Confirmation of the Michigan Wolverines' continued re-emergence as a national brand in college football can be found far from Ann Arbor in the form of interested West Coast recruits.
Plenty of California prospects are buzzing about the possibility of exploring opportunities at Michigan, where head coach Jim Harbaugh is preparing for his second season with the Wolverines. He previously established his reputation in the Golden State by resurrecting the Stanford Cardinal and San Francisco 49ers.
Harbaugh signed three 4-star California products in the 2016 recruiting cycle. Cornerback David Long, tight end Devin Asiasi and wide receiver Dylan Crawford were each considered top-20 overall talents in California's most recent cycle.
Only UCLA and USC signed more top-20 California prospects last month, and Harbaugh actually bested Stanford's total (two) in that department. Some of his most memorable moments on the 2016 recruiting trail occurred in the state, such as the class he attended alongside defensive tackle Boss Tagaloa and his tree-climbing endeavor during an in-home visit with Long.
Those unorthodox efforts, as divisive as they may be, caught the attention of a new crop of California talent.
"He's definitely changing the game in recruiting. I love the intensity he has," 5-star offensive tackle Wyatt Davis told Bleacher Report on Sunday before competing in The Opening's Los Angeles regional.
"I'd let him sleep over if he wants to," he added, alluding to a January overnight Harbaugh spent at the house of top-ranked 2016 kicker Quinn Nordin.
The 6'5", 290-pound St. John Bosco High School standout is rated No. 4 overall among 2017 California recruits. Though Harbaugh commands a national spotlight, one of his assistants is a major reason why Davis is drawn to Michigan.
"I've always been a fan of [offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Tim] Drevno. He's helped produce great linemen, and I've been interested in him since he was at USC," Davis said.
Drevno also worked under Harbaugh during tenures with Stanford and the 49ers before spending the 2014 season on USC's staff.
Fellow coveted California offensive lineman Brett Neilon, a Santa Margarita High School teammate of the incoming Crawford, also pointed to Drevno as a catalyst in his Wolverines recruitment.
"Coach Drevno straight-up told me he's going after NFL draft picks," Neilon said. "He told me 'We're going to contend to for national championships, and the times we've spoken on the phone I definitely get the vibe that he would kind of be like a father figure on campus. I want to go up there and see for myself."
Rated the nation's No. 2 overall center, his dialogue with the program continues to expand.
"I talk to Michigan a lot lately," he said.
Neilon and Davis, both top-five offensive linemen in the state, each confirmed they're eyeing a joint visit to Ann Arbor. Even if that plan doesn't come to fruition, both asserted they would work to coordinate separate solo trips.
"It's definitely a place I need to get to," Neilon said.
Aside from the heavily pursued big men, other Los Angeles regional attendees intend to spend time at Michigan as this cycle progresses. Greg Johnson (4-star athlete) and Jaelan Phillips (4-star defensive end) are high-profile California prospects who expressed plans to visit the university, according to Ryan Bartow of 247Sports.
A lengthy list of notable Wolverines targets from the state also includes cornerbacks Jaylon Redd (RanchoCucamonga) and Deommodore Lenoir (Los Angeles), tight end Josh Falo (Sacramento), athlete Nathan Tilford (Upland) and wide receiver Joseph Lewis (Los Angeles).
"Coach Harbaugh is amazing. I really like what they're doing out there," Redd told Steve Lorenz of 247Sports last week. "I wasn't hearing as much from Michigan until about a month ago, but now I'm hearing from them all the time. They've been really consistent."
California perennially presents fertile recruiting territory and is clearly a priority for the Wolverines.
An increased success rate with prospects in the state starkly contrasts with Michigan's methods during Brady Hoke's tenure. Harbaugh's predecessor signed just two Californians in the four classes (2011-2014) he secured during his tenure as Wolverines head coach, despite past experience at San Diego State.
California is now squarely in the crosshairs for this Wolverines staff. Michigan hit several states hard last cycle, signing six players apiece from New Jersey and Florida, so it wouldn't be surprising if Harbaugh surpasses his impressive 2016 Golden State haul next February.
Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.
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