Even with the big name recruits like Jabrill Peppers, Cameron Robinson, and Andrew Brown already committing to their respective schools there is still the biggest name of them all roaming the streets looking for a home.  Woodbridge, Virginia native and defensive end Da'Shawn Hand isn't just the best at his position, he's the best out of all positions.  The top recruit of the nation is still undeclared but has gone on record saying he has narrowed his decision down to Michigan, Alabama, and Florida.  With such a young mind making such a life altering decision between three of the most prestigious schools in the country, based off their academics and football programs, one could imagine Hand in his basement at night throwing darts with his eyes closed at the proverbial dart board with the three schools listed above as his targets.  The question is "which school has the bulls eye?" in attaining the nations top prize. 

Many say it will be a guessing game until the end, insinuating that although he may be leaning towords one of those three schools more than we know, it only takes one interview he sees on television, one conversation he has with a coach, or even just one new idea that sparks in Hand's big athletic brain to have a butterfly type ripple effect into his final decision.  However, based off what we have seen and heard one could make an educated guess that Hand seems enamoured with what the Wolverines have done on his recruiting trips, and although there certainly would be a list full of advantages playing for the Gators or Crimson Tide, when Hand peels his fingers from his eyes and sees the dart on Michigan, its obvious he will be breathing a sigh of relief.

Although he still has two more stops to make, both to the SEC (Alabama and Florida) in his trek to find his new home for the next four years, its safe to say five-star recruit Da'Shawn Hand left Ann Arbor, Michigan with the feeling he often gives his opponents, shock and awe.  Even though he wouldn't admit it to the cameras, (often known for being subtle and coy in his interviews not wanting to give away to much information), its safe to say he was more than excited with the atmosphere the Wolverines offered.  Call it coincidence or call it luck, Michigan couldn't of chose a better game for Hand to attend.  The 6-4 254 pounder looked like a fish out of water when trying to soak up the largest crowd in NCAA history in what turned out to be an incredible atmosphere against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (a game with plenty of rich history of its own).  Hand called the experience exciting and was entertained with everything from the pregame to halftime show.

The craziest part for Hand he said was the halftime event itself.  Being only the second night game in the Michigan Notre Dame rivalry (that dated back into the 1800s), the marching band gave out LED colored bracelets, dimmed the lights, and put on a laser show.  Hand stood there in amazement and looked like the 17 year old boy he truly is, another rare sight to see.  Afterwards, the crowd started chanting "We Want Da'Shawn" which he admitted later was the coolest part of his trip. 

The fun didn't stop their.  After the game Hand visited with an extensive collection of coaches and teachers from the university which was a big step for both parties.  Hand has said repeatedly that he has and will be looking into the academics and coaching aspects of all schools he visits thoroughly.  Having visited and talked with both the educational and football staff already before, Hand came away impressed by Michigan's down to earth attitude and enjoyed their laid back nature for a change.  "When we talked to the coaches it wasn't really recruiting, but obviously they were saying that they want me and wanted to show me what they had.  I've been there before so it was like, we're just hanging out and getting to know them better as people.  They're all good people," he said.

Hand has also gone on record saying Michigan has his "favorite coaching staff" of all the schools he has been recruited by.  With the large emphasis Hand has put on coaching and academics this is another huge win for Michigan.  Wolverines assistants Greg Mattison and Roy Manning deserve a large part of the credit in that area as they have built an obvious great relationship with Hand during the process. 

No one can argue that Alabama and Florida will have there own tricks up their sleeves when it comes to landing the best prospect of the class, but when its all said and done, no matter where the dart lands, Michigan can say they truly did everything they could in the recruitment process of landing Da'Shawn Hand and have to feel good about that.