Michigan Football Recruiting: Prospects the Wolverines Still Hope To Sign

Brady Hoke and the rest of the Michigan Wolverines coaching staff are quickly making an impression on the best high school prospects in the class of 2012. 

The Wolverines have received 16 verbal commitments, six of which are ranked in the Rivals Top 250, but they are not done filling out their recruiting class for next year yet.

With plenty of time and a limited amount of available scholarships left on hand the Wolverines will need to be more selective with their remaining targets. Most of the remaining prospects Michigan is hoping to sign are ranked highly by the recruiting services.

In addition, while many of the Wolverines' current commitments are from Michigan and Ohio (14 of the 16 to be exact) 14 of the remaining 19 prospects they are in the running for are from outside of those respective states.

Michigan will likely look to continue beefing up the defensive side of the ball with its current targets along with its offensive line. The Wolverines will not focus on the skill positions, but certainly will not be disappointed if the few from their wish list decide to take their talents to Ann Arbor in 2012.

Here is a look at the prospects the Wolverines hope will finish out their 2012 recruiting class:

Gunner Kiel, Quarterback

6’3”, 215 lbs., Columbus, IN, Columbus East High School

Kiel is the top-rated quarterback by Scout.com, Rivals.com and ESPN. Kiel has the kind of skills needed to succeed in a West Coast offense, which Hoke and his staff have begun implementing. He has good accuracy and is a solid pocket passer. Kiel also has decent speed for his pro-style build and was in a high school offense that featured him more as a runner then a passer.

The Wolverines received good news last weekend when Kiel announced he would delay his expected commitment to Oklahoma to take another visit to Michigan. Kiel also accepted his invitation to play in the Under Armour All-America Game.

Andrus Peat, Offensive Tackle

6’6”, 280 lbs., Tempe, AZ, Corona Del Sol

Peat is a long shot to sign with the Wolverines, but they are making some forward progress with him. He is expected to visit Michigan soon and will also visit Notre Dame and Texas this summer. Peat has good explosiveness and strength to go along with his great size. The only thing Peat will need to improve on is his build, which will require some more muscle for the college level. Peat is the No. 22 overall prospect in the ESPNU 150 rankings.

Devin Fuller, Athlete

6’1”, 190 lbs., Old Tappen, NJ, Northern Valley Regional High

As of now Fuller’s recruitment is still wide open, but he is expected to visit Michigan and narrow his list of schools down to five by the end of the summer. Fuller can play multiple positions, but as of now I do not know where Michigan would use him. It would most likely be as a defensive back or wide receiver. Fuller is currently playing quarterback at his high school and is the No. 39 overall prospect according to the ESPNU 150.

Deon Bush, Safety

6’1”, 177 lbs., Miami, FL, Christopher Columbus High School

Bush is the No. 5 safety and the No. 66 overall prospect according to the ESPNU 150. He is a fast and athletic safety with excellent speed and range. Bush also has great length to go along with good movement skills. He will need to bulk up a bit like many of the other defensive backs in this class.

Bush’s recruitment is still very open at this point, but plans to visit Michigan. He is also considering Miami (FL), Florida State, Alabama, Notre Dame and LSU. Bush accepted his invitation to play in the Army All-American Bowl. 

Aziz Shittu, Defensive Tackle

6’2”, 275 lbs., Atwater, CA, Buhach High School

Shittu has played all over the defensive line in high school, but will likely stay at defensive tackle at the college level. He does not have great size, but should be able to add some muscle to his frame. Shittu decommited from Stanford and is now looking at USC, Cal, Washington and Michigan. He is expected to visit Ann Arbor before the end of the summer. Shittu will play in the 2012 Army All-American Bowl and is the No. 88 overall prospect in the ESPNU 150. 

Adolphus Washington, Defensive End

6’4”, 251 lbs., Cincinnati, OH, Robert A. Taft High School

Washington has a good build and a long frame, but will still need to pack on some pounds to compete at the college level. He and teammate Dwayne Stanford planned on visiting Michigan during Memorial Day weekend, but were forced to reschedule. They may visit as early as this weekend if the coaches are available.

Washington has Michigan among his leaders, is the No. 96 overall prospect in the ESPNU 150 and will play in the Under Armour All-America Game. Washington is also considering Ohio State, Alabama, Miami (FL) and Kentucky.

Jarron Jones, Defensive Tackle

6’6”, 295 lbs., Rochester, N.Y., Aquinas Institute

Jones is currently committed to Penn State, but is still taking official visits and has said he will visit Michigan. Jones recently visited North Carolina, Virginia Tech and Syracuse. He also plans to visit Louisville and Notre Dame. Skill-wise Jones carries his weight well and has the potential to be a great run stopper at the major college level with his size. Jones is the No. 13 defensive tackle in the ESPNU 150 and the No. 97 overall prospect. 

Se’Von Pittman, Defensive End

6’4”, 230 lbs., Canton, OH, McKinley High School

Pittman is one of Michigan’s remaining targets nearing the end of the recruitment process. Pittman has narrowed his college selection down to just two teams, Michigan and Ohio State. He is relatively lean, but has great quickness, which is valued at the defensive end position. Pittman will need to add some muscle to his frame, though. Pittman is the No. 101 overall prospect in the ESPNU 150. 

