Recruiting Update: June 22, 2015

Tag: Toks Akinribade

22Jun 2015
Uncategorized 3 comments

Recruiting Update: June 22, 2015

Lawrenceville (GA) Archer offensive tackle E.J. Price decommitted from Georgia

COMMITMENTS
Hartland (WI) Arrowhead offensive tackle Ben Bredeson committed to Michigan (LINK).

Pembroke Pines (FL) Flanagan safety/linebacker Devin Gil committed to Michigan (LINK).

Pembroke Pines (FL) Flanagan safety Josh Metellus committed to Michigan (LINK).

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Sioux Falls (SD) Washington offensive tackle Matt Farniok was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’6″, 290 lb. prospect with offers from Florida, Florida State, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Penn State, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #22 offensive tackle, and #210 overall. Farniok is a pretty athletic, high-effort kid who destroys the South Dakota competition, which is not known for being all that talented. Regardless, it’s easy to see why high-level teams are intrigued.

Lawrenceville (GA) Archer offensive tackle E.J. Price decommitted from Georgia. He’s a 6’6″, 311 lb. prospect who holds offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and USC, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #9 offensive tackle, and #54 overall. Price grew up on the west side of Michigan, and the Wolverines were expecting to at least get a visit from him before he surprised a lot of people by committing to Georgia. He does plan to visit family in Michigan this summer, and a stop in Ann Arbor could very well happen at that time. Price’s teammates include 2017 defensive backs Isaiah Pryor and Jamyest Williams, both of whom have Michigan offers.

Hit the jump for a couple new 2017 offers, some guys who committed elsewhere, and some random bits.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Nashville (TN) Oakland wide receiver Jacoby Stevens was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 200 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #4 athlete, and #44 overall. Stevens could play anywhere from receiver to safety to linebacker at the next level.

New Orleans (LA) Brother Martin cornerback Tre Swilling was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 180 lb. prospect whose other offer comes from LSU. His brother, Bruce Jordan-Swilling, was offered by the Wolverines a couple weeks ago, and they are the sons of former New Orleans Saints linebacker Pat Swilling.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2018
Paramus (NJ) Catholic quarterback Allan Walters was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 200 lb. prospect with offers from Rutgers and Temple. Walters is a pro-style quarterback with a pretty strong arm and good mechanics for such a young player. He’s the second quarterback offered in the 2018 class, joining Floridian Joey Gatewood, who is expected to end up at Florida State. Walters is also the teammate of several offerees, including 2016 defensive tackle Rashan Gary, 2016 wide receiver Donald Stewart, 2017 defensive end Corey Bolds, and 2017 linebacker Drew Singleton. Their former coach is Michigan’s recruiting coordinator.

OFF THE BOARD
Brownsburg (IN) Brownsburg running back Toks Akinribade committed to Iowa. Michigan was recruiting Akinribade even after Chris Evans committed a couple weeks ago, but a crowded backfield may have scared him off. Or maybe he just liked Iowa better. Akinribade did take a spring visit to Michigan, and he’s a teammate of offered 2017 quarterback Hunter Johnson.

Wayne (NJ) De Paul Catholic defensive end Quayshon Alexander committed to Nebraska. He’s a teammate of top running back Kareem Walker (Ohio State).

Carson (CA) Calabasas safety Marquel Dismuke committed to Nebraska. He was a recent decommit from Cal.

Downey (CA) Downey linebacker Darrian Franklin committed to Oregon. Franklin was initially excited about his Michigan offer, but he never visited. Michigan has also offered his teammate, Daevon Vigilant, who could play running back, wide receiver, cornerback, or returner.

Fayetteville (NC) Sanford cornerback Mark Gilbert committed to Duke.

Mililani (HI) Mililani running back Vavae Malepeai committed to Oregon. After the good vibes Marcus Mariota received from the fans and the school, Oregon probably earned a lot of favors in the state of Hawaii. Malepeai might not be a total burner, but he’s a sturdy running back with good vision. I think he’ll fit in well in Eugene.

West Hartford (CT) Kingswood-Oxford linebacker Koby Quansah committed to Duke. Previously, he had named Michigan to his top ten. Duke is pulling in quite a class, including three players (Gilbert, Quansah, and Virginia WR Scott Bracey) who had Michigan offers. They currently have the #16 class in the country using 247’s Composite rankings.

