Revisiting Michigan football's 2016 recruiting class

Michigan football’s resurgence under Jim Harbaugh was well underway by the time the 2016 recruiting class had to be put together. The coaching staff had to scramble to put the previous one together but was able to turn its attention fully fairly quickly.

Harbaugh’s first full haul ranked sixth in the country and second in the Big Ten, per the On3 Consensus rankings. Here is a look back at what members of Michigan’s 2016 class would become.

Five-star defensive lineman Rashan Gary (No. 1 overall prospect)

This was arguably Michigan’s biggest all-time recruiting win, let alone in the Harbaugh era. Gary, a New Jersey native, was the nation’s top recruit and picked the Wolverines on signing day despite a late push from Clemson. He ended his career as a two-time All-Big Ten selection (2017-18) and won the 2017 Richard Katcher Award, which goes to the program’s top defensive lineman. Gary was criticized for a lack of sack and tackle for loss production (10.5 sacks, 24 TFL in career), but he played a run-anchoring edge position in Don Brown’s defense. He would be the No. 12 overall pick over the Green Bay Packers in 2019 and just came off a season where he finished with 9.5 sacks.

Four-star offensive lineman Ben Bredeson (No. 48 overall, No. 1 in Wisconsin)

Bredeson was a three-time All-Big Ten honoree and was twice voted a team captain by his Michigan teammates. His play during the 2019 season earned him All-American honors, capping off a tremendously successful career. Bredeson made 46 starts in 50 games played and was the No. 143 overall pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2020. He was traded to the New York Giants in 2021.

Four-star quarterback Brandon Peters (No. 58 overall, No. 1 in Indiana)

Harbaugh’s first true quarterback recruit was one plenty were excited about, but it just never panned out at Michigan. Peters started four games at quarterback in 2017, but a concussion knocked him out of a tilt at Wisconsin and he was never the same guy. He transferred to Illinois in 2019 and was its primary starting signal-caller over the last three years. Peters threw for 1,170 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions in 2021 for the Illini.

Four-star interior offensive lineman Michael Onwenu (No. 72 overall, No. 2 in Michigan)

Onwenu wound up being a massive grab in every sense of the word. The Cass Tech HS product appeared in 46 games, playing offensive line in 40 of them with 35 starts. He was a two-time All-Big Ten honoree (2018-19) and a sixth-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2020. Onwenu’s adjustment to the NFL happened early, being named to PFWA’s All-Rookie Team in 2020 while splitting time between guard and tackle.

Four-star tight end Devin Asiasi (No. 73 overall, No. 9 in California)

While only grabbing two catches for one touchdown in his freshman season, there was hope that Asiasi would grab the baton from Jake Butt as Michigan’s next great tight end. It never happened, as he transferred to UCLA after one season in Ann Arbor. He had 44 catches for 641 yards and four touchdowns in 2019, which helped him come off the board in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft to New England. Asiasi caught two passes for 39 yards and a touchdown in 2020 but did not suit up this season.

Four-star cornerback David Long (No. 87 overall, No. 11 in California)

The Pasadena native was a two-time All-Big Ten honoree, playing in 30 games with 26 starts in his career. Long’s strong play at Michigan helped him become a third-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 2019. He started five games this season and grabbed his first career interception in the season opener against the Chicago Bears.

Four-star wide receiver Kekoa Crawford (No. 105 overall. No. 14 in California)

Crawford had 21 catches for 290 yards and two touchdowns in 2016-17 with the Wolverines before transferring to Glendale Community College in 2018. He resurfaced at California in 2019 and had 75 catches for 1,017 yards and four touchdowns in three seasons.

Four-star running back Kareem Walker (No. 111 overall, No. 3 in New Jersey)

The former blue-chip running back famously committed to Ohio State during the national title game in 2014, though Michigan was eventually able to flip him. However, he never saw the field in 2016 and had 20 carries for 68 yards in 2017 before transferring. Walker transferred to Fort Scott CC in Kansas in 2018, then spent time at Mississippi State in 2019-20. He spent the 2021 campaign at South Alabama, where he rushed for 295 yards and four touchdowns on 86 attempts.

Four-star cornerback Lavert Hill (No. 174 overall, No. 6 in Michigan)

Hill appeared in 48 games with 38 starts at cornerback in his Michigan career. He was an AP All-American in 2018 and a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, in addition to three-time All-Big Ten honors in his career. Hill is one of four players in program history with multiple interceptions returned for touchdowns in his career and finished sixth all-time in pass breakups (29). He went undrafted in 2020 but has spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers in his career.

Four-star wide receiver Ahmir Mitchell (No. 181 overall, No. 5 in New Jersey)

He never appeared in a game with the Wolverines, transferring after being suspended before his freshman season began. Mitchell wound up at Rutgers, but was dismissed from the team in 2017 and transferred again in 2018. He would resurface with Walker at Fort Scott CC.

Four-star EDGE Ron Johnson (No. 193 overall, No. 6 in New Jersey)

The New Jersey pipeline kept getting drilled in the 2016 class. However, Johnson never saw game action for the Wolverines and transferred to Towson during the 2019 season. He tore his ACL that same season.

Four-star tight end Nick Eubanks (No. 247 overall, No. 32 in Florida)

Eubanks was a team captain during the 2020 season and appeared in 36 career games at Michigan. He was selected as an All-Big Ten honorable mention by the coaches and media in 2019 and finished his career with 45 receptions for 578 yards and six touchdowns. Eubanks went undrafted in 202`1 but has had NFL stops with the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions.

Four-star linebacker Devin Bush (No. 294 overall, No. 40 in Florida)

One of the best players of the Harbaugh era, Bush had a laundry list of accolades while playing at Michigan. He was a Consensus All-American in 2018 and two-time All-American from both Walter Camp and the Associated Press in 2017-18). Bush also was a two-time Butkus Award finalist (2017-18) and a team captain of the Wolverines in 2018. The Pittsburgh Steelers moved up to No. 10 overall to select him in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Four-star wide receiver Eddie McDoom (No. 325 overall, No. 44 in Florida)

Michigan found a niche role for McDoom during the 2016-17 seasons as a slot receiver and gadget play maestro, but he elected to transfer after two seasons in Ann Arbor. He moved on to South Florida, where he had to sit out due to transfer rules in 2018. McDoom made 10 starts in 2019 with 13 catches for 174 yards. He opted out of the 2020 season and entered the transfer portal.

Four-star defensive lineman Carlo Kemp (No. 337 overall, No. 1 in Colorado)

Kemp was a two-time team captain and appeared in 46 games with 29 starts on the defensive line for Michigan. He earned All-Big Ten third team honors from the coaches in 2019. Kemp went undrafted in 2021 but received an opportunity with the Green Bay Packers in training camp. The Denver Broncos added him to their practice squad on Dec. 31.

Four-star linebacker Khaleke Hudson (No. 393 overall, No. 10 in Pennsylvania)

Michigan tabbed Hudson as the next in line to Jabrill Peppers at the VIPER position, where he was a standout. He appeared in 52 games in his collegiate career and was a three-time All-Big Ten honoree. Hudson is a Michigan record-holder for the most tackles for loss in a game with eight against Minnesota in 2017. The Washington Football Team selected him in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Four-star linebacker Elysee Mbem-Bosse (No. 411 overall, No. 35 in Georgia)

Mbem-Bosse played in 11 games at Michigan, but he left the program in mid-November of 2017. There was also a situation that involved tweets threatening Jim Harbaugh after his departure. He returned to football in 2020 with Division II Davenport University. Mbem-Bossee had 68 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception in 2021.

Four-star running back Chris Evans (No. 443 overall, No. 5 in Indiana)

His was a complicated career at Michigan, but a story of perseverance. Evans appeared in 42 games in Ann Arbor and was the third Wolverine to pass the 100-yard mark in his first game, joining Walter Cross and Chris Perry. However, he was not with the team in 2019 due to an academic issue. Evans worked his way back onto the roster and returned for a fifth season in 2020, where he had 16 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown. Despite a lack of production in his last few years, the Cincinnati Bengals selected him in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He had 228 total yards and two receiving touchdowns in the regular season,

Three-star wide receiver Nate Johnson (No. 486 overall, No. 13 in Tennessee)

Johnson was dismissed from the football team following a domestic violence arrest in 2017. He transferred to Grand Valley State in 2019.

Three-star running back Kingston Davis (No. 569 overall, No. 20 in Alabama)

There was never much of a role for Davis at Michigan, who transferred to Independence (Kan.) Community College in 2017. Davis transferred to UAB in 2018, but was suspended indefinitely and arrested and charged with domestic violence in the winter of 2019.

Three-star EDGE Josh Uche (No. 597 overall, No. 85 in Florida)

Uche was another gem of a find for the Wolverines coaching staff. He appeared in 39 games at Michigan with nine starts that all came during the 2019 season. The two-time All-Big Ten honoree had 56 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss at 16.5 sacks in Ann Arbor. The New England Patriots selected him in the second round with the No. 60 overall pick in 2021. He has four sacks and one fumble recovery in two seasons.

Three-star interior offensive lineman Stephen Spanellis (No. 627 overall, No. 17 in Maryland)

Spanellis suited up for 37 games at Michigan as a reserve lineman before transferring to Vanderbilt in 2020. He did not see action for the Commodores in his final collegiate season.

Three-star safety Josh Metellus (No. 632 overall, No. 88 in Florida)

A three-time All-Big Ten honoree and four-year letterman, Metellus played in 47 games during his career with 37 starts at the safety position. He was also a stalwart on special teams and an alternate captain with the program. The Minnesota Vikings selected him in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Three-star tight end Sean McKeon (No. 745 overall, No. 2 in Massachussetts)

McKeon was a three-time All-Big Ten honoree with 40 career games played in Ann Arbor. He started 23 games and hauled in 60 receptions for 668 yards and six touchdowns during his Michigan career. McKeon went undrafted in 2020 but has spent the last two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. He scored his first NFL touchdown on Nov. 25, 2021 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Three-star defensive lineman Michael Dwumfour (No. 918 overall, No. 22 in New Jersey)

Playing time cranked up for Dwumfour at Michigan in every season he was there, playing in 23 games in his final two seasons in 2018-19. He made the surprising decision to transfer to Rutgers in 2020, where he made eight starts and was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection. Dwumfour went undrafted in 2021, but was a member of the New York Jets before catching on with the Houston Texans.

Three-star linebacker Devin Gil (No. 956 overall, No. 126 in Florida)

Gil appeared in 40 games at Michigan, making 14 starts. He transferred to South Florida for the 2020 season, but would later opt out of the campaign.

Three-star kicker Quinn Nordin (No. 1036 overall, No. 27 in Michigan)

Nordin handled field goal and extra point duties in 41 career games. He was an All-Big Ten honoree in 2017 but would split time with Jake Moody for much of his career. The big-legged kicker made 42-of-58 attempts in his career with a career-long of 57 yards. The New England Patriots signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2021 and he had appeared to win the job but was placed on injured reserve with an abdomen injury. He signed a reserve/futures contract with the Patriots on Jan. 17.

Unrated punter Will Hart (N/A)

Hart was a Sports Illustrated All-American and semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award in 2018. He appeared in 36 career games at Michigan and set a single-season record for punting average at 46.98 yards per kick in 2018. He transferred to San Jose State in 2021 and won the putting job, booting 67 punts for a 44.4 yards per attempt clip.

Michigan football’s 2016 class overview

Harbaugh’s first full recruiting class at Michigan set the table for the next few seasons of contending football, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Gary, Long, Hill, Bush, Hudson, Uche and Metellus were all-conference talents and NFL draft picks.

This class had its fair share of misses, which is the nature of the beast. Outside of some glaring character misses, this class’ biggest disappointment was on offense. Peters never developed into a legitimate starting-caliber quarterback, while Walker was a huge whiff at running back. That was made up for in the form of Evans. Crawford and McDoom had moments at wide receiver but never became much more than depth pieces. The biggest success here was on the offensive line with Michigan hitting on both Bredeson and Onwenu, who would become long-time stalwarts.

The argument can be made this has been Harbaugh’s best class based on the NFL talent it sent, especially on days one and two of the draft. This is also a group that has to wear the end of the 2018 season and a disappointing 9-3 campaign in 2019. Still, it was a good class that set Michigan up well in the years its contributors were on campus.

Grade: B+

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