Recruiting Update: July 31, 2014

Tag: Marcus Lewis


31Jul 2014
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Recruiting Update: July 31, 2014

Washington (DC) Gonzaga Prep cornerback Marcus Lewis

COMMITMENT

Saginaw (MI) Heritage wide receiver Brian Cole committed to Michigan (LINK). 

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015

Washington (DC) Gonzaga cornerback Marcus Lewis decommitted from Florida. Lewis visited Michigan for the BBQ at the Big House last weekend and had a great time, according to all parties. It looks like the Wolverines might be on top in his recruitment, but he is also considering Florida (still), Miami, and Oregon. Lewis was attempting at one point to transfer to Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy, but those plans fell through and he will stay in D.C. for his senior year.

Destrehan (LA) Destrehan wide receiver Kirk Merritt was offered by Michigan. Merritt is a 5’11”, 206 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, LSU, and Notre Dame, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #3 all-purpose back, and #138 overall in the class. He recently won the SPARQ national championship at The Opening, which included a 4.46 forty and a nearly 46″ vertical jump. Michigan is recruiting him as a wide receiver even though he’s built like a running back or safety.
  


ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
O’Fallon (IL) O’Fallon running back Kentrail Moran was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’10”, 192 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, and Syracuse, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #18 running back, and #226 overall. As a sophomore in 2013, he had 1,140 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Moran is built like a power back and has decent speed. The Wolverines have long seemed like a favorite for Moran, so he could be Michigan’s back for the 2016 class.

Shreveport (LA) Calvary Baptist quarterback Shea Patterson decommitted from Arizona. Patterson was committed to Arizona prior to receiving a Michigan offer, and then pegged the Wolverines’ as a dream offer. He never visited and Michigan got a commit at his position in the form of Ohio’s Messiah DeWeaver. Patterson is more of a pocket guy than I would expect Rodriguez to truly want, though he does have some running ability. This may turn out as a positive for both parties, but Patterson is a quality prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Notre Dame, and Texas, among others.

Fort Wayne (IN) Wayne defensive end Auston Robertson was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Indiana and Notre Dame, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #14 weakside end, and #207 overall. Robertson camped at Michigan in June, where the coaches had a chance to evaluate him. He visited for the BBQ this past weekend and was told that he had an offer, and while Michigan is currently looking at him as a defensive end, he could play tight end, too. His childhood favorite school was Ohio State.


Huntersville (NC) Southlake Christian Academy running back Robert Washington was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’10”, 210 lb. prospect with offers from Florida, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Stanford, and UCLA, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #15 running back, and #174 overall. As a sophomore in 2013, he had 219 carries for 2,512 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also claims a 4.47 forty. Washington was previously committed to Mississippi State, but that ended in July 2013; he has visited Michigan unofficially numerous times, both before and after that commitment ended. Washington has developed a good relationship with area recruiter Roy Manning, but there are a lot of schools in play.

New London (NC) North Stanly running back Antonio Williams was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’10”, 210 lb. prospect with offers from Florida and Wisconsin, and he decommitted from North Carolina earlier this month. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #10 running back, and #123 overall. As a sophomore in 2013, he carried the ball 239 times for 2,401 yards and 22 touchdowns. Williams is another guy who has developed a strong relationship with Manning.

OFF THE BOARD
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech defensive tackle Joshua Alabi committed to Ohio State. Alabi held an early offer from the Wolverines, but the coaches have since taken the stance that defensive tackle is not a need in this class. He never seemed to be high on Michigan, and they never seemed to be too high on him, but it still hurts some perceptions that another Cass Tech kid would choose the Buckeyes. They do have a bit of history with Cass Tech players, with the likes of Vernon Gholston and Damon Webb.
Richmond (VA) Benedictine wide receiver Scott Bracey, a 2016 prospect, committed to Duke. Bracey is a superstar compared to what Duke normally gets. His teammate is defensive end Clelin Ferrell, another Michigan offeree, but one who committed to Clemson already.
Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s linebacker Daelin Hayes, another 2016 prospect, committed to USC. Hayes was considered a Michigan lean until recently, and he had previously set an announcement date for late April, when he was presumably going to choose the Wolverines. A strange thing happened when Hayes did not receive an invitation to the BBQ at the Big House, which frustrated him a little bit. It was reportedly an honest mistake on the coaches’ part, but it may or may not be a coincidence that he visited Southern California and committed to the Trojans at roughly the same time he should have been attending the BBQ.

