The 2022 Recruiting Board
[Scheduling Note: No podcast today because we're doing a live NSD one with Lorenz on Wednesday evening.]
This is our sticky recruiting board for 2022. When I finish a major update on this I repost to the front page, hence the weird posted date above and the comments section that goes back a ways. Otherwise you can always find it (and I usually have somewhat updated) under the "Useful Stuff" tab. One of our users has put all of this into a very helpful Google Doc. The last front-page update was on October 29, 2021, which is why so many comments are from then. If you haven't explored the tabs, by the way, there's a lot of good content there that should help you orient yourself if you don't know the ins and outs of the site.
NEW FACE AGAIN!
There's yet another new face this time. As we approach National Signing Day we have a cousin of Sad Josh who's waiting to see how Michigan does with their top prospects to see if he has a committable offer. Usually there are at least one or two in each class as Michigan seldom gets all the guys they have hats in for, but have to leave the possibility open. Thus, Hopeful Hank:
Willie Henry and Dennis Norfleet were both Hanks. Their situations are often fluid, and not necessarily Michigan's choice. Often these guys are late risers or high-ceiling projects who are Hank'ing out with two or three schools alike in dignity to see where the best fit is when things shake out.
The Guys:
Icon | Name | Meaning |
---|---|---|
Sad Josh | The genre of player with unrequited interest in Michigan. Unlikely to receive offers; most will eventually fade off the list and go to Duke or Michigan State or something. | |
Tommy Torpor | Player Michigan wanted, but who told Michigan he's going elsewhere so they've cut off their pursuit. | |
Nefarious Eduardo | Player is a longshot. Either they've declared someone else a leader publicly or popular opinion holds that they're likely to go to another school. | |
Hopeful Hank | Cousin of Sad Josh, the category of player Michigan has on the line heading into NSD whose committable offer is contingent on how the top prospects swing. | |
Data | Either no opinion or Michigan is one of a fairly even group of chasing schools. Players in this category maintain no leader or change their leader frequently. The default category for players that we don't know much about yet. | |
Happy Teeth | Players who have Michigan in a small leading group or have Michigan as a tenuous favorite. Should be regarded as a good shot, not a slam dunk. | |
Mr. Blue | Player is either a verbal or is expected to be one sooner or later. Players with this designation are 65%+ to be Michigan commits. |
The order is my interpretation of how likely they are to commit and how many recruiting points are being expended. Prep school or IMG players are listed with their home states and then either the state their new school's in or "IMG".
A Note on "Stars": These are a general (not exact) average of a player's status among the recruiting services.
A Note on Premium Info: No illicit sharing of said material will appear on this site. Players are listed with interested schools in their profiles; this information is public. Commitments are by definition public. Any assertions as to schools in the mix, decision dates, or leaders I will back up with links to the source of the information.
Quarterback
Needs: 1-2. Michigan got 5* JJ McCarthy and Texas Tech transfer Alan Bowman, but took just Cade McNamara and Dan Villari in the last two classes after longtime 2020 commit JD Johnson had to give up football for health reasons, and their quarterbacks from the two classes prior have already transferred. Harbaugh would like to get his old Stanford mix of a dual-threat and a gunslinger.
What I wrote in July 2021: Were laser focused on Denard-ian Nate Johnson before they suddenly opened up the board and took a Navarre/Speight-like Californian who's been falling down the rankings.
What I wrote in late October 2021: Johnson fell through after hometown Utah offered his little brother. Michigan still seems comfortable with Denegal, who has been falling down the rankings, as their class slinger, but stayed on Cal decommit Justyn Martin, who committed to UCLA. By the way they had 2023 Louisiana QB Jai Eugene Jr. on campus this weekend. If that name means nothing to you, you do not have to talk to Nick Hopwood about your retirement plans right this second.
Latest: Michigan has Alex Orji, a Virginia Tech commit, and Bryce Archie, who's committed to Coastal Carolina, interested if there's room at the end of the class.
Best Guess: Denegal and they go all in on Detroit King QB Dante Moore for 2023. My read on the class is the first empty spot if Michigan misses on anyone they're finishing with goes to the WR/DB athlete Koen Entringer, who was recently on campus, but a second open slot would go to Orji then Archie if Orji turns them down.
Commit | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Jayden Denegal | CA | ***.5 | Michigan | Ask again later | |
Alex Orji | TX | ***.5 | Michigan | VT flip. Tank, ATH. | |
Targets | |||||
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Justyn Martin | CA | **** | UCLA | Visit didn't happen | |
Nate Johnson | CA | *** | Utah | Speed demon | |
Bryce Archie | GA | *** | C Carolina | Baseball P, late riser | |
Conner Harrell | AL | *** | UNC | Academic | |
Ashton Daniels | GA | *** | Stanford | Late riser? | |
Bert Emanuel Jr. | TX | n/a | Army, TSU | Camp invite | |
Destin Wade | TN | *** | Kentucky | ATH, package w LB bro Keaten |
[After THE JUMP: Coming in for the landing.]
Running Back
Needs: 1-2. Michigan got a lightning and thunder in the 2021 class but lost Zach Charbonnet and Christian Turner to transfers and Chris Evans to graduation. Another inside/outside duo would be good.
What I wrote in July 2021: Were the first to offer 5* Gavin Sawchuk but his interest waned, as did that of several other elites they were in for. As soon as they got to the secondary tier they reeled in Stokes, who's been tearing up a low-level South Carolina league and seemed destined for the Gamecocks until their coaching change. They're also expected to pick up a commitment from ATH Dillon Bell, a 6-2 speedster who could play running back or receiver.
What I wrote in Oct 2021: They reclassified Bell as a receiver but didn't get him anyways because Georgia stepped in and yoinked. They've since been poking around on Texas 3-star DeAnthony Gatson, who decommitted from USC when Helton was fired. He's mercurial--hasn't attended camps but is an 11 YPC Hart-like in a tough Texas division. We'll see if it goes anywhere--Texas thought they had Gatson in the bag but miscalculated, then took a different back. The new Gamecocks staff has finally decided to contest Stokes slipping away--remember he's basically family to them--so where he's turned away offers from L'ville and Mississippi State he's hearing South Carolina out. His Michigan official is the Ohio State game. Read here is that South Carolina is getting their shot out of respect but I'm not going to worry unless Stokes doesn't come for The Game. Early indications suggest that Hart's going to get to have his pick from a fancy list in 2023 and they bring back at least Corum and Edwards next year, so one guy this year won't be terrible.
Latest: Stokes looks like it for 2022; Michigan had an in-home to shore up things with him after SC tried again. They kicked the tires on some guys but nothing came of it. The most likely guy they could add is ASU transfer DeaMonte Trayanum, a 2020 recruit who's in the portal and originally from Archbishop Hoban. I'm not adding transfers to the list.
Best Guess: Stokes unless they've kept one quiet this whole time.
