Michigan Football Recruiting: Strong Defensive Class Will Keep Wolverines on Top

The Michigan Wolverines are returning to the glory days, and the credit goes to the new coaching staff. Brady Hoke and company are putting together an excellent recruiting class led by top defenders, and that will ensure that Michigan remains a threat in the Big Ten for many years to come. 

Rich Rodriguez did bring in some very talented skill players, but Hoke is doing a better job recruiting across the board. Plus, once he gets them, he and his staff will do a much better job preparing them for the collegiate level. 

Currently, the Wolverines have 23 players verbally committed to play for them, including three in ESPNU 150 and three in Rivals.com's Top 100. Strangely enough, two of those three from Rivals aren't considered in the Top 150 from ESPNU. 

Different recruiting sites all have their own opinions, but they do all agree that the Wolverines are picking up steam and will likely finish with a top-10 recruiting class. 

Rivals has Michigan currently at No. 3, and ESPN has the Wolverines at No. 6. Rankings are sure to change over the course of the next few months, but Michigan will stay near the top. 

Guys like cornerback Terry Richardson, linebackers Royce Jenkins-Stone, James Ross and Joe Bolden, defensive end Chris Wormley and defensive tackle Ondre Pipkins are the reasons Michigan's future looks so bright. 

Check out this highlight video of a few of Michigan's 2012 recruits. 

In addition to those guys, the Wolverines have received verbal commits from talented offensive lineman Kyle Kalis and Erik Magnuson, which also helps boost them in the rankings. 

Of course, the Wolverines could use some more skill position players, such as Dorial Green-Beckham or Stefon Diggs, but landing them won't be easy. 

A big win in the Sugar Bowl over Virginia Tech will do wonders for the recruiting trail though, simply because it will be further proof that the Wolverines are here to stay. 

As we've seen this season, a strong defense can take you far in the college football world. The Wolverines defense had a tremendous turnaround from a year ago, and defensive coordinator Greg Mattison will make sure Michigan continues to be a powerful force on defense. 

If you don't think the Wolverines are serious about defense, they've already sent out plenty of offers to top defenders in the class of 2013. 

Hoke and his staff are putting the right pieces in place to build a better program than how it was when they first took over. 

Rich Rod left it in shambles, but Hoke is here to restore the Wolverines back to the good ol' days.

It all starts with recruiting, and since Michigan is trying to revert back to a national powerhouse, the Wolverines have to dominate their rivals in recruiting. Defense is the key to their success, and they're on their way to a very bright future.