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Garrett Taylor Announces Today, What to Expect
Last week, ESPN's Tom VanHaaren tweeted that 2015 defensive back Garrett Taylor was planning to announce his school choice on Monday (today) at 12:30 p.m. Could this be what Wolverines fans have been waiting for months, some good recruiting news? This is what I believe will happen today:
With Taylor coming off an extremely positive visit to Ann Arbor going on two weeks ago, it makes sense that the Wolverines could be the logical choice for Taylor. Especially if you're one of those fans who want to find small clues to tip you off, the timeline could be your biggest factor. He's been on the record as saying that Michigan was his best visit, and even mentioned academics when he spoke to (FREE) 247Sports' Clint Brewster regarding his decision.
During his visit, you may have read that Taylor was gushing over the academic presentation that Michigan brought to the table for Taylor and his family. He was really impressed with what Michigan had to offer and was blown away with the Ross Business School. He mentioned a professor taking time out of his day to show Taylor and his parents around the school and it really impressed the young Taylor. That is a big deal if the faculty can get involved to help Michigan knock this one out of the park. That is exactly what they did and it also makes sense that he pushed up his timeline as well.
It also helps that freshman quarterback Wilton Speight was Taylor's host for the weekend and showed him the school life outside of the classroom.
The most significant threat to Michigan at this point would be Stanford. Long regarded as his top school, Stanford was sitting pretty before Michigan got involved. It's been a whirlwind recruitment, as Michigan offered only a few weeks ago. Considering Taylor is a Virginia native, the proximity to home bodes well for Michigan here. There is a possibility that Stanford could be the dark horse candidate here, but it is very unlikely at this point.
All of these small signs are little hints that Michigan is going to be the choice. Personally, I believe will be the case. Today Taylor will end the commitment drought and will have Michigan another top-100 corner in the 2015 recruiting class.
More on Taylor IF if he commits to Michigan on Wednesday.
In-Stater Offered, In-State Battle Ensues
It was reported on Saturday by multiple outlets that 2016 in-state ATH Daelin Hayes was offered by Michigan as a linebacker during his visit to campus over the weekend. The Wolverines have made it a priority to address the linebackers as Hayes is one of many in the long list of recent linebacker offers the coaching staff have awarded.
Hayes already has a Michigan connection currently, as he is the cousin of current running back/slot receiver/role undefined junior Justice Hayes.
When talking about the offer ($) with 247Sports' Steve Wiltfong, it appears that Hayes was excited.
"This is a school I feel very, very comfortable at, and it’s one of the best school’s I can be at education wise, and that’s a huge thing for my decision-making process."
That's a positive, right?
At this point in time, it is difficult to get a gauge as to where this recruitment will lead for the Wolverines. With Michigan State and Tennessee both offering, this very well could be a brutal in-state battle for the young athlete. In the same interview with Wiltfong, Hayes also discusses the two schools.
"They compare very well against each other," Hayes said. "Michigan State is coming off the Rose Bowl and Michigan just having a great reputation, they go hand and hand."
That statement is very telling as far as the state of the two programs. The Spartans are coming off a Rose Bowl and the Wolverines are working on reputation alone. Eventually the reputation needs to turn into victories which can lure more recruits to the school, but I digress.
This recruitment will be something to keep an eye on if you're a Michigan fan. Hayes is a talented player and could be a huge get for Michigan. As the mantra goes, the best players in the state of Michigan go to Michigan. Here's hoping the saying holds true.
Below is a short highlight tape of Hayes:
Link Roundup
Scout's Allen Trieu has more ($) on the Hayes offer.
247Sports has the latest ($) on weekend visitors for Michigan. A lot of familiar names on the list, including a certain running back from Cass Tech.
247 also has a visit reaction ($) from 2016 OL Sean Foster.
Michigan recently offered 2015 RB Ty'Son Williams. Tim Sullivan from Rivals has the latest ($) from Williams and what he knows about the Wolverines.
The SB Nation recruiting crew do an excellent job at covering the latest recruiting coverage from across the nation. Bud Elliott was in Atlanta to cover the Elite 11 quarterback camp and did an excellent job at covering the event. He covered the upperclassmen (FREE) and underclassmen (FREE) invited to the event.
Check back here for the latest news and notes regarding Michigan football recruiting.