5 Reasons 5-Star DE Da'Shawn Hand Could Sign with Michigan

Da'Shawn Hand is the best defensive end recruit in the country, and the recruitment of this 6'5", 247-pound edge defender from Virginia will be one of the major recruiting storylines of the year.

According to 247Sports, Virginia Tech is one of his top schools. But many believe Michigan has the inside track..

To a recruit, every school has its pros and cons, but there are many reasons for a prospect to choose to play for the Big Blue. 

Hand has his reasons, too. 

5. Shane Morris

Shane Morris is an elite incoming freshman quarterback. He is seen as the future of the program and the player Brady Hoke will build around.

Aside from being a great field general prospect, Morris has a reputation for being one of Michigan's best recruiters. He constantly contacts prospective Wolverine players to urge them to join him in Ann Arbor, and Morris has netted big results.

Hand told Scout.com in March (subscription required) that Morris is already on his case. 

4. Potential Talent Around Him

Brady Hoke has done an excellent job of recruiting since taking over in Ann Arbor in 2011. Hoke's 2012 and 2013 classes have been ranked in the top six and top five, respectively.

On defense alone, Hoke has signed 16 4-star or better prospects over the past two full recruiting cycles. So if Hand picks Michigan, he would join a young and talented roster.

Hand certainly wants to win games and compete for championships. The best way to do that is to play with other talented players. And based on its recent recruiting classes, there are plenty of them at Michigan.

3. Derrick Green

 In 2013, one of the top players in the country was running back Derrick Green, who is also from the the Old Dominion.

Green signed with Michigan and has a great relationship with Hand, reports Scout.com (subscription required). The two studs have mutual admiration for one another, and Green being in Ann Arbor would give Hand another familiar face to hang out with and feel comfortable around. 

It also helps that Green is a great player who could help Hand contend for Big Ten titles and a playoff berth. 

2. Great Chance for Early Playing Time

Michigan signed just one pure defensive end recruit in 2013 in Taco Charlton. In 2012, the Wolverines signed four edge defenders, and 2011 brought them two.

So that totals just seven defensive end recruits in the past three years. And Hand grades out as a superior player to all of the incumbents. He has great snap quickness, strength and a closing burst to finish plays.

Hand would almost certainly receive coveted early playing time as a true freshman. 

1. Greg Mattison

Greg Mattison, the defensive coordinator at Michigan, is one of the best defensive minds in the sport. He is an an older coach who is known to be a great recruiter and a ball of energy with his players.

Hand speaks highly of the Michigan coaching staff, most notably Mattison. He stated his admiration of the defensive coordinator recently to Scout.com (subscription required).

Mattison has built a terrific reputation with Hand and has a proven track record. Hand would receive top-notch coaching from Mattison, who has NFL coordinating experience stemming from his time with the Baltimore Ravens.

Under Mattison's tutelage, Hand could be developed into the next Terrell Suggs.

Edwin Weathersby is the College Football Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. He has worked in scouting/player personnel departments for three professional football teams, including the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns.