MGoFish guest post: 2017 Best Guess Recruiting Class – Offense

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (image via Rivals)

The following is a guest post from Garrett Fishaw, the owner/managing editor of MGoFish.

With Harbaugh’s first full recruiting class in the books, all eyes turn to 2017 to see how Harbaugh will follow up his top five finish in 2016.

The staff has put in a ton of early work to set themselves up for a great return. And it’s clearly paid off. They’ve already landed the top quarterback on their board and look to be among the favorites for a handful of elite members of the class.

But how will it finish? That’s almost impossible to predict this early, especially after the craziness that took place the last two cycles. So, take this prediction with a grain of salt as there will likely be more decommitments and targets that emerge later in the process.

1. QB Dylan McCaffrey, 6’5” 200lbs. Littleton, CO (Valor) 

• McCaffrey committed to Michigan in mid-February after having the Wolverines out front for almost a year. His addition to the class is huge as both a prospect and recruiting asset. Expect him to be a big reason why UM lands several top targets in 2017.
• Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

2. RB Kurt Taylor, 5’9” 200lbs. Covington, GA (Newton) 

• Taylor committed to Michigan in October and, like the rest of rest of the current commits, looks to be as solid as can be in that pledge. UM lost the commitment of his teammate WR Jeremiah Holloman earlier this month but that shouldn’t change anything in Taylor’s status. The only thing to watch with Taylor is his development throughout the cycle, as he already looks to have just about hit the peak of his physical build.
• Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

Hit the jump for the rest of Garrett’s offensive best guess list.

3. RB Eno Benjamin, 5’10” 195lbs. Wylie, TX (East)

• Benjamin received his offer from Michigan last week and it was the one offer he was wanting more than any other. With it in hand and a visit to Ann Arbor coming up at the beginning of March, I believe UM could become the heavy favorite moving forward, as long as things go as expected.
• Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
• Other Options: Najee Harris, Stephen Carr, Kyshaun Bryan, D’Andre Swift, Anthony McFarland

4. RB AJ Dillon, 6’1” 230lbs. Groton, MA (Lawrence Academy) 

• Taking three running backs may seem like a stretch for 2017 but, if there’s room, I expect it. After the 2016 season, Michigan will only have 3-4 (depending on Isaac’s 5th year) pure running backs returning and that just won’t cut it. Add in the need for a bigger, physical back to go along with Taylor and Benjamin, and enter Dillon. He’s a beast of a back that reminds me a bit of former OSU standout Beanie Wells. And Michigan is in great shape early as, according to Wolverine247’s Steve Lorenz, he’ll be visiting Ann Arbor in March ($).
• Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
• Other Options: Najee Harris, Stephen Carr, Kyshaun Bryan, D’Andre Swift, Anthony McFarland

5. SB Bo Melton, 6’0” 180lbs. Egg Harbor City, NJ (Cedar Creek)

• Melton is former teammates with early enrollee WR Ahmir Mitchell and could end up being an even better offensive weapon than his good friend. He reminds me a ton of 2016 signee Chris Evans and could be a nice fit in the same slotback role, if he were to choose Michigan. If the staff pushes for him and can get Mitchell in on the recruitment, things look good for UM here.
• Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
• Other Options: Nico Collins, Tarik Black, Joseph Lewis, KJ Hamler, Jeremiah Holloman

6. WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, 6’2” 190lbs. Detroit, MI (Cass Tech) 

• DPJ is the top name on the staff’s board and for good reason. Not only is he one of the top players in the class and right in their backyard, but he’s also an instant-impact player. He could give Michigan that big, elite wide receiver it’s been missing for years and thanks to his family being UM fans, they’re in good shape. It’ll be a long, grueling, national recruitment but at the end of the day, I think he stays home.
• Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
• Other Options: Nico Collins, Tarik Black, Joseph Lewis, KJ Hamler, Jeremiah Holloman

7. TE Jimmy Jaggers, 6’4” 240lbs. Roseville, CA (Roseville)

• Jaggers is another predicted member of this class that I’ve felt good about Michigan’s chances for nearly a year. He’s visited Ann Arbor multiple times on his own dime already and is planning on visiting again this spring or summer. With a large portion of the top tight ends in the class already committed elsewhere, expect the staff to continue to push for Jaggers and potentially land him with another stellar visit.
• Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
• Other Options: Trevor Kent, Logan Rudolph, Brock Wright, Josh Falo

8. TE Carter Dunaway, 6’6” 235lbs. Bloomfield Hills, MI (Brother Rice)

• Dunaway was the first commit of the class and remains as solid as can be. However, he’s a guy the staff will likely watch closely throughout the cycle as he’s still a very raw tight end prospect. There have been some rumblings of him possibly moving to offensive tackle, which, in my opinion, could be the best move for him. He’s a big, athletic player that could really raise his ceiling as a prospect with a position switch. Either way, it’s hard to imagine him not ending up at Michigan in one form or another.
• Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

9. OT Ja’Raymond Hall, 6’5” 270lbs. Oak Park, MI (Oak Park)

• Hall committed to Michigan right after the 2015 season ended and is a big get for the staff. He’s still pretty raw as a prospect but has a ton of room to grow and the natural build needed to become a really nice player at the collegiate level. Add in his friendships with several of the top in-state targets on the board and this is a big get for UM.
• Michigan’s Chances: COMMITTED

10. OT Isaiah Wilson, 6’7” 320lbs. Brooklyn, NY (Poly Prep)

• Wilson is one of the top players in the class (#5 overall on Rivals) and the top offensive tackle on the staff’s board. And luckily for them, he’s extremely high on Michigan and looks to be favoring them by quite a bit. His visit right after NSD is a big help why and with him announcing that he’ll make his decision this summer or NSD, I’m expecting that to be in favor of the Wolverines, barring any crazy changes.
• Michigan’s Chances: Very Good to Excellent
• Other Options: Aaron Banks, Wyatt Davis, Foster Sarell, Kai-Leon Herbert, Tyler Beach

11. OL Tedarrell Slaton, 6’6” 335lbs. Fort Lauderdale, FL (American Heritage)

• Slaton is another elite level offensive lineman that has announced on multiple occasions that Michigan was his leader. Though it’s been a minute since he’s said anything about his recruitment or leaders, it’s expected that UM is at least one of the favorites. If the staff continues to make him a priority and can get him on campus to hang out with his former teammate and 2016 signee TE Nick Eubanks, they could be in great shape.
• Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
• Other Options: Aaron Banks, Wyatt Davis, Foster Sarell, Kai-Leon Herbert, Tyler Beach

12. OL Robert Hainsey, 6’5” 270lbs. Monroeville, PA (IMG Academy)

• Hainsey is one of the IMG Academy standouts that I believe Michigan will make a big-time impact on during their spring break trip to Bradenton. He’s already very interested in the Wolverines and has visited in the past. If the staff continues to make him a priority, his familiarity with the program and region should give UM as good of a chance as anyone to sign him.
• Michigan’s Chances: Good
• Other Options: Aaron Banks, Wyatt Davis, Brett Neilon, Joshua Fedd-Jackson, Phillip Paea, Jordan Reid

13. OG Kevin Jarvis, 6’5” 330lbs. Park Ridge, IL (Maine South)

• Jarvis landed his offer from Michigan on Monday and is ecstatic to receive it. He’s a big, mean, physical guard that would fit Drevno’s power offense well and happens to be a 4 hour drive from campus. If the staff pushes for him, they should be able to add him to the class.
• Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
• Other Options: Brett Neilon, Joshua Fedd-Jackson, Phillip Paea, Jordan Reid

14. OC Cesar Ruiz, 6’3” 290lbs. Camden, NJ (IMG Academy)

• Ruiz is one of the top centers in the class and Michigan is in dire need of a prospect at the position. He’s visited Ann Arbor multiple times with his good friends, former teammates and 2016 signees WR Brad Hawkins and DE Ron Johnson. Add in UM’s trip to IMG and, according to Scout.com, is expected to visit campus again this spring. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with 2017 C Brett Neilon but at this point I believe UM will end up landing Ruiz.
• Michigan’s Chances: Very Good
• Other Options: Brett Neilon, Joshua Fedd-Jackson, Phillip Paea, Jordan Reid