247's Steve Lorenz player predictions for Michigan recruits

No predictions yet, but Michigan is listed as "Warm" along with the 3 big Florida schools and Notre Dame.  Not claiming to be an insider, but I follow Miami recruiting as well and he grew up a Canes fan. He tempered that by saying that wouldn't affect their position before they offered, but they'll be a player here.  As much as Miami has been the laughing stock on the field the past few years, Golden has put together a strong start to the 2014 class, already bringing in 3 4-star offensive lineman and a 4-star running back.  Also has a couple 3 stars - younger brother of a current lineman and a dual-threat with offers from Tennessee and Nebraska.  Plus, that staff focuses on Florida like Brady Hoke focuses on the Midwest - they want to lock him down.  The biggest advantage Michigan has to offer is their depth chart at WR (although that may be evolving into a position of strength) and their high profile QBs.

By all accounts he had his best visit to Michigan to date this past weekend.

Any idea if the coaches are still pursuing Webb? Would be nice to keep the Cass Tech pipeline open.

I think Peppers could play safety or cornerback (hell, he could play WR or RB, too), so perhaps that's why he's listed as an ATH.

I think that's mostly true. Marshall likes MSU and UM a lot from what I can tell. But Hand and McDowell are going to take precedent over him as long as they're interested.

Don't they all play or are ticketed for different positions? Marshall is a WDE, Hand is a 5-tech/SDE, and McDowell is a 3-tech or possibly a 5-tech also, I believe. But, you are probably right that the coaches are putting the full court press on Hand and McDowell because we took Ojemudia and Taco in the last two classes with Frank Clark being a Jr so there isn't an immediate need at the WDE spot. Hand could probably also play there I guess. However, I think Marshall also really likes MSU which has put out some solid D-linemen lately and isn't enamored with Michigan. See is committment to Ohio; obviously, he likes Michigan but he isn't dying to be here and is taking his time.

The coaches are staying in contact with some quarterbacks, so I wouldn't be totally surprised...

Given where we were coming from when he came in - with 2 coaching changes in 3 seasons, tons of attrition, worst defense in the history of time, tons of bad press, being owned by in-state little brother and Ohio, lack of high-end talent, depth or upper-classmen on the roster - Hoke's first two classes were pretty damn amazing.  You can't really look at the "process" class of 2011 - that class was an unfortunate casualty of the circimstances that then existed.  But Hoke's first full class - 2012 - addressed numerous areas of critical need, and established good depth at most positions, mostly with high 3* and 4* talent.  While that class lacked truly "elite" recruits, it was well above average.

In the 2013 class, Hoke contined to reel in more high-level talent, landing several higher-4* types, addressing the remaining areas of true need, and adding many great players that will lay the foundation for our future success.  And, aside from forever-commit Morris (who, barring illness would likely have remained as a 5*), Hoke brought in the top RB in the country (along with another top 10ish RB in Smith).  The 2013 class was a step up from the already good 2012 class. 

This next class looks like it will continue the upward trajectory.  With the commits that we already have (including a likely consensus 5* WR), and the kids that we are in on, we may really be looking at an influx of elite talent at the skill positions over the next year or so.  Combine that with the high-level of "trench" talent that we have been stock-piling in the past few classes, and the future is certainly bright.