Jim Harbaugh and Nick Saban have been recruiting against one another for more than a year and the two elite head coaches will undoubtedly battle for plenty of recruits in the near future. While battles between the Wolverines and Crimson Tide for talent go far beyond the states of Michigan and Alabama, there is some indication that Michigan could be intentionally targeting the state occupied by Saban's program.
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Evan Petzold of SB Nation's Maize 'n Brew spoke with 2017 Michigan commit J'Marick Woods over the weekend, and the talented safety from Florence, Ala. could be utilized as a vessel in recruiting other high-profile athletes from the state.
2017 offensive tackle Toryque Bateman is perhaps the best-known prospect from Alabama that is set to visit Michigan for the annual BBQ at the Big House on Aug. 6, and Woods could be speaking directly about Bateman when commenting about recruiting "all (his) Bama boys". In addition, Woods indicated that he will specifically recruit four-star safety Jaylen Kelly-Powell and another local Michigan product in cornerback Ambry Thomas.
At present, Woods is the only Michigan commit in the 2017 class from the state of Alabama, though Harbaugh has landed commitments from other players from the south, including Aubrey Solomon and Kurt Taylor from Georgia and two prospects from Florida.
Time will tell if Harbaugh is able to make real inroads into Alabama as a prime recruiting ground, but the ever-confident head coach will certainly try.
