Michigan Recruiting 2015: Latest News, Rumors and Commit Updates

Michigan faces the difficult task of coordinating a coaching change while trying to assemble a quality recruiting class. The university fired Brady Hoke, eventually replacing him with former Wolverines quarterback Jim Harbaugh.

Michigan aims to rebound in the right direction as national signing day nears. The team currently holds six commitments in its 2015 class, according to 247Sports.

Let's take a look at the latest news, top targets and commits for the Wolverines.

Latest News

Tuesday, Dec. 30

Michigan officially announced the hiring of Jim Harbaugh on Tuesday, swiftly signing the former San Francisco 49ers head coach to a seven-year contract. The Wolverines reportedly faced competition from the Oakland Raiders for his services, but ultimately solidified a reunion with the Michigan football alum.

The announcement is sure to alter the recruiting landscape in Ann Arbor. Michigan currently holds just six commitments in a 2015 class that currently ranks 90th overall in 247Sports' composite rankings, behind South Alabama, Louisiana-Lafayette and Texas State. 

"This hire is a match made in heaven," 4-star 2016 receiver prospect JoshImatorbhebhe told Bleacher Report's Tyler Donohue. "You have a successful NFL head coach step down to be a head coach at his alma mater, whom he led to the Rose Bowl."

Several Michigan recruiting targets sounded off while discussing the development with Donohue. Harbaugh, who previously rebuilt a struggling Stanford program, led the 49ers to three NFC championship games and a Super Bowl during his four-year stay in San Francisco.

Top Targets and Commitments

Name	Position	Ranking	High School	Status
Osa Masina	LB	4-Star (50)	Brighton (Salt Lake City, UT)	Target
Chris Clark	TE	4-Star (80)	Avon Old Farms (Avon, CT)	Target
Marcus Lewis	ATH	4-Star (128)	Gonzaga (Washington, DC)	Target
Tyrone Wheatley Jr.	TE	4-Star (235)	Canisius (Buffalo, NY)	Target
Brian Cole	ATH	4-Star (59)	Heritage (Saginaw, MI)	Committed
Tyree Kinnel	S	4-Star (186)	Wayne (Dayton, OH)	Committed
Grant Newsome	OT	4-Star (208)	The Lawrenceville School (Trenton, NJ)	Committed
Alex Malzone	QB	4-Star (286)	Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills, MI)	Committed
Jon Runyan Jr.	OT	3-Star (n/a)	St. Joseph's (Philadelphia, PA)	Committed
Andrew David	K	2-Star (n/a)	Washington (Massillon, OH)	Committed

 Monday, Dec. 29

Michigan is set to announce the hiring of former San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, according to Patt Forde of Yahoo Sports. It's a move that should send shockwaves throughout the college football landscape and immediately change the complexion of the program's recruiting efforts. 

Harbaugh, who previously resurrected a downtrodden Stanford program, arrives in Ann Arbor with a list of accomplishments recruits must respect. During the high school careers of 2015 prospects, he led San Francisco to three NFC championship games and a Super Bowl. 

Playoff appearances and primetime showdowns made him one of the league's most recognizable leaders. Expect that familiarity to pay off with recruiting targets moving forward.

"Coach Harbaugh coming to Michigan is the best choice for many reasons," 4-star quarterback Alex Malzone told Bleacher Report recruiting analyst Tyler Donohue. "He's going to bring attitude back to the team. He's going to bring in the right guys that want to play for Michigan."

Monday, Dec. 15

Another former Michigan commit has found a new home. Indianapolis linebacker Darrin Kirkland announced his intentions to play at Tennessee during a Monday morning announcement ceremony.

Texas, Ole Miss and Oklahoma fell short as finalists.

The 6'2", 232-pound prospect previously pledged to the Wolverines. However, he joined a mounting list of Michigan decommitments last month by reopening his recruitment.

Kirkland, a senior at Lawrence Central High School, tallied more than 200 tackles as an upperclassman. He's rated fourth nationally among inside linebackers in 247Sports' composite rankings.

Michigan remains in search of reinforcements at the position. The team's list of linebacker targets is headlined by 4-star Utah playmaker Osa Masina. 

Wednesday, Dec. 3

Connecticut tight end Chris Clark decommitted from Michigan in the immediate aftermath of Hoke's dismissal but didn't completely eliminate the possibility of reconciliation with the Wolverines. The 4-star recruit tweeted a message to the fans Tuesday evening.

"I still am very interested in the program," he wrote. "I will take my officials and figure this all out."

Clark is expected to spend time at North Carolina, where he previously committed this spring. USC, Texas and UCLA are also under consideration.

He shared the list of five finalists on Twitter:

"

So it doesn't get hectic wanna make it public only interested in 5 schools Michigan Unc Usc Ucla Texas

— Chris Clark (@Clark8Chris) December 3, 2014"

With Michigan still in the mix, his recruitment is worth monitoring moving forward.

Wednesday, Dec. 3

Per WXYZ Detroit, quarterback Alex Malzone received Michigan's "Mr. Football" award Wednesday afternoon, punctuating a standout career at Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills. The 6'1.5", 200-pound passer picked apart opponents during an 11-1 senior campaign.

He completed 65 percent of attempts for 2,998 yards and 38 touchdowns, per MaxPreps. Malzone starred as an upperclassman at Brother Rice, throwing for 5,700 yards and 63 scores.

The Elite 11 finalist intends to honor his commitment to the Wolverines. He pledged to the former coaching regime in May but will carry on with a new staff in Ann Arbor.

"I'm committed to Michigan 100 percent," he told Tyler Donohue of Bleacher Report. "It's tough to see Coach Hoke go, and I only wish him the best in the future."

Malzone is rated 11th nationally among pro-style quarterbacks in 247Sports' composite rankings.

Recruit rankings and information courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.