Tag: 2019 recruiting

Eric Gray, Ex-Wolverine

Memphis (TN) Lausanne RB Eric Gray

Memphis (TN) Lausanne running back Eric Gray decommitted from Michigan on Saturday. Gray committed to Michigan in early July, but his commitment has been viewed as being “soft” for a couple months. I had originally given him a TTB Rating of 82 (LINK). He’s a 4-star, the #3 all-purpose back, and #209 overall.

Gray’s commitment over the summer meant that he never visited Michigan for the atmosphere in Ann Arbor on game days. He had set up a visit a couple weeks ago, but he chose to visit Tennessee instead. While he had not been expected to sign with Michigan prior to that, the lack of a game visit against Indiana seemed to cement Michigan as an also-ran.

Michigan now has just one running back in the 2019 class, Zach Charbonnet. Michigan recently landed a commitment from Amauri Pesek-Hickson, who’s a running back/linebacker, and they have offered Florida running back D.J. Williams, an Appalachian State commit. Pesek-Hickson is expected to play linebacker in college, and Williams is probably going to stay somewhere in the south. With only three weekends remaining (including this one) for official visits, the Wolverines might be scrambling to get someone on campus before the early signing window.

Who’s enrolling early?

Zach Charbonnet

Here’s a list of 2019 players who are expected to enroll at Michigan in January:

TE Erick All
RB Zach Charbonnet
RB Eric Gray
QB Cade McNamara
DE Gabe Newburg
DE David Ojabo
CB Jalen Perry
ATH Mike Sainristil
DT Mazi Smith
OT Jack Stewart

Tyrece Woods, Ex-Wolverine

Tyrece Woods

Belleville (MI) Belleville defensive end/defensive tackle Tyrece Woods decommitted from Michigan on Thanksgiving. Woods had committed to Michigan in the middle of August (LINK).

Air Force, Cincinnati, Fresno State, Temple, and a bunch of MAC programs had offered Woods prior to his committing to Michigan, and I would assume some other programs would try to jump on board to try to grab a former Michigan commitment. 247’s Clint Brewster had put in a crystal ball for Cincinnati just a few days before he picked the Wolverines, so maybe there’s some lingering mutual interest between Woods and the Bearcats.

On Michigan’s end of things, there are several other defensive line recruits already committed: DE Chris Hinton, DT Mazi Smith, DE David Ojabo, DE Mike Morris, and DE Gabe Newburg. Rumors are growing stronger that Ohio DE Zach Harrison is going to pick Michigan, while Indiana DE George Karlaftis could flip from Purdue if Boilermakers head coach Jeff Brohm leaves for Louisville (or anywhere else). Woods was Michigan’s lowest rated commit by far at #1685; the next lowest is LB Joey Velazquez at #984. The Wolverines now have 25 commits in the 2019 class.

Recruiting Update: Thanksgiving Style

Indianapolis (IN) Ben Davis OT Dawand Jones (image via IndyStar)

COMMITMENTS

Jalen Perry – CB – Dacula (GA) Dacula: Perry committed to Michigan.

Amauri Pesek-Hickson – LB – Leawood (KS) Blue Valley North: Pesek-Hickson committed to Michigan (LINK).

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2019

Tommy Eichenberg – LB – Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius: Eichenberg decommitted from Boston College. He’s a 4-star, the #19 inside linebacker, and #359 overall. He has earned offers from Michigan and Ohio State since he committed to B.C., so now it seems to be a battle between the Buckeyes and Wolverines. The crystal ball is 81% in favor of Ohio State, and with the recent commitment of Pesek-Hickson, I don’t believe this is going to go in Michigan’s favor. He also has an older brother at Notre Dame, but the Fighting Irish have not offered.

Dawand Jones – OT – Indianapolis (IN) Ben Davis: Jones is a 6’8″, 360 lb. prospect with offers from Florida State, Indiana, Michigan, and USC, among others. He’s a 3-star, the #85 offensive tackle, and #986 overall. Jones took an unofficial visit to Michigan last weekend, which is when the offer from the Wolverines was extended.

Darius Robinson – TE – Canton (MI) Canton: Robinson is a 6’6″, 250-pounder with offers from Colorado, Maryland, and Syracuse, among others. He’s a 3-star, the #48 strongside end, and #662 overall. Michigan offered him as a tight end, which he did play in high school, but for a heavy run team. As of the time he was offered on Tuesday, his crystal ball was 100% in favor of the Syracuse Orange.

MISCELLANEY

Jaylen Ellis – WR – Round Rock (TX) Cedar Ridge: Ellis named Michigan to his top six, including Arizona, Baylor, Cal, Houston, Michigan, and Tennessee. He’s a 3-star, the #56 wide receiver, and #438 overall. His crystal ball is 100% on Texas, though.

Kyle Ford – WR – Orange (CA) Lutheran: Ford named a top five of Colorado, Michigan, Oregon, USC, and Washington. He’s a 5-star, the #5 wide receiver, and #29 overall, but he tore his ACL during his senior season. He plans to announce on January 5, 2019.

Harrison Bailey – QB – Marietta (GA) Marietta: Bailey is announcing his commitment at 8:45 a.m. on November 29. He’s a 4-star, the #3 pro-style QB, and #59 overall in the 2020 class. The crystal ball is 90% in favor of Michigan.

Amauri Pesek-Hickson, Wolverine

Amauri Pesek-Hickson (image via 247 Sports)

Leawood (KS) Blue Valley North athlete Amauri Pesek-Hickson committed to Michigan over the weekend. He picked the Wolverines over . . . uhh . . . Missouri State.

Pesek-Hickson is listed at 6’3″, 210 lbs. As a senior in 2018, he ran 76 times for 563 yards, caught 38 passes for 595 yards, and scored 14 total touchdowns.

RANKINGS
ESPN: N/A
Rivals: 3-star ATH, 5.6 grade
247 Sports: 3-star, 86 grade, #75 ATH, #927 overall

Hit the jump for more on Pesek-Hickson’s commitment.

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