Michigan Football Recruiting: Breaking Down the Top 2016 Target at Each Position

With bold intent, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has hit the 2016 recruiting trails looking for the best players available.

So far, he has six commits, including 4-star quarterback Brandon Peters and 4-star running back Matthew Falcon. Harbaugh has roughly 19 to go before he signs his first “all mine” class in February, but he’s off to a quick start. As of Wednesday, the Wolverines have the No. 3-ranked class in the Big Ten, per 247Sports.

On the hunt for more than star-rankings and praise from recruiting sites, Harbaugh’s looking for youngsters who want to be part of rebuilding the Wolverines program, not just guys who want to tweet that they’re going to Michigan.

A seasoned vet with previous college and NFL experience, Harbaugh’s searching for the intangibles and “it” factors among the sea of recruits. He wants more than a simple pledge from players—he wants his men to be all-in, through and through. Those kinds of athletes are hard to find in this day and age of flips, decommitments and indecision.

Discussions about the future of Wolverines football revolve around Harbaugh and Harbaugh only. More specifically, they relate to just how he’ll recruit and develop the stars of tomorrow. The 2016 class will be a true testament to his methods. It’ll also serve as a baseline for the new era in Ann Arbor.

Using 247Sports as the go-to reference, this slideshow will break down the Wolverines’ top target at each position.

Is Quarterback off the Board for 2016?

Harbaugh already has Brandon Peters, so the top target at quarterback is out of the way.

Already with three scholarship quarterbacks on hand and two on the way, plus Peters in 2016, it’d be safe to assume that Harbaugh is done quarterback shopping for the current cycle.

WR: 4-Star Dylan Crawford

Getting Dylan Crawford out of Southern California will be a challenge, but Harbaugh’s connections and history of recruiting the state could be enough to lure the 4-star receiver to Ann Arbor.

At the moment, Crawford is the No. 5-ranked receiver and No. 44-ranked recruit of 2016.

According to 247Sports, he has “warm” interest in Michigan. But the same is true for UCLA, USC and Arizona State. On June 16, 2014, Crawford received an offer from former coach Brady Hoke’s staff. On January 26, Harbaugh flew out West for a visit.

Players such as Crawford—just like most of the players listed in this piece—tend to take their time during the recruitment phase. Don’t rule out Michigan, but a warm-weather school could be a more likely destination for the 6’1”, 175-pounder out of Rancho Santa Margarita.

Per 247Sports, Crawford carries a nine rating in route running and agility. He’s rated an eight in yards after catch, change of direction, hands and ball skills.

In all likelihood, the lack of elite speed and size is the only thing separating Crawford from 5-star status. According to 247Sports, he’s rated a six in both of those areas.

Good on Running Backs and Fullbacks for 2016?

According to 247Sports, a running back or fullback other than Kingston Davis, who is already committed, isn’t among Michigan’s top remaining targets or high choices.

TE: 4-Star Naseir Upshur

In attempt to woo, tight ends coach Jay Harbaugh sent a rather unique letter to the girlfriend of Naseir Upshur, a 4-star tight end out of Philadelphia.

Whether that works will be known closer to national signing day, as Upshur is unlikely to commit anytime soon. Why would he?! He has Alabama, Auburn, Arizona State and Miami (Fla.) hot on his trail.

He also has “warm” interest in Maryland, per 247Sports, which ranks Upshur as the No. 5 tight end of 2016.

The 6’3”, 233-pounder is physical enough to play both sides of the ball, but it’s clear that Michigan wants him on offense. Upshur doesn’t have elite size. He’s not a surefire collegiate star either.

Right now, he’s a kid with a 4-star ranking from a recruiting service—at least to everyone but Harbaugh, who must see something special in Upshur. That’d be the only logical explanation of the Wolverines’ aggressive courtship.

As mentioned earlier, Harbaugh is looking beyond the scope of stats and the like. He’s going after people who fit his plan. Upshur may very well be exactly what he wants. With that said, there isn’t a tight end among Michigan’s top remaining targets. 

But 247Sports lists Upshur among Michigan's high choices.

If it weren’t for his reported “warm” interest and Jay Harbaugh’s creative letter, Upshur would have not appeared in this slideshow. But it’s pretty clear that Michigan wants his services next year.

He stays until further notice.

OL: 4-Star Ben Bredeson

Erik Swenson was the first to commit to Michigan’s 2016 class, and he just so happens to be among the best offensive linemen of his class.

He takes care of two things: A need and a want. The Wolverines need linemen and want the best available. Swenson is the No. 15-ranked tackle of his class, so there’s that.

