2017 Recruiting Update: January 11, 2017

Tag: Cam Akers


11Jan 2017
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2017 Recruiting Update: January 11, 2017




Chuck Filiaga with Jim Harbaugh

COMMITMENT

Aledo (TX) Aledo offensive tackle Chuck Filiaga committed to Michigan (LINK).

OFF THE BOARD

Clinton (MS) Clinton running back Cam Akers committed to Florida State at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He was considering Ohio State, so this is somewhat of a recruiting win for Michigan. He enrolled early, so there’s no chance of him flipping now, either. Akers looks to me like the best back in the 2017 class.

Bridgeton (NJ) Bridgeton safety Markquese Bell committed to Maryland. This is a pretty good pull for D.J. Durkin. Bell is the 247 Composite #188 player and #7 athlete in the country. He was a Michigan lean at one point, but Michigan supposedly put him on the back burner. He also considered Clemson, Ohio State, and Rutgers. Two of those things are not like the other.

Wylie (TX) East running back Eno Benjamin committed to Arizona State. Benjamin named Michigan to his top six, and I had hoped that the Wolverines would somehow be able to reel him in despite their pursuit of Najee Harris. He seems like a good kid and trained with former Michigan running back David Underwood. However, the Wolverines stopped pursuing him weeks before his final decision.

Hit the jump for several other news bits.

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5Dec 2016
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Who’s enrolling early in 2017?

isaiah-wilson

Brooklyn (NY) Poly OT Isaiah Wilson

Some class of 2017 prospects will be enrolling in January, which means there’s only a few weeks left for players to make college decisions. Here’s a look at the players Michigan is targeting who plan to enroll early, along with their scheduled commitment dates (if they have been announced).

Cam Akers – RB – Clinton (MS) Clinton: N/A

Aaron Banks – OT – El Cerrito (CA) El Cerrito: Committed to Notre Dame

Ja’Raymond Hall – OT – Oak Park (MI) Oak Park: Committed to Michigan

Najee Harris – RB – Antioch (CA) Antioch: Committed to Alabama

Tarik Black – WR – Cheshire (CT) Academy: Committed to Michigan

Jaylen Kelly-Powell – S – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Committed to Michigan

Alex Leatherwood – OT – Pensacola (FL) Washington: Committed to Alabama

Corey Malone-Hatcher – DE – St. Joseph (MI) St. Joseph: Committed to Michigan

Tre’ McKitty – TE – Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy: Committed to Florida State

Donovan Peoples-Jones – WR – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Committed to Michigan

Shanon Reid – LB – Ft. Myers (FL) Dunbar: Committed to Tennessee

Cesar Ruiz – C – Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy: Committed to Michigan

Benjamin St-Juste – CB – Montreal (Canada) Vieux: Committed to Michigan

Ambry Thomas – CB – Detroit (MI) King: Committed to Michigan

Isaiah Wilson – OT – Brooklyn (NY) Poly: Committed to Georgia

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17Nov 2016
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Visitors: Michigan vs. Indiana

isaiah-wilson

Brooklyn (NY) Poly OT Isaiah Wilson (image via Bleacher Report)

2017

Cam Akers – RB – Clinton (MS) Clinton: The 5’11”, 213 lb. prospect has offers from Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 5-star, the #2 running back, and #5 overall. The U.S. Army All-American was previously committed to Alabama, but now Ohio State has a slight lead with 30% of the Crystal Ball picks. Michigan would have a pretty solid class with the players who are already committed at running back, but Akers and Najee Harris are too good to pass up if it’s possible to get them. This is his official visit. UPDATE: Akers is no longer visiting.

Tory Carter – FB – Leesburg (GA) Lee County: Carter is a 6’2″, 255 lb. prospect who is committed to LSU. He’s a 3-star, the #1 fullback, and #1186 overall. He’s a teammate of 2017 DT Aubrey Solomon (a former Michigan commit) and 2018 safety Otis Reese (a current Michigan commit). Fullback/linebacker Chase Lasater decommitted from Michigan and fullback/linebacker Ben Mason might start off on defense, so Carter is perhaps Michigan’s best shot at a fullback in this class. This is his official visit.

Noah Harvey – LB – Hartland (WI) Arrowhead: Harvey is a 6’3″, 210 lb. prospect with an offer from Buffalo. He’s a former teammate of Michigan freshman offensive lineman Ben Bredeson.