Commit | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
CJ Stokes | SC | *** | Michigan | Hello. | |
Targets | |||||
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
DeAnthony Gatson | TX | *** | open | Crazy stats, zero measurables | |
Demon Claiborne | VA | *** | Wake | Track back, recent offer | |
George Pettaway | VA | **** | UNC | Lightning | |
Quinshon Judkins | AL | *** | Ole Miss | Thunder. Impressed at 7v7 | |
Kaleb Johnson | OH | *** | Iowa | Camp/visit/offer | |
Nicholas Singleton | PA | **** | PSU | Canceled M visit for OSU :/ | |
Omarion Hampton | NC | **** | UNC | Toussaint-like |
Wide Receiver
Needs: 2-3. After filling up on slots in 2019 and 2020 and adding three outside prospects in 2021 Gattis should settle into a mix, shooting for the stars and catching as many as can.
What I wrote in July 2021: Gattis got just one of the two Illinois targets who remember many camps with JJ McCarthy, with OSU picking off the other. Detroit star Tay'shawn Trent committed shortly after 7v7 teammate Will Johnson, though Trent may need a prep year. Top target Tyler Morris committed on 4/20, after an injury possibly saved Michigan from stiffer competition than ND, but also might have robbed them of Morris until 2023 as well. They're also out of it for Andrel Anthony's leapy pal Darrius Clemons, and seem to have stopped recruiting the ATH from my high school. Now they're offering slots and speedsters as they see them. Michigan has a much better shot at some 2023s so they may end up picking up a late flier or camp commit and moving on to that, hoping to fill any gaps in the future with the transfer portal.
What I wrote in Oct 2021: After casting about all summer I think they've got a solid idea where they stand on a few real shots. Their commits saw their rankings drop, Morris only because he's injured, while Trent had grade issues; via a reader with inner knowledge of the situation these stemmed from support issues at the school during COVID.
Things seem to be progressing quite well with beanpole Amorian Walker, who runs a sub 4.5 forty, is coached by Ron Bellamy's old HS coach, is "still kind of committed to Notre Dame," according to his dad, visited Michigan twice, then his dad told Sam Webb that a planned October trip to Bama might not happen at all because of how well the Michigan visit went. Meanwhile ND is hoping he won't bail on his visit this weekend. Am I enjoying this? A bit, but ND can afford the hit. They made a play for Dane Key, a Lexington smoothster with deep Kentucky connections who ultimately chose to stay home. They recently offered ECU commit Kaleb Webb.
Last note: Michigan has a preferred walk-on from Connecticut, Logan Forbes, in this class who just dominated against IMG.
Latest: The playoff run opened things back up with their old top prospect Darrius Clemons, childhood friend of Andrel Anthony who moved to Oregon last year and at times seemed to be drifting to Penn State or Auburn. Crystal balls are now flying in for Clemons to Michigan. Walker didn't flip before but Michigan still seems to be very much in it.
Best guess: Down to Clemons and Walker. Probably get at least one, 50/50 to land both. If they strike out, Michigan could see Koen Entringer as a WR, though he projects better to free safety. I have him on the board here for now.
Commits | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Darrius Clemons | OR | **** | Michigan | Hello. From EL, friends w Andrel | |
Tyler Morris | IL | **** | Michigan | Hello. Golden Tate smooth. | |
Amorian Walker | LA | ***.5 | Michigan | ND flip, UA-AA, 6'4/175 tripl-jumper | |
Targets | |||||
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Koen Entringer | MI | *** | M/Iowa/UW/BC | Rising WR/DB ATH from Walled Lake | |
Kaleb Webb | GA | *** | Tenn | Visit: IU game, TN visitsx2 | |
Dane Key | KY | **** | Kentucky | Can fly, UK legacy | |
Che Nwabuko | TX | *** | Pitt | 5-9 and super fast | |
Tobias Merriweather | WA | *** | Notre Dame | Dad from Detroit | |
Dillon Bell | TX | *** | Georgia | RB/WR with speed | |
DJ Allen | TX | **** | TCU | Slot | |
Isaiah Bond | GA | ***** | Bama | Speed, ATH (DB), was a 3* | |
Barion Brown | TN | **** | UK, Bama | Bama's QB's buddy | |
CJ Smith | FL | *** | Florida | 6-3/fast | |
Marquarius White | AL | *** | Tenn | Nico's school | |
Tay'shawn Trent | MI | *** | L'ville, MSU? | Decommit. Hello. |
Tight End
Needs: 2. Michigan's been getting their one guy they scouted better than everybody else and then whiffing on the national recruit they covet each year. Might be time to rebuild the depth.
What I wrote in July 2021: Marlin Klein was one of the top guys on their board, though he'll need a few years in the weight room first, and Michigan has been going hard after fellow Georgian Oscar Delp since he was a who-dat too but has been trending to Georgia since blowing up into a 4-star. They were the first to offer a third Georgian, 4* Holden Staes, who backed out of a PSU commitment and chose Notre Dame. Then Idaho WR-who-grew-a-butt Colston Loveland popped, and Jay Harbaugh closed before Bama could do so. They're going to try to get Delp too but they're otherwise done.
Oddly rich year for two-stars Michigan would otherwise have a good chance of snapping up on the cheap, like legacy Josh Kattus, Fordson's Mo Hazime, and Dewitt's WR-who-grew Tommy McIntosh, who's totally not going to make us regret this at Wisconsin.
What I wrote in Oct 2021: Michigan did all they could but Delp committed to the Bulldogs. Loveland has been moving up the rankings, Klein still seems like a development.
Latest: No change.
Best guess: Stand with the two. Loveland's emergence as a guy who might contribute earlier changes the math.
Commit | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Colston Loveland | ID | ***.5 | Michigan | Hello | |
Marlin Klein | GA | *** | Michigan | Hello | |
Targets | |||||
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Oscar Delp | GA | **** | Georgia | "Yeah Michigan!" | |
Jack Velling | WA | *** | OrSt, Utah | Rising prep schooler | |
Jaren Kanak | KS | *** | Clem | ATH: WR/S/LB/TE? | |
Tommy McIntosh | MI | ** | Wisconsin | From Dewitt | |
Josh Kattus | OH | *** | Kentucky | Son of Eric | |
Mo Hazime | MI | ** | MAC | Fordson |
Offensive Line
Needs: 4-6. Now that OL are leaving after their RS sophomore years it's important to load up every cycle with a mix of high floors and high ceilings. Yes, there will be a LOT of sophomores and freshmen when the 2022s arrive but there could also be an exodus as the younger guys see oceans of eligibility ahead for the starters and the starters get NFL eyes six months later. Shark teeth.
