Tag: 2016 recruiting

Recruiting Update: June 16, 2014

Elkton (MD) Eastern Christian Academy LB Dele’ Harding (image via Twitter)

COMMITMENT
Lawrenceville (NJ) Lawrenceville School offensive tackle Grant Newsome committed to Michigan (LINK).

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015
Nacogdoches (TX) Nacogdoches cornerback Jaylon Lane was offered by Michigan. The 6’1″, 177-pounder committed to Oklahoma State in early May and has offers from Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Oklahoma, among numerous others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #22 cornerback, and #195 overall. He claims a 4.44 forty and a 36″ vertical. As a junior in 2013, he made 46 tackles, 5 interceptions (2 returned for touchdowns), and 1 kickoff return touchdown.

Greensboro (NC) Northern Guilford cornerback Mook Reynolds was offered by Michigan. The 5’11”, 170-pounder committed to Virginia Tech in early February and has offers from North Carolina, Notre Dame, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #25 cornerback, and #272 overall. Reynolds would like to visit Ann Arbor this summer and wants to make a “final decision” in August, so the Wolverines (and other schools) have a chance to move in. Both of these new cornerback offers seem to be related to the recent decommitment of Lakewood (OH) St. Edward cornerback Shaun Crawford.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Elkton (MD) Eastern Christian Academy linebacker Dele’ Harding was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’1″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Massachusetts, Tennessee, and USC. He’s a Scout 3-star, the #26 outside linebacker, and #280 overall. Harding was a teammate of Freddy Canteen and Brandon Watson and has visited Michigan a couple times before, including last summer’s camp. Steve Lorenz from 247 Sports immediately put in a Crystal Ball pick for Michigan.

Philadelphia (PA) Imhotep tight end Naseir Upshur was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’3″, 232 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Maryland, Pitt, Rutgers, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #5 tight end, and #166 overall. Upshur is a capable receiver, but his most impressive skill is his run blocking. Despite not being the largest tight end around, he’s tenacious and uses excellent technique. Michigan also pursued 2013 running back David Williams (South Carolina) from Imhotep.

OFF THE BOARD
Lakewood (OH) St. Edward cornerback Shaun Crawford committed to Notre Dame. Crawford was previously committed to Michigan, just like I was previously committed to that one girl before that other, prettier girl came along. It turned out she was crazy, though.

MISCELLANEOUS
The list of lists:

• Michigan’s weekend visitors (LINK)
• Michigan’s summer camp visitors (LINK)
• Sound Mind Sound Body participants (LINK)

Last week on Recruiting Season, I profiled Dearborn Fordson WR Jamil Sabbagh, Macomb Dakota DE Antonio Balabani, Warren De La Salle DE Mike Danna, Lansing Sexton LB Rayshawn Wilborn, and Pontiac CB Ja’Mar Antwine.

Visitors: June 13-15, 2014

St. Paul (MN) Cretin-Derham defensive end Jashon Cornell (image via 247 Sports)

Several of these players will be in Detroit for the Sound Mind Sound Body camp, but these ones in particular are planning trips up I-94 to see Michigan’s football facilities and meet with the coaching staff.

2015
Jashon Cornell – DE – St. Paul (MN) Cretin-Derham: Cornell is a 6’4″, 260 lb. prospect with a top five of Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #3 weakside end, and #37 overall. As a junior in 2013, he had 70 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries (1 returned for a touchdown). Cornell recently named Michigan State his #1, but Michigan has consistently been in his top few schools.

Javaris Davis – CB – Jacksonville (FL) Ed White: Davis is a 5’9″, 173 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, UCLA, USC, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #45 running back, and #611 overall. He also claims a 4.47 forty. His brother Bryan was a safety at Georgia.

Jeffery Holland – LB – Jacksonville (FL) Trinity Christian: Holland is a 6’2″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas, UCLA, and USC, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #4 outside linebacker, and #40 overall. He’s committed to play in the Under Armour All-American Game. Holland traveled to Michigan with Davis (above).

Darrin Kirkland, Jr. – LB – Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence Central: Kirkland committed to Michigan in May (LINK).

Jacques Patrick – RB – Orlando (FL) Timber Creek: Patrick is a 6’3″, 233 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee, and USC, along with many others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #2 running back, and #44 overall. As a junior in 2013, he ran the ball 231 times for 2,153 yards and 30 touchdowns. Patrick’s cousin is a coach for Detroit (MI) King whom Jacques visits fairly regularly. The 247 Sports Crystal Ball is 97% in favor of Florida State at this time, and chances are slim that Patrick comes up north to play football.

John Reid – CB – Philadelphia (PA) St. Joseph’s:

Reid is a 5’10”, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, and Rutgers, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #11 cornerback, and #109 overall. He claims a 4.43 forty. Reid is also the teammate of 2015 Michigan offensive guard commit Jon Runyan, Jr.

Auden Tate – WR – Tampa (FL) Wharton: Tate is a 6’4″, 195 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, and South Carolina, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #38 wide receiver, and #302 overall. As a junior in 2013, he had 49 receptions for 815 yards and 5 touchdowns. He recently released a top group “in no particular order” that had Michigan as the team listed first, which may or may not mean anything. Either way, the Wolverines are in the thick of it, and the 247 Sports Crystal Ball has Michigan with a plurality of votes.

D’Andre Walker – DE – Fairburn (GA) Langston Hughes: Walker is a 6’2″, 218 lb. defensive end with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Florida State, LSU, Ohio State, USC, and numerous others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #12 weakside end, and #161 overall.


2016
Kjetil Cline – WR – St. Paul (MN) East Ridge: Cline is a 6’0″, 193 lb. prospect with offers from Pitt and Western Michigan. He claims a 4.45 forty. As a sophomore in 2013, he had 630 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns.

K.J. Costello – QB – Rancho Santa Margarita (CA) Catholic: Costello is a 6’4″, 213 lb. prospect with offers from Florida State, Miami, Michigan, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #5 pro-style quarterback, and #139 overall. Costello is one of five quarterbacks Michigan has offered so far in the 2016 class, and he seems the most likely to choose Michigan at this early juncture.

Dylan Crawford – WR – La Canada Flintridge (CA) St. Francis: Crawford is a 6’1″, 175 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona State, Oregon State, Tennessee, UCLA, and USC, among others. He is good friends and will be traveling with Costello, but seems less enthused about Michigan than some west coast schools.

Jovanny Garcia – DT – St. Paul (MN) East Ridge: Garcia is a 6’3″, 270 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan State and Minnesota. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #16 defensive tackle, and #118 overall. He’s a teammate of Cline (above) and plays in the same league with Jashon Cornell.

Patrice Rene – S – Ottawa (Ontario) St. Peter: Rene is a 6’1″, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Indiana, Ohio State, Rutgers, and Syracuse, among others. He is reportedly moving from Canada to Virginia before his junior year to attend Alexandria (VA) Episcopal. Rene camped at Michigan in 2013.

Naseir Upshur – TE – Philadelphia (PA) Imhotep: Upshur is a 6’3″, 232 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Michigan, Michigan State, Pitt, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #5 tight end, and #166 overall. As a sophomore in 2013, he had 8 receptions for 240 yards and 4 touchdowns, along with 40 tackles and 12 sacks as a defensive end.

2017
Jonathan Sutherland – WR – Ottowa (Ontario) Pearson: Sutherland is a 5’10”, 175 lb. prospect with an offer from Rutgers.

Luiji Villian – DE – Ottowa (Ontario) Pearson: Villian is a 6’3″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Minnesota and Rutgers. He attended the Sound Mind Sound Body football camp with teammate Sutherland (above).

Craig Yeast II – WR – Fremont (OH) Ross: Yeast is a 5’11”, 160 lb. prospect with offers from Cincinnati and Kentucky. He claims a 4.5 forty, a 36.5″ vertical, a 265 lb. bench, and a 415 lb. squat. Yeast is the son of former Kentucky wide receiver Craig Yeast, who at one time was the SEC’s all-time leader in receptions (208) and second-leading receiving yardage leader (2,899 yards) after teaming up with future #1 draft pick Tim Couch. Yeast went on to be a 3rd round draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals and played for the Jets before moving on to the Canadian Football League.

2014 Sound Mind Sound Body Camp Attendees

St. Paul (MN) Cretin-Derham defensive end Jashon Cornell (image via MGoBlog)

The Sound Mind Sound Body Camp will be taking place on June 12th and 13th at Chandler Park Academy in Harper Woods, MI. This event continuously attracts a lot of the top talent in the midwest and some big-time prospects from around the country, too. Lots of college coaches will be in attendance, and the two head coaches of the in-state powers (Michigan’s Brady Hoke and Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio) will both be speaking. Several of these prospects will capitalize on the opportunity to head up the road and see the local universities.

This list includes players who intend to visit. There are too many to profile each one, but an asterisk denotes an offer from the Wolverines.

2015
Joshua Alabi – DE – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech*
Brian Alsobrooks – QB – Livonia (MI) Churchill
Kei Beckham – QB – Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison
Avonte’ Bell – RB – Lansing (MI) Sexton
Levante Bellamy – RB – Indianapolis (IN) Brebeuf Jesuit
Shahid Bellamy – DT – Oak Park (MI) Oak Park: committed to Central Michigan
Jamal Brown – S – Chicago (IL) Phillips: committed to Western Michigan
Ray Buford – CB – Southfield (MI) Southfield
Jayru Campbell – QB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: committed to Michigan State
Jordan Colbert – LB – Griffin (GA) Griffin: committed to Auburn
Brian Cole – ATH – Saginaw (MI) Heritage*
Jashon Cornell – DE – St. Paul (MN) Cretin Derham*
Daniel Crawford – TE – Macomb (MI) Dakota: committed to Northern Illinois
Anton Curtis – WR – Detroit (MI) East English Village
Paul Engram – LB – Southfield (MI) Southfield: committed to Western Michigan
Wesley French – OG – St. Joseph (MI) St. Joseph
Neville Gallimore – DT – St. Catharines (Ontario) Canada Prep Football Academy
Davontae Ginwright – S – Southfield (MI) Southfield
Eric Glover-Williams – CB – Canton (OH) McKinley: committed to Ohio State
Alex Grace – RB – Saginaw (MI) Swan Valley
DaQuan Hawkins – DT – Atlanta (GA) Westlake
Joshuwa Holloman – RB – Avondale (MI) Avondale
Obbie Jackson – WR – West Bloomfield (MI) West Bloomfield
Abdallah Jaffal – LB – Dearborn (MI) Fordson: committed to Western Michigan
Dior Johnson – S – Southfield (MI) Southfield
Shaq Jones – Philadelphia (PA) Imhotep
John Kelly – RB – Oak Park (MI) Oak Park
Darrin Kirkland, Jr. – LB – Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence Central*: committed to Michigan
Alex Malzone – QB – Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice*: committed to Michigan
Carter Masek – LB – Grand Rapids (MI) East Grand Rapids: committed to Miami-OH
Armani McNulty – CB – Bolingbrook (IL) Bolingbrook
Tyrone Miller – S – Saline (MI) Saline
D.J. Moore – WR – Philadelphia (PA) Imhotep
David Moorman – OT – Northville (MI) Northville: committed to Wisconsin
James Morgan – QB – Green Bay (WI) Ashwaubenon
Alec Murphy – RB – Nixa (MO) Nixa*
Alex Mussat – QB – Troy (MI) Troy
Riley Neal – QB – Yorktown (IN) Yorktown
Stanley Norman – CB – Junipero (CA) Serra
Michael Oliver – LB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
Jacques Patrick – RB – Orlando (FL) Timber Creek*
Grant Perry – WR – Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice
Kyle Pugh – LB – Chicago (IL) Bloom
T.J. Rahming – WR – Powder Springs (GA) McEachern
Reggie Rogers – S – Massillon (OH) Washington
Romello Ross – RB – Detroit (MI) Western
Matt Skibinski – OT – Livonia (MI) Churchill: committed to Miami-OH
Tyson Smith – CB – Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s: committed to Michigan State
Equanimeous St. Brown – WR – Anaheim (CA) Servite
Kyonta’ Stallworth – OT – Detroit (MI) King: committed to Michigan State
Jayson Stanley – WR – Fairburn (GA) Creekside
Immanuel Stinson – DE – Oak Park (MI) Oak Park
Damon Terry – WR – Lansing (MI) Everett: committed to Central Michigan
Tyriq Thompson – LB – Detroit (MI) King*
Brandon Tiassum – DT – Indianapolis (IN) Park Tudor: committed to Notre Dame
D’Andre Walker – DE – Fairburn (GA) Langston Hughes
Mike Weber – RB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech*
Delvin Weems – RB – Tucker (GA) Tucker: committed to Marshall
Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. – TE – Canisius (NY) Manlius*
Darryl Williams – OT – Bessemer (AL) City
Preston Williams – WR – Hampton (GA) Lovejoy*

2016
Hassan Belton – LB – Blythewood (GA) Bluthewood
Messiah DeWeaver – QB – Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison
Matt Falcon – RB – Southfield (MI) Southfield
Jojo Garcia – DT – Woodbury (MN) East Ridge
Seth Green – QB – Woodbury (MN) East Ridge
Dele’ Harding – LB – Elkton (MD) Eastern Christian Academy
Mecole Hardman – CB – Elberton (GA) Elbert County
Daelin Hayes – LB – Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s*
Jesse Johnson – S – Detroit (MI) King
Juanye Johnson – OG – Muskegon (MI) Muskegon
Thiyo Lukusa – OT – Traverse City (MI) West*
Jalen Martin – WR – Harper Woods (MI) Chandler Park Academy
Ostell Martin – OT – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
Michael Onwenu – DT – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
Kalebb Perry – WR – Mount Pleasant (MI) Mount Pleasant
Martell Pettaway – RB – St. Clair Shores (MI) South Lake
David Reese – LB – Farmington (MI) Farmington
Patrice Rene – S – Ottawa (Ontario) St. Peter
Naseir Upshur – WR – Philadelphia (PA) Imhotep*

2017
Donovan Johnson – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
Emani Mason – OT – Detroit (MI) East English Village
Donovan Peoples-Jones – WR – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
Joshua Ross – LB – Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s*
Jamyest Williams – RB – Archer (GA)

Scout 300 released for 2016

Erik Swenson is the #86 player in the nation

Scout released its initial top 300 players for the class of 2016 today. Michigan commit Erik Swenson comes in at #86. Here’s a list of Michigan’s offerees who made the cut:

5-stars:
2. Greg Little – OT – Texas
5. Rashan Gary – DT – New Jersey
8. Nate Craig – WR – Florida
10. Malik Henry – QB – California
11. Kareem Walker – RB – New Jersey

4-stars:
15. Ben Bredeson – OT – Wisconsin
18. Shea Patterson – QB – Louisiana (Arizona)
23. Jake Hausmann – TE – Ohio
26. Richard Merritt – OG – Washington, D.C.
31. Kaden Smith – TE – Texas
35. Josh King – DE – Illinois
36. Dexter Lawrence – DT – North Carolina
39. Isaac Nauta – TE – Georgia
44. Sam Bruce – WR – Florida
45. Collin Johnson – WR – Texas
46. Ben Cleveland – OT – Georgia
48. Justin Layne – WR – Ohio
53. Levonta Taylor – CB – Virginia
62. Jaquan Yulee – MLB – Virginia
67. Daelin Hayes – OLB – Michigan
68. K.J. Costello – QB – California
74. Jacob Eason – QB – Washington
77. Antonio Williams – RB – North Carolina
82. Willie Allen – OT – Louisiana
86. Erik Swenson – OT – Illinois (Michigan)
103. E.J. Price – OT – Georgia
104. Thiyo Lukusa – OG – Michigan
107. Scott Bracey – WR – Virginia
110. Liam Eichenberg – OT – Ohio
115. Miles Sanders – RB – Pennsylvania
124. Janarius Robinson – DE – Florida
130. Shaquille Quarterman – MLB – Florida
152. Dwayne Haskins, Jr. – QB – Maryland
162. Steven Smothers – WR – Maryland
169. Brad Hawkins – WR – New Jersey
180. Jauan Williams – OT – Washington, D.C.
191. Tavares Chase – WR – Florida
195. Cameron Chambers – WR – New Jersey
251. Kyree Campbell – DT – Virginia
259. Binjimen Victor – WR – Florida

Recruiting Update: June 9, 2014

Warren (OH) Harding center James Daniels (image via 247 Sports)

COMMITMENT
USC transfer Ty Isaac committed to Michigan (LINK). MGoVideo put together a reel of all of Isaac’s touches at USC last year (LINK), and it’s tough not to be impressed with what Isaac brings to the table. He had a better offensive line at USC last year than what Michigan’s backs had in 2013, but he still has a knack for breaking tackles and falling forward.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015
Corona (CA) Santiago quarterback Blake Barnett decommitted from Notre Dame. The 247 Composite #65 player in the nation is likely to choose Oregon sooner or later.

