Michigan Football Recruiting 2012: Latest News on the Wolverines Biggest Targets

According to Scout.com, Michigan has the No.1 class in the country.

Brady Hoke has 23 commitments, three in the ESPNU top 150 and his LB class alone is likely the best in the country. Thirteen out of Hoke's 23 pledges are rated 4-stars or higher.

Toss in talent like CB Terry Richardson, LB James Ross, OT Erik Magnuson, TE Devin Funchess, LB Royce Jenkins-Stone and DT Ondre Pipkins, among others, and you see why this class is so highly regarded.

2012 recruiting is almost about wrapped up in Ann Arbor, but there still are a couple of top prospects the Wolverines are after. Here's the latest with them.

Slippery Slope for Gunner Kiel?

Things could be in better standing for Gunner Kiel when it comes Michigan. Big Blue wants the 5-star QB badly, but I'm not sure Kiel is feeling them too much anymore.

Earlier in Kiel's recruitment, Michigan was the team that just wouldn't go away. Even with Alabama and Oklahoma seemingly having a stranglehold on the race, the Wolverines continued to be mentioned as a possibility.

Kiel has always spoken highly of Michigan, but that doesn't seem like enough anymore. 

Notre Dame, Alabama and Oklahoma all have a better shot than the Wolverines, but like always, they're in the mix.

Hosted Garnett This Past Weekend

Josh Garnett, the nation's top OG prospect, took his first official trip this past weekend, and that was to Michigan. This bodes well for the Wolverines as Garnett chose to make the trek from Washington Ann Arbor.

There would be no better weekend to visit Michigan than the atmosphere for the annual game vs. rival Ohio State. With Michigan being victorious over the Buckeyes, I'd imagine things went well for Garnett.

More news to come moving forward.

Prime School in Payton's Top Four

Ex-USC commit Jordan Payton earlier listed Michigan as his leader. Payton has backed off slightly from that, but Big Blue looks good for the 6'2", 190-pound WR from Los Angeles.

Payton also has Notre Dame, Cal and Arizona State in his top four, and he will examine things and make a decision likely in January or on NSD.

At this point, it would be a surprise if Payton did not choose Michigan.

Michigan High on Diamond's List

Diamond has an upwards of 10 schools on his list and will narrow things down to a top five soon, but Michigan will make the final cut. Diamond is fresh off an unofficial visit to Ann Arbor and had a great time.

He is close to the program, has a brother-type of relationship with freshman Chris Bryant and is a known name in the Ann Arbor area already.

Michigan wants the big 6'6". 290-pound OT badly, and Diamond will take an official trip back to Ann Arbor before he decides on NSD.

No Shaq Attack for Maize and Blue

Shaq Thompson, the 5-star DB from Northern California, has all but elimanted Michigan from the running. Thompson has also ruled out Oregon and Notre Dame.

Shaq had planned to take a trip to Ann Arbor, but cancelled it, as he just was not too keen on going so far away from home for college.

His top three now are Cal, Washington and Arizona State. He'll visit Utah and then decide on January 7 at the Army game.