Tag: 2015 recruiting

Visitors: April 11-13, 2014

Memphis (TN) Whitehaven linebacker Joshua McMillon (image via 247 Sports)

2015
Joshua McMillon – LB – Memphis (TN) Whitehaven: McMillon is a 6’3″, 249 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Tennessee, among many others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #11 OLB, and the #182 player overall. Tennessee has done a good job of reeling in in-state prospects, and McMillon is the #6 player in the Volunteer State. Michigan is in the mix, but it’s tough to pull talent out of SEC country.

Michael Weber – RB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: I wrote up a scouting report on Weber a few weeks ago. He has also recently visited Michigan State and Wisconsin.

2016
Mikale Washington – QB – Detroit (MI) King: Washington is a rising junior prospect who played his sophomore season at Dearborn (MI) Robichaud. He transferred to King this offseason and will be teammates with 2015 linebacker offeree Tyriq Thompson and Michigan State commit Kyonta’ Stallworth. UPDATE: Washington visited Michigan for last weekend’s spring game, but he will actually be visiting Michigan State this weekend.

Recruiting Update: April 7, 2014

Asmar Bilal (left) and Darrin Kirkland, Jr. visited Michigan together back in February (image via 247 Sports)

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015
Indianapolis (IN) Ben Davis linebacker Asmar Bilal was offered by Michigan. Bilal is a 6’3″, 201-pounder with offers from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, and Wiscinson, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #7 inside linebacker, and #224 overall. He picked up the Michigan and Notre Dame offers at the end of last week, and those two appear to be the front-runners right now, with Notre Dame perhaps holding a slight edge. Bilal visited Michigan back in late February. Despite his ranking as an inside linebacker, Bilal is a lanky prospect with some explosiveness in the mold of a Chase Winovich and other players Michigan has pursued for the SAM linebacker position in recent years.

Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence Central linebacker Darrin Kirkland, Jr. was offered by Michigan. Kirkland is a 6’2″, 228 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Penn State, Purdue, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 inside linebacker, and #201 overall. Kirkland had 110 tackles and 8 sacks as a junior in 2013. He’s definitely an inside linebacker prospect who probably looks the part of a middle linebacker more than anyone since Kenny Demens. Kirkland is a vicious hitter with pretty good instincts, but lacking in elite speed. Both linebacker offers probably have something to do with last week’s commitment by Merrillville (IN) Andrean linebacker Josh Barajas to Penn State. Barajas was offered by Michigan as a MIKE, and the Wolverines were in a good position with him, so this is an “EA Sports NCAA Football” moment – the #1 guy in Indiana commits elsewhere, so Michigan extends offers to #2 and then #3.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Hartland (WI) Arrowhead offensive tackle Ben Bredeson was offered by Michigan. Bredeson is a 6’5″, 270 lb. prospect with offers from Iowa State, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. He will likely be one of the top few players in Wisconsin for 2016, perhaps the best. Bredeson is a mauler, and while he may not have the height/length to play tackle over the long run, he could also be effective as a guard. He was offered when he visited for the spring game this past weekend, but the Badgers are the presumed leader here.

OFF THE BOARD
McKinney (TX) North running back Ronald Jones II committed to Oklahoma State. Jones had not visited Michigan and was a long shot, so it’s not much of a surprise that he didn’t pick the Wolverines. However, it seemed at one time that Baylor was the likely destination, and 247’s Crystal Ball had him at 46% for Baylor,  46% for Oklahoma, and 8% for Notre Dame.

Southfield (MI) Southfield defensive end Malik McDowell finally signed his National Letter of Intent to attend Michigan State. He committed to MSU on National Signing Day, but most of us know the story: his mother disapproved of the choice because of a bad experience, so she wouldn’t sign the paper. She finally capitulated on the last day possible, which was April 1. There had been persistent rumors that Michigan might be a compromise choice between Malik and his parents, but that is obviously no longer a possibility.

MISCELLANEOUS
Here’s a list of visitors from last week and from Saturday’s spring game.

I released my final TTB Ratings for the class of 2014.

I also posted my initial TTB Ratings for the class of 2015.

Tampa (FL) Plant offensive tackle Jake Fruhmorgen will announce his college decision at 3:15 p.m. on Thursday. He visited Michigan two weekends ago, but he is likely to pick Clemson.

Over on Recruiting Season, I profiled Desmond Fitzpatrick, Daelin Hayes, Michael Oliver, Abdallah Jaffal, and Ray Buford.

Visitors: April 4-6, 2014

New Lenox (IL) Providence Catholic wide receiver Miles Boykin

Some of these prospects will be on campus during the week, and some will be in town for Saturday’s spring game. There should be numerous additions to this list throughout the week.