Houston (TX) Cy Falls defensive tackle Du’Vonta Lampkin committed to Texas. He had previously been committed to Oklahoma and never showed much interest in the Wolverines.

Tampa (FL) Sickles running back Ray-Ray McCloud III committed to Clemson. He was expected to commit to Florida for a long time until the tide started to turn in favor of the Tigers recently.

MISCELLANEOUS
Rivals released their top 100 (LINK) and top 250 (LINK) lists for 2016.

ESPN updated their top 300 prospects for 2015 (LINK).

Here’s a list of the BBQ at the Big House visitors (LINK). Some names were added late while I was on vacation, so not all names are partnered with write-ups.

22Jul 2014
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Visitors: 2014 BBQ at the Big House

Lincolnton (NC) Lincolnton defensive end Darian Roseboro

This year’s BBQ at the Big House for 2015 prospects will be on July 27th. Last year Michigan did two separate barbecues for seniors and then underclassmen, but I believe this year’s will be one combined event.

2015
Jalen Bates – DE – Kaplan (LA) Kaplan: Bates is a 6’4″, 240 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #22 weakside end, and #499 overall. Michigan is one of his top few schools, and his cousin is former Wolverine linebacker Jonas Mouton. Bates is aiming to visit Ann Arbor sometime around June 24-26, so he may miss the actual BBQ but will be in town at roughly the same juncture.

Chris Clark – TE – Avon (CT) Old Farms: Clark committed to Michigan in June (LINK).

Brian Cole – WR – Saginaw (MI) Heritage: Cole is a 6’2″, 190 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #5 athlete, and #65 overall. Cole may not be able to stay for Sunday’s BBQ, but he will be at Michigan on at least Friday and Saturday.

Kengera Daniel – DE – Raleigh (NC) Millbrook: Daniel is a 6’5″, 250 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Miami, Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wake Forest, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #21 strongside end, and #503 overall. He claims a 4.89 forty and had 89 tackles, 13 sacks, and 1 interception as a junior in 2013.

Jack Dunaway – DE – Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice: Dunaway is a 6’3″, 212 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He’s the teammate of Michigan quarterback commit Alex Malzone. Dunaway is also the son of Craig Dunaway, a tight end at Michigan from the mid-1980’s.

Joshua Ellison – WR – Flint (MI) Carman-Ainsworth: Ellison is a 5’11”, 185 lb. prospect with no FBS offers at this time, as far as I know. He is a potential walk-on candidate.

Damien Harris – RB – Berea (KY) Madison Southern: Harris was committed to Michigan, but he then de-committed in January (LINK) after offensive coordinator Al Borges was fired. Michigan is still under consideration but is believed to have fallen behind Ohio State, if not Alabama and Kentucky. UPDATE: Harris no longer plans to attend the BBQ.

Amari Henderson – CB – Charlotte (NC) Mallard Creek: Henderson is a 6’1″, 182 lb. prospect with offers from Kansas State, Kentucky, Penn State, and Wake Forest, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #111 safety, and #1481 overall. He claims a 4.46 forty, a 41″ vertical, a 255 lb. bench, and a 355 lb. squat. He has not been offered by Michigan, but he has been in contact with area recruiter Roy Manning. The Wolverines are searching for someone to replace Shaun Crawford, who decommitted in favor of Notre Dame. UPDATE: Henderson committed to Wake Forest on July 19, but still wants to attend the BBQ.

Tyree Kinnel – S – Huber Heights (OH) Wayne: Kinnel committed to Michigan in August 2013 (LINK).

Darrin Kirkland, Jr. – LB – Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence Central: Kirkland committed to Michigan in May (LINK).

Marcus Lewis – CB – Washington (DC) Gonzaga: Lewis is a 6’1″, 187 lb. prospect who committed to Florida in April. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #8 athlete, and #118 overall. He claims a 4.38 forty and will be at The Opening this month. Lewis has said that, while he remains committed to Florida, he wants to explore his options, and one of them is playing in Ann Arbor. There was recently some news that he would transfer to IMG Academy in Florida for his senior year, but it appears he will remain at Gonzaga Prep.



Alex Malzone – QB – Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice: Malzone committed to Michigan in May (LINK).

