maty mauk

Deciding Soon

JarrodWilson-mug.JPGDecision day approaches for OH S Jarrod Wilson, who will make his choice public on Friday at 2:45PM. Michigan, Penn State, and Notre Dame are the finalists, and the general vibe seems to be that Michigan has at least as good a shot at landing him as the other two schools.

Should Wilson pick Michigan, KY S Jeremy Clark will keep his greyshirt offer from Michigan, but it's expected that Clark will receiver a full scholarship offer for the 2012 class if Wilson picks the Nittany Lions or Irish.

Holding the Lines

Michigan's recruiting on both side of the line of scrimmage has gone well already, and it could get better soon.

CA OL Commit Erik Magnuson comes in for some praise from Rivals following the B2G camp (H/T Bodogblog on the message board):

According to camp position coach Courtney Morgan, Erik Magnuson was the best offensive lineman in attendance and it's really no surprise since the four-star tackle from Carlsbad (Calif.) La Costa Canyon has proven multiple times that he's one of the best in the country.

Magnuson has great footwork, plays with a lot of intensity and passion, and simply doesn't let defensive ends around him. He was really good at the B2G Camp, the Stanford NIKE Camp and the Asante Trenchmen Academy this spring and summer.

In an absolutely loaded group of offensive linemen in the West this recruiting cycle, Magnuson continues to prove he's one of the best.

Of note, Courtney Morgan happens to be a former Wolverine, and a mentor of CA OL Jordan Simmons. Tom spoke with Magnuson's high school head coach:

"He's one of the most athletic offensive linemen in the country," he said. "That's his big selling point is that he's a real athlete. At that size, a full 6-foot-6 and 280 plus pounds he can run with just about everybody on the team. It's ridiculous how athletic he is."

He also mentions that Magnuson is one of the hardest workers out there, and athletic enough to practice at wide receiver(!!!!) for his high school team.

AZ OL Andrus Peat's top 10:

Arizona State, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Stanford, Texas, USC (Southern California).

Michigan may be a longshot, but staying on the list this late into the game definitely gives them a chance.

MO DT Ondre Pipkins took to Twitter last week to provide a recruiting update. Per MGoShoe's recap:

  • Top 6 (in order): Michigan, Tennessee, Alabama, Oklahoma, Missouri, Florida
  • Intends to take officials in the fall
  • Hasn't been in contact with other Michigan recruits
  • Has visited Missouri, Kansas, Ohio State
  • Hopes to visit Michigan soon
  • Wants to major in business administration or communication

Not a whole lot of new stuff (aside from the teams joining Michigan in his top six), but it's good to hear it directly from the prospect's mouth.

MI DT Danny O'Brien fluff from the Flint Journal:

While O'Brien said all the right things about the embattled Rodriguez at the time, he believes that the program is heading in the right direction under new coach Brady Hoke.

"Their new coaching staff is unbelievable," O'Brien said... "I think they're going to make a big turnaround, especially with the recruiting classes they're pulling in."

O'Brien and Pipkins seem to be the top two prospects for Michigan's nose tackle spot in the 2012 class, though Brian would prefer two 1-techs in the 2012 crop.

More of the same, as OH DE Chris Wormley tells the Toledo Blade's Ryan Autullo that Michigan leads for his services. As far as timeline goes, he plans to decide by the end of August, but a choice could come any time.

MD DE Ryan Watson has a top four of Michigan State, Michigan, Tennessee, and Georgia Tech.

Other People's (De)Commits

NY DT Jarron Jones is back on the market, decommitting from Penn State this week. However, with Michigan's current recruiting situation at defensive tackle, the Wolverines probably aren't a serious contender for his services.

After decommitting from Stanford, CA DT Aziz Shittu publicly hoped that he gets a chance to check out Michigan before the class is full. Tom talked to him about recruiting, and Aziz may try to take in Ann Arbor the weekend of the Notre Dame game.

CA WR Jordan Payton has decommitted from USC, and Michigan is among the schools he will consider:

The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder will likely play most of his recruitment close to the vest before announcing and one of the key reasons why is the fact that he's trying to orchestrate a few other players to join him at his eventual destination.