TRANSFER
Chad Lindsay – C – The Woodlands (TX) The Woodlands: Lindsay was a 6’3″, 307 lb. prospect coming out of high school in 2010. He was a 3-star prospect and the #30 offensive guard to Rivals, claiming a 425 lb. bench and a 530 lb. squat. Now listed at 6’2″ (he lost an inch!) and 302 lbs., he is a graduate transfer prospect from Alabama, where he was a backup interior lineman for the past few seasons. He actually played against Michigan as a backup in the 2012 contest, and he started several games when starter Ryan Kelly was injured in 2013. Lindsay is looking at several possible destinations, including Ann Arbor, where his former offensive coordinator, Doug Nussmeier, now holds the same title with the Wolverines.

2015
Manny Andrade – S – Allen Park (MI) Allen Park: Andrade is a 6’1″, 205 lb. prospect with no current offers.

Miles Boykin – WR – New Lenox (IL) Providence Catholic: Boykin is a 6’5″, 208 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #22 wide receiver, #190 overall, and the #2 player in Illinois. Boykin, who claims a 4.41 forty, will be attending the spring game with Core6 Athletes, a training program for high school football players from the Chicago area. There are likely going to be 50-100 prospects in town for the game, so I probably won’t be able to list them all here.

Caleb DeWeese – OG – DeKalb (IL) DeKalb:

Aleks Dragin – LB – Libertyville (IL) Libertyville: Dragin is a 6’2″, 225 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

Jack Dunaway – DE – Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice:

DeAndre Ford – OT – Joliet (IL) Catholic:

Marvin Franklin, Jr. – RB – Gibraltar (MI) Carlson: Franklin is a 6’0″, 165 lb. prospect with no offers right now.

Aaron Garland – S – Oak Park (IL) Fenwick: Garland is a 6’0″, 190 lb. prospect with offers from Buffalo, Central Michigan, Nevada, Northern Illinois, Toledo, and Western Michigan. He claims a 4.5 forty, a 295 lb. bench, and a 400 lb. squat.

Hale Hentges – TE – Jefferson City (MO) Helias: Hentges is a 6’4″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Stanford, Texas, and numerous others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #4 tight end, #132 overall, and #2 in his state. As a junior in 2013, he had 61 catches for 940 yards and 15 touchdowns. He will also be visiting Michigan State and Ohio State on his trip.

Brian Lewerke – QB – Phoenix (AZ) Pinnacle: Lewerke is a 6’3″, 180 lb. prospect who has picked up offers from offers from Ole Miss, Florida, and Michigan State in the last month. I did a scouting report on Lewerke (and other quarterbacks) in February. I wouldn’t be totally surprised if the Wolverines extended an offer, although I’m not necessarily expecting it.

Jordan McInerney – DE – Libertyville:

David Moorman – OT – Pinckney (MI) Northville: Moorman is a 6’5″, 275 lb. prospect with offers from Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, and Western Michigan. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #47 offensive tackle, #393 overall, and #6 in-state. He has visited Michigan a handful of times and seems like a kid who will end up at MSU or U of M if either/both offer.

Martez Morton – DE – Oak Park (MI) Oak Park: Morton is a 6’4″, 225 lb. prospect with no offers right now. He’s the teammate of a few quality prospects, including John Kelly (offer from MSU) and Shahid Bellamy (committed to CMU).

Flynn Nagel – WR – Lemont (IL) Lemont: Nagel is a 5’11”, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Boston College, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, Purdue, and a bunch of MAC schools. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #61 wideout, #498 overall, and #6 in Illinois. As a junior in 2013, he had 103 catches for 1,504 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Chuck Norgle – QB – Lombard (IL) Montini Catholic: Norgle is a 6’2″, 205 lb. prospect with no offers right now.

Atakan Pekpolat – OT – Libertyville (IL) Libertyville:

Jon Runyan, Jr. – OG – Natrona Heights (PA) St. Joseph’s: Runyan committed to Michigan last year. I recently posted my initial TTB Ratings for Michigan’s 2015 commits.

Kyonta’ Stallworth – OG – Detroit (MI) King: Stallworth is a 6’4″, 270 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee, but he committed to Michigan State in August of 2013. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #28 offensive tackle, #262 overall, and #3 in-state. He recently transferred from St. Clair Shores (MI) South Lake and is now teammates with linebacker Tyriq Thompson, whose father Clarence played at Michigan in the ’90’s.

Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. – TE – Manlius (NY) Canisius: Wheatley is a 6’6″, 260 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Miami, Michigan, Penn State, and USC, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #7 tight end, #178 overall, and #1 in the state of New York. As a junior in 2013, he had 16 receptions for 190 yards and 2 touchdowns, along with 41 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 interception, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. Obviously, he’s the son of former Michigan running back Tyrone Wheatley, who’s currently the running backs coach for the Buffalo Bills.

