Whos Winning the In-State Recruiting Battle

The state of Michigan is a goldmine of football talent, and with signing day just weeks away it's interesting to see how the in-state schools have fared at keeping the talent inside the mitten. For years, Central Michigan has dominated in-state recruiting in the MAC and Michigan has had a lock on Detroit, but things are changing quickly.

For the Class of 2014, Michigan doesn't have a single commit from a Detroit Public School. The hiring of former Sound Mind Sound Body camp director Curtis Blackwell, however, has given MSU a huge boost in the city. Still, they only have one signee from the D, signifying that this might be somewhat of a down year for the PSL.

Western Michigan has made a dramatic shift in their recruiting scheme under new coach P.J. Fleck. WMU already has 13 in-state signees - more than we've seen in years. This has cut deeply into CMU's complete domination of recruiting MAC-level in-state talent. CMU still has 11 in-state signees, but there is now some serious competition for the same kids.

Eastern Michigan was absolutely horrible at in-state recruiting under Ron English, but new coach Chris Creighton has signified a very different approach. Already, he has his staff combing Michigan for talent, and we should see a big difference next year.

At this point, it seems as though Michigan State and Western Michigan hold the in-state recruiting momentum. Add three big 2015 commitments to Michigan State, and it looks like they are winning the battle.

We don't expect any changes on signing day, but if Southfield DE Malik McDowell chooses Michigan or Michigan State, his commitment will create a big swing in that school's direction.

Below are all of the in-state verbal commitments at this point. Take a look for yourself and let us know on the Message Boards which school you think is winning the in-state recruiting battle.

Michigan

LB Jared Wangler - DeLaSalle

DE Lawrence Marshall - Southfield

WR Maurice Ways - Detroit Country Day

WR Drake Harris - GR Christian

Michigan State

OT Nick Padla - Berrien Springs

DT David Beedle - Clarkston

DB Jalen Watts-Jackson - Orchard Lake St. Mary

TE Matt Sokol - Rochester Adams

LB Deon Drake - Cass Tech

DB Byron Bullough - Traverse City St. Francis

Central Michigan

QB Alex Briones - Ishpeming

OT Brandon Keen - Waterford Our Lady

DE Jeremiah Harris - Temperance Bedford

P Cooper Mojsiejenko - Bridgman

TE Clay Walderzak - Standish Sterling

DE Nate Brisson - Ferndale

OG Hunter Lassitter - Portage Central

DB Amari Coleman - New Lothrop

DE Alex Neering - Garber

DB David Basirico - Macomb Dakota

DB Trent Grimes - Flint Powers

Western Michigan

LB Delshawn Phillips - Cass Tech

TE Chris McDaniel - Cass Tech

WR Jordan Billingslea - Southfield

S Asantay Brown - Muskegon

DT Nick Matich - Clarkston

OT Elliot Jordan - East Kentwood

DE Jacari Faulkner - U of D Jesuit

DT Kenny Finley - Muskegon

OT Curtis Doyle - Alma

QB Chance Stewart - Sturgis

TE Lucas Bezerra - Troy Athens

OL Jordan VanDort - Zeeland West

OT Chukwuma Okorafor - Southfield

Eastern Michigan

TE Mitch Stanitzek - GR West Catholic

RB Ian Eriksen - Clarkston