The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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FOOTBALL RECRUITING BY TIM SULLIVAN M ichigan's coaching staff will be scouring the nation — with a coast-to-coast focus far greater than the Midwest-heavy collections under the previous coaching staff — for the best talent in the high school ranks. While Michigan's 2015 class finished as just the No. 50 group nationally, there are plenty of reasons to believe 2016 will see a happier ending. For starters, the coaching staff will have more than a few weeks to put it together, as was the case with the 2015 group, when they were hired in late December and had to assemble a class by Feb. 4. There will be many more spots available, too. With just 14 pledges in each of the 2014 and 2015 classes, the Maize and Blue are due for a signing group of 20-plus prospects. TARGETS All rankings from Rivals.com QB K.J. COSTELLO 6-4, 218 pounds Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) Santa Margarita Catholic Four stars, No. 3 prospect in California, and No. 2 pro-style passer and No. 25 over- all player nationally Costello is one of the highest-rated players in the country — well within the range that should see him poten- tially earn a five -star ranking come National Signing Day — and at a position that Jim Harbaugh per- sonally coaches. Costello can make all the throws, and though he'll never be confused for Michael Vick can move a little as well. Costello has been high on Michigan since a visit during the summer of 2014, but with in-state schools Stanford and USC also in the mix the Wolverines' hopes to land him hinge on a spring visit. If that trip to Ann Arbor comes through, the Maize and Blue have a strong chance to reel him in. RB ELIJAH HOLYFIELD 5-10, 195 pounds College Park (Ga.) Woodward Academy Four stars, No. 13 prospect in Georgia, and No. 5 running back and No. 113 overall player nationally The son of former heav y weight champ Evander Holyfield has a similar build to his father and packs a punch of his own — albeit in his own way. A physical runner who is more than capable of running over defenders or around them, he's a well-balanced back who could excel in a pro-style scheme or a spread. That versatility has seen Holyfield land offers from not only Michigan, but also Auburn, Michigan State and Oregon (and 30-plus others). That's a whole host of programs that are successful on offense, FOOTBALL RECRUITING Michigan's Top Targets In The Class Of 2016