Top Recruits Who Will Be Impacted by Result of the Ohio State-Michigan Game

It may lack much of the luster that defined rivalry matchups of the past, but when Michigan and Ohio State battle, there are always plenty of storylines to monitor. Most of the attention Saturday will center on the Buckeyes' playoff chances and Brady Hoke's job security.

However, there's always another element worth monitoring when these teams meet. The storied programs routinely clash on the recruiting trail while chasing common prospects, and those skirmishes become more noteworthy as national signing day nears. 

This 2015 cycle is no different, as several top-tier talents will be watching closely to see how the Buckeyes and Wolverines fare when action kicks off in Columbus. Here's a look at recruits who could ultimately be influenced by the outcome.

4-Star TE Chris Clark (Avon, Connecticut)

Credit: 247Sports

Chris Clark is one of just a few blue-chip recruits remaining in a 2015 Michigan class decimated by decommitments. The Avon Old Farms standout is rated second nationally among tight ends in 247Sports' composite rankings and spurned several premier programs by pledging to the Wolverines in June.

He previously committed to North Carolina this spring and is expected to revisit the possibility of becoming a Tar Heel by spending time on campus in January. That trip will be preceded by official visits to Texas and USC and followed by a journey to South Carolina.

Michigan clearly has company in this pursuit, and Clark has continued to listen to mounting interest elsewhere as the Wolverines sputtered this season. If the team is embarrassed by Ohio State, it could push him further toward a flip.

“I’m concerned about the Michigan staff,” Clark told Phil Kornblut of SportsTalkSC.com. “I’m pretty convinced Coach Hoke will be fired. They have a new AD, and he will have a new vision. But I still feel good about Michigan. I’m still somewhat committed. We’ll see what happens. I’m just living in the moment.”

3-Star WR Lawrence Cager (Towson, Maryland)

Credit: 247Sports

The Buckeyes have enjoyed tremendous recruiting momentum in recent weeks, vaulting up to fifth nationally in 247Sports' composite rankings. Urban Meyer would love to make 6'5" Maryland wide receiver Lawrence Cager his next prized addition.

The Calvert Hall College High School playmaker has enjoyed quite a rise on the national recruiting scene since this summer. Along with Ohio State, his latest offers include Nebraska, Miami, Notre Dame and Ole Miss.

Earlier this week, he told Bleacher Report that six teams stand out as favorites less than three months shy of signing day. Cager identified Georgia, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Ole Miss, Notre Dame and Alabama as top contenders.

He'll be in Columbus this weekend.

"Ohio State was my dream school growing up," Cager told Bleacher Report. "I've always had a lot of respect for the team."

He plans to follow this visit with trips to Notre Dame, Alabama and Ole Miss.

4-Star DB Garrett Taylor (Richmond, Virginia)

Credit: 247Sports

St. Christopher's School cornerback Garrett Taylor is extremely familiar with both Big Ten rivals. He spent seven months committed to Michigan before backing out of that verbal pact last month.

Ohio State quickly landed on his radar as a possible replacement. The Buckeyes welcomed Taylor to campus last weekend, attempting to make inroads with yet another young and talented defensive back.

However, the Buckeyes' secondary situation remains fluid, meaning his relationship with Meyer's staff may require some patience moving forward.

“It’s a numbers thing right now,” he told Bill Kurelic of 247Sports. “They have a lot of commitments, and right now they are full at defensive back. They are waiting for things to open up. So I might be back for an official visit in December. We’ll see how it works out."

If things trend in a positive direction, expect Taylor to return to campus for an official visit in December. However, an upcoming official visit to Penn State could present a hurdle in the way of those plans.

5-Star RB Damien Harris (Berea, Kentucky)

Top-ranked running back Damien Harris, another former Michigan commit, is entering the final phase of a frenzied recruitment. He spent an official visit at Ohio State earlier this season and has always viewed the Buckeyes as a viable contender.

Though Harris expressed serious interest in Texas A&M, Alabama and Florida, this process may very well be down to a two-team race. Aside from Ohio State, the nearby Kentucky Wildcats appear to have the strongest shot at securing his signature.

Kentucky can sell him on an opportunity to become the immediate face of a college program and serve as an in-state catalyst who can bring the team to newfound glory. Meanwhile, Meyer's track record suggests Harris has a better shot at playing a key role for a national champion at Ohio State.

With a tight battle brewing, every element of the process matters at this point, including this latest matchup with Michigan. Harris has rushed for more than 6,000 yards in his high school career.

4-Star ATH Brian Cole (Saginaw, Michigan)

Credit: 247Sports

Could Michigan—down to just seven total commits in its 2015 class—be on the brink of more bad recruiting news? On-field struggles and coaching speculation have sent several blue-chip Wolverines pledges elsewhere to explore other options.

Brian Cole, a two-way in-state standout from Heritage High School, is clearly on the fence about how he plans to proceed with the Wolverines. His schedule has been busy with campus visits to multiple Big Ten rivals.

The 6'2", 190-pound wide receiver and defensive back traveled to Nebraska last weekend. His earlier official visit endeavors feature fellow Big Ten opponents Purdue and Wisconsin.

It's apparent the Wolverines are skating on thin ice when it comes to this coveted playmaker. A disastrous effort at Ohio State could send him packing for greener pastures within the conference, while a strong showing from Michigan may help restore some much-needed confidence.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.