"Pace Yourself" Isn't In The Harbaugh Lexicon
Michigan's already reeled in ten commitments this month, and with several highly interested prospects set to visit campus soon, recruiting shows no sign of slowing down.
Three-star FL OLB Jonathan Jones has been among the handful of prospects most expected to join the class sooner or later, arrived on campus today for what will be a five-day unofficial visit, per Steve Lorenz. That long a visit is almost unheard of, and while Jones made the very reasonable request for people to stop asking if he'll commit, it's definitely on the table.
Starting next Wednesday, a whole crew will arrive from the east, per Lorenz: four-star PA TE Naseir Upshur, four-star NJ WR Ahmir Mitchell, four-star NJ WR Brad Hawkins, four-star NJ DE Ron Johnson, and 2017 four-star NJ C Cesar Ruiz will all spend three days on campus. Upshur and Johnson both have Michigan at the top of their lists, Mitchell seems like a strong possibility, and Hawkins has Michigan and South Carolina tied at the top.
2017 four-star Paramus Catholic OLB Drew Singleton is expected to visit on Friday, per Lorenz. His five-star 2016 teammate, DT Rashan Gary, told Rivals' Adam Friedman that he plans to be in Ann Arbor on June 25th, and his mother will come along with him ($).
[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup]
More On M's Commits
The Mathlete is a fan of the Ben Bredeson commitment:
At 31st overall, Ben Bredeson is in position to become the highest ranked OL to sign with Michigan in the Internet Era (Schilling at 38)
— Brett Thiessen (@The_Mathlete) June 17, 2015
Before someone jumps in here, Kyle Kalis was 49th.
Three-star TE Sean McKeon told Tim Sullivan he knew on Saturday, two days before he informed the coaches, that he wanted to commit to Michigan ($). First, he participated in Michigan's camp, and according to Scout's Allen Trieu he had the second-best performance of anyone there ($):
Loved how he could bend for his size. Very naturally athletic and catches the ball well. Lean frame with the room to grow. Staff seemed to not just like him, but love him.
The Wolverine's Chris Balas caught up with Rivals' FSU analyst to get a scouting report on cornerback commit Antwaine Richardson, who stood out at the Seminoles' camp ($):
"He has great range, really covers a lot of ground and is very good in coverage," he said. "He's one of the best guys I saw in one on ones. He stood out to me, even though he was a sleeper last year when we saw him and I wasn't focused on him that much. But I was really impressed with his ball skills - that caught my attention. He'll still have some work to do with technique and stuff, but he's going to continue to get better."
TMI's Brice Marich spoke to Josh Metellus after his commitment yesterday, and Metellus feels pretty good about Michigan's chances with his talented teammates:
Metellus is not only Flanagan target the Wolverines are hoping will help with that process. His teammates Devin Gil and Devin Bush are major priorities for the Maize & Blue. Now they’re major priorities for Metellus too.
“I think (Michigan) has a good chance because we all want to play together at the next level,” said Metellus. “I will tell them that Michigan is the place to be because of the new coaching staff in Coach Harbaugh and Coach Durkin and I really think Michigan will be one of the top five teams in the nation.”
A couple commits moved up in the latest 247 rankings. Brandon Petersmoved up a spot in the pro-style QB rankings; he's now sixth at the position and #135 overall following a strong Elite11 semifinals performance. Michael Onwenu made a bigger jump, going from the #5 guard and #140 overall prospect to #1 among guards and 63rd overall.
Worth Keeping An Eye On?
The focus on how Michigan will be able to fit 20+ commits into a class already standing at 15 with several big-time prospects still highly interested has mostly centered on attrition from within the current team, but rumors are swirling that one or two current commits may not end up in the class. Around the time those rumors hit Twitter, this did, too:
Farmington, Mich., LB David Reese, a Michigan commit who had previously committed to Louisville, is visiting U of L campus today.
— Jody Demling (@jdemling) June 17, 2015
We'll see if anything develops. Reese reportedly had a strong showing at Michigan's camp while playing linebacker, but if he thinks he's got a better shot of playing defense—instead of fullback—at another school, he could end up elsewhere.
More 2016 Updates
Four-star OT Terrance Davis told Rivals' Adam Friedman that Michigan is still at the top of his list ($):
"Michigan is the favorite," he said. "I really like the family atmosphere and coach Harbaugh. He's a pretty amazing coach. I got to sit down with him and see what he's about. Coach Drevno is my guy too."
Davis still plans to take visits; he locked in an official to UCLA for January, and he plans to announce a top five before the season that will include Michigan, UCLA, Alabama, Maryland, and a program to be named later.
Michigan will have to fend off several top programs to land four-star TX ILB Dontavious Jackson, but in talking to Sam Webb he certainly sounds like he'd be comfortable in Ann Arbor after a great visit experience in April ($):
“It was wonderful. The fans they’re so enjoyable, so welcoming and they’re very humble people. They’re very accepting. It is almost like I’m home. I can almost do whatever I want. I’m just chillin. I feel relaxed. I don’t have to be all (uptight) when walking around.”
Jackson's teammate, three-star Chris Brown, told Webb that Michigan is recruiting him at corner, and he'll be back on campus for an official visit:
Sam Webb: Has Michigan talked about getting back up there for an official visit
Chris Brown: “Yes.”
Sam Webb: Do you think you’ll do that
Chris Brown: “Oh yes, Michigan will definitely be one of my official visits.”
Oklahoma is the other school he's "for sure" going to see on an official.
Etc.
Happy trails to three-star TX WDE Rahssan Thornton, who committed to LSU, and three-star IN RB Toks Akinribade, who committed to Iowa. Thornton was a target Michigan had high interest in, while the pursuit of Akinribade cooled when the Wolverines added multiple backs to the class.
Michigan offered 2017 five-star dual-threat QB Tate Martell, who plays for Las Vegas powerhouse Bishop Gorman, per Tim Sullivan. He's a Los Angeles native, and USC appears to be the school to beat.
If you missed them, I strongly encourage you to check out Adam Schnepp's interviews with Michael Onwenu, Corey Malone-Hatcher, Chase Claypool, and Xavier Kelly. Click here for part one, and here for part two.