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Posted on Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.

Report: Michigan offensive line target Chris Muller elects to fulfill his verbal commitment to Rutgers

By Kyle Meinke

Michigan football recruiting target Chris Muller has confirmed he will honor his verbal commitment to Rutgers, according to The (Pottstown, Pa.) Mercury.

The Wolverines, in need of offensive line talent to round out their 24-member class, made contact with the four-star tackle after Scarlet Knights coach Greg Schiano left last week to take over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Muller listened to the pitch, but told The Mercury on Monday that he would stick with Rutgers after it promoted offensive line coach Kyle Flood to fill the head coaching vacancy.

Michigan is strong at offensive line, with commitments already in from five-star Kyle Kalis; four-stars Blake Bars and Erik Magnuson; and three-star Ben Braden. Three-star tight end pledge A.J. Williams also could play the position.

But it also lost Caleb Stacey, who decommitted Jan. 21, and it finished runner-up for five-star Josh Garnett and four-star Alex Kozan this week.

The Wolverines' last known target at offensive line is four-star Jordan Diamond, who is expected to announce his decision Friday.

National signing day is Wednesday. Michigan's class -- ranked No. 4 according to Scout and No. 5 according to Rivals -- numbers 24 commitments, although safety Jarrod Wilson and linebackers Kaleb Ringer and Joe Bolden already are on campus.

The Wolverines have scheduled a 2 p.m. news conference Wednesday to introduce those who sign earlier in the day.

Read: More on Michigan recruiting

Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.

Comments

ted

Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 3:52 a.m.

As` a Michigan Man I cant get any sleep in the past few months. I wake up screaming "Urban Meyer" in the middle of the night.

Tru2Blu76

Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 3:47 a.m.

Anyone ever hear of Boise State? That's the school which has reached national level more than once in recent years. But oh, they're so far down the recruiting lists they might as well be invisible. They take total unknowns, ranks of the unranked year after year: and WIN! At Boise, they won't be sweating as they huddle around the FAX machine Wednesday. Nope - they've got lots of players headed to Boise because... they have nowhere else to go! AP Top 25 ranked them #8, Coaches Top 25 ranked them #6 and BCS ranked them #7. Michigan: #12 #9 #13 There are different ways of looking at this but the bottom line is: Very smart scouting, first rate training and coaching. Now the question is: Where will Boise State and Michigan be ranked in January 2013? January 2011: virtually 100% of Michigan fans were saying Michigan "might" get 8-9 wins. Michigan Team 132 ended up 11-2. Now how much are we going to be swayed by this Recruiting Derby? It's fun - but as a predictor of success it's just a Fail.

ted

Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 3:38 a.m.

We are screwed ! I don't see how we are going to get anyone now that Meyer took over at OSU. What has the Michigan recruiting done since Meyer was hired ? The only reason we got those guys from Ohio was because Meyer wasn't hired yet. We better have a different strategy for next year, cause the way he started for next year means we get the players OSU doesnt want.

heartbreakM

Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 3:36 a.m.

Some players really like the university, regardless of who the coach is. when michigan swooped in late, he may have looked at like he was second fiddle, while his heart had been set on Rutgers, with or without Schiano. I personally think it is bad form that Schiano left so close to commitment day, after asking these players and families to trust him, to trust their children to him, etc. He is moving "up" so to speak, but it is really poor to do to recruits. I wish the new coach well, and hope they can continue their success. As far as Muller, he probably will not have a regret, as he had counted on being a Scarlet Knight all along. I don't know when it would have been a good time for Schiano to have left, but now is not it, as far as I am concerned.

Wally the Wolverine

Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 10:18 p.m.

"Michigan is strong at offensive line, with commitments already in from five-star Kyle Kalis; four-stars Blake Bars and Erik Magnuson; and three-star Ben Braden. Three-star tight end pledge A.J. Williams also could play the position." When recruits keep seeing press clippings like this, the choice to play elsewhere actually seems pretty logical.

Mike D

Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.

Makes no logical sense to commit to Rutgers, especially with the Head Coach Leaving. He must have a girl friend at home or doesn't want to leave the PA / NJ area.

Terry Star21

Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 12:30 a.m.

Agree......something strange there......

Gvilla60

Tue, Jan 31, 2012 : 8 p.m.

Oh well! We will get other recruits that want to be part of the Maize and Blue Nation! We're Michigan for god's sake!!

Terry Star21

Wed, Feb 1, 2012 : 12:32 a.m.

G...even if it ended right here we have enough bodies and talented coaches to fill every whole. Great time to be a Wolverine