You Down With JKP?

Four-star Cass Tech S Jaylen Kelly-Powell has been a steady presence on campus throughout his recruitment. Last week, Kelly-Powell had his most in-depth visit to Michigan yet, and his father summed it up for Sam Webb:

“It was more informative.  It was probably by far the best time and best (visit) he had since he’s been (going) up there. It was very detailed and very to the point (when it came to) what they see him as, what they want him to do, and how much of a priority he is. It was what we needed to hear.”

While some schools are recruiting JKP as a corner, Michigan made it clear they'll give him a chance to see the field early at safety, and Don Brown went over how he could be utilized in the hybrid SAM role currently occupied by Jabrill Peppers.

Kelly-Powell it taking a trip out west to see a few schools the week of Memorial Day; his father indicated a decision could come soon afterwards. Michigan looks like the team to beat, and landing him could help them out with JKP's cousin, four-star Detroit King CB Ambry Thomas.

Meanwhile, Kelly-Powell's Cass Tech teammate, three-star 2017 OG Jordan Reid, is expected to visit campus today with his father and uncle, per 247's Steve Lorenz. Reid recently listed Michigan as the number two team in his top five, behind Florida.

[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]

It's Nice That "Five-Star Updates" Is Now A Regular Section

Michigan already has one five-star prospect, QB Dylan McCaffrey, committed to the 2017 class. They've been named the leader at various points for two others, offensive linemen Tedarrell Slaton and Isaiah Wilson. Yet another, Donovan Peoples-Jones, is in Michigan's backyard. A handful of others have at least expressed interest.

That number now includes TN WR Tee Higgins, who's battling with Peoples-Jones for the distinction of top receiver in the class. Per Lorenz, Higgins is looking to make his way to campus:

“I know I want to get down to Michigan and Florida State,” Higgins said on Sunday. “(Michigan’s coaches) really want me to get on campus, so I just told them I’d get down there."

At the moment, Higgins' Crystal Ball is split between Clemson and Tennessee.

On Monday, Jay Harbaugh went to Washington to visit the nation's #2 offensive tackle, WA OT Foster Sarell, per Lorenz. Sarell has previously expressed interest in taking an unofficial visit to campus; Harbaugh surely pushed for that during his visit.

NY OT Isaiah Wilson has backed off slightly from his previous statements that Michigan led, but the Wolverines are still in his top five after the only other Midwest school in the running fell out, per Scout's Brian Dohn:

"My top five has a little bit of change to it," WIlson said. "I shifted some schools. I would say it's Alabama, Michigan, USC, Georgia and LSU. Basically, it's all about the same thing which each school, and that's that I like the vibe I get from the coaching staffs.It's the coaching staffs, big-time football and good academics."

Ohio State was in Wilson's previous top five, but it was supplanted by the Trojans. He visited Alabama last week, but he does not have any other visits set.

Wilson seems quite enamored with Alabama after his recent visit there; the Tide look like Michigan's primary competition.

In-State Battle Brewing

While most of Michigan's (many) recent offers have gone to 2018 prospects, they're by no means finished offering 2017 prospects. Three-star Flint Southwestern DE Deron Irving-Bey, who held zero Power 5 offers heading into March, added a Michigan offer to a recent Michigan State offer last week, and he told Sam Webb he didn't see it coming:

“When (Drevno) first told me (about the offer) I was really excited because it was kind of out of nowhere,” said Irving-Bey. “I didn’t expect it.  When I went back to class I sat there silent.  Tears of joy just came out of nowhere.  I never saw myself in this situation right here getting offers.  This is a true blessing.”

Now that he has picked up offers from the in-state rivals the obvious question is does he like currently like one better than the other.

"No, I like both of them,” Irving-Bey replied laughingly. “My mom, she's a diehard Michigan fan and my dad, he's a state fan."

Irving-Bey plans to decide before his season starts in the fall; while he's looking at other schools, this appears to be an in-state battle.

The Gazillion Other Offers

Michigan continues to send out scholarship offers at a rate that makes it nearly impossible to summarize in a way that's remotely comprehensive. I've done my best to point out the most notable new offers.

This week, that includes three-star OR OT Alex Forsyth. An Oregon prospect with an Oregon offer can normally be dismissed off-hand as a longshot at best, but Forsyth told TMI's Brice Marich he's got strong connections to Michigan:

“I was very excited because I grew up a fan of Michigan because a lot of my family went there. They were very happy too.”

If a visit materializes, Michigan should have a decent shot.

Michigan also offered one of the top 2018 quarterbacks, four-star WA QB Jacob Sirmon, who committed to Washington in December; he told Wolverine247 he was excited about the offer, but it would take "something drastic" for him to open it back up.

Top-50 2018 MO OT Michael Thompson told Lorenz he plans to set up a trip to Ann Arbor after fielding a "surprising and exciting" offer from Michigan.

Four-star 2018 CA OLB Solomon Tuliaupupu is the latest Polynesian prospect to forge a connection with Tony Tuioti, and Michigan is in good position after offering him, per Lorenz:

"It felt great, it started off my day the best way possible," Tuliaupupu said upon making the phone call. "It almost felt like I was in a dream with a good feeling in my stomach all day. Coach Chris Partridge and Coach Tuioti are the ones who offered me. When they offered they said they are very excited to be able to start their relationship with me and they said they love how I play the game of football."

Four-star 2018 GA DB Kyler McMichael added a Michigan offer over the weekend, and while he's being pursued by several top national programs, his father told Sam Webb why the Wolverines are in good shape early:

“I actually know a lot about Michigan,” Mr. McMichael said.  “(Kyler) has a really good relationship now with Coach Wheatley. He's been talking to him since he's been in the ninth grade. They've maintained a good connection throughout this past season, pretty much talking once or so a month. As far as Michigan for me, I grew up watching Michigan and watching Michigan Replay on Sunday morning with Jim Brandstatter.  I know a lot about the program. I've actually played against Ann Arbor Pioneer (while at Detroit Mumford) and I remember for me the big thing was back then they were contending for state championships. I think they even won.  For me to even score against them was the big thing. You arrive in Ann Arbor you see it’s a college town and I think it’s a strong academic environment that’s conducive to learning and taking your academics to the next level.”

As Michigan connections go, "father regularly watched Michigan Replay" is pretty strong.

Four-star 2018 TX TE Malcolm Epps is an early Alabama commit, but he told MnB's Brandon Justice that Michigan—which recently offered—is his father's "dream school," and he said that could potentially impact his recruitment.

Etc.

It's safe to say Michigan in heavily in the running for 2018 Detroit Country Day linebacker Kolin Demens, Kenny's younger brother.

Three-star 2017 OK DT Deontre Thomas will announce his decision between Michigan and Nebraska on Saturday. There's not much suspense here:

“Both Nebraska and Michigan are kind of similar but the visit to Nebraska just felt more like home,” he said. “It was awesome. There were jets flying over the stadium and fireworks for a touchdown. It was just a crazy atmosphere."

A preemptive Happy Trails to him.

Michigan is one of four schools standing out early to five-star 2018 IMG Academy DT Taron Vincent, per Lorenz. Ohio State, Alabama, and Georgia round out his early leaders.

While Michigan starting to recruit a three-star rarely merits mention in these posts, that's not the case with a name like this, via Lorenz:

Michigan has begun to recruit 2017 three-star outside linebacker Fa'avae Fa'avae out at Mater Dei HS in Santa Ana (CA)

Offer him immediately, please.