The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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56 THE WOLVERINE JUNE/JULY 2018 FOOTBALL RECRUITING Barnhart is committed to Michigan and Fort Washington (Md.) National Christian Academy four-star offen- sive tackle Will Harrod could be be- fore to long. Warinner would be a big reason why. "He was really cool," Harrod said of Warinner. "We talked about what it would be like if I came up for an official. He just pointed out how I would fit into the team. I really en- joyed talking to him." T h e b o n d b e t w e e n t h e 6 - 6 , 305-pound Harrod and Warinner has U-M at the top for the No. 11 offen- sive tackle in the country. Warinner has also had a major im- pact on Cincinnati Moeller three-star offensive guard Zach Carpenter. The 6-4, 290-pounder spent a lot of time with Warinner during a visit to Ann Arbor and left feeling very close to the veteran line coach. "When we visited, we talked to Coach Warinner first and got to know him a little bit better," Carpen- ter explained. "He's a great coach and I got the sense right away that I could connect with him. I received an offer from him last year when he was at Minnesota, and I started to get to know him after I received the offer. "He's an excellent coach and some- one who is known for his expertise and development of players to get to the next level." YOUNG COACHES ARE PAYING DIVIDENDS Harbaugh also brought in two young, energetic assistant coaches to give recruiting a shot in the arm. Former Central Michigan recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach Sherrone Moore was hired to coach the tight ends, and former Cincinnati defensive line coach Al Washington was hired to coach linebackers and assist Greg Mattison with his defen- sive line unit. Both Moore and Washington have hit the ground running, almost lit- erally, when it comes to recruiting. Players from all over the country have talked about how much they like the pair, and it's clear that they are earning their pay. Greenwood (S.C.) Emerald three- star tight end Luke Deal is one of U-M's top targets, and Moore has been very involved in recruiting him. Deal took an official visit to U-M in April and had a good time with Moore. "Coach Moore and the entire staff was incredible," Deal said. "We got to spend a lot of time with them and watched a good day of practice. Overall, an awesome trip." M o o re d ro p p e d b y E m e r a l d High School May 14 to see the 6-5, 235-pounder, who will commit to the school of his choice May 25. Moore is also working hard on Or- ange (Calif.) Lutheran four-star tight end Ethan Rae. The 6-5, 238-pounder really enjoys how Moore goes about recruiting him. "Coach Moore saw me in January and basically has been texting me once a week," Rae said. "We have a pretty good relationship. He doesn't recruit me super hard, and I respect that in a way. "He will text me to see how I'm doing. Sometimes we give each other a phone call, too. I like our relation- ship a lot." Rivals.com's No. 3 tight end and No. 146 overall player nationally is also high on Harbaugh and U-M's tight end-centric offense. It looks like Michigan will be a factor until Rae makes a decision. Washington spoke about his phi- losophy on the recruiting trail dur- ing spring football this year, and he definitely seems to understand what it takes to be successful. "My philosophy is basically, 'How would I treat my younger brother?'" Washington said. "My younger brother is 11 years younger than me, and what I mean by that is, you have to be honest with people. "You also want to try to appeal to them in a way that they feel that you're going to do what's best for them — and you have to mean it. I think any coach in college sports has an affection and an appreciation for kids. That's why they do it. When I recruit, I treat them like they're my own. "That doesn't mean I get them all. I can, though, tell you tons of kids that I may not have gotten to commit to the school I've been at, but I'm still in a relationship with them because of the relationship you've built." It seems to be paying off with sev- eral recruits. Michigan might have a chance to steal Lewis Center (Ohio) Olentangy Orange five-star strongside defensive end Zach Harrison away from Ohio State, and Washington would be the main reason why. "My first two visits at Michigan, I don't know if I had the best time," The presence of new linebackers coach Al Washington has aided the Wolverines in their pur- suit of Lewis Center (Ohio) Olentangy Orange five-star Zach Harrison (above), the country's No. 2 strongside defensive end and the No. 15 overall prospect according to Rivals.com. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN