The 4 Recruits That Will Make or Break Michigan Football's National Signing Day

Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan football coaching staff have set the program up for an excellent finish to the 2016 recruiting cycle on national signing day.

The Wolverines have secured most of their key prospects, which is a credit to the coaches' work throughout the last 12 months. Brandon Peters, Kareem Walker, Devin Bush Jr. and four others each enrolled early.

Michigan is not reliant on a particular target to "make" the class, but one player would tie a tremendous bow on a highly rated class. A couple other uncommitted prospects would be outstanding additions to the current haul.

Jonathan Jones, LB

Though a handful of linebackers remain undecided, 3-star Jonathan Jones is among the best prospects still considering the Wolverines.

Jones has officially visited Notre Dame, Michigan, Syracuse and UCF. His final trip is to Duke, but this recruitment seems like a battle between the Midwestern schools.

Steve Lorenz of 247Sports reported defensive coordinator Don Brown recently checked in on the 6'0", 225-pounder. Jones told Tom Loy of 247Sports that Notre Dame linebackers coach Mike Elston also made the trip to Orlando, Florida.

Michigan must add depth at the position after losing three players with starting experience. Bush and Dytarious Johnson are the only committed linebackers, though Devin Gil may eventually become one if he doesn't stick at safety.

Dontavious Jackson likely will not choose the Wolverines, so Jones is arguably the most talented—and interested—linebacker still being recruited.

David Long and Lavert Hill, CB

The 2016 campaign is the final year of eligibility for Jourdan Lewis, Jeremy Clark and Channing Stribling. Standout defender Jabrill Peppers could declare for the NFL draft after the season.

Additionally, Sir Patrick Scott recently decommitted and left 3-star Antwaine Richardson as the lone corner verbally pledged. Fortunately for the Wolverines, they have a couple top options remaining on the board.

David Long is expected to choose between Michigan and Washington, which was initially considered the likely landing spot after the 4-star backed out of his pledge to Stanford. However, the Maize and Blue now appear to be the favorite.

Credit: 247Sports

Michigan clearly considers him a key target. Since the dead period ended, per Lorenz, tight ends coach Jay Harbaugh, cornerbacks Mike Zordich and Jim Harbaugh have each met with or are scheduled to visit Long.

ESPN's Tom VanHaaren notes Long will reveal his decision at 6 p.m. ET (ESPNU) on Thursday, Jan. 21.

The Wolverines are also pursuing Lavert Hill, a local product who has officially visited Tennessee, Michigan and Penn State. Michigan State and Clemson are on his schedule, too.

Hill, the brother of safety Delano Hill, should join the lineup in 2017 if he signs. Considering the mass of players headed out the door after 2016, the 4-star corner is an important target.

Michigan cannot afford to strike out on both players.

Rashan Gary, DL

History tells us it's difficult to make an impact as a true freshman. Rashan Gary is probably going to be one of the exceptions.

The No. 1 overall player of the 2016 class, Gary has the potential to change a defense. Prospects like this don't have to fit a certain need because even a talented unit like Michigan will benefit from a lineman of Gary's caliber.

According to Lorenz, Gary is set to take an unofficial visit to Ann Arbor this weekend. He has taken officials to Michigan, Ole Miss, Auburn and USC. Among others, Alabama could receive the fifth and final trip.

Michigan certainly has an advantage in that Gary's former high school coach, Chris Partridge, is now the program's linebackers coach.

Gary is listed as a defensive tackle but is also an outstanding D-end. Since Ryan Glasgow and Chris Wormley return at nose and defensive tackle and Willie Henry is headed for the NFL, Gary could compete for the starting job.

Long story short, the 5-star prospect would be a spectacular addition to any roster. And adding Gary might even ease the pain of potential misses elsewhere.

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All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or Bleacher Report research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.