Will Mallory (image via Rivals)
It’s an impossible task to guess who will sign with Michigan in the 2018 class.
But I eat impossible tasks for breakfast.
So here’s my best guess for 2018. I’m adding five to the current number of open slots because I assume attrition will occur. So here are the 14 players who will definitely, positively sign with Michigan next February (or earlier).
Carthage (TX) Carthage RB Keaontay Ingram (image via Twitter)
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Michigan missed out on Najee Harris late and lost the commitment of A.J. Dillon, so the running back recruiting in 2017 wasn’t quite what the coaching staff hoped. They got a couple solid commitments, but they’re going for some big-time players at the position in 2018. Along with several previously offered running backs, Michigan is sending out some new offers.
Butler (GA) Taylor County running back Lyn-J Dixon
was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’10”, 185 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Oklahoma, among others. He’s a 3-star, the #25 running back, and #402 overall. His rankings aren’t great, but he seems like a Harbaugh style of back: tough runner, good balance, good vision, and decent speed. As a junior in 2016, he ran 229 times for 1,914 yards (8.4 YPC) and 35 touchdowns, including a 99-yarder.
Carthage (TX) Carthage running back Keaontay Ingram was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’11”, 190-pounder who’s a 4-star, the #18 running back, and #318 overall. Arkansas, Baylor, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech, among others, have all offered. He ran the ball a whopping 320 times for 2,225 yards and 31 touchdowns last year, and he added 46 catches for 475 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Hit the jump for a couple more new offers and some miscellaneous bits.
I just stumbled across this video compilation of all the commitment videos that came out in November and December:
Quindarious Monday (image via Bulldawg Illustrated)
With a flurry of 2018 offers going out in recent weeks, I have to break things down into smaller chunks. And Michigan has been greatly expanding its defensive back recruiting board lately. Below is a look at the cornerbacks and safeties with shiny new Michigan offers:
Ft. Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas cornerback Al Blades, Jr. was offered by Michigan. He’s 6’0″, 170 lbs. and has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, and Miami, among others. He’s a 4-star, the #12 cornerback, and #78 overall. He’s the son of former Miami wide receiver Al Blades and the nephew of former Hurricane (and Detroit Lion) safety Bennie Blades, so Miami is a likely landing spot.
McDonough (GA) Eagle’s Landing cornerback Tre’ Douglas was offered by Michigan. He’s 6’2″, 180 lbs. and is ranked as a 4-star, the #30 cornerback, and #319 overall. Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, and Ohio State are also after him. He’s a tall, lanky corner prospect, which is becoming a common trait for Michigan’s corner targets.
Naples (FL) Naples safety Sammy Faustin was offered by Michigan. Faustin is 6’2″, 170 lbs. and his offer list is slightly less improve than the above players’, with the likes of Kentucky, North Carolina State, and Virginia as his best tenders. He could play a boundary corner spot, but I think he’s more likely headed for a safety position.
Hit the jump for a bunch more defensive back offers.