5 Star IMG Running Back Noah Cain Sees Michigan Offense As "Ideal Fit" And Says Visit Doubled Expectations

Very Good MLive article on Noah Cain. Seems like Michigan is a very serious contender at the moment for landing Cain

http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2017/06/5-star_img_rb_noah_ca…

Noah Cain still has two years left in high school but already possesses a clear vision of his future.

The central theme is the 2019 five-star running back from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., is in a hurry to get there.

Cain transferred to IMG Academy to get a head start on preparing for college and plans on graduating high school in the winter of 2018 to enroll early and be on campus for spring practice. He has every intention of being an impact player as a true freshman and, if all goes well, leave for the NFL after his junior season.

College coaches from coast to coast are lining up to pitch their program as the best choice for Cain to execute his plan, including Michigan's Jim Harbaugh. And, the star recruit made it clear the interest is mutual.

"They run a pro-style set, they use their running backs a lot - passing game, protection," he said. "The things that they do get you ready for the next level. I'm definitely trying to get to the highest level of football. Coach Harbaugh and his staff definitely prepare you for that."

Cain, who checks in at 5-foot-11 and 207 pounds, is the No. 2 running back and No. 31 player overall in the 2019 class, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. He received an offer from Michigan in March and visited Ann Arbor from last Thursday through Sunday with his dad, along with former Michigan running back David Underwood (2001-04), whom he considers a mentor.

"I had a great visit up there meeting Coach Harbaugh for the first time, knowing all the great things he's done in the NFL and translating to the college side of things," Cain said. "He's a great guy, real humble guy. He wants to bring Michigan a national championship, get that hype back around the program."

Michigan running backs coach Jay Harbaugh and Alfonso Smith, a former NFL running back who recently joined the Wolverines as a coaching intern, spent most of last Thursday showing Cain around campus and detailing about their offensive scheme. He also competed in Michigan's "1-Day Elite Camp" on Friday before leaving Ann Arbor on Sunday. Cain has visited colleges across the country and admitted a four-day stay is longer than normal but it was extended because Underwood wanted him to see everything Michigan has to offer.

"He's been telling me a lot about the program, about the history and everything," Cain said. "I've got a pretty good background about the coaching staff and all the new recruits they just got in, the recruits for the '18 class. I definitely like what they have to offer."

Looking back on the visit, Cain raved about the facilities, the trainers and support staff. For a prospect with more than 20 offers, including Ohio State, LSU, Miami, Nebraska and Oklahoma, he left Ann Arbor impressed with the Wolverines.

"They definitely went up on my list," said Cain, who plans on returning to Michigan for the game against Ohio State on Nov. 25. "Everything I expected, they just doubled that."

Born and raised in Baton Rouge, La., Cain and family members were displaced by Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged the Gulf Coast in 2005 and resulted in him moving to Texas. He played two seasons at Guyer High School just north of Dallas and was an offensive force. After recording 111 carries for 1,083 yards and 10 touchdowns as a freshman, he racked up 210 rushes for 1,683 yards and 22 scores the following season.

The move from Louisiana to Texas due to Hurricane Katrina led to Cain developing tough skin and an ability to deal with adversity. The decision he made in January to transfer to IMG Academy was rooted in a greater opportunity.

"I was ready to be challenged, I was ready to be on a national stage with other top recruits who are going to challenge me to be the best that I can be," he said. "So, it wasn't really a hard decision. I just want to be the best and in order to become the best you've got to compete with the best. IMG, that's what they have to offer."

Under Harbaugh, Michigan has established a connection with IMG Academy. The Wolverines spent a week of spring practice there in 2016 and signed a pair of IMG players to their 2017 class in four-star center Cesar Ruiz and four-star linebacker Jordan Anthony. On Saturday, Cain's IMG teammate Charles Thomas, a four-star linebacker, became the first player to commit to Michigan's 2019 class.

"I kind of already knew he was going to do it beforehand, but we've been talking about it every single day," Cain said. "He's 110 percent committed to Michigan, loves that place up there, him and his family. ... I know that was a big move for him. He said he was going to become my lead recruiter for Michigan to get me there to be with him. That has a little impact on me making my decision."