Tag: 2015 recruiting

Visitors: February 21-23, 2014

Traverse City (MI) West offensive lineman Thiyo Lukusa

Asmar Bilal – LB – Indianapolis (IN) Ben Davis: Bilal is a 6’3″, 201 lb. prospect with offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Northwestern, among others. As a junior in 2013, he had 106 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #7 inside linebacker, and the #208 player overall.

Brian Cole – WR – Saginaw (MI) Heritage: Cole is a 6’2″, 190 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State, along with several others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #5 athlete, the #57 player overall, and the top in-state player for 2015.

Donnie Corley – WR – Wyandotte (MI) Roosevelt: Corley is a 6’2″, 160 lb. prospect for 2016. He recently won a Best of the Midwest camp MVP and looks like a promising prospect going forward. He also visited Michigan last weekend.

Shaun Crawford – CB – Lakewood (OH) St. Edward: Crawford committed to Michigan in August 2013.

Andrew David – K – Massillon (OH) Washington: David committed to Michigan in June 2013.

Jack Dunaway – DE – Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice: Dunaway is a 6’3″, 212 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He’s the son of former Michigan tight end Craig Dunaway. I profiled him in the In-State Preview of 2015 Recruiting.

David Edwards – QB/TE – Downers Grove (IL) North: Edwards is a 6’6″, 225 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Vanderbilt, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #34 athlete, and the #303 player overall. Despite being ranked in some circles as a quarterback, I think his best chance of earning a Michigan offer would be as a tight end.

Desmond Fitzpatrick – WR – Farmington (MI) Farmington: Fitzpatrick is a 6’1″, 165 lb. prospect for 2016 with a lone offer from Indiana. He may visit this weekend, and that would be the second weekend in a row for him to be on campus.

Kevin Givens – LB – Altoona (PA) Altoona: Givens is a 6’3″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Pitt, Temple, UMass, and Western Michigan. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #30 weakside end, and #727 overall for the 2015 class. Givens looks like a ‘tweener OLB/WDE. He also stopped by Ann Arbor in late January, so his interest in the Wolverines appears to be pretty legitimate. UPDATE: Givens committed to Pitt on Tuesday, so he is probably not planning to visit.


Damien Harris – RB – Berea (KY) Madison Southern: Harris, one of the top running backs in the 2015 class, decommitted from Michigan in January. A number of other schools have swooped in on him now that he’s a “free agent” but Michigan and Ohio State still seem to be the leaders.

Daelin Hayes – LB – Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s: Hayes is a 6’2″, 210 lb. prospect for 2016 with an offer from Michigan State. He also plays running back, but I think he lacks the suddenness to be a runner at the next level. He’s the cousin of Michigan running back Justice Hayes.

Troy Henderson, Jr. – LB – Lakewood (OH) St. Edward: Henderson is a 6’1″, 215 lb. prospect with offers from Cincinnati and Toledo. He claims a 4.6 forty, a 4.2 shuttle, a 33″ vertical, a 330 lb. bench, and a 425 lb. squat. As a junior in 2013, he had over 100 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. He’s a teammate of Michigan cornerback commit Shaun Crawford.

Darrin Kirkland, Jr. – LB – Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence Central: Kirkland is a 6’2″, 228 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Indiana, Louisville, Ole Miss, Penn State, Purdue, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #5 inside linebacker, and #199 overall. As a junior in 2013, he had 110 tackles and 8 sacks. He has visited Michigan multiple times, and while Michigan does not appear to be going hard after inside linebackers at the moment, Kirkland may be in line for an offer sooner or later.

Thiyo Lukusa – OG – Traverse City (MI) West: Lukusa is a 6’5″, 300 lb. prospect for 2016 with offers from Akron, Michigan, Michigan State, and Wisconsin. Several insider types believe Lukusa is leaning toward Michigan.

Harrison Moon – OT – Signal Mountain (TN) Signal Mountain: Moon is a 6’5″, 260 lb. prospect with offers from Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt. He plays some tight end in high school, but he will probably be a tackle at the next level. He had 5 receptions for 100 yards as a junior in 2013. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #21 tight end, and the #788 player overall.


Kentrail Moran – RB – O’Fallon (IL) O’Fallon: Moran is a 5’10”, 180 lb. prospect for 2016 with offers from Illinois and Northern Illinois. He claims a 4.4 forty, a 30″ vertical, and a 10.9 time in the 100 meters. As a sophomore in 2013, he had 1,140 rushing yards and 172 receiving yards to go with 14 total touchdowns. His class of 2014 teammate Dewayne Hendrix, a defensive end, signed with Tennessee earlier this month. UPDATE: Moran was unable to make it to Ann Arbor this weekend.

