The Michigan Wolverines didn't manage to secure a single 2016 commitment during head coach Jim Harbaugh's first 14 weeks in Ann Arbor.
A stalled situation shifted dramatically during the past four days, as three high school juniors pledged to the Wolverines. The much-needed momentum switch—spurred by Saturday's spring game—provides fresh fuel for Michigan's recruiting efforts as Harbaugh and his staff work to assemble a foundation for the future.
The first—and most crucial—commitment came Friday evening from 4-star Indiana quarterback Brandon Peters. He arrived on campus Friday following a family spring-break visit to Mexico and announced his decision within hours:
The 6'5", 205-pound playmaker joins 2015 Michigan signee Zach Gentry and Iowa transfer Jake Rudock as quarterbacks personally landed by the current coaching regime.
Peters, rated ninth nationally among pro-style passers in 247Sports' composite rankings, completed 56 percent of his attempts for 1,876 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2014. He added 244 yards and five scores on the ground for Avon High School, where he doubles as a college-level basketball standout.
Peters became a primary target for the Wolverines last month after top-ranked California quarterback KJ Costello committed to Stanford over Michigan and USC. Harbaugh and company quickly sealed the deal, beating out fellow favorites LSU, Nebraska, Indiana and Wisconsin.
His presence could provide passing-game coordinator Jedd Fisch with six scholarship quarterbacks in 2016, though that number may fluctuate if a player or two opt to explore alternative options.
Peters has the size and skill set to compete for early reps in Ann Arbor and should help Harbaugh lure more offensive talent to Michigan.
Michigan secured its second commitment of the weekend Saturday from in-state recruit David Reese, who also attended the spring game. The 6'1", 235-pound prospect is a battering ram on both sides of the ball, presenting promise at middle linebacker and fullback.
Reese, rated 19th nationally among inside linebackers in the composite rankings, initially pledged to Louisville in early March. The Wolverines entered the equation three weeks later, extending a scholarship offer while he visited campus.
This time around, he departed Ann Arbor as a member of the 2016 Michigan class:
Reese racked up 225 tackles during the past two seasons, per MaizeNBlueNation.com. He rushed for 297 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior.
"Thank you Cardinal Family for the opportunity you have given me to further my education at the University of Louisville," Reese wrote on Twitter. "But the chance to play at home I couldn't turn down."
Louisville's loss is Michigan's gain.
Battling with Big Ten rivals Ohio State, Michigan State and others for quality in-state talent, all recruiting additions on home turf are pivotal en route to signing day.
Reese could soon be joined in the class by Farmington High School teammate Desmond Fitzpatrick, a 4-star wide receiver. The 6'2", 194-pound pass-catcher is currently committed to Louisville, though he also attended Michigan's spring game and admitted mutual interest is mounting.
“Right now I’m really comfortable with Michigan," he told Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports. “I told (Harbaugh) I’m still taking my time and want to get to know the program more. He said 'I want you to be 100 percent when or if you do flip.'”
Fitzpatrick caught 32 passes for 511 yards and eight touchdowns in 2014, per MaxPreps. He took note of the successful series of events in Ann Arbor.
"David committed, so I was really excited for him," Fitzpatrick told Wiltfong on Saturday. "Brandon Peters committed yesterday, so it was a big weekend for Michigan."
Positive recruiting news seeped into the new week for Michigan.
Alabama running back Kingston Davis declared his intentions to join the Wolverines on Monday:
Davis, a 6'1", 225-pound prospect from Prattville High School, is rated third nationally among fullbacks in the composite rankings. He follows in the footsteps of teammate Keith Washington, a late defensive back addition to Michigan's 2015 class.
Harbaugh's pursuit of the powerful rusher provides further evidence he's working to build an intimidating stable of backs in Ann Arbor. Davis rumbled for 1,432 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, per Nick Baumgardner of MLive.com.
Davis and Reese each appear capable of someday earning roles in the Wolverines backfield alongside Peters, though a pledge from Davis may ultimately push Reese into an inside linebacker slot.
This flurry of commitments could eventually be viewed as a turning point for Michigan's 2016 recruiting haul. The trio ended a significant drought, joining former head coach Brady Hoke holdovers Erik Swenson (Illinois offensive tackle) and Dele Harding (Maryland linebacker).
Key Wolverines wide receiver target Ahmir Mitchell documented Harbaugh's impact on the program during a late-March trip to Ann Arbor.
“Coach Harbaugh seemed like a normal guy, who is honest with you and didn’t mind shaking hands or taking pictures with people who came up to him on campus," Mitchell told Bleacher Report. "It's very exciting to see how everyone feels about him at Michigan.”
Fans are likely feeling even better about their new leader after a stretch of successful recruiting endeavors. Michigan has climbed into the top 25 of the 247Sports national class rankings and may be on the verge of soaring much higher on that list.
Nearly five months shy of his first game as Wolverines head coach, Harbaugh is finally securing much-needed victories on the recruiting trail.
Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue.
Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.
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