Iman Marshall – CB – Long Beach (CA) Poly: Marshall is a 6’1″, 170 lb. prospect with offers from LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Stanford, UCLA, and USC, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 5-star, the #2 cornerback, and #8 overall. He will also be attending The Opening. Marshall’s presumed leader is USC, but he worked out with Michigan freshman Freddy Canteen in the off-season and wants to check out Michigan’s campus. He attends the alma mater of former Michigan corner Donovan Warren. UPDATE: Marshall did not make the trip.





Joshua McMillon – LB – Memphis (TN) Whitehaven: McMillon is a 6’3″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #16 outside linebacker, and #215 overall. He visited Michigan this spring and is very high on Michigan, although the SEC pull is strong in the state of Tennessee. UPDATE: McMillon will not be attending the BBQ because his parents can’t come, but he will try to visit with them prior to his August 22nd announcement date.

Tyrone Miller – S – Saline (MI) Saline

Grant Perry – WR – Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice: Perry is a 6’0″, 185 lb. prospect with offers from Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, and Kent State. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #131 wide receiver, #1051 overall, and #15 in the state of Michigan. He camped at Michigan and did well, although the Wolverines have not extended an offer. He is Malzone’s top receiving target at Brother Rice.

Patrice Rene – CB – Alexandria (VA) Episcopal: Rene is a 6’1″, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Indiana, Ohio State, Rutgers, and Syracuse, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #27 cornerback, and #212 overall. Rene is moving from Ontario to Virginia for his senior season.

Mook Reynolds – CB – Greensboro (NC) Northern Guilford: Reynolds is a 6’0″, 175 lb. prospect who committed to Virginia Tech in February; he also has offers from Georgia, Michigan, and Notre Dame, among others. Despite being committed to the Hokies, he wants to explore his options and has made a good connection with cornerbacks coach Roy Manning. UPDATE: Reynolds did not make the trip but remains interested in the Wolverines.

Drew Richmond – OT – Memphis (TN) University School: Richmond is a 6’5″, 320 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 offensive tackle, and #75 overall. Richmond will likely not be in attendance at the BBQ, but he has mentioned an interest in visiting, despite Michigan not making his initial top 10 list. UPDATE: Richmond did not make the trip.

Darian Roseboro – DE – Lincolnton (NC) Lincolnton: Roseboro is a 6’3″, 293 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Duke, Michigan, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #8 strongside end, and #122 overall. As a junior in 2013, he made 125 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. Michigan recruiting guru Sam Webb has been speaking very confidently about Michigan’s chances of landing Roseboro, who has developed a solid relationship with his recruiter, cornerbacks coach Roy Manning.

Jon Runyan, Jr. – OG – Philadelphia (PA) St. Joseph’s: Runyan committed to Michigan in June 2013 (LINK).

Auden Tate – WR – Tampa (FL) Wharton: Tate is a 6’4″, 195 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, and South Carolina, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #40 wide receiver, and #319 overall. As a junior in 2013, he caught 49 passes for 815 yards and 5 touchdowns. Michigan may have been in front at one point, but an offer from the Seminoles in late May might have changed the tide in his recruitment. Tate is a possibility to attend the BBQ but has not yet purchased airline tickets, so it is unlikely. UPDATE: Tate did not make it to the BBQ.

Garrett Taylor – CB – Richmond (VA) St. Christopher: Taylor committed to Michigan in March (LINK).

Tyriq Thompson – LB – Detroit (MI) King: I wrote a scouting report on Thompson in January (LINK).

Michael Weber – RB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Weber is a 5’10”, 205 lb. prospect who has a top group that includes Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #13 running back, and #108 overall. Over the last two seasons, he has 3,359 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns. Weber is visiting USC this weekend and is attempting to fly back in time for the BBQ. UPDATE: Weber did return from California in time to get to the BBQ.

Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. – TE – Manlius (NY) Canisius: Wheatley is a 6’6″, 275 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Miami, Michigan, UCLA, and USC, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #10 tight end, and #231 overall. While he has grown to a mammoth size, Michigan is still recruiting him as a tight end, although he could play defensive end or even offensive tackle if he continues to grow. UPDATE: Wheatley will miss the BBQ.

Hit the jump for 2016 and 2017 prospects.

