OFF THE BOARD
Randolph (NJ) Randolph offensive guard Brendan Mahon committed to Penn State. For whatever reason, Mahon always seemed like a Penn State type of guy. And obviously, with Michigan full at the offensive line position group, this doesn’t affect the Wolverines a great deal.
St. Paul (MN) Cretin-Derham wide receiver James Onwualu committed to Notre Dame. Onwualu had planned to visit Michigan last week, but decided to go ahead and commit to the Irish instead. Cretin-Derham has produced several high profile athletes (Seantrel Henderson, Joe Mauer, etc.), including outgoing Notre Dame wideout Michael Floyd.
Pittsburgh (PA) Seton La Salle tight end Scott Orndoff committed to Pitt. He was committed to Wisconsin for a long time, but the departure of offensive coordinator Paul Chryst made him back off that commitment. Luckily for Pitt, Chryst became the Panthers head coach. Orndoff visited Michigan unofficially last weekend, but you can’t blame him for picking a Chryst’s offense; he’s a guy who has done a good job of developing tight ends.
When Richmond (VA) Hermitage running back Derrick Green visited on Sunday, the coaches told him that they still wanted another running back, despite the fact that Smith committed on Saturday. That means the door is still open for Green or Joliet (IL) Catholic’s Ty Isaac.
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech LB Deon Drake: Drake, a 2014 prospect, is 6’1″ and 215 lbs. He currently has no offers, partly because he was overshadowed by some of the other talent at Cass Tech last season. (Highlights here.)
Richmond (VA) Hermitage RB Derrick Green: Green is a 6’1″, 215 lb. running back with reported 4.37 speed, but you don’t really see that track speed translating to the football field. He is a big power runner, though, and would fit in well with Michigan’s offense because he gets downhill and can punish tacklers. He has offers from Ohio State, Oklahoma, and USC, along with lots of others. (Highlights here.)
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech S Delano Hill: Cass Tech is a pipeline to Michigan . . . at least for guys that Michigan offers. However, Hill has not been offered by the Wolverines, and an offer does not seem to be on the horizon. The Wolverines seem to be set at safety unless a big-time player (like Su’a Cravens) wants to commit. (Highlights here.)
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech LB Gary Hosey: Hosey, a 2014 prospect, transferred to Cass Tech from Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison. At 6’0″ and 230 lbs., he seems like a middle linebacker prospect for Michigan, if anything.
Pittsburgh (PA) Seton La Salle TE Scott Orndoff: Orndoff had been committed to Wisconsin since August, but he decommitted from the Badgers at the end of February, partly because offensive coordinator Paul Chryst left for the Pitt Panthers. He also has offers from Michigan State and West Virginia, among others. Despite having two tight ends already committed, it sounds like the coaches would be open to taking a commitment from Orndoff, a 245-pounder who stands 6’4″. (Highlights here.)
Baltimore (MD) Gilman DT Henry Poggi: Poggi is the son of Biff Poggi, the head coach at Gilman. Henry has brothers playing football at Iowa and Duke. The youngest of the bunch is a 6’3″, 255 lb. defensive tackle who is also being looked at by some schools as a tight end. Alabama, Maryland, and Ohio State, among others, have also offered Henry.
Warren (OH) Howland RB Deveon Smith: Smith is a 5’11”, 200 lb. inside runner who lacks true breakaway speed. He is a very tough runner, though, and would be a solid addition the class. However, there is some information circulating that Michigan has backed off on his recruitment a little bit, hoping that they’ll be able to reel in Ty Isaac before Smith makes a commitment. Opinions vary wildly on whether Michigan should try to grab Smith this weekend, whether they should back off and wait on Isaac, or whether they should try to get both. The general feeling is that Michigan only wants one more running back to go along with Novi (MI) Catholic Central’s Wyatt Shallman, not two. (Highlights here.)
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech WR Damon Webb: There’s not a whole lot of information out there about Webb, but he’s a 2014 prospect who transferred to Cass Tech from U of D Jesuit. Webb is now a 5’11”, 170 lb. wideout. (Freshman highlights here.)
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech LB William White: White is a 6’1″, 220 lb. inside linebacker. His father played safety for the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, and Atlanta Falcons from 1988-1998, making 672 career tackles and 20 career picks.
