Jim Harbaugh to speak at Paramus Catholic high school graduation

Video: Rashan Gary Top 5 plays
Highlights of the nation's No. 1 recruit from the class of 2016, a defensive tackle from Paramus Catholic.

Jim Harbaugh made quite an impression on the nation's No. 1 football recruit from the Class of 2016, Rashan Gary, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive tackle at Paramus Catholic (N.J.).

Now Harbaugh figures to make many more on Gary's classmates.

The Michigan coach will be Paramus Catholic's commencement speaker in June, the school's President Jim Vail announced this week.

"I feel that Coach Harbaugh has many qualities to serve as a great role model for the kids," Vail told nj.com. "He's a great leader, educator and I've been very impressed to learn that almost every year, he spends a week working with missionaries in Peru."

On National Signing Day, Harbaugh spoke via Skype during Paramus Catholic's signing day ceremony.

"I love the way they do things," Harbaugh said that day. "I have great respect for everyone involved."

Former Paramus Catholic players Jabrill Peppers and Juwann Bushell-Beatty, as well as former coach Chris Partridge, have all landed at Michigan.

Gary told us at The Opening last summer, "The first time I went to Michigan I went by myself, so my mom said she wants to see if what I said all adds up. When my mom went, everything I said came true. She felt the love. … It all went smooth. … If Michigan keeps recruiting New Jersey kids, they'll have a top five recruiting class in the country."

Michigan indeed recorded the fifth-best recruiting class from 2016, according to 247Sports, landing six players from New Jersey including Gary. The Wolverines have received 11 commitments from the Class of 2017 — ranking them sixth nationally — but none from New Jersey. That may change after Harbaugh speaks.