Michigan Football Recruiting: Losing OT Denzel Ward Won't Kill Wolverines' Class

When you have two recruits in the 2014 class and you lose one of them within a few months, it's only natural for there to be commotion.

That appears to be the case after 3-star offensive tackle Denzel Ward decommitted from Michigan on Tuesday, using Twitter (of course) to spread the word.

Ward tweeted on Tuesday:

"

I am no longer a commit to the University of Michigan, I really appreciare the love from there but I just want to make the best decision.

— Denzel Ward (@DW75_) January 29, 2013"

While Ward is "only" a 3-star recruit according to 247Sports.com, his size as a junior has raised eyebrows throughout the nation (6'8", 295 pounds). He has the measurements to eat up opposing defensive linemen in the coming years and he still has another year of high school to work on his technique.

But, let's be real, the 2013 recruiting season is not even finished yet and there is still plenty of time for Michigan to build up an impressive 2014 class. The recruiting process has received so much publicity and national attention throughout the years that it can be easy to rush to judgement when a high-profile recruit decommits and changes course, but the Wolverines should be fine moving forward.

For one, Michigan has the No. 3 recruiting class of 2013 (via 247Sports.com). That includes five 4-star offensive linemen and one of the best running back recruits in the nation in Derrick Green, who committed on Saturday. Green's downhill running style fits perfectly into what Brady Hoke is trying to do, by the way.

Combined with an emerging quarterback in Devin Gardner, big things are expected out of the Wolverines in the 2013 campaign. 

A successful season, of course, opens up the recruiting trail for the Wolverines headed into next year. It's important to note that Michigan played below expectations in 2012, yet still find themselves with a top-five recruiting class in 2013. Imagine what happens if they play like they did in the 2011 season. They'll have recruits lining up at the door.

In the end, Michigan may actually find itself with a surplus of offensive linemen in 2014. Ward figures to be a distant memory.

What are your thoughts?