Friday Recruitin' Hits The Road
Bye Week Visits: Nauta, Gary Square Off
Coming to your citayyyyyyy
It's the bye week. Life is mercifully boring, unless you're on Michigan's coaching staff, in which case you're probably on a plane.
Spending the day mining for Gold with DJ Durkin & @JayHarbaugh ! #GoBlue
— Coach Harbaugh (@CoachJim4UM) October 23, 2015
The coaches will stop by schools and check out games of several top targets today and tomorrow. The headliner is tonight, when five-star DT Rashan Gary and Paramus Catholic take on five-star TE Isaac Nauta and IMG Academy at 7pm (televised on ESPN2 if you're curious); Jim Harbaugh will be there, per TomVH ($):
Harbaugh is expected to be in attendance at IMG’s game on Friday as it takes on Parramus Catholic, a team that features the No. 1-ranked player in the country, Rashan Gary.
"It’s awesome that he’s coming to the game,” Nauta said, “especially because I was just up there and he’s making the effort to come down here. He could have gone to a lot of places but he chose to come down here so that’s huge.”
That's a nice two-for-one, and it's not the only stop Harbaugh will make on the recruiting trail this weekend; 247's Steve Lorenz reports($) he'll also head to Houston on Saturday to see four-star ILB Dontavious Jackson and three-star S Chris Brown. John Baxter is heading out to California to see four-star CB David Long and, in all likelihood, four-star ATH Lamar Jackson. Jay Harbaugh is going to Tampa to check out three-star TE Jacob Mathis. Tim Drevno is on his way to Texas to watch four-star OT Jean Delance.
Several other top targets will receive visits, as well. There's also a new name on the list of bye week targets: four-star 2017 CO OT Jake Moretti, an Ohio State commit who 247's Bill Kurelic reports got a visit from Jedd Fisch ($):
Being a class of 2017 prospect and being an offensive lineman out in Colorado, Moretti’s name doesn’t often come up right now. But Wolverine assistant Jedd Fisch, with Michigan having a bye this weekend, stopped at Moretti’s school this week.
And Fisch isn’t the only coach interested in flipping Moretti.
“Schools keep coming after me,” Moretti said. “(But) I’m good with Ohio State. I’m 100%. I love Ohio State. Ohio State is a special place.”
Michigan's had some success recruiting in Colorado and could add to that if Carlo Kemp chooses the Wolverines over Notre Dame. We'll see if anything develops with Moretti.
[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]
The Latest From Kareem Walker
This is the latest statement from RB Kareem Walker, sent today, on where he's at and what visits he'll take pic.twitter.com/aBruV2KJ1i
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) October 21, 2015
Now Michigan plays the waiting game.
More Visit Reactions: M Looking Good For McCaffrey
Michigan's top 2017 quarerback target, four-star CO QB Dylan McCaffrey, told Sam Webb that last weekend's game had the best atmosphere of any of his visits, and the Wolverines appear to be the standard-bearer in his recruitment ($):
"Coach Harbaugh has done such a great job over there and watching him was kind of incredible,” McCaffrey said. “Everyone likes him and he has kind of turned that program around. With the past couple years, I think they deserve all the success that they have had this year. I love the way they coach and work to get the best out of the players they have.”
After getting the chance to take in the game and atmosphere, his interest in U-M is still very strong.
“They are definitely at the top amongst other schools and it was great to get to visit them,” said McCaffrey. “Now, it is time to compare to other schools and see how they fit.”
Four-star 2016 WDE Levi Onwuzurike told Scout's Gabe Brooks he had a "great" visit; he otherwise kept his cards close to the vest. Nobody seems to have a clear idea what Onwuzurike is going to do, but Michigan is in the mix.
While three-star De La Salle RB/CB Allen Stritzinger doesn't have imminent commitment plans, he told The Wolverine's Brandon Brown that Michigan is in great shape after another campus visit last weekend ($):
"I love Michigan. Every time I go up there it's a great atmosphere," he said. "They are definitely No. 1 when it comes down to it for me. I'm just embracing the whole recruiting process still but if it was anytime soon or I was thinking about committing anywhere, Michigan is really high on my radar. I'll just keep that in mind while I go through everything."
Michigan will be tough to beat for him.
M In Top Group For Delance
Four-star TX OT Jean Delance may be atop M's board on the offensive line, and Delance has the Wolverines right in the thick of things, per Lorenz ($):
"Alabama, Michigan and Texas and I'm still considering A&M a bit," he said. "I'm taking my official to Michigan on November 28th for the game against Ohio State and then I'm going to visit Alabama on December 13th. I'm definitely taking one to Texas, but the others will be in January probably."
Delance added that Charlie Strong and Jim Harbaugh are "neck and neck" when it comes to forging a connection with his family.
Etc.
Brandon Peters continues to vault his way up the recruiting rankings. When Peters committed in April, he was outside the Scout 300, ranked as their #20 QB; now he's their #65 overall prospect and the #5 QB on their board:
Peters has put up good numbers this year, but numbers are only part of the story. He has the size, athleticism, intangibles and the arm to be a big time college player. He has made college level throws every week, down field, into coverage, deep to the sideline, wherever the ball has needed to be, it has gotten there.
David Reese has recently added mid-year offers from Florida, Nebraska, and Texas, and he plans to take official visits to all three, his father told 247's Steve Wiltfong.
Michigan sent out a few offers to 2017 prospects: four-star MD DE Chase Young, four-star PA OG CJ Thorpe, and four-star UT S Chaz Ah You (per 247, 247, and MGoFish, respectively). Obviously, Chaz Ah You becomes an immediate priority due to his massive NOTY potential.
October 23rd, 2015 at 2:35 PM ^
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October 23rd, 2015 at 2:49 PM ^
'Mr. Plow', that's my name.
That name again is; 'Mr. Plow'.
October 23rd, 2015 at 3:43 PM ^
October 23rd, 2015 at 11:39 PM ^
October 23rd, 2015 at 2:40 PM ^
Chaz Ah You coming to Michigan?
October 23rd, 2015 at 2:42 PM ^
Excited to watch ESPN2 tonight!
October 23rd, 2015 at 2:49 PM ^
Do you think that if Kareem Walker had mentioned MICHIGAN in his statement, he would have used all caps?
October 23rd, 2015 at 3:40 PM ^
He didn't write THE OHIO STATE, so he's as good as ours. Crootin logic!
October 23rd, 2015 at 2:49 PM ^
I know this has likely been asked and answered somewhere, but what exactly is a mid-year offer? Those offers for Reese are all big boys, but does a mid-year offer make it less attractive?
October 23rd, 2015 at 2:53 PM ^
I believe he's talking about offers to enroll early, which Michigan is not currently offering. That is what makes the offers significant, because he's graduating high school early and really wants to enroll early.
October 23rd, 2015 at 2:55 PM ^
It would be nice to see some of Dylan's crystal ballz to go blue - and not Duke blue.
Everytime I see that name I feel like I need to make a 90210 reference.
October 23rd, 2015 at 4:32 PM ^
October 23rd, 2015 at 3:15 PM ^
Wish I could find out where these guys are staying while in Bradenton. I own a condo about a mile away from the IMG academy, and a bunch of people rent in our development and walk/ride to IMG. I'm sure IMG is offering up some really nice executive suite for Harbuagh, but it would be cool to at least attempt to offer up my place to a Michigan coach.
ESPN2 will be on tonight for sure.
October 23rd, 2015 at 3:21 PM ^
Ace, I'm going to see Dylan McCaffrey Play Tonight. Who are you going to scout tonight?
October 23rd, 2015 at 3:25 PM ^
October 23rd, 2015 at 4:01 PM ^
Link?
October 23rd, 2015 at 5:26 PM ^
Carlo Kemp is not actually committed. It must have been an accident because the bold print was supposed to only represent current commits.
October 23rd, 2015 at 3:28 PM ^
And by beef, I mean those fine gentlemen who struggle and strain in the rough and tumble world known as the line of scrimmage, and more specifically those whom are commonly referred to as "Defensive lineman."
October 23rd, 2015 at 3:32 PM ^
we all know that Harbaugh hates recruiting. ESPN told me so. They wouldn't be wrong! :)
Truly nobody has it better than us. We're relevant again in year 1 and we'll be in the top tier in short order.
October 23rd, 2015 at 3:38 PM ^
waiting until pretty late to announce commitments. That could make for a pretty wild finish as for Michigan recruiting with this class. Usually, that doesn't work well in our favor. But..... Harbaugh.
October 23rd, 2015 at 3:41 PM ^
Hello Carlo Kemp?
October 23rd, 2015 at 3:54 PM ^
Thanks -- now I know what I'm watching on TV tonight
October 23rd, 2015 at 3:55 PM ^
Wow that flashing gif is annoying.
October 23rd, 2015 at 4:46 PM ^
Sorry, '96, but the "It's Happening" GIF is the best thing ever. Maybe it's just because I associate it with the process that brought Harbaugh home. Still, I love that thing.
October 23rd, 2015 at 4:00 PM ^
Not sure how this affects Kemp,
#ESPN300 DL Khalid Kareem says he has committed to Notre Dame.
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) October 23, 2015
October 23rd, 2015 at 5:15 PM ^
October 23rd, 2015 at 5:32 PM ^
This video was my reaction :)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK_ZUlNZXxQ
October 23rd, 2015 at 5:28 PM ^
The fact that the coaching staff is jet setting across the country, "mining for gold" makes this bye week far less mundane. Perhaps I am ignorant when it comes to the finer details of recruiting, but how common is it for this many coaches on a staff to hop around the country on a bye week? I want to believe this is a unique happening and perhaps that's because it's the Harbaugh influence on my mind, but I feel like it's not uncommon with larger scale programs.
October 23rd, 2015 at 5:35 PM ^
I don't think it is uncommon. I remember Coach Carr and his staff did this while he was at Michigan. IIRC he even talked about it on Michigan Replay when Jim Brandstatter asked about his plans for the bye week.
October 23rd, 2015 at 8:58 PM ^
I believe Carr drove directly to the home of Justin Vargas after winning the NC in the Rose Bowl. Recruiting is constant travel.
October 23rd, 2015 at 5:53 PM ^
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October 23rd, 2015 at 7:30 PM ^
October 24th, 2015 at 1:53 AM ^
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October 25th, 2015 at 9:10 AM ^
October 24th, 2015 at 10:59 AM ^
October 26th, 2015 at 10:21 AM ^
are on the list for UM?
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