Gary Return A Distinct Possibility
It's been a good week on the Rashan Gary news front. Jennifer Coney, mother of the five-star defensive lineman, gave an extended interview to 247Sports that contains a couple significant developments. First off, they're leaning towards a return visit to Ann Arbor:
"It would definitely be in January right before Signing Day," she said. "We are leaning that way. I want him to go there one more time before he decides. His sister, my husband, all of us will be there."
A visit from Gary would be his fourth to Michigan's campus as a recruit. He's already been on his official visit for the game against BYU and was on campus twice during the off-season.
Paying their way to take the whole family to campus right before Signing Day when Gary's already seen it three times is hard to take as anything but a great sign. So, too, is this quote from Coney about Gary's official visit to Auburn, the program considered the top contender for him aside from Michigan:
"They showed us a video, the day in the life of a football player," Coney told the SEC Recruiting Buzz podcast. "At the end, I was so unimpressed, they said, 'Are you okay?' I said, 'This is not what I came down here for.' "
While Coney added that Auburn then had her meet with multiple academic advisors, which she found far more impressive than the presentation, but that still stands in stark contrast to her quotes about Michigan's academic presentation—and both Coney and Gary have maintained academics will be a significant factor when the time comes to make a decision.
Michigan also looks to be in great shape with one of the top overall prospects in the 2017 class. Five-star NY OT Isaiah Wilson has Michigan in his top eight with plans to narrow his list to four soon and make a decision this summer; given that timeline, the visit plans he gave Rivals' Adam Friedman are very encouraging ($):
"I haven't begun planning a lot of things yet," he said. "I know that I might go to the Penn State game against Michigan. It depends on the cars and who is driving. In February I plan on visiting Michigan for the basketball game against Michigan State. I know that's going to be crazy. In the spring I will take some visits but nothing is set in stone yet. I don't have a schedule or dates."
It's important to note that neither Penn State nor Michigan State are in his top eight.
[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]
Brandon Peters Is Probably Not The Worst
Brandon Peters' senior season ended in a dramatic double-overtime state semifinal loss; while that's unfortunate, it means we can now enjoy the full highlights from his senior season, and there are definitely some highlights.
I watched Peters in two full games—one live, one televised—this season and the above is representative; he can unleash the dragon when he wants while also showing an advanced ability to put touch on the ball and make life easy on his receivers. He's made a strong a case for being the best quarterback in the class; the Army All-American Bowl agrees, as Peters is one of only three QBs among the 16 semifinalists for their Player of the Year award.
Meanwhile, Michigan added another preferred walk-on last week, as Grand Rapids West Catholic DE Carl Myersannounced his commitment on Twitter. Myers has a scholarship offer from Air Force. Michigan is going to end up with some legitimiate contributors from their greatly increased emphasis on landing PWOs.
2016 Updates: Three On Top For Bush
The race looks to be tightening for four-star FL ILB Devin Bush Jr., per Scout's Jason Caldwell ($):
Getting ready to visit Michigan in two weeks and having already visited Florida State, Bush said for him it’s a three-team race as he prepares to make a decision sometime in December.
“They are in the mix with all three,” Bush said of Auburn. “Some schools jump ahead and some don’t. Auburn is up there.
“It’s like a three-way tie right now.”
Insiders at all three programs seem to be optimistic about their respective chances; Michigan could have the edge with the all-important last visit before his decision.
Four-star FL DT and USC commit Keyshon Camp already took an official to Ann Arbor and he's now set to be back on an unofficial for The Game, per Lorenz.
Four-star TX OT Jean Delance will announce his decision at the Under Armour game on January 2nd, per Scout's Greg Powers. He'll officially visit Michigan for The Game and has another official set up to Alabama; Texas is also a major player.
Four-star AZ DE Connor Murphy told Rivals' Blair Angulo that Oregon, Arizona State, USC, and Michigan will receive official visits from him before he makes his choice. Alabama has also been in contact and could become a significant contender if they want him.