La Mirada (CA) La Mirada quarterback Kevin Dillman might be Michigan’s top target at the position for 2015
Tom Lemming, the main recruiting analyst for Maxpreps, posted a top 100 watch list for 2015 prospects. I narrowed the list down to some in-region prospects and players who have connections to Michigan (and one interesting name who has no relationship to Michigan).
Jaason Lewis – LB – Virginia Beach (VA) Ocean Lakes: Offered by Michigan.
Kahlil McKenzie – DL – Green Bay (WI) Southwest:In-region prospect, but the son of Reggie McKenzie (a former Green Bay Packers executive) is moving to Oakland because the elder McKenzie has been hired by the Raiders.
Berea (KY) Madison Southern running back Damien Harris
The U.S. Army All-Combine Team was selected by Rivals, and numerous Michigan targets are on the list. These are underclassmen who visit San Antonio and work out without pads, but it gives us a look at recruiting for 2014, 2015, and beyond. Players of note:
FIRST TEAM David Cornwell – QB – Jones (OK) Jones: No offer yet, but will perhaps be Michigan’s first QB offer for 2014. Damien Harris – RB – Berea (KY) Madison Southern: Offered, class of 2015, Michigan currently leads. Joe Mixon – RB – Oakley (CA) Freedom: Offered, class of 2014. L.J. Scott – RB – Marion (OH) Harding: Offered, class of 2014. Josh Malone – WR – Gallatin (TN) Station Camp: Offered, class of 2014. Jackson Barton – OT – Salt Lake City (UT) Brighton: Offered, class of 2014, committed to Utah.
SECOND TEAM Kaden Smith – TE – Flower Mound (TX) Marcus: Class of 2016, alma mater of Stephen Hopkins. Austin Hall – OG – Phoenix (AZ) Brophy Prep: Class of 2014, teammate of 2013 WR target Devon Allen.
HONORABLE MENTION Trace McSorley – QB – Ashburn (VA) Briar Woods: Teammate of 2013 target Matt Rolin (Florida). Matthew Domer – RB – Chicago (IL) Mt. Carmel: Attends alma mater of 2012 DT target Vontrell Williams (Illinois). Cordell Broadus – WR – Diamond Bar (CA) Diamond Bar: Class of 2015, son of Snoop Dogg/Lion. Kaelin Deboskie – WR – Colleyville (TX) Heritage: Class of 2014, brother of former Michigan RB target Covaughn Deboskie (Arizona/Cal). Jalen Embry – WR – Detroit (MI) King: Class of 2014, attends alma mater of RB/CB Dennis Norfleet. Chigozie Onyekwere – WR – Washington (DC) Friendship: Attends alma mater of former Michigan targets Yannick Ngakoue, Eddie Goldman (Florida State), and Malcolm Crockett (Pitt). Keon Paye – WR – Olney (MD) Good Counsel: Class of 2015, attends alma mater of Blake Countess and former Michigan targets Kendall Fuller (Virginia Tech), Dorian O’Daniel (Clemson), and Stefon Diggs (Maryland). Ryan Crozier – OC – Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas: Class 0f 2014, teammate of 2014 WR offeree Corey Holmes, as well as 2013 DE target Joey Bosa (Ohio State).
This is always a big game for visits, and while it’s taking place in Columbus this year, it’s still a chance for Midwest prospects to see the Wolverines play football. Hopefully they can be impressed by a Michigan win, because lots of kids who are interested in Ohio State are also interested in coming to Ann Arbor.
This list is fluid, so names may be added or removed as the week goes along. I’ll add write-ups on some of these players as I find time during the week. (EDIT: Recent news suggests that some of the class of 2013 “official visits” will actually be unofficials because there are so many recruits in town; lots of recruits at one time means there’s less time for individual attention, obviously.)
