Tag: 2015 recruiting

Visitors: Michigan vs. Notre Dame

Trevon Avery – CB – Grand Blanc (MI) Grand Blanc: Avery is a 5’9″, 160 lb. prospect for 2015 with no offers at this time. He’s the younger brother of Michigan defensive back Courtney Avery.

Ray Buford – WR – Southfield (MI) Southfield: Buford is a 6’0″, 170 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Eastern Michigan, Ohio, and Toledo. He has visited Michigan a couple times before, and he’s teammates with 2014 defensive end commit Lawrence Marshall.

Ian Bunting – TE – Hinsdale (IL) Central: Bunting committed to Michigan in April.


Matthew Burrell, Jr. – OT – Woodbridge (VA) C.D. Hylton: Burrell is a 6’6″, 290 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin, among many others. He’s friendly with Da’Shawn Hand and Tim Settle, two other prospects from Virginia. According to 247’s Composite ranking, Burrell is a 4-star, the #16 offensive tackle, and #151 player overall for 2015. He attends the alma mater of former high-profile Michigan target E.J. Levenberry, a linebacker who flirted with the Wolverines but ended up signing with Florida State.

Andrew Butt – TE – Pickerington (OH) North: Butt is a 2015 prospect who’s the younger brother of Michigan tight end Jake Butt.

Zac Butt – TE – Pickerington (OH) North: Zac is also a 2015 prospect who’s the younger brother of Jake Butt.


George Campbell – WR – Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake: Campbell committed to Michigan in July.

Brian Cole – WR – Saginaw (MI) Heritage: Cole is a 6’2″, 190 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. According to 247’s Composite ranking, he’s a 4-star, the #8 cornerback, and the #80 player overall.


Mason Cole – OG – Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake: Cole committed to Michigan in February.


Jashon Cornell – DE – St. Paul (MN) Cretin-Derham Hall: Cornell is a 6’4″, 245 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and USC, along with many other. He’s Michigan’s only current offer at weakside end for 2015. According to 247’s Composite ranking, he’s a 5-star, the #1 weakside end, and the #17 player overall.


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


Messiah DeWeaver – QB – Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison: DeWeaver is a 6’2″, 180 lb. prospect for 2016 with a lone offer from Louisville. He camped at Michigan back in June and attends the alma mater of current Michigan linebacker Mike McCray.

Rob Dowdy – OT – Westerville (OH) South: Dowdy is a 6’6″, 280 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, and West Virginia, among others. According to 247’s Composite ranking, he’s a 4-star, the #42 offensive tackle, and the #385 player overall.

Matthew Draper – LB – Cleveland (OH) Glenville: Draper is a 6’0″, 194 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Cincinnati, Kentucky, Louisville, and a couple MAC schools. He’s the teammate of 2014 Michigan offerees Marshon Lattimore and Erick Smith.


David Edwards – QB – Downers Grove (IL) North: Edwards is a 6’6″, 225 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Illinois, Indiana, and Vanderbilt. Though he plays quarterback, I think his only shot to play at Michigan would be to accept a position change to tight end. According to 247’s Composte, he’s a 4-star, the #21 pro-style quarterback, and the #340 player overall in his class.


Desmond Fitzpatrick – WR – Farmington (MI) Farmington: Fitzpatrick is a 6’0″, 170 lb. prospect for 2016 with offers from Indiana, Ohio, and Toledo. He transferred this past offseason from Farmington Hills Harrison. He visited Michigan a couple times this past summer.


Noah Furbush – LB – Kenton (OH) Kenton: Furbush committed to Michigan in July.

Lawrence Gordon – DE – Saginaw (MI) Arthur Hill: Gordon is a 6’6″, 230 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time.

Malik Guidry – WR – Lexington (KY) Catholic: Guidry is a 5’6″, 162 lb. prospect with no offers.


Da’Shawn Hand – DE – Woodbridge (VA) Woodbridge: Hand is a 6’4″, 254 lb. prospect with offers from just about everywhere. According to 247’s Composite ranking, he’s a 5-star, the #1 strongside end, and the #4 overall player. He visited Michigan back in March and came away impressed. The Wolverines are presumed to be his leader with Alabama and Florida also hot on the trail. He plans to announce his college decision on his birthday, November 14. This is his official visit. Here’s a scouting report I did on him in February.


Damien Harris – RB – Berea (KY) Madison Southern: Harris committed to Michigan in late July.


Drake Harris – WR – Grand Rapids (MI) Christian: Harris committed to Michigan in April.

LaVert Hill – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Hill is a 5’9″, 150 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time.


Justin Hilliard – LB – Cincinnati (OH) St. Xavier: Hilliard is a 6’2″, 225 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Arkansas, Florida State, Iowa, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and numerous others. He visited Michigan twice this past summer, but his brother is a running back commit to Iowa for 2014. 247’s Composite ranking has him as a 4-star, the #5 outside linebacker, and the #73 player nationally.

Jake Johnson – QB – DeWitt (MI) DeWitt: Johnson is a 6’3″, 190 lb. prospect for 2015 with no offers at this time.

Cole Jones – LB – Cincinnati (OH) St. Xavier: Jones is a 5’10”, 192 lb. prospect for 2015 with no offers at this time.


Tyree Kinnel – S – Huber Heights (OH) Wayne: Kinnel committed to Michigan in August.

Marshon Lattimore – CB – Cleveland (OH) Glenville: Lattimore is a 6’0″, 175 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio State, and numerous others. According to 247 Sports’ Composite ranking, he’s a 4-star, the #5 cornerback, and #35 player overall.


Thiyo Lukusa – OT – Traverse City (MI) West: Lukusa is a 6’5″, 300 lb. prospect for 2016 with a lone offer from Michigan State. He camped at Michigan and also attended the BBQ at the Big House for underclassmen at the end of July.


Lawrence Marshall – DE – Southfield (MI) Southfield: Marshall committed to Michigan in May.

Ostell Martin – OT – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Martin is a 6’5″, 315 lb. prospect for 2016 with offers at this time.

Emani Mason – OG – Detroit (MI) East English Village: Mason is a 6’3″, 250 lb. prospect for 2017 with no offers at this time.


Malik McDowell – DE – Southfield (MI) Southfield: McDowell is a 6’7″, 290 lb. prospect with offers from just about every program. He transferred from Detroit (MI) Loyola in the offseason and is now teammates with Michigan defensive end commit Marshall, who will also be in attendance. According to 247’s Composite ranking, McDowell is a 4-star, the #3 strongside end, and the #41 overall player. Michigan is presumed to be the leader here.


Bryan Mone – DT – Salt Lake City (UT) Highland: Mone committed to Michigan in February. This is his official visit.

David Moorman – OT – Pinckney (MI) Northville: Moorman is a 6’5″, 275 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan. He camped at Michigan back in June.

Brent Morris – WR – Warren (MI) De La Salle: Morris is a 6’3″, 180 lb. prospect for 2015 with no offers at this time. He’s the younger brother of Michigan quarterback Shane Morris.

T.D. Moton – DT – Shreveport (LA) Calvary Baptist: Moton is a 6’4″, 310 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Nebraska, Texas A&M, and USC, among others. As a sophomore in 2012, he had 60 tackles, 1 sack, 5 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. According to 247’s Composite ranking, he’s a 4-star, the #15 defensive tackle, and the #118 player overall. He may visit with his teammate, Shea Patterson (see below). UPDATE: Moton did not visit.

Riley Neal – QB – Yorktown (IN) Yorktown: Neal is a 6’5″, 200 lb. prospect for 2015 with no offers at this time. He had 1,700 yards passing and 15 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2012. Neal also camped at Michigan back in June.

Michael Onwenu – DT – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Onwenu is a 6’2″, 310 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time.

Brady Pallante – DT – Naples (FL) Barron Collier: Pallante committed to Michigan back in April.


Shea Patterson – QB – Shreveport (LA) Calvary Baptist: Patterson is a 6’1″, 180 lb. prospect for 2016 with a lone offer from Arizona, to whom he committed last December.


Cassius Peat – LB – Tempe (AZ) Corona Del Sol: Peat is a 6’4″, 235 lb. outside linebacker prospect for 2015 with offers from Arizona State and Michigan State. He also visited Michigan earlier this summer, but came away without an offer. 247’s Composite ranking lists him as a 4-star, the #23 athlete, and the #285 player overall. His older brother Andrus is an offensive lineman at Stanford, and his older brother Todd is a defensive lineman at Nebraska. UPDATE: Peat is no longer visiting.

Grant Perry – WR – Bloomfield (MI) Brother Rice: Perry is a 5’11”, 170 lb. prospect for 2015 with no offers at this time. He camped at Michigan back in June.

Martell Pettaway – RB – St. Clair Shoes (MI) South Lake: Pettaway is a 5’9″, 185 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He’s the teammate of 2015 prospect Kyonta Stallworth, one of the top players in the state.

David Reese – DE – Farmington (MI) Farmington: Reese is a 6’1″, 235 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time.

Joshua Ross – LB – Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s: Ross is a 6’2″, 190 lb. prospect for 2017 with no offers at this time. He’s the younger brother of Michigan linebacker James Ross III.


Tommy Roush – OG – Traverse City (MI) West: Roush is a 6’3″, 270 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He’s teammates with Lukusa.


Tim Settle – DT – Manassas (VA) Stonewall Jackson: Settle is a 6’3″, 305 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Notre Dame, Ohio State, USC, Virginia, and Virginia Tech, among many others. Michigan has not yet extended an offer but very well could over the weekend. He had 72 tackles, 3 sacks, and 5 pass breakups as a sophomore in 2012. According to 247’s Composite ranking, he’s a 5-star, the #1 defensive tackle, and the #1 player overall.

Aaron Sipple – LB – Berea (KY) Madison Southern: Sipple is a 5’10”, 200 lb. prospect for 2015 with no offers at this time. He’s the teammate of 2015 Michigan running back commit Damien Harris.

Nathan Skene – DE – Hartland (MI) Hartland: Skene is a 6’3″, 195 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He’s the son of former Michigan All-Big Ten lineman Doug Skene.

Erick Smith – S – Cleveland (OH) Glenville: Smith is a 6’1″, 185 lb. prospect with offers from Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio State, and several others. According to 247’s Composite ranking, he’s a 4-star, the #12 safety, and the #187 player overall.


Wilton Speight – QB – Richmond (VA) Collegiate: Speight committed to Michigan in February.


Erik Swenson – OT – Downers Grove (IL) South: Swenson is a 6’7″, 285 lb. prospect for 2016 with offers from Illinois, Michigan, Northwestern, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. He has proclaimed Michigan his leader.

Tyriq Thompson – S – Detroit (MI) King: Thompson is a 6’1″, 205 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Illinois and Wisconsin. He moved from Missouri in the off-season and is the son of former Michigan defensive back Clarence Thompson.


Jared Wangler – LB – Warren (MI) De La Salle: Wangler committed to Michigan in August.

Mike Weber – RB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Weber is a 5’10”, 190 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, among others. According to 247’s Composite ranking, he’s a 4-star, the #25 running back, and the #271 player overall.

Terius Wheatley – CB – Buffalo (NY) Canisius: Wheatley is a 5’10”, 160 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He’s the son of former Michigan running back Tyrone Wheatley.

Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. – TE – Buffalo (NY) Canisius: Wheatley is a 6’6″, 240 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin, among several others. According to 247’s Composite ranking, he’s a 4-star, the #9 tight end, and the #248 player overall.


Chase Winovich – LB – Clairton (PA) Thomas Jefferson: Winovich committed to Michigan in June.

Rivals 250 to Watch for 2015

Here’s a list of Rivals’ top 250 players to watch for the class of 2015. They aren’t in any order other than alphabetical. Below, however, are the players from the Big Ten footprint or who have connections to Michigan:

Kareem Ali – CB – New Jersey
Pat Allen – OT – Maryland
Jerome Baker – ATH – Ohio*
Ryan Bates – OT – Pennsylvania
Terry Beckner, Jr. – DE – Illinois*
Rashod Berry – DE – Ohio
Quarvez Boulware – C – Washington, DC
Miles Boykin – WR – Illinois
George Brown – OT – Ohio
Matthew Burrell, Jr. – OG – Virginia**
George Campbell, Jr. – WR – Florida* (Michigan)
Jayru Campbell – QB – Michigan
Kamonte Carter – DE – Maryland*
Irvin Charles – WR – New Jersey
Jalen Christian – WR – Maryland
Devonaire Clarington – TE – Florida*
Najee Clayton – WR – New Jersey
Brian Cole – ATH – Michigan*
C.J. Conrad – TE – Ohio
Jashon Cornell – DE – Minnesota*
Shaun Crawford – CB – Ohio* (Michigan)
Ricky DeBerry – DE – Virginia#
Andrew Dowell – RB – Ohio
Chuma Edoga – OG – Georgia#
Minkah Fitzpatrick – CB – New Jersey
Hjalte Froholdt – DT – Ohio*
Aaron Garza – OG – Texas* (Texas)
Eric Glover-Williams – ATH – Ohio
Steven Gonzalez – OG – New Jersey
Darrin Hall – RB – Ohio
Damien Harris – RB – Kentucky* (Michigan)
Justin Hilliard – LB – Ohio*
Soso Jamabo – RB – Texas*
Van Jefferson – WR – Tennessee (formerly attended Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s)
Malik Jefferson – LB – Texas*
Sterling Jenkins – OT – Pennsylvania*
Nick Johns – QB – Washington, DC
Matthew Jones – OG – Ohio
Tyree Kinnel – S – Ohio* (Michigan)
Darrin Kirkland, Jr. – LB – Indiana
Iman Marshall – CB – California*
Osa Masina – ATH – Utah*
Adam McLean – DE – Maryland
Jacques Patrick – RB – Florida*
Richie Petitbon – OG – Washington, DC
John Reid – CB – Pennsylvania
Darian Roseboro – DE – North Carolina
Josh Rosen – QB – California*
Larry Scott – RB – Ohio
Tim Settle – DT – Virginia**
David Sills – QB – Maryland (USC)
Natereace Strong – RB – Illinois
Garrett Taylor – CB – Virginia#
Kevin Toliver II – CB – Florida (LSU)
Cameron Townsend – LB – Texas*
Shy Tuttle – DT – North Carolina*
Chris Warren – RB – Texas#
Mike Weber – RB – Michigan*
Tyrone Wheatley – DE – New York*
Anthony Wheeler – LB – Texas*
Brady White – QB – California (receiving recent interest from Michigan)
Reagan Williams – LB – Ohio

*Offered by Michigan
**Scheduled visit to Michigan

Visitors: Michigan vs. Central Michigan

Defensive end Malik McDowell, who has since transferred from Loyola to Southfield

Joshua Alabi – DT – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Alabi is a 6’4″, 260 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, among others.

Trevon Avery – CB – Grand Blanc (MI) Grand Blanc: Avery is a 5’9″, 160 lb. prospect for 2015 with no offers at this time. He’s the younger brother of senior defensive back Courtney Avery.

Cory Contini – WR – Dover (OH) Dover: Contini is a 6’1″, 170 lb. prospect for 2015 with no offers at this time.

Desmond Fitzpatrick – WR – Farmington (MI) Farmington: Fitzpatrick is a 5’11”, 165 lb. prospect for 2016 with offers from Indiana, Ohio, and Toledo. He transferred to Farmington from crosstown Harrison this offseason.

KeShawn Gilmore – S – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Gilmore is a 6’2″, 190 lb. prospect for 2015 with no offers at this time. He may take over this fall for former Technician Delano Hill, a current freshman at Michigan.

Drake Harris – WR – Grand Rapids (MI) Christian: Harris committed to Michigan in April. He injured his hamstring in a scrimmage last week and will be out for 4-6 weeks.

LaVert Hill – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Hill is a 5’11”, 165 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He’s the younger brother of freshman safety Delano Hill.


Lawrence Marshall – DE – Southfield (MI) Southfield: Marshall committed to Michigan in May.

Jalen Martin – WR – Harper Woods (MI) Chandler Park: Martin is a 6’3″, 190 lb. prospect for 2016 with a lone offer from Eastern Michigan. He’s the former teammate of freshman wide receiver Csont’e York. Martin had 5 receiving touchdowns as a freshman in 2012.

Malik McDowell – DE – Southfield (MI) Southfield: McDowell is a 6’6″, 292 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, USC, and a bunch of others. He attended the BBQ at the Big House in late July, and word around that time was that he got close to committing to the Wolverines. McDowell transferred to Southfield this summer and will be teammates with Marshall.

Donovan Peoples-Jones – WR – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Peoples-Jones is a 6’0″, 169 lb. prospect for 2017 with no offers at this time.

David Reese – DE – Farmington (MI) Farmington: Reese is a 6’1″, 235 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He could play inside linebacker, but might grow into a defensive end in the next few years.

Joshua Ross – LB – Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s: Ross is a 6’2″, 190 lb. prospect for 2017 with no offers at this time. He’s the younger brother of Michigan sophomore linebacker James Ross.

Nathan Skene – TE – Hartland (MI) Hartland:

 Skene is a 6’3″, 190 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He’s the son of former Michigan offensive lineman Doug Skene.

Tyriq Thompson – LB – Detroit (MI) King: Thompson is a 6’0″, 206 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Illinois and Wisconsin. He’s the son of former Michigan defensive back Clarence Thompson.

Demetric Vance – WR – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Vance is a 6’2″, 180 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time.

Maurice Ways – WR – Detroit (MI) Country Day: Ways committed to Michigan in late April.

Michael Weber – RB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Weber is a 5’10”, 205 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others. He was considered to be Michigan lean until fellow 2015 running back Damien Harris committed to the Wolverines, which may not leave enough room in the class for Weber.

Recruiting Update: August 26, 2013

Cleveland (OH) St. Edward cornerback Shaun Crawford

COMMITMENTS
Cleveland (OH) St. Edward cornerback Shaun Crawford committed to Michigan on Friday.

Huber Heights (OH) Wayne safety Tyree Kinnel committed to Michigan on Saturday.

ADDED TO THE BOARD

Charlotte (NC) Catholic running back Elijah Hood decommitted from Notre Dame. He now appears to be headed to North Carolina or perhaps Alabama. He was high on Michigan before he selected the Fighting Irish, but the Wolverines do not appear to be re-entering the race.

Tyree Kinnel, Wolverine

Huber Heights (OH) Wayne safety Tyree Kinnel (image via 247 Sports)

Huber Heights (OH) Wayne safety Tyree Kinnel committed to Michigan on Saturday. He chose the Wolverines over offers from Arkansas and Kentucky.

Kinnel is a 6’0″, 190 lb. prospect who claims a 4.4 forty.

RATINGS
ESPN: 3-star S
Rivals: N/A
Scout: 4-star, #24 CB
247 Sports: 4-star, 90 grade, #18 S

Kinnel had openly wanted a Michigan offer, but it was a while in the making. He earned his offers from Arkansas and Kentucky this spring, the latter from a program that is making serious inroads with good prospects in the state of Ohio. Kinnel camped at Michigan and Ohio State over the summer, but he left Michigan’s camp without an offer and publicly stated his frustration with the situation. A little over a month afterward, the coaches extended an offer. He thought about it for a few weeks, returned to campus on Saturday for a visit, and committed to the coaches.

Kinnel shows pretty good instincts and playmaking ability in the passing game. He plays free safety for his high school team, so he should be comfortable playing in deep coverage once he gets to college. He shows a nice, smooth backpedal. He’s able to go up and get the ball at its highest point, and he shows solid recovery speed. Kinnel takes good angles to the football and appears to be cognizant of not allowing big plays.

While listed at 6’0″ and 190, Kinnel does not look close to that size on video; he looks 5’10” or perhaps 5’11” and 170-175 lbs. There’s a chance that he has grown since his sophomore season, but if not, he looks rather slight. I mentioned the good angles, but Kinnel isn’t the most physical tackler once he arrives at the point of attack. He doesn’t arrive with much authority and tries to swing guys to the ground rather than driving his feet through the tackle.

I have not looked at the 2015 class as thoroughly yet as the 2014 kids (for obvious reasons), but I have a hard time believing that Kinnel would be the top safety on Michigan’s board; yet he’s the only one Michigan has offered up to this point. While he has the ability to be solid in a Thomas Gordon type of way, he does not look like a potential star. His speed is adequate, but his size and tackling are both a little questionable for me. All that being said, he’s only about to start his junior year, so improvements in both areas could be forthcoming. This is a good prospect, but Michigan has generally been recruiting elite prospects, especially early.

This is Michigan’s sixth commitment for the class of 2015 and the second defensive back, joining Cleveland (OH) St. Edward cornerback Shaun Crawford, who committed a day earlier. The last Wayne High School prospects to commit to Michigan were brothers Terry and Terrence Talbott, a defensive tackle and cornerback from the 2010 class, respectively; both left the program before contributing much. Michigan also recruited Wayne product Braxton Miller, now the starting quarterback for Ohio State.

TTB Rating: I will not assign ratings for 2015 prospects until the 2014 class wraps.