But Michigan would take care of another need and want by landing Ben Bredeson, a 4-star tackle out of Wisconsin. The 6’5”, 270-pounder would be a good fit with the new-look regime highlighted by noted line creator and new coordinator Tim Drevno.

The race for Bredeson could come down to Wisconsin and Michigan, per 247Sports, which gives the Badgers an 86 percent chance of securing the in-state star. The site says Bredeson is at least an eight in everything but punch—he got a seven in that.

But Harbaugh’s staff could up that lower grade in technique. Those are teachable traits. Near-ideal size can’t be taught. A tackle by trade, Bredeson, not to mention Swenson, could be converted into a guard if needed.

Versatility is a plus in this case and another reason why Michigan is chasing Bredeson .

CB: 4-Star David Long

247Sports

David Long, Jr. has two-way talent.

David Long is another player who may choose to stay closer to home, but that hasn’t stopped Michigan defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin from showing interest.

Long, the No. 20-ranked cornerback of 2016, has offers from Washington, Oklahoma, Stanford, USC and Oregon. Duke, which kind of throws the “stay close to home” theory out of the window, is among his favorites, per 247Sports, which says the 6’0”, 175-pounder has “warm” interest in the Blue Devils.

But the site says Long has “warm” interest in Michigan as well.

Durkin is a phenomenal recruiter, so much that he was given a national award for his efforts in 2012. This one won’t be over until the very end. Expect the Wolverines to remain in contention until decision time.

However, according to 247Sports, the 4-star out of Los Angeles will likely choose either Washington or USC. The Wolverines haven’t had the best of luck with California kids lately. Long, whom secondary coach Michael Zordich visited April 15, could help change that.

Safe with Safeties in 2016?

Tony Ding/Associated Press

Jabrill Peppers headlines a deep secondary. Michigan has very little need for safeties or corners in 2016.

According to 247Sports, a safety isn’t among Michigan’s top targets or high choices in 2016. That makes sense. The Wolverines have a loaded defensive backfield that’s barely begun to show its true colors.

As things appear today, they'll likely address the safety position in more detail during the 2017 and 2018 cycles.

DT: 5-Star Rashan Gary

As 247Sports’ No. 1-ranked player of 2016, Rashan Gary is on top of nearly everyone’s list.

Michigan has long courted the 5-star defensive tackle out of Paramus Catholic in New Jersey, the home of Jabrill Peppers and Juwan Bushell-Beatty.

Paramus Catholic is also the former home of recruiting staffer Chris Partridge, so there is an obvious avenue between Ann Arbor and the nation's top high schooler. 

Primarily recruited by Greg Mattison, Gary, a 6’4”, 290-pounder, has everything the Wolverines could want from a lineman: Speed, balance, power and intelligence. The super-athletic DT is en vogue nowadays, and Gary is practically the poster child for the position.

According to 247Sports, he has “warm” interest in Ohio State, Alabama, Clemson, Penn State and Michigan. He unofficially visited Michigan on March 27. He hit Ohio State the next day, but Mattison followed up with a visit on April 15.

Michigan will be on Gary until NSD. Bank on that.

DT: 4-Star Boss Tagaloa

Back in March, Boss Tagaloa was also uniquely approached by Michigan. Instead of sending a letter to Tagaloa’s sweetheart, the Wolverines sent Tagaloa a prom-inspired offer.

Jim Harbaugh wants the Boss to be his—all 6’3” and 295 pounds of him to be exact. Tagaloa has “cool” interest in Michigan, though. Real cool. He’s only in this slideshow because 247Sports says he’s among the Wolverines’ top choices.

The recruiting site says that Tagaloa has “warm” interest for Stanford and for Stanford only.

Chalk him up as another Californian lost by Michigan but not as a huge blow to the program. The Wolverines have plenty of defensive linemen waiting for their shot, and the next cycle could actually end up being more important than 2016. There isn’t a dire need for tackles or ends at this point, just wants here and there.

Like Upshur, Tagaloa doesn’t immediately wow on film. However, one characteristic stands out, and that’s his relentless nature, which is something Harbaugh certainly noticed too.

WDE: 4-Star Xavier Kelly

Credit: 247Sports

Xavier Kelly is a football and basketball standout.

Greg Mattison, the new D-line coach, has his eyes set on Xavier Kelly, a 4-star weak-side defensive end out of Wichita, Kansas.

At 6’5” and 230 pounds, Kelly, the No. 13-ranked WDE of his class, is an offensive-skilled player trapped in a lineman’s body.