Eddie Zinn-Turner – DT – Malvern (OH) Malvern: Zinn-Turner is a 6’3″, 280 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

Hit the jump for the 2016 and 2017 visitors.

2016
Ben Bredeson – OT – Hartland (WI) Arrowhead: Bredeson is a 6’5″, 270 lb. prospect with offers from Iowa State, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. He figures to be one of the top few prospects in the state of Wisconsin, if not the best.

Christian Bobak – RB – Hinsdale (IL) Central: Bobak is a 5’11”, 175 lb. prospect with no offers right now. He claims a 4.6 forty and averaged 6.5 yards/carry as a sophomore in 2013. He’s a teammate of 2014 Michigan signee Ian Bunting.

Jacob Cerny – OG – Traverse City (MI) West:

Donnie Corley – WR – Wyandotte (MI) Roosevelt: Corley is a 6’2″, 160 lb. prospect with no offers yet, but he has recently created some buzz with camp performances and should be in line to snag several offers before all is said and done.

Deaven Covington – RB – Chicago Heights (IL) Marian Catholic:

Messiah DeWeaver – QB – Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison: DeWeaver is a 6’3″, 195 lb. prospect with offers from Kentucky and Louisville. As a sophomore in 2013, he had 2,300 yards passing and 27 total touchdowns (21 passing, 6 rushing). He has visited Michigan numerous times and is friends with redshirt freshman linebacker Mike McCray, a former high school teammate. Interestingly, DeWeaver’s two Crystal Ball picks on 247 Sports are in favor of Notre Dame, who has not offered him. He will be on Michigan’s campus Tuesday, April 1.

Jeremy Fejedelem – S – Lemont (IL) Lemont:

Brendan Ferns – LB – St. Clairsville (OH) St. Clairsville: Ferns is a 6’3″, 212 lb. prospect with offers from Cincinnati, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Virginia. He’s the younger brother of incoming Michigan freshman linebacker Michael Ferns, but from what I’ve heard, he’s more fond of Penn State.

Daelin Hayes – LB – Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s: Hayes is a 6’3″, 225 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, and Tennessee. He’s the younger cousin of Michigan running back Justice Hayes. Daelin missed most of his sophomore year due to a shoulder injury.

Lavert Hill – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Hill is a 5’11”, 165 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He’s the younger brother of Michigan sophomore safety Delano Hill.

Jesse Johnson – S – Detroit (MI) King:

Khalid Kareem – DE – Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison: Kareem is a 6’4″, 225 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He attends the alma mater of Michigan junior defensive end Mario Ojemudia and wide receiver Devin Funchess, and he’s teammates with Mario’s brother Michael.

Brendan O’Hara – LB – New Lenox (IL) Providence Catholic: O’Hara is a 6’1″, 210 lb. prospect with no offers right now.

Josiah Purchase – WR – Olympia Fields (IL) Rich Central: Purchase is a 5’11”, 175 lb. prospect without any current offers.

Emmanuel Rugamba – WR – Naperville (IL) Central: Rugamba is a 6’0″, 170 lb. prospect with no offers right now. He visited Michigan earlier this winter for a basketball game.

Michael Sessa – QB – Hinsdale (IL) Central:

Quayvon Skanes – WR – Chicago (IL) Phillips: Skanes is a 5’11”, 170 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

Drew Tyler-Harvey – ATH – Crete (IL) Monee:

Mikale Washington – QB – Detroit (MI) King:

Terius Wheatley – RB – Manlius (NY) Canisius:

Abdulaah Yaseen – CB – Oak Park (MI) Oak Park:

2017
Joshua Bean – QB – Hinsdale (IL) Central:

Johnathan Berghorst – DE – Zeeland (MI) East: Berghorst is a 6’3″, 220 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He has been earning a little bit of buzz for his play during his freshman year and has been visiting the big-time programs in the midwest lately, like Michigan, Michigan State, and Notre Dame.

Connor Lillig – ATH – Oak Park (IL) Bishop Fenwick:

Martez Malone – WR – New Lenox (IL) Providence Catholic:

Corey Malone-Hatcher – DE – St. Joseph (MI) St. Joseph: Malone-Hatcher is a 6’3″, 205 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He has visited Michigan a few times this year. He will likely be one of the top few in-state prospects for his class, and he was named a MaxPreps Freshman All-America in 2013. He will also be in Ann Arbor on Tuesday. EDIT: Malone-Hatcher is now planning to visit Alabama this weekend.

Josh Myers – OT – Miamisburg (OH) Miamisburg: Myers is a 6’5″, 275 lb. prospect with offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and Tennessee, among others, despite being just a rising sophomore. He visited Michigan and was offered in mid-February, but the Buckeyes are probably going to be tough to beat. He will join DeWeaver and Malone-Hatcher on Tuesday in Ann Arbor.

Mark Patritto – WR – Rochester (MI) Adams: Patritto is a 5’11”, 160 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

Sean Rattay – OG – Toledo (OH) St. John’s:

Joshua Ross – LB – Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s: Ross is a 6’2″, 190 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, and Oklahoma. He missed half of his freshman season due to a broken ankle. He’s the younger brother of Michigan junior linebacker James Ross.

Ricky Smalling – WR – Oak Lawn (IL) Brother Rice: Smalling is a 6’0″, 175 lb. prospect with no offers right now. He claims a 225 lb. bench and a 375 lb. squat.

Ambry Thomas – WR – Detroit (MI) King:

Justin Weller – S – La Grange Park (IL) Nazareth Academy: Weller is a 5’11”, 180 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. As a freshman in 2013, he had 35 receptions for 750 yards and 10 touchdowns, and he had 35 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble on defense.

Kyle Wood – QB – Rochester (MI) Adams: Wood is a 6’0″, 185 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He also visited Michigan for a basketball game earlier this winter.

Initial TTB Ratings for 2015

Richmond (VA) St. Christopher’s CB Garrett Taylor

Here are the initial TTB Ratings for the class of 2015 (ratings explanation).

CB Garrett Taylor – Richmond (VA) St. Christopher’s: 85
Taylor has the makings of being a very good player. He has size, speed, leaping ability, physicality, and is reportedly a quality kid. I’m not sure if I see the coverage instincts to pop him up into the 90’s, but he should be a very good cornerback or perhaps safety in a few years. (Commitment post.)

CB Shaun Crawford – Lakewood (OH) St. Edward: 79
I like Crawford as a prospect. He has great speed, and he is also very physical for someone his size. I do have some questions about whether he can play man coverage, because he doesn’t have a ton of experience doing that in high school. I think a 79 here is a baseline, but if he attends an event like The Opening or the Rivals 5-star Challenge, he could show some of those man coverage skills to sway me upward. (Commitment post.)

S Tyree Kinnel – Huber Heights (OH) Wayne: 74
When I look at Kinnel, I see a high school version of Thomas Gordon. He doesn’t wow me with his athletic skills, but he comes up with some solid tackles and seems to be in the right place at the right time. He looks like a solid safety prospect but does not appear to be a star. (Commitment post.)

OG Jon Runyan, Jr. – Natrona Heights (PA) St. Joseph’s: 73
Runyan is a decent athlete, but for being the son of a former NFL player, I think he’s lacking somewhat in football instincts. He comes out of his stance a little high, doesn’t seem to have a great deal of power, and gets overextended at times. As a legacy player, he seems like someone who would stick around, so he would have a while to develop. He’s not a player who leaps off the screen, though. (Commitment post.)

K Andrew David – Massillon (OH) Washington: N/A
I don’t really know enough about kickers to evaluate them. (Commitment post.)

Recruiting Update: March 31, 2014

Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius defensive end Dre’Mont Jones (#86) (image via 247 Sports)

COMMITMENT
Richmond (VA) St. Christopher’s cornerback Garrett Taylor committed to Michigan last Monday.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015
Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius defensive end Dre’Mont Jones was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 250 lb. prospect with offers from Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Ohio State. He’s also a 247 Composite 4-star, the #14 strongside end, #294 overall, and the #15 player in the Buckeye State. Jones is quick off the ball but he could be one of those guys who grows into a 3-tech defensive tackle. Michigan has gone after several St. Ignatius prospects in recent years, but the last one they landed was linebacker Jake Ryan in the 2010 class. Jones himself appears to be leaning heavily toward Ohio State.

OFF THE BOARD
Merrillville (IN) Andrean linebacker Josh Barajas committed to Penn State. Michigan had been in his top three, but Penn State pulled ahead on a recent visit. This may open the door for a player like Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence Central linebacker Darrin Kirkland, Jr. to be offered, and Michigan would likely jump to the top of Kirkland’s list.

Dallas (TX) South Oak Cliff safety Prentice McKinney committed to Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish and Michigan were supposedly his top two, but obviously, the Irish pulled ahead. He has yet to visit South Bend, and sometimes those types of commitments are a little iffy before all is said and done.

MISCELLANEOUS
Here’s a short list of this past weekend’s visitors.

I did a scouting report on Lawrenceville (NJ) Lawrenceville School offensive tackle Grant Newsome.

Over at Recruiting Season, I profiled Avonte’ Bell, Parker Underwood, Shahid Bellamy, Cameron Lewis, and Thiyo Lukusa. If you have a teammate or player who’s a Division I prospect and has yet to be profiled, drop me an e-mail or leave a comment.