Clinton Township (MI) Chippewa Valley safety Stefan Claiborne (#21)
A few weeks ago, I posted a look at some in-state prospects who could be due for Michigan offers as the 2016 recruiting class wrapped (LINK). At this point the class is filling up with a lot of national recruits, so it’s not clear if any more local offers will be needed. Last year Michigan stole wide receiver Grant Perry from Northwestern late in the process, but that was as Jim Harbaugh was scrambling to fill out his first half of a class. With the final weekend of official visits coming up before National Signing Day, time is running short for Michigan to snake-oil someone.
DEFENSIVE END
Top option: Iowa has typically done a great job of identifying and developing under-the-radar talent, and they have a commit from Detroit (MI) East English Village Prep strongside end Cedrick Lattimore (3-star, #22 SDE, #493 overall). He’s 6’6″, 265 lbs. and could end up playing a few different positions in college. As for weakside ends, a guy getting some late attention is Southfield (MI) Bradford Academy prospect TaMarion Johnson (3-star, #135 WDE, #2571 overall). He decommitted from Miami-OH yesterday, and offers from Iowa State and Minnesota have come in lately.
Other options: Walled Lake (MI) Central outside linebacker Adetokunbo “Ade” Ogundeji (3-star, #42 WDE, #660 overall) is ranked higher than Johnson and committed to Notre Dame, but I think he’s a little less athletic. Southfield (MI) Southfield end Eyioma Uwazurike (3-star, #38 SDE, #832 overall) is 6’6″, 254 lbs. and flipped from Toledo to Iowa State when Matt Campbell was hired to coach the Cyclones.
Hit the jump for the rest of the defense.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Top option: The state of Michigan is very thin on big-man talent this year. If a team were truly looking for a defensive tackle, the best bet would probably be to try to bulk up Lattimore or Uwazurike. Detroit (MI) Cass Tech’s Michael Onwenu, a Michigan commit, would be the best defensive tackle in the state, but he’s being recruited as an offensive guard.
Other options: Detroit (MI) Cass Tech’s Edrick Matthews II is 6’3″, 280 lbs. and committed to Bowling Green State University.
LINEBACKER
Top option: Battle Creek (MI) Central linebacker Brandon Randle (3-star, #24 OLB, #364 overall) is 6’1″, 217 lbs. and a U.S. Army All-American. While he wasn’t one of the standout performers, he did impress with his physique and athleticism during practices. However, he’s committed to Michigan State and he’s not going anywhere else. A kid I’ve liked all along is Plymouth (MI) Canton outside linebacker Jalen Cochran (3-star, #66 OLB, #1011 overall). He’s 6’4″, 235 lbs., and probably more of an OLB in a 3-4 or even a weakside end. He just picked up an offer from Arizona and is weighing one from Iowa State as well.
Other options: Detroit (MI) King athlete Armani Posey (3-star, #60 OLB, #936 overall) was, according to some, his team’s best player this past season – and that’s a team that included Donnie Corley, Lavert Hill, Martell Pettaway, and Ambry Thomas. He has a few MAC offers so far, and he flies around like a crazy man on defense. One exceptional thing was that he was not supposed to be the team’s quarterback this year, but he stepped in capably when their presumed starter (Mikale Washington) transferred. The 6’1″, 225 lb. Eric Rogers (3-star, #39 ILB, #1009 overall) is the brother of former Michigan cornerback/wide receiver James Rogers and committed to Western Michigan.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Top option: One player I thought would have a better offer list by now is Clinton Township (MI) Chippewa Valley safety Stefan Claiborne (3-star, #51 S, #792 overall). The 6’1″, 168-pounder was committed to Illinois at one point, backed off that pledge, and recently picked Western Michigan. Cincinnati and Iowa have both offered him, too. Like I did on offense, I’ll also suggest Ypsilanti (MI) Ypsilanti athlete Marquis Smith (3-star, #103 ATH, #1406 overall), a kid who could play receiver, cornerback, or safety at the next level. He’s a former Kansas commit who also has offers from Cincinnati, Iowa State, and Syracuse.
Other options: West Bloomfield (MI) West Bloomfield corner Navon Mosley (3-star, #119 CB, #1306 overall) is the best remaining corner on the board, and he’s committed to Purdue. Michigan has a history of yanking kids from Purdue. West Bloomfield (MI) West Bloomfield safety Evan Foster (see highlights below; 3-star, #82 S, #1283 overall) is 6’2″, 197 lbs. and recently committed to Syracuse.
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