According to 247Sports, Kelly rates a 10 in speed and athleticism. Considering his size, those are impressive grades—and they’re probably why Michigan wants him more than any other player at his position.

Other than point of attack and hands, Kelly will enter college with a polished skill set. He can learn to get at his man more quickly. Mattison can teach him better use of hands—that’s what coaches do. Kelly is a keeper.

Oregon, Alabama, Nebraska and Clemson think so too. Along with Michigan, Kelly has “warm” interest in those schools as well.

SDE: 4-Star Khalid Kareem

Khalid Kareem has gone from a relatively unknown in-state recruit to a nationally recognized 4-star strong-side defensive end. During a recent interview, Kareem came across as an incredibly intelligent young man who’s taking his recruitment one step at a time.

With that said, don’t expect him to rush to a pledge.

The 6’4”, 257-pounder is the No. 14-ranked SDE of his class and has offers from Michigan State, Notre Dame, Alabama and Northwestern. Most in-state media members seem to think that his decision will boil down to either Michigan State or Michigan. He’s visited both schools more than once and has established relationships with both coaching staffs.

A year ago, Kareem didn’t have a major FBS offer. Today, it seems as if every school has extended its hand to the junior out of Farmington Hills Harrison.

Even Harvard.

Told you he was smart.

Guys with stuff upstairs usually make for easy coaching. Kareem would fit well with Mattison and Durkin, but he’d be equally at home under Spartans D-line coach Ron Burton. Both schools love lean, intuitive pass-rushers, and Kareem is one of the best in the nation in that regard.

OLB: 3-Star Jonathan Jones

Credit: 247Sports

Jonathan Jones is scheduled to visit Michigan on Sept. 25, per 247Sports.

With Durkin, Florida’s former DC, on the case, Jonathan Jones, a 3-star out of Orlando, could be a lock for Michigan.

While with the Gators, Durkin did quite well in recruiting the Sunshine State, considering the circumstances, of course. Right in the middle of a national hotbed and with a “down” Florida program, he was able to secure three of the state’s top-50 defensive recruits in 2014.

That was pretty good, considering that Florida supplies the nation with elite talent.

A few recruiting wins aren’t enough to guarantee Jones to Michigan, but Durkin’s resume speaks for itself. According to 247Sports, Jones is the No. 24-ranked OLB of his class and has “warmer” interest in the Wolverines.

ILB: 4-Star Dontavious Jackson

On April 4, Dontavious Jackson visited Ann Arbor for Michigan’s spring game.

Three days later, he took an unofficial visit to Michigan State.

Since then, he’s picked up offers from Oregon State and Miami (Fla.), and he made a stop in Houston for an unofficial visit.

Well, he didn’t go out of his way for that. He’s from Houston…but back to the story.

At 6’2” and 239 pounds, Jackson fits the mold of the major D-I linebacker. He’s built for the Big Ten. Then again, he’s built for the SEC and Big 12 too. He has offers from each of the Power Five conferences, with 48 in total.

At one time, Michigan looked like a possible landing spot for the No. 4-ranked inside linebacker. Today, Texas A&M, Texas and Oklahoma seem like logical choices as well. Jones is “warm” for those schools too.

The influence of Mattison and Durkin may be enough to convince the Lone Star State prep to go north.

ATH: 4-Star Jack Jones

With Jabrill Peppers, Dennis Norfleet, Brian Cole and Freddy Canteen, Michigan has enough “athletes” at its disposal.

But it never hurts to add more explosiveness to a roster, which is probably why Michigan is after Jack Jones, a 4-star recruit out of Long Beach Poly in California.

The 5’10”, 170-pounder runs a 4.28-second shuttle, which is ideal for a receiver or corner. Those happen to be his specialties too. With a hearty helping of the freshman 15 and a few reps on the bench, Jones, who visited March 10, could transform into a viable slot option or an even more physical corner.

Players like Jones often spark debate. The in-between status is either a great thing or a death knell.

The Wolverines aren’t in desperate need of Jones or anyone like him in particular, but they probably wouldn’t turn down someone who’d excel in three phases of the game.

That’d be bad recruiting. But none of that matters, really. He seems destined for USC, according to the latest prediction from the Crystal Ball. UCLA has a 17 percent chance compared to the Trojans’ 83 percent, says the oracle.

Follow Bleacher Report Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and references were obtained firsthand by the writer via press conference, press release or other media availability. 

All recruiting information comes courtesy of 247Sports.