Tag: Rashan Gary

2016 Recruiting Wish List

Dontavious Jackson

Michigan has 23 commitments in the 2016 class, which is expected to reach a size of 27. That leaves room for four more prospects (and perhaps more if there are other departures from the commit list). So here on Christmas Day 2015 is my wish list to fill out the four remaining spots. I only included players who seem to still have some interest in coming to Michigan, plus Michigan’s latest offer who has yet to indicate much about his interest level.

1. Rashan Gary – DT – Paramus (NJ) Catholic: Gary is a tackle/end tweener. While the position itself does not seem like a huge need because of all of Michigan’s returning talent on the defensive line, it’s actually a pretty big gap to fill. Michigan did not take any tackles in 2015 and has just one in the 2016 class so far (Jordan Elliott). The Wolverines have a couple weakside end prospects lined up in this class, but Rashad Weaver is the only SDE/DT prospect, and he has been poking around other schools. If Michigan wants to stay strong up front in 2017 and beyond, they need contributors in the 2016 class. Gary is the top target and perhaps some assume that he will end up signing with Michigan, but I think the Wolverines might be scrambling to fill his spot if they get stiffed at the end.
2. David Long, Jr. – CB – Los Angeles (CA) Loyola: Long is a true cornerback prospect who has the skills to be elite, and not just another guy. Long is physical and speedy, and he can do some things with the ball in his hands, too. He could be a guy who plays slot receiver and returns kicks along with his defensive duties. Michigan does not have any super-athletic corners available after Jourdan Lewis leaves, except maybe the unproven, position-switching Keith Washington, who redshirted this past season.
3. Dontavious Jackson – LB – Houston (TX) Alief Elsik: Michigan has a shortage of linebackers available next year, and they got their small-ish, quick space player in the form of Devin Bush, Jr. a week ago. Now it would be nice if the Wolverines could pull in a true, thumping middle linebacker to stuff the run. Jackson could certainly be that guy, and he’s someone who could play as a freshman.
4. Jean Delance – OT – Mesquite (TX) North: You can never have enough athletic left tackle prospects on a roster, and Delance is someone who could fill that role. A top-100 prospect, he has some filling out to do. He probably won’t be needed in 2016, but he could slide right in when Michigan loses several seniors going into 2017.

Other players considered: TE Chase Allen, WR Dylan Crawford, OG Terrance Davis, ATH Jordan Fuller, ATH Khaleke Hudson, TE Jacob Mathis, TE Isaac Nauta, DE Levi Onwuzurike, C/DT Boss Tagaloa, DE Joshua Uche (the newest 2016 offer)

Visitors: Michigan vs. BYU

Paramus (NJ) Catholic defensive tackle Rashan Gary

2016
Christian Boyd – DT – Muskegon (MI) Mona Shores: Boyd is a 6’2″, 280 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He also visited Michigan last weekend for the UNLV game. He is a teammate of 2016 wide receiver Hunter Broersma (Western Michigan), cornerback Darece Roberson (Western Michigan), and wide receiver Kobe Burse (Miami-OH).

Kingston Davis – RB – Prattville (AL) Prattville: Davis committed to Michigan in April (LINK). So far as a senior, he has 598 yards and 7 rushing touchdowns through four games (LINK).

Chris Evans – RB – Indianapolis (IN) Ben Davis: Evans committed to Michigan in June. You can see how his senior season is going here (LINK).

Rashan Gary – DT – Paramus (NJ) Catholic: Gary is a 6’4″, 287 lb. prospect with offers from almost everywhere. He’s a 247 Composite 5-star, the #1 defensive tackle, and #1 overall. The plurality of his Crystal Ball picks are for Michigan (47%), but Auburn and Georgia are also strong contenders. He is teammates with 2016 wide receiver Donald Stewart; 2017 defensive end Corey Bolds and linebacker Drew Singleton; and 2018 quarterback Allan Walters. There are a lot of connections to Michigan, since redshirt freshman safety Jabrill Peppers and offensive lineman Juwann Bushell-Beatty are both from his high school, along with recruiting coordinator Chris Partridge, who coached the Paladins last year. This is Gary’s official visit.

Hit the jump for several more 2016, 2017, and 2018 visitors.

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Visitors: June 26-28, 2015

Egg Harbor City (NJ) Cedar Creek wide receiver Ahmir Mitchell

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With the exception of Gary, the players below will be in town Wednesday through Friday.

2016
Rashan Gary – DT – Paramus (NJ) Catholic: I wrote a scouting report on Gary back in May (LINK). His Crystal Ball has 44% of votes in favor of Alabama and 38% for Michigan.

