2015 Quarterbacks: Wimbush, Waller Next?
Sam Webb knows things. So, when he pens a DetNews article on 2015 quarterbacks that features two unoffered prospects, it's a good bet that Michigan is strongly considering them for the next wave of offers. The first quarterback mentioned is dual-threat NJ four-star Brandon Wimbush:
One that appears to be becoming an increasingly viable option is Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peters standout Brandon Wimbush. Ranked a four-star prospect and the No. 14 quarterback in the country by Scout.com, the 6-2, 205-pound signal caller currently holds offers from Ohio State, Penn State, Miami, Virginia Tech, Michigan State, and a host of others.
“Wimbush has a big-time arm and showed it his junior season, which was his first as a starter,” Scout.com East Regional Manager Brian Dohn said. “He has huge hands, spins the ball well, can throw the 15-yard out on a line, and throws a nice deep ball. He is also a threat running and can make defenders miss. He needs to improve his intermediate throws and his accuracy, but could become a program-building quarterback.”
His highlights are above, and it'll take four plays at most before you're convinced he goes in the "DO WANT" category. After initially planning to make an early decision—which likely would've been in favor of Ohio State—he's taking his time after "other schools came in to play." Michigan would have their work cut out for them if they offer—the coaches plan to see him throw in the spring. Wimbush seems like a prospect worth putting in the effort; Webb notes he doesn't plan on visiting Ann Arbor unless he receives an offer.
Also featured in Webb's article is dual-threat CA four-star Travis Waller, another quarterback prospect seeing an uptick in Michigan interest since the Doug Nussmeier hire. Based on the type of quarterback Nussmeier appears interested in—big-armed prospects who can run—and this quote from Waller, you can get a sense of how the new OC wants the offense to look:
“(Michigan) came out about a month ago and then I talked to Coach Nuss on Twitter,” Waller said. “I gave him a call and we talked about how definitely I can fit into their program and make things happen – (how) I can help make them become a winning football team. (We talked about) how I bring my athleticism to the table, extend plays, and do the spread offense. He also told me, ‘We’re not just spread. We also do under center, single back -- that type of stuff.’ I was actually excited to hear that. I actually do like to drop back. Being in shotgun is fun, but I also like to go under center. So that’s what I like to hear. Coach Nuss said we’re going to get this thing started.
I'm all for keeping spread elements a part of the offense, and Michigan's focus on quarterbacks that threaten in the run game is fine by me.
Also in that article: Alex Malzone, who recently received his first major conference offer from Wake Forest, still wants one from Michigan and plans to visit for a spring practice, as does Waller. Meanwhile, QB guru Steve Clarkson goes full Fred Jackson when discussing his pupil, David Sills:
“I will tell you, if you like Johnny Manziel, he is a taller version of that without the off-the-field stuff.”
Sills's situation is one to monitor going forward; he has an offer from Michigan, but it was extended by Al Borges, not Nussmeier. Sills has, in my opinion, the least impressive film of the quarterbacks fielding serious Michigan interest; he's also among the lowest-rated. My guess is he'll have to show a whole lot more to Nussmeier in a throwing session if that offer is going to be committable. He's slated to visit on Thursday, so we might get some clarification on his situation soon.
[Hit THE JUMP for a new 2016 offer, updates on Mike Weber and Keisean Lucier-South, and more.]
New 2016 Offer: Shaquille Quarterman
Skip to 1:45 for actual football highlights, though the intro is surprisingly entertaining
Michigan extended an offer to 2016 FL LB Shaquille Quarterman yesterday, and though he already holds offers from the likes of Auburn and Georgia, he told Tim Sullivan that he's very interesting in what the Wolverines have to offer ($):
"I actually found out through my head coach," Quarterman explained. "At first, he asked me how I feel about Michigan, and I said I really like them and I'm really interested. He said, 'well, they just offered you.' I was ecstatic. I didn't really expect it. I've talked to them, but I haven't really talked to the staff that much, so for them to offer me, I was lost for words.
Quarterman plans to visit Ann Arbor this summer.
Another linebacker could be on the verge of an offer, this one from the 2015 class. 247 Composite three-star Landis Durham told Sam Webb he feels he's close to an offer, and it sounds like he'd be interested should one come ($):
Sam Webb: Give me your take on Michigan at this point. What do you know at all and what do you think about Michigan at this point?
Landis Durham: “I’d love to play in the Big House, I tell you that much. You know they have the most wins in college football history, right? The tradition of winning is there for sure. I love to win. I’m real competitive. I definitely would not mind going there.”
Durham is considering Michigan for an official visit. He also mentioned that the SEC is his "dream conference," so he's definitely in the wait-and-see category.
Mike Weber Update
2015 Cass Tech four-star RB Mike Weber visited for the Indiana game and told 247's Steve Lorenz that it was "a real good visit," with one of the highlights being a chance to meet Charles Woodson ($). He also said what most have inferred from his recruitment—the change in offensive coordinators gave Michigan a major boost:
"It's definitely changed since they fired the last guy and brought in Coach Nussmeier," Weber said. "I like talking to him. I believe what he tells me and he's someone I wouldn't mind playing for. I was kind of disappointed earlier in the process because Michigan was the school I grew up rooting for and things kind of faded away. It's picked up a lot lately and it's becoming clear to me that I'm a player they want and that feels good."
Quite the Al Borges burn, that. Weber claims no leaders at this time among his top group of U-M, MSU, Tennessee, and Wisconsin; with plans to be back in Ann Arbor for a spring practice, though, it's clear the Wolverines are making a strong push towards the top of his list.
Etc.
Steve Lorenz posted a free update on 2015 top-100 WDE Keisean Lucier-South.
Scout's Chad Simmons posted a free update on recently offered 2015 OT EJ Price, who grew up in Michigan as a Wolverine fan before moving to Georgia in his freshman year.
Michigan looks to be in good position for 2016 St. Clair Shores RB Martell Pettaway, who visited last weekend—he's been a very consistent presence on campus—and told Lorenz that the Wolverines are putting in the most effort to land him ($):
At this point, no schools are standing out for Pettaway, but Michigan, Michigan State and Tennessee are three schools believed to be recruiting him particularly hard, with the Wolverines coming the strongest.
"Michigan is definitely recruiting me hardest right now," he said. "I'll be up there again real soon for a couple spring practices and just let things keep going. I had a great time on my Tennessee visit as well. They had a great campus, southern hospitality and the layout of the program really stood out to me.
While Pettaway has yet to receive any offers, he projects to be one of the top in-state prospects in his class; Ohio State is also showing interest.
Per Brandon, 2015 four-star CT TE Chris Clarkhas Michigan in his top eight, with a visit to Ann Arbor coming March 23rd.
Happy trails to 2015 four-star TN OT Drew Richmond, who named a top 11 that didn't include Michigan, per Rivals ($).