“I'm going to tell you this, it's going to be interesting the next couple of weeks for in recruiting,” Payton said. “You're going to see a lot of changes. Just think Fab Five.” Knowing how the comment would sound, Payton was quick to clarify “like” the Fab Five and that it didn't mean they were for sure headed to Michigan.

He said he's "not sure" he wants to stay in Los Angeles for his college career. He tells Tom that Michigan is in it for him (with a little more detail in the Weekly Update).

ESPN's "The Opening" is taking place as we speak in Oregon, with a number of Michigan commits:

  • Erik Magnuson
  • Mario Ojemudia
  • Terry Richardson
  • James Ross
  • Anthony Standifer

...and targets:

  • Zach Banner
  • Adam Bisnowaty
  • Bri'Onte Dunn
  • Durron Neal
  • Danny O'Brien
  • Aziz Shittu
  • Jordan Simmons

in attendance (among many others). If you want to see this event with your very own eyeballs, it's airing on ESPNU tomorrow at 9 and 10PM, Friday at 8 and 9PM, Saturday at 6, 7, and 9PM, and Sunday at 6AM, noon, and 1:30PM.

Happy Trails

With Michigan's class filling up, it's not a surprise that prospects are picking other schools with greater frequency.

Etc.

ESPN's Jeremy Crabtree does not think Michigan is the leader for OH QB Maty Mauk. With conventional wisdom saying that IN QB Gunner Kiel is leaning elsewhere as well, top-flight quarterback options are dwindling for the 2012 crop.

Tom talks to MI RB Juwan Lewis (and his father) about recruiting, but it doesn't sound like a Michigan offer is coming soon.

The Cincinnati Enquirer has 50 local high school football players to keep an eye on this fall, and a few players of Michigan interest appear. Commits:

  • #2 Joe Bolden
  • #5 AJ Williams
  • #7 Caleb Stacey

Targets DE Adolphus Washington (who has Michigan in his top 5 - and Ohio State out of it), Dwayne Stanford, and many juniors also appear.

2013

MI QB Commit Shane Morris highlights from the Madden 7-on-7 championships:

Très impressionnant, and it's a scientifically proven fact that lefties just look much better throwing the ball.

Local fluff on MI OL Steven Elmer and his relationship with former Detroit Lion Lomas Brown.

“My timeline is whenever I’m absolutely sure that’s where I’m going to go,” he said. “I would prefer not to wait until the last possible second. But I’m not rushed. I still have a lot of time. I want to make the most informed decision and involve my family. ... It’s going to be tough to make a decision to pull some of these schools out of the running,” he admitted.

With more than 18 months until Signing Day, it doesn't sound like he's expecting a decision any time soon. He's done attending summer camps for the summer.

Tom talked with IL OL Kyle Bosch, who would like to hear from Michigan.

"Michigan still leads" for OH S/RB Dymonte Thomas ($, info in header).

ESPN fluff on TX WR Jake Oliver, who has already received a Michigan offer.

"I've coached coaches' sons before and they just have a real feel for the game," Jesuit coach Brandon Hickman said. "He just has a knack for the ball and he runs great routes, precision routes. His hands are probably the best I've ever seen as a coach." Combine all that with Jake's size at 6-foot-4, 194 pounds, and college scouts had plenty of reasons to visit Jesuit during the offseason. It's clear they liked what they saw, as he already has received 10 Division-I offers from schools like Texas A&M, Michigan, Texas Tech, Arizona and Arkansas.

Once the 2012 class is wrapped up (which could happen absurdly soon), we'll have a better idea what the needs for 2013 are.

[Ed: so I published this but did not put it on the front page three hours ago. HAHAHA I lose.]

All offered prospects can be found on the 2012 offer list.

[Choose Your Own Horrible 'Pike' Pun]

[Ed: PIKE HER I HARDLY KNOW HER LOL]

With two commitments in last week's update, space was tight, so I didn't spend a lot of time talking about the visit reaction for KY QB Zeke Pike. As he said to Tom:

I think it's a great opportunity to be that next guy at Michigan. It's a program on a national stage, when you say Michigan football people turn their heads. I'm excited to continue to build the relationships...

It was just a feel that I got, it's hard to explain. There's only been a couple other places that I got that feeling and Michigan was one of those places...