Brad Hawkins – WR – Camden (NJ) Camden: Hawkins is a 6’1″, 202 lb. prospect with offers from Auburn, Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Rutgers, and South Carolina, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #38 wide receiver, #203 overall, and #7 in the Garden State. As a junior in 2014, he caught 51 passes for 748 yards and 11 touchdowns while also rushing for 255 yards and 2 scores; on defense, he made 40 tackles and 3 picks, all 3 of which he returned for touchdowns. Michigan and South Carolina seem to be the two front-runners. UPDATE: Hawkins rescheduled his visit for July 18th.

Hit the jump for the rest of the visitors.

Ron Johnson, Jr. – DE – Camden (NJ) Camden: I did a scouting report on Johnson in late May (LINK). Much like teammate Hawkins, the choice seems to be between Michigan and South Carolina.

Ahmir Mitchell – WR – Egg Harbor City (NJ) Cedar Creek: Mitchell is a 6’3″, 206 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Rutgers, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 athlete, #77 overall, and #3 in his state. As a junior in 2014, he caught 47 passes for 881 yards and 12 touchdowns. I have heard some talk that some teams see Mitchell as a tight end eventually, but I think he looks like a guy who can remain at wide receiver. The Brady Hoke staff’s recruitment of Mitchell tailed off since they were basically the only team recruiting him as a safety, but things have picked up now and 77% of the 247 Sports Crystal Balls are in favor of Michigan.

Naseir Upshur – TE – Philadelphia (PA) Imhotep: I also did a scouting report on Upshur (LINK). Miami leads with 50% of the Crystal Balls, but Michigan is second with 29%. The Wolverines have also offered his teammate, 2016 offensive guard Johncarlo Valentin.

2017
Cesar Ruiz – C – Camden (NJ) Camden: Ruiz is a 6’4″, 290 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Miami, North Carolina, Penn State, and Rutgers, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #1 center, and #257 overall for his class. There’s a good chance that Ruiz will be offered by Michigan on the visit, and if either or both of his teammates commit, that would be a strong pull to Ann Arbor for Ruiz.

Scouting Report: Rashan Gary

Paramus (NJ) Catholic defensive tackle Rashan Gary (image via NorthJersey.com)

Name: Rashan Gary
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 290 lbs.
High school: Paramus (NJ) Catholic
Position: Defensive tackle
Class: 2016

Notes: Holds offers from Alabama, Army, Auburn, Boston College, Cincinnati, Clemson, Connecticut, Florida, Florida State, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Pitt, Rutgers, South Carolina, Syracuse, Temple, Tennessee, USC, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Wisconsin . . . Claims 4.86 forty . . . As a junior in 2014 made 55 tackles and 14 sacks . . . ESPN 5-star, 94 grade, #1 defensive tackle, #1 overall . . .  Rivals 5-star, #1 defensive tackle, #4 overall . . . Scout 5-star, #1 defensive tackle, #1 overall . . . 247 Sports 5-star, #1 defensive tackle, #3 overall

Strengths: Good build . . . Not much bad weight . . . Flexible lower body . . . Quick enough to play defensive end for his high school team . . . Very good motor . . . Makes plays all over the field . . . Violent tackler . . . Good lateral quickness . . . Strong enough to lock out offensive linemen . . . Can manhandle blockers . . . Stops runners in their tracks, eliminating second-effort yardage

Weaknesses: Stands up too high at times . . . Needs to work on compacting swim move . . . Must improve hand placement . . . Can get caught with hands down or too far outside

Projection: Defensive tackle. Gary is an exceptional athlete for his position and size. He plays against pretty good competition in high school and still looks dominant. One catch in his situation is that he played defensive end last year, whereas he’ll be a tackle in college. He does a good enough job of coming low out of his stance that pad level should not be a major issue; it’s only when he tries to use his speed rush around the outside that he loses good body lean. He will also have to learn how to use his hands a little better, but that is something that can get correct pretty quickly. Gary looks like a 3-tech tackle who will be very hard to handle for offensive guards.

Reminds me of: Warren Sapp. I don’t see a great comparison through Michigan’s history – Alan Branch and Gabe Watson were a little too nose tackle-y, and Mike Martin was mostly about quickness, although he was awfully powerful, too. Sapp was both powerful and quick, which also describes Gary.

Likelihood of committing to Michigan: 247 Sports’ Crystal Ball predictions have Alabama at 52%, Michigan at 31%, and nobody else in double digits. The Wolverines have a couple former Paladins already in the form of redshirt freshmen Jabrill Peppers and Juwann Bushell-Beatty, and they also have the former coach, Chris Partridge, in the role of recruiting coordinator. Gary took a visit to Michigan this spring and thoroughly enjoyed it, but his recruiting process could last until February, and a lot of things can happen between now and then. Michigan is right in the thick of the hunt.

Highlights:

Visitors: March 27-29, 2015

Paramus (NJ) Catholic defensive tackle Rashan Gary

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TRANSFER
Blake O’Neill – P – Weber State: Quarterback Jake Rudock from Iowa visited last weekend, and now it’s O’Neill’s turn. O’Neill is a graduate transfer prospect who’s a 6’2″, 215 lb. punter. He averaged 44.1 yards/attempt last season and does not allow many returns. Sam Webb pronounced a “gut feeling” that O’Neill would end up at Michigan, so this visit may be just a formality.

2016
Cary Angeline – TE – Exton (PA) Downington East: Angeline is a 6’7″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Penn State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #9 tight end, and #213 overall. As a junior in 2014, he had 67 catches for 1,051 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Korey Banks – CB – Tyrone (GA) Sandy Creek: Banks is a 6’0″, 170 lb. prospect with offers from Arkansas State, Colorado State, and Miami-OH, among others. He’s an unranked prospect at this point. He claims a 4.26 forty, and while that is almost surely a fib, he does have good speed.

Devin Bush, Jr. – LB – Hollywood (FL) Flanagan: Bush is a 6’0″, 220 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, and UCLA, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #8 inside linebacker, and #249 overall. Bush is a Florida State legacy whose dad played safety for the Seminoles and is now Flanagan’s head coach.

Hit the jump for several more 2016 prospects, as well as some 2017 and 2018 kids.


Donnie Corley – WR – Detroit (MI) King: Corley is a 6’2″, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Ole Miss, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #20 wide receiver, and #110 overall. Corley has visited Michigan several times and has grown more interested in the Wolverines now that Jim Harbaugh is the coach.

Matt Falcon – RB – Southfield (MI) Southfield: Falcon is a 6’1″, 215 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #13 running back, and #234 overall. He has visited Michigan several times, but Tennessee is also very high on his list.

Desmond Fitzpatrick – WR – Farmington (MI) Farmington: Fitzpatrick is a 6’2″, 194 lb. prospect who committed to Louisville last October; he has since picked up an offer from Michigan, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #57 wide receiver, and #344 overall. Fitzpatrick has been a frequent visitor to Ann Arbor and is seen as a player who very well might flip to the Wolverines at some point, even though high school teammate David Reese (also a Louisville commit) is not being heavily recruited by Michigan.

Rashan Gary – DT – Paramus (NJ) Catholic: Gary is a 6’4″, 290 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, and Rutgers, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 5-star, the #1 defensive tackle, and #1 overall. As a junior in 2014, he made 55 tackles and 14 sacks. His former high school head coach is Chris Partridge, who is now employed by Michigan as a recruiting coordinator. He will also be visiting Ohio State on his swing through the midwest.

Joshua Hammond – WR – Hallandale (FL) Hallandale: Hammond is a 6’1″, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #59 wide receiver, and #347 overall. As a junior in 2014, he caught 25 passes for 413 yards and 6 touchdowns. He will also be visiting Notre Dame on his swing through the midwest.

Brad Hawkins – WR – Camden (MI) Camden: Hawkins is a 6’2″, 205 lb. prospect with offers from Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame, Pitt, Rutgers, and South Carolina, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #33 wide receiver, and #161 overall. Currently he appears to be favoring the Gamecocks, but he does not look to be in a hurry to make a decision, so Michigan still has a chance to work their way to the top.

Daelin Hayes – LB – Ann Arbor (MI) Skyline: Hayes is a 6’4″, 250 lb. prospect who committed to USC last summer; he also has offers from Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State, and numerous others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 outside linebacker, and #82 overall. Hayes will be in town for a Tom Lemming photo shoot and despite living in Ann Arbor now, he is not expected to strongly consider Michigan.

Ron Johnson, Jr. – DE – Camden (NJ) Camden: Johnson is a 6’4″, 240 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, and Rutgers, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #17 weakside end, and #270 overall. As a junior in 2014, he had 84 tackles and 10 sacks. Johnson is a teammate of Hawkins. He appears to have a strong motor and some good football intuition, along with some pretty good athleticism.

Michael Jordan – OT – Plymouth (MI) Plymouth: Jordan is a 6’6″, 280 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Penn State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #18 offensive tackle, and #181 overall. He has visited Michigan numerous times and the Wolverines are thought to be his leader.

Khalid Kareem – DE – Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison: Kareem is a 6’4″, 240 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #14 strongside end, and #225 overall. He was briefly committed to Michigan State in January 2015. As a junior in 2014, he made 85 tackles and 18 sacks.


Josh King – DE – Hinsdale (IL) South: King is a 6’6″, 250 lb. prospect with offers from Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #4 strongside end, and #51 overall. As a junior in 2014, he made 70 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks. Michigan is believed to be one of King’s top three destinations.

Cedrick Lattimore – DE – Detroit (MI) East English Village: Lattimore is a 6’5″, 241 lb. prospect with offers from Iowa and a handful of MAC schools. He’s currently an unranked prospect.

Ostell Martin – OG – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Martin is a 6’5″, 330 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. With his size some offers should come eventually, but he is somewhat stiff and could afford to work his body into better shape.

Ahmir Mitchell – WR – Egg Harbor City (NJ) Timber Creek: Mitchell is a 6’3″, 205 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Rutgers, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 athlete, and #88 overall. Mitchell, who was being recruited as a safety by Michigan’s previous staff, is now being looked at as a receiver. He recently placed Michigan in his top six schools. Despite attending a different school, he will be headed to Ann Arbor with Hawkins and Johnson, all of whom have rescheduled this visit from last weekend’s canceled itinerary.

Michael Onwenu – OG – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Onwenu is a 6’2″, 310 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Michigan, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 offensive guard, and #211 overall. Onwenu doubles as a defensive tackle and is being recruited by some teams on that side of the ball, but Michigan wants him as an interior offensive lineman.


Andrew Pryts – S – Hermitage (PA) Hickory: Pryts is a 6’2″, 195 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Penn State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #48 safety, and #701 overall. Pryts is a physical, hard-hitting safety who is thought to be a heavy Penn State lean.

David Reese – LB – Farmington (MI) Farmington: Reese is a 6’1″, 235 lb. prospect who committed to Louisville earlier this month; he also has offers from Indiana, Pitt, and several MAC schools. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #23 inside linebacker, and #686 overall. Reese is a teammate of wide receiver Desmond Fitzpatrick, who is also committed to Louisville . . . for now.

Demetric Vance – S – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Vance is a 6’1″, 193 lb. prospect with offers from Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Penn State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #21 safety, and #406 overall.

Devin Waldon – LB – Detroit (MI) East English Village: Waldon is a 6’0″, 229 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

2017
David Adams – LB – Pittsburgh (PA) Central Catholic: Adams is a 6’1″, 225 lb. prospect with offers from Penn State, Pitt, West Virginia, and others. He is currently unranked.

Corey Bolds – DE – Paramus (NJ) Catholic: Bolds is a 6’3″, 268 lb. prospect with an offer from Rutgers (EDIT: he was offered by Michigan this weekend). He is the teammate of Rashan Gary (see above).

Rodney Hall – QB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Hall is a 6’3″, 204 lb. left quarterback with no offers at this time. Wearing his #7 and throwing from the left side, he looks a little like Michael Vick, although not the same level of athlete.

Jaylen Kelly-Powell – S – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Kelly-Powell is a 6’0″, 183 lb. prospect who has picked up recent offers from Miami-OH and Northwestern. He’s a currently unranked. He claims a 4.49 forty.

Donovan Parker – WR – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Parker is a 6’0″, 165 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

Donovan Peoples-Jones – WR – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Peoples-Jones is a 6’2″, 183 lb. prospect with offers from LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #2 wide receiver, and #12 overall. He claims a 4.43 forty. His father is former Michigan player Shonte Peoples.

Isaiah Pryor – S – Lawrenceville (GA) Archer: Pryor is a 6’2″, 190 lb. prospect with offers from Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #5 safety, and #70 overall. Pryor is a teammate of 2016 offensive tackle offeree E.J. Price, who named Michigan his leader recently.

Willie Reid – S – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Reid is a 6’1″, 177 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

Jamyest Williams – CB – Lawrenceville (GA) Archer: Williams is a 5’9″, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, and Michigan, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #9 athlete, and #84 overall. Another teammate of Price’s, Williams was offered by Michigan’s previous staff and that offer was reaffirmed by Harbaugh and Co. He recently ran a 4.52 laser-timed forty and claims a 41″ vertical. As a sophomore in 2014, he carried the ball 85 times for 700 yards and 8 touchdowns; he also caught 35 passes for 452 yards and 5 touchdowns; and on defense he made 60 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 25 pass breakups.

2018

Emil Ekiyor – OG – Indianapolis (IN) Cathedral: Ekiyor is a 6’3″, 280 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He is the son of Emil Ekiyor, a Nigerian immigrant who played at Central Florida before playing six years in the NFL. The younger Ekiyor will be on campus Thursday, March 26.

Kalon Gervin – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Gervin is a 5’11”, 170 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.