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech DE Joshua Alabi: Alabi is a 6’4″, 245 defensive end/defensive tackle prospect from the class of 2015. He has no offers at this point, but he is likely to become a highly touted player as his career continues. He looks as if he’ll eventually end up as an interior player. Alabi visited Michigan for the game against Air Force earlier this fall. (Highlight at the end of this video.)
Cincinnati (OH) Sycamore LB Tinashe Bere: Bere is a 6’1″, 210 lb. inside linebacker prospect from the class of 2014. He has a lone offer from Illinois, and I doubt that he will be offered by Michigan. Michigan only seems to be going after elite linebacker prospects, and Bere doesn’t appear to fit into that category. He’s the former teammate of freshman tight end A.J. Williams. (Highlights.)
Indianapolis (IN) Pike WR Dominique Booth: Booth is a 6’1″, 195 lb. wideout from the class of 2014. He has offers from Cal, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Missouri, Purdue, and Wisconsin, among others. As a sophomore in 2011, he had 46 catches for 585 yards and 5 touchdowns. (Highlights.)
St. Charles (IL) East OG Brennan Bosch: Bosch is a 6’2″, 235 lb. offensive line prospect for the class of 2015, so he’s just a sophomore. He is the younger brother of 2013 Michigan offensive guard commit Kyle Bosch; the younger has an offer from Illinois already.
Columbus (OH) Walnut Ridge DE Robert Bowers: Bowers is a 6’6″, 210 lb. defensive end prospect from the class of 2014. He has a lone offer from Cincinnati. He’s very lanky and a good athlete, but he looks like he’ll need to develop physically a little bit if he wants to get big-time offers. This was Bowers’ second visit to Michigan. (Highlights.)
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech QB Jayru Campbell: Campbell is a 6’3″, 190 lb. quarterback from the class of 2015. He already has offers from Alabama and Notre Dame. As a freshman in 2011, he had 2,000 passing yards, threw 32 touchdowns, and had just 6 interceptions. Campbell is the teammate of 2013 commit Jourdan Lewis and the former teammate of freshman linebacker Royce Jenkins-Stone and freshman cornerback Terry Richardson. (Highlights.)
Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake OT Mason Cole: Cole is a 6’5″, 275 lb. offensive line prospect from the class of 2014. He visited Ann Arbor for the BBQ at the Big House back in July, and he has offers from the likes of Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and USC. Some people have suggested that his previous visit to Michigan vaulted the Wolverines to the top of his list, and a good game against MSU could result in a commitment. (Highlights.)
Columbus (OH) Hamilton ATH Micky Crum: Crum is a 6’4″, 212 lb. prospect for the class of 2014 who already has an offer from Bowling Green. Ohio Preps named him the #19 in-state prospect for his class. He’s planning to play quarterback as a senior next season, but right now he’s playing tight end and linebacker. I could see him playing tight end or SAM at the next level. (Highlights.)
Massillon (OH) Washington OG Nathaniel Devers: Devers is a 6’3″, 265 lb. offensive guard prospect from the class of 2014. He has a lone offer from Toledo. Devers has visited Michigan previously, but did not earn an offer at the time. His teammate is Gareon Conley.(Highlights.)
Grand Rapids (MI) Christian OG Tommy Doles: Doles is a 6’5″, 245 lb. offensive line prospect from the class of 2014. He has already been offered by Iowa State and Michigan, though his lack of bulk might be preventing him from more offers. Being a highly coveted prospect might depend on how much weight he can add in the next several months, but he’s a very athletic kid with a high motor. Michigan is considered to be his leader.
Crystal Lake (IL) Prairie Ridge OT Shane Evans: Evans is a 6’4″, 250 lb. prospect from the class of 2014. He has no offers at this time.
Muskegon (MI) Muskegon DT Kenny Finley: Finley is a 6’3″, 265 lb. defensive tackle prospect from the class of 2014. Muskegon is the alma mater of former Michigan defensive tackle Terrance Taylor, and the school has produced several other FBS prospects in recent years.
Richmond (VA) Hermitage RB Derrick Green: Green is a 6’1″, 225 lb. running back who has been offered by Michigan, along with most of the big-time programs across the country. I did a couple scouting reports on Green (one live, one from video). Green has had several different teams high on his list (Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, etc.), but one constant has been Michigan. Both of his other presumed leaders at this point – Auburn and Tennessee – are having iffy or poor seasons, so a good performance against Michigan State this weekend could vault Michigan into the lead if he’s looking for a program headed in the right direct. This is his official visit.
Woodbridge (VA) Woodbridge DE Da’Shawn Hand: Hand is a 6’4″, 245 lb. prospect from the class of 2014. He already has offers from most of the big-time programs around the nation. He’s also generally considered to be the top overall recruit in his class. The fact that he’s driving up from Virginia during the season suggests that his interest in Michigan is strong, so hopefully the Wolverines can make a good impression on Saturday. UPDATE: Hand is no longer planning to attend Saturday’s game. (Highlights.)
Berea (KY) Madison Southern RB Damien Harris: Harris is a 5’11”, 201 lb. tailback prospect from the class of 2015. He’s one of just two current sophomores to have an offer from the Wolverines. As a freshman in 2011, he had 62 carries for 742 yards (12.0 yards/carry) and 12 touchdowns. This will be his second time visiting Michigan, and his highlights are very impressive from early in his sophomore season:
Huber Heights (OH) Wayne LB Dorian Hendrix: Hendrix is a 6’1″, 215 lb. linebacker prospect from the class of 2014. He attends the alma mater of former Michigan cornerback Terrence Talbott and defensive tackle Terry Talbott. Hendrix already has offers from Bowling Green, Illinois, and Toledo, among others. Ohio Preps lists him as the #11 player in the state of Ohio for 2014. He looks to me like a middle linebacker prospect, but I’m not sure that Michigan will be looking for many more linebackers in the 2014 class. (Highlights.)
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech RB/LB Gary Hosey: Hosey is a 6’0″, 225 lb. prospect from the class of 2014. He does not have any offers at this point. Michigan is looking at him as a potential running back recruit, but I don’t think he has the speed to be a BCS-level tailback; fullback might be more likely, but I’m not sure how many scholarships the Wolverines coaching staff will allot for fullbacks, with Sione Houma already on the roster and Wyatt Shallman coming in 2013.
Pickerington (OH) North RB Godwin Igwebuike: Igwebuike is a 5’11”, 185 lb. running back who’s the teammate of 2013 defensive end commit Jake Butt. He has offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Nebraska, Pitt, and Wisconsin, and he’s currently committed to Northwestern, so he’s no slouch. If Michigan can’t reel in Derrick Green, Igwebuike might be a backup plan. (Highlights.)
Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison RB Ashton Jackson: Jackson is a 5’11”, 180 lb. running back from the class of 2014. He has offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, and Purdue, among others. His teammate is 2013 Michigan linebacker commit Mike McCray. As a sophomore in 2011, Jackson had 1,100 yards rushing and 18 rushing touchdowns. (Highlights.)
Westland (MI) John Glenn WR Da’Mario Jones: Jones is a 6’2″, 185 lb. wide receiver who is currently committed to Central Michigan. He also has offers from Bowling Green and Toledo, but he appears to be a backup plan option in case the recruitment of Crete (IL) Crete-Monee wide receiver LaQuon Treadwell falls through. (Highlights.)
Cleveland (OH) Glenville OG Marcelys Jones: Jones is a 6’4″, 325 lb. offensive guard prospect from the class of 2014. He does not have a Michigan offer, but he has been offered by Indiana and Ohio State; a Michigan offer might not be too far in the future. Glenville is the alma mater of sophomore defensive end Frank Clark and freshman defensive tackle Willie Henry.
Cincinnati (OH) La Salle WR Derek Kief: Kief is a 6’5″, 185 lb. receiver from the class of 2014. He already has offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, and Indiana, among others. As a sophomore in 2011, he had 48 catches for 680 yards (14.1 yards/catch) and 10 touchdowns. He’s a taller guy with good ball skills, sort of like Jaron Dukes with a little more speed. (Highlights.)
Muskegon (MI) Muskegon OG Malik King: King is a 6’4″, 275 lb. offensive guard.
Huber Heights (OH) Wayne CB Tyree Kinnel: Kinnel is a 5’11”, 170 lb. corner from the class of 2014. He does not have any offers at this time. He also visited Michigan last weekend for the Illinois game, and (Highlights.)
Red Oak (TX) Red Oak S Ronnie Larue: Larue is a 6’0″, 185 lb. high school quarterback who is being looked at by Michigan to play strong safety. The 2014 prospect claims a 4.58 forty and a 4.03 shuttle time, as well as a 280 lb. bench; those numbers are pretty impressive for a small-ish high school quarterback. (Highlights.)
Cleveland (OH) Glenville WR Marshon Lattimore: Lattimore is a 6’0″, 175 lb. wideout with offers from Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Michigan, and others. He attends Ohio State pipeline Glenville, but Michigan has made inroads at the school in the past couple recruiting classes. (Highlights.)
Westerville (OH) South TE Darryl Long: Long is a 6’4″, 220 lb. tight end from the 2014 class. He plays some wide receiver in high school, but he’ll likely move to tight end; at Michigan he would probably be a U-back like Devin Funchess. Long’s lone offer so far is from Ohio. (Highlights.)
Woodbridge (VA) Woodbridge QB Mike Majette: Majette is a 5’10”, 176 lb. quarterback from the class of 2015. He’s the teammate of 2014 defensive prospect of Da’Shawn Hand. He already has an offer from West Virginia, but he’s likely a little small (at this point) to be considered a legitimate prospect to play quarterback at Michigan. Michigan would likely look at him more as a defensive back. UPDATE: Majett is no longer planning to attend Saturday’s game. (Highlights.)
Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison WR Kendric Mallory: Mallory is a 6’2″, 174 lb. receiver in the class of 2014. He has an offer from Illinois and is the teammate of 2013 Michigan linebacker commit Mike McCray. (Highlights.)
Monroeville (PA) Gateway S Montae Nicholson: Nicholson is a 6’2″, 200 lb. safety from the class of 2014. He has visited Michigan previously and earned an offer at Michigan’s summer camp back in June; he also has offers from Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, and West Virginia, among others. Nicholson would likely play strong safety at a place like Michigan. (Highlight.)
Monroeville (PA) Gateway WR Ricky Rogers: Rogers is a 6’2″, 192 lb. receiver from the class of 2014. He already has offers from Pitt, Rutgers, and West Virginia. Rogers has some speed and the ability to go up and get the ball, but he’s not an upper echelon talent. He may earn an offer down the road, but I don’t think he’s a guy that Michigan will offer this early in the process. (Highlight.)
Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake WR Artavis Scott: Scott is a 5’11”, 180 lb. receiver from the class of 2014. His teammate is Mason Cole, an offensive tackle with a Michigan offer. So far Scott has offers from Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and West Virginia, among others. I think there’s a very strong chance that Michigan offers Scott on the visit, though I doubt he would jump on the opportunity to commit.
Marion (OH) Harding RB L.J. Scott: Scott is a 5’10”, 210 lb. running back prospect with an offer from Kent State; he also reportedly has an offer from the Wolverines, though that might not be a “committable” offer. He’s a 2014 prospect who had 1,000 yards and 8 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2011. (Highlights.)
Cleveland (OH) Glenville S Erick Smith: Smith is a 6’1″, 185 lb. safety prospect for the class of 2014. His lone offer at this point is from Georgia Tech. I would not be surprised to see him earn a Michigan offer in the future, although he might not be a guy who needs to be offered right this instant. (Highlights.)
Middletown (OH) Middletown TE Chance Sorrell: Sorrell is a 6’6″, 229 lb. tight end prospect from the class of 2014. He has no offers at this point, and he suffered a broken ankle this season, so those offers might not come anytime soon. He’s a big kid who looks a bit like Craig Roh on the field, a good-but-not-great athlete. I don’t think he’ll be offered by Michigan at this stage, but he could be an option down the road. (Highlights.)
Sylvania (OH) Southview DT Ryan Stout: Stout is a 6’5″, 245 lb. defensive tackle prospect from the class of 2014. He has offers from Akron, Bowling Green, and Toledo. Southview is the alma mater of freshman safety Allen Gant. In his first five games this season, Stout had 45 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks. (Highlights.)
Louisville (KY) Central S Donald Styles: Styles is a 5’10”, 180 lb. safety prospect without any offers at this time. However, he’s a solid hitter with decent speed, and he looks to me like an FBS prospect, though maybe not fast enough for elite level offers. (Highlights.)
Monroeville (PA) Gateway TE/LB Brenon Thrift: Thrift is a 6’3″, 230 lb. prospect for 2014. He already has offers from Pitt and West Virginia. He visited Michigan back in the summer, but WVU is his current leader. (Highlights.)
Crete (IL) Crete-Monee WR LaQuon Treadwell: I scouted Treadwell prior to the beginning of the 2012 season, and nothing he’s done as a senior has diminished my thoughts on him. He’s one of the top few receivers in the country and has the ability to be a possession guy or a big-play guy, whichever type is needed for the program. UPDATE: Treadwell did not make it to Ann Arbor.
Chicago (IL) Hales Franciscan OT Denzel Ward: Ward is a 6’9″, 295 lb. offensive tackle from the class of 2014 who was offered by Michigan when he visited Ann Arbor last weekend. There’s some buzz about him possibly committing this weekend, although he said after last weekend’s visit that he wanted to consider his options and have a discussion with his parents. There’s no film on him yet, so I have no analysis on how he plays the game. He also has an offer from Purdue.
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech CB Damon Webb: Webb is a 5’11”, 170 lb. prospect from the class of 2014. LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State are all major players in his recruitment, though LSU and Michigan seem to be out front. He could also play wide receiver at the next level, though his physicality suggests that he has a higher ceiling on defense.
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech RB Mikey Weber: Weber is a 5’10”, 195 lb. prospect from the class of 2015. He was hurt as a freshman and for part of this season, but there’s some buzz around him due to the speed he has showcased at times. He has no offers at this point, but a sophomore running back with his speed and physical development is likely to get some good looks at Cass Tech soon.
Detroit (MI) Country Day QB Tyler Wiegers: Wiegers is a 6’4″, 197 lb. quarterback from the class of 2014 who holds offers from Toledo and Western Michigan. He doesn’t have the best arm and isn’t a great athlete, but I like the way Wiegers commands the offense and his accuracy, and he also has a decent arm. If Michigan is going to take a guy in 2014 who’s a backup type, I think Wiegers could fill that role. He’s not a superstar and isn’t a guy who will unite the fan base like Shane Morris, but that might not be what the coaches are looking for in 2014. (Highlights.)
Minster (OH) Minster TE Ethan Wolf: Wolf is a 6’6″, 221 lb. prospect for the class of 2014. He has offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, and Toledo, among others. As a sophomore in 2011, he had 20 receptions for 392 yards.
Grand Rapids (MI) Christian offensive tackle Tommy Doles was offered by Michigan. Doles is a 6’5″, 260 lb. lineman whose only offer comes from Michigan. He attends the same high school as a fellow 2014 offeree, wide receiver Drake Harris. So far Michigan’s coaches are recruiting Doles as an athlete and are looking at him for offensive line, defensive line, or perhaps even as a tight end. (Highlights.)
