Time To Not Watch This Highlight Video Again
After previously being eliminated in a move that came as a surprise, Michigan is back in the mix for four-star NC DT Alim McNeill. McNeill had planned to announce his decision on September 9th, almost certainly for stated leader NC State, but with some nudging from the Wolverines he's put that decision off until he can take some official visits, per Scout's Michael Clark:
“I’m going to take some official visits before I decide,” said the 6-foot-2, 272-pound McNeill. “I’m definitely taking officials to Michigan, N.C. State and Virginia Tech.”
Michigan is making a late push for McNeill.
“They’re just Michigan,” McNeill said. “Coach (Jim) Harbaugh and the coaching staff stand out. I also like the tradition and they’ve always been a top football program.
“I had a talk with (defensive coordinator) coach (Don) Brown. Coach Brown really sold me on their defensive tradition.
“He talked about how they feel they could develop me as a player and how they could use me in the defense. He said they like my versatility. I’m ready to go up there and see what they have to offer.”
McNeill maintains NC State leads the pack, while Virginia Tech is also in his top group and Florida State is lurking. That said, it's always good to be the school the causes a prospect to rethink his timeline. This one should get interesting if/when McNeill makes it to campus. Getting back into contention with him is big for Michigan, which is in contention but not the outright leader for their top defensive tackle targets in the 2018 class—adding McNeill back into a target group including Tyler Friday, Michael Thompson, and Rick Sandidge makes it that much more likely they'll land at least one coveted DT.
I continue to recommend against watching his sophomore highlight video.
[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]
Weekend Visits: Just Hoops Again
If it hasn't become totally apparent that Michigan is loading up the MSU and OSU games with football visits, this is the second straight home game that M doesn't host any notable football visitors. (There may be some 2020 kids on campus. I do not care yet.)
After 2018 prospects Ignas Brazdeikis and Justin Ahrens had strong official visits last weekend, John Beilein and his staff will host four-star MD SG Noah Locke for the Air Force game.
Michigan was in today for Rivals150 McDonogh guard Noah Locke; he visits Ann Arbor this weekend @Balas_Wolverine
— Corey Evans (@coreyevans_10) September 14, 2017
Locke was the best outside shooter in this summer's EYBL, draining 64 of 141 attempts (45%) over 21 games for Team Melo. While he's undersized for a two-guard at 6'2", he has an obvious fit in Beilein's system. Locke has taken officials to Ohio State, Providence, and Xavier, and he has one more lined up to Florida after this weekend's visit.
2019 Updates: Belleville Duo Plan To Visit
Scout's Allen Trieu caught up with Belleville head coach Jermain Crowell, who told him that top-100 2019 prospects Devontae Dobbs and Julian Barnettwill make their way to campus this season—quite possibly twice:
"I know they're going to a Michigan game. I know they're going to Michigan-Michigan State game here. There are two big games at Michigan they're talking about going to (note: we assume the other is Ohio State). And I know they both love Michigan State, so I think they'll be going back there."
Crowell spent most of the article praising the job Ohio State has done recruiting those two, so the general outlook here hasn't changed; Michigan has ground to make up.
After a visit to Ohio State, four-star 2019 FL OT Michael Tarquin gave Bucknuts's Bill Kurelic a top four of sorts:
The Buckeyes aren’t alone in wanting Tarquin. The 6-foot-5 and 290-pound tackle has 17 scholarship offers including Ohio State, Florida State, Miami, Clemson, Auburn, Michigan, South Carolina, Tennessee, Michigan State, Arizona State and Texas A&M.
“Ohio State is extremely high on my list,” Tarquin said. “I’d say they are at the top with a few others. Miami, Michigan, and Clemson is also high.”
His Crystal Ball currently has three Miami picks and a Michigan State pick that, uh, probably should be flipped to someone else.
Speaking of the Crystal Ball, 247's Steve Wiltfong put in a Michigan pick for 2019 four-star MO WR Marcus Washington. Wiltfong also has a Michigan pick in for Washington's Trinity Christian teammate, top-100 2019 ATH Isaiah Williams. Both have already been to campus before.