Warren (OH) Harding center James Daniels was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 282 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Iowa, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, and UCLA, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #9 center, and #584 overall. Daniels is that rare center prospect who actually plays center in high school, and he looks like a good one for Michigan’s style of offense. His brother, Leshun Daniels II, is a running back for the Hawkeyes, and James’s father played for Iowa, too. Despite Michigan having a good amount of success at Harding (Mario Manningham, Prescott Burgess, Carl Diggs), it looks like James will pick the Buckeyes or Hawkeyes.

Sacramento (CA) Grant Union offensive guard Darrin Paulo was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 344 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #41 offensive guard, and #593 overall. Paulo plays tackle in high school, but several schools see him as a guard, which is where I also think he fits best. He has stated that he wants to stay close to home, so Michigan’s chances are slim.

ADDED TO THE BOARD:

2016
Shreveport (LA) Calvary Baptist quarterback Shea Patterson was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’1″, 180 lb. prospect who committed to Arizona in December 2012; he now has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Clemson, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #2 pro-style quarterback, and #57 overall in his class. As a sophomore in 2013, he completed 138/223 passes for 2,655 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions while running 74 times for 241 yards and 3 touchdowns. Patterson plays in a spread offense that emphasizes his passing skills, which include good arm strength and very good accuracy. He’s not a great runner, but he’s athletic enough to move the chains when necessary. Patterson plans to visit Michigan this summer and seems excited about the offer. Where he ends up is anybody’s guess, but I do not believe he will remain committed to Arizona.

Virginia Beach (VA) Ocean Lakes cornerback Levonta Taylor was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’10”, 170 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, LSU, Miami, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee, Virginia, and Virginia Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #3 cornerback, and #46 overall. He claims a 4.32 forty, a 40″ vertical, a 4.09 shuttle, a 275 lb. bench, a 520 lb. deadlift, a 405 lb. squat, and a 10’6″ broad jump, all of which add up to make him quite an impressive athlete if those numbers are close to being true. As a sophomore in 2013, he made 48 tackles, 7 interceptions (1 touchdown), 10 pass breakups, 3 tackles for loss, and 1 forced fumble. On film Taylor is a blazer with good ball skills and hitting ability.

Suffolk (VA) Lakeland linebacker Jaquan Yulee was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 258 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, North Carolina, Virginia, and Virginia Tech. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #9 outside linebacker, and #142 overall. He claims a 4.92 forty, a 275 lb. bench, and a 500 lb. squat. Yulee played inside linebacker for his high school team last year, but he looks to me like a LaMarr Woodley or Brandon Graham type of player who will transition to defensive end in college.

OFF THE BOARD
Richmond (VA) Benedictine defensive end Clelin Ferrell committed to Clemson. This is a bit of a blow to Michigan’s recruit efforts as they have developed a foothold in Virginia over the past couple years, including guys like Derrick Green, Wilton Speight, and Garrett Taylor. The Wolverines are also in need of weakside end types unless they plan to put Noah Furbush there, because Frank Clark graduates after the upcoming season, leaving just Mario Ojemudia (a senior in 2015) and Lawrence Marshall (sophomore or redshirt freshman) at the position. Ferrell is also a teammate of 2016 wide receiver Scott Bracey, who holds a Michigan offer.

MISCELLANEOUS
Here’s a list of visitors from this past week (LINK).

The Rivals 100 Five-Star Challenge took place in Baltimore this past weekend (LINK).

Orlando (FL) Timber Creek running back Jacques Patrick is in town for the week leading up to the Sound Mind Sound Body camp next week. Patrick’s cousin is a coach at Detroit (MI) King and perhaps the biggest reason that Michigan might have a shot at Jacques, who is a 247 Composite 4-star, the #2 running back, and #44 overall in the 2015 class. As a junior in 2013, he carried the ball 231 times for 2,153 yards and 30 touchdowns.