Jeff Thomas – WR – East St. Louis (IL) East St. Louis: Thomas is a 5’10”, 167 lb. prospect for 2017 with offers from Kansas, Michigan, and Syracuse. As a freshman in 2013, he had 54 catches for 944 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was a teammate of 2014 Michigan offeree Kyron Watson (Kansas) and will likely be traveling with Kentrail Moran. UPDATE: Moran was going to be Thomas’s ride to Ann Arbor, so he also did not visit.

Tyriq Thompson – LB – Detroit (MI) King: I did a scouting report on Thompson a few weeks ago.

Mike Weber – RB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Weber is a 5’11”, 190 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, and Wisconsin, along with several others. Weber had reportedly been leaning toward Michigan State prior to the hiring of offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, but this will be the second weekend in a row he has spent in Ann Arbor and Nussmeier appears to have piqued Weber’s interest. UPDATE: Weber was unable to make it to the Michigan basketball game on Sunday afternoon.

Scouting Report: Minkah Fitzpatrick

Jersey City (NJ) St. Peter’s Prep cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick (image via MGoBlog)

Name: Minkah Fitzpatrick
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 185 lbs.
High school: Jersey City (NJ) St. Peter’s Prep
Position: Cornerback
Class: 2015

Notes: Holds offers from Alabama, Boston College, Connecticut, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, South Carolina, Stanford, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Wisconsin . . . Claims a 4.45 forty . . . As a junior in 2013, had 62 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 21 pass breakups . . . As a sophomore in 2012, had 21 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 12 pass breakups . . . ESPN 4-star, 83 grade, #3 CB, #29 overall . . . Rivals 5-star CB, #9 overall . . . Scout 4-star, #9 CB, #69 overall . . . 247 Sports 4-star CB, 97 grade, #4 cornerback, #35 overall, #1 in New Jersey

Strengths: Lanky with long arms . . . Able to deflect passes from a trail position . . . Good straight line speed once he gets into sprinting phase . . . Playmaker who likes to go for the ball . . . Won’t settle for always making the safe play . . . Willing to be decently physical . . . Adjusts well out of backpedal to attack shorter throws . . . Takes good angles coming downhill from his part-time safety position . . . Physical runner with the ball in his hands and keeps legs churning through contact

Weaknesses: Not a big hitter . . . More of an ankle grabber . . . Does not wrap up and drive ball carriers but often tries to gator roll them to the ground . . . Needs to stay lower in his backpedal . . . Lacks ideal hip flexibility . . . May be prone to double moves and small, quick receivers . . . Can be outmuscled by bigger receivers

Projection: Cornerback. Fitzpatrick has good physical skills overall, but right now he lacks some strength, which affects multiple phases of his game. He has very good speed when he can get going, but his short area quickness is a question for me. Because of that, I think he might have more of a long-term future as a safety. A good college program should see him turn into a 195-200 lb. corner, and that added size and strength will help him be a physical press corner. I also think Fitzpatrick could be a factor in the kick return game with his ability to find seams and get upfield.

Reminds me of: Donovan Warren but faster

Likelihood of committing to Michigan: Fitzpatrick released a top ten that included Alabama, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, and South Carolina. He has a good relationship with Michigan incoming freshman cornerback Jabrill Peppers, but Michigan held off on offering Fitzpatrick for a while, which helped to allow teams like Alabama and Ohio State to build relationships. Personally, I believe the three teams with the best chance to get him are Alabama, Michigan, and Ohio State (in no particular order).

Top 247 updated for 2015

Lakewood (OH) St. Edward cornerback Shaun Crawford

247 Sports updated their top 247 prospects on Tuesday. Here’s what it looked like previously. Shaun Crawford dropped 10 spots, from #130 to #140 overall.

Here are the rest of Michigan’s offerees:

5-stars:
2. Terry Beckner, Jr. – DE – Illinois
3. Mitch Hyatt – OT – Georgia (Clemson)
4. Josh Rosen – QB – California
8. Kevin Toliver II – CB – Florida (LSU)
10. Josh Sweat – DE – Virginia
12. Iman Marshall – CB – California
14. Justin Hilliard – LB – Ohio
15. Malik Jefferson – LB – Texas
17. Shy Tuttle – DT – North Carolina
19. Tim Settle – DT – Virginia
23. Jashon Cornell – DE – Minnesota
24. Kendall Sheffield – CB – Texas
28. George Campbell, Jr. – WR – Florida
30. Jalen Dalton – DE – North Carolina