What I wrote in July 2021: This may end up a small class because the projects Warinner loved (Kiyaunta Goodwin, Fisher Anderson) were tied to Warinner, and the elites Moore would rather go after require more than a late push from a first-time OL coach. Reece Atteberry's buddy Connor Jones is the holdover. Moore refocused on blue chips. WA 5* Josh Conerly is probably a longshot though Courtney Morgan got them a foot in the door. The pursuit of Conerly got them in before the flood of offers for Onwenu-ish WA 3* Mark Nabou. Moore was also in good shape for George Fitzpatrick and Lucas Heyer, until the former turned into a possible #1 OT and committed to Ohio State, and the latter drifted back into a Stanford commitment.
So it looks like they'll have to find gems here as well, or move on to 2023. On that front, however, Michigan lucked into Quebecois Alessandro Lorenzetti, a late-bloomer who wanted to play Big Ten football. The board is expanding again to the camp finds and Frey types, but we haven't seen any of them nibble yet. There are a bunch of guys they're keeping tabs on, including Jones's training mates Kaden Weatherby and Braden Miller. They're probably out now for 6-8 OT Andre Roye since his coach at St. Frances, Biff Poggi, is returning to Michigan in a non-assistant role.
What I wrote in Oct 2021: Michigan had 5* WA Washington commit Josh Conerly up for the Washington game and since then everything thinks he's coming to Michigan. He's also moving up the rankings and might end up the #1 OT in the class. He'll be back in Ann Arbor for The Game. The other Washingtonian they were looking at, Mark Nabou, didn't progress as far as he was projected to, so he's in a holding pattern with all the big schools that jumped in this summer. Michigan's still looking at late risers; they recently offered Virginia Tech commit Xavier Chaplin, who's 6'6"/370, but UGA is looking at that guy too. Best Guess: With Lorenzetti rising and Jones solid, adding Conerly would be a small but strong class. I'm not discounting the possibility of a Frey-type getting an offer late but word from the program is they hit big with the last class, and with so much extra eligibility from Covid they can take a smaller class just this once, and bring in a big class in 2023. Jones has fallen in the rankings but Michigan seems as committed to him as ever.
Latest: Michigan added one of their top 2020 prospects Andrew Gentry, who's still serving on his Mormon mission and will be treated as a 2022 freshman for our purposes. Conerly seems like less of a slam dunk with Courtney Morgan leaving for Washington; Conerly has put off his decision until the later Signing Day. Michigan also seems to be a likely destination for transfer C Olusegun "Victor" Oluwatimi, the #15 center to PFF this year, from Virginia.
Best Guess: Michigan has the three and will hope to seal the deal with Conerly in February.
Commits | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Connor Jones | CO | *** | Michigan | Hello. Puts water in the harbor. | |
Alessandro Lorenzetti | CT | *** | Michigan | Quebecois steal. Hello. | |
Andrew Gentry | CO | **** | Michigan | 2020 Mormon mission transfer from UVa | |
Olu Oluwatimi | UVA | n/a | Michigan | Rimington candidate in '21. UVa transfer. | |
Targets | |||||
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Josh Conerly | WA | ***** | Oregon | Courtney connection, Feb decision | |
Mark Nabou | WA | *** | A&M | Onwenu-like. Star rose, has fallen. | |
Xavier Chaplin | SC | *** | VT | Mammoth | |
Luke Dalton | IL | *** | Cincy | Camp, immediate unofficial | |
Lucas Heyer | MN | **** | Stanford | M lost interest | |
Jackson Pruitt | MI | *** | Temple | Cass Tech | |
George Fitzpatrick | CO | **** | Ohio State | Super athlete, should be a 5-star. | |
Tyler Booker | IMG | **** | Bama | Originally from CT. Old staff had shot. | |
Joe Brunner | WI | ****.5 | Wisconsin | Assume Wisconsin | |
Aamil Wagner | OH | **** | ND | OSU cooled, came down to UK/ND | |
Carson Hinzman | WI | **** | UW or OSU | Assume Wisconsin | |
Billy Schrauth | WI | **** | ND | ND led whole way | |
Malik Agbo | WA | **** | LSU, Bama, Ore, WA | M at bottom of a top 8 | |
Riley Quick | AL | ***** | Bama, Aub | Baseball star, locals stopped slow-playing | |
Kiyaunta Goodwin | IN | ****.5 | Kentucky, MSU, A&M | Not sure if M is pushing. MSU is hard. | |
Fisher Anderson | TN | **** | Stanford | Warinner | |
Ryan Brubaker | PA | *** | South Carolina | PSU legacy | |
Kaden Weatherby | OL | *** | TTU | Near M commit pre-Warinner, injury | |
Laakea Kapol | HI | *** | SDSU, Cuse | Warinner | |
Andre Roye | MD | *** | Penn State | St. Frances, 6'8" OT | |
Braden Miller | CO | *** | MSU | OT, M more interested? | |
Grayson Morgan | TN | *** | Vandy | Rising Stars top performer | |
James Livingston | MI | *** | Kansas | Growing tackle, M watching | |
Bryce Keller | OH | *** | No profile | Toledo Whitmer. Good camp at EMU. |
Defensive Tackle
Needs: 3-4. We shall see how the youngsters pan out but instant help is highly desirable since Hinton will probably be off to the NFL soon and the rest of the guys playing don't have much eligibility yet. Michigan is going to play with three in their standard sets.
What I wrote in July 2021: Another spot where there's a whole new board since the staff changes. Alex VanSumeren decommitted when his brother left and the Alabama interest got serious. Since Don Brown left Nua's been offering a slate of much, much larger individuals, and put Michigan in a position to be a finalist for an elite-elite.
River Rouge's Davonte Miles is one and committed on the offer. Cass Tech's Deone Walker reshaped himself and seems likely to join the class eventually. Michigan whiffed on a few of the guys they thought they could get. That includes Jordan Phillips from Ocoee, who was near a Michigan commit at one point and is horribly underrated, but committed to Tennessee. It also includes IN 3* Kenneth Grant, whom Michigan found on the way up but who way upped past them into Ohio State realm. The staff cooled on Don Brown holdover Hayden Schwartz, an NFL legacy who'll end up at Nebraska. Nua has remained quietly in contact with 6-5/350 Peter Taoipu.
In course they've re-expanded the board and reconnected with former target Derrick Shepard, who committed to Marcus Freeman at Cincy before Freeman went to Notre Dame. They also offered a couple of recent camp risers, Canadian Isaiah Hastings, and South Carolingian Robby Harrison, who showed up to this year's circuit 20 pound heavier than he was last listed. They could also turn to Mario Eugenio's teammate and friend Tawfiq Thomas. Meanwhile they're staying in it for super five-star Walter Nolen.
What I wrote in Oct 2021: Miles decommitted and Walter Nolen seems to have every big baggin school in America (latest: Texas A&M) convinced they're the leader. Michigan is still recruiting him but this program isn't ready to play the bidding war game. They've done fine anyways, reeling in the "Mammoth" Kenneth Grant to play nose, and a rough and ready wrestler from SoCal in Mason Graham that Courtney Morgan deserves a lot of credit for. They're going to keep making up for lost time with Deone Walker, but Kentucky has come on super strong lately, and at least one of their 247 Kentucky guys is sure UK leads.
