Friday Recruitin' Is Already Happening
MSU Visitors: Biggest Recruiting Weekend Of The Fall
Well, I hadn't even started this post before Michigan got a commitment this weekend. Three-star GA RB Kurt Taylor is the newest member of the 2017 class; here's a short post on him for now, and he'll get the full Hello treatment on Sunday.
As for the rest of this weekend's visitors, 247's Steve Lorenz has the full list posted for free. Some highlights follow.
Official visitors:
- Five-star GA TE Isaac Nauta is arguably the most important recruit left on Michigan's board—yes, perhaps even including Rashan Gary—and this weekend's visit will give the Wolverines a chance to push past home squad Georgia.
- Four-star CA WR Dylan Crawford hasn't let on much about his recruitment, but 247 national analyst Steve Wiltfong recently put in a Crystal Ball pick to Michigan.
- Four-star CA ATH Lamar Jackson was ticketed for USC by most; with that program in a state of disarray, the door is open for another school to make a move.
- Four-star CA CB David Long is a Stanford commit but Michigan appears to have a real shot regardless.
Unofficial visitors:
- Penn State commits Lavert Hill (four-star Detroit King CB) and Quinn Nordin (top-ranked Rockford kicker) will be two to keep an close eye on this weekend, especially Nordin. Hill's teammate Donnie Corley (four-star WR) is also expected to be in attendance.
- Four-star 2017 CO QB Dylan McCaffrey, Michigan's top target at the position in the class, will be on campus. With Stanford, where his father Ed went and brother Christian currently stars, coming off a blowout of UCLA, Michigan might need to make a statement.
- Several members of the Pipeline 9, including five-star Cass Tech WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, are expected to be there.
- Three-star 2017 Ann Arbor Pioneer OLB Antjuan Simmons could be in line for an offer; his recruitment has blown up lately.
There are plenty more at the link above. This is a huge recruiting weekend for Michigan. That probably didn't need to be said.
[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]
Kareem Walker Tea Leaves: Promising
Garrett Fishaw caused some waves when he reported earlier this week that a source close to five-star NJ RB Kareem Walker told him that Walker looked to be on his way out with Ohio State and Michigan is now the favorite to land him. The corroborating evidence is trickling in. Walker had only positive things to say about last weekend's visit to Sam Webb ($):
“I really like (Michigan’s) coaching staff,” said Walker. “I really like what they’ve got going on. I see what they (have) planned for me in the future. And with what Jabrill had to say to me… it would be a good place for me. As of right now I’ve just got to sit back and weigh my options once I take my visits.”
Meanwhile, four-star NC RB Antonio Williams decommitted from Wisconsin and set a visit to Ohio State, which now looks to be the overwhelming favorite to land him. Scout's Bill Greene, who's very plugged in to OSU recruiting, said in the aftermath he doesn't see Walker ending up in their class ($). While Michigan likely will have to sweat out a few visits, they look like the odds-on favorite for Walker. Urban Meyer is already talking like he's moved on.
Michigan also really impressed four-star FL ILB Devin Bush Jr. last week. His father discussed the visit with Webb ($):
“Michigan is who they are,” Mr. Bush said. “Michigan has a storied tradition… a big time program that is going to be able to recruit nationally. That’s just who they are. When you see it (in person), it’s really real.”
Bush announced a final three of Michigan, Auburn, and Florida State. Even though his dad is a former Seminole, there's a ton of optimism from Michigan's end right now.
So How Do These Guys Fit?
The natural question, of course, is how will Michigan fit all these highly ranked prospects into the class when they're already close to full? Right now, it looks like they're allowing current commits to take a look around. ILB David Reese recently added a Texas offer; any school that has a spot for him to enroll early could look very attractive after Michigan informed him they don't have a mid-year spot for him. ATH Chris Evans just set an official visit to Purdue, per 247's Steve Wiltfong. Michigan appears to be recruiting with the expectation there will be some attrition from within the class.
Two You Can Count Out
Michigan finished second to Alabama when four-star Farmington Hills Harrison DE Khalid Kareem made his initial decision over the summer. Even though Kareem decommitted from Alabama this week, it doesn't look like Michigan will pursue him; Sam Webb said in no uncertain terms that the Wolverines aren't recruiting him ($).
It doesn't look like Michigan is making a push for four-star Ann Arbor Skyline OLB Daelin Hayes, either. Hayes recently decommitted from USC, but he's set five official visits—Michigan isn't among them—and Notre Dame is the clear favorite right now.
October 16th, 2015 at 6:05 PM ^
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October 16th, 2015 at 6:07 PM ^
Dele Harding and Matt Falcon probably out
October 16th, 2015 at 6:18 PM ^
so I might give you that one, but I think the only way Falcon isn't in this class is if we push him out.....which I hope we wouldn't do.
Wasn't Falcon being talked about as the possible #1 kid in MI for 2016 before the injuries of the last 2 years? I would love to see what he could do once re-habbed - wouldn't want to write him off ala Drake Harris was almost over the summer. If we get Walker, Falcon would have 2016 to redshirt and heal.
October 16th, 2015 at 6:40 PM ^
I've heard Harding and the coaches aren't talking to each other, have heard nothing about Falcon though. Are there rumors or is this just speculation on your end?
October 16th, 2015 at 6:43 PM ^
Scout board said Falcon might depart
October 16th, 2015 at 7:11 PM ^
Or a Michigan decision?
October 16th, 2015 at 7:39 PM ^
I think he just wants to look around
October 16th, 2015 at 7:53 PM ^
but if it ends up being a 1 for 1 swap for Walker I'd guess we come out OK.
October 16th, 2015 at 10:33 PM ^
October 16th, 2015 at 10:58 PM ^
October 16th, 2015 at 10:59 PM ^
It's more on Michigan's end. They're running out of spots, and they don't want to take one up with a guy who has had various, somewhat serious injuries.
October 16th, 2015 at 10:58 PM ^
There are strong rumors.
October 16th, 2015 at 7:10 PM ^
I haven't heard anything on him other than he retore his ACL or whatever.
October 16th, 2015 at 10:01 PM ^
Been a while. Good to see you and welcome back!
October 16th, 2015 at 11:20 PM ^
thanks. i hope your diabeetus is under control
October 16th, 2015 at 6:08 PM ^
October 16th, 2015 at 6:10 PM ^
I keep reading elsewhere (including 11W) that we aren't favorites for KW. Thats just stupid. A NJ kid with all his friends coming, has Peppers on the team, loves the coaches and we are a run heavy offense. We are the perfect spot for him unless Ole Miss throws some $$$ at him.
October 16th, 2015 at 7:13 PM ^
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October 16th, 2015 at 6:12 PM ^
When Michigan "loses" a prospect to Bama and then isn't interested when the prospect changes his mind, I am guessing it is because that prospect's "process" went into an area where neither Michigan nor Harbaugh want to travel.
October 16th, 2015 at 6:33 PM ^
That is a sizzling take. So hot!
October 16th, 2015 at 6:36 PM ^
in actuality what I have heard/read they now see Kareem as more of a DL/SDE than a Buck (and see R. Johnson the same) which they don't have need or room for given the current commits and potentially Gary.
Given the 6 spaces left - They have room for: 1 kicker (apparently) (nordin), 1 DB (Hill or Long) , 1 Buck (Kemp), and at least 1 LB (Bush, Jones).
Before attrition that leaves 2 spots for Gary, Walker, Nauta, Crawford, Caleb Kelly, The TX LB Jackson, and the 2 OL guys (Davis, DeLance) and the two odd men out in the DB and LB race.
First World Problems - but problems nonetheless.
NOTE: I didn't count Pie Young in the above......Why? There's always room for Pie.
