The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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COMMITMENT PROFILE When Michigan gained class of 2014 commitments from Elkton (Md.) Eastern Christian Academy team- mates Freddy Can- teen and Brandon Watson, it wasn't with the idea that they'd be able to help the Maize and Blue bring in more prospects going forward. Canteen, a four-star wide receiver, and Wat- son, a three-star safety, landed at Michigan because the U-M coaches believed they'd be able to help the program on their own merits. However, it doesn't hurt that they attended a high school with plenty of football talent. Those connections helped play a role in Michigan's new- est commitment joining the program, as well. Class of 2016 linebacker Dele' Harding picked Michigan Oct. 31 in part because Canteen and Watson helped increase his comfort with the program. "They stay in touch all the time," Harding's father, David, said. "That plays a very small part. That's just an icing on the cake. The body is what Michigan has to offer. His commit- ment is to the university, not just for football. It's the total package." Harding, a 6-1, 232-pounder, brings plenty to the table. Rivals.com ranks him as the No. 5 inside linebacker in the country, the No. 10 player in Maryland and the No. 186 overall prospect nation- ally in the class of 2016. He first caught Michigan's eye as a rising sophomore at the Wolverine Tech- nique School sum- mer camp in 2013. When he made it back to the Great Lakes State in 2014 to participate in the Sound Mind Sound Body camp in Detroit, the Wolverines' coaches had seen enough to issue an offer. "I got to talk to Coach [Brady] Hoke, and he told me what he liked about me," Harding said. "I also talked with Coach [Greg] Mattison, and it was a great connection with the coaching staff. Getting the Michigan offer is outstanding. It feels good to finally get it. I already have two team- mates down there, so that's a plus." Harding has put together a strong junior season, notching a team-lead- ing 75 total tackles, with 2.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. He has also forced five Class Of 2016 Linebacker Dele' Harding Pledges To U-M Harding, a 6-1, 232-pounder, is ranked as the No. 5 inside linebacker and No. 186 overall prospect nationally in the class of 2016 by Rivals.com. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM