Tag: 2015 recruiting

247 Sports Top 247 for 2015 released

Bellflower (CA) St. John Bosco QB Josh Rosen is the #5 overall player in the 2015 class (image via Fox Sports Next)

247 Sports released its top 247 players for the 2015 class, and here are some notable players from around the country.  Remember that these kids are finishing up their sophomore year of high school, so there’s a long way to go, new names will pop up, etc.

1. Canton Kaumatule – DE – Hawaii: He’s, like, #1.
2. Terry Beckner, Jr. – DE – Illinois: Offered.
5. Josh Rosen – QB – California: Offered.
12. Kevin Dillman – QB – California: Previously presumed to be Michigan’s top QB target, teammate of 2014 TE Tyler Luatua.
16. George Campbell – WR – Florida: Offered. Teammate of 2014 OG commit Mason Cole and WR Artavis Scott.
18. Jason Cornell – DE – Minnesota: Offered.
23. Soso Jamabo – RB – Texas: Offered.
25. Jaason Lewis – ATH – Virginia: Offered.
27. Shy Tuttle – DT – North Carolina: Offered.
30. Jordan Scarlett – RB – Florida: Teammate of 2016 WR offeree Sam Bruce.
37. Minkah Fitzpatrick – CB – New Jersey: Teammate of 2014 RB offeree Jonathan Hilliman.
43. Justin Hilliard – LB – Ohio: In-region prospect.
44. John Houston – LB – California: Teammate of 2014 CB Adoree’ Jackson and LB Dwight Williams.
47. Malik Jefferson – LB – Texas: Offered.
50. Iman Marshall – CB – California: Teammate of 2014 ATH John Smith.
52. Jerome Baker – LB – Ohio: In-region prospect.
59. Jordan Stevenson – RB – Texas: Teammate of 2015 LB offeree Anthony Wheeler.
63. Marquise Overton – DT – Oklahoma: Teammate of 2014 S Steven Parker.
66. Ricky DeBerry – LB – Virginia: Visited campus last month.
72. Brian Cole – CB – Michigan: Offered.
73. Jahvoni Simmons – LB – Virginia: Teammate of 2015 ATH offeree Jaason Lewis.
74. Larry Scott – RB – Ohio: In-region prospect.
78. Devante Peete – WR – Florida: Teammate of 2014 WR offeree Corey Holmes.
84. Eric Glover-Williams – CB – Ohio: In-region prospect.
86. Sterling Jenkins – OT – Pennsylvania: Offered.
87. Jacques Patrick – RB – Florida: Offered.
88. Cordell Broadus – WR – California: Son of Snoop Dogg/Lion.
90. Damien Harris – RB – Kentucky: Offered.
110. Natereace Strong – RB – Illinois: Teammate of 2015 DE offeree Terry Beckner, Jr.
113. Michael Weber – RB – Michigan: Offered.
130. Elijah Taylor – DT – Ohio: In-region prospect.
149. Shaun Crawford – CB – Ohio: Offered.
153. Hjalte Froholdt – DT – Ohio: Offered.
159. Darian Roseboro – DE – North Carolina: Offered.
163. Chris Green – LB – Ohio: In-region prospect.
171. Kyonta Stallworth – OT – Michigan: In-state prospect.
191. Kahlil McKenzie – DE – Wisconsin: In-region prospect.
192. Osa Masina – LB – Utah: Offered.
193. Malik Roberson – RB – California: Teammate of 2014 CB Adoree’ Jackson and LB Dwight Williams.
196. Garrett Thomas – OT – Louisiana: Offered.
216. Josh Alabi – OT – Michigan: Offered.
222. Markell Jones – RB – Indiana: In-region prospect.
225. David Dowell – WR – Ohio: Teammate of 2015 CB offeree Shaun Crawford.
228. Reagon Williams – LB -Ohio: In-region prospect.
233. Jimmy Fitzgerald – QB – Illinois: In-region prospect.
235. Brandon Tiassum – OG – Indiana: In-region prospect.
237. Anthony Wheeler – LB – Texas: Offered.
243. Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. – TE – New York: Offered, son of former Michigan RB Tyrone Wheatley.

Recruiting Update: May 20, 2013

Missouri City (TX) Ridge Point linebacker Cameron Townsend

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015
Mesquite (TX) Poteet linebacker Malik Jefferson was offered by Michigan.  Jefferson is 6’3″, 215 lbs., and has offers from Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M, among others.  As a sophomore in 2012, he had 105 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries.  He also claims a 4.43 forty, a 35″ vertical, and a 305 lb. bench press.  While he plays linebacker and appears to be recruited as a linebacker, I would not be surprised if he grows into a weakside end prospect.  The Longhorns appear to be the leader in his recruitment.

Missouri City (TX) Ridge Point linebacker Cameron Townsend was offered by Michigan.  He’s a 6’0″, 195 lb. prospect with offers from Baylor, Houston, and Texas.  He plays like a SAM linebacker, but his size indicates more of an inside linebacker prospect.  He’s a very heavy hitter whose position might become clearer if he hits a growth spurt, but for now, I see him as a MIKE.

OFF THE BOARD
Nashville (TN) Montgomery Bell offensive tackle Alex Bars committed to Notre Dame.  I had written a scouting report on Bars a couple weeks ago and liked what I saw.  His older brother Blake plays offensive guard at Michigan, but he has another brother at Penn State and a father who played for the Fighting Irish.  Michigan seemed to be the other leading option for Alex, however, and the Wolverines don’t have any other offensive linemen who seem heavily interested, although Chandler (AZ) Hamilton’s Casey Tucker has voiced interest after decommitting from USC and Florissant (MO) Hazelwood Central’s Roderick Johnson visited this spring.  Perhaps we will see the coaching staff send out some more offers.

East St. Louis (IL) East St. Louis linebacker Kyron Watson committed to Kansas.  Watson had been hinting for weeks that he would commit to Michigan as soon as he visited campus, but that visit was postponed a couple times and re-scheduled for this past weekend.  Just before the visit, however, Michigan’s coaches reportedly told him that he no longer had an offer.  There are some rumors that Michigan thought he could play SAM but then backed off once they found out he measured in at a shade under 6’0″, but I find that hard to believe; it’s clear from his recruiting profiles and his highlights that he’s not very tall.

MISCELLANEOUS
I wrote up a scouting report on Clairton (PA) Thomas Jefferson linebacker Chase Winovich.

Recruiting Update: May 13, 2013

Cleveland (OH) St. Edward cornerback Shaun Crawford

COMMITMENT
Southfield (MI) Southfield defensive end Lawrence Marshall committed to Michigan.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015
St. Paul (MN) Cretin-Derham Hall defensive end Jashon Cornell was offered by Michigan.  Cornell is a 6’4″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Florida, Notre Dame, Ohio State, USC, and Wisconsin, among others.  Notre Dame is thought to be the leader because of a couple relatively recent alumni heading to South Bend (WR Michael Floyd, WR James Onwualu), but it’s also the alma mater of OT Seantrel Henderson, who first committed to USC before ending up at Miami.  As a sophomore in 2012, he had 52 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles.

Lakewood (OH) St. Edward cornerback Shaun Crawford was offered by Michigan.  He’s a 5’9″, 170 lb. prospect with offers from Arkansas, Florida State, Miami, Penn State, and Tennessee, among others.  As a sophomore in 2012, he had 66 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery; he also had 24 catches for 438 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Warren (OH) Harding defensive end Hjalte Froholdt was offered by Michigan.  He’s a 6’5″, 265 lb. prospect with no other offers at this time.  Froholdt grew up in Denmark and played his first season of football in America (though he played the sport in Denmark, too) as a sophomore last season.  Harding is the alma mater of former Michigan wide receiver Mario Manningham, linebacker Prescott Burgess, and linebacker Carl Diggs, as well as a couple recent Michigan signees who flamed out (LB Davion Rogers, WR D.J. Williamson).

OFF THE BOARD
Upper Marlboro (MD) Wise safety Marcus Allen committed to Penn State.  In case you’re wondering, I can find no indication that he’s related to the  Marcus Allen . . . you know, the one who ran for over 2,300 yards in one season at USC, won the Heisman, and was the second best Los Angeles Raiders running back in Tecmo Bowl.  The younger, unrelated Allen never showed significant interest in Michigan.

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

Visitors: May 10-12, 2013

Cleveland (OH) St. Benedictine athlete Jerome Baker

Jerome Baker – ATH – Cleveland (OH) Benedictine: Baker is a 6’1″, 205 lb. prospect with offers from Florida, Ohio State, Penn State, and Tennessee, among others.  He also claims a 4.52 forty, which is impressive for a rising junior of his size.  The class of 2015 prospect does not yet have a Michigan offer, but he will probably get one on the visit.  Baker plays running back and linebacker for Benediction, but he looks most like an inside linebacker (MIKE or WILL) from Michigan’s eyes.  UPDATE: Baker is no longer visiting this weekend.


Michael Ferns III – LB – St. Clairsville (OH) St. Clairsville: Ferns committed to Michigan last August. He recently accepted an invitation to play in the 2014 Under Armour All-American Game.


Drake Harris – WR – Grand Rapids (MI) Christian: Harris committed to Michigan last month.  He was recently invited to Nike’s The Opening and will also play in the Under Armour game.

Lawrence Marshall – DE – Southfield (MI) Southfield:  Marshall is a 6’4″, 225 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, among others.  He committed to Ohio State for a couple days, but he’s no longer considering the Buckeyes.  He recently announced a top five of Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and USC, but most analysts think MSU leads with Michigan a step behind.

Wilton Speight – QB – Richmond (VA) Collegiate: Speight committed to Michigan in February.  He, too, will play in the Under Armour game.


Maurice Ways – WR – Detroit (MI) Country Day: Ways committed to Michigan last month.


Chase Winovich – LB – Clairton (PA) Thomas Jefferson: Winovich is a 6’4″, 215 lb. prospect with offers from Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, and Pitt, among others.  He claims a 4.65 forty and checks in on 247’s Composite ranking as a 3-star, the #41 OLB, and the #551 player overall.  Winovich was offered by the Wolverines in early April, immediately after a couple other SAM prospects (Kyle Berger, Sam Hubbard) committed to Ohio State.  He visited Michigan last fall and shortly after being offered last month, so this will be his third visit in the last seven months.  Ohio State and Pitt appear to be the two biggest contenders, along with Michigan.

Recruiting Update: May 6, 2013

Fort Lauderdale (FL) University School defensive back Quincy Wilson

COMMITMENT
Paramus (NJ) Catholic offensive tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty committed to Michigan.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2014
New Castle (PA) New Castle athlete Malik Hooker was offered by Michigan.  He’s a 6’2″, 185 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona, Penn State, Pitt, and West Virginia, among others.  Hooker may not even play football in college, because he’s also an accomplished basketball player (check out this dunk); maybe I’m biased, but at 6’2″ he should probably aim for a football career instead of basketball.  Hooker looks more like a cornerback to me, but some schools are looking at him as a wide receiver.

Fort Lauderdale (FL) University School safety Quincy Wilson was offered by Michigan.  He’s a 6’2″, 195 lb. prospect with offers from Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and USC, among others.  According to the 247 Composite ranking, he’s a 4-star, the #18 safety, and the #236 overall prospect.  Wilson claims a 4.6 forty, but I think his physicality lends itself to playing safety at the next level.  His father Chad played for the Miami Hurricanes.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015
Pittsburgh (PA) Baldwin offensive tackle Sterling Jenkins was offered by Michigan.  He’s a 6’8″, 305 lb. prospect with offers from Virginia and West Virginia.  He is obviously huge and he moves well for his size, but he needs to add some strength and improve his technique; as a sophomore in high school, those weaknesses are understandable.

Lincolnton (NC) Lincolnton defensive end Darian Roseboro was offered by Michigan.  He’s a 6’3″, 265 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, North Carolina, and North Carolina State.

Lexington (NC) North Davidson defensive tackle Shy Tuttle was offered by Michigan.  He’s a 6’2″, 308 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, and South Carolina, among others.  There’s been some confusion over whether Tuttle was actually offered when Michigan’s coaches stopped by his school last week, but Rivals lists him with an offer, so I’m going with it.  As a sophomore in 2012, he had 83 tackles, 16 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles.

OFF THE BOARD
Duluth (GA) Peachtree Ridge offensive tackle Orlando Brown committed to Tennessee.  Brown, the son of  the late NFL offensive lineman by the same name, stands 6’7″ and 340 lbs.  Michigan was in his final group of schools, but there was no expectation that he would commit to the Wolverines.

Grand Rapids (MI) Christian center Tommy Doles committed to Northwestern.  For a long time, Doles appeared to be close to committing to Michigan.  However, the longer he held off, it seemed Michigan just wasn’t quite his perfect destination.  There has also been some suggestion that Michigan’s coaching staff started to cool on him.

Highlands Ranch (CO) Valor Christian wide receiver Christian McCaffrey committed to Stanford.  Michigan was recruiting McCaffrey as slot receiver, but he is expected to play running back for the Cardinal.  His father Ed was a long-time NFL wide receiver for the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and Denver Broncos (career: 565 catches, 7422 yards, 55 touchdowns).  The two things I remember most about McCaffrey are a) people saying “Wow, he’s pretty fast for a tall white guy” and b) that ugly broken leg on Monday Night Football.