Brad Hawkins, Jr. – WR – Camden (NJ) Suffield Academy: Hawkins is a 6’2″, 195 lb. prospect who signed a National Letter of Intent to Michigan in February. However, academic issues prevented him from enrolling at Michigan, so he is attending prep school at Suffield Academy, where he played football this fall. According to recent reports, he and Michigan plan for him to enroll at Michigan, so he is essentially a 2017 commit.

Hit the jump for several more 2017 and 2018 visitors.

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7Mar 2016
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Offensive Recruiting Update: March 7, 2016

Cam Akers 765x

Clinton (MS) Clinton RB Cam Akers decommitted from Alabama

Thanks to those of you who have been using the Amazon link(s) to purchase items. As I mentioned before, right now 50% of my Amazon revenue is being donated to the Chad Tough Foundation. That means you helped donate $40 to Chad Tough in the month of February. If you want to donate straight to ChadTough, you can follow this link here (LINK).


I was trying to churn out spring practice previews last week, so the recruiting update got pushed back. And with the way Michigan is firing out offers under Jim Harbaugh, that means there are a ton of updates. Today is simply a look at the news about offensive products, with defensive guys hopefully to come tomorrow morning.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Clinton (MS) Clinton running back Cam Akers decommitted from Alabama. He’s a 5’11”, 210 lb. prospect who also has offers from Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, and Miami, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #3 running back, and #36 overall. A high school quarterback, he threw for 2,331 yards, 20 TDs, and 8 INTs last season; he also ran 169 times for 1,418 yards and 16 TDs. However, he is not expected to play QB at the next level. Akers recently said that he would probably take a visit to Michigan in the fall, but he lists Georgia and Ole Miss as his leaders now. The decommitment was not surprising, since Alabama also has #1 running back (and #1 overall player) Najee Harris committed, too.

Millbrook (AL) Stanhope Elmore tight end Zech Byrd was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’6″, 235 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida, and Ole Miss, among others. Byrd is unranked at this point, because a vast majority of his offers have come in the last couple of weeks. He has the body to play tight end or defensive end at the next level, but he is very raw and doesn’t have a great feel for the game on either side.

Brunswick (GA) Brunswick offensive tackle D’Antne Demery was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’6″, 308 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #24 offensive tackle, and #158 overall. He has already named Georgia his leader, so it might be tough to pull him out of the Peach State.

Hit the jump for lots and lots more offers, including a new 2019 tender.

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15May 2015
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Recruiting Update: May 14, 2015

Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s wide receiver K.J. Hamler (image via 247Sports.com)

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Clinton (MS) Clinton running back Cam Akers was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 215 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #6 running back, and #62 overall. A high school quarterback, in 2014 he completed 119/200 passes for 1,800 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions; he also ran 166 times for 896 yards and 11 touchdowns. Akers is a sturdily built runner who lacks great breakaway speed, but he has decent acceleration, has good balance, and can break a lot of tackles.

Cheshire (CT) Academy wide receiver Tarik Black was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’3″, 185 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Connecticut, Maryland, and Rutgers, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #14 wide receiver, and #97 overall. He claims a 36″ vertical. As a sophomore in 2014, he had 57 catches for 926 yards and 12 touchdowns. His film should be taken with a grain of salt since Connecticut lacks much talent in the sport of football, but he makes some very nice acrobatic catches – impressive regardless of competition – and shows some decent speed. Black is high on Michigan and could have the Wolverines #1 on his list early.

Dallas (TX) Bishop Dunne cornerback Chevin Calloway was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’10”, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Baylor, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and TCU, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #14 cornerback, and #192 overall. He claims a 4.45 forty. Despite just average size, Calloway is good in press man coverage and shows some decent ball skills.

West Sayville (NY) Sayville quarterback Jack Coan was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’3″, 190 lb. prospect with offers from Maryland, Miami, and Syracuse, among others. As a sophomore in 2014, he completed 195/327 passes for 3,431 yards and 40 touchdowns. Coan throws a nice, catchable ball and has good pocket awareness, but he is not an adept runner and has a delivery that can be very deliberate. He’s just beginning the recruiting process and took his first college visit less than a month ago.

Hit the jump for several more new offers in the 2017 class.

