Tag: 2016 recruiting

Visitors: April 18-20, 2014

Avon (CT) Old Farms tight end Chris Clark

2015
Chris Clark – TE – Avon (CT) Old Farms: Clark is a 6’6″, 247 lb. prospect who recently decommitted from North Carolina; he also has offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, along with many others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #3 tight end, and #130 overall. As a junior in 2013, he caught 39 passes for 417 yards and 6 touchdowns. Recruiting gurus are picking Notre Dame, where he visited a couple weekends ago, but he has yet to visit Columbus or Ann Arbor.

Clelin Ferrell – DE – Richmond (VA) Benedictine: Ferrell is a 6’5″, 225 lb. prospect who recently named a top eleven of Clemson, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Ohio State, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #8 weakside end, and #84 overall for the class. He plays in the same league as freshman QB Wilton Speight and 2014 cornerback commit Garrett Taylor, and his teammate is 2016 wide receiver offeree Scott Bracey.

Grant Newsome – OT – Lawrenceville (NJ) Lawrenceville School: I typed up a scouting report on Newsome at the end of March. He recently picked up an Arkansas offer and visited Penn State.

2016
Ben Bredeson – OT – Hartland (WI) Arrowhead: Bredeson is a 6’5″, 275 lb. prospect with offers from Iowa State, Michigan, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. He visited Michigan for the spring game a couple weekends ago and also took a swing through Columbus and Knoxville. The Badgers are considered to be the leader.

Top 247 for 2016 released

Downers Grove (IL) South offensive tackle Erik Swenson

247 Sports released its top 247 players for the class of 2016. Normally, I just list the offered players, but since this is so early for a class of 2016 list, I’ll also be listing players with connections to Michigan and/or from the Big Ten imprint that Michigan normally recruits. Offered players are denoted by an asterisk, and the only Michigan offeree not on the list is Georgia offensive lineman E.J. Price.

Michigan commit Erik Swenson starts off at #233 on the list.

5-stars:
1. Greg Little – OT – Louisiana*
7. Liam Eichenberg – OT – Ohio*
10. Rashan Gary – DT – New Jersey*

4-stars:
12. Dexter Lawrence – DT – North Carolina*
16. Isaac Nauta – TE – Georgia*
17. Willie Allen – OT – Louisiana*
18. Kareem Walker – RB – New Jersey*
20. Ben Bredeson – OT – Wisconsin*
33. John Raridon – OG – Iowa
35. Tommy Kraemer – OT – Ohio
41. Rahshaud Smith – DE – Maryland
43. Trevon Diggs – ATH – Maryland
44. Michael Menet – OT – Pennsylvania
45. Josh King – DE – Illinois
47. Shaquille Quarterman – LB – Florida
49. Scott Bracey – WR – Virginia*
51. Brendan Ferns – LB – Ohio
55. Prince Sammons – DE – Ohio
56. Sam Bruce – WR – Florida*
62. Steven Smothers – WR – Maryland
83. Cameron Chambers – WR – New Jersey
89. Justin Layne – WR – Ohio
91. Ethan Tucky – LB – Ohio
93. Jarrett Guarantano – QB – New Jersey
99. Brandon McIlwain – QB – Pennsylvania
106. Martell Pettaway – RB – Michigan
109. Kaden Smith – TE – Texas*
111. Quayshon Alexander – DE – New Jersey
118. Jovanny Garcia – DT – Minnesota
126. Daelin Hayes – LB – Michigan*
129. Eric Burrell – S – Maryland
131. Cary Angeline – TE – Pennsylvania
135. Tuf Borland – LB – Illinois
138. Jonathon Cooper – DE – Ohio
147. Zack Sandwisch – LB – Ohio
149. Lawrence Gordon – DE – Michigan
152. Brad Hawkins – WR – New Jersey
153. Damar Hamlin – CB – Pennsylvania
157. Hasise Dubois – WR – New Jersey
158. Shane Simmons – DE – Maryland
164. Tyrece Speaight – CB – Ohio
165. Naseir Upshur – TE – Pennsylvania
171. Bryan Brokop – OT – Illinois
176. Sonny Abramson – QB – New Jersey
182. Seth Green – QB – Minnesota
183. Jake Hausmann – TE – Ohio
184. Ellison Jordan – DT – Maryland
197. Trent Maynard – OT – Indiana
200. Miles Sanders – RB – Pennsylvania*
213. J.P. Urquidez – OT – Maryland
216. Mike Waters – RB – Pennsylvania
224. Anthony Long – OT – Pennsylvania
225. Tino Ellis – WR – Maryland
227. Thiyo Lukusa – OT – Michigan*
230. Luke Farrell – TE – Ohio
233. Erik Swenson – OT – Illinois (Michigan)
239. Joseph Jackson – DE – Florida*
245. Messiah DeWeaver – QB – Ohio
247. Jalen Martin – WR – Michigan

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.

Visitors: March 28-30, 2014

Tampa (FL) Plant offensive tackle Jake Fruhmorgen with his father, John,  (image via My Capture)

2015
Jake Fruhmorgen – OT – Tampa (FL) Plant: Fruhmorgen is a 6’5″, 280 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #7 offensive tackle, #74 overall, and #14 in the state of Florida. He claims a 5.4 forty. Fruhmorgen’s father went to Alabama, but Jake is expected to pick soon, and the signs are pointing toward Clemson as the likely destination. Michigan has pursued other prospects from Plant in recent years, including offensive lineman Tony Posada (who signed with Michigan but quit football before his freshman year even began) and running back James Wilder, Jr. (Florida State).

Dre’Mont Jones – DE – Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius: Jones is a 6’5″, 250 lb. prospect with offers from Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan State, and Ohio State. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #14 strongside end, #294 overall, and #15 in the state.

2016
Stefan Claiborne – S – Clinton Township (MI) Chippewa Valley: Claiborne is a 6’1″, 168 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He could play wide receiver, cornerback, or safety at the next level and will probably be one of the top ten prospects in the state for 2016. He claims a 4.5 forty, a 30″ vertical, a 225 lb. bench, and a 365 lb. squat, which are all pretty good numbers for someone his size and age.

Rex Culpepper – QB – Tampa (FL) Plant: Culpepper is a 6’3″, 210 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He’s the teammate of Fruhmorgen. He is the son of former Chicago Bears, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Brad Culpepper, who played college football at Florida.

Steven Frank – QB – Oswego (IL) Oswego: Frank is a 6’4″, 190 lb. prospect with no offers right now. As a sophomore in 2013, he had 1,952 passing yards and 27 passing touchdowns, along with 5 rushing scores. He claims a 4.7 forty but is definitely a pro-style guy, but he looks like a guy who will have a number of quality offers by the time all is said and done.