Jordan Diamond, Offensive Tackle

6’6”, 291 lbs., Chicago, IL, Simeon High School

Diamond, the No. 103 overall prospect in the ESPNU 150, attended the Wolverines spring game and made another visit earlier this week. Diamond also paid a visit to Michigan State while in state for the Sound Mind, Sound Body camp in Southfield, MI. He has visited Wisconsin and Tennessee as well.

Diamond has a great deal of strength and is a dominant blocker in the running game. He has great size and athleticism for his position and has the ability to overpower defenders off the line of scrimmage. Diamond has named his top three teams: Michigan, Wisconsin and Tennessee. 

Dwayne Stanford II, Wide Receiver

6’3”, 187 lbs., Cincinnati, OH, Robert A. Taft High School

Stanford is a big receiver with long arms and good body control on the deep ball and jump ball. Stanford is at his best in one-on-one situations in the red zone when he can use his lanky frame and high vertical jump (32.4”) to make catches over defenders.

Stanford may have visited Michigan on Saturday with his teammate Adolphus Washington. Stanford will also visit Kentucky by the end of the summer and has already been to Tennessee and Ohio State. Stanford will play in the Under Armour All-America Game and is the No. 111 overall prospect in the ESPNU 150.

Zach Banner, Offensive Tackle

6’8”, 305 lbs., Lakewood, WA, Lakes High School

Banner is the No. 125 overall prospect in the ESPNU 150 and accepted his invitation to play in the 2012 Army All-American Bowl. Banner will visit Michigan soon, but his options are still wide open. He has narrowed his list down to nine schools: Washington, Oregon, USC, Notre Dame, Alabama, LSU, Florida State, Oklahoma and Michigan.

Banner has the potential to be a great left tackle at the college level. Surprisingly, he has the ability to block well in space despite his massive size. Banner is expected to be in contention for early playing time wherever he decides to play his college ball. 

Sheldon Day, Defensive Tackle

6’2”, 275 lbs., Indianapolis, IN, Warren Central High School

Day is a good prospect that has the potential to be both active and disruptive on the defensive line. Day does not have great size, but uses his lean build and athleticism to get by high school linemen. He will need to bulk up to play well at the major college level. Day is the No. 144 prospect in the ESPNU 150 and is considering Notre Dame, Michigan and North Carolina. 

Ondre Pipkins, Defensive Tackle

6’3”, 325 lbs., Kansas City, MO, Park Hill High School

Pipkins grew up in Michigan and played ball in Rochester, MI until having to move to Missouri for family reasons. The massive defensive tackle is considering Michigan State, Ohio State, Michigan and Tennessee. Pipkins could be a force as a run stopper on the defensive line, but will need to work on his quickness to do so. Pipkins is the No. 246 overall prospect according to Rivals.com. 

Jarrod Wilson, Safety

6’2”, 190 lbs., Akron, OH, Buchtel High School

WIlson recorded 52 tackles as a junior and also snagged 10 interceptions. The scariest statistic is that he returned five of those interceptions for touchdowns. Wilson is the No. 10 safety according to Scout.com and has narrowed his possible destinations to three schools: Michigan, Penn State and Notre Dame. 

Paul Thurston, Offensive Tackle

6’5”, 274 lbs., Arvada, CO, Arvada West High School

Thurston has already made visits to Nebraska, Michigan, Oregon and Notre Dame, but has not declared a front-runner. Thurston is a technically sound player who will need to get his weight up to around 300 lbs. if he wants to play tackle in college. Thurston is the No. 137 prospect according to Rivals.com. 

Chris Wormley, Defensive End

6’5”, 250 lbs., Toledo, OH, Whitmer High School

Wormley has been a popular name among the Michigan recruiting blogs despite the fact he is not as highly touted as some of the other defensive linemen the Wolverines are pursuing. Wormley is the No. 14 defensive end according to Scout.com. He has great size and quickness off the line.

Wormley is considering Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Indiana, Illinois, Toledo and an abundance of Mid-American Conference schools. 

Nelson Agholor, Safety

6’1”, 175 lbs., Tampa, FL, Berkeley Preparatory School

Agholor has good body control, closing speed and hands. He struggles tackling and lacks the size needed to play safety. He will need to add more muscle mass and become more physical. Agholor has over 20 offers from major conference schools including one from Michigan. Agholor is the No. 5 safety and a 4-star prospect according to Scout.com. 

Greg Garmon, Running Back

6’1”, 195 lbs., Erie, PA, McDowell High School

Garmon visited Michigan on June 13 and said he enjoyed everything. Garmon has also narrowed his potential selections down to six schools: Michigan, North Carolina, Iowa, Illinois, West Virginia and Pittsburgh. Garmon has amazing breakaway speed and has the potential for a home run type of play every time he touches the ball. He is a big-play back who thrives on making people miss in space. Garmon is the No. 184 prospect according to Rivals.com. 

Chris Muller, Offensive Tackle

6’6”, 300 lbs., Boyertown, PA, Bowyertown Area High School

Muller plans to visit Michigan before the end of June and he could be on campus Sunday. Muller has good size, footwork and technique, but needs to finish more blocks and be more dominant at the point of attack. Muller is the No. 69 overall prospect according to Rivals.com and accepted his invitation to the 2012 Army All-American Bowl. 

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