Former Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez was on his way to assembling a solid but not spectacular recruiting class for the Michigan Wolverines with 15 commitments, including running back
Demetrius Hart (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips). Although the class has not completely fallen apart with the firing of Rodriguez earlier this month, it has taken a hit, including Hart changing his commitment from Michigan to Alabama. Defensive back
Dallas Crawford (Fort Myers, Fla./South Fort Myers) is another highly regarded prospect who had committed to Michigan but decommitted after Rodriguez was let go. New Michigan coach Brady Hoke has his work cut out for him with just more than two weeks to go before national signing day on Feb. 2.After kicker
Matt Goudis (West Hills, Calif./Chaminade) made an official visit to Miami this past weekend and changed his commitment from Michigan to the Hurricanes, the Wolverines have just 11 commitments, and one of the 11 is shaky. Offensive lineman
Jacob Fisher (Traverse City, Mich./West), after visiting Michigan State during the weekend, has said he is committed "as of right now."At least one other Michigan commitment, cornerback
Blake Countess (Olney, Md./Good Counsel), is also taking official visits to other schools.At this point, Hoke is hoping to sign Fisher, Countess and the other nine commitments while perhaps adding a couple highly regarded prospects such as athlete
Kris Frost (Matthews, N.C./Butler) and defensive back
Stefan McClure (Vista, Calif./Vista).Frost, who was very interested in Michigan before Rodriguez was fired, recently committed to Auburn, then changed his mind and decommitted. Frost will visit Auburn, and the Tigers seem to have the inside track, but Hoke would love to land him.McClure was recruited by Hoke when he was at San Diego State and will at least take a look at the Wolverines.As far as other prospects who could become Wolverines, four names to keep in mind are offensive lineman
Chris Bryant (Chicago/Simeon); defensive back
Raymon Taylor (Highland Park, Mich./Highland Park), who originally committed to Indiana; linebacker/defensive end
Frank Clark (Cleveland/Glenville); and kicker
Matt Wile (San Diego/Parker). If Hoke can hold on to what he has and add three to six solid prospects down the stretch, he will perhaps have some momentum going into his first full recruiting season at the helm of the Wolverines.