October 16th, 2015 at 7:09 PM ^
Love me some Pie!
October 16th, 2015 at 6:40 PM ^
and he doesn't fit into the staff's current plan anymore?
October 16th, 2015 at 6:19 PM ^
Isn't Wiltfong the guy who keeps switching his predictions to the school a kid is visiting, since the kid probably won't commit to a different school during the visit? Lame, especially from one of 24/7's core recruiting guys. If that's Wiltfong, I probably wouldn't make much of his Dylan Crawford prediction.
October 16th, 2015 at 6:38 PM ^
October 16th, 2015 at 7:02 PM ^
days after his visit.
Crawford's crystal balls were all old picks to USC and UCLA. I'm liking our chances against those schools a lot more than a week ago.
October 16th, 2015 at 6:24 PM ^
Win or not, I think the recruits will be impressed with how UM plays football and the atmosphere of the Big House.
October 16th, 2015 at 6:37 PM ^
October 16th, 2015 at 6:45 PM ^
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October 16th, 2015 at 7:04 PM ^
I think this game has huge implications recruiting-wise. Not just in the state of Michigan but nationally since the game is being seen basically everywhere. Highly rated recruits have been watching Michigan closely trying to validate the Harbaugh Effect. It looks great so far, but a win tomorrow makes things MUCH more impressive IMO.
October 16th, 2015 at 8:59 PM ^
If we somehow land Gary, Walker and Nauta in addition to all of our other verbals we'll have the #1 recruiting class. Harbaugh!
October 16th, 2015 at 6:59 PM ^
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October 16th, 2015 at 7:07 PM ^
This post makes me think of the passage in John U. Bacon's new book "Endzone" regarding Devin Gardner's and Denard Robinson's recruitments. I was really encouraged that (according to the book) Michigan hasn't historically been willing to engage in the same shenanigans that a lot of other *cough* SEC *cough* schools do. UM... Winning!
October 16th, 2015 at 8:02 PM ^
October 17th, 2015 at 6:17 AM ^
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October 16th, 2015 at 7:48 PM ^
lamar jackson is an impressive athlete. not sure where the staff projects him but dont think it matters - gotta take that kid if hes on board, he could potentially impact games at several spots (S, LB, hybrid defender or whatever teams want to call their NB, even WR or elsewhere) depending on growth. jackson could be a beast.
nauta arguably the most important prospect on m's board? id like to hear those arguments. gary has to be 1 by some margin, given both his special ability and teams questionable future depth at DL. elite TEs would obviously be great but m has TEs on roster and TE committed, not to mention elite DL impact games like no other position (other than QB). the only argument i could see to gary not being 1a and 1b on teams board would be if they already feels hes in (and even then its not wise position to take with rare prospects like him)
October 16th, 2015 at 7:55 PM ^
Didn't realize Christian was Dylan's brother. That dude is tearing up CFB right now - leading the country in all purpose yards... and so fun to watch. Damn that is going to make it tough. Hogan's performance also puts away some of the "Shaw is so boring - who'd want to be a QB at Stanford anymore" talk.
October 16th, 2015 at 10:02 PM ^
October 16th, 2015 at 8:03 PM ^
This is the first film I have seen on Walker - Wow!
Speed, power, vision, and waits for his blockers. I hope we get him.
October 16th, 2015 at 10:25 PM ^
October 16th, 2015 at 9:23 PM ^
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October 17th, 2015 at 7:06 AM ^
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October 17th, 2015 at 7:52 AM ^
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October 16th, 2015 at 9:41 PM ^
that woulda been better title :)
October 16th, 2015 at 10:24 PM ^
October 16th, 2015 at 10:42 PM ^
George Hill said he was 100% to OSU and decommited like 5 days later
October 17th, 2015 at 7:04 AM ^
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October 16th, 2015 at 11:03 PM ^
October 17th, 2015 at 12:45 AM ^
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