Michigan Football Recruiting 2012: Key Commitments, Targets and Predictions

Michigan is still feeling like they are on cloud nine after their epic game against Notre Dame a few weeks back. I imagine thinking about their 2012 recruiting class doesn't help bring them back down to earth.

Big Blue is on pace for a top-five class after gobbling up some very, very good recruits thus far. Their 2012 class is shaping up to be a great one.

Let's take a look at a couple of key commitments, targets and updates—and maybe even make some predictions.

Not Shining to Diamond as Much?

Jordan Diamond is a 6'6", 290-pound offensive line prospect that Michigan has been recruiting for some time. He has close ties to the program and friends on the team.

Some have even said that it's only a matter of time before Diamond becomes a Wolverine. However, he's being very diligent in his recruitment and has visited Ole Miss, Arkansas, Wisconsin and Illinois, among others.

Michigan is going to have to stay on Diamond hard to get his signed letter of intent next February.

Key Commitment: Kyle Kalis, OT

An offensive lineman that Michigan does have locked up is Kyle Kalis, one of the top 30 players overall on my board. Kalis a is 6'5", 305-pounder that can play both left and right tackle.

He was once pledged to Ohio State, but switched when the controversy started to leak out in the spring.

Kalis may be Big Blue's class headliner come signing day.

Leader for Payton?

Jordan Payton took a visit to Ann Arbor for the weekend of the Notre Dame game and witnessed the electric atmosphere in the Big House.

Now, he may just decide to become part of it.

As Rivals and Scout articles have indicated, Payton was amazed on his visit two weekends ago. He said he thinks the Michigan coaching staff is on the verge of great things and that he likes the direction Al Borges is taking the offense.

He has also said that right now Michigan is his leader.

Stay tuned.

Battling for Washington

The general consensus is that Adolphus Washington is currently the top player in the state of Ohio for the 2012 class. He's a 6'5", 250-pound DE prospect that is also a hoops prospect.

Ohio State, Michigan State, Kentucky and Alabama are other schools that he likes, among others.

Michigan is going to have to stay on him, make sure they get a visit and pull out all the stops to seal the deal.

Key Commitments: 2012 Linebacker Class

Michigan has hauled in perhaps the best LB class in the country for 2012. The quartet of Joe Bolden, James Ross, Kaleb Ringer and Royce Jenkins-Stone is an envious one for other programs.

All four players are in the 6'1" to 6'2" range and weigh between 215 and 230 pounds. There's athleticism, instincts, play speed, size and thumping ability among the four core LB prospects.

Whether they earn a starting spot, become key contributors or are special teams aces, these four second-level defenders will help Big Blue early in their careers.