KLS Update: Another Contender Emerges
Michigan and UCLA have long been the top contenders for five-star CA WDE/OLB Keisean Lucier-South. After Lucier-South's first official visit, however, there appears to be more competition, per Rivals' Adam Gorney ($):
"From that visit, I was really surprised with Oklahoma and I really like them," Lucier-South said. "I just love how they work the team. I love the program. The players said the coaches are all for the players and they care about the players first and it's just like a big family.
"The whole town cares about the football team. I really like that. Oklahoma is doing great right now. I'm not going to say who my leader is but they're improving and they're doing a great job."
KLS's primary recruiter at Oklahoma is Jerry Montgomery, whom you may remember as the former Michigan D-line coach. While that would add a cruel twist if KLS ends up in Norman, U-M still gets their opportunity to impress on their own official visit when the five-star comes to Ann Arbor for the Penn State game.
[Hit THE JUMP for updates on Thiyo Lukusa's upcoming decision, new 2016 OL offers, a potential late in-state offer, and Wake Forest taking the photoshop recruiting game to creepy new lows.]
2016 OL Updates: Lukusa Decision Upcoming, 2 New Offers
Four-star 2016 Traverse City West OL Thiyo Lukusa strongly considered committing to Michigan this spring, and while contact between Lukusa and U-M has waned recently, the Wolverines should still have a good shot and landing him when he decides in the near future, per 247's Steve Lorenz ($):
Michigan 2016 OL target Thiyo Lukusa tweeted Tuesday morning that he will make his college decision by December 1st.
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One other thing worth noting is that Lukusa is indeed a take for this staff. In fact, the rumors that it was the coaching staff that told Lukusa to slow down his process when he looked to commit during the spring are not true. It was Lukusa who backed off from making the pledge.
Lukusa holds notable offers from Michigan State, Ohio State, and Wisconsin, so this is by no means a lock for Michigan. We'll see if, and how much, the coaching staff decides to turn up the heat as Lukusa nears a decision.
Five-star 2016 Cincinnati Elder OL Tommy Kraemer received a Michigan offer on Tuesday night, and it was one he had been waiting on, per Scout's Dave Berk ($):
“It’s exciting,” said Kraemer. “I talked with Coach (Brady) Hoke and he apologized for not offering earlier. He said they had to do some more background on me to make sure I was a good kid, but it’s exciting to finally have it as it is one of those offers I wanted when the recruiting process started.”
The coaches are hoping Kraemer will be able to visit for the Penn State game; he has to talk to his coaches and parents to see if that will work. Regardless, there's definitely mutual interest here, though Notre Dame and Ohio State will be major players in his recruitment throughout the process.
Michigan also offered four-star 2016 MD OL JP Urquidez this week, per Lorenz ($):
"I've been in contact with Coach Mallory for the last few weeks or so," Urquidez said. "I was talking with him tonight and kind of asked him where things stood with Michigan right now because I'm interested in them and he let me know that I had a scholarship offer. I'm excited about Michigan because they've always produced dominant offensive linemen. They're immediately high on my list now that I have an offer."
Urquidez already has an extensive, impressive offer sheet, and that only looks to grow, but he's looking to take an unofficial to Ann Arbor this fall; if that goes down, Michigan should be a contender in a crowded field.
A Late 2015 Offer?
According to Steve Lorenz, Michigan has stepped up their interest in three-star 2015 Oak Park RB/DB John Kelly, and while Kelly's recruitment has recently narrowed to an MSU/Minnesota battle, he sounds quite willing to consider the Wolverines ($):
"It's never too late," Kelly said. "They're recruiting me at either wide receiver or defensive back right now. I am going to be heading to a game soon, I just don't know which one yet."
Despite the fact that his recruitment is currently down to Michigan State and Minnesota, a Michigan offer could really shake things up. The biggest reason why? Kelly's relationship with current Michigan commitment Michael Weber. Weber is hoping Michigan starts to recruit Kelly.
"If he visits for a game, I'm going to be right there with him," Weber said. "I think they need to recruit him."
I really like this move; Kelly has been one of the most productive players in the state for the last couple years, and he was the best player on the field when Cass Tech faced off against Oak Park in this season's Prep Kickoff Classic. If Michigan has the room to take him, he'd be a great addition to the class.
Caring Is Creepy, Vol. Oh Dear God You Can't Be Serious
This is just bizarre:
Wake Photoshops Recruit With Kim K., Nicknames Them 'KimGera': http://t.co/vSdyvRw4MH This is sad. pic.twitter.com/mZYOZkWalA
— LostLettermen.com (@LostLettermen) September 16, 2014
I mean, I'm pretty sure there's a better chance KimGera actually happens despite the rather large age gap than the ACC living up to Wake Forest's claim of being the Real Power Conference.
No, Wake Forest didn't stop there, because recruiting is hell-bent on making us all feel as deeply uncomfortable with our life choices as humanly possible.