Recruiting Visitors: March 11-13, 2011

So far Michigan has given verbal offers to 122 prospects for the Class of 2012, so there's no possible way for me to highlight each and every one of those kids.  Many aren't any more interested in Michigan than I am in learning about World of Warcraft, so there's no need.  But kids who take the time to visit Michigan on their own dime are likely interested in playing in the Big House, or at least visiting Mr. Spot's.  So here some brief profiles of this weekend's visitors:

Vince Biegel - Linebacker - Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Offers: BYU, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Stanford, Tennessee, Wisconsin
Scoop: Biegel is a well trained and fundamentally sound defender.  At 6'3" and 210 lbs., he could project as an inside or outside linebacker.  Watching his film, he keeps his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage, flows down the line well, and attacks the line of scrimmage when holes open up.  To be quite honest with you, he looks like he could start for Penn State right now if he were a bit heavier.  PSU is known for developing its linebackers, and there's not much more work to be done on Biegel before he's ready to be a starter at the next level.  Biegel's father played linebacker at BYU, and Wisconsin is obviously the home-state program.  The main connection Biegel has to the Wolverines is that defensive coordinator Greg Mattison recruited Biegel's father coming out of high school, so it would appear that Michigan is on the outside looking in.  If it weren't for the presence of Mattison on the staff, I have a feeling that Michigan wouldn't even be considered.  But the aforementioned three schools are Biegel's top three, and anything can happen if you get a kid on campus.  Biegel is a Mormon, and unlike BYU (and several other schools out west), Michigan doesn't typically get many Mormons on its roster.  I believe the last one to play for Michigan was Tyler Ecker, a tight end whose eligibility ran out in 2005.  Biegel's decision will likely come in the next few weeks, and my gut feeling tells me that he will end up in Provo or Madison.

Sheldon Day - Defensive tackle - Indianapolis, IN
Offers: Arkansas, Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Penn State, Purdue, Stanford, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Wisconsin
Scoop: At 6'2" and 268 lbs., Day is one of the quicker defensive tackles I've seen in the Class of 2012.  He has an amazingly fast first step and the speed to chase down quarterbacks and running backs in the backfield.  He will need to add 20 lbs. or so to play at the next level, but even if he loses half a step due to the added weight, his speed and quickness should be sufficient to torment interior linemen.  His penetrating ability would make him especially dangerous at the 3-technique defensive tackle position, but if he somehow added a great amount of weight, he could also be an asset as a nose tackle.  His three childhood favorite schools were Miami, Oklahoma, and Michigan, but he hasn't yet been offered by the former two.  The Wolverines have a great chance to get Day's commitment, and he would like to make his decision prior to his senior year.

Devin Funchess - Tight end - Farmington Hills, MI
Offers: Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, Virginia
Scoop: Funchess is a 6'5", 215 lb. tight end from traditional MSU stronghold Harrison High School.  In the last decade, MSU has pulled in Harrison players Mark Dell, Agim Shabaj, and Drew Stanton.  The only recruit to choose Michigan over MSU was Charles Stewart back in 2004.  Funchess could grow into a traditional tight end role, but early on he would likely be an H-back sort who could split out wide or motion into the backfield.  His lack of bulk won't necessarily be a huge issue, because San Diego State's starting tight end in 2010 was a 6'6", 229 pounder.  On a talented all-around team, Funchess caught 34 passes for 709 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2010, so he has the ability to streth the field and make big plays in the passing game. Funchess does have a sister who majors in Movement Science at Michigan, so that might be a positive for the Wolverines' recruitment.  But with two teammates who are considered to be leaning toward MSU (wide receiver Aaron Burbridge and defensive end Mario Ojemudia), it might be difficult for Michigan to convince the younger Funchess to move to Ann Arbor.

MagnusThunder is the author of Touch the Banner, a Michigan football blog.