Westerville (OH) South RB Jaelen Gill
With the flurry of activity going on here near signing day, I didn’t think waiting until Monday would be a good idea unless I wanted to type one giant tome. So here’s your third recruiting update of the week.
COMMITMENTS
Plantation (FL) American Heritage tight end Nick Eubanks committed to Michigan (LINK).
McKeesport (PA) McKeesport safety Khaleke Hudson committed to Michigan (LINK).
Winter Garden (FL) West Orange wide receiver Eddie McDoom committed to Michigan (LINK).
Michigan has picked up a few preferred walk-on commitments in Michigan safety Tyler Cochran, Wisconsin tight end Conner Edmonds, Michigan tight end Daniel Jokisch, and Virginia offensive guard Andrew Vastardis.
DECOMMITMENT
Houston (TX) Westside defensive tackle Jordan Elliott decommitted from Michigan (LINK).
Hit the jump for some new 2017 and 2018 offers, as well as some players who went off the board.
ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Rockford (MI) Rockford kicker Quinn Nordin decommitted from Penn State. Rated as the #1 kicker in the country, he is expected to pick between Michigan and USC at 11:00 a.m. on National Signing Day.
ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Richmond (VA) Benedictine linebacker Ellis Brooks was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’1″, 225 lb. prospect with offers from Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, and Virginia Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #21 outside linebacker, and #297 overall. Brooks is a heavy hitter who has some fun film to watch, if you’re into fthat sort of thing. He attends the same school as former Michigan targets Clelin Ferrell (Clemson in 2015) and Scott Bracey (Duke in 2016).
Groton (MA) Lawrence Academy running back A.J. Dillon was offered by Michigan. Dillon is a 6’1″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Iowa, Notre Dame, and Virginia Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #18 running back, and #228 overall. As a junior this past season, he ran 187 times for 1,887 yards and 26 touchdowns. As with any New England prospect, highlights should be taken with a grain of salt based on the competition. Still, Dillon is a big, tough back that fits the mold of a De’Veon Smith.
ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2018
Westerville (OH) South running back Jaelen Gill was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 165 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan State, Ohio State, Tennessee, and UCLA, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #1 all-purpose back, and #19 overall. I have been wanting Michigan to extend an offer for a while because he’s probably the best player in the state of Ohio for 2018 (although there’s still time for others to develop). Gill will probably end up at Ohio State, but you can’t beat Ohio State in recruiting unless you go head-to-head with them.
Springfield (OH) Springfield linebacker Antwuan Johnson was offered by Michigan. Johnson is a 6’1″, 210 lb. prospect with offers from Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Louisville. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #3 inside linebacker, and #80 overall. He claims a 4.79 forty with a 245 lb. bench and a 405 lb. squat. Stoutly built and a little bit stiff, I think he’s limited to the inside linebacker position unless his body changes over the next couple years.
Huber Heights (OH) Wayne wide receiver L’Christian “Blue” Smith was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 200 lb. prospect with offers from Kentucky and Purdue. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #15 wide receiver, and #114 overall. Smith, who is also a standout basketball player, caught his passes last season from former Michigan quarterback commit Messiah DeWeaver, who is now committed to Michigan State.
Springfield (OH) Springfield tight end Leonard Taylor was offered by Michigan. A teammate of Johnson’s, he’s a 6’5″, 240 lb. prospect with offers from Kentucky and Louisville. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #2 tight end, and #21 overall. He plays some defensive end, defensive tackle, tight end, and even wildcat quarterback; all of those positions are possible except for quarterback.
OFF THE BOARD
Waco (TX) Waco cornerback Eric Cuffee committed to Texas. Michigan’s efforts to get into Texas stymied once again!
Sioux Falls (SD) Washington offensive tackle Matt Farniok committed to Nebraska. Farniok flirted with Michigan briefly at one point, but they were not serious contenders by the end.
Deltona (FL) Deltona defensive end Evan Hinson committed to South Carolina. Previously a Miami commit, he has a younger brother that Michigan is also recruiting, 2019 wide receiver Blake Hinson.
MISCELLANEOUS
I’m keeping the list of targets’ announcement dates and decisions updated (LINK). Speaking of which, Nixa (MO) Nixa tight end Chase Allen is expected to announce his decision today. It might have been Michigan, except Nick Eubanks took his spot. So the choice will probably be Iowa State.
And…has anyone seen 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi? I posted about it on the forum (LINK).
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Young Jokisch is serious about his blocking. He’s a bit gumpish, but he has a lot of frame and even more desire. I’m betting he makes the field.
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