Monday, August 10, 2015

Recruiting Update: August 10, 2015

Covington (GA) Newton running back Kurt Taylor (image via Scout)
ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy defensive end/linebacker Rahshaun Smith decommitted from Clemson. Smith is a 6'3", 239 lb. prospect who is high on Auburn, LSU, Maryland, and Miami, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #1 inside linebacker, and #55 overall. He transferred from the Baltimore area to IMG Academy after his junior season, and he expressed interest in Michigan when he was first offered. However, I do not think the Wolverines will factor back into his recruitment.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Covington (GA) Newton running back Kurt Taylor was offered by Michigan. He's a 5'9", 200 lb. prospect with offers from Cincinnati, Kentucky, Rutgers, and Vanderbilt, among others. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #34 running back, and #464 overall. He claims a 4.48 forty. Taylor is compact, strong, and built low to the ground. He can grind out tough yardage and bounce off some tackle attempts. He doesn't have great burst, but he's decisive and gets upfield quickly. He visited Michigan for the BBQ at the Big House and was offered after the trip. He plans to return for the Ohio State game in late November.

Hit the jump for a new 2018 offer, several players who committed elsewhere, and some random bits.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2018
Cartersville (GA) Cartersville quarterback Trevor Lawrence was offered by Michigan. Lawrence is a 6'5", 191 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Missouri, and others. He was named the #1 overall prospect in the 2018 class by 247 Sports, and he is already committed to play in the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Last year Lawrence was the second-string quarterback behind Miller Forristall, who got hurt early in the year and was replaced. Lawrence went on to pass for 3,500 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, while Forristall eventually earned an offer from and committed to Alabama (Michigan also offered) as a tight end. Lawrence and Kurt Taylor (see above) are friends, which may or may not play into the recruitment. Georgia fans are optimistic about their chances with Lawrence.

OFF THE BOARD
Clinton (MS) Clinton running back Cam Akers committed to Alabama. He joins Antioch (CA) Antioch running back Najee Harris as a backfield commit in the 2017 class. Harris is the #6 overall player, and Akers is #55. The Crimson Tide keep loading up at running back.

Los Angeles (CA) Loyola cornerback David Long, Jr. committed to Stanford. Long was very high on Michigan early and looked to be a part of the crew from California that might end up wearing the winged helmet (including K.J. Costello, Dylan Crawford, and Theo Howard). Costello is now committed to Stanford, too, and Howard is an Oregon Duck. The Cardinal now have seven commits who were offered by Michigan.

Reisterstown (MD) Franklin wide receiver Steven Smothers committed to West Virginia. He's a tiny slot receiver who should carry on WVU's tradition of dynamite midget receivers.

Shreveport (LA) Calvary Baptist safety Chanse Sylvie committed to Oklahoma. He was a teammate of elite quarterback Shea Patterson (Ole Miss) before Patterson transferred to Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy.

Greensboro (NC) Southwest defensive end Jimmie Taylor committed to Virginia Tech. He was supposed to visit Ann Arbor in mid-June, but it's unclear if that visit ever materialized (I don't think it did).

MISCELLANEOUS
Miami (FL) Miami wide receiver Keyshawn "Pie" Young announced a top two of Alabama and Michigan a couple weeks ago. Late last week, he said that Michigan would be his choice if National Signing Day were right now. He's only a 247 Composite 3-star, but he's a dynamic player with the ball in his hands and could play wide receiver or cornerback at the next level.

Monroe (LA) Wossman safety Cameron Lewis said he plans to take an official visit to Michigan. Lewis has a Michigan offer, but he committed to LSU in March and is expected to stick with that commitment.

Eden Prairie (MN) Eden Prairie wide receiver J.D. Spielman will announce his decision on Saturday, August 15th. His final five are Iowa, Iowa State, Michigan, Minnesota, and Nebraska. He did visit Michigan in May, but his recent visit was to Nebraska this past weekend, and the Cornhuskers are expected to be the choice. He is the son of Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman and the nephew of former Detroit Lions linebacker Chris Spielman.

Baton Rouge (LA) University Lab outside linebacker Dylan Moses decommitted from LSU. He is the #1 overall player in the 2017 class, and he has expressed interest in being offered by Michigan. However, no offer seems to be forthcoming for the time being.

Fort Lauderdale (FL) American Heritage offensive tackle Tedarrell Slaton, a 2017 prospect, said Michigan is his top team. Michigan is also recruiting the other bookend tackle for American Heritage, Kai-Leon Herbert. Slaton is the #32 overall prospect in his class, while Herbert is #342 overall.

Marietta (GA) Sprayberry running back Trey Sermon, a 2017 prospect, named Michigan to his top ten. That list also includes Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, South Carolina, Stanford, and Tennessee. He's the #4 running back and #44 overall.

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