Steven Lorenz

Special to the Detroit Free Press

Michigan Wolverines football signed the top recruiting class in the Big Ten for the first time in 14 years in the 2019 cycle, besting Ohio State and Penn State with a top-heavy haul that included 5-star safety Daxton Hill and 4-star running back Zach Charbonnet among others. It's the third top 10 class coach Jim Harbaugh has signed in his time in Ann Arbor as the Wolverines continue to build a roster that can compete at the top of the Big Ten and on the national stage.

Now, the focus for the Michigan staff is on the 2020 and 2021 recruiting classes. So far, the Wolverines currently have seven verbal commitments in the 2020 recruiting cycle, including 4-star linebacker Osman Savage and 4-star cornerback Andre Seldon, among others.

The additions of assistants Josh Gattis, Shaun Nua, Anthony Campanile and Ben McDaniels appear to be positives early on, as all four are involved in various major recruitments for the Michigan staff.

With the early official visit period upon us (April 1-June 30), here are the five 2020 prospects I believe are the staff's top targets.

[ Michigan football recruiting: 5 things to watch in 2020 ]

[ Best of the Midwest: Top 2019 football recruit from each Big Ten state ]

Port Huron Northern defensive end Braiden McGregor

Michigan needs pass rushers in the 2020 class more than arguably anything else. Enter McGregor, who has quickly emerged as one of the top players in the country after a strong junior season. Luckily for Michigan, he is right in their backyard. Now a 4-star prospect, he has been on Michigan's campus multiple times, as Nua, safety's coach Chris Partridge and defensive coordinator Don Brown look to keep McGregor close to home and out of the clutches of Notre Dame, Clemson and others.

Oradell (N.J.) safety Jordan Morant

After signing the nation's top safety prospect in 2019 in Hill, Michigan will look to complement him with Morant, who is currently ranked as the nation's top safety in this cycle, as a 4-star prospect. The Wolverines have a huge advantage in this recruitment when considering Campanile's involvement: He is the former head coach at Bergen Catholic and his brother, Vito, is now the current head coach. Add in the recruiting acumen of another New Jersey native in Partridge, and Michigan has a legitimate chance in Morant's recruitment. He visited campus over the weekend for the first time. Penn State and Notre Dame appear to be the primary competition right now.

Oak Park offensive lineman Justin Rogers

Michigan once looked to be dead in this recruitment until the hiring of Gattis, and a renewed effort led by offensive line coach Ed Warinner got the Wolverines back in the race. Rogers has been on Michigan's campus six times over the past five months. A 5-star offensive lineman who could also be a star on the defensive side of the ball, Rogers' recruitment has the looks of a potentially dramatic one. Ohio State, which once led, appears to be fading a bit. Michigan may be battling Georgia and Tennessee, among others, for Rogers' eventual signature.

[ Michigan, Michigan State back in mix for Oak Park's Justin Rogers ]

Largo (Fla.) Four-star running back Lawrance Toafili

The top of Michigan's running back recruiting board at 2020 appears to be a crowded one ,as it's a major priority. Michigan only signed Charbonnet in 2019 and the departures of Karan Higdon, O'maury Samuels and potentially Chris Evans mean they will have to sign multiple backs in 2020. Toafili, a 4-star back, is one prospect they have recruited harder than almost anyone, led by running backs coach Jay Harbaugh. Florida State is the biggest competitor for Toafili right now, and the Seminoles could reel in an early verbal commitment. It would not stop Michigan from continuing their recruitment of him, however.

Frankfort (Ill.) Lincoln-Way East WR A.J. Henning

There may not be a target on Michigan's 2020 recruiting board who personifies Gattis's "speed in space" mantra better than Henning, who is easily one of the most dynamic offensive prospects in the country. The 4-star wideout is another prospect whose interest in the Wolverines has risen since the hiring of Gattis, as he has was on campus once in February and is expected to return soon. Ohio State, Notre Dame, Georgia and Florida are among the schools Henning appears to be heavily considering.

[ Here's what Michigan's offense could look like under Josh Gattis ]

Steve Lorenz has covered Michigan recruiting for 247Sports for five seasons. You can follow his work on 247Sports or follow him on Twitter @TremendousUM.