Harbaugh’s success hits close to home
The Michigan coach is able to pry some big-time players out of Southern California.
Jim Harbaugh must be a pretty good recruiter considering how many top players he convinced Wednesday to leave sunny California for sometimes snowy Michigan on letter of intent day.
Among the Southern California contingent joining the Wolverines are defensive back David Long from Los Angeles Loyola and receiver Dylan Crawford from Santa Margarita. Harbaugh also beat out USC and UCLA for tight end Devin Asiasi from Concord De La Salle.
“Amazing recruiter. I mean, you want to play for a genuine passionate guy,” Long said. “He has the experience and knowledge, so it’s hard not to buy in.”
It wasn’t just in California where Harbaugh was showing his recruiting expertise. Defensive tackle Rashan Gary, perhaps the No. 1 prospect in the nation, signed with Michigan. He’s from Paramus Catholic in New Jersey and is 6 feet 4, 287 pounds and fast.
Notre Dame came to Southern California and took away standout receiver Javon McKinley from Corona Centennial and safety D.J. Morgan from Bellflower St. John Bosco.
McKinley, who helped Centennial win consecutive Pac-5 Division championships, was expected to be a USC signee months ago. But the Trojans ran out of scholarships for receivers and McKinley focused on Notre Dame. “I picked Notre Dame because of a combination; they have a business degree, good connections and best early playing opportunity,” McKinley said.
Centennial led Southern California with 12 signees. City Section Division I champion Narbonne had 11.
St. John Bosco had nine signees, and the Braves have perhaps the most sought-after Southern California prospect for 2017 in offensive tackle Wyatt Davis. The 6-5, 314-pound junior already has 23 scholarship offers and was looking at his cellphone Wednesday for messages from college coaches wanting to FaceTime.
“It’s crazy to think I’ll be up there next year,” he said of the signing ceremony at St. John Bosco.
Compton Dominguez was celebrating the signing of defensive end Semisi Fakasiieiki with Purdue. “Straight outta Compton,” Coach Jason Miller tweeted.
Los Angeles Dorsey had defensive tackle Najhe Flowers sign with New Mexico and running back Parie Dedeaux sign with San Diego State. Crenshaw defensive end Derek Moore signed with Washington State.