Is 4-Star RB Mike Weber's Flip to Buckeyes Rock Bottom for Michigan Recruiting?

It’s been a rough go for the University of Michigan on the recruiting trail in recent weeks, but the recent flip of former running back pledge Michael Weber to Ohio State may be a new low for fans of the Maize and Blue.

Weber—who committed to the Wolverines back in August before dropping his pledge in November due to the impending doom of the Brady Hoke era—will now head south to play for the Wolverines’ most hated rival.

“The main part is I like winning and didn’t think Michigan could get the job done,” Weber told Dan Kilbridge of SpartanTailgate following his decommitment.

While Weber’s statement is telling, his recruitment is simply the latest—and hopefully final—casualty of Hoke’s tenure in Ann Arbor.

He’s the latest high-profile defection from the Wolverines' 2015 class—which has seemingly lost enough commitments from top-flight recruits to field an all-star team.

To make matters worse, Michigan has yet to name a new head coach since Brady Hoke was fired earlier this month. Plus, the Wolverines' class has only six commitments remaining less than two months away from national signing day. 

In Weber’s case, losing a top-caliber in-state prospect to a bitter rival definitely stings.

However, once a new coach is hired the healing process will begin for one of college football’s most storied programs.

The key for the Wolverines is to bring in the right coach and preferably one who can energize the fanbase and help to build a buzz on the recruiting trail.

According to Clint Brewster of Wolverine247 (subscription required), the early list of candidates includes coaches with ties to the program and those who have had success at various levels.

For a glimpse into what new blood can do for a program, all Wolverines fans have to do is take the example of Florida, who is another powerhouse going through a similar transition in changing coaches.

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The Gators have rallied around new head coach Jim McElwain, and he’s been able to create enough positive vibes in his first few days on the job to give Gators fans hope that their recruiting class can finish on a strong note.

Even Hoke—who went 11-2 in his first year after succeeding Rich Rodriguez—was able to change the fortunes of the program upon arriving at Michigan in 2011.

Given the history and tradition of the Wolverines program and the fact that Michigan was able to pull so many talented prospects before this season’s collapse, there’s reason to believe that things can turn around fairly quickly.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports. 

Follow @SanjayKirpalani