The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/751827
54 THE WOLVERINE DECEMBER 2016 FOOTBALL RECRUITING though he's committed to USC, Fa- laniko was intrigued by U-M. "It might be far away, but I got a good feeling about Michigan," he said. "Coach [Tony] Tuioti talked to me about something, and I'm still just keeping what he told me about Michigan in my mind." Tuioti is director of player person- nel for Michigan and is a big part of the recruiting machine. The fact that the two have similar roots is impor- tant for Falaniko. "It's a big deal that we have a similar background," Falaniko said. "Coach Tuioti told me that I have a lot of talent. Creating my own legacy is something I want to do, and he said I could do that at Michigan." Falaniko, a four-star prospect, is ranked as the No. 29 athlete in the country by Rivals.com. He's being looked at as a hybrid linebacker/ rush end by Michigan and intends to take an official visit to Ann Arbor before settling his mind completely. DALTON KEENE, ATHLETE Littleton (Colo.) Chatfield Committed to Virginia Tech Listed as an athlete by Rivals. com, Keene is committed to Virginia Tech as a tight end and that's where Michigan likes him, too. At 6-4, 220 pounds, he actually plays mostly running back and linebacker in high school, but his size, skill set and ath- leticism project well to the tight end position. Despite being a Hokie since April, Keene is intrigued by Michigan and intends to get to Ann Arbor an offi- cial visit. The exact date hasn't been set yet, but he could be another post- season visitor which would give him a lot of time to mingle with coaches, current players, and other high school seniors either committed to or highly interested in Michigan. There aren't any other realistic, un- committed options left in 2017 for Michigan at the tight end position but Keene, Rivals.com's No. 5 player in Colorado, could become the guy if he visits and chooses to flip. RUTGER REITMAIER, DT Nashville (Tenn.) David Lipscomb Committed to Oregon In an interesting twist, Michigan defensive line coach Greg Mattison and Harbaugh are trying to pry Reit- maier away from the Oregon Ducks and their defensive coordinator, former Michigan head coach Brady Hoke. Reitmaier was on the radio in Nashville with Bill King in early No- vember and discussed exactly what's going on between Oregon and U-M. "I would say there's a little bit of intrigue there," Reitmaier said of Michigan. "They've definitely pitched early playing time there. I think that's a good opportunity for me, but I'm obviously still pretty committed to Oregon … probably 100 percent committed to Oregon." The Nov. 19 contest against Indi- ana is Michigan's chance to convince Reitmaier that Ann Arbor, not Eu- gene, is for him. U-M is still aggressively recruiting South Jordan (Utah) Bingham four- star defensive tackle Jay Tufele and Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County four-star defensive tackle Aubrey Solomon, and doing a solid job with both. Whatever occurs with Tufele and Sol- omon could play a big part in what ultimately happens with Reitmaier. Solomon (No. 4 defensive tackle in the country) and Tufele (No. 5) are much higher-rated prospects than Reitmaier, who comes in at No. 28 among senior defensive tackles. Slightly Possible STEPHEN CARR, RB Fontana (Calif.) Summit Committed to USC Earlier this summer, the four-star Carr would've certainly been up a category, perhaps two, but as No- vember marches on he seems more and more likely to stick with the Trojans. The 6-0, 180-pounder once seemed like a very real flip candidate for Michigan and wasn't really shy about it. "Michigan is a run-heavy offense. Me and Coach [Tyrone] Wheatley talk all the time, and he tells me that I'd be a perfect fit," Carr explained. "He said I'd be the great, all-purpose back that could fit right now. They have three running back commits, and I'd be different from them. "He says I can work down field, work down the middle, and go out in routes. I think I could do that for them." As the college football season winds down, the No. 1 all-purpose back and No. 31 overall player na- tionally barely mentions the Wolver- ines anymore. Carr has maintained that he will take an official visit to USC, along with four other official visits be- fore settling on a final decision. He doesn't plan to publicize his visits, but he is keeping his options open. Based on some of his most recent comments, Michigan might not be in the mix for an official, which is a far cry from how high he was on the Maize and Blue before his senior year started. If a trip to Ann Arbor were sched- uled, Carr would have to be looked at as a potential flip candidate. but until that happens he's not much more than a long shot. ALEX LEATHERWOOD, OL Pensacola (Fla.) Washington Committed to Alabama Another five-star prospect commit- ted to Alabama, Leatherwood was in Ann Arbor for an official visit for the Wisconsin game and called the trip the best he'd ever taken on Twitter. Afterward, he reinforced the tweet with quotes that were just as strongly worded. "It was my first official visit, and they really laid out the red carpet for me," Leatherwood explained. "I had a great time with Coach Harbaugh, Coach [Tim] Drevno and the staff. It was my first time meeting them, and they made a great first impression." I m m e d i a t e l y a f t e r, M i c h i g a n fans were in a frenzy that the 6-5, 298-pounder was going to flip to Oregon pledge Rutger Reitmaier of Nashville (Tenn.) David Lipscomb, the No. 28 defen- sive tackle in the country, could still be an option for the Wolverines. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM