Continuing the project of what the team would have looked like in 2019 if the Wolverines kept every in-state top-25 kid in the maize and blue. I have already covered QB (LINK), RB (LINK), WR (LINK), and TE (LINK).
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COMMITMENT
Plantation (FL) American Heritage offensive tackle Kai-Leon Herbert committed to Michigan (LINK).
OFF THE BOARD
Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy defensive end Robert Beal committed to Georgia. Beal was a one-time Notre Dame commit who decommitted several months ago. He’s one of several top prospects and Michigan targets to have transferred to IMG Academy for his senior season, though the Wolverines were out of the picture for him.
Murrieta (CA) Valley wide receiver Maurice Bell committed to Colorado. Not to be confused with New Jersey wide receiver Markquese Bell, Maurice talked about being strongly interested in the Wolverines, but nothing ever came close to happening between the two parties.
Houston (TX) Langham Creek running back Toneil Carter committed to Georgia. The #5 running back and #107 player in the country was one of my biggest wants in the 2017 class, but Michigan was never really involved.
Hit the jump for several more guys who made commitments this week, plus some random bits on The Opening and other news items.
Plantation (FL) American Heritage offensive tackle Kai-Leon-Herbert
OFF THE BOARD
Dallas (TX) Woodrow Wilson cornerback Darrion Green committed to SMU. His Michigan offer was considered a big deal, and so is SMU’s, frankly: Green is partially deaf, so it’s quite an accomplishment to be recruited by FBS programs. His Michigan offer was probably not committable, however, and the Michigan fans who were concerned that such a low-ranked prospect (#179 CB, #1703 overall) could take up a spot in Michigan’s class can rest easy for now.
Oak Ridge (TN) Oak Ridge wide receiver Tee Higgins committed to Clemson. He’s a 5-star and the #3 wideout in the class, behind Donovan Peoples-Jones and Joseph Lewis.
Orlando (FL) Dr. Phillips defensive end Robert Porcher IV committed to Nebraska. He is, of course, the son of former Detroit Lions defensive end Robert Porcher. The third. In case you got confused.
MISCELLANEY
Plantation (FL) American Heritage offensive tackle Kai-Leon Herbert will announce his college decision on July 6, which is tomorrow. He narrowed his list to Florida, Miami, and Michigan, but most believe it’s between the Gators and Wolverines. For what it’s worth, I put in my Crystal Ball for Michigan.
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech offensive guard Jordan Reid will announce his college decision on July 10 at The Opening in Oregon. His final five are Florida, Michigan, Michigan State, Pitt, and Tennessee.
Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy center Cesar Ruiz put Michigan in his top eight. He had named Michigan his leader at one point, and then named a top twelve with no favorites. So the list is getting whittled down.
Lexington (KY) Lafayette offensive tackle Jedrick Wills named Michigan to his top eight.
Here’s a list of Michigan commits and targets who will be participating in The Opening over this coming weekend (LINK).
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech CB Donovan Johnson (image via 247 Sports)
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This is the fourth installment of my take on the top prospects in the state of Michigan for the 2017 class. You can take a look back at #1-5 (LINK), #6-10 (LINK), and #11-15 (LINK) if you haven’t seen them already. Hit the jump for #16-20, including a couple guys from Muskegon and West Bloomfield you probably haven’t heard of unless you’re a hardcore recruiting follower. Enjoy!
Waxahachie (TX) Waxahachie WR Kenedy Snell (image via DFW.com)
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ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Warren (OH) Harding safety Lynn Bowden decommitted from Indiana. He’s a 6’1″, 185 lb. prospect with offers from Kentucky, Penn State, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #10 athlete, and #197 overall. It was surprising to me when he initially committed to the Hoosiers because he’s more talented than even the best of Indiana’s recruits most years, so it does not surprise me at all that he’s looking elsewhere. Michigan is holding a satellite camp at his school this summer (LINK).
Fayetteville (AR) Fayetteville defensive tackle Akial Byers was offered by Michigan in late March and I missed that news. He’s a 6’4″, 275 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Arkansas State, Florida State, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #15 defensive tackle, and #263 overall. As a junior in 2015, he made 69 tackles, 11 TFLs, and 3 sacks. Don Brown visited him in late April, so the Wolverines are actively recruiting him. He’s a big body with some impressive quickness, and he uses his hands pretty well. Arkansas two of the three Crystal Ball picks, but he has yet to pick up an offer from the home-state Razorbacks.
Lewisville (TX) Lewisville wide receiver Tyrell Shavers was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’6″, 202 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Oregon, Stanford, and Texas, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #26 wide receiver, and #207 overall. As a junior in 2015, he caught 36 passes for 667 yards and 10 TDs. He claims a 4.38 forty. A lot of 6’6″ receivers look like they might grow into tight ends, but Shavers is pretty lanky and looks like he’ll stick on the outside.
Hit the jump for a couple more offers, a player who went off the board, and a brief recap of some in-state accolades at the Nike’s Columbus Regional combine.