4-stars:
32. Rasheem Green – DT – California
33. Brian Cole – ATH – Michigan
35. Minkah Fitzpatrick – CB – New Jersey
37. Jaason Lewis – ATH – Virginia (UCLA)
43. Jerome Baker – ATH – Ohio
44. Keisean Lucier-South – DE – California
46. Damien Harris – RB – Kentucky
50. DaMarkus Lodge – WR – Texas
51. Jeffery Holland – LB – Florida
53. Juwan Johnson – WR – New Jersey
54. Jarrett Stidham – QB – Texas
57. Jacques Patrick – RB – Florida
63. Jake Fruhmorgen – OT – Florida
67. Michael Weber – RB – Michigan
73. Christian Kirk – WR – Arizona
76. John Reid – CB – Pennsylvania
78. Hjalte Froholdt – DT – Ohio
81. Clelin Ferrell – DE – Virginia
86. Sterling Jenkins – OT – Pennsylvania
111. Keenan Walker – OT – Arizona
116. Ryan Bates – OT – Pennsylvania (Penn State)
118. Drew Richmond – OT – Tennessee
124. Blake Barnett – QB – California (Notre Dame)
125. Soso Jamabo – RB – Texas
134. Devonaire Clarington – TE – Florida
140. Shaun Crawford – CB – Ohio (Michigan)
143. Darian Roseboro – DE – North Carolina
144. Josh Barajas – LB – Indiana
167. Ronald Jones II – RB – Texas
170. Chris Clark – TE – Connecticut
172. Grant Newsome – OT – New Jersey
197. Hale Hentges – TE – Missouri
220. Jordan Whitehead – CB – Pennsylvania
230. Cameron Townsend – LB – Texas
233. Johnny Frasier – RB – North Carolina
235. Osa Masina – LB – Utah

Rivals 250 updated for 2015

Lakewood (OH) St. Edward cornerback Shaun Crawford

Rivals released their updated top 250 prospects today at noon. Here’s what it looked like back in December. I sorted out the Rivals 100 yesterday. Movement for Michigan commits:

– Shaun Crawford fell from #96 to #106
– Tyree Kinnel fell from #174 to #188

Here are the rest of the Michigan offerees.

106. Shaun Crawford – CB – Ohio (Michigan)
119. John Reid – CB – Pennsylvania
123. Mike Weber – RB – Michigan
130. Juwan Johnson – WR – New Jersey
139. Devante Peete – WR – Florida
150. Hale Hentges – TE – Missouri
152. Keenan Walker – OT – Arizona
153. Devonaire Clarington – TE – Florida
171. Hjalte Froholdt – DT – Ohio (Arkansas)
176. Chris Clark – TE – Connecticut
188. Tyree Kinnel – S – Ohio (Michigan)
190. Juval Mollette – WR – North Carolina
191. Josh Barajas – LB – Indiana
200. Ryan Bates – OT – Pennsylvania (Penn State)
210. Jaason Lewis – ATH – Virginia (UCLA)
219. Tyrone Wheatley – DE – New York
222. Jordan Whitehead – CB – Pennsylvania
225. Adonis Thomas – ATH – Georgia
235. Cameron Townsend – LB – Texas
240. Anthony Wheeler – LB – Texas

Rivals 100 updated for 2015

Saginaw (MI) Heritage athlete Brian Cole is the highest ranked in-state player for 2015

Rivals updated their top 100 prospects for 2015. Here’s what it looked like back in December.

Now that Damien Harris and George Campbell have decommitted, Michigan has zero commits in the top 100. Prospects 101 through 250 will be released tomorrow.

5-stars:
2. Josh Rosen – QB – California
4. Damien Harris – RB – Kentucky
6. Kevin Toliver II – CB – Florida (LSU)
9. Minkah Fitzpatrick – CB – New Jersey
10. Iman Marshall – CB – California
12. Rasheem Green – DT – California
14. Mitch Hyatt – OT – Georgia (Clemson)
16. George Campbell – WR – Florida

4-stars:
22. Malik Jefferson – LB – Texas
23. Christian Kirk – WR – Arizona
25. Shy Tuttle – DT – North Carolina
27. Kendall Sheffield – CB – Texas
28. Jerome Baker – ATH – Ohio
31. DaMarkus Lodge – WR – Texas
32. Drew Richmond – OT – Tennessee
34. Sterling Jenkins – OT – Pennsylvania
35. Terry Beckner, Jr. – DE – Illinois
38. Jalen Dalton – DE – North Carolina
39. Ronald Jones II – RB – Texas
40. Soso Jamabo – RB – Texas
42. Jacques Patrick – RB – Florida
43. Tyron Johnson – WR – Louisiana
45. Darian Roseboro – DE – North Carolina
47. Justin Hilliard – LB – Ohio
48. Jarrett Stidham – QB – Texas
53. Osa Masina – LB – Utah
56. Tim Settle – DT – Virginia
57. Jeffrey Holland – LB – Florida
64. Blake Barnett – QB – California (Notre Dame)
68. Josh Sweat – DE – Virginia
69. Joshua McMillon – LB – Tennessee
70. Clelin Ferrell – DE – Virginia
75. Keisean Lucier-South – DE – California
80. Jake Fruhmorgen – OT – Florida
87. Jashon Cornell – DE – Minnesota
99. Brian Cole – ATH – Michigan