National Signing Day Preview

Avon (CT) Old Farms tight end Chris Clark will decide early on Wednesday morning

At least three prospects who are strongly considering Michigan have nationally televised official announcements scheduled for National Signing Day, which is today, February 4th. All times are Eastern Standard Time. They include:

• Chris Clark - TE - Avon (CT) Old Farms: Clark is announcing on ESPNU at 8:30 a.m. between Michigan and UCLA.
• Roquan Smith - LB - Montezuma (GA) Macon: Smith is announcing at 11:00 a.m. between Georgia, Michigan, Texas A&M, and UCLA.
• Iman Marshall - CB - Long Beach (CA) Poly: Marshall is announcing on ESPNU at 4:00 p.m. between Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, UCLA, and USC.

In less national announcements, here are the official announcement times of some other targets:

• Mike Weber - RB - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech at 10:00 a.m.
• Van Jefferson - WR - Brentwood (TN) Ravenwood at 11:00 a.m.
• Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. - TE - Buffalo (NY) Canisius at 3:15 p.m.

I have predictions for those guys - and numerous others - in another post I put up over the weekend, although I have updated it a couple times since then (LINK).

Otherwise, I put together a list of in-state players who could get a late call from Michigan in an effort to fill out the class (LINK). Wide receiver Grant Perry has already been the recipient of one of those offers and committed, although it's very late to count on many other guys getting phone calls from Harbaugh.

There will be no suspense about wide receiver Brian Cole and quarterback Alex Malzone, both of whom enrolled early and are already on campus.

Here's a look at what positions Michigan is trying to fill, along with the guys who might fill them (commits are highlighted in blue):

• QB: Malzone, Zach Gentry
• RB: Karan Higdon, Michael Weber
• WR: Van Jefferson, Grant Perry
• TE: Chris Clark, Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
• OL: Grant Newsome, Jon Runyan Jr., Nolan Ulizio
• DE: Shelton Johnson, Reuben Jones
• DT: None
• LB: Roquan Smith
• CB: Jarius Adams, Iman Marshall, Keith Washington
• S: Tyree Kinnel
• K: Andrew David

Insiders at Scout (Sam Webb) and/or 247 Sports (Steve Wiltfong, Steve Lorenz) have expressed confidence in Michigan landing Karan Higdon, Michael Weber, Van Jefferson, Tyrone Wheatley Jr., and Keith Washington. Unfortunately, it looks like Chris Clark is choosing the sunshine