star TE Adam Breneman

4-star OT Ethan Pocic

4-star DT Billy Price

4-star DE Jason Hatcher

4-star LB Ben Gedeon

4-star LB E.J. Levenberry

4-star S Su'a Cravens

4-star MLB Peter Kalambayi

(NR) LB Jaylon Smith

(NR) OT Logan Tuley-Tillman (not in B/R Top 100)

(NR) RB Derrick Green (not in B/R Top 100)

(NR) WR Laquon Treadwell (not in B/R Top 100, not in ESPNU 150)