Michigan Football: Latest Summer News and Recruiting Updates

Fresh off an 11-2 season that included a BCS bowl victory, it is great to be a Michigan Wolverine. Everybody is excited about the new season, the returning players and what head coach Brady Hoke will be able to accomplish in his second season.

But it remains a long offseason, and while the season may be right around the corner, at times it can seem like there isn't much going on in the college football world.

With fewer than three months before the season begins, here are the latest updates and recruiting news on your 2012 Michigan Wolverines.

Michigan Lands Channing Stribling

Michigan recruiting has taken off the past couple of years, and although it is only June, the Wolverines have received 22 early commitments. Yes, you read that right; Michigan is tied with Texas A&M for the most recruits in the 2013 class.

The most recent commitment comes from athlete Channing Stribling. He is 6'2", 175 pounds and has the ability to play either side of the ball. He was listed as a defensive back, but can also play the receiver position due to his terrific ball skills. He has a lot of speed and can become a playmaker wherever the coaching staff sees fit. 

Stribling said he was not really recruited by any other top schools, so it was a no-brainier when the Wolverines extended an offer his way.

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The defensive coach was just telling me that I was a special player to him. He liked the way I worked hard. I came in unknown, and he liked the way I came in with a chip on my shoulder: 'They're not out here looking for me, so I'm going to go ahead and get my name out there.' He liked the way I worked hard and he said I'm a special player. (Via CBS Sports)

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2012 Freshmen Are Ready to Roll

Speaking of recruits, Michigan put together one of the top 2012 classes, landing 25 recruits, including 15 5-star or 4-star players. With fall camp a little less than two months away, those players will soon arrive on campus and get ready to begin the college life.

Michigan played a few freshmen last season, so these players must enter with the mindset that they will see the field at some point and will be expected to contribute. Hoke said:

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This incoming class positionally, there's places we may need some help, up front defensively and help on the offensive line. But you never know until these kids get here and they get indoctrinated with the strength and conditioning, the classroom and all those things in the summer. (Via Detroit Free Press)

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While coaches are trying to find out where these players will fit, you can read here on how they feel about stepping on campus and what they have been doing to get prepared for that new chapter in their life.

RB Jordan Wilkins Set to Visit

While Michigan has already picked up a top running back in 2013 with DeVeon Smith, there is another top back that is interested in Ann Arbor. His name is Jordan Wilkins, and he is a power back at 6'2", 205 pounds. Although he is a big guy and can pick up those tough yards, he has shown he can be elusive in the open field and can generate big plays as well.

While Wilkins has offers from several schools, including Alabama, Arkansas, Wisconsin and Tennessee. He will visit the Wolverines soon. Said Wilkins:

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I'm visiting some family in Detroit and my parents said that my aunt is going to take me to Michigan. Michigan has always been a place I wanted to visit; it's just been hard because I've been so busy. (Via ESPN)

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Wilkins also went on to say that he would like to make his decision before his senior season begins, and also announced his top schools at the moment.

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Auburn, Vanderbilt, Michigan and Tennessee are my top schools. I want to see Michigan, and you never know what could happen or what could change things.

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Strict Drug Policy in Place for Michigan

It seems like every other week we hear about a player getting in trouble with the law because they got caught with drugs. That better not be the case for a Michigan Wolverine, because there are some severe consequences if that player tests positive for any type of illegal drug.

The first time that player tests positive, it results in losing 10 percent of the season. The second time, that player loses 33 percent of the season. The third time results in the entire year being forfeited. Brady Hoke said:

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You want to help kids.  Kids make bad decisions, they're 18 to 23. ...I'm 53, and once in a while, I'll make a bad decision. We've got an aggressive policy. We've got an athletic department that takes it very seriously and whatever we can do to help our kids is what it's all about. (Via Ann Arbor) 

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If only more schools would do things like this.

Michigan Still in the Running for Derrick Green

Michigan is trying to load up at running back. And if it is able to land Derrick Green, it would likely be the biggest commitment yet. At 5'11" and 220 pounds, Green is considered one of the more polished backs in this year's class. He isn't the fastest back, but has terrific size, runs with great power and does not go down easily.

He has offers from every school imaginable and is still very interested in Michigan. 

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I talked with Coach Montgomery, and he wanted to make sure if they were still in the loop with me. I told him they absolutely were still there in the process. Coach Fred Jackson will be coming out next week to see me work out and go through drills. I do plan on getting back up to Michigan during the summer. (Via Scout.com)

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Green is looking for a school that has great academics and offers immediate playing time and a great football atmosphere.

It isn't known when he will make his decision, but as long as the Wolverines are still in the running, they will take it. Said Green:

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I haven't narrowed anything down yet. Michigan is definitely in the mix. That's a school I would like to get out to this summer to sit down with the head coach, and maybe for a game. (Via ESPN)

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