Early signing day has come and gone. Apart from their long-term commitments, the Michigan Wolverines four-star cornerback added Hill of Jaire and four-star wide receiver English Karmello at the fold. Those additions propelled the Wolverines to 17th in the 247 Sports composite.
With 23 total signers at this point, there are a few high school hopefuls, head coach Jim Harbaugh and company are still wooing.
Five Star ATH Nyckoles Harbor
A Washington DC native, Harbor would be Michigan’s highest-ranked rookie if he decided to sign with the Wolverines. Harbor is expected to announce its decision on February 2. 1 with Michigan, South Carolina, and Maryland among the top schools of choice.
Harbor is a 6-foot-5, 225-pound athletic specimen. Despite his height, Harbor was clocked at 10.28 in the 100 yards. He hopes to use this track speed at the Olympic level. On top of that, Harbor has a medical school on its to-do list. With a great athletics program and medical school, Michigan fits the two extracurriculars it’s looking for.
Although he can play either side of football, Harbor aspires to play in attack at the top level. The top-ranked athlete by 247 Sports, he officially traveled to Michigan on September 1. 23 and was seen by wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy this month.
His recruiting is far from over and I expect Michigan to do everything possible to bring Harbor back to Ann Arbor for another visit. 247 Sports’ Sam Webb likes Michigan’s chances, but also said Harbor’s family ties to Maryland will be a battle. Additionally, Webb explained on The Michigan Insider Podcast that Harbor is very close to South Carolina’s recruiting class.
It’s a long way to February, but Harbor recruiting is one to watch.
Three-star DT Jamel Howard
A longtime signing from Wisconsin, Howard opened things up in November due to uncertainty from the Badgers’ coaches. The three-star defensive tackle has since officially visited Wisconsin and Michigan. He also received offers from USL and Ole Miss. The hometown Illinois Fighting Illinois will also be a factor here.
Howard has 247 Michigan Sports crystal balls from Allen Trieu and Steve Wiltfong. The opinions of these two experts go a long way, as they usually have no shortage of predictions. Howard, a 6-foot-3, 320-pounder, would fill a critical need on the inside defensive line.
It will be interesting to see if Howard makes any other official visits ahead of signing day in February. He has a relationship with current Michigan commits Jyaire Hill and Trey Pierce. I would expect scouting coordinator and defensive line coach Mike Elston to review Howard before he makes a final decision.
DL three stars Cameron Brandt
Like Howard, Brandt plays on the defensive line at 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds. He has been committed to Stanford since July but opted out of signing during the first signing period. Instead, he will announce a decision in February.
That bodes well for the Wolverines, as they haven’t brought him to campus yet. Brandt said 247 Sport’ Greg Biggins he wants to visit Michigan, but he doesn’t have a date set in stone. He expects that date to be set in the near future.
He continues to be recruited by Cal. UCLA, Washington and Texas, but most experts in the recruiting world see this as a Michigan/Stanford battle. The 40th-best defensive lineman in the country once visited Stanford after hiring head coach Troy Taylor. However, that wasn’t enough to solidify his position with the Cardinals.
If Michigan is able to bring him to campus and continue to recruit him hard, I would expect the Wolverines to seal the deal in the new year.
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