DTR to LAX
Four-star NV QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Michigan's longtime top target at quarterback, took to Twitter last night to announce his commitment to UCLA.
The coaches already have two potential replacements lined up, and in fact have been telling quarterback prospects that they plan to take two in this cycle despite a relatively small projected class. Steve Lorenz says he's "as close as you can get" to putting in a crystal ball pick for four-star FL QB Joe Milton, who visited for the spring game.
The other option is three-star AZ QB Tyler Shough, who 247's Isaiah Hole reports received a visit from Pep Hamilton before Michigan took off for Italy. Shough has a visit to Ann Arbor set for mid-May and all of his crystal ball picks, including one from Steve Wiltfong, are for the Wolverines, though he recently picked up an Alabama offer. While Michigan missed out on DTR, they look set to land a quarterback in the relatively near future.
A similar situation is playing out at tight end. Four-star FL TE Will Mallory, a legacy prospect, chose Miami (YTM) over Michigan and several other blue-blood programs on Friday. Lorenz says Michigan remains in "excellent position" with four-star TX TE Mustapha Muhammad, a spring game visitor, and it looks like a M-OSU race for four-star NY TE Jeremy Ruckert; if the Wolverines can land both, they won't try to pick things back up with Mallory.
[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]
Hoops: Cam Johnson Eliminates Michigan
Pittsburgh graduate transfer Cameron Johnson told ESPN his final six: Arizona, Kentucky, Ohio State, Oregon, UCLA, TCU.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 21, 2017
Moving on to hoops for a moment, Michigan didn't make the cut for Pitt grad transfer wing Cameron Johnson. While Johnson is the most coveted of the grad transfers Michigan is pursuing, his skills overlap more with the current players on the roster than the other potential additions: Wright State's Mark Alstork, Ohio's Jaaron Simmons, and Howard's James Daniel III.
Daniel is set to visit campus on May 29th, which is after the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline, so Michigan will have a better idea of the roster outlook; he has additional visits lined up for Ohio State and Tennessee.
On the recruiting front, Michigan has offers out to four 2018 prospects: four-star SG Cormac Ryan, four-star SG Robby Carmody, four-star SF Jerome Hunter, and four-star PF Brandon Johns (who John Beilein visited personally last week). During the April evaluation period, the coaches took a look at a couple more prospects who could garner offers down the road. Four-star TX combo guard Jamal Bieniemy has added several offers of late, and The Wolverine's Chris Balas reports he's likely to add one from Michigan on an official visit this fall:
Oklahoma offered last week, while Houston, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and Creighton offered previously. He’s planning a fall official visit to Ann Arbor, at which point he’ll likely pick up another.
“I’m very excited. Growing up, I always liked Michigan for some reason,” he said. “They always drew my attention. It’s a blessing have them looking at me.
“I watched them a lot. My principal [a Michigan fan] always keeps me updated on Michigan at my school. And being away doesn’t bother me at all. I like the cold.”
Rivals' Corey Evans reports that Michigan is one of three Big Ten schools pursuing four-star OH SF Pete Nance, son of former NBA player Larry Nance and younger brother of current NBA player and one-time Michigan recruit Larry Nance Jr.; Evans says it would "be an upset" if Nance didn't end up at Michigan, Northwestern, or Purdue.
Not Grudging 2019 Section Because STEELE CHAMBERS
Michigan hosted 2019 GA RB STEELE CHAMBERS last week, and the very nature of his visit suggests the Wolverines are in great shape, per TMI's Brice Marich:
“I flew there from Atlanta at 8 am and flew back at 8 pm, but it was well worth the tough trip,” Chambers told The Michigan Insider.
One-day out-of-region unofficials indicate serious interest, and that interest is being reciprocated by Michigan:
“Everyone there seemed so real like they sincerely cared about you as a person and student, not just about what you can do on a football field,” said Chambers. “They truly made me feel welcome. They took their time with me. The equipment manager even knew what jersey number I wore in middle school. That was crazy.”
Chambers is already eyeing a return trip with his family for the Ohio State game. It's early, but Michigan looks like the team to beat for yet another Georgia prospect.
Etc.
Five-star PA DE Micah Parsons decommitted from Penn State last night, prompting a run of Ohio State crystal ball picks. While Michigan has offered Parsons, it doesn't appear they're at the forefront of his recruitment; Lorenz says it's probably between Clemson, OSU, and USC. Go Not Buckeyes.
ESPN unveiled their first full 2018 top 300. Michigan commits:
- Emil Ekiyor is #57 overall (#3 OG)
- Myles Sims is #157 overall (#12 S)
- Otis Reese is #216 overall (#9 OLB)
- Christian Turner is #268 overall (#18 RB)
- Aidan Hutchinson is #276 overall (#28 DE)
Gemon and German Green's rankings remain unchanged from when they committed; Gemon is a four-star and the #42 cornerback—the last CB in the top 300 is ranked #32 at the position—and German is unranked.