Michigan is also very serious about JuCo Jeffrey M'ba, the first JuCo they've looked at since Austin Panter, because Michigan admissions is notoriously tough about that. But M'ba is going to have his degree and via Sam Webb, is going to take a few extra classes this winter to get to a point where Michigan can take him, which shows he's serious about coming.
Latest: Michigan recruiting people seem baffled regarding Deone Walker, but Cass Tech isn't the slam dunk it used to be; Michigan has had him on campus a zillion times, the latest as an official visit, but have to sweat out an official to Kentucky. Michigan also looks good to flip Oklahoma decommit Derrick Moore, a top-100 tweener they're looking at for the role Michael Morris is playing this year, as long as they can get around the fact that he played for Biff Poggi at St. Francis. I'm filing that with the DTs.
Best Guess: Things were looking more positive for Walker until Kentucky made their final pitch on Signing Day morning; that seems to be trending away now. Moore appears to be solid unless the NCAA turns down a waiver from the Partridge Rule they've been granting to everyone else in far less extraordinary cases. If that happens, we're sending in Thomas Mars--that's not insider recruiting info just me saying it.
Commit | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Kenneth Grant | IN | ***.5 | Michigan | Hello. Mammoth. | |
Mason Graham | CA | **** | Michigan | Hello. Wrestler, blowing up. | |
Cam Goode | UCF | n/a | Michigan | UCF transfer (Jr/5th) | |
Targets | |||||
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Deone Walker | MI | *** | M, UK | Cass Tech, OL/DL ATH | |
Walter Nolen | TN | ***** | A&M | Grparents from Mich, tease, $NIL. | |
Derrick Shepard | OH | **** | Cincy | Sticking with Cincy. | |
Isaiah Hastings | Ont | *** | Bama | Rising all the way after Big Man camp at FSU | |
Shone Washington | LA | **** | UGA | LSU decommit, trains w Eugenio | |
Robby Harrison | SC | *** | ASU | Build a bear, up to 285, setting up visit | |
Justice Finkley | AL | **** | Texas | Kemp, M led until reevaluating him as a DT | |
Jordan Phillips | FL | *** | Tennessee | Michigan found first, TN found better | |
Hayden Schwartz | FL | *** | Nebraska | Carlo Kemp-like | |
Davonte Miles | MI | *** | IU. M decommit | Dropped. Hello | |
Tawfiq Thomas | FL | *** | Lville | Teammate of Eugenio. | |
Anthony Lucas | AZ | **** | Bama/A&M | previously visited | |
Peter Taoipu | WA | *** | M, ASU, Colo, Neb | Nua connect | |
Lavon Johnson | PA | ** | IU leads | Big guy | |
Jadon Scarlett | TX | *** | A&M | Stock up, explosive first step | |
Hero Kanu | CA | *** | OSU/UGA/Okla/ND | German, #1 on OSU/Bama's boards now | |
Damonic Williams | CA | *** | Cal | Big guy | |
Jeffrey M'ba | FR | **** | Aub/Mizzou | #1 JuCo, admissions blocked. |
Edge
Needs: 2-3. Michigan would love to get an instant-impact guy but they've loaded up in recent classes with various shots at those. Added need here because Macdonald's defense uses a lot of them but scaled that back after the season started because so many of their young guys look to be hits.
What I wrote in July 2021: The board was almost totally blown up by the staff switch. It took awhile however for all the Don Brown anchor targets to fall away, but fall away Caden Curry, Joe Strickland, Anthony Lucas, and Joseph Adedire did. The final holdout was Justice Finkley, whom the staff reevaluated as an interior prospect when they finally saw him in person, though the door may not be completely closed on the Carlo Kemp-alike.
In their stead are the OLBs that Helow and Macdonald covet. They pulled in two of their faves in Mario Eugenio and Micah Pollard, and caught a third Uche-like in Kevonte Henry on the rise. All they need now is Joshua Josephs for the full set, though they missed out on Beau Atkinson along the way. This means there isn't room anymore for sparkplug Anto Saka, who'll probably be great at Northwestern, or former Ypsilantean Torren Wright.
What I wrote in Oct 2021: Eugenio fell out of the class in a way that we're saying had a lot to do with "Oh, I'm not displacing Ojabo" but also makes me think Michigan cooled on him, at least insofar as they weren't going to keep him if it meant missing out on Joshua Josephs, who's a new-made 4-star and 247 and a 5-star to Michigan's staff. They've trusted their own evaluations on these guys and with the exception of Pollard (who's got LB versatility and is a program take considering his NFL dad and connections) and have been right all along--the guys they were targeting all have risen up the rankings, including commit Kevonte Henry. If they can finish the job with Josephs, this is a really good class. Wiltfong and Lorenz have crystal balls to Michigan from September, but Tennessee just had him on an official after he postponed the trip twice. Things have been quiet since--if it wasn't Brian Jean-Mary and Tim Banks we were up against I'd feel confident. Also don't take my take on Michigan's take on Eugenio be confused for my take on Eugenio--I think his strength translates well to a Tite system and if that's where he plays we'll be hearing his name a lot. Best guess: I think they get Josephs, but it's probably not as much of a slam dunk as we were feeling before. The other guys they scouted have fallen by the wayside by now, so it's Pollard and Henry, plus Josephs or nobody at this point.
Latest: Tennessee won Josephs. Michigan swept in for a grow-a-Hutchinson riser in Ethan Burke but hometown Texas swooped in over them on Signing Day. Kevonte Henry is shaking since Courtney Morgan left, which terrifies me because he's incredibly underrated and they struck out on so many other instant impact edge types. Henry recently took an official visit to Washington and was close to signing but has put off his decision until February.
Commit | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Derrick Moore | MD | ****.5 | Michigan | Hello. Win B10, win fabulous prizes | |
Micah Pollard | FL | *** | Michigan | Hello. DE/LB tweener | |
Targets | |||||
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Kevonte Henry | CA | **** | Oklahoma | Hello. Courtney Morgan dude. | |
Ethan Burke | TX | *** | Texas | Hello. Grow-a-Hutch | |
Joshua Josephs | GA | *** | Tenn | M thinks he's a 5-star, BJM did too. | |
Mario Eugenio | FL | ***.5 | M decommit | Hello. Wasn't Judon-esque enough. | |
Joseph Adedire | TX | *** | TCU | Don Brownian anchor | |
Anto Saka | MD | *** | Northwestern | Winovichian | |
Torren Wright | NC | **** | NC State | Originally from Ypsi | |
Beau Atkinson | NC | *** | UNC | Aidan-like. | |
Brian Allen | IL | *** | Iowa | Academic. | |
Zach Rowell | CA | *** | Stan | SDE, moving up | |
DJ Wesolak | MO | **** | ND, Clem, UF | OLB/DE | |
Keon Wylie | PA | *** | PSU | OLB/DE | |
DeSean Brown | OK | *** | OkSt lock | WDE | |
Samuel Okunlola | MA | *** | open | Brother of 5* 2023 OT | |
Vincent Paige | TX | *** | North Texas | M "closely monitoring" | |
Tomiwa Durojaiye | DE | *** | GT | SDE type |
Linebacker
Needs: 3-4. There's been a ton of turnover at LB and the new staff wants to have more of them out there for their multiple defenses, so we're looking into all kinds of Wisconsin-esque dudes who never would have gotten a look from Don Brown.