2016
Ben Bredeson – OT – Hartland (WI) Arrowhead: Bredeson is a 6’4″, 255 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 5-star, the #2 offensive tackle, and the #11 player overall. He picked up his Michigan offer in April and unofficially visited around the same time. Bredeson is visiting Notre Dame the same weekend as the BBQ, and he may not be able to make it to Ann Arbor that weekend, too.

Tuf Borland – LB – Bolingbrook (IL) Bolingbrook

Devante Brooks – DE – Washington (DC) St. John’s: Brooks is a 6’5″, 220 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, and Virginia Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 strongside end, and #94 overall. He claims a 4.7 forty.

Cameron Chambers – WR – Sicklerville (NJ) Timber Creek: Chambers is a 6’3″, 195 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Ohio State, Pitt, Rutgers, and Virginia Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #29 wide receiver, and #142 overall. Chambers claims a 4.59 forty.

Messiah DeWeaver – QB – Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison: DeWeaver committed to Michigan in June (LINK).


Liam Eichenberg – OT – Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius: Eichenberg is a 6’5″, 280 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, which comprise his top three. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #8 offensive tackle, and #51 overall. He named Michigan his top school after visiting campus in June, only to name Notre Dame his leader the next week upon a visit to South Bend. St. Ignatius is the alma mater of Michigan senior linebacker Jake Ryan. UPDATE: Eichenberg will not attend the BBQ.

Luke Farrell – TE – Perry (OH) Perry:
 Farrell is a 6’6″, 219 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio State. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #13 tight end, and #394 overall. He earned the offer from the Wolverines in June when he camped at Michigan.

Daelin Hayes – LB – Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s: Hayes is a 6’3″, 225 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, and Notre Dame, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #5 outside linebacker, and #101 overall. He originally set an announcement date for late April when he was expected to commit to Michigan, but he postponed that so he could explore other options. UPDATE: Hayes did not make the trip, as he was in California committing to USC.

Lavert Hill – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Hill is a 5’11”, 165 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Miami, North Carolina, and North Carolina State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #32 cornerback, and #300 overall. Hill is the younger brother of Michigan sophomore safety Delano Hill. I have yet to see film of the younger Hill, but he has been impressive at numerous camps recently.

Elijah Holyfield – RB – Atlanta (GA) Woodward: Holyfield is a 5’11”, 190 lb. prospect with offers from Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Ohio State, and Ole Miss, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #27 running back, and #291 overall. Holyfield earned his Michigan offer at camp in June, and he’ll be bringing both of his parents (you may have heard of his dad, Evander Holyfield) with him this time.

Michael Jordan – OT – Plymouth (MI) Plymouth: Jordan is a 6’5″, 278 lb. prospect with a lone offer from Michigan, which he earned at camp in June. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #32 offensive tackle, and #429 overall.

Khalid Kareem – DE – Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison

Josh King – DE – Hinsdale (IL) South: King is a 6’6″, 250 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Michigan State. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #4 strongside end, and #59 overall. King is relatively quiet about his recruitment. He comes from the same town (but not the same school) as freshman tight end Ian Bunting, and his team plays 2016 Michigan tackle commit Erik Swenson’s.

Justin Layne – WR – Cleveland (OH) Benedictine: Layne is a 6’3″, 173 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #11 wide receiver, and #65 overall. Layne attends the same school as 2015 linebacker Jerome Baker, who just committed to Florida last week.

Thiyo Lukusa – OG – Traverse City (MI) West: Lukusa is a 6’5″, 300 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #21 offensive tackle, and #264 overall. He is thought to be a Michigan lean.

Austin Mack – WR – Fort Wayne (IN) Bishop Luers: Mack is a 6’2″, 205 lb. prospect who also has a top three of Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #12 wide receiver, and #78 overall. Mack earned a Michigan offer after camping in Ann Arbor in June, and there is some confidence among recruitniks that the Wolverines currently hold a lead for Mack’s services.

David Reese II – LB – Farmington (MI) Farmington: Reese is a 6’1″, 235 lb. prospect with offers from Akron, Ohio, and Toledo. He may be more of a defensive end prospect, and with his height, that would probably be at a smaller school than Michigan. His teammate is Desmond Fitzpatrick, a 2016 wide receiver on Michigan’s radar with several FBS offers.

Auston Robertson – DE – Fort Wayne (IN) Wayne: Robertson is a 6’5″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Akron, Indiana, Notre Dame, and Toledo, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #15 weakside end, and #198 prospect overall. He will be traveling to Ann Arbor with Mack (above), and an offer would give Michigan a very good chance.

