Recruiting Update: August 17, 2015

Tag: JD Spielman


17Aug 2015
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Recruiting Update: August 17, 2015

Norcross (GA) Greater Atlanta Christian quarterback Davis Mills

A note on offer board updates: A new website means new rules, so new offers, commitments, and decommitments will be listed in the comments section at the bottom of the offer boards. So if you scroll to the bottom of each offer page, you can see the most recent developments in those areas.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Thousand Oaks (CA) Westlake wide receiver Theo Howard decommitted from Oregon. He’s a 6’0″, 170 lb. prospect who’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #16 wide receiver, and #111 overall. At one time he was considered to be one of the California crew who could end up at Michigan (along with quarterback K.J. Costello and others), but now it looks like USC has moved in on the former Duck commit. This could potentially help Michigan in some areas, because if USC fills up at wide receiver, the Wolverines could end up with some of the leftovers.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Norcross (GA) Greater Atlanta Christian quarterback Davis Mills was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’3″, 189 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona State, Miami, and Stanford, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #5 pro-style quarterback, and #86 overall. As a sophomore in 2014, he completed 67% of his passes for 2,267 yards and 26 touchdowns; he also has 313 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. Mills is definitely a pro-style guy who can move in the pocket a little bit, but he won’t be a big run threat at the next level. He throws a nice deep ball and anticipates coverages well. Georgia and Stanford appear to be the favorites so far.

Hit the jump for a couple guys who committed elsewhere and some random tidbits.

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31May 2015
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Visitors: May 29-31, 2015

Hartland (WI) Arrowhead offensive tackle Ben Bredeson

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2016
Ben Bredeson – OT – Hartland (WI) Arrowhead: Bredeson is a 6’5″, 293 lb. prospect who has offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, and Wisconsin – the group that appears to be his top three – as well as numerous others. He’s a 247 Composite 5-star, the #4 offensive tackle, and #26 overall. Bredeson’s brother, Jack, is committed to Michigan to play baseball, and Ben has visited Ann Arbor multiple times. Wisconsin leads the Crystal Ball picks with 79%, and Michigan is second with 17%. A decision is expected in the next several weeks.


Kiante Enis – S – Winchester (IN) Community: Enis is a 6’1″, 200 lb. prospect with offers from Cincinnati, Indiana, Michigan, and Michigan State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #52 running back, and #710 overall. Enis carried the ball 299 times for 3,189 yards and 49 touchdowns as a junior in 2014. Michigan is recruiting him as an athlete, and he could play running back, wide receiver, or safety at the next level. This will be his first visit to Michigan.

Chris Evans – RB – Indianapolis (IN) Ben Davis: Evans is a 5’11”, 186 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Purdue, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 all-purpose back, and #293 overall. As a junior in 2014, he had 185 carries for 1,249 yards and 18 touchdowns, plus 51 catches for 676 yards and 10 touchdowns. With no offer from the Wolverines, it’s unclear whether the coaching staff wants another running backs, wants to keep tabs on Evans as a backup plan, or might want him to play another position. Somewhat like Enis, Evans could play wideout or safety at the next level.

Hit the jump for a couple more 2016 visitors and a 2017 prospect.

Matt Falcon – RB – Southfield (MI) Southfield: Falcon committed to Michigan in April (LINK).

Khalid Kareem – DE – Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison: Kareem is a 6’4″, 240 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, and Notre Dame, along with numerous others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #13 strongside end, and #187 overall. Harrison was committed to MSU for a short time but backed off that pledge. There have been reports that his family has not been fond of the way Michigan has recruited him up to this point, but the retooled recruiting staff is making an effort to bridge the gap.

Austin Mack – WR – Fort Wayne (IN) Bishop Luers: Mack is a 6’2″, 205 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State – again, a group that makes up his top list – along with others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #20 wide receiver, and #131 overall. As a junior in 2014, he caught 69 passes for 1,062 yards and 15 touchdowns. Mack had Michigan as his leader early, but the Buckeyes have since taken over. He plans to announce his college decision on June 7, which will likely be Ohio State (90% of the Crystal Balls so far)..

Brandon Peters – QB – Avon (IN) Avon: Peters committed to Michigan in April (LINK).

Auston Robertson – DE – Fort Wayne (IN) Wayne: Robertson is a 6’5″, 230 lb. prospect whose top three consists of Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Michigan, the latter of which replaced Ohio State after a recent visit. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 weakside end, and #100 overall. Robertson is expected to choose Michigan State on June 7, when he announces at the same camp as Mack. A late move up into a top list usually means that that team will not be the choice. Still, Michigan has a fighting chance if they can make it a good experience.

J.D. Spielman – WR – Eden Prairie (MN) Eden Prairie: Spielman is a 5’9″, 175 lb. prospect with offers from Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Nebraska. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #57 athlete, and #836 overall. Spielman is the son of Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman and the nephew of former Detroit Lion (and Ohio State Buckeye) Chris Spielman. Also an accomplished lacrosse player, he is expected to choose college football instead.


Donald Stewart – WR – Paramus (NJ) Catholic: The 6’4″, 180 lb. prospect has offers from Iowa, Michigan, Northwestern, Pitt, and Rutgers, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #130 wide receiver, and #883 overall. Stewart has not visited Michigan before, but two former Paladins are on the roster (Jabrill Peppers, Juwann Bushell-Beatty), his former head coach is the recruiting coordinator (Chris Partridge), and teammate Rashan Gary – the nation’s #1 player – has Michigan in his top group after a spring visit. Stewart has stated that Michigan is his leader, and 88% of the Crystal Balls are in the Wolverines’ favor.

2017
Corey Malone-Hatcher – DE – St. Joseph’s (MI) St. Joseph’s:
 Malone-Hatcher is a 6’3″, 246 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Michigan, and Notre Dame, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #8 weakside end, and #193 overall. Malone-Hatcher seems at least somewhat enamored with Alabama, which seems to be the most likely landing spot. He was supposed to visit for Michigan’s [rising] junior day on Tuesday, but he can’t make it and will visit this weekend instead

Dylan McCaffrey – QB – Littleton (CO) Valor Christian: McCaffrey is a 6’5″, 200 lb. prospect who has offers from Colorado, Duke, Michigan, Penn State, and UCLA. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #3 pro-style quarterback, and #47 overall. McCaffrey is the son of former NFL wide receiver Ed McCaffrey (who went to Stanford) and the brother of Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey, so Stanford is thought to be an offer Dylan wants.

2018
Will Mallory – WR – Jacksonville (FL) Providence:
 Mallory is a 6’3″ prospect whose lone offer comes from the Wolverines. He is the son of Mike Mallory, a former Michigan player who is now the special teams coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

2Mar 2015
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Recruiting Update: March 2, 2015

Edwardsville (IL) Edwardsville defensive end A.J. Epenesa (image via 247Sports.com)

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Livonia (LA) Livonia defensive end Willie Baker was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’4″, 225 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #33 weakside end, and #523 overall. As a junior in 2014, he made 112 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and 6 forced fumbles. I do not see Baker as a weakside end at all, and in fact, he looks like a 3-4 defensive end, a strongside end, or even a defensive tackle after he adds weight. He is somewhat stiff and does not use his hands well, but he is very physical and likes to hit.

Kentwood (LA) Kentwood cornerback Shyheim Carter, an Alabama commit, was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 185 lb. prospect who also holds offers from Clemson, Georgia, LSU, and Mississippi State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 5-star, the #3 cornerback, and #33 overall. He claims a 4.38 forty. Chances are slim that Michigan will be able to flip Carter out of the deep south, so this is more likely a case of the coaches trying to build relationships in the area.

Elk Grove (CA) Franklin cornerback Lamar Jackson was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’3″, 205 lb. prospect with offers from Boise State, Colorado, and UCLA. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #32 cornerback, and #328 overall. He claims a 4.46 forty. Jackson is a jack-of-all-trades type of player for his high school, where he also plays some quarterback. At his size he is probably most likely to play safety, wide receiver, or maybe even linebacker eventually.

Charlotte (NC) Victory Christian tight end Thaddeus Moss was offered by Michigan. Moss is a 6’4″, 240 lb. prospect with offers from Boston College, Duke, Marshall, and Wake Forest, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #24 tight end, and #686 overall. He is also the son of former all-world wide receiver Randy Moss, who grew up in West Virginia, attended Marshall, and went on to play for the Minnesota Vikings and New England Patriots, among other teams. The younger Moss is not the physical freak that his dad was, but he seems to have a high football IQ and makes some excellent plays in his own right. Thaddeus is a bit of a lumbering tight end, but he knows how to release from the line and can make some acrobatic catches. He also flashes some talent as a defensive end, where he makes some nice hustle plays, picks off a couple passes, etc. I don’t see a huge talent difference between him and Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. – who was ranked higher – except for the fact that Wheatley is a couple inches taller and 20-30 lbs. heavier.

Hit the jump for a few more 2016 offers, some 2017 offers, a commit elsewhere, and a few miscellaneous bits.

Cornelius (NC) Hough cornerback Marquill Osborne, a Tennessee commit, was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’11”, 185 lb. prospect who also holds offers from Duke, LSU, and North Carolina State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #23 cornerback, and #239 overall. Osborne is a speedy corner with good hips, and I think he’s deserving of his ranking. I do not think Michigan has much of a chance to flip him, although I would not be surprised if he signs with someone other than the Volunteers.

Laurinburg (NC) Scotland linebacker Jonathan Smith was offered by Michigan. Smith is a 6’1″, 220 lb. prospect with offers from Duke, North Carolina, and North Carolina State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #31 linebacker, and #397 overall. He claims a 315 lb. bench press. Smith is probably strictly an inside linebacker at the next level because of some size and speed limitations, but he seems to make quick reads and is a solid hitter.

Eden Prairie (MN) Eden Prairie cornerback J.D. Spielman was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’9″, 175 lb. prospect whose lone offer comes from the Wolverines. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #80 athlete, and #1003 overall. He claims a 4.45 forty. Spielman is the adopted son of Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman, who is Chris Spielman’s brother. J.D. has decent speed and is a pretty solid tackler for his size, but he does not have the outstanding burst you ideally look for in a return man.

Florence (AL) Florence linebacker Erroll Thompson was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 240 lb. prospect with offers from Kentucky, Louisville, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #30 inside linebacker, and #911 overall. Thompson is a hulking inside linebacker prospect with NFL size already, and he’s a very good hitter and tackler. Michigan has told him he might also be able to play both ways as a fullback/linebacker. It’s notoriously difficult to pull players out of the deep south, but he does not hold offers from home-state Alabama or Auburn yet.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Edwardsville (IL) Edwardsville defensive end A.J. Epenesa was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Florida State, Iowa, Michigan State, Missour, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, UCLA, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 5-star, the #1 strongside end, and #2 overall. There does not appear to be much film out there on Epenesa, but obviously he is considered a top prospect. From what I have seen out of his sophomore clips, he looks like a sure-fire strongside end who already does a good job of playing with leverage.

Pittsburgh (PA) Seton-La Salle safety Paris Ford was offered by Michigan. Ford is a 6’2″, 175 lb. prospect with offers from Penn State, Pitt, and West Virginia, among others. As a sophomore in 2014, he caught 29 passes for 537 yards and 11 touchdowns while also making 56 tackles and 4 interceptions. Ford’s brother is Darrin Walls, whom Michigan offered before he went on to play for Notre Dame and is now a corner for the New York Jets. Ford said his three favorite schools growing up were Michigan, Penn State, and Pitt. He’s a solid tackling safety who also shows some nice ball skills and running skills, and defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin said there’s a possibility he could play both sides of the ball at Michigan.

Hollywood (FL) Flanagan cornerback Stanford Samuels III was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 175 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, and South Carolina, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #3 cornerback, and #25 overall. He’s a solid-hitting corner with good speed, hips, and ball skills, and he’s very physical in press coverage. He is the son of former Florida State cornerback Stanford Samuels, who went to play for a few years in the CFL.

Westerville (OH) South cornerback Marcus Williamson was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’10”, 178 lb. prospect with offers from Kentucky, Michigan State, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #6 cornerback, and #67 overall. Williamson has good quickness and is decently physical, and he reminds me somewhat of fifth year senior corner Blake Countess.

OFF THE BOARD
Carson (CA) Calabasas safety Marquel Dismuke committed to Cal. Dismuke expressed strong interest in visiting Michigan right after he was offered, but he took a visit to Cal and committed immediately. There’s still time for things to change, but this is why those offer reaction reports are overrated.

MISCELLANEOUS
I posted a scouting report on Southfield (MI) Southfield running back Matt Falcon (LINK).

Orlando (FL) Oak Ridge inside linebacker Jonathan Jones set an official visit date for September 25, which is the game against BYU. Despite receiving several new offers, he maintains that Michigan is #1 on his list.

Fresno (CA) Clovis West outside linebacker Caleb Kelly set an unofficial visit date for March 13. Kelly, who holds a Michigan offer, is the 247 Composite #14 player in the country and #1 in California.

Over on Recruiting Season, I added/updated profiles for: