Recruiting Update: November 4, 2015

Tag: 2017 recruiting


4Nov 2015
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Recruiting Update: November 4, 2015

McKeesport (PA) McKeesport athlete Khaleke Hudson

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
McKeesport (PA) McKeesport safety Khaleke Hudson was offered by Michigan. Hudson is a 5’11”, 200 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan State, Penn State, Pitt, UCLA, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #40 outside linebacker, and #391 overall. He is committed to play in the 2016 Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl. Hudson is one of those kids who stands out because of his physicality more than his pure speed or athleticism, although he does have some of those skills as well. Michigan is recruiting him as an “athlete” and he falls into the same category of someone like Devin Gil, a current Michigan commit who might be too slow for safety and too small for linebacker. Penn State and West Virginia are also heavily in the mix for Hudson. McKeesport regularly produces FBS talent, perhaps the biggest of whom in recent years was Delvon Simmons in the class of 2011.

Wayne (NJ) De Paul running back Kareem Walker decommitted from Ohio State. He’s a 6’1″, 210 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Notre Dame, and USC, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #1 running back, and #34 overall. Walker had committed to Ohio State in January, but he started to have second thoughts this fall. He did take a visit to Michigan and said that cornerback Jabrill Peppers is like his big brother, so Michigan obviously has some things in its favor. However, Walker said that he wants to take other visits, so Michigan is not a slam dunk choice. The Wolverines are in the market for a bona fide running back since the current roster options are somewhat underwhelming, and Southfield (MI) Southfield running back Matt Falcon is no longer considered a football commit. De Paul is also the home of defensive end Quayshon Alexander (Nebraska) and offensive guard Thiyo Lukusa (Michigan State), although the latter is a transfer from Traverse City, Michigan.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Brunswick (GA) Glynn cornerback DeeJay Dallas was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 170 lb. prospect who committed to Georgia in July; he also has offers from Auburn, Florida, and South Carolina, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #26 athlete, and #258 overall. Dallas is a speedy, compact athlete who looks like a corner or maybe a safety. He has good speed and strength for an underclassman, and I could see him as a potential replacement for Jabrill Peppers at that nickel corner spot if he were to reconsider his commitment.

Suwanee (GA) Peachtree Ridge defensive back DeAngelo Gibbs was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 204 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Oregon, and USC, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 5-star, the #1 cornerback, and #4 overall. His offer from Michigan came a couple weeks ago, although it looks like I forgot to include it in the last update or two. He moves very well and could play cornerback, safety, or wide receiver at the next level. With his current size, it seems like he might outgrow the cornerback position, so I’m guessing he ends up at safety. Georgia is the favorite, but they are having some struggles on the field. Gibbs is looking at visiting Michigan for the Ohio State game on November 28th.

Hit the jump for a couple more new offers, some guys who committed elsewhere, and some random bits.

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28Oct 2015
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Recruiting Update: October 28, 2015

South Jordan (UT) Bingham DT Jay Tufele


ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Winter Garden (FL) West Orange wide receiver Eddie McDoom was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’11”, 170 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, and Texas, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #65 wide receiver, and #392 overall. As a junior in 2014, he caught 47 passes for 854 yards and 15 touchdowns. McDoom is a speedy receiver who adjusts well to the ball in the air, which is something Michigan lacks. He is expected to stay in SEC country.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Pittsburgh (PA) Central Catholic offensive guard Chris “C.J.” Thorpe was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 308 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona State, Auburn, Penn State, and Pitt, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 offensive guard, and #220 overall. He is also a teammate of 2016 defensive back Damar Hamlin, who is expected to commit to Ohio State sooner or later. Some sites list him as a defensive tackle, but I think he might be a little too stiff to play defense. However, he is a very violent and relentless blocker on offense who has good foot quickness, if not ideal flexibility.

Hit the jump for another few 2017 offers, a 2018 offer, some guys who went off the board, and some other bits.

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21Oct 2015
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Recruiting Update: October 21, 2015

Kurt Taylor


COMMITMENT

Covington (GA) Newton running back Kurt Taylor committed to Michigan (LINK).

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison defensive end Khalid Kareem decommitted from Alabama. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #9 strongside end, and #195 overall. When Harrison originally committed to the Crimson Tide, Michigan thought they might secure his commitment and got surprised. The Wolverines continued to recruit him, but now they feel as if they have a good chance at some other players, so they have not been recruiting Kareem. Notre Dame looks like a legitimate option.

Hit the jump for a new 2017 offer, some guys who went off the board, and some random bits.

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17Oct 2015
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Kurt Taylor, Wolverine

Covington (GA) Newton running back Kurt Taylor committed to Michigan and head coach Jim Harbaugh

Covington (GA) Newton running back Kurt Taylor committed to Michigan on Friday. He chose the Wolverines over offers from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt, among others.

Taylor is 5’9″ and 200 lbs. He claims a 4.48 forty. As a sophomore in 2014, he had 74 carries for 462 yards (6.2 yards/carry) and 4 touchdowns, plus 3 catches for 92 yards and 2 touchdowns. This year as a junior, he has carried the ball 109 times for 729 yards (6.7 yards/carry) and 10 touchdowns, plus 7 catches for 94 yards.

RATINGS
ESPN: Unranked
Rivals: 3-star, #19 RB
Scout: 3-star RB
247 Sports: 3-star, 88 grade, #24 RB, #308 overall

Hit the jump for the rest of the commitment post.

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14Oct 2015
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Visitors: Michigan vs. Michigan State

Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy tight end Isaac Nauta is one of many elite players scheduled to be in town.

I have shortened down some of the writeups this week for the sheer number of prospects visiting. It’s a huge recruiting opportunity for Michigan.

2016
Korey Banks – WR – Tyrone (GA) Sandy Creek: Banks committed to North Carolina in July after being offered by the Wolverines. He unofficially visited in the spring and reportedly had a great visit, but the Tarheels pulled him in, anyway. Michigan was initially recruiting him as a wide receiver, although he could also play cornerback.

Donnie Corley – WR – Detroit (MI) King: Corley said he will probably make it. He is strongly considering both Michigan and Michigan State, so it would make sense for him to check out the game.

Dylan Crawford – WR – Rancho Santa Margarita (CA) Catholic: This is Crawford’s official visit.

Hit the jump for lots and lots more visitors.

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