Erik Swenson – OT – Downers Grove (IL) South:
 Swenson committed to Michigan in November (LINK). He recently participated in the Rivals 100 Five-Star Challenge, where he performed solidly but not spectacularly; most participants were a year ahead of him as part of the 2015 class. UPDATE: Swenson will probably not be able to make it to Ann Arbor.

Naseir Upshur – TE – Philadelphia (PA) Imhotep: Upshur is a 6’3″, 231 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona State, Michigan, Michigan State, and South Carolina, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #9 tight end, and #311 overall. Upshur is a devastating blocker and earned his Michigan offer at camp last month.

Abdullah Yaseen – CB – Oak Park (MI) Oak Park

2017
Corey Malone-Hatcher – DE – St. Joseph (MI) St. Joseph

Josh Myers – OT – Miamisburg (OH) Miamisburg: Myers is a 6’5″, 275 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio State, among others. His father played at Kentucky, and his older brother is an offensive lineman for the Wildcats now.

Donovan Peoples-Jones – WR – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech

Joshua Ross – LB – Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s: Ross is a 6’0″, 194 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Oklahoma, among others. He’s the younger brother of junior linebacker James Ross III and the teammate of 2016 Michigan offeree Daelin Hayes (above).

Jonathan Sutherland – WR – Ottawa (Ontario) Pearson: Sutherland is a 5’10”, 175 lb. prospect with a lone offer from Rutgers.

Luiji Vilain – DE – Ottawa (Ontario) Pearson: Vilain is a 6’3″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Minnesota, Penn State, Rutgers, and Syracuse. Both he and Sutherland will be traveling with 2015 prospect Patrice Rene.

21Apr 2014
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Recruiting Update: April 21, 2014

Sicklerville (NJ) Timber Creek wide receiver Cameron Chambers (image via MaxPreps)

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015
Kaplan (LA) Kaplan defensive end Jalen Bates was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 240 lb. prospect with offers from Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette, Ole Miss, TCU, and Texas Tech. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #12 weakside end, and #340 overall. He’s very raw and needs to work on his stance, footwork, hand use, just about everything – but he does have some physical talent. Bates is the cousin of former Michigan linebacker Jonas Mouton.

Bellevue (WA) Bellevue offensive tackle Henry Roberts was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’6″, 263 lb. prospect with offers from Oklahoma, Oregon, Stanford, USC, Washington, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #29 offensive tackle, and #236 overall. Roberts is a lanky kid who obviously needs to put on weight, but there’s not a lot of film on him. Bellevue is one of the top programs in the state of Washington and produces quite a bit of talent for the Pacific Northwest, and former Michigan offensive lineman Stephen Schilling came from there.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Sicklerville (NJ) Timber Creek wide receiver Cameron Chambers was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’3″, 195 lb. prospect with offers from Arkansas, Ohio State, Pitt, Rutgers, Wisconsin, and West Virginia, among others. 247 Sports, which released its 2016 rankings last week, placed him as a 4-star, the #14 wide receiver, and the #83 player overall for his class. He does not quite look 6’3″ in his highlights, although he may have hit a growth spurt this offseason; however, he shows some good straight line speed and claims a 4.59 forty.

Tampa (FL) Catholic wide receiver Nate Craig was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 195 lb. prospect with offers from Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Miami, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #18 wide receiver, and #92 overall. Personally, I would rate Craig ahead of Chambers because he looks superior in almost every category.

OFF THE BOARD
Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas cornerback Rashard Causey committed to Florida Atlantic. Causey has offers from Florida, Miami, Notre Dame, South Carolina, and UCLA, along with lots of others, so I don’t quite understand this one. I know little about Causey because he didn’t show much interest in his Michigan offer, but this is a commitment I would watch down the road for a change of heart.

Jersey City (NJ) St. Peter’s Prep cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick committed to Alabama. I wrote a scouting report on him back in February. I mentioned three teams with the best chance to get him, and the Crimson Tide was one of them (with Michigan and Ohio State the others, although South Carolina was also lurking). Michigan held off on offering for a while, which may have hurt their chances, but it’s tough to believe they could have pulled ahead of the Tide.

Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy cornerback Marcus Lewis committed to Florida. Lewis recently transferred from Washington (DC) Gonzaga Prep, which signaled to me a desire to play down south. Not long after that was announced, he committed to the Gators. Lewis could play corner or safety at the next level.

MISCELLANEOUS
Here’s a list of this past weekend’s visitors.

Over at Recruiting Season last week, I profiled Clarkston’s Cole Chewins, Mount Pleasant’s Kalebb Perry, Detroit Country Day’s Justin Hunter, St. Joseph’s Wes French, and Chandler Park Academy’s Jalen Martin.

24Feb 2014
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Recruiting Update: February 24, 2014

Charlotte (NC) South Mecklenburg
safety Stephen Griffin

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015
Charlotte (NC) South Mecklenburg safety Stephen Griffin was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’3″, 187 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, Duke, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Tennessee, and Wake Forest, among others. Only two recruiting services have rated him, but he’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #63 cornerback, and #789 overall. He claims a 37″ vertical, a 275 lb. bench, and a 395 lb. squat. Griffin is a hard hitter who will probably be well over 200 lbs. by the time he fills out, so I think he’ll be a safety in college. As a junior in 2013, he had 80 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions (1 touchdown), 1 fumble recovery, and 2 fumbles forced; he was also 43/82 passing for 565 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions and rushed 83 times for 583 yards and 3 touchdowns.

New Orleans (LA) Warren Easton wide receiver Tyron Johnson was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’3″, 190 lb. prospect with offers from Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #4 wide receiver, #42 overall, and #1 in his state. Johnson has a good frame, very good speed, and excellent change-of-direction skills for a guy his size. As often is the case, LSU appears to lead with Texas A&M also in hot pursuit.

Washington (DC) Gonzaga cornerback Marcus Lewis was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’1″, 187 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Maryland, Ohio State, and Virginia Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #12 athlete, and #111 overall. Lewis claims a 4.38 forty, but I have reservations about that time. Lewis plays corner for his high school team, and while that’s still a possibility in college, he looks a little too stiff to me to play corner at a big-time program on the next level. My guess is that he will develop into a safety, and I believe he has the size and physicality to do that well.

Brooksville (FL) Nature Coast Tech offensive tackle Christian Pellage was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’7″, 271 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Central Florida, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, and Oklahoma, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #19 offensive tackle, and #185 overall.  He claims a 4.88 forty, a 32″ vertical, a 285 lb. bench, and a 500 lb. squat. He appears to play in a very run-oriented offense, but he has nice bend and quick feet, and he looks like a future left tackle.

Richmond (VA) St. Christopher’s cornerback Garrett Taylor was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’1″, 188 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Stanford, Tennessee, Virginia, and Virginia Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #9 cornerback, and the #90 player overall, and he claims a 4.5 forty, a 255 lb. bench, and a 400 lb. squat. Taylor has inconsistent technique and is a little stiff for cornerback, so he’s another kid who might be a safety down the road. He plays in the same league as freshman quarterback Wilton Speight did, and he’s teammates with highly touted defensive end/outside linebacker Ricky DeBerry.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
New Orleans (LA) John Curtis offensive tackle Willie Allen was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’6″, 265 lb. prospect with offers from Florida, LSU, and Tulane. Michigan went after three of his teammates in the 2014 class: wide receiver Malachi Dupre (LSU), linebacker Kenny Young (UCLA), and safety Mattrell McGraw (Oregon). Allen is an athletic kid who has yet to fill out and needs to learn technique, but the raw athleticism is there to develop.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s linebacker Joshua Ross was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 194 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan State and Oklahoma. He missed the second half of his freshman season due to a broken ankle, but obviously he showed enough during the first half of the year to garner some offers. Ross is the younger brother of Michigan junior linebacker James Ross and looks a lot like him in his stance.

East St. Louis (IL) East St. Louis wide receiver Jeff Thomas was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’10”, 170 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois and Kansas. As a freshman in 2013, he had 54 catches for 944 yards (17.5 yards/catch) and 12 touchdowns. Thomas has blazing speed and looks like a Percy Harvin clone. He was teammates with 2014 linebacker Kyron Watson (Kansas).

MISCELLANEOUS
Here’s a list of this past weekend’s visitors. Thiyo Lukusa considered committing on the visit, but Coach Hoke convinced him that it would make sense to take other visits and be 100% positive before committing. He’s a 2016 kid, so he has plenty of time to decide.

The Top 247, Rivals 100, and Rivals 250 were all updated last week.