From L to R: Jared Wangler, Jack Wangler, Shane Morris, Brent Morris (via Tim Sullivan)

Dad Achievement: Unlocked

Jared Wangler's commitment flip from Penn State to Michigan on Friday gave the Wolverines their final linebacker in the 2014 class. It also gave Jared's father, former Michigan quarterback John, a rare hat trick of sorts, per The Wolverine's Chris Balas ($):

[I]t's a good thing business is good at his Top Cat sales company (an adidas distributor), the elder Wangler said with a laugh. Son Jack is a walk-on wide receiver and daughter Halle is transferring from Oakland University to walk on to the Michigan team this year.

"I do have a few college tuition bills to pay," Wangler said.

He's not complaining, though, rather living a father's dream.

"I can't honestly say it was a goal, but I guess you always hope and dream," he said of sending three kids to Michigan. "It fell into place. I don't think you can ever draw it up.["]

John also said that Penn State "did everything right" in their recruitment of Jared, but that the difference with Michigan was simply that "it's Michigan." ('Fergodsakes' implied, surely.) Friday's events didn't just fulfill a dream for dad, of course; Jared told Scout's Josh Newkirk what the Michigan commitment means to him ($):

“I have been going to Michigan since I was a little kid,” Wangler told GoBlueWolverine. “So it was kind of like a dream come true. It was definitely really special to me. Especially, because I have the opportunity to play with my brother and with Shane (Morris), who is one of my best friends, and play where my dad played. I just think it’s a cool opportunity.”

Jared also heaped plenty of praise upon the Nittany Lions coaching staff, namely Bill O'Brien and Ron Vanderlinden ("two of the greatest guys I've ever met"), and said that Michigan was the only school that could sway him from his Penn State commitment.

Allen Trieu provides another scouting report on Wangler in the wake of his commitment ($):

At 6'1, 215-pounds, he's a kid who transitioned over from safety, but while he's not as big as some of the other linebackers we've seen in this class, Wangler is not afraid of contact. He does a nice job of taking on blockers and when he arrives at the ball carrier, he's a strong tackler who can deliver a strike. He's a smart, instinctive kid who keeps himself in good position, doesn't lose contain and does a good job of diagnosing plays quickly and using his ability to run to get to the ball carrier.

The big question about Wangler's ability to project to SAM, one of two positions where he might end up (the other being WILL), is whether he has the size and block-shedding ability required to take on that role; while he won't reach ideal SAM height, he's got the frame to add 20 or so pounds, and with his quickness and football IQ he could develop into a very viable edge player.

[Hit THE JUMP for the latest on Malik McDowell and Brian Cole, Scout unveiling their first 2015 five-stars, and more.]

Well, That Narrows It Down

Sam Webb's latest Detroit News feature focuses on MI DT Malik McDowell, who still maintains that he's far from a Michigan lock. The whole article is worth your time; both of McDowell's parents gush about Michigan's academics and coaching staff, and Malik reveals that the only two programs he's currently got in mind for official visits are Florida and Florida State. (Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State, being close to home, will receive unofficial visits.) As for a timeline, well, your guess is as good as mine:

BCS powers Alabama, USC, and LSU are few of the other programs also being considered, but there currently is no rush to set the rest of the itinerary. Despite rumors of an imminent August decision, the 2014 Army All American insists his previous decision timetable still holds.

“Either before the Army game (in San Antonio, Texas on Jan. 4) or after the Army game,” [Malik] said.

He said his decision could even come during the Army Game.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Cole "Neutral" After MSU Visit

2015 four-star Saginaw ATH Brian Cole has visited Michigan several times and was expected by many to end up in the class sooner or later; recently, however, momentum appears to have swung in favor of Michigan State, and Cole was one of several top in-state prospects in East Lansing last week when Jayru Campbell committed to the Spartans. Allen Trieu caught up with Cole, who said that Campbell is trying to recruit him to MSU and also talked about the impact of Curtis Blackwell on his recruitment ($):

Michigan State made a splash last week announcing the hiring of Max Ex's Curtis Blackwell. Did that hire make an impact with Cole?

"It does," he said. "I'm still neutral, but I have good relationship with him."

Cole is a member of the Max Ex 7-on-7 team, so he's very familiar with Blackwell. While he's still "neutral," that relationship could play a big factor in what could be a big-time in-state recruiting battle. In addition to the in-state schools, Cole plans on taking in games at Tennessee and Ohio State this fall, so his recruitment is far from over.

#B1G

Scout unveiled their initial list of 20 five-stars for the class of 2015 this afternoon, and two things stand out immediately:

1. Yes, George Campbell is one of them.

"Florida is always loaded at these two positions but [CB Kevin] Tolliver and [George] Campbell are special," said Jamie Newberg, a national recruiting analyst that is over Florida. "It’s rare to find big, talented corners with length, speed and athleticism yet that's exactly what Tolliver has. Then you have a monster with Campbell at receiver. He has size and sub 4.4 speed in the 40 yard dash. He can be a playmaker at multiple positions on offense and defense. They are both unique talents."

2. Zero — I'll repeat, zero — of Scout's initial five-star prospects hail from the Midwest. Eight, including Campbell, reside in SEC country; California produced five and Texas three, no surprise given their wealth of talent; two probable Michigan offers, Tim Settle and Ricky DeBerry, live in Virginia; Hawaii and Nevada account for the remaining two prospects. IL DE Terry Beckner (#2 overall in the 2015 247 Composite) and MN DE Jashon Cornell (#7, and #1 overall to ESPN) are notable omissions.

Also #B1G

Iowa's top 2014 commit, in-state four-star lineman Ross Pierschbacher, flipped to Alabama over the weekend. BHGP's Patrick Vint notes that this defection hurts even more than previous notable decommitments from 2013 prospects David Kenney (flipped to Indiana when the Hoosiers hired his dad) and Delano Hill (Cass Tech kid goes to Michigan because duh):

Pierschbacher's defection, on the other hand, is a reflection on the current sad state of the program.  Here's an in-state kid, a self-professed lifelong Iowa fan, playing at a position that is Ferentz's calling card.  Four or five years at Iowa turned more than a few offensive linemen -- Gallery, Steinbach, Nelson, Yanda, Bulaga, Reiff -- into early draft picks with long pro careers.  A glossy new football practice facility is in progress.  Tuscaloosa is quite literally ten times as far from Cedar Falls as Iowa City.  Nick Saban does not run an offense particularly distinct from that of Iowa; both programs exemplify a steadfast commitment to pro-style, run-first offensive strategy.

The only thing in Saban's favor is that his offense actually scores points, that his team wins SEC titles and national championships while Iowa yearns for the halcyon days of Florida bowl games.

Oof. If you see an Iowa fan, give them a hug. It's sorely needed.

Etc.

2015 MD ATH Kamonte Carter said an unofficial visit to Michigan last week "blew my mind," to 247's Steve Lorenz ($). Carter, who holds early offers from Maryland, Michigan State, N.C. State, Nebraska, Pitt, and West Virginia, is being recruited as a SAM by the Wolverines and plans to take in a game this fall.

Four-star VA DE Clelin Ferrell has been in touch with Roy Manning and is looking to set up a game visit for the fall, per Lorenz ($). Ferrell is an early top-100 prospect, and he's taken notice of Michigan's recent success on the recruiting trail:

"Michigan is the only program that had a primarily defensive player win the Heisman in Charles Woodson," Ferrell noted. "They're the winningest program of all-time as far as wins and they are part of the biggest rivalry in college football with Ohio State. I also see what they've done not only in Virginia with Derrick Green and Wilton Speight, but also with guys like George Campbell committing. There's a reason these guys are picking Michigan, and it makes me want to head up there and see what they're all about."

That seems like more than token interest; despite the limited numbers in the 2015 class, I'd presume Ferrell will earn an offer if/when he makes it to campus.

GBW's Kyle Bogenschutz interviews Scout's West Coast Recruiting Analyst, Brandon Huffman, for an overview of Michigan's current targets in California.

Noted MGoPoster and Maize n Brew contributor Space Coyote posted an excellent breakdown of Wilton Speight on his blog, which recruiting and film junkies will want to bookmark. He sees plenty of potential in Michigan's 2014 quarterback commit, especially when throwing the deep ball, but there are mechanical issues that Speight needs to work out if he's going to be effective with short- to mid-range passes at the next level.

If you missed it on Friday, make sure to check out Brandon's interview with PA S Montae Nicholson.