Jacksonville (FL) Trinity linebacker Dominique Ross committed to North Carolina. Michigan was not heavily involved in his recruitment.

Green Bay (WI) Bay Port offensive tackle Cole Van Lanen committed to Wisconsin. According to the 247 Composite, Van Lanen is the #2 player in the state for 2016. Who’s #1? Ben Bredeson. Interestingly, the top four  players in Wisconsin are offensive tackles.

MISCELLANEOUS
Norfolk (FL) Lake Taylor cornerback Wayne Davis named Michigan to his top three. The other two schools are Ohio State and Virginia Tech, and he has not visited Michigan yet, although he plans to do so this summer.

Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison defensive end Khalid Kareem is announcing his college decision – for a second time – on Wednesday, June 24th. Over on 247 Sports, 88% of the Crystal Ball picks are in favor of Michigan. He has taken visits in the last week and a half to Alabama, Mississippi State, and South Carolina.

Allen (TX) Allen defensive end Levi Onwuzurike named Michigan to his top ten. He and Greg Mattison have developed a good relationship, although probably not quite good enough to reel him in.

Tons – literally, I guess – of football prospects showed up for Michigan’s Exposure U and Aerial Assault camps over the last week (LINK). At the link you’ll find lots of the bigger names to attend, along with brief info blurbs about most of them.

Several players took visits to Michigan this past weekend (LINK).

Lots of stuff is going on with in-state recruiting. I’ll have several new profiles up this week as a lot more 2017 prospects have started earning offers at summer camps. Over on Recruiting Season . . . :

7Apr 2015
Uncategorized 1 comment

Recruiting Update: April 7, 2015

Brownsburg (IN) Brownsburg quarterback
Hunter Johnson (image via 247Sports.com)

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COMMITMENTS
Prattville (AL) Prattville running back Kingston Davis committed to Michigan (LINK).

Avon (IN) Avon quarterback Brandon Peters committed to Michigan (LINK).

Farmington (MI) Farmington fullback David Reese committed to Michigan (LINK).

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Brownsburg (IN) Brownsburg running back Toks Akinribade was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 210 lb. prospect with offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and a bunch of MAC schools. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #62 running back, and #781 overall. As a junior in 2014, he had 220 carries for 1,579 yards and 15 touchdowns. Akinribade is a solidly built running back with pretty decent speed and some good power, a solid all-around back. His teammate is 2017 quarterback Hunter Johnson (see below).

Hit the jump for several new 2016 offers, some 2017 offers, some commitments elsewhere, and some random tidbits.

Vero Beach (FL) Vero Beach defensive end Patrick Bethel was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’3″, 243 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, LSU, and Miami, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #18 strongside end, and #300 overall. Despite being listed at a very average 6’3″, he is long-limbed and lanky. He’s pretty aggressive, though, and packs quite a punch.

Sachse (TX) Sachse cornerback Donovan Duvernay was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’10”, 170 lb. prospect with offers from Baylor, Boise State, and TCU, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #69 athlete, and #974 overall. As a junior in 2014, he caught 20 passes for 452 yards and 5 touchdowns, plus he had 2 kickoff return touchdowns. His brother, Devin, is a slightly bigger receiver who’s the #38 overall prospect in the country. The twins plan to play together in college, so while Devin was offered a few weeks ago, the Wolverines basically have to take a shot with Donovan to get Devin.

Rockford (MI) Rockford kicker Quinn Nordin was offered by Michigan. Nordin is a 6’1″, 200 lb. prospect with offers from Iowa, Penn State, and several others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #1 kicker, and #1045 overall. Nordin, who also punts, could potentially be Michigan’s second scholarship kicking specialist since 2015 recruit Andrew David is coming in, but David is likely limited to placekicking in college. Nordin could do either job or both. Since the time he was offered, several 247 Sports Crystal Ball predictions have come in for Michigan, and it now stands 75% in favor of the Wolverines.

