Name: Mook Reynolds
Position: Cornerback
Ht/Wt: 6’0" / 175 lbs.
Location: Northern Guilford - Greensboro, NC (2015)
Offers: Virginia Tech (COMMITTED), Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, Duke, East Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee
Rating: ★★★★ .9024 (247 Composite)
Ranking: #263 NAT / #23 CB (247 Composite)
FILM
In the wake of the Shaun Crawford decommitment the Michigan staff identified Mook Reynolds as a potential replacement and offered him on June 11. Reynolds himself is currently committed to Virginia Tech, but has decided that he will look around just a little bit before finalizing where he'd like to play his college football.
Jamon "Mook" Reynolds was nicknamed by his mother as a baby and it has stuck with him his entire life. While his nickname might make you chuckle, his game and his confidence definitely will not.
"I think of 'Mook' as sort of an alter-ego on the field," he explained. "I am really physical, versatile, and will lay the wood to anybody. When people watch me play they will see me everywhere doing everything. I hate losing more than I like winning. I don't care what it's in, I live to win."
As a current Virginia Tech commit, Reynolds has been compared to former Hokie and recent first round draft pick, Kyle Fuller. At roughly the same size and with a similar skill set, the comparison seems appropriate.
The term "Virginia Tech commit" could be temporary as Reynolds has recently drawn attention from several big time schools, four of which he plans on checking out more closely.
"Michigan, Notre Dame, Georgia, and Tennessee are involved now," Reynolds said. "Those are my most recent offers but right now I'm still committed to Virginia Tech. I'm going to take my visits to those four schools and go from there."
Michigan recruiting buffs are well aware of the BBQ at The Big House. This year Reynolds will be in attendance on July 27th for the event, a plan that he set up through Coach Manning. Reynolds cited his relationship with the new cornerbacks coach as a reason why he's now so interested in the Wolverines.
"The relationship I have with Coach Manning is the only connection I have to Michigan," Reynolds said. "He's a really cool guy even outside of football. He's about his business and is really excited about coaching the corners. He loves Michigan football too and you can tell. He's cool."
Coach Manning isn't the only thing Reynolds likes about Michigan. He pointed out the program's rich history, legacy and tradition as other aspects that he appreciates.
Reynolds doesn't have any other visits scheduled at this point so it's impossible to say whether the BBQ visit will be a great first impression of the four programs or if it will have a lasting impression as one of his final visits. Either way, the fact that he has the Michigan visit in place before the others can't be a bad thing.
Even though his visits aren't all on the calendar yet, Reynolds knows what he's looking for and has a very level head when it comes to his approach to his recruitment.
"After I take my visits I'm really not sure how my recruitment will finish out. Only time will tell," he said. "If I do what's best for me, it shouldn't be a tough decision though. I'll just take my time with it. I know that I want to play early, I want to win, and I want to have a better opportunity to advance to the next level. I know those are lofty goals, but it keeps me focused."
THE VIBE
5 – Trending Blue
4 – Solidly in a top 2-3
3 – Contender in a top 3-7
2 – Among large (8-15) group under consideration
1 – Let’s see if he visits before we talk
0 – Passing interest or none
Reynolds is currently committed to Virginia Tech but he didn't hide the fact that he'd like to look around. Right now it seems as if Michigan has as good a shot as any of the other four schools to impress and flip him. The BBQ visit will be big as usual for curious recruits and his relationship with Coach Manning also seems to be trending in the right direction. As the end of July approaches it will be interesting to see if he has scheduled or even engaged in any of the other potential visits. As he said, only time will tell.