St. Louis (MO) DeSmet offensive tackle Andy Bauer (in white)
ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2014
St. Louis (MO) DeSmet offensive tackle Andy Bauer decommitted from Missouri. Bauer was originally very high on Michigan, but then he committed to the hometown Tigers. Alabama and LSU are high on the list now, and the Tigers are still under consideration. Michigan could still have a chance here, but it’s a long shot.
OFF THE BOARD
Brooklyn (NY) Poly Prep offensive guard Jay Hayes, a 2014 prospect, committed to Notre Dame. The commitment sort of came out of nowhere, and Hayes was thought to be high on Michigan until the commitment.
Chandler (AZ) Hamilton cornerback Cole Luke committed to Notre Dame. Luke was interested in Michigan early in the process, but it never amounted to much besides some talk. Here’s the scouting report I wrote about him back in May.
Devon Allen – WR – Phoenix (AZ) Brophy Prep: Allen is visiting on Saturday and won’t be around for the BBQ on Sunday, but his visit does indicate somewhat serious interest in Michigan. However, most analysts seem to believe that LaQuon Treadwell will take the final wide receiver spot in the class and that Allen will head elsewhere, anyway . . . possibly to Ohio State. I wrote up a scouting report on Allen a couple months ago.
Drew Barker – QB – Burlington (KY) Conner: Barker, a 2014 prospect, is a 6’3″, 204 lb. signal caller with offers from Illinois, Purdue, South Carolina, and a few others. He originally stated that he would visit for the BBQ, but this visit may will not take place now. (Highlights.)
Jimmy Byrne – OG – Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius: Byrne is a 6’4″, 275 lb. class of 2014 prospect with offers from Illinois, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and West Virginia. I believe there’s a good chance that he will offered when he visits. (Highlights.) UPDATE: Byrne will not be visiting this weekend.
Mason Cole – OT – Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake: Cole is a 2014 prospect who holds offers from Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State, South Carolina, Stanford, and USC. He stands 6’5″ and 267 lbs.
Nathaniel Devers – OG – Massillon (OH) Washington: Devers, a 2014 prospect, has a single offer from Toledo. He stands 6’3″ and 265 lbs. He claims a 385 lb. bench press and a 495 lb. squat, both of which are great numbers for a high school sophomore. Brady Hoke showed in the 2013 class that he’s willing and able to go after only elite prospects on the offensive line, and I’m not sure Devers fits in that category. Despite being teammates with 2013 commit Gareon Conley, I would not be surprised if Devers goes without an offer, at least until some other options on the offensive line shake out. (Highlights.)
Tommy Doles – OT – Grand Rapids (MI) Christian: Doles is a 6’5″, 240 lb. prospect whose only offer comes from Michigan so far. His teammate is 2014 wide receiver Drake Harris, who picked Michigan State over Michigan. Doles is very athletic, but obviously needs some time to fill out his frame.
Deon Drake – LB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Drake is a 6’1″, 215 lb. weakside linebacker prospect. He has offers from Notre Dame, Pitt, and some others, but not from Michigan. If that changes this weekend, he would be one to watch for a commitment, just like most Technicians. Drake is considered to be the second-best 2014 prospect on the team behind wide receiver/cornerback Damon Webb. (Highlights.)
Michael Ferns III – LB – St. Clairsville (OH) St. Clairsville: Ferns is a 6’3″, 230 lb. athlete from the class of 2014. He looks like a SAM linebacker to me, but he could also play tight end or middle linebacker. He has already narrowed down his recruitment to a final three of Michigan, Notre Dame, and Penn State. Several insiders think Michigan is #1 on that list. (Highlights.)
Clifton Garrett – LB – Joliet (IL) Plainfield South: Garrett is a 6’3″, 220 lb. linebacker from the class of 2014. He already has offers from Illinois, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Wisconsin, and I would be surprised if he walks away from Ann Arbor without an offer from the Wolverines unless the coaches have off-the-field concerns. He has a very impressive highlight film and looks like a future middle linebacker, although he could also be utilized at the SAM position. UPDATE: Garrett will not be on campus this weekend.
Derrick Green – RB – Richmond (VA) Heritage: Green is a 6’0″, 215 lb. tailback with reported 4.37 speed, but he’s more of a two-down running back who struggles to catch the ball. He has offers from virtually every notable school in the country, including Michigan. Every other offered running back is off the board, so Green may be Michigan’s last chance to grab an “elite” tailback in the 2013 class.
Jay Hayes – OG – Brooklyn (NY) Poly Prep: Hayes is a 6’5″, 270 lb. lineman from the 2014 class. He could play either side of the line, but Michigan is recruiting him for offense. He also has offers from Notre Dame, Oregon, and Penn State, among others. UPDATE: Hayes is not attending the BBQ.
Jonathan Hilliman – RB – Jersey City (NJ) St. Peter’s Prep: Hilliman is a 6’0″, 201 lb. tailback from the class of 2014 who already holds offers from Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Rutgers, and Wisconsin. New Jersey has not been particularly kind to Michigan over the last several years, so I would be surprised if he ends up as part of Michigan’s class, and he might not make it to the BBQ. (Highlights.) UPDATE: Hilliman will not be visiting this weekend.
Corey Holmes – WR – Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas: Holmes is a 6’1″, 172 lb. prospect from the class of 2014. He has offers from Florida, Michigan, and Wisconsin, among others. Despite being somewhat small-ish, Holmes looks more like a possession receiver than a blazing downfield threat. He grew up as a Michigan fan, and although I would be a little surprised if he commits to Michigan anytime soon, I would not be surprised if that occurs sometime down the road. (Highlights.) UPDATE: Holmes will not be visiting this weekend.
Jamarco Jones – OG – Chicago (IL) De La Salle: Jones is a 6’5″, 285 lb. guard prospect from the class of 2014. He already has offers from Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, among others. My guess is that he will end up at Ohio State, but Michigan has a chance to impress him at the BBQ. (Highlights.) UPDATE: Jones is not visiting for the BBQ.
Coleman Key – QB – Broken Arrow (OK) Broken Arrow: Key camped at Michigan in June and came away without an offer, but he still has a chance. He’s a 6’5″, 210 lb. prospect from the 2014 class. He won’t be one of the most highly recruited quarterbacks in the class, but with Shane Morris arriving in 2013, Michigan might have to take a second-tier quarterback to groom behind Morris. Key has zero offers so far. (Freshman highlights.)
Montae Nicholson – S – Monroeville (PA) Gateway: Nicholson is a 6’2″, 195 lb. safety with offers from Michigan, Penn State, Pitt, and a few others. Gateway has sent a lot of kids to FBS schools in recent years, but many have chosen Ohio State or Pitt. There was some buzz recently that Nicholson might commit to Michigan at the BBQ, but I think that was all it was – buzz. (Highlights.)
D’Andre Payne – CB – Washington (DC) H.D. Woodson: Payne is only 5’9″ and 172 lbs., but he’s a very smooth, dynamic athlete. Michigan has already offered him as a field corner, but most big schools in the country have offered him, too. Still, it’s a good sign that he’s planning to return to campus, since he was already in Ann Arbor back in June for summer camp. (Highlights.)
Austin Roberts – WR – Carmel (IN) Carmel: Roberts is a 6’2″, 195 lb. prospect from the class of 2014. He already has offers from Florida, Iowa, Miami, Purdue, and Stanford. UPDATE: Roberts is not visiting for the BBQ.
Artavis Scott – WR – Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake: Scott is a 5’11”, 180 lb. receiver from the class of 2014. He already holds offers from Florida, Florida State, Ohio State, and South Carolina, among others. Scott has not been offered by Michigan yet, but he will probably receive one on the visit.
Conor Sheehy – DE – Milwaukee (WI) Marquette University: Sheehy is a 6’4″, 255 lb. defensive end with a single offer from Wisconsin. He camped at Michigan in June and left without an offer, but since he’s been invited back for the BBQ, there’s at least a decent chance the coaches extend an offer in person.
Bentley Spain – OT – Charlotte (NC) Providence: Spain is a 6’6″, 285 lb. prospect from the class of 2014. He already has offers from Clemson, Florida, LSU, Miami, North Carolina, Penn State, South Carolina, and Stanford, among others. I have a feeling that South Carolina will be the team to beat. Spain indicated that he may or may not make it to the BBQ, and usually that means no, so don’t be surprised if he doesn’t appear. UPDATE: Spain will not be visiting this weekend.
LaQuon Treadwell – WR – Crete (IL) Crete-Monee: The recruitment of Treadwell has been well documented. He has offers from all over the country but wants to visit Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. However, Michigan is the front-runner, and there’s a decent chance that he will commit to Michigan at the BBQ. I wrote up a scouting report on him a few months ago. UPDATE: Treadwell will not be visiting this weekend.
Damon Webb – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Webb is a 5’11”, 170 lb. wide receiver/cornerback from the class of 2014. The Wolverines are recruiting him for defense. Aside from Michigan, he holds offers from LSU, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Wisconsin, among others. Michigan is considered to be the heavy favorite for his services, although his recruitment may last beyond the BBQ.
Parrker Westphal – CB – Bolingbrook (IL) Bolingbrook: Westphal is a 6’1″, 181 lb. defensive back prospect with offers from Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, and West Virginia, among others. Michigan seems to be #1 on the 2014 prospect’s mind, and he’s coached by former Michigan cornerback Todd Howard. The Wolverines are recruiting him mainly to play boundary corner and the slot corner position currently inhabited by Courtney Avery. (Highlights.)
William White – LB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: White is a 6’1″, 215 lb. linebacker who currently holds no offers. He’s the son of former Detroit Lions safety William White. If an offer comes for White, it will likely be some time down the road. (Highlights.)
Six degrees of Kevin Bacon: Maurice Hurst, who spawned 2013 defensive tackle Maurice Hurst, Jr., tries to tackle former Michigan running back Leroy Hoard
COMMITMENT
Harper Woods (MI) Chandler Park wide receiver Csont’e York was offered by and committed to Michigan. (Commitment post here.)
ADDED TO THE BOARD (2013, 2014)
Seffner (FL) Armwood wide receiver Alvin Bailey was offered by Michigan. The 5’11”, 170-pounder has also been targeted by Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Notre Dame, Penn State, and South Carolina, among others. He plays quarterback for Armwood, passing for 872 yards and 12 touchdowns, rushing for 872 yards and 6 touchdowns, and catching 22 passes for 404 yards and 3 touchdowns. Bailey is the teammate of fellow Michigan target Leon McQuay III, a safety.
Piscataway (NJ) Piscataway cornerback Nadir Barnwell was offered by Michigan. The 5’11”, 180-pounder is a lefty quarterback for his high school, but his quarterback days are likely over when he hits college. He also holds offers from Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame, Penn State, and Rutgers, along with many others. During his junior season, he passed for 1,364 yards, ran for 452, and made 40 tackles to go with 3 interceptions. (Highlights here.)
Brooklyn (NY) Poly Prep offensive tackle Jay Hayes, a 2014 prospect, was offered by Michigan last week. The 6’5″, 270 lb. athlete, who could also play defensive line, holds offers from Connecticut, Rutgers, and UCLA, too.
Westwood (MA) Xaverian Brothers defensive tackle Maurice Hurst, Jr. was offered by Michigan. Hurst is a 6’2″, 285 lb. lineman with offers from Nebraska, Ohio State, and many others. He is the son of former New England Patriots cornerback Maurice Hurst, who had 27 career interceptions from 1989 to 1995. As a junior in 2011, “Junior” had 65 tackles and 11 sacks.
Mansfield (TX) Timberview safety Edward Paris, a 2014 prospect, was offered by Michigan. He stands 6’2″ and 188 lbs. and claims a 4.4 forty. Teams like Clemson, LSU, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma are already after him. He carried the ball 12 times for 179 yards (14.9 yards per carry) and 3 touchdowns, but he also broke up 20 passes and notched 8 interceptions. That’s pretty good production for a sophomore defensive back. (Highlights here.)
Tuscaloosa (AL) Northridge athlete Bo Scarbrough, a 2014 prospect, was offered by Michigan. The 6’1″, 215 lb. is projected by some sites as a running back and as a linebacker by others, but after I watched his highlights, he looks like a running back to me. He also doesn’t look like he’s 215 lbs. unless he’s put on some serious weight since football season, but oh well – he’s only a sophomore. Scarbrough already holds offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Clemson, UCLA, and a few others, but since he’s in the Crimson Tide’s back yard, I won’t hold my breath that he’ll head to Michigan.
Olathe (KS) South offensive tackle Braden Smith, a 2014 prospect, was offered by Michigan. The 6’6″, 285 lb. lineman also shows offers from Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Stanford.
Chandler (AZ) Williams Field wide receiver Dionte Sykes, a 2014 prospect, was offered by Michigan. He’s currently about 6’1″ and 175 lbs. As a freshman in 2010, he was timed at 4.69 seconds in the forty and had a 245 lb. bench press, both of which are very impressive numbers for a freshman (and maybe too good to believe). He also has offers from Arizona State, Colorado, and UCLA. (Highlights here.)
Saluda (SC) Saluda defensive tackle Dexter Wideman, a 2014 prospect, was offered by Michigan. He’s 6’3″, 276 lbs. as a sophomore and also holds offers from Clemson and South Carolina. As a sophomore in 2011, he had 61 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.
