Does Ohio State or Michigan Have Early Upper Hand in 2016 Recruiting Rivalry?

When Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh moved into the Big Ten neighborhood last December, national attention quickly focused on his impending rivalry with three-time national champion Urban Meyer.

Both men are among the most recognizable figures in football—at any level—and will now battle for potential postseason opportunities at the end of each regular season. But we don't need to wait until Nov. 28 to watch Meyer and Harbaugh go head-to-head for the first time.

The turf war between these titans of the sport is already taking place on the recruiting path, evidenced by the recent drama surrounding Detroit running back and Buckeyes signee Michael Weber. Ohio State and Michigan routinely clash over top talent on the way to national signing day.

Meyer has enjoyed a stronger start to the 2016 cycle with a class rated fifth overall in 247Sports' composite rankings, but Harbaugh has had significantly less time to work on a group that ranks 35th.

Here's a look at how each team is faring so far in the pursuit of common 2016 targets.

5-Star DT Rashan Gary (Scotch Plains, New Jersey)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' composite ranking: No. 1 overall; No. 1 defensive tackle

When Michigan offered: Aug. 1, 2013

When Ohio State offered: June 10, 2013

Recruitment Status: Uncommitted

Rashan Gary could definitely grab the top overall spot in 2016 recruiting rankings by the time his senior season starts. The 6'4", 285-pound prospect dominated competition at Nike camps last year—including The Opening—despite being a year younger than most participants. 

Gary transferred to Paramus Catholic as a junior, replacing heralded Michigan defensive back Jabrill Peppers as the perennial title contender's defensive catalyst. He recorded 55 tackles—24 for loss—and 14 sacks, per Todderick Hunt of NJ.com.

Urban Meyer and Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson have each visited him since the team's national title win. However, former Paramus Catholic coach Chris Partridge joined the Wolverines' recruiting staff this winter.

“Chris would never steer him to a school,” Paramus Catholic offensive coordinator Greg Russo told Darren Cooper of The Bergen County Record. “Rashan is going to go visit places in the spring. He has a lot of things set up. At the end of the day, if Rashan’s mom and him and his support staff here at Paramus Catholic feel like [Michigan] is the best place for him, then it is."

4-Star QB Dwayne Haskins (Potomac, Maryland)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' composite ranking: No. 65 overall; No. 5 pro-style quarterback

When Michigan offered: Feb. 9, 2015

When Ohio State offered: April 28, 2014

Recruitment Status: Uncommitted

Dwayne Haskins, the 2014 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year, is a New Jersey native who has commanded significant Big Ten interest. Ohio State, Rutgers and Maryland are among his top contenders, while Harbaugh reaffirmed Michigan's feelings toward him with an offer in February.

The Buckeyes roster currently features six scholarship quarterbacks, and 2017 pledge Danny Clark is considered an elite playmaker in his class. Still, Ohio State has maintained this pursuit, and Urban Meyer told Haskins that he is the team's top 2016 quarterback target, per Ari Wasserman of Cleveland.com.

"[Meyer] is definitely a legend," Haskins told Wasserman in October. "I am fortunate that he wants me to be his quarterback. I am happy about it—it was my dream school, and to get that offer and for the coach to want me that bad is something I am happy about it." 

Those comments came three months before the Buckeyes' third-string quarterback helped claim a championship. You have to wonder if a stockpile of competition at the position in Columbus will dissuade Haskins from jumping at the opportunity.

He expressed interest in visiting Ann Arbor earlier this week with a Twitter post. Haskins expects to announce a decision around April 19, the date of an Elite 11 Washington, D.C., regional, per Todderick Hunt of NJ.com.

4-Star TE Luke Farrell (Perry, Ohio)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' composite ranking: No. 188 overall; No. 8 tight end

When Michigan offered: June 16, 2014

When Ohio State offered: June 17, 2014

Recruitment Status: Uncommitted

The 6'6", 240-pound prospect was in attendance for Ohio State's victory over Michigan last November. Luke Farrell has attracted increased interest since then, with new offers arriving from Penn State, Duke and Alabama.

The Buckeyes landed fellow 4-star tight end Jake Hausmann in January, potentially limiting the chances that a second top prospect at the position pledges to Ohio State.

"Farrell has told me on more than one occasion Ohio State is at the top of his list," wrote Bill Kurelic of 247Sports. "However, after Jake Hausmann committed to the Buckeyes speculation almost immediately began that perhaps Farrell might shift a bit towards the Wolverines."

Farrell, who caught 43 passes for 730 yards and six touchdowns in 2014, is a pivotal target for Harbaugh after the Michigan coach lost top tight end Chris Clark to UCLA on signing day.

5-Star OL Ben Bredeson (Hartland, Wisconsin)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' composite ranking: No. 30 overall; No. 6 offensive tackle

When Michigan offered: April 5, 2014

When Ohio State offered: April 19, 2014

Recruitment Status: Uncommitted

Ben Bredeson landed on the radar for both teams during a dominant underclassman career. The 6'5", 270-pound Arrowhead High School prospect punishes opponents with outstanding strength and is one of the most athletic blockers at a deep position in the 2016 cycle.

His older brother signed to play baseball at Michigan, and the Harbaugh hiring has enhanced his outlook toward the program.

"I stuck with it through the coaching change and stayed interested," Bredeson told Evan Flood of 247Sports. "With Coach Harbaugh coming in, that's huge. I love that place. I've been up there multiple times. It's a great school, great campus. It's a blast when that stadium gets loud."

Love is a strong word and should make Wolverines fans feel pretty optimistic. However, his top-four list also features Notre Dame, Ohio State and Wisconsin. 

Meyer and Harbaugh are firmly in the hunt for this 5-star, but both may be trailing Paul Chryst and the Badgers. Bredeson is projected to sign with Wisconsin by 86 percent of expert predictions in 247Sports' Crystal Ball.

4-Star WR Ahmir Mitchell (Egg Harbor City, New Jersey)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' composite ranking: No. 85 overall; No. 4 athlete

When Michigan offered: May 21, 2014

When Ohio State offered: Sept. 24. 2014

Recruitment Status: Uncommitted

Older brother Damon Mitchell went south in 2013 when he signed with Arkansas, but Ahmir Mitchell seems more likely to remain in Big Ten territory. He recently released a top-eight list that features four conference members.

Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State and Rutgers each made the cut. Mitchell has spent multiple trips at Scarlet Knights facilities and will likely look to take visits to other Big Ten destinations as the process progresses. 

Most teams view Mitchell as a wide receiver prospect—he caught 47 passes for 872 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014, per MaxPreps—but Michigan is among those who see him at safety.

Wolverines defensive backs coach Mike Zordich visited Mitchell last month.

Tim Watson, his head coach at Cedar Creek High School, told me he is open to playing multiple positions at the next level. If Ohio State envisions him as an offensive weapon, it could create increased contrast between the two options.

4-Star OL E.J. Price (Lawrenceville, Georgia)

Credit: 247Sports

247Sports' composite ranking: No. 74 overall; No. 9 offensive tackle

When Michigan offered: Jan. 24, 2014

When Ohio State offered: Dec. 9, 2013

Recruitment Status: Uncommitted

E.J. Price is another premier prospect on the offensive line who is considering both squads, though each would need to reach far beyond Big Ten country for his commitment. He released an ordered list of 10 finalists last month (h/t Cleveland.com), featuring Michigan at No. 2 and Ohio State at No. 3.

That situation was shuffled last week when he pronounced the Wolverines and Auburn as co-leaders, per Keith Niebuhr of 247Sports. Price previously lived in Michigan and appears willing to return for college. 

The 6'6.5", 307-pound Archer High School lineman certainly isn't a lock for Harbaugh.

Meyer has a strong track record of recruiting in the Southeast, a reputation he's maintained since leaving Florida. He can prove his reach again by plucking Price out of the Peach State.

"Ohio State has easily outrecruited Michigan in Georgia over the past five years or so and have a great relationship with the Archer HS staff," wrote Steve Lorenz of 247Sports.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.