What I wrote in July 2021: Unfortunately the transition blew up a solid start. MA 4* Tyler Martin followed Don Brown to Arizona, and former shoe-in Joshua Burnham committed to Notre Dame after the transition opened the door. Here's Steve Lorenz on the 24/7 podcast last spring:
Michigan has reignited their pursuit of four-star Sebastian Cheeks in a big way in the last three weeks or so after minimal contact immediately after the Macdonald hiring. A great source told me the staff's linebacker board is relatively wide open and while there are the guys we've talked a lot about (Micah Pollard, Josephs, Patton, Wade, Barton), some of their most recent offers (DeMario Tolan, Omar Graham, Torren Wright, Robby Snelling, Kyle Efford) appear to be legitimate targets at this point as well. A clear mix of the top guys the last staff preferred and a whole new set of prospects the new staff has evaluated.
Michigan took recent RB convert Aaron Alexander as a program guy because when Jermain Crowell of Belleville says jump we say "how high can he?" and Crowell says "very very high."
They'll pursue UT 4* Lander Barton to the end because Helow/Macdonald think that's what a linebacker should look like. That might be a pipedream though. As for the targets reciprocating interest they'll soon find out if they're set or need to open the board back up when Sebastian Cheeks and Jeremy Patton make their decisions in the coming weeks. Cheeks seems to like Texas more but might want to stay closer to home, while Patton might like Michigan more but might want to stay closer to home at Texas. Unless both go Blue, they'll probably snatch up recent camp offer Deuce Spurlock. A couple of homegrown former four-stars are still waiting around, though even MSU doesn't seem that interested in them.
What I wrote in Oct 2021: Barton remains their #1 with a bullet. Texas has jumped in since, but that might be good news since at this point the question is whether Barton would consider leaving Utah, not whom he would leave for. They whiffed on Patton and Cheeks, so it's fliers and late adds or bust. Michigan took a commitment from Spurlock, seems to be sticking by Aaron Alexander as a true blue guy even though he's not having a good season--maybe turn him into a fullback (my idea, not theirs). The most likely late add would be Chicago Marist's recent riser Jimmy Rolder, who's now a four-star with offers from Iowa, Wisconsin, and Ohio State. Best Guess: Barton would be Macdonald's version of taking Devin Bush from FSU--25% it actually happens. Raise that to 75% if he makes it back here for the OSU game on an unofficial.
Latest: Utah got Lander Barton, Michigan got Jimmy Rolder. They're done.
Commits | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Jimmy Rolder | IL | **** | Michigan | Hello. Rose fast, beat OSU. | |
Deuce Spurlock | AL | *** | Michigan | Hello. Grow-a-backer. | |
Targets | |||||
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Lander Barton | UT | **** | Utah | Macdonald type specimen | |
Sebastian Cheeks | IL | **** | UNC | Tar Heels came outta nowhere. | |
Jeremy Patton | TX | **** | Baylor | M kicked off offer blitz, Baylor big surprise. | |
Mani Powell | OH | *** | Arkansas | offered a day before commit | |
Joshua Burnham | MI | **** | ND | M fan once close to committing to Jean-Marie | |
DeMario Tolan | FL | **** | LSU | recent offer | |
Keaten Wade | TN | **** | Kentucky | Package with QB bro. Clink? | |
Ish Harris | TX | **** | A&M | A&M offered as RB | |
Aaron Alexander | MI | ** | UMass | Hello. Belleville. | |
Tyler Banks | VA | *** | Ole Miss, Cal | "ATH" Don Brown liked more. | |
Robby Snelling | NV | **** | Stanford | Stanford Baseball commit | |
Kyle Efford | GA | *** | GT | Helow UMD target | |
Michael Williams | MI | *** | CMU, Cuse, ASU | WB Interest diminished after injured 2020 | |
Jordan Cannon | MI | *** | M, MSU, Cincy | OLSM |
Safety
Needs: 2-3. Michigan wanted to get 2 or 3 in the 2021 class and came away with one. It's time to get the next generation since Dax Hill and Brad Hawkins aren't long for college and the 2020 class could scoot through quickly. Some of the cornerbacks might fit here too.
What I wrote in July 2021: Andre Seldon's brother Myles Rowser committed ages ago then decommitted, fell down the rankings, and committed to Arkansas. Taylor Groves committed to Mo Linguist but decommitted. Michigan has spent way too long in great shape with West Bloomfield's Dillon Tatum, who can play S or CB, and was about to commit before they replaced Linguist with Clinkscale, who didn't recruit Tatum to Kentucky. MSU, the school Tatum grew up rooting for, used the opportunity to move in and make this a true 55/45 between playing with the best players in Michigan for his old West Bloomfield coach Ron Bellamy, or finally cracking Mel Tucker's four-star cherry at State.
The guys Linguist was after came and went. They had Austin Brown on the hook but he went to Wisconsin, and then they got another blow when TCU managed to convince D'Arco Perkins-McAllister, an athlete they love, to reclassify to 2021 and join the frogs right away. Jake Pope waved at Michigan on his way up from 3-star to a Bama-UGA battle. Other options are AL 3* Ja'Kobi Albert, whom everyone thinks is going to stay in the South but who got weak-kneed at meeting Juwan Howard on his official, Clinkscale's Kentucky commit Jeremiah Caldwell from Belleville, and they could always--hint hint nudge nudge--go back to Wylie E. Groves' own Jaden Mangham, who could fit at receiver, which is another position of need. Just saying.
Also Michigan will stay on 5-star IMG safety/hybrid Keon Sabb, but would need to have a really good season for him to consider it.
What I wrote in Oct 2021: Tatum committed to MSU, who clearly made him a priority, as did Mangham, after Michigan cut off pursuit. However Michigan got in and won for the latest crazy unscouted athlete to get on their board in Damani Dent, whom they have as a borderline 5-star. There are two more big names that have come to the fore in LSU legacy Austin Ausberry, who visited and seemed to put Michigan in the lead afterwards, though Michigan now low-key has to survive an entire SEC power gauntlet. His visits to Auburn and Alabama happened in October, Florida is in December, and LSU is doubtless going to reignite once Mel Tucker or someone is hired. Zeke Berry, a Courtney Morgan connection, decommitted from Arizona after his star rose. Michigan is jostling with USC, Oregon, and Washington; Sam Webb recently went out to see him, which tells you Michigan thinks they can win.
