Thursday, April 2, 2015

2015 Spring Game Visitors

Houston (TX) Alief Elsik linebacker Dontavious Jackson
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Michigan's spring game will take place on Saturday, April 4, 2015. Jim Harbaugh has announced plans to draft up teams, which will take place this coming Saturday, March 28. Spring games usually attract a lot of prospects, and Michigan already has some good ones lined up to visit.

2015
Commits:
 Andrew David, Karan Higdon, Shelton Johnson, Tyree Kinnel, Grant Newsome, Grant Perry, Nolan Ulizio, Keith Washington, Tyrone Wheatley Jr.

2016
Toks Akinribade - RB - Brownsburg (IN) Brownsburg: Akinribade is a 6'0", 210 lb. prospect with offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Michigan, plus a bunch of MAC schools. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #63 running back, and #797 overall. As a junior in 2014, he had 220 carries for 1,579 yards and 15 touchdowns. He won't be in town for the spring game, but he visited on Tuesday and was offered by the Wolverines while in town. His high school teammate is 2017 quarterback Hunter Johnson (see below).

Austin Anderson - OG - Mineola (TX) Mineola: Anderson is a 6'4", 285 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona State, Michigan, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, and TCU, among others. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #74 offensive tackle, and #846 overall.

Riley Anderson - OG - Mineola (TX) Mineola: Anderson, Austin's twin brother, is a 6'5", 285 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona State, Michigan, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, and Ole Miss, among others. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #76 offensive tackle, and #877 overall.

Chris Brown - S - Houston (TX) Alief Elsik: Brown is a 5'11", 183 lb. prospect with offers from Houston, Louisville, Michigan, Purdue, and others. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #56 safety, and #855 overall. As a junior in 2014, he had 45 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 5 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and 5 pass breakups. He will be in town with teammate Dontavious Jackson (see below).

Hit the jump for lots and lots more prospects.


Tony Butler - CB - Lakewood (OH) St. Edward's: Butler is a 6'2", 195 lb. prospect who committed to Pitt in March; he also has offers from Arizona State, Maryland, and Rutgers, among others. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #57 cornerback, and #611 overall. He is visited Michigan on Thursday, so he will not be in Ann Arbor for the spring game, but his former high school coach is Rick Finotti, who was recently hired as Michigan's director of football operations.

Jalen Cochran - OLB - Plymouth (MI) Canton: Cochran is a 6'4", 225 lb. prospect with offers from Iowa and several MAC schools. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #72 outside linebacker, and #994 overall. He claims a 4.79 forty. Cochran could be in line for a Michigan offer sooner or later.

Donnie Corley - WR - Detroit (MI) King: Corley is a 6'2", 180 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss, and Tennessee, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #20 wide receiver, and #110 overall. I have him rated as the #1 player in the state. This will be Corley's fifth visit to Michigan since Jim Harbaugh was hired..

Kingston Davis - RB - Prattville (AL) Prattville: Davis is a 6'1", 225 lb. prospect with offers from Louisville, Michigan, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss, among others. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #3 fullback, and #981 overall. As a junior in 2014, he had 1,407 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on his way to a state championship. The quarterback on his team was incoming freshman Keith Washington, who plans to play corner at Michigan. On a related note, Michigan will be holding a summer camp in Prattville, which will likely attract Davis and others from a pretty strong football area.

Terrance Davis - OG - Hyattasville (MD) DeMatha: Davis is a 6'4", 305 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Maryland, Michigan State, Penn State, and others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #3 offensive guard, and #170 overall. [Side note: Former teammate, offensive tackle J.P. Urquidez, also holds a Michigan offer but transferred from DeMatha to Copperas Cove (TX) Copperas Cove in January.]

Camilo Eifler - LB - Oakland (CA) Bishop O'Dowd: Eifler is a 6'2", 210 lb. prospect with offers from Cal, Michigan, and Washington, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #16 outside linebacker, and #196 overall. His high school head coach is former Washington running back Napoleon Kaufman, who went on to play for the Oakland Raiders. Eifler's travel plans do not have him arriving in Ann Arbor until Monday, so he will miss the spring game but will see campus on April 6-7.

Matt Falcon - RB - Southfield (MI) Southfield: Falcon is a 6'1", 215 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Ohio State, and Tennesee, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #13 running back, and #235 overall. He has proclaimed Tennessee as his outright leader, although he has been making pretty regular visits to Michigan.

Desmond Fitzpatrick - WR - Farmington (MI) Farmington: Fitzpatrick is a 6'2", 194 lb. prospect who committed to Louisville last October; he has since earned more offers, including one from the Wolverines. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #57 wide receiver, and #336 overall. Despite being committed to the Cardinals, area recruiting analysts believe it's only a matter of time until Fitzpatrick (and his offered teammate, David Reese) commit to Michigan.

Jaqui "J.J." Givens - S - Mechanicsville (VA) Atlee: Givens is a 6'2", 170 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona State, Michigan, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia, among others. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #46 safety, and #693 overall. This will be his first visit to Michigan, and most have him pegged for Virginia Tech.

Dele' Harding - LB - Elkton (MD) Eastern Christian Academy: Harding committed to Michigan under Brady Hoke, and this was his first visit to campus since Jim Harbaugh was hired.

Daelin Hayes - LB - Ann Arbor (MI) Skyline: Hayes is a 6'4", 250 lb. prospect who is committed to USC; he also holds offers from Michigan and numerous others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 outside linebacker, and #82 overall. Hayes says he is 100% committed to USC, and he was visiting with his whole high school team for the game, a team that includes Hunter Rison (see below).

Lavert Hill - CB - Detroit (MI) King: Hill is solidly committed to Penn State, but his brother - Michigan safety Delano Hill - likely drew him to see the spring game.

Dontavious Jackson - LB - Houston (TX) Alief Elsik: Jackson is a 6'2", 248 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida State, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #4 inside linebacker, and #123 overall. He is a teammate of Chris Brown (see above). Brown and Jackson bought airline tickets to Michigan specifically, so this is not a multiple-stop trip through the midwest. That would seem to indicate a strong interest in attending Michigan.

Khalid Kareem - DE - Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison: Kareem is a 6'4", 252 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #14 strongside end, and #226 overall. He has visited Michigan numerous times, despite being a short-lived commit to Michigan State back in February.

Quinn Nordin - K - Rockford (MI) Rockford: Nordin is a 6'1", 200 lb. prospect with offers from Iowa, Miami-OH, Penn State, and Western Michigan. He's currently unranked by the major recruiting sites, but he is #1 in his class according to Chris Sailer. This is his first visit to Michigan. The Wolverines only have one scholarship kicker scheduled to be on the roster in 2015, and that will be true freshman placekicker Andrew David. UPDATE: Nordin was offered by Michigan on Saturday.

Brandon Peters - QB - Avon (IN) Avon: Peters is a 6'5", 205 lb. prospect with offers from Arkansas, Indiana, LSU, Michigan, and Wisconsin, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #10 pro-style quarterback, and #272 overall. Back in February I wrote up a scouting report on Michigan's 2016 quarterback targets (LINK), so check that out for the scoop on his game. As for his recruitment, the 247 Sports Crystal Ball is 86% in favor of Michigan, and he seems to be the most likely QB for Michigan's class with K.J. Costello choosing between Stanford and USC this afternoon. UPDATE: Peters committed to Michigan on Friday night (LINK).

David Reese - FB - Farmington (MI) Farmington: Reese committed to Michigan on Saturday morning (LINK).

Josh Sills - OG - Byesville (OH) Meadowbrook: Sills is a 6'5", 319 lb. prospect who earned a Michigan offer on his visit; he also has several MAC offers. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #70 offensive guard, and #1279 overall.

Will Small - LB - Southfield (MI) Southfield: Small is a 6'0", 205 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

Darrius Stokes - WR - Oak Park (MI) Oak Park: Stokes is a 6'0", 160 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

Abdullah Yaseen - CB - Oak Park (MI) Oak Park: Yaseen is a 5'10", 170 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

2017


Carter Dunaway - TE - Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice:
 Dunaway is a 6'6", 225 lb. prospect who was offered by Michigan on Saturday at the spring game. He is the brother of incoming freshman preferred walk-on defensive end Jack Dunaway, and he is also the son of tight end Craig Dunaway, who played for Michigan in the mid-1980s.

A.J. Epenesa - DE - Edwardsville (IL) Edwardsville: Epenesa is a 6'5", 230 lb. prospect with offers from Florida State, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and USC, among others. He's a 247 Sports 5-star, the #1 strongside end, and #2 overall. He has claimed Iowa as his early leader. This will be his first visit to Michigan.

Jordan George-Nwogu - DE - Ann Arbor (MI) Pioneer: George-Nwogu is a 6'2", 215 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He claims a 4.85 forty.

JaRaymond Hall - OT - Oak Park (MI) Oak Park: Hall is a 6'5", 255 lb. prospect with no offers right now.

Rodney Hall - QB - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Hall is a 6'3", 185 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He was Cass Tech's quarterback this past season and led them to the state championship game.

Derrick Hubbard - LB - Ann Arbor (MI) Pioneer: Hubbard is a 6'2", 202 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. As a sophomore in 2014, he made 58 tackles, 5 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery. He claims a 4.69 forty.

Donovan Johnson - WR - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech:

Hunter Johnson - QB - Brownsburg (IN) Brownsburg:
 Johnson is a 6'3", 197 lb. prospect with offers from Northwestern, Notre Dame, Penn State, and Tennessee, among others. He's a 247 Sports 4-star, the #1 pro-style quarterback, and #9 overall in the 2017 class. Along with Akinribade (see above), Johnson visited Ann Arbor on Tuesday but won't be present for the spring game. As a sophomore in 2014, he completed 122/226 passes for 1,434 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions.

Jaylen Kelly-Powell - S - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Kelly-Powell is a 6'0", 183 lb. prospect with offers from Miami-OH and Northwestern. He claims a 4.49 forty and has visited Michigan a couple times recently.

Donovan Peoples-Jones - WR - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Peoples-Jones is a 6'1", 170 lb. prospect with offers from LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State, among others. He's a 247 Sports 4-star, the #2 wide receiver, and #12 overall. Peoples-Jones claims a 4.4 forty and is the son of former Wolverine Shonte Peoples.

Isaiah Pryor - S - Lawrenceville (GA) Archer: Pryor is a 6'2", 190 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, and Michigan State, among others. He's a 247 Sports 4-star, the #5 safety, and #70 overall. He visited Michigan the last weekend in March with 2017 cornerback teammate Jamyest Williams, who also holds a Michigan offer, and Pryor plans to return for the spring game with his family. Archer is also the home of 2016 offensive tackle E.J. Price, who has named Michigan his leader.

Hunter Rison - WR - Ann Arbor (MI) Skyline: Rison is a 5'11", 183 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He transferred to Ann Arbor from Arizona. He claims a 4.5 forty. Rison is the son of Andre Rison, the former Michigan State and NFL wide receiver; he now coaches at Skyline.

Josh Ross - LB - Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary's: Ross is a 6'1", 210 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Oklahoma. He's a 247 Sports 4-star, the #2 inside linebacker, and #56 overall. Ross is the younger brother of Michigan senior linebacker James Ross III.

Todd Sibley, Jr. - RB - Akron (OH) Hoban: Sibley is a 5'11", 205 lb. prospect with offers from Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio State, among others. He is currently unranked by the recruiting services since he's a 2017 prospect. As a sophomore in 2014, he ran for 1,576 yards and 17 touchdowns. Sibley was excited about his Michigan offer but Ohio State still probably holds a lead.

Antjuan Simmons - RB - Ann Arbor (MI) Pioneer: Simmons is a 6'1", 205 lb. prospect with an offer from Miami-OH. He is currently unranked and claims a 4.55 forty. Simmons is the best skill player I've seen in the 2017 class, as he could be a running back or linebacker at the next level.

Taurus Simpson - LB - Saginaw (MI) Heritage: Simpson is a 5'10", 178 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He was a high school teammate of Michigan freshman Brian Cole.

Dylan Stackhouse - RB - Oak Park (MI) Oak Park:

Allen Stritzinger - RB - Warren (MI) De La Salle: Stritzinger is a 6'0", 180 lb. prospect with offers from Cincinnati, Toledo, and Western Michigan. As a sophomore in 2014, he ran the ball 244 times for 1,356 yards and 20 touchdowns, plus he caught 9 passes for 238 yards and 1 touchdown. Along with Simmons, he's one of several outstanding in-state skill players for 2017. He attends the alma mater of junior quarterback Shane Morris.

2018
Robert Daniel, Jr. - CB - Oak Park (MI) Oak Park:

Emil Ekiyor - OG - Indianapolis (IN) Cathedral:
 Ekiyor is a 6'3", 285 lb. prospect with an offer from Michigan. He visited Ann Arbor the last weekend of March and came away with his lone offer so far. He is the son of former UCF and Atlanta Falcon defensive end Emil Ekiyor.

Kalon Gervin - CB - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech:

Marquan McCall - OG - Oak Park (MI) Oak Park:
 McCall is a 6'3", 280 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

Ovie Oghoufo - WR - Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison:

Taron Vincent - DT - Baltimore (MD) Gilman:
 Vincent is a 6'3", 285 lb. prospect with offers from Maryland, North Carolina State, and Ohio State; he also reported a Michigan offer at one point. His father is Troy Vincent, who played cornerback at Wisconsin and then in the NFL for the Dolphins and Eagles. Taron's brother, Troy Jr., plays cornerback for North Carolina State. One Michigan connection is that Taron plays for Biff Poggi, Henry Poggi's dad, at Gilman.

7 comments:

  1. As big as Jackson is already, you gotta think that sooner of later, he's a DE going forward, but if he can stay as quick as he is now and learn to read it just a little better, I'm thinking that Jackson and Ross would be a very nice complimentary pair running around out there together in a few years. You'd have some of everything going on, big nasty run thumping to go along with your instinctive slicing and dicing.

    Get LaMarr Winston out there at Sam and it might start feeling a lot like the old days.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know. I like the way Jackson moves. I think he can stick at linebacker. Plus unless he grows upward, he'll be a little undersized at DE.

      Delete
  2. Magnus -

    Given the lack of commits for 2016 right now, the flood of offers since Harbaugh was hired, and the early signing period should we be concerned at how short this list of visitors is for the game? I know they've hosted people on other weekends and are holding these camps (another NCAA loophole I'm glad Harbaugh is exploiting).....but I was hoping for a long list of 4-5 stars from around the country taking in the game. Am I totally over-reacting?

    AC1997

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, I don't think we should be concerned. Players from far away have to visit before they'll commit, and some of these kids don't have the money to fly all over the country on their own dime. Some of those kids from California, Texas, etc. are going to have to wait until September (or later) to take officials. You'll also see some kids over the summer - when they have more time - make swings through the midwest to visit Notre Dame, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, etc. Those types of long trips are tougher to do during the school year.

      Also, this is a very early list, so it will expand by the end of next week. For example, after I typed up this list yesterday, Josh Ross was added to the visitor list last night.

      Delete
  3. Also, there's a pretty extensive list of 4 and some 5* kids visiting this weekend (Gary, King, all the in-state kids).

    ReplyDelete
  4. Magnus - like your review of Antjuan Simmons. Easy to sleep on him as he is local but he is the real deal. Tough to bring down, hard hitting as a linebacker. MSU has been pushing hard for him, hope Michigan doesn't let him get away.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've now watched video for every 2016 QB we've offered and while this may well be sour grapes, I like Brandon Peters better than all of them including Costello.

    Peters is far more dangerous running the ball than is Costello. He has some moves that work, especially his little cutback thing. he might not have the quickest release I've ever seen, but he has a big arm, throws accurately to good spots and isn't throwing to a big time 5 star receiver who is adding substantial yards to his totals after the catch.

    Actually, I'm not sure about the either the quality of his coaching, Peter's receivers or both as there are at least two bad drops on 45/50+ yard balls thrown right on the dime and there is least one play where three wide receivers are all standing around in about a four yard space. I'm also not all that sure about the quality of competition as all three of those guys were open.

    Still, this kid very much looks like the real thing to me.

    ReplyDelete