Tag: 2018 recruiting

Recruiting Update: June 16, 2015

New Orleans (LA) Brother Martin linebacker Bruce Jordan-Swilling

COMMITMENT
Dudley (MA) Shepherd Hill tight end Sean McKeon committed to Michigan (LINK).

Norco (CA) Norco quarterback Victor Viramontes committed to Michigan (LINK).

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Tampa (FL) Tampa Bay Tech wide receiver Daquon Green was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’1″, 183 lb. prospect who has offers from Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, and Miami, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #33 wide receiver, and #210 overall. He earned his offer after the satellite camp in Florida, and he also attended the Sound Mind Sound Body camp this past weekend. He’s a speed player who can go get the ball and run after the catch.

Salt Lake City (UT) Brighton running back Sione Heimuli-Lund was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 220 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona State, BYU, Oklahoma State, Stanford, and Utah, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #15 running back, and #160 overall. Lund is a somewhat squat running back who might turn into a fullback or a linebacker in college. He is a teammate of 2016 wide receiver and Michigan target Simi Fehoko, as well as 2015 linebacker Osa Masina (USC). The Wolverines have two Salt Lake City natives currently on the team, though they went to Highland: fullback Sione Houma and defensive tackle Bryan Mone.

Baltimore (MD) Our Lady of Mt. Carmel defensive end Joshua Kaindoh was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’6″, 235 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State, and Penn State, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #2 weakside end, and #53 overall. Kaindoh is a long and lanky end or even outside linebacker, but the early favorite appears to be Ohio State.

Hit the jump for several more 2017 offers, a new 2018 offer, and some random bits and pieces.

Bellaire (TX) Episcopal offensive tackle Walker Little was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’7″, 301 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona State, Baylor, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and TCU, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 3-star, the #30 offensive tackle, and #302 overall. He’s a huge human being who looks like a college player already. Little is a teammate of 2017 defensive tackle Marvin Wilson, who has Michigan in his top five.

New Orleans (LA) Brother Martin linebacker Bruce Jordan-Swilling was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 215 lb. prospect with offers from Florida, LSU, Miami, and Oklahoma. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #5 outside linebacker, and #88 overall. Jordan-Swilling is also a standout running back, although his future is probably on defense. He is the son of former New Orleans Saints Pro Bowl linebacker Pat Swilling. Michigan has also offered two of Bruce’s 2016 teammates, tight ends Peyton Aucoin and and Irvin Smith, the latter of whom is also the son of a former NFLer. Also as an aside, Brother Martin also boasts Bruce’s twin brother (a cornerback who is somewhat less heralded) and another running back named Jordan Bruce. So Jordan Bruce, Bruce Jordan-Swilling, and Tre Swilling are all on the same team. “Hey, Bruce, get over here! No, not you, Jordan. I mean Swilling, get over here! No no no, not you, Tre. Dammit, Bruce Jordan-Swilling, GET OVER HERE! Finally. So…can you get me a water bottle? I’m parched. Thanks.”

Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gorman quarterback Tate Martell was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’11”, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Texas A&M, Utah, and Washington, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #2 dual-threat quarterback, and #25 overall. As a sophomore in 2014, he completed 124/200 passes for 2,537 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions; he also ran 73 times for 433 yards and 5 touchdowns. He claims a 4.62 forty. Despite his slight frame, Martell has a cannon of an arm, throws a nice ball, displays good accuracy, and can escape pressure.

Fort Lauderdale (FL) Dillard wide receiver Jordan Merrell, a Cincinnati commit, was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’10”, 176 lb. prospect who earned his offer at the Florida satellite camp. Merrell plays some running back and could end up at either position in college.

Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas wide receiver Joshua Palmer was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’3″, 190 lb. prospect who also has an offer from Temple. Palmer transferred from a school in Canada to St. Thomas Aquinas this offseason, to this coming year will be his first year of playing football in America. He did play in the International Bowl against the United States, where he made a few nice plays. Michigan is recruiting several other plays at St. Thomas Aquinas in the 2017 and 2018 classes.

Memphis (TN) Trezevant running back Cordarrian Richardson was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 220 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #21 running back, and #266 overall. Richardson attended the Sound Mind Sound Body camp at Macomb (MI) Dakota this past weekend and also made a stop at Michigan’s campus, where he was offered.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2018
Oak Park (MI) Oak Park offensive guard Marquan McCall was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’3″, 280 lb. prospect whose only other offer comes from Akron. McCall worked out at the Sound Mind Sound Body camp in front of Michigan’s coaches, and they offered him shortly thereafter. He is a teammate of 2017 offensive tackle Ja’Raymond Hall, who also holds a Michigan offer and seems likely to drop for Michigan at some point.

MISCELLANEOUS
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech safety Jaylen Kelly-Powell named Michigan his leader. After observing him at the Sound Mind Sound Body camp late last week, the coaches say he could play either cornerback or safety for them.

Warren (MI) De La Salle running back Allen Stritzinger also named Michigan his leader. Stritzinger’s next biggest offer is from Cincinnati, so that’s not much of a surprise. Stritzinger is a guy who could play running back, wide receiver, cornerback, or safety at the next level.

Over on Recruiting Season:

• I added a profile for Orchard Lake St. Mary’s LB Dwayne Chapman
• Ann Arbor Skyline WR Hunter Rison committed to Michigan State
• I updated the profile of Detroit King WR Ambry Thomas

Recruiting Update: June 8, 2015

Dudley (MA) Shepherd Hill tight end Sean McKeon (image via

COMMITMENTS
Winchester (IN) Winchester running back Kiante Enis committed to Michigan (LINK).

Indianapolis (IN) Ben Davis slot receiver Chris Evans committed to Michigan (LINK).

Prattville (AL) Prattville linebacker Dytarious Johnson committed to Michigan (LINK).

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech offensive guard Michael Onwenu committed to Michigan (LINK).

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Miramar (FL) Miramar defensive end Terrell Lucas was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’3″, 220 lb. prospect with offers from Minnesota and Tulane. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #67 weakside end, and #1152 overall. Lucas was at the satellite camp in Tampa, and the coaches extended him an offer after evaluating him in person. His film is not particularly impressive, as he looks a little undersized and lacks the explosion I would expect in an undersized weakside end.

Dudley (MA) Shepherd Hill tight end Sean McKeon was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Boston College, Connecticut, Syracuse, Temple, and UMass, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #64 tight end, and #1489 overall. He claims a 4.69 forty. His highlights show a long, lanky kid who looks a little awkward and gangly, but he shows some toughness and an ability to grind out extra yards after the catch.

Hit the jump for a couple more 2016 offers, a couple 2017 offers, a new 2018 offer, some guys who committed elsewhere, and lots of random bits.

Pembroke Pines (FL) Flanagan safety Josh Metellus was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 187 lb. prospect who is currently committed to Georgia Southern. He’s a 247 Composite 2-star, the #134 safety, and #1915 overall. He claims a 33″ vertical, a 245 lb. bench press, and a 325 lb. squat. Unless he has hit a growth spurt since his junior season, he’s probably an inch or two under his listed height and weight, but he is an aggressive hitter from the safety position and shows some nice ball skills, too. He was at the satellite camp held just outside of Miami, FL. He is another teammate of 2016 offerees Devin Bush, Jr. and Devin Gil.

Delray Beach (FL) Atlantic cornerback Antwaine Richardson was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 165 lb. prospect with offers from Miami, Rutgers, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #86 cornerback, and #867 overall. As a junior in 2014, he made 35 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and 10 pass breakups. Richardson is a lanky corner who needs to add weight, but he changes direction well and is pretty physical for being a skinny guy. He attends the same school as 2015 defensive end signee Shelton Johnson.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Tampa (FL) Tampa Bay Tech wide receiver Daquon Green was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’1″, 183 lb. prospect with offers from Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, and several others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #33 wide receiver, and #210 overall. Green was one of the stars of the show at the Tampa satellite camp. He’s a speedster who can take the top off of a defense and run after the catch.

Pembroke Pines (FL) Flanagan wide receiver Clevan Thomas, Jr. was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’10”, 185 lb. prospect whose lone other offer comes from Temple. Another teammate of Bush, Gil, and Metellus, Thomas earned his offer at the Miami satellite camp.  Thomas is the son of Clevan Thomas, a former Florida State cornerback (6 career interceptions) who went on to become a three-time Arena Football League Defensive Player of the Year and Hall of Famer (73 career interceptions, 11 kickoff return touchdowns). Flanagan is Thomas’s third school after playing at Miami Jackson and Miami Booker T. Washington.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2018
Thomson (GA) Thomson cornerback Christian Tutt was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’11”, 171 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, South Carolina, and Tennessee, among others. Tutt is obviously a young kid, and his highlights are not very lengthy, but he does show some ability as a kick returner.

OFF THE BOARD
Hallandale (FL) Hallandale wide receiver Joshua Hammond committed to Florida. Hammond’s older brother, Frankie Hammond Jr., played for the Gators and spent the last two seasons as a wide receiver with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Darien (IL) Hinsdale South defensive end Josh King committed to Michigan State. Prior to his commitment, he tweeted out that his choice would make people’s heads spin. He seemingly forgot to check his 247 Sports profile page, which had 79% of predictions in favor of . . . Michigan State. Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State were all tied for second place with 5% of the votes.

Fort Wayne (IN) Bishop Luers wide receiver Austin Mack committed to Ohio State. Michigan was his leader many moons ago, and he even visited again recently, but for a long time, he has been expected to be a Buckeye.

Fort Wayne (IN) Wayne defensive end Auston Robertson committed to Michigan State. Just like King and Mack, this had been expected for a long time. Robertson had also visited Michigan several times and recently put the Wolverines in his top three, replacing Ohio State, but any late addition to a top three means it’s a long shot.

MISCELLANEOUS
Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison defensive end Khalid Kareem has set an announcement date for June 24th. He took a visit to Michigan two weekends ago that reportedly had a big impact on him because of its focus on academics. Kareem was previously committed to Michigan State for a short time this spring, but new circumstances are pointing toward him choosing Michigan.

Saline (MI) Saline quarterback Joshua Jackson has set an announcement date for Thursday. Jackson does not hold an offer from the Wolverines, but he is the son of former running backs coach Fred Jackson and the brother of former wide receiver Jeremy Jackson. He has offers from Minnesota, Northwestern, Utah, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #14 dual-threat quarterback, and #411 overall. He is expected to be a Hokie by the end of the week.

I’m keeping a running tab on the coaching staff’s 2015 Summer Swarm Tour (LINK).

Here’s a list of the eight in-state 2017 prospects who visited Michigan last Tuesday (LINK).

Rivals updated their top 100 (LINK) and top 250 lists (LINK) for 2016.

Rivals also held their 5-star Challenge in Baltimore, where Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was the keynote speaker. Here’s a list of Michigan offerees who participated (LINK).

2015 Rivals 5-star Challenge participants

Detroit (MI) King wide receiver Donnie Corley

The 2015 Rivals 5-star Challenge will be taking place in Baltimore on June 5-7. This is Rivals’ counter to Nike’s The Opening, and it’s an event where some of the top talent from around the country will be competing against each other. While it’s not as exciting as The Opening because it lacks the same kind of television coverage, there are always news bits and interviews coming out of the camp. Here are some participants who are being recruited by Michigan:

Sam Bruce – WR – Florida (Miami)
Devin Bush, Jr. – LB – Florida
T.J. Chase – WR – Florida (Clemson)
Jack Coan – QB – New York*
Donnie Corley – WR – Michigan
Nate Craig-Myers – WR – Florida
Ben Davis – LB – Alabama
Terrance Davis – OG – Maryland
Wyatt Davis – OT – California*
Landon Dickerson – OT – North Carolina
Rashan Gary – DT – New Jersey
Joey Gatewood – QB – Florida**
Maleik Gray – LB – Tennessee*
Trevon Grimes – WR – Florida
Mecole Hardman – WR – Georgia
Daelin Hayes – LB – Michigan (USC)
Lavert Hill – CB – Michigan (Penn State)
Anthony Hines – LB – Texas
Devon Hunter – S – Virginia*
Ron Johnson, Jr. – DE – New Jersey
Jack Jones – CB – California
Kendell Jones – DT – Texas (Alabama)
Caleb Kelly – LB – California
Xavier Kelly – DE – Kansas
Dexter Lawrence – DT – North Carolina
Richard LeCounte – CB – Georgia*
Greg Little – OT – Texas (Texas A&M)
Frank Martin – OT – California (USC)
Jared Mayden – CB – Texas
Nate McBride – LB – Georgia*
Richard Merritt – OG – Washington, DC
Ahmir Mitchell – WR – New Jersey
Byron Murphy – CB – Arizona
Isaac Nauta – TE – Georgia (Florida State)
Jeffrey Okudah – S – Texas*
Michael Onwenu – DT – Michigan
Donovan Peoples-Jones – WR – Michigan*
Jamal Pettigrew – TE – Louisiana (LSU)
C.J. Pollard – S – California
William Poole III – CB – Georgia*
Isaiah Pryor – S – Georgia*
Demetris Robertson – WR – Georgia
Shawn Robinson – QB – Texas*
Stanford Samuels – CB – Florida*
Miles Sanders – RB – Pennsylvania (Penn State)
Trevon Sidney – WR – California
Eli Stove – WR – Florida (Auburn)
Lokeni Toailoa – LB – California (UCLA)
Naseir Upshur – TE – Pennsylvania
Binjimen Victor – WR – Florida
Kareem Walker – RB – New Jersey (Ohio State)
Devin White – LB – Louisiana
LeAnthony Williams – CB – Georgia*
Lyndell Wilson – LB – Alabama
Marvin Wilson – DT – Texas*
Jaquan Yulee – LB – Virginia

*Denotes 2017 prospects
*Denotes 2018 prospects

2018 Recruiting Update: May 25, 2015

Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas cornerback Asante Samuel, Jr.

NOTE: I apologize for the light posting over the past few days. We are in the middle of spring practice, and I have had various family obligations over the past several days. Here are some bits on the 2018 class since it’s a holiday, and some larger updates on the 2016 and 2017 classes will be coming tomorrow.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2018
Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas cornerback Asante Samuel, Jr. was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’10”, 165 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Miami, and Ohio State, among others. He claims a 4.66 forty. His father is Asante Samuel, the former fourth round NFL Draft pick out of Central Florida. He was chosen by the Patriots in 2003, made 63 total interceptions (including 10 for New England in 2006) for the Patriots, Eagles, and Falcons, and last played in 2013. He played in four Pro Bowls at cornerback.

Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas cornerback Benjamin Sapp III was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’10”, 160 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Miami, and Ohio State, among others. Sapp is the son of former NFL cornerback Benny Sapp, who was undrafted out of Northern Iowa in 2004 (he originally attended Iowa but was kicked off the team after legal troubles). He made the Kansas City Chiefs out of camp, and he would end up making 240 tackles and 6 interceptions for the Chiefs, Vikings, and Dolphins from 2004-2011. Sapp and Asante Samuel, Sr. were high school teammates.

Plantation (FL) American Heritage cornerback Patrick Surtain, Jr. was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Clemson, LSU, Miami, and Tennessee, among others. He is the son of Patrick Surtain, who attended New Orleans (LA) Edna Karr – the home of Munchie Legaux – before playing football at Southern Miss. He became a second round NFL Draft pick by the Miami Dolphins in 1998, making the Pro Bowl three times at cornerback and making 37 career interceptions. He retired in 2008 after a four-year stint with the Chiefs.

Moore (OK) Southmoore offensive tackle Brey Walker was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 295 lb. prospect with offers from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and SMU. He was named a First Team Freshman All-American by Maxpreps. As far as I can tell, Walker does not have a famous father, but he did win a state championship in wrestling as a freshman.

Recruiting Update: May 18, 2015

Chris Singletary (image via MLive.com)

RECRUITING STAFF NEWS
Over the last couple weeks, news has come out about Michigan’s recruiting staff. Most significantly, director of player personnel Chris Singletary is out. The former Michigan linebacker reportedly created a bit of a rift in recruiting circles around the state of Michigan. The story goes that he only had strong relationships with a few schools – the ones that would have perennial FBS prospects – and largely ignored a lot of the other coaching staffs in the state, except when they would have a blue-chip prospect. Now that he’s gone, some of those traditionally talent-laden schools are miffed. There are rumors floating about that Singletary burned some bridges to Michigan on the way out, too. Contrary to that rumor, Scout’s Sam Webb says that Singletary is being considered for an administrative job within the athletic department, which would be an odd move for a guy who allegedly bad-mouthed the program toward the end. Webb is typically a trusted source, but he is also friendly with Singletary, so the truth might lie somewhere in the middle.

Meanwhile, former Paramus (NJ) Catholic head coach Chris Partridge, who was hired a few months ago, is now the lead man in the recruiting office. He and Matt Doherty are handling the majority of recruiting info, but Jim Harbaugh has also pulled out the ace he had up his sleeve: Erik Campbell. Campbell, who played and coached at Michigan, spent time with Iowa and the Montreal Alouettes in recent years. He was hired to work in the football program this offseason, and now it looks like he will have the task of maintaining and/or mending relationships in the state. Campbell, who grew up in Indiana, was an associate head coach under Lloyd Carr and has a very good reputation. I expect Campbell to return to coaching before too long (whether on Michigan’s staff or elsewhere), but in the meantime, I think it’s an excellent move by Harbaugh to put him on the recruiting trail.

Now hit the jump for some new 2016 and 2018 offers, plus some guys who committed elsewhere and some random bits.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Philadelphia (PA) Imhotep offensive guard Johncarlo Valentin was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 346 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona State, Pitt, Purdue, Rutgers, and Virginia Techa, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #14 offensive guard, and #355 overall. He is a huge lineman with some bad weight on him, but he shows surprisingly nimble feet in the open field. He reminds me a little bit of former Michigan lineman Chris Bryant, although I think Valentin is probably more agile. Valentin is not without faults, as he tends to try to use his upper body more than his legs. He is a teammate of 2016 tight end Naseir Upshur, who also holds a Michigan offer.

Hudson (NC) South Caldwell offensive guard Landon Robertson was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 306 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #22 offensive tackle, and #221 overall. Robertson has quite a nasty streak and clearly loves physically dominating people, but while 247 Sports lists him as a tackle, I don’t think he has the feet to stay on the edge in college.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2018
Manvel (TX) Manvel safety Jalen Preston was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 210 lb. prospect with offers from Baylor, LSU, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s currently unranked because he’s just a freshman in high school. The linked highlights are of him as an eighth grader, but he doesn’t look like a kid who’s going to be a safety for his entire career. He runs like a guy who will be a linebacker, H-back, etc. in college. Michigan has tried to work their way into Manvel recently with offers to 2015 cornerback Will Lockett (UCLA), 2016 offensive tackle Austin Myers (committed to TCU), and 2016 safety Deontay Anderson (uncommitted), but those efforts have largely been fruitless other than an official visit out of Lockett back in January.

OFF THE BOARD
Calhoun (GA) Calhoun offensive guard Jack DeFoor committed to Ole Miss. This was a bit of a surprise since he was expected to pick Clemson, but Michigan was never heavily involved. DeFoor is a 3-star and #868 overall to the 247 Composite.

Potomac (MD) Bullis quarterback Dwayne Haskins, Jr. committed to Maryland. This is a good pull for the Terps, because Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Ohio State, and others were also recruiting Haskins, the #61 player in the country, according to the 247 Composite. I had Haskins #4 on my wish list of quarterbacks (LINK).

Traverse City (MI) West offensive guard Thiyo Lukusa committed to Michigan State. Lukusa was pretty highly ranked early on, though I thought he was overrated. At one time he was close to committing to Brady Hoke’s Wolverines, but Hoke told him to wait and explore the process. Jim Harbaugh’s staff was not recruiting Lukusa very heavily.

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech safety Demetric Vance committed to Michigan State. I had Vance rated as the #9 player in the state of Michigan back in February (LINK). He could also play wide receiver.

MISCELLANEOUS
Hyattsville (MD) DeMatha offensive guard Terrance Davis put Michigan in his top ten. Michigan is also recruiting his teammate, 2017 running back Anthony McFarland, Jr., the best running back I’ve seen in his class so far.

Darien (IL) Hinsdale South defensive end Josh King is announcing his decision on June 6, and he has reportedly eliminated Michigan. Michigan State appears to be the front-runner. Fort Wayne (IN) Wayne defensive end Auston Robertson is announcing on June 7 and might also end up in East Lansing.

Concord (CA) De La Salle center Boss Tagaloa put Michigan in his top ten. The Wolverines are also recruiting his teammate, tight end Devin Asiasi.