Latest: Michigan did get Zeke Berry despite losing Courtney Morgan, and their great season also satisfied the unlikely conditions set on entertaining the thought of an elite like Keon Sabb. That condition was "Beat Ohio State." Michigan did that: beat Ohio State. 42-27 even. We should say it again just to make sure that's clear: Michigan beat Ohio State 42-27, are the Big Ten Champions, and are going to the playoffs as the #2 seed. They're also in line to bring in an incredible DB class. Sabb decommitted from Clemson and nobody else seems to be close to Michigan's position, so this could be wrapped up by Wednesday. If it goes beyond ESD things could get shaky. Dent's rankings are finally catching up with the camp takes.
Best guess: They sign Berry, Dent, and Sabb on Wednesday.
Commit | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Keon Sabb | IMG(NJ) | **** | Michigan | Hello. HSP. M beat OSU, let's talk. | |
Zeke Berry | CA | **** | Michigan | Hello. Rising CB/S | |
Damani Dent | FL | *** | Michigan | Hello. Underrated, moving up. | |
Targets | |||||
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Dillon Tatum | MI | **** | MSU | WB. Nickel. Clink hire a setback | |
Austin Ausberry | LA | **** | Aub | Dax 2.0. LSU legacy. | |
Jacoby Matthews | LA | ****.5 | LSU | Go Ron Bellamy | |
D'Arco Perkins-McAllister | TN | *** | TCU | Reclassified to 2021 for TCU | |
Austin Brown | IL | *** | Wisconsin | Late riser, Hybrid | |
Jake Pope | GA | ***.5 | Bama | Shooting up rankings | |
Mumu Bin-Wahad | GA | *** | WVU | S/CB, canceled visit | |
Jeremiah Caldwell | MI | *** | Kentucky | Belleville | |
Ja'Kobi Albert | AL | *** | Auburn | Visited, Juwan fan, not leaving South. | |
Jaden Mangham | MI | **** | MSU | Groves! | |
Kaleb Purdy | MO | *** | Mizzou | Nickel |
Cornerback
Needs: 7-985. There is no such thing as an excessive number of cornerbacks. If you have too many great ones you put one at nickel and play a Cover 1 all day like Ohio State, which is far too good at plucking five-stars they don't bother coaching and then taking credit for their high draft pick numbers. Michigan lost its last Detroit Cat when Ambry Thomas opted out and 2021 had one guy in it who's barely a top-500 recruit right now, so load up.
What I wrote in July 2021: This cycle started with a flashing "DON'T FUCK THIS UP" sign and Michigan's staff changes were largely geared towards that end. They nearly fucked it up when Linguist took the Buffalo job, but they hired Steve Clinkscale, one of the few names who could keep Will Johnson in the fold and improve their chances of getting the Stribling-like teammate of Junior Colson, Myles Pollard. They also managed to solidify Linguist pickup Kody Jones, their nickel target, and a key ingredient in their pursuit of DT Walter Nolen.
Some of the other early names have gone. They're going to continue working on Domani Jackson, who's still committed to USC, but plans to visit Michigan for a game this year. The staff cooled on NJ 4* Jaeden Gould, who ended up taking a late-breaking offer from USC right before Penn State thought they had him. Arizonan super-athlete Benjamin Morrison has a sister at Michigan but seems like a Washington-Notre Dame battle now. James Monds grew up close to the Zinters in Massachusetts and was probably going to be a Don Brown target; he committed to Indiana. There was even a moment when Georgia commit Marquis Groves-Killebrew was going to visit, but that was a week before Linguist left and MGK canceled his Michigan official.
Clink added Kentucky commit Andre Stewart to the board but that recruitment might have stalled as they zeroed in on Pollard and a pair of teammates Courtney Morgan knows, both of whom answer to "Jaleel." They are 3* Jahlil Florence, a lengthy athlete who seems to love Michigan but won't get to visit until the fall, and 4* speedster Jalil Tucker, who seems like a tougher pull. Oregon lurks for both, and probably leads for Tucker.
What I wrote in Oct 2021: With three high-profile commits who've been three of the vocal leaders of the class, Michigan can afford to shoot for the moon on a 4th spot (four seems to be the target number here via everybody). The moon is elite top-5 overall prospect Domani Jackson, of course, and so long as they're winning and USC doesn't have a coach that is looking more likely (Jackson might also be a safety). The Jahlil/Jalil teammates chose Oregon, so the most likely alternative for a fourth if they scuttle at the end of the season are UK commit Andre Stewart, the longtime Clinkscale connection, or one of the cornerback-like safeties. Ask me right now it's 50/50 that Michigan has the type of finish that convinces Jackson the program can win in the future, and if he doesn't come to Michigan one of the regular playoff contenders (Bama?) is more likely than USC. Beating MSU would clear a major hurdle.
Latest: For awhile there Kody Jones looked like he might be entertaining the idea of staying home to play for Tennessee, but that threat has passed and he's expected to sign with Michigan as the class nickel, along with outside dudes Pollard and Johnson, who quickly stifled talk of Alabama when Domani Jackson got Tide eyes. Speaking of Jackson, Michigan did have the kind of season that put them back in play for the WJ buddy who grew up a Michigan fan, but didn't make the kind of NIL offer that Bama and a new coach USC were willing to put down, so that ship sailed. The Jones wobble was never connected to Domani Jackson's visit for the OSU game, but the timing of that was correlated. Correlation doesn't imply causation; it just winks suggestively.
Jahlil Florence decommitted from Oregon but that was a Courtney Morgan connection so doubtful Michigan gets back involved.
Best guess: Michigan has three commits who sign on ESD and are done.
Commits | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Will Johnson | MI | ***** | Michigan | Hello. Deon's son. | |
Kody Jones | TN | **** | Michigan | Hello. Nickel. | |
Myles Pollard | TN | ***.5 | Michigan | Hello. Loved you on Colson's film. | |
Targets | |||||
Player | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Summary |
Domani Jackson | CA | ***** | Bama, USC lead M | Grew up M, strong season matters. | |
Jahlil Florence | CA | *** | USC (Ore decommit) | ATH, same HS as Jahlil Tucker | |
Jalil Tucker | CA | **** | Oregon | Super speedy | |
Andre Stewart | GA | *** | Kentucky, Vols, M | Clink. Auburn decommit. | |
Marquis Groves-Killebrew | GA | **** | Georgia | WJ talked into a visit, UGA talked him out | |
Benjamin Morrison | AZ | **** | ND | Sister M gymnast | |
Jaylen Lewis | TN | *** | Arkansas | Stribling | |
James Monds III | FL | *** | Indiana | grew up w Zinter |
REVISIONS LIST:
- 10/21/2020: I wrote it.
- Update 4/2/2021: Rewrote the whole thing.
- Update 4/6/2021: Still working on linking, added more LBs, removed Keaton Wade.
- Update 4/23/2021: Added some cornerbacks, moved LBs around to something more approximating the board, think I've got everyone linked we have a link for.
- Update 4/30/2021: Changed Bryce Anderson from Happy Teeth to Eduardo. Removed Quency Wiggins.
- Update 5/3/2021: Added Justyn Martin, Che Nwabuko, Colston Loveland, Josh Conerly, Jacob Hood, Braden Miller, Ish Harris, Mumu Bin-Wahad, D'Arco Perkins-McAllister, Jahlil Florence and Marquis Groves-Killebrew. Removed Jaylen Sneed. Moved Torren Wright from LB to DE (OLB)
- Update 5/17/2021: Some shifts with Clinkscale hire (Tatum downgraded to green, Groves-Killebrew upgraded to green). Added QB Destin Wade, RB Kaleb Johnson, Slot Marquarius White, ATH Jaren Kanak, OL Kaden Weatherby.
- Update 6/3/2021: Removed some longshots, added quarterback and cornerback offers.
- Update 6/6/2021: Removed Sir Mells, who flipped from Washington to Oregon, is still not a cat.
- Update 6/11/2021: Added Jack Velling, removed Kaleb Brown (frowny face).
- Update 6/17/2021: Added Allesandro Lorenzetti, Jahlil Tucker, Aaron Alexander, Andre Stewart, and Barion Brown. Readded Keon Sabb.
- Update 6/21/2021: Moved CJ Stokes and Aaron Alexander to committed. Removed Joe Strickland, Shakaun Bowser (dropped M), Omar Graham (FSU), and Jaeden Gould (USC) and Jayden Bellamy, his teammate.
- Update 7/2/2021: Lots of changes to go with post.
- Update 7/4/2021: Moved Colston Loveland to committed. Changed status of Justice Finkley (dropped M) and Austin Brown (Wisconsin)
- Update 7/12/2021: Rewrote the whole thing.
- Update 10/29/2021: Rewrote the whole thing again.
- Update 11/1/2021: Posted rewrite on the main page.
- Update 12/13/2021: Updated.
- Update 5/18/2022: Completed.
October 29th, 2021 at 4:26 PM ^
He reminds me of the guy in High Fidelity who could only like obscure bands.
Everyone whose ever worked in a record store is like that. They'll tell you you the best record ever made was an impromptu, barely audible, jam session with Jeff Beck and Robert Fripp on guitar, Rick James on bass, Ravi Shankar wailing away on sitar while Keith Moon bashes away on a Fischer-Price kit, recorded in Andy Warhol's Factory over an old telephone answering machine.
And then he plays it for you and might be right.
Finally, football recruiting news. YES!
Didn't see him listed, but we recently offered Jack Velling at TE. Looks like he could be a gamer
Don't look now, but uh....Yeeeah, look at Rutgers, everybody:
https://247sports.com/Season/2022-Football/CompositeTeamRankings/?Confe…
Keep an eye on their 4-stars though because they're not exactly beating out Ohio State for them.
- Gavin Wimsatt's other top offers were Cincy, EKU, GT.
- Jacob Allen had some interesting offers a year ago, but none of them kept up the pursuit and he committed to Rutgers over MSU and Illinois.
- Anthony Johnson: Remember Lawrence Thomas, that 5-star LB who became a DT at Michigan State? Big-time high schooler, but other schools didn't press that hard when he outgrew the position.
- Amarion Brown: Borderline (though legit) 4-star and soft commit who just took a visit to Auburn.
- Samuel Brown: Big RB who committed to RU over MAC/Duke/ASU, only a composite 4-star because of outdated ESPN ranking
I actually like some of their 3-stars more than any of the 4-stars, who are most those early ranks that never fall far enough during re-ranks. I think it's a good strategy by Schiano however because it's got people talking about his recruiting class, and good buzz is huge in recruiting.
October 29th, 2021 at 12:18 PM ^
Great write up. Many thanks. Hope we close on these guys, particularly the linebackers and safeties.
Talking about high schoolers butts is weird RE Colson. Just one man's opinion.
Edit: Colston, not Colson. Thanks
October 29th, 2021 at 12:31 PM ^
The guys name is Colston (Loveland), not Colson.
Colson is UM's linebacker.
October 29th, 2021 at 12:29 PM ^
the jai eugene jr / nick hopwood line is fucking gold. absolutely brilliant.
October 29th, 2021 at 2:14 PM ^
Yes. Glad I wasn't sipping my coffee when I read that one, as it would have ended up all over my computer.
December 13th, 2021 at 8:11 PM ^
Jai Eugene jr., wasn’t this kid the reason we didn’t land his old man?
October 29th, 2021 at 12:34 PM ^
nice summary, forgot about this feature.
zeke berry looks like a handful. promising DB prospect right there
October 29th, 2021 at 1:44 PM ^
247 is obsessed with Berry and even threw out a Khaleke Hudson comparison
I think Berry is more athletic than Hudson but he should be a good fit for the safety spot in our defense.
October 29th, 2021 at 12:47 PM ^
Thanks, Seth. Great work as always. I'd like to add that last night Michigan offered a 3* QB named Bryce Archie (NotThatArchie) out of Georgia who is currently committed to Coastal Carolina.
Blessed to receive an offer from The University of Michigan〽️!! @rvfc10 @coachstephens56 @Mansell247 @CoachJim4UM pic.twitter.com/mlMiWfddm9
— Bryce Archie (@archie_bryce) October 29, 2021
October 29th, 2021 at 1:29 PM ^
Another new offer from GA: high 3* RB Justin Williams, who is a WVU commit
I do think we would need another RB if Haskins leaves, so it seems like they're at least keeping the seat warm for one. A back from the portal might make more sense though, depending on how they feel about Dunlap's readiness.
October 29th, 2021 at 1:09 PM ^
Just because his name is Deuce it does not mean that he is a 2 star.
Spurlock is a 3* rated 85+ on 247, and he could very well turn out to be much better than that.
October 29th, 2021 at 1:32 PM ^
I think he's underrated but guys who aren't in the top-1000 get classified here as 2-stars, guys in the top 400 or so are treated as 3.5-stars, guys in the top-40 or so are 4.5 stars, etc.
October 29th, 2021 at 1:13 PM ^
"Demon Claiborne"?
I think that is "Demond" but maybe he is a lot cooler than we know, and is a big fan of the powers of darkness.
October 29th, 2021 at 1:14 PM ^
Seth, I’d be interested in unpacking what “program offer” means. I assume it’s usually a kid we might not go out of our way for if they were from, like, Maryland but is a good player and will help strengthen relationships with key high schools/regions but maybe there more to it?