New Orleans (LA) St. Augustine running back Leonard Fournette was offered by Michigan. Fournette is a 6’0″, 210 lb. tailback with offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, and many others. As a freshman in 2010, he had 174 carries for 1,735 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Shaker Heights (OH) Shaker Heights defensive end Joe Henderson was offered by Michigan. Henderson is a 6’4″, 215 lb. high school defensive end who looks like he would play weakside end if he chooses Michigan, the only team to have offered so far. (Highlights.)
Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas wide receiver Corey Holmes camped at Michigan and earned an offer. Holmes is a 6’1″, 175 lb. receiver with offers from Florida, South Florida, and Wisconsin. He stated that Michigan sits atop his list, but it’s early in the process. Holmes is the teammate of defensive end Joey Bosa, whom Michigan offered for the 2013 class before he committed to Ohio State. (Highlights.)
Monroeville (PA) Gateway safety Montae Nicholson was offered during camp. He’s a 6’2″, 195 lb. safety who could play either strong or free, and he has already been offered by Penn State and Pitt. Gateway consistently puts out FBS talent, including guys like Shayne Hale (Pitt), Cam Saddler (Pitt), Corey Brown (Ohio State), and Dorian Bell (Ohio State). (Highlights.)
La Porte (TX) La Porte linebacker Hoza Scott was offered by Michigan. At 6’2″ and 205 lbs., he already holds offers from Alabama, Florida, LSU, Texas, and USC, among others. Last month he named his top five; four of them are in the SEC, and the other one is Cal. He appears to be a long shot to come to Michigan, but you can see in the highlights that the kid is a playmaker, pulling off outside linebacker plays that I normally see only in NCAA Football ’12.
Mansfield (TX) Timberview safety Brandon Simmons was offered by Michigan. Simmons is a 6’0″, 170 lb. free safety or cornerback prospect with offers from LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and several others. His teammate is fellow safety prospect Edward Paris, who has also been offered by the Wolverines. As a sophomore in 2011, Simmons had 100 tackles, 15 pass breakups, 3 interceptions, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. (Highlights.) ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015
Sherman (TX) Sherman offensive tackle Aaron Garza was offered by Michigan. Garza is a 6’4″, 300 lb. lineman.
Berea (KY) Madison Southern running back Damien Harris was offered by Michigan. And yes, I’ve started a 2015 offer board, and Harris was the first name on that list. That means 2011 was Harris’s freshman season, but he ran the ball 62 times for 742 yards (11.4 yards per carry) and 11 touchdowns while playing in just six games on varsity. He’s already 6’0″ and 200 lbs. (Highlights.)
OFF THE BOARD
San Diego (CA) Horizon wide receiver Darren Carrington committed to Oregon. He was just recently offered by Michigan and mentioned plans to attend camp but never made it to Ann Arbor.
Hilliard (OH) Darby athlete Caleb Day committed to Illinois. Day didn’t have a Michigan offer but camped at Michigan last week in an effort to earn one. He could play several positions in college, including running back, wide receiver, cornerback, or safety.
Wide receiver Sebastian LaRue committed to USC. Michigan had a shot to win over LaRue until the Trojans offered. Then it was game over.
VISITORS
Seffner (FL) Armwood wide receiver Alvin Bailey will be visiting Michigan this week. Bailey has already been offered by Michigan and is the teammate of highly touted defensive back Leon McQuay III, who has Michigan in his top three after visiting last month.
Cordova (TN) St. Benedict running back Jordan Wilkins is visiting Michigan today. He already visited Auburn and almost committed there, and he mentioned that he wants to play early. That may be difficult with all the other running backs on Michigan’s roster. I have doubts about whether a visit will sway Wilkins, but at least he’s coming to campus. I wrote up a scouting report on him a month ago.
