Weeks before the final of two signing days, Michigan <\/strong>ran into trouble. Offensive line coach, Greg Frey<\/strong>, accepted an offer to return to his alma mater<\/a>, Florida State<\/strong>. Unfortunately for Michigan fans, Frey was not only a promising coach but also a talented recruiter. The Wolverines also fought off a serious effort by Nick Saban <\/strong>and Alabama <\/strong>to poach linebackers coach Christ Patridge<\/strong>. He was instrumental in recruiting a number of up and coming Wolverines, including Rashan Gary<\/a>.<\/strong> Ultimately, Patridge<\/strong> signed a two-year contract that increased his pay and gave him the title of recruiting coordinator<\/a>. Had Patridge<\/strong> also left Michigan, the potential to fallout of the top 30 would have been real.<\/p>\n Michigan<\/strong>\u2019s relative low overall ranking is in part due to two key flips. \u00a04-star center Emil Ekiyor<\/strong><\/a> of Indianapolis Cathedral High School was the first commit to jump ship back in October. Ekiyor<\/strong> decommitted from the Wolverines<\/a> to join Alabama\u2019s <\/strong>Crimson Tide.<\/strong> The second decommittment came on National Signing Day. Long-time Michigan commit Otis Reese<\/strong>, a 4-star linebacker from Georgia, flipped to in-state Georgia<\/strong><\/a>. Reese<\/strong> is ranked 87th<\/sup> overall and would have been Michigan\u2019s<\/strong> highest ranked recruit.<\/p>\n The Wolverines also lost two recruiting battles to archrival Ohio State<\/strong>. 4-star defensive tackle Tyler Friday<\/strong><\/a> the number two ranked player from New Jersey, officially signed with the Buckeyes<\/a>. Urban Meyer <\/strong>and the Buckeyes were also able to sign Nicholas Petit-Frere<\/strong><\/a> of Tampa, Florida. The top-rated offensive tackle chose Ohio State<\/strong><\/a> from a top five that included Michigan<\/strong>. Both losses to the school down south are particularly troublesome for the Wolverines.<\/p>\n However, the class is still strong. The secondary is one place that stocked for years to come thanks to the Class of 2018. Five of Michigan\u2019s<\/strong> 19 recruits are defensive backs. Including, interestingly, the Green Twins from Desoto, Texas, both three-star recruits. German Green<\/strong><\/a> might have received a higher grade, boosting Michigan\u2019s <\/strong>overall ranking, had he not suffered an ACL injury his sophomore year. These new recruits, couple with the fact few members of the secondary left this season suggest coordinator Don Brown<\/strong> should be able to field a top five defense.<\/p>\n The Wolverines\u2019 best signing of the class came earlier this year when quarterback Joe Milton<\/strong><\/a> of Orlando, Florida committed and early enrolled. A pro-style quarterback with a cannon arm, many believe Milton<\/strong> will fit perfectly in Harbaugh\u2019s <\/strong>system. Certainly he will provide the coaching staff with more decisions under center. With Wilton Speight\u2019s<\/strong> departure, disastrous quarterback play in the Outback Bowl, and heralded transfer Shea Patterson<\/strong>\u2019s 2018 eligibility in question<\/a>, flexibility at the quarterback position is key.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>With the second signing day over, it is time for teams to evaluate where they stand. Michigan<\/strong> fans experienced a shock following this year\u2019s National Signing Day. Jim Harbaugh<\/strong>\u2019s staff corralled top ten recruiting classes in both 2017 and 2016. This year, the Wolverines tumbled all the way down to 21st<\/sup> nationally and 3rd<\/sup> in the Big Ten. Unlike Ohio State<\/strong> and Penn State<\/strong>, both of whom handily won their match-ups against Michigan in 2017, the Wolverines signed zero 5-star recruits. However, while national signing day may have disappointed some, thanks to commits that signed back in December the class remains strong overall.<\/p>\nWolverine Poaching<\/h2>\n
Class Strengths<\/h2>\n