Ben Bredeson
Rivals updated their top 250 players for the 2016 class today (LINK). A few changes for Michigan commits:
– Ben Bredeson dropped from #49 to #60
– Michael Onwenu jumped from #191 to #83
– Erik Swenson dropped from #103 to #115
– Ron Johnson dropped from #109 to #222
– Brad Hawkins dropped from #206 to #224
– Brandon Peters dropped from #229 to #242
Beyond the jump are all the Michigan offerees on the list:
read more
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| 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.
Name: Ron Johnson
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 240 lbs.
High school: Camden (NJ) Camden
Position: Defensive end
Class: 2016
Notes: Holds offers from Arizona State, Boston College, Kentucky, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Old Dominion, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Pitt, Rutgers, South Carolina, Syracuse, Temple, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin . . . ESPN 4-star, #11 defensive end, #73 overall . . . Rivals 4-star, #5 weakside end, #96 overall . . . Scout 3-star, #48 defensive end . . . 247 Sports 4-star, #14 weakside end, #220 overall
Strengths: Good frame to stay at defensive end . . . Plenty of room to add weight . . . Long arms . . . Uses hands well to shed blockers . . . Quick, compact swim move . . . Good awareness and nose for football . . . Enough speed and tenacity to chase down plays from backside . . . Violent hitter . . . Runs feet after contact . . . Plays with chip on his shoulder . . . Takes good angles . . . Good straight-line speed and agility . . . Fast enough to threaten the edge with speed rush
Weaknesses: Can play too high on interior . . . Needs to improve explosiveness of first step . . . Needs to diversify pass rush repertoire . . . Sometimes gets lazy with tackling technique
Projection: Defensive end. Depending on how his body develops, Johnson could play either the weakside end or strongside end position. He does not have the speed and suddenness to be a complete terror as a pass rusher, but he has enough speed to be a consistent threat and enough tenacity to finish plays with hustle. Johnson is a high-floor player who, at the very least, should be able to hold his own against the run and make some Brennen Beyer- or Craig Roh-like plays on the quarterback. There are times in his film where he crushes lead blockers, and he has a violent way about his play that makes me think he likes punishing anyone with an opposing jersey.
Reminds me of: Frank Clark. I mentioned Beyer and Roh up above as kind of Johnson’s floor, but when Clark was clicking, he was very tough to deal with. Johnson is probably a little taller and his game is more developed at this point, but both guys have good frames, a good wingspan, and a nasty attitude.
Likelihood of committing to Michigan: Johnson recently named a top fifteen that included Michigan, and the Wolverines have even been reported to be in his top two schools (along with South Carolina). Johnson visited Michigan this spring with teammate Brad Hawkins, who also holds a Michigan offer. The Wolverines have as good of a shot as anyone.
Highlights:
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| Brooklyn (NY) Poly Prep offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson (image via Scout) |
ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Lakewood (OH) St. Edward cornerback Tony Butler, a Pitt commit, was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 195 lb. prospect who also holds offers from Arizona State, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, and Rutgers, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #56 cornerback, and #600 overall. As a junior in 2014, he made 27 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 10 pass breakups. He’s a big corner who might project best to safety. Butler played for Michigan’s new director of football operations, Rick Finotti, who was head coach at St. Edward through last season. Despite maintaining a hard commitment to Pitt, Butler is expected to at least put some thought into attending Michigan, a school he visited in early April.
Cranford (NJ) Cranford offensive tackle Will Fries was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’6″, 270 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, Maryland, Miami, Penn State, Pitt, Rutgers, and South Carolina, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #38 offensive tackle, and #392 overall. Fries is a big, lean body who’s aggressive and bends well, but his footwork needs a lot of refinement. The Nittany Lions appear to be the favorite.
Hit the jump for a new 2017 offer, some guys who committed elsewhere, and some random tidbits.
ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Brooklyn (NY) Poly offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’6″, 310 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Miami, Penn State, and Rutgers, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #14 offensive tackle, and #82 overall. I have been unable to find actual game highlights of Wilson, but here are some clips from a recent camp (LINK) that also include Rashan Gary, Ron Johnson, and Michael Menet, all of whom are Michigan targets. Lineman drills in camps are tilted toward the defense, but Wilson looks a little out of his element in pass protection. He is probably a right tackle or a guard.
OFF THE BOARD
Huber Heights (OH) Wayne quarterback Messiah DeWeaver committed to Michigan State. Shortly after Jim Harbaugh was hired at Michigan, he informed DeWeaver that the coaching staff would like to keep him in the class but that they would continue recruiting other quarterbacks. DeWeaver then chose to decommit, and his likely destination for the past couple months had been East Lansing.
Arlington (TX) Lamar offensive guard Chris Owens committed to Alabama. His choice was somewhat expected, and he never gave Michigan much of a look.
Huntersville (NC) SouthLake Christian running back Robert Washington committed to Florida . . . and then Syracuse. In an interesting turn of events, Washington recorded an exclusive interview with Bleacher Report in which he committed to Florida. Bleacher Report went live with the video about 20 minutes before Washington announced himself, but Washington’s official announcement was for Syracuse. It’s unclear whether Washington was just messing with Bleacher Report or if he really changed his mind, but that’s what Bleacher Report deserves for trying to get the drop on Washington’s official announcement. Aside from the announcement thing, it seems odd that Washington would choose Syracuse when he also held offers from Alabama, LSU, Miami, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, USC, and Wisconsin, among others. However, his recruitment has long been a bit funky, and the one-time Mississippi State pledge, who visited Michigan several times during the Brady Hoke regime, may not have made his final choice. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he changes his mind again before February.
MISCELLANEOUS
Salt Lake City (UT) Brighton wide receiver Simi Fehoko announced a top five that includes Michigan.
Camden (NJ) Camden defensive end Ron Johnson, Jr., who visited a few weeks ago, named Michigan his leader with South Carolina #2. He’s teammates with wide receiver Brad Hawkins, who also has Michigan and South Carolina high on his list.
Here’s a list of visitors from the past few days, along with one for tomorrow (LINK).
ESPN updated their top 300 prospects for 2016 (LINK).
I wrote up a scouting report for Hyattsville (MD) DeMatha offensive guard Terrance Davis (LINK).
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| Mililani (HI) Mililani running back Vavae Malepeai |
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ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Montgomery (AL) Carver defensive end Marlon Davidson was offered by Michigan. Davidson is a 6’4″, 260 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, and Georgia, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 5-star, the #3 strongside end, and #27 overall. He claims a 4.9 forty. Davidson looks like a 3-4 defensive end or perhaps a defensive tackle at the next level. His technique is inconsistent, but he’s a big boy who can run and shows some good aggression. His brother, Kenneth Carter, was a former defensive tackle at Auburn from 2010-2013, and Davidson is widely considered to be a shoo-in for the Tigers.
Camden (NJ) Camden defensive end Ron Johnson, Jr. was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’4″, 240 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, and Rutgers, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #17 weakside end, and #270 overall. He claims a 4.6 forty. Johnson is a kid who shows a really good motor and some good athleticism. A teammate of wide receiver Brad Hawkins, who already held a Michigan offer, the two visited Michigan this past weekend, but Johnson got news of the offer a couple days before making the trip.
Wichita (KS) East defensive end Xavier Kelly decommitted from Kansas State. The 6’5″, 230 lb. prospect committed to the Wildcats last November, but offers from Arkansas and Michigan in recent weeks have caused him to reopen his recruitment. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #20 weakside end, and #326 overall.
Mililani (HI) Mililani running back Vavae Malepeai was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 195 lb. prospect with offers from Cal, Colorado, Hawaii, and Washington, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #53 running back, and #731 overall. He claims a 4.44 forty. As a junior in 2014, he had 1,337 rushing yards, 205 receiving yards, and 24 total touchdowns. Hawaii doesn’t have the best competition in the country, so highlights should be taken with a grain of salt. However, Malepeai does have some impressive vision, an innate ability to slither out of tackles, and decent speed. He does a really good job of following his blockers, staying right on their hip for the added protection. He is the cousin of Michigan offeree Boss Tagaloa and is coached by former NFL special teamer Maa Tanuvasa. Michigan has only had two players from Hawaii in the history of the program (in 1925 and 1945), and the program only makes rare forays into the state for offers. The last time they went after an Aloha State player was in 2013 for defensive tackle Scott Pagano (Clemson).
Montgomery (AL) Carver linebacker Lyndell Wilson was offered by Michigan. Wilson is a 6’2″, 220 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 5-star, the #2 outside linebacker, and #8 overall. He claims a 4.64 forty. As a junior in 2014, he made 86 tackles, 9 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions (1 returned for a touchdown). Do yourself a favor and watch his highlights, because he has one of the most impressive highlight reels I’ve seen in the 2016 recruiting class. You’ll even see a couple highlights against incoming freshman Keith Washington and 2016 running back offeree Kingston Davis. Unfortunately for Michigan, it looks like an Alabama vs. Auburn battle for Wilson.
Cuyahoga Falls (OH) Walsh Jesuit center Jack Wohlabaugh was offered by Michigan. Wohlabaugh is a 6’3″, 280 lb. prospect with offers from Cincinnati, Kentucky, Minnesota, and Purdue, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #15 offensive guard, and #334 overall. He is also the son of Dave Wohlabaugh, who played center for Syracuse before moving on to the NFL to play for the Patriots, Browns, and Rams. Jack plays left guard for his high school team, and he shows quick feet with a good initial punch. However, with his size, pedigree, and quickness, he probably projects to center at the next level.
Hit the jump for lots of miscellaneous bits.
MISCELLANEOUS
Rancho Santa Margarita (CA) Rancho Santa Margarita quarterback K.J. Costello announced he will be announcing his college decision on the afternoon of Thursday, March 26. He visited Michigan last summer and was thinking about committing at the time, but despite saying he’s down to Michigan, Stanford, and USC now, it looks like it will be one of the two California schools. Costello had been saying that he would visit Michigan this spring, but that visit never materialized. At one time it was thought he and a small group of Californians might come to Michigan (though package deals, especially of more than two players, are always huge long shots), but wide receiver Theo Howard already committed to Oregon. Costello’s teammate, wide receiver Dylan Crawford, is probably a long shot for Michigan now, and cornerback David Long, Jr. is also part of that group of friends.
Weber State punter Blake O’Neill from Weber State has spurred Sam Webb into announcing a gut feeling for Michigan. O’Neill is a graduate transfer prospect. Last year for Weber State, he averaged 44.1 yards/punt. Out of his 62 punts, 25 of them landed inside the 20-yard line and 18 of them were 50+ yards. Michigan lost both specialists last year in the forms of kicker Matt Wile (who had punted at times in his career) and Will Hagerup. Class of 2015 signee Andrew David is not expected to factor into the punting duties, so Michigan is looking at O’Neill or walk-on Kenny Allen to be the punter this season.
Lawrenceville (GA) Archer offensive tackle E.J. Price named Michigan his leader. The coaches are pitching early playing time for him, which makes sense considering Michigan’s lack of a solidified pecking order at offensive tackle. Price grew up in the Grand Rapids area. Two of his offered teammates – cornerback Jamyest Williams and safety Isaiah Pryor – are 2017 prospects who will be visiting Michigan this coming weekend, although Price will not be with them.
Huntersville (NC) Southlake Christian running back Robert Washington named Michigan to his final six schools. The former Mississippi State commit has visited Michigan four times, all during the Brady Hoke era. He will decide in April, and the Bulldogs are not part of the final group.
Here’s a list of visitors from this past weekend (LINK).
Michigan picked up a couple preferred walk-ons this past week:
Over on Recruiting Season, I added/updated profiles for:
