Michigan Recruiting In Utah

Michigan's game against Utah is big in its own right: The Wolverines have a chance to begin the Harbaugh Era on the right foot, and take down a team expected to compete for the Pac-12 South title this year.

There are also recruiting implications. While the Beehive State has not traditionally been a hotbed recruiting territory for the Maize and Blue, it's produced a number of excellent players over the years, including a pair currently on the Wolverines' roster. Senior fullback Sione Houma and sophomore defensive tackle Bryan Mone (out with injury) have opened the eyes of U-M fans - and coaches about the talent that inhabits the Salt Lake City area, in particular.

Taking home a win in front of those talented players could help Michigan continue its recent trend of paying a bit more attention to the top recruits in Utah.

OffersThere are only two current recruits from Utah with Michigan offers, but both are extremely talented.

Senior wide receiver Simi Fehoko committed to Stanford July 19 over Michigan (and others), but maintains that he's still likely to take an official visit to Ann Arbor. That's sometimes the case with early Cardinal pledges, who need a contingency plan in case the strict admissions standards in Palo Alto make life difficult for them. If Michigan impresses in his home town, the Brighton High School four-star could be a bit more open to considering U-M in addition to his current choice. The No. 65 wideout nationally and No. 2 prospect in Utah is an outstanding prospect.

Fehoko's junior teammate at Brighton (also the home of USC freshman linebacker Osa Masina, who strongly considered U-M) is considered an even better prospect. Linebacker/running back Sione Heimuli-Lund is 6-0, 230 pounds of toughness - just the type of player Jim Harbaugh likes - and that sees him rank No. 4 among inside linebackers and No. 95 overall in 2017. Utah's top player in the class could be further swayed toward strong U-M consideration if Fehoko takes a closer look at the Maize and Blue.

Others While Michigan has only offered that duo, there are other players who have received - or could receive - attention in the future.

Yet another Brighton Bengal, 2016 athlete/defensive back Jackson Kaufusi, is just a three-star prospect, but the 6-2, 189-pounder has the physical talent to achieve much more in college. He's narrowed down his list to a handful of Pac-12 schools, but plans to take a Mormon Mission prior to enrolling in college, and could even become a Michigan target in a couple years' time.

The top player in 2017 behind Lund is Saratoga Springs Westlake defensive back Chaz Ah You. He's building an impressive offer list with the likes of BYU, Oklahoma State, Stanford, UCLA, and Wisconsin in the mix, and Michigan has shown a bit of interest, as well. The 6-1, 185-pounder is the No. 102 overall prospect and No. 9 safety in the nation for the 2017 class.

Utah is perhaps best known for its defensive linemen (perennial all-pro Haloti Ngata of the Baltimore Ravens comes immediately to mind), and South Jordan Bingham tackle Jay Tufele has a chance to carry that torch in 2017. The 6-2, 206-pounder is the No. 189 overall prospect and No. 12 defensive tackle nationally in his class, and could become a serious Michigan target down the road.

OverallWhile U-M has only recently begun to mine the talent in Utah, having a chance to play in the Salt Lake City area (which produces the vast majority of that talent) could open some eyes - both from the coaches' and prospects' perspectives.

The best-case scenario would be to notch a big win over the hometown Utes, but simply getting an opportunity to perform in front of those players can be a boost itself.