Michigan Thursday: Predicts the 2012 Recruiting Class

This is the type of year when I like to predict how the Wolverines might finish with their recruiting class. After a slow start the Wolverines coaching staff has caught up quickly and has eight commits in the fold right now. Those recruits include:

LB

Royce Jenkins-Stone
Kaleb Ringer
James "Biggs" Ross
Joe Bolden

TE

Devin Funchess
A.J. Williams

OL

Ben Braden
Caleb Stacey

The needs continue to be on the defensive line (DT and DE), QB, safety, CB, FB and maybe one WR.

I would estimate class size at 20 players right now, which leaves 12 open spots. 

Here is who I think could join the above eight at Michigan next summer:

CB

Terry Richardson, part of the Michigan big three. His friends have signed up to play at Michigan. What is holding Terry back?

QB

Michigan seems to be in the running for some big prospects like Gunner Kiel, but it does have backup plans as well. If Michigan doesn't land a 4- or 5-star guy, look for it to hold out and take a guy late in the recruiting cycle.

WR

Michigan has over 18 offers on the street for WR in the 2012 class, and I really can't predict any of them becoming Blue at this point. It's not a huge need for the Wolverines, but I think they would like to take one for sure. I believe in-state 4-star WR Aaron Burbridge will end up in East Lansing.

DT

Matt Godin
Sheldon Day
Ondre Pipkins

Each guy I think has a great chance to be Blue. Matt announces his decision a week from today, and Sheldon has been to Ann Arbor twice. Ondre is the subject of this week's Sam Webb article from The Detroit News. I think Flint's Danny O'Brien will end up at Tennessee.

DE

Ohio has an unbelievably deep class at DE. I'm surprised that DE hasn't taken off like LB has for the Wolverines. Once they get the first commit, look for a number of guys to jump on board quickly.  These are the guys I think Michigan has a great shot at:

Mario Ojemudia: Rumored to be making a decision soon.

Chris Wormley: Maybe a borderline 5-star guy and Ohio's best player. He lives in Toledo, and it's between Michigan and OSU.

Pharaoh Brown: 3-star guy from Ohio.

Safety

Wayne Morgan from NY seems to be the best candidate at this point. There are rumblings that Wayne might want to stay close to home at Rutgers, UConn or Syracuse, so distance could be a factor for him.

Michigan only has offered 14 or so players at CB and safety, which is a sign it doesn't believe it's an urgent need.

TE

Ron Thompson has seemed to be on the verge of committing to the Wolverines for weeks now. While he waited, Michigan picked up two. I'm guessing if Ron wants to be Blue, he better do it quickly.

I like what the Wolverines are doing with this class. They are taking care of their backyard by recruiting Michigan and Ohio hard. They are going after some highly rated guys at QB, WR and RB, knowing they can pick up guys late if they don't have any luck with the big-time players. For example, they have only offered two fullbacks in this class; clearly they aren't worried about that position.