My Bad, Everyone
The roundtable that went up today featured a writeup on top-100 KS DE Xavier Kelly in which I mentioned Alabama and Michigan were reportedly the two schools standing out to him. I wrote my portion of that post last week. Over the weekend, Kelly visited Georgia for the second time. Michigan's standing isn't as strong in the aftermath, per 247's Kipp Adams ($):
While Kelly feels each of the schools in his top eight have their own unique advantages, he did name a few that are standing out right now.
"I think the three would be Clemson, Georgia, and maybe Michigan," Kelly said. "Alabama is up there too. Nothing is official though."
This could be reading too much into one word, but that "maybe" is ominous.
Dave's roundtable choice is looking much better. Four-star PA TE Naseir Upshur is focused on two schools, according to a source who passed info along to 247's Clint Brewster ($):
"Michigan or Florida State," the source told Wolverine247. "Alabama and Miami are really involved and could make a run but Michigan and Florida State have the best shot. I expect him to be at one of those two schools."
When it comes to FSU-related recruiting news, Brewster's going to get some solid intel; his father, former Minnesota head coach Tim Brewster, is the Noles' O-line coach and recruiting coordinator. In a potentially promising turn of events, Upshur wasn't able to make a previously scheduled visit to Tallahassee last weekend. He's scheduled to visit Ann Arbor for the BBQ on August 2nd with a decision date set for August 8th, though he's waffled a bit on that timeline in recent weeks. If Upshur sticks to that schedule, Michigan is in very good shape.
[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]
More 2016 Updates: Butler, Fuller, Fehoko
2016 Ohio DB Tony Butler has a top four of Arizona State, Michigan, Rutgers & Clemson. Decision likely late December pic.twitter.com/rrMdTEu5I2
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) July 17, 2015
With an extended decision timeline, we'll see if Michigan has room if Tony Butler tries to commit in December.
While there hasn't been much to suggest Michigan will ultimately land four-star NJ CB Jordan Fuller, they're among the first schools mentioned when he discussed potential official visits with Scout's Brian Dohn:
"I’m looking at Ohio State, Penn State, Notre Dame, Michigan," he told Scout. "Maybe Rutgers, maybe TCU. UCLA maybe. I’m still looking at things."
The Buckeyes hold a decided edge on Fuller's Crystal Ball.
Happy trails to four-star UT WR Simi Fehoko, who committed to Stanford over the weekend.
Early Leader For Tarik Black
247's Tom Loy spoke to a handful of prospects at the FBU Top Gun camp in Ohio last weekend. Among them was 2017 top-100 CT WR Tarik Black, who has Michigan out in front early... with a caveat:
“Michigan,” said Black. “They make me feel comfortable. They make me feel at home. They make me feel wanted. I loved it up there. It was a great environment. I just felt comfortable.”
The 6-3, 185-pounder has the Wolverines out front, but says he wants to hear more from Notre Dame, Clemson and Florida State. However, he did say that Ohio State is his dream offer.
“They’ve been my favorite team since I was in the 8th grade,” said Black. “Ted Ginn, he was my favorite player.”
I guess we can feel good about M's chances right up to the point when Ohio State extends an offer.
Etc.
It was a great week for NOTY candidates hitting the Twitter feed. First, CBSSports' Tom Fornelli stumbled upon Rowdy Frederick, a three-star guard from Oklahoma who's been touring Big 12 country with his co-star, Rowdy Frederick's Mullet:
Great day at TU watching practice #Canes@OLCoachMattoxpic.twitter.com/AnF5SGSckt
— Rowdy Frederick (@Rowdy_Frederick) March 12, 2015
When your name is that good, you don't need to get creative with the Twitter handle. And yet, Frederick's was only the second-best name to show up in recruiting headlines last week, because...
The #Huskers gain the verbal of Miami CB speedster DiCaprio Bootle on Thursday http://t.co/lkEBm478n5pic.twitter.com/qxov8Dqb3p
— CornNation (@CornNation) July 16, 2015
DICAPRIO BOOTLE. Catch him if you can.
I'll depart on that note.