If you have recruiting tips or questions, tweet @varsityblue or email t.w.sullivan1@gmail.com. All-time updates live on the Michigan Football Recruiting Board.
Every Prospect in America Goes Blue
Since last we spoke, Michigan has picked up 6 commitments, with a few more likely to drop before Signing Day. It's HOKEMANIA season in Ann Arbor.
Brady Hoke started the commitment parade by gettin' his snake oil on, yanking OH CB Tamani Carter from Minnesota's commit list. Hello: Tamani Carter.
Carter had previously been committed to Stanford, but when Harbaugh left for the NFL, reconsidered that. Local article:
"Tamani had a very special season," said Central coach Jay Sharrett to ThisWeek last fall. "When we needed a pivotal play, he was always there for us. Whether we needed a big reception, interception or fumble recovery. Tamani was the guy who made plays that won games for us."
Read delusional Minnesota message board reactions here. Carter's high school coach tells Mark Snyder that Hoke's days at Ball State made him comfortable with the staff.
Helloooooo Heitzman (sorry). OH DE/TE Keith Heitzman has said he's being recruited mostly for defense, but it remains to be seen what will happen with all these guys once they sign.
MI CB Raymon Taylor has seemed like a pending Michigan commit since receiving his offer from the Wolverines, and... Hello: Raymon Taylor. A bit more on his game from Touch the Banner.
Tom spoke with CA K Matt Wile's coach shortly following his commitment, and he had this to say:
"It's no surprise that's where Matt ended up. You have a heck of a coach, and you got a heck of a kicker."
Prior to the commitment, things looked positive, per Sam Webb article and TomVH interview. Hello: Matt Wile.
The developments with TX QB Russell Bellomy happened fast, as he visited campus over the past two days. Before leaving yesterday, he committed to Michigan. Hello: Russell Bellomy. Brady Hoke seems to be reinforcing the new Michigan tradition of stealing a commit from Purdue in one's first recruiting class.
Michigan has offered OH LB Antonio Poole ($, info in header). Wolverine coaches were in Cincinnati earlier this week to check in on him. Last night, he made it official. Hello: Antonio Poole. Video (HT: @MikeDyer):
That's 6 Hello posts in 6 days. Stay tuned for more.
Sealing the Deal and Who's Up Next?
FL OL Commit Tony Posada firmed up his commitment ($, info in header) on the visit.
MD CB Commit Blake Countess hosted defensive coordinator Greg Mattison last night, and has reaffirmed his commitment to the Wolverines.
OH TE/LB Frank Clark had a "great Michigan visit" ($, info in header). He announces on Friday, and Michigan is in a strong position.
Arizona's Scout site thinks IL OL Chris Bryant is still favoring Michigan. Even though he visited Pittsburgh a couple weeks back, the Panthers must not be too confident, as they added a JuCo offensive lineman on Monday ($, info in header). He visited Illinois over the weekend, and announces on Friday.
CO LB Leilon Willingham, a Texas A&M commit, visited Michigan last weekend... instead of taking his official to Texas A&M. That probably says a lot about his interest in Michigan, and meeting TX LB Commit Kellen Jones probably doesn't hurt. Willingham had been thinking about a decision today, but will visit UCF this weekend and plans to announce on Signing Day.
Upcoming Visits
MI RB Thomas Rawls will announce at his school next Wednesday, and he "hopes for surprise" ($, info in header). Given that Central Michigan is his only current offer, it will be tough for him to surprise anyone - unless the surprise is that he's gotten a qualifying test score and therefore a Michigan offer. He wants to visit this weekend, so stay tuned.
Michigan has shown interest in OH FB Trayion Durham. His high school coach says if they plan to offer, he'll know by (last) Friday. He decommitted from Wisconsin in December, and is an unconfirmed commitment to Kent State. He is one of the nation's top fullbacks, and may visit Ann Arbor this weekend.
TX TE Chris Barnett will visit Michigan this weekend. He's backed off an Arkansas commitment. He visited Miami last weekend, but it wasn't enough to pull them ahead of the Hogs ($, info in header).
AZ OL Ryan Nowicki, a Penn State commit, plans to visit this weekend.
Despite positive vibes, Tom says not to get your hopes up for MD DT Darian Cooper unless the kid schedules an official to Ann Arbor despite Brady Hoke's in-home visit ($, info in header). He spoke with Michigan DC Greg Mattison on Sunday and hosted the former Ravens coach in-home yesterday. GERG2 had "interesting" things to say, and Cooper's also been hearing from Commit Blake Countess about Michigan. If Cooper visits Michigan this weekend, consider the Wolverines back in the running.
Michigan is recruiting TX DE Brandon Alexander, and dropped in for a visit with him. His coach thinks he's likely to stay close to home, but the Wolverines may get a visit this weekend.
TX DE Devon Moreland, an SMU commit, might visit this weekend.
LA CB Floyd Raven has scheduled two official visits for the final two weeks before Signing Day ($, info in header). Intrepid mgouser UM_lawful uncovers that he was planning to be in Ann Arbor this weekend, but after re-affirming his Ole Miss commitment, that may not happen.
Happy Trails
CA CB Stefan McClure's post-visit article doesn't have a positive header ($), which is probably a bad sign for landing him. In fact, he's announcing a decision this week and Michigan is no longer in the running.
Happy trails, LA CB Daren Kitchen. He was looking for a committable offer that never came, and has committed to SMU ($, info in header).
Etc.
OH TE Jamare Mills has received interest from the new Michigan staff.
Past-and-hopefully-future Commit MI OL Jake Fisher came away from his Florida visit with positive vibes, but it certainly doesn't sound like he was blown away. If I had to guess, I would say Oregon is the biggest threat to Michigan re-gaining his commitment. He visits Eugene this weekend.
PA DE Max Issaka, who held an offer from Rich Rodriguez's staff, had that offer reaffirmed by Brady Hoke.
OH WR Shane Wynn might visit Michigan soon. He's a teammate of Frank Clark at Glenville.
Etc. Etc.
For those who were getting hopeful about swiping MI DE/OL Anthony Zettel from Penn State... don't; He's solid to the Nittany Lions. ESPN's Bill Kurelic thinks Frank Clark and Chris Bryant will drop soon for Michigan. Article on Kris Frost officially to Auburn. AnnArbor.com fluff on Kellen Jones.
Michigan WR coach and recruiting coordinator Dave Hecklinski talks a little bit about recruiting at the end of this video.
Selita Ebanks Michael Michele Marisa Tomei Shannyn Sossamon Rachael Leigh Cook
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