Norfolk (VA) Booker T. Washington defensive tackle Breyon Gaddy was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’4″, 321 lb. prospect with offers from Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Notre Dame, and Oregon, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 5-star, the #2 defensive tackle, and #23 overall. Gaddy is large and can be explosive, although his claim of a 4.6 forty is likely an exaggeration. He spends too much of his time standing straight up, so the possibility of being a William Campbell exists. The Seminoles were the first to offer and are likely still the leader.

Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s wide receiver K.J. Hamler was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’9″, 155 lb. prospect with offers from Cincinnati, Indiana, Louisville, and Michigan State, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 3-star, the #44 wide receiver, and #270 overall. As a sophomore in 2014, he caught 38 passes for 773 yards. Hamler is very speedy and elusive, and despite being undersized, he wants to play receiver in college, most likely in the slot; he could also be helpful in the return game. Michigan State looks like they might have the lead. Hamler has two teammates with Michigan offers: 2016 offensive guard Cameron Kolwich and 2017 linebacker Joshua Ross.

Princeton (NJ) The Hun School defensive tackle Fred Hansard was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’4″, 310 lb. prospect with offers from Miami, Ohio State, Rutgers, and Virginia Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #12 defensive tackle, and #142 overall. Hansard is a big boy with a little bit of bad weight, but he is strong and runs pretty well for his size, which is shown by his fumble return for a touchdown on the very first play of his highlights. He attends the alma mater of former Michigan defensive end Anthony Lalota, who eventually transferred to Rutgers before quitting football altogether.

Roseville (CA) Roseville tight end Jimmy Jaggers was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’4″, 230 lb. prospect who also holds offers from Louisville, Northwestern, and Oregon State, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #4 tight end, and #209 overall. He is not the most outstanding athlete, but he shows a good understanding of the position, runs fairly well, and shows a strong ability to block at the point of attack. Jaggers visited Michigan a couple weeks ago without an offer at the time, so his interest in the Wolverines seems quite high.

Vidalia (GA) Vidalia linebacker Nate McBride was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 220 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, and Georgia, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #6 outside linebacker, and #91 overall. McBride is a speedy outside linebacker who does a little bit of everything for his high school team – plays linebacker, plays running back, returns kicks, etc. He would be a good pull, but it will be tough to get him out of SEC country.

Atlanta (GA) Hapeville cornerback William Poole III was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 170 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, LSU, Miami, and others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #15 cornerback, and #194 overall. Poole is a quick-twitch kid with good speed and long arms, although he occasionally gets lost in coverage. Georgia looks like the team to beat right now.

Rancho Cucamonga (CA) Rancho Cucamonga cornerback Jaylon Redd was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’9″, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona State, UCLA, and USC, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #19 cornerback, and #243 overall. Redd has that classic highlight film that’s slightly sped up, so he looks faster than he really is – and so does everyone else on the field. His speed should be taken with a grain of salt. Regardless, some big programs have offered, and he’s a little guy with pretty good agility.

Marietta (GA) Sprayberry running back Trey Sermon was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 200 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, and Miami, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #5 running back, and #57 overall. Sermon has a nice blend of size, vision, speed, and power which should translate nicely into being the next great Georgia Bulldog running back.

Atlanta (GA) Pace offensive tackle Andrew Thomas was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 295 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, Georgia, and Miami, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #8 offensive tackle, and #65 overall. Thomas has some impressive agility for a guy his size, and he has the flexibility to stay low and drive people off the ball.

Upland (CA) Upland wide receiver Nathan Tilford was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 190 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona State, UCLA, and USC. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #25 wide receiver, and #164 overall. Tilford plays running back in high school, though he might be a bit tall and lanky to stick at that position. He has good speed and athleticism but might find himself playing safety or outside linebacker, where his raw athleticism might serve him better. Tilford attends the alma mater of former Michigan target Joe Mathis (Washington), who was known for changing his mind depending on the direction of the wind.

Sparta (NJ) Pope John XXIII defensive tackle Dalyn Wade-Perry was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’4″, 320 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Ohio State, and Stanford, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #20 defensive tackle, and #241 overall. Wade-Perry is a wide body who will probably be a nose tackle at the next level. He shows some nimble feet but probably lacks the explosiveness to be a penetrating 3-tech tackle.

Roswell (GA) Roswell cornerback LeAnthony Williams, Jr. was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 170 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #16 cornerback, and #203 overall. I really like Williams’s game, because he’s a speedy guy who’s not afraid to stick his nose into some physical contact. He could play corner or safety, but I would probably include him in the top 100 prospects in the country.