More On Jordan Elliott's Commitment
Sam Webb caught up with four-star TX DT Jordan Elliott in the wake of his commitment to Michigan; the former Baylor and Houston pledge assured Webb that Ann Arbor is his final destination ($):
That’s yet another reason why he insists his commitment to Michigan is firm. So firm that he answered the question what other schools he’d be visiting before it was done being asked.
“None at all,” he said. “I’m done. No more.”
And how will he respond when other schools persist in recruiting him?
“I won’t respond,” said Elliott.
Elliott mentioned that the coaches plan to play him "all over the line," but initially he'll get the most snaps at defensive end. He's enrolling for the spring semester in April, which means he won't make it in time for spring practice but he'll get a jump start on academics and conditioning.
For more on Elliott, read his commitment post here.
[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]
Hill Finally Decommits
Not much reading between the lines necessary here:
— Ghost (@VertHill21) November 30, 2015
Four-star CB Lavert Hill told me #Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and secondary coach Michael Zordich just left his house for an in-home visit.
— Josh Newkirk (@JoshNewkirk7) November 30, 2015
This was one of the worst-kept secrets in the recruiting world, so it comes as little surprise Hill would decommit after visiting for The Game. He plans to announce at the Army game; while he'll probably take more visits, it'd be a shock if he didn't wind up at Michigan—he's been a constant presence on campus this fall.
Intriguingly, Hill wasn't the only Detroit King prospect to get an in-home visit from the coaches yesterday; Scout's Allen Trieu was the first to report that Jim Harbaugh dropped by to see Donnie Corley ($). Michigan State is still the favorite there, but based on how much the coaches continue to pursue him, they don't think they're out of it.
Georgia Fires Richt
This year's wild coaching carousel was inevitably going to impact recruiting, and Michigan caught a break yesterday when Georgia fired Mark Richt. That affects the recruitments of a couple five-stars. Michigan didn't take long to get on five-star GA TE Isaac Nauta, who got an in-home visit today from Jay Harbaugh, per 247's Steve Lorenz:
Michigan tight ends coach Jay Harbaugh will be out to the IMG Academy on Monday to check in on 2016 five-star tight end Isaac Nauta, Nauta informed Wolverine247 on Monday morning.
Nauta hasn't publicly commented on Richt's firing; it's hard to imagine it does anything but help Michigan.
As for five-star GA ATH Mecole Hardman, let's start with his reaction to last weekend's official visit, via Scout's Chad Simmons:
"I can see myself at Michigan now after the visit and I think I fit in just right there," said Mecole Hardman Jr from the airport in Michigan as he prepared to fly back home Sunday afternoon.
...
"I like how they use Jabrill Peppers on both sides of the ball and just seeing Michigan in person made the visit stand out. I cannot put a number on it, but Michigan is high on my list now."
Michigan is selling Hardman on the possibility he can be used in similar fashion to Peppers. Unfortunately for the Wolverines, Hardman doesn't seem too broken up about Richt leaving Georgia, but the door could open if another Georgia staffer isn't retained, per Rivals' Woody Wommack ($):
"I hope they keep everybody on the staff, especially Coach Pruitt" Hardman said. "I think it would be wrong to get rid of him. I think they should give him the head coaching job. If they get rid of Coach Pruitt I think that's really going to hurt them. I can deal with Coach Richt, but if they get rid of Pruitt, I don't know what will happen."
The AJC reports that while Georgia's players really want Pruitt retained, his relationship with the athletic administration is strained. It looks like Hardman wants to go to Georgia as long as Pruitt is there, but if he isn't—a very real possibility—then Michigan may be the next choice, albeit with plenty of competition.
More Visit Reactions
Reactions are still trickling in from last weekend, but it's clear the result didn't have a major impact on most of the recruits in attendance. Three-star FL WR Pie Young's reaction was short and sweet, per 247's Ryan Bartow:
Wide receiver Keyshawn Young (Miami/Senior) said Michigan "stands on top" following his weekend official visit.
"What I love is the people, the players and it made me feel like home to be there," Young said.
With Dylan Crawford taking a hard look at Oregon, Young is a good bet to end up in the class sooner or later.
One of M's top 2017 targets, four-star NJ C Cesar Ruiz—who's now playing at IMG Academy—told Scout's Corey Bender he felt wanted in Ann Arbor:
"It was great," Ruiz said when asked about his time at Michigan Saturday afternoon. "I love the fans. When I walked through the tunnel, all I heard were fans yelling my name. The thing that interests me the most is the academics."
Ruiz mentioned he's spent more time at Michigan than any other school; the Wolverines look like early favorites.
Coaches, Including Durkin, Hitting The Road
The coaching staff has already spread across the country for in-homes with various top targets. Given the rumors about Maryland, one in particular stands out—DJ Durkin will see four-star FL LB Jonathan Jones on Wednesday—two days after one particular report had him accepting the Maryland job—according to Lorenz.
Lorenz has reported a couple other in-home visits. Mike Zordich and John Baxter will head to Los Angeles on Wednesday to see top-100 CB and Stanford commit David Long, who seems more likely to end up in Ann Arbor than Palo Alto. Tim Drevno, meanwhile, will be in Texas tomorrow to check in on top-100 OT Jean Delance.
According to Scout's Corey Bender, Jay Harbaugh already had an in-home with four-star FL TE Jacob Mathis yesterday. Mathis is a solid Plan B if the Wolverines can't land Nauta.
Attrition Watch: Reese and Weaver
Three-star LB commit David Reese continued his visit tour with an official to Florida last weekend. He told 247's Luke Stampini he had "a great time," and it certainly doesn't sound like he'll stick in this class unless Michigan finds an mid-year enrollment spot for him:
Up next for Reese is official visits to TCU and Texas the next two weekends. His pledge to Michigan still remains, but his desire to enroll in the school of his choice this January could change that pledge.
“I’m committed, but I wasn’t granted early enrollment and that’s what I want to do. I’m looking at other places that will allow it.”
Meanwhile, three-star FL DT Rashad Weaver has set up an official visit to Temple, per 247's Matt Vender:
2016 defensive end/tight end Rashad Weaver (Cooper City/Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Michigan commit) is planning to take an official visit to Temple on the weekend of January 16th, he told Owls247.
Temple has made a recent strong push for Weaver with newly-appointed director of player personnel and fellow Florida native Evan Cooper. Weaver has also heard from head coach Matt Rhule.
This could be a situation where the coaches don't make a strong push to hold onto him.
Etc.
Michigan received some great news for the 2017 class heading into the weekend. Five-star NY OT Isaiah Wilson couldn't hold it in any longer and publicly declared a leader:
I cant hide it anymore. If you havent picked up on it. Michigan is my leader. I love every school in my top 8 but as of right now Mich is it
— (@savagezay74) November 27, 2015
He gave some details to The Wolverine's Brandon Brown ($):
"That program is about to become a dynasty," Wilson said. "With the recruiting they have been doing and the coaching staff that's there, the Wolverines are destined for greatness.
"The fan base is also crazy about their players and recruits and I love that about Michigan."
Wilson already boasts a five-star-level offer sheet; being on top of it this early is a great sign.
Finally, Michigan offered five-star 2018 TE Zack Kuntz, whose interest could be high given he's teammates and close friends with 2016 preferred walk-on commit Michael Shuster.