20May 2012
Recruiting Update: May 7, 2012
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| Jordan Cunningham looks like a man already. |
ADDED TO THE BOARD (2013, 2014)
Wyomissing (PA) Wyomissing Area linebacker Alex Anzalone decommitted from Ohio State. Anzalone was offered by Michigan several months ago, but was eventually turned away from visiting in light of the balls-to-the-wall recruitment of E.J. Levenberry. Shortly afterward, Anzalone committed to the Buckeyes. However, in the past several days, it was revealed that a Buckeye fan who is a sex offender had made contact with several Ohio State recruits, including Anzalone and Joey Bosa. That situation seems to have contributed to Anzalone’s decommitment, although there seem to be some other issues between him and OSU, too. He is not expecting the Buckeyes to stay in the mix. Michigan already told him they were full at linebacker, but I guess there’s a chance that Levenberry’s commitment to Florida State could reopen avenues to Ann Arbor.
Fort Lauderdale (FL) University School defensive tackle Maquedius Bain was offered by Michigan. He is currently committed to Florida State. The 6’3″, 308-pounder also has offers from Alabama, Florida, LSU, Miami, and USC, among others. (Highlights here.)
Fort Lauderdale (FL) University School wide receiver Jordan Cunningham was offered by Michigan. He’s 6’3″, 175 lbs. and the teammate of Bain. Cunningham also has a long list of offers that includes Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, USC, and numerous others. As a sophomore in 2010, he had 59 catches for 1,038 yards (17.6 yards per catch) and 10 touchdowns. As a junior in 2011, his numbers dropped a little to 40 receptions for 700 yards (17.5 yards per catch) and 10 touchdowns. He reminds me a little of Justin Blackmon in this highlight reel:
Lakeland (FL) Kathleen safety Ja’von Harrison, a 2014 prospect, was offered by Michigan last week. Harrison is a 6’2″, 192 lb. safety who also has an offer from Virginia Tech. Last year he had 17 catches for 400 yards and 2 touchdowns, but he didn’t play a whole lot of defense. (Highlights here, but ignore the “2013” thing; Harrison is in the class of 2014.)
Brooklyn (NY) Thomas Jefferson defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko was offered by Michigan. Ogundeko is a 6’4″, 237 lb. weakside end prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida, Notre Dame, Stanford, and Tennessee, among others. As a junior in 2011, he had 79 tackles and 11 sacks. I could see him growing into a strongside end eventually. (Highlights here.)
Washington (DC) H.D. Woodson cornerback D’Andre Payne, a 2014 prospect, was offered by Michigan. The 5’9″, 172 lb. sophomore also has offers from Arkansas, Maryland, Ohio State, Penn State, and Virginia Tech, among others. (Highlights here.)
Bolingbrook (IL) Bolingbrook cornerback Parrker Westphal, a 2014 prospect, was offered by Michigan. The 6’0″, 180 lb. corner had 56 tackles, 20 pass breakups, 7 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries as a junior in 2011. His position coach at Bolingbrook is former Michigan cornerback Todd Howard.
OFF THE BOARD
Wylie (TX) East wide receiver Marcell Ateman committed to Oklahoma State. With the Cowboys’ recent record of throwing the ball all over the field and putting out wide receivers, I can’t say that I blame him.
Bastrop (TX) Bastrop cornerback Antwuan Davis committed to Texas. As often happens, Michigan is striking out on Texas recruits. That’s the nature of the beast. I scouted Davis a couple weeks ago, and he’s a very physical corner who could perhaps end up playing safety at the next level.
College Station (TX) A&M defensive end Christian Lacouture committed to Nebraska. Lacouture visited Michigan a couple months ago and thoroughly enjoyed his visit, but it was thought that he would be hard to pull away from LSU. But the Cornhuskers snuck up on everyone a little bit and grabbed a commitment. Lacouture was previously committed to Texas A&M, so I wouldn’t put it out of the question for him to open up his recruitment again.
Mesquite (TX) West Mesquite wide receiver Eldridge Massington committed to USC. He was thought to be a USC lean but he didn’t have a USC offer. That all changed last week when the Trojans came through with the verbal offer. He didn’t wait long before committing. I scouted Massington last week, and they’re getting a good receiver out there in southern California.
Columbus (OH) Walnut Ridge wide receiver Rob Wheelwright committed to Wisconsin. Michigan reportedly backed off on recruiting Wheelwright. That could very well be because Wheelwright is a similar receiver to Michigan commit Jaron Dukes, a tall guy with good leaping ability but without a whole lot of speed. Michigan seems to want an elite big guy who can stretch the field (like LaQuon Treadwell) and a smaller quick guy who can also stretch the field (like Sebastian Larue).
MISCELLANEOUS
Quarterback Shane Morris earned an invitation to the Elite 11 finals when he was in Columbus this weekend. They will be held this summer in California.
Meanwhile, Morris, offensive guard David Dawson, defensive end Taco Charlton, and linebacker Mike McCray each earned invitations to The Opening, the second annual athletic competition sponsored by Nike and held at Oregon. That will also take place this summer.
