Michigan's top remaining target on the board for the 2015 recruiting class, five-star defensive end/linebacker Keisean Lucier-South (Orange, California), finally makes his first visit to Ann Arbor this weekend, which is absolutely huge for the Wolverines.
Lucier-South was offered by Michigan back in January and has been in his top group of schools for awhile, but since the season has started, the Wolverines have struggled on the field and other programs have increased their contact with the elite pass-rusher.
UCLA and Michigan have been the two constants throughout the process, but Oregon, Oklahoma and USC have vaulted themselves into the mix recently, as well. He took an official visit to Oklahoma a few weeks ago and is planning on visiting Oregon on Oct. 31.
Lucier-South has spoken about his visit a few times this week. Here's what he said he is going to be looking at in his visit with Bleacher Report's Kynon Codrington.
"I want to see what's going to happen because that staff offered me, so if a new staff comes in I don't what's going to happen," said Lucier-South. "This weekend I want to see if the campus is going to fit me or not. I want to see how the academics are. I already know about the program. Academics are important because for the other nine months after you are by yourself, so I want to see if there's a fit for me."
In an inteview with Tyler Donahue of Bleacher Report, he explained how the uncertain status of the coaching staff could impact his recruitment.
"It's going to be very interesting when I get there because there are some unknowns," he said. "I don't know if Coach Hoke is going to be there at the end of this season or the start of next year. They're still recruiting me hard as ever, but it's definitely a little weird and a situation I'm not dealing with at other schools."
When I spoke to Lucier-South back in February, he told me he was planning on not making a decision until National Signing Day and with other schools still coming after him, I do not expect that timeline to change. In fact, if Brady Hoke is indeed fired, another staff could come in right where they left off with him.
That's why this weekend is so huge for Michigan.
It's going to be tough to pull KLS from the West coast, but an impressive showing from the Wolverines on and off the field this weekend could be enough to give them at least a fighting chance to land him come signing day, which given the state of the program now is all they could ask for.
Be sure to follow Maize n Brew Recruiting Reporter on Twitter, @anthonytbroome.