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Harbaugh elevating Michigan talent by targeting mainly 4- and 5-star recruits

By Joel Greer

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Jim Harbaugh takes over the Michigan football team with two things in mind.

First he must complete the 2015 recruiting class with nine or 10 4- and 5-star recruits.

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And second, he much coach up the returning players to perform on a much higher level.

Ex-coach Brady Hoke left behind a decent nucleus when he was fired, since 23 players will return to spring who started at least three games.

It all sounds possible because recruiting the 10 players should be a snap for  Harbaugh’s staff.  After all both Hoke and previous coach Rich Rodriguez brought in 11 players each between the first of the Year and National Signing Day (Feb. 4).

Here’s a look at 5 prospects Michigan has shown interested in:

1. Chris Clark, TE, 5-star, 6-6, 247, Avon Old Farms HS (CT)

Chris Clark, a huge tight end prospect from Connecticut, already committed to Michigan before Hoke was stripped of his job. But when Hoke left Clark decommitted.

Now that Harbaugh’s the coach Clark is reconsidering.

During the recruiting dead period, which lasts until January 15, coaches cannot make in-person visits, but can make phone calls.

Clark explained that first call: “During the initial conversation with Coach Harbaugh, he was just telling me that Michigan was going to turn into  “Tight End U” said Clark.

“He thinks that he will do a good job of incorporating the tight end into the offense and making me a key factor in the offense. He said he did that with Stanford and did the same with the (San Francisco) 49ers. He said that I could be the first big commit, the face and leader of the class. He thinks that he and I could do big things together.”

UCLA is also in the running.

2. Iman Marshall, CB, 5-star, 6-2, 195, Long Beach Polytechnic HS (CA) 

Another recruit who began to show interest when Harbaugh was hired.   Marshall is arguably the top CB available in 2015 and would prove to be an instant difference maker in a Michigan secondary that will feature budding star Jourdan Lewis,  a healthy returning superstar in Jabrill Peppers and a solid senior in Blake Countess.  Peppers, Lewis, Countess and potentially Marshall could combine to form one of the best secondaries in college football.

Marshall is planning visits to Florida State 1-16, LSU 1-23, Michigan 1-19 and Oregon 1-30. He previously visited Notre Dame.

A verbal from Marshall would be the ultimate game changer and would have an effect on future classes for Michigan by drawing new found interest from California and its neighboring states. LSU seems to be the favorite, but grabbing Marshall could be quiet a statement by Harbaugh.

3. Mike Weber, RB, 4-star, 5-9, 210, Detroit Cass Tech HS (MI) 

Here is where the Urban Meyer-Jim Harbaugh could begin.

Weber decommitted from Michigan last season then committed to Ohio State.  Not only would the landing of Weber mark the first victory of hopefully many against the Buckeyes, the verbal from Weber would continue the solid relationship between Cass Tech head coach Thomas Wilcher and Harbaugh.

Both Wilcher (running back) and Harbaugh (quarterback) played football at Michigan from 1983-86.

Wilcher, who coached at Cass Tech for 18 years and won two consecutive state titles, has been mentioned as a possible assistant on Harbaugh’s staff.

4. Tyrone Wheatley, Jr., DE/TE, 4-star, 6-6, 240, Buffalo Canisius HS (NY)

Now that Tyrone Wheatley has signed on to be Michigan’s running back coach, it might be interesting how Harbaugh continues his recruitment of Wheatley’s son, Tyrone, Jr.

At 6’6, 240, Jr. can play either tight end or defensive end. He recently participated in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, an all-star game which showcases the nation’s top prospects. While Wheatley is looking at several schools, 247sports.com has him as an 88% lock to attend Michigan.

“I’m just looking for somewhere I feel comfortable,” he said. “All the schools I’m looking at are thousands of miles away from my home. I know I’m not going to get along with everyone, but I want a group of guys I get along with and like.”

5. Roquan Smith, MLB, 4-star, 6-1, 209, Montezuma HS (Macon, GA)

Wanted by schools nationwide, Smith has narrowed his choices to Arizona State, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, and UCLA. Michigan might have the upper hand because D. J. Durkin recruited Smith at Florida before he took the defensive coordinator job at Michigan. And Smith will be visiting the Big House Jan.16, the day after the dead period ends.

While he’s projected to be a middle linebacker, Smith’s size could place him into a strong safety’s role.

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