U-M regains lead in chase for Fla. running back

When Dr. Phillips (Orlando Fla.) High School running back Dee Hart made his way to Ann Arbor for Michigan's spring game in April, it was the culmination of a recovery effort that saw the Wolverines overcome a precipitous slide down the four-star prospect's list.

After sitting atop his leaderboard for the better part of a year, constant chatter about NCAA violations and coach Rich Rodriguez's job security weakened Michigan's standing considerably. The pendulum finally swung back in the Maize & Blue's direction after Hart and his aunt spent a great deal of one-on-one time with the Michigan coaches three months ago.

"(Rich Rodriguez) is one of the better guys," Hart said. "It's his personality and how humble he is. I would say that is one of the more humble environments that I've been in with Denard (Robinson, quarterback) -- and just the whole team. You know how people get put on that pedestal and some can't really even handle it? They handle that well. Coach Rod, I will say this -- he is one of the better guys I've ever met."

As strong as Hart's connection is with Rodriguez, his bond with his primary Michigan recruiter, Rod Smith, is even stronger.

"He one of the best coaches ever," said Hart of Michigan's quarterback coach and central Florida recruiter. "I would honestly say that is a guy I could call if I really wanted to talk to about anything or have any questions. He is down to earth and he is going to shoot me straightforward.

"He isn't going to beat around the bush with nothing. When he heard about me and how I was questioning Michigan and the (allegations), he immediately got in touch with me. He talks straightforward. He ain't lying."

Family matters

Hart's aunt didn't have a firm appreciation of why her nephew was so taken with his prospective coaches until she sat down with them herself. Only then did she begin to fully share his sentiments.

"Honestly, I would say everyone was really very genuine," LaQuinta Hart said of Michigan's staff. "I felt really comfortable, and that's the main thing. You have to feel comfortable where you're at. You do not want to feel like you are walking on pins and needles, or someone is just putting on a show and being fake. We're genuine people and I want my child up around people that are going to be genuine because of the distance and because basically we are putting his future in their hands.

"I would say Coach Rich was very down to earth, very humble, and just open about everything. I just felt really reassured and I feel like if you have a total package, then all your questions and everything that you want and needed on your check list is completed, why shop around? That's how I feel. But at the end of the day it is Demetrius' decision."

At that point a commitment to Michigan appeared imminent. All that stood between Hart and a verbal pledge was another trip to Ann Arbor so his uncle and high-school position coach could provide their stamps of approval. The return visit was scheduled for the Wolverines' annual "Barbecue at the Big House" on May 22, but even the best-laid plans sometimes go awry.

"I would have made a decision on the 22nd (at the barbecue) but something had come up so I didn't get to go up to Michigan," Hart explained. "The sooner I can get up there and look at it again -- we'll see."

The competition

That delay served as a reprieve of sorts for Hart's other finalists, Auburn and Alabama. Both SEC powers have attempted to bolster their positions with him in recent months, while Michigan has worked hard to hold onto its lead. For his part, though, Hart was more focused on keeping his game sharp by competing in a few national passing tournaments.

In early July he ventured out west to Beaverton, Oregon for the Nike 7On tournament before returning home to participate in the ESPN Gridiron Kings Challenge a few weeks later.

Scout.com director of scouting Scott Kennedy witnessed Hart's strong performances in each competition. However, it was the versatile back's showing in the Nike 7On camp that made an indelible impression.

Said Kennedy, "We knew he was fast. We knew he was strong. We knew he had great balance, toughness, vision, and was capable of breaking tackles and going to the end zone at any given time. Passing camps aren't typically running back friendly as teams tend to go rely more heavily on the wide receivers. That's where Hart showed off a set of skills that I for one hadn't seen before.

As it stands, Hart was the tournament's most dynamic receiver. At 5-9 he became a big receiver with his ability to elevate over defensive backs and reel in tough, acrobatic catches. Teams tried to compensate for Hart's quickness by jamming him at the line. That was a mistake, too, since Hart is stronger than any slot receiver that defensive backs had seen before. One hapless Miami Northwestern defensive back found himself 4 yards backward after being on the wrong end of a jam at the line of scrimmage."

"Dee Hart showed that he couldn't be covered reliably by defensive backs out of the slot receiver position. How is anyone going to cover him out of the backfield as a running back? I haven't figured that out, and neither did any of the teams at Nike's 7On passing tournament."

Hart's stock received a bit of a nudge afterward in the form of a slight rankings boost up to the No. 9 running back in the country. The jockeying for position on his visit list ramped up a bit as well. Michigan struck first, securing his first official visit for the opener against Connecticut. Auburn then attempted a preemptive strike by scheduling an unofficial visit for the weekend prior. That trip never happened, though, and now the question is will Michigan close the door on the opposition for good Saturday?

Hart will likely be joined on his visit by his uncle and his high school running back coach. A few other familiar faces are slated to be in town as well. Hart's trainer, Tom Shaw, will accompany two of his other proteges to Ann Arbor.

Both youngsters are high school teammates of Hart's at Dr. Phillips. Dual-threat quarterback Nick Patti, a Class of 2012 Michigan target, will be making on his second unofficial visit to Michigan in two months.

Meanwhile, Dr. Phillips defensive back Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix will be on campus for the first time as an official visitor. Clinton-Dix is Scout.com's No. 1 safety prospect and No. 11 prospect overall. "HaHa" as he is affectionately known to his friends, is verbally committed to Alabama but cited the constant praise about Michigan emanating from Hart as one of the major reasons why he is giving the Wolverines a look.

Espousing the virtues of the Maize & Blue to other prospects would seem to provide a clue about whether Dee's heart is still with Michigan. He may just provide the definitive answer this weekend.

Sam Webb is managing editor of GoBlueWolverine.com and co-host of the "Michigan Insider" morning show weekdays on Sports Talk 1050 WTKA.