Byesville (OH) Meadowbrook offensive guard Josh Sills was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 319 lb. prospect with offers from a few MAC schools. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #71 offensive guard, and #1280 overall. Sills plays tackle for his high school team, but he plays way too high and does not have the feet to remain on the perimeter in college. In fact, he seems rather slow-footed and appears to be a bit of a reach at this juncture in the recruiting cycle.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice tight end Carter Dunaway was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’6″, 225 lb. prospect whose lone offer comes from the Wolverines. He is not ranked in the 2017 class. Dunaway is the brother of defensive end Jack Dunaway, who will be a preferred walk-on in the fall; both are the sons of Craig Dunaway, who played tight end for Michigan in the mid-1980s. They are also the former teammates of quarterback Alex Malzone and wide receiver Grant Perry, both of whom will be freshmen in the fall. I have been unable to find football highlights of Carter, but here’s a short video of him dunking (after missing his first attempt) as a scrawny eighth grader (LINK).

Brownburg (IN) Brownsburg quarterback Hunter Johnson was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’3″, 197 lb. prospect with offers from Miami, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Penn State, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 5-star, the #1 pro-style quarterback, and #9 overall. As a sophomore in 2014, he completed 122/226 passes for 1,434 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. He claims a 4.6 forty. Johnson has good arm strength and a compact, high delivery, and he also makes quick decisions. He would be an excellent pickup. Johnson was offered on campus this past weekend when he visited with 2016 running back teammate Toks Akinribade (see above). Michigan’s only other quarterback offer for 2017 so far is Coloradoan Dylan McCaffrey.

Hinesville (GA) Liberty cornerback Richard LeCounte was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’11”, 174 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, and Ohio State, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #4 athlete, and #22 overall. LeCounte could also play wide receiver or safety at the next level.

Lithia Springs (GA) Jonesboro wide receiver James “M.J.” Walker, Jr. was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 210 lb. prospect who might be better known for his basketball exploits, where he’s a 247 Composite 5-star, the #2 shooting guard, and #16 overall in the 2017 class. Walker is a jumbo wide receiver with good speed, but not great. His biggest advantage is obviously his size and ability to go up and catch the ball. It’s unclear whether he will pursue basketball or football (or both) in college.

OFF THE BOARD
North Ridgeville (OH) North Ridgeville running back Demario McCall committed to Ohio State last week. He did not hold an offer from Michigan, but he was the top guy on my list of guys that I wanted the Wolverines to offer. McCall has an element of speed that is lacking in most of the guys on Michigan’s roster. With the Buckeyes already having two 2016 running backs committed, I had hoped he might get squeezed out and end up in Ann Arbor.

Lawrenceville (GA) Archer offensive tackle E.J. Price committed to Georgia. Price grew up in Michigan, recently named the Wolverines his #1 choice, and then committed to the Bulldogs a couple weeks later. He may yet visit Michigan, which would give Jim Harbaugh a chance to flip him, but this is a disappointing development since Price is #10 offensive tackle and #77 overall player in the 2016 class.

Virginia Beach (VA) Ocean Lakes cornerback Levonta Taylor committed to Florida State. The 247 Composite 5-star and #2 cornerback expressed passing interest in the Wolverines’ offer, but he never visited, seemingly destined for the Seminoles for a while.

Folsom (CA) Folsom offensive tackle Jonah Williams committed to Alabama. Williams was offered by the Wolverines back in February and seemed excited about the offer at the time, but he had not mentioned Michigan in recent weeks.

Pompano Beach (FL) Coconut Creek cornerback Malek Young committed to Georgia. Young was offered by Michigan’s previous staff but was not pursued by the new regime.

MISCELLANEOUS
Here’s a list of visitors from this past week/weekend (LINK). One late addition to that list is Fayetteville (NC) Sanford cornerback Mark Gilbert, who visited campus yesterday. Gilbert is a 247 Composite 3-star, the #45 cornerback, and #498 overall. He also has offers from Duke, North Carolina State, Pitt, and West Virginia, among others.

Southfield (MI) Southfield running back Matt Falcon, who holds a Michigan offer, announced a top five that includes Arizona State, Arkansas, Michigan, Oregon, and Tennessee. With the Wolverines taking a commitment from Kingston Davis, it appears they are still interested in another runner. Falcon is a little faster than Davis, although the Southfield product is still good-sized at 6’1″, 215 lbs.

Over on Recruiting Season, I added/updated profiles for: