Michigan's Missed Opportunities: A Look at Five Recruits Who Got Away
In the world of college football recruiting, it's easy to get caught up in the hype and excitement of landing a top-tier prospect. But what happens when a highly-sought-after recruit chooses a different school? It's a question that Michigan fans have had to ask themselves time and again, as they reflect on some of the toughest misses in recent history. While some of these recruits were near-misses that came down to the final days, others were long shots that briefly felt real before reality set in. Let's take a closer look at five of the most notable recruiting misses in recent Michigan history.
Xavier Worthy: A Missed Opportunity for Michigan's Passing Attack
One of the most fascinating recruiting misses in recent Michigan history is that of Xavier Worthy, a five-star wide receiver who committed to Texas instead of the Wolverines. Worthy was expected to enroll early and was a key target for Michigan's passing attack. Instead, he became one of the most explosive receivers in college football, an All-American, and eventually a first-round NFL Draft pick. It's not hard to imagine how different Michigan's passing attack might have looked with Worthy catching passes from Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy. While the Wolverines won plenty without him, this remains one of the most intriguing recruiting misses in recent Michigan history.
Najee Harris: Michigan's All-In Pursuit
In 2017, Michigan went all-in on Najee Harris, a five-star running back who was arguably the top recruiting priority for the coaching staff. The Wolverines held a satellite camp at Harris' high school and Harbaugh visited multiple times. For a while, fans genuinely believed the Wolverines had a shot to pull off the upset. Instead, Harris committed to Alabama, won two national titles, and became a first-round pick. This miss is particularly painful because it highlights the challenge of competing against SEC powers for top-tier recruits.
Isaiah Wilson: A Favorite Turned Away
Another painful miss for Michigan was that of Isaiah Wilson, a five-star offensive tackle who was heavily linked to the Wolverines throughout much of his recruitment. Even days before his decision, recruiting analysts were still discussing Michigan as the team to beat. But things changed when Harbaugh wore cleats inside his house, and Wilson ultimately signed with Georgia and became a first-round pick. Considering Michigan's offensive line questions during parts of the Harbaugh era, it's easy to wonder how differently things might have played out had Wilson ended up in Ann Arbor.
Zach Harrison: A Symbolic Victory That Got Away
Zach Harrison, a five-star edge rusher from Ohio, was another recruit who briefly felt real before reality set in. Michigan built legitimate momentum and, at various points, appeared to have a real shot at flipping one of Ohio's top prospects. In the end, the Buckeyes kept him home. While the miss wasn't devastating in hindsight because Michigan eventually developed stars at the position, landing Harrison would have been a symbolic victory as much as a football one.
Leonard Fournette: A National Celebrity Who Stayed Home
Unlike some others on this list, Michigan was never viewed as the clear favorite for Leonard Fournette, a five-star running back who was a national celebrity before he ever played a college snap. But the Wolverines took a real swing at one of the most famous recruits of the modern era. Fournette ultimately stayed closer to home and signed with LSU, where he rushed for more than 3,800 yards and became the No. 4 overall pick in the draft. This miss is painful because it highlights the challenge of competing against SEC powers for top-tier recruits.
While these recruiting misses are certainly painful, they also provide an opportunity for Michigan fans to reflect on the program's strengths and weaknesses. By analyzing these misses, we can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the program and identify areas for improvement. In the end, these misses serve as a reminder that recruiting is a challenging and unpredictable process, and that even the best staffs can miss on some of their top targets.