I'm really close friends with Chris Barnett who signed with Michigan in the 2011 class. We're really good friends and he stays on me about going to Michigan. It's a school that intrigues me and has a lot of tradition.

Those quotes are exciting on their own, but Pike's upped the ante in the time since. He talked to Sam Webb last week about luring a "Mega Class" to Michigan ($, info in header). I'm not going to claim that means he's close to committing, but they wouldn't be having that discussion unless he really likes Michigan, right? On Monday's Recruiting Roundup, Sam was VERY optimistic about Michigan's chances with Pike, going so far as to say he would pick Michigan if today was Signing Day. He also said Pike is talking to the likes of MO WR Dorial Green-Beckham and other top prospects about attending Michigan together(!!!!!).

Pike told an Arkansas interviewer (video link) that he wants to have a top 8 by the end of the month, and reach a decision sometime this summer. He also says he has a private list of favorites that he's not ready to come out with yet. I would guess Michigan is on that list, especially seeing as how the Wolverines are "adamant" about landing him ($, info in header).

Zeke has been selected to the Army All-American Game, and does not plan to enroll early in the school of his choice.

Commitment Watch?

OH LB Kaleb Ringer plans to commit to a school on April 15th, and he basically tweeted that it's going to be Michigan.

MI TE Ron Thompson could also decide at any time ($, info in header), and it seems like Michigan is probably the favorite to land him.

OH LB Joe Bolden isn't quite in the "almost sure thing" category with Ringer and Thompson, but...

I spoke with him tonight and he told me that he will be back up to Michigan next Tuesday (April 12th) with his parents. He also told me that he believes he is close to a decision, he's just not sure when it will come.

...maybe he should be.

Other Quarterbacks

OH QB Maty Mauk was the subject of last week's Sam Webb column in The Detroit News. First, Allen Trieu breaks down his game:

"Nationally, he's definitely in the top 10 [quarterbacks]. I think he has a very good arm and he can make passes into tight windows, but his best asset may be his ability to improvise and make plays out of nothing. Having been coached his whole life and getting to play varsity at a young age has helped him mature from the standpoint of making decisions, leading, and doing some of the little things it takes other quarterbacks a couple years to learn in college."

Maty visited Ann Arbor over the weekend, and he would like to make a decision before his senior season.

OH QB Austin Appleby visited Michigan last weekend, and was told he needs to camp to earn an offer.

IN QB Aloyis Gray was told by Michigan's staff that they want to see him throw before they'll offer. He plans to make it to the Wolverines' summer camp.

MA QB AJ Doyle is drawing interest from Michigan.

Visits Past and Future

MI WR Efe-Scott Emuakpor tweeted that a recent visit to Ann Arbor was "the real deal," for what it's worth.

OH TE Sam Grant was at Michigan's junior day ($, info in header).

OH TE AJ Williams had a very good visit to Ann Arbor. Tom thinks the Wolverines are now in a good position for Williams.

MN OL Jonah Pirsig connected with Michigan's coaches on his campus visit last week ($, info in header). He told Tom that the visit helped Michigan.

He went over the depth chart and his coaching style. He said they'll be running pro style but they're going to still run Denard. I think I definitely fit in that offense.

The Wolverines still have work to do if they want to land Pirsig. He wants to start narrowing his list soon.

PA OL JJ Denman is visiting soon ($, info in header).

IL LB Antonio Morrison will visit this weekend. He grew up a Michigan fan, and has a prior relationship with Michigan's coaches from their San Diego State days. He says the Wolverines will be in his top three, and probably number one, if they offer.

OH S Allen Gant found a Michigan visit "interesting," but he does not have an offer yet ($, info in header).

NY CB Wayne Morgan enjoyed his Michigan visit enough to move the Wolverines into his top 3.

Of course, next weekend should have a ton of visitors for the Spring Game.

Rankings Galore

Tom Lemming's National Top 100 came out over the weekend, and plenty of uncommitted prospects on the list have Michigan offers:

As Brian (briefly) mentioned in the Monday UV, the Scout 300 is out. Blue in Cleveland has compiled the list of prospects with MIchigan interest. Michigan's current commits received position rankings:

  • Caleb Stacey is a 3*, the #33 offensive guard.
  • Ben Braden is a 3*, the #41 offensive tackle.

Fluff on PA DE Noah Spence being named the #1 defensive end by Scout. He plans to decide on Signing Day.

24/7 Sports has started their release of rankings with the first set of 5-stars.

Etc.

Michigan's coaches have told OH OL Kyle Dodson (obligatory EPIC SHIRT photo) that they want him to be part of a revived running game. Uh... they are aware that Michigan was one of the best running teams in the country last year, right?

Michigan is showing interest in MI OL Kelby Latta.

I want to have it down to three schools by the time football season comes around. I know Wisconsin will be in there and the other two spots are open. Michigan has a chance to be in there.

The Badgers have offered but the Wolverines have not.

AL LB Kwon Alexander has a Michigan offer, but it seems certain his Signing Day decision will be between Alabama and Auburn.

Michigan offeree PA RB Greg Garmon updates U Recruit on his status. NC TE/OL Mark Harrell enjoyed his recent trip to Ann Arbor ($, info in header). Michigan "surprises" MI DE Mario Ojemudia on a recent visit. One must assume that's a pleasant surprise. CA OL Jordan Simmons is mentored by a former Michigan player ($, info in header).

Keep track of Michigan's offers on the 2012 Michigan Recruiting Board, which will see some format updates as soon as Michigan starts getting commits.

Weekend Practice Visits

Spring practice kicked off last weekend, and Tom had a full list of weekend visitors coming into the practice.

OH OL Kyle Dodson (in the epic shirt at right) told Tom he liked the visit, though he grew up disliking Michigan ($, info in header). TheRinger breaks down his game:

It is hard to envision Dodson needing a redshirt year once he enrolls at his school of choice. You just don’t see very many prospects with his size/quickness/strength ratio. He has areas where he needs improvement like any other high school junior. However, he’s already at a point where we foresee him competing for playing time as soon as he hits campus.

Ohio State recruiting guru says a qualifying test score is all that stands between Dodson and an Ohio State offer, so making in-roads before that offer comes is a Big Deal for the Wolverines. In Tom's interview, Kyle said he's not going to wait around for schools to offer him.

OH OL Caleb Stacey was blown away by his recent Michigan visit ($, info in header), and received a Michigan offer while on campus. He does not yet have a favorites list or a decision timeline.

MI OL/DT Kelby Latta was on campus over the weekend ($, info in header).

IL DT Vontrell Williams told Tom that he's always been a Michigan fan, and that the Wolverines are in his top 3, even though he doesn't hold an offer. He'll be back in town for the spring game.

OH DE Pharoah Brown liked the pace of Michigan's practice ($, info in header), and the visit moved Michigan up in his recruitment. He told Tom he'll decide after just a couple official visits in the fall.

Royce Jenkins-Stone was on campus over the weekend. Sam Webb thinks Michigan is the favorite for Royce, and says that Michigan was a hit with Royce's family. Royce is continuing to rack up bigtime offers, and told Tom about his decision timeline.

He plans on coming out with a top ten before the season, a top five mid season, and then a top three before he decides towards the end of the season. He was also nominated for the US Army All American game, so he may decide then if he gets chosen.

So, although Michigan fans were hoping he might break the seal on the 2012 class, it doesn't look likely.

MA LB Camren Williams spoke with Tom about how his Michigan visit went:

This visit was probably a 10. The visit was huge, it's definitely up there in my favorite schools. I want to make my decision in June, so I definitely want to get back up here for another visit. I really like Coach Hoke, Coach Smith, and Coach Mattison a lot. It's going to be a great place and I'm really interested in looking into Michigan more.

Williams is down to Michigan, Maryland, Penn State, North Carolina, and Wake Forest. He plans to take at least four more visits, including another to Michigan, before deciding. The Wolverines also made an impression on and excited his teammate, CB Armani Reeves ($, info in headers).

MI CB Terry Richardson likes the new staff following his visit($, info in header).

General visitor reactions to last weekend, and most seemed to love the energy.

IN DT Sheldon Day visited a couple weeks back, and gave that trip to Ann Arbor "high marks" ($, info in header).

NEXT! (Weekend)

KY QB Zeke Pike will visit Ann Arbor this week. He was recently named to the Army All-American Game.

MN OL Jonah Pirsig will visit this week.

On yesterday's recruiting roundup, Sam Webb said OH DE Chris Wormley will be in attendance this weekend, probably with his mom.

OH LB Joe Bolden has an offer from Michigan confirmed by his coach (slash father?), and he will be on campus this weekend. He has played MLB in high school to this point, but can also play outside.

Aside from those guys, Tom has an enormous list of prospects who will be in town:

  • IN WR Aloyis Gray
  • IN TE Pierre Aka
  • MI TE Devin Funchess
  • OH TE AJ Williams
  • MI TE Matt Doneth
  • IN OL Sid Anvoots
  • MI OL Chase DeBack
  • IN OL DeAndre Herron
  • MI OL DaRon Brown
  • MI DE Mario Ojemudia
  • OH DE Alex Pace
  • MI LB Royce Jenkins-Stone
  • OH LB DeAndre Rollins
  • OH S Allen Gant
  • NY CB Wayne Morgan
  • OH CB De'van Bogard

All those guys, plus some additional "maybes." Check out Tom's post for the full list. As for future weeks, CO TE Evan Baylis will visit Michigan on his spring break, and OH QB Austin Appleby will visit next weekend.

Other Updates

maty.jpg

Not only is OH QB Maty Mauk (at right) closing in on national passing records (currently held by his brother, former Cincinnati QB Ben), but he's also closing in - slowly but surely - on a college choice:

Colleges have certainly paid attention. He has offers from Notre Dame, Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, Vanderbilt and Cincinnati. Those also happen to be his favorite schools at this time. "I would like to make a decision before my senior season so I have it down to those schools," Mauk said. "I have been to see all of them but Illinois and I plan on seeing this in the next month or two. I want to be in a spread offense with the coaches and people that I want to be around. I also want to get a good education."

Uh, maybe nobody told him Michigan doesn't plan to run a spread anymore? He seems to like Michigan, but his family's relationship with Brian Kelly may be hard to overcome.

I told you to beware a Bleacher Report link when I shared the info originally, so it's no surprise that CA WR Malik Gilmore does not in fact have Michigan and Notre Dame atop his list. Cal leads Notre Dame, Washington, Oregon, UCLA, and Arkansas. He does plan to use all 5 officials before deciding.

Tom broke the news last week that MI OL Ben Braden had received a Michigan offer, and it sounds like the big instate OT will not wait long to make a decision ($, info in header). Might we finally see the first Hello post of the year? Michigan State, Wisconsin, and Syracuse are the other finalists.

CA OL Erik Magnusson spoke with Tom about his recruitment... and it sounds good:

My list of top five changes about every week with new offers coming and what not, but Michigan is always in it. Right now it's Oregon, USC, Michigan, Miami, and Oklahoma.

"School X is always in my ever-changing favorites list" is usually code for "School X is my favorite, or close to it." Erik plans to take an official visit to Ann Arbor.

MD DE Brent Wilkerson has an interesting "best experience" of the recruiting process so far:

For me, it was talking to Michigan and getting that offer. They're a great academic school and they have a tremendous football tradition. I talked to the defensive line coach and the defensive coordinator, who coached with the Ravens. That was pretty awesome to talk to those guys.

Maybe that bodes well for Michigan's chances with Wilkerson and his teammate, DE Michael Moore.

Happy Trails

OH OL Anthony Stanko has committed to Penn State. He was on the radar, but unlikely to get a Michigan offer.

TX LB Jeremiah Tshimanga committed to Oklahoma State.

Etc.

Rivals has released their first set of 5-star prospects. Among those with Michigan offers are PA DE Noah Spence, MD DT Eddie Goldman, FL OL John Theus, MD WR Stefon Diggs, MO WR Dorial Green-Beckham, NC OL DJ Humphries.

Keep an eye on MI LB Lester Liston, from the same high school as Justice Hayes ($, info in header). MI DT Dakota Perry likes Michigan but isn't hearing from the Wolverines. IL DE Mikhail Dubose is hearing from Michigan. GA DE Jordan Watkins is hoping for a Michigan offer.