October 29th, 2021 at 1:44 PM ^
That's basically it but it also means you're valuing things like how committed the player is to the program. If you're looking at two athletes you like who impressed at camp, and you maybe like the Mississippi one better, but the other one goes to school just down the road that's been producing FBS players every year, and grew up 100% maize and blue, and is going to be a leader in your locker room, that has value that outweighs the small difference in your evaluations. Not everyone on your roster can play, and unless you're Ohio State or Georgia or Bama you can't have every guy you want, so you backfill your roster with a good mix of high ceilings and high floors who aren't going to poison the locker room if they're not getting on the field.
October 29th, 2021 at 2:25 PM ^
Great stuff Seth, thanks!
October 29th, 2021 at 4:20 PM ^
Like Justice Finkley? ;)
October 30th, 2021 at 6:53 AM ^
That one Sam shared the story. Michigan had to be upfront with him that they didn't consider him an edge (like Morris) but a tackle (like Jenkins), and his ceiling wasn't as high out there. He wanted to be Judon and they had to level with him, knowing what it might mean to his recruitment.
October 29th, 2021 at 1:29 PM ^
?????
October 29th, 2021 at 1:36 PM ^
In the not-too-distant future
Next Saturday A.D.
There was a guy named Seth
Not too different from you or me. . .
October 29th, 2021 at 1:39 PM ^
On Amorion Walker: his ND visit was last week and he supposedly reaffirmed his ND commitment at the time. It sounds like Michigan is still confident however. I think this is a really close recruitment, complicated by Walker and his family seemingly telling both ND and Michigan what they want to hear. It is expected that Walker will have a final decision by Thanksgiving so we'll know soon enough.
On Kiyaunta Goodwin: he is visiting Michigan for the OSU game, but I don't see us as any better than 4th or 5th.
I absolutely love Kaleb Webb and he has sleeper hit written all over him. He's playing tough competition and is extremely productive this year after being only rarely targeted last year. Plus he's a great athlete at 6'4" with 4.5 speed. His film shows him winning downfield with speed and with his catch radius in jump ball situations. Great find and great job by the staff getting him to schedule an OV on short notice. He's be a sleeper of the year pick (in a class filled with em) if we can steal him from the south.
October 29th, 2021 at 2:53 PM ^
The only way he will pick Michigan is if they beat OSU. I'd only put that at a 20-30 percent chance, which is higher than most years during the last 15 seasons.
October 29th, 2021 at 2:25 PM ^
Excellent!
I will say I would like to point out that there are now 3 categories on the more "negative side", 1 neutral, and 2 positive.
I can, in no way suggest any other more granular way to add a category/emoji on the positive side - just kinda feels weighted down on the negative.
October 29th, 2021 at 2:40 PM ^
Wow. UNC seems an unlikely contender for many of these recruits. Interesting.
October 29th, 2021 at 3:03 PM ^
They've emerged as a threat in the East. Good academics, share the Jordan brand, have remade their facilities, have strong boosters. UNC is legit.
December 14th, 2021 at 7:26 PM ^
I think you mean "academics".
October 29th, 2021 at 4:36 PM ^
Outside of a couple positions.. that... is not great.
October 29th, 2021 at 7:09 PM ^
Agree, that's a troubling class imo
October 29th, 2021 at 7:11 PM ^
It's interesting. You brought up their own ratings vs. recruiting service ratings here. It feels like they're evaluating talent differently this year and getting in earlier on more guys or seeing something the services aren't. It makes me wonder what has really changed.
Also, isn't it Alan Bowman, not Alex?
October 29th, 2021 at 9:22 PM ^
While I appreciate the effort of reducing the intensity of Nefarious Eduardo, it just looks like we now have the problem of too much Purple Dude. Maybe there's a metaphorical desire to turn red into purple by adding blue? IMO the face of Purple Dude doesn't carry the same impact as Eduardo's did. Still, I get the motivation. Maybe use Eduardo in place of Purple Dude, and use a praying emoji as the face for "Michigan is still pursuing but it's a longshot"?
December 13th, 2021 at 4:59 PM ^
Jai Eugene is being recruited by most schools as a defensive back, not a quarterback.
December 13th, 2021 at 5:02 PM ^
Do we need to track all these Tommies and Joshes, or is it more hassle to remove them at this point?
December 13th, 2021 at 5:06 PM ^
Since it's a sticky I think it's helpful to leave them. We tend to run into these guys again down the line and it's nice to have a record of the shape of Michigan's recruitment of them. I can't remember all of these guys, especially years down the line, so having these boards is helpful when I'm writing something about Michigan's scouting or how recruitments go against a certain school.
December 13th, 2021 at 5:22 PM ^
Did we get a glimpse into the Domani Jackson story that you won't go into until he leaves college there?
December 13th, 2021 at 6:59 PM ^
When he's done with college. I swear, it's not bad.
December 13th, 2021 at 5:46 PM ^
Until now, I didn't realize how many guys Tennessee beat us for in this cycle. Jordan Phillips, Tayven Jackon, Kaleb Webb, Josh Josephs. I still don't quite the appeal of Tennessee at this day and age, but whatever.
Also, really hope we can hang onto Kevonte Henry in this class. He's a beast. If he wants to go to Washington instead of the school that just produced Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo then I guess more power to him
December 13th, 2021 at 6:36 PM ^
I think if we as a program continue to be competitive with Ohio State and Tennessee continues to get the doors blown off by Alabama/Georgia, that should settle itself out. The anti-Michigan pitch was Michigan can't even beat OSU - come stay in the SEC and help us take down Bama. That pitch was sus even before we beat OSU this year, but now it's pure fiction.
However with Tennessee and surrounding states like North Carolina and Georgia growing in population, there will be more and more homegrown/nearby talent that they will be in on.
December 13th, 2021 at 6:21 PM ^
Hopeful Hank should really be Mr. Brightside.
December 13th, 2021 at 7:00 PM ^
FUCK! You're right.
December 14th, 2021 at 8:34 AM ^
DO IT!
December 14th, 2021 at 6:49 PM ^
Best comment. Close the thread. + 6.02 x 10^23 points to you.
December 13th, 2021 at 6:25 PM ^
Could someone educate me on what "bring in Thomas Mars" means?
December 13th, 2021 at 6:29 PM ^
Thomas Mars (trial lawyer, collegiate sports advocate) represented Shea Patterson when he petitioned the NCAA for immediate eligibility following his transfer from Ole Miss.
December 14th, 2021 at 11:19 AM ^
In hindsight, are we upset that he was such a dang good lawyer in that case?
December 14th, 2021 at 11:25 AM ^
He also represented Justin Fields and his "I don't feel safe on Georgia's campus!" schtick, which is why I think there's some shade here.
December 13th, 2021 at 7:50 PM ^
Didn't realize BJM was such a damn good recruiter. Also, why let Courtney Morgan out of his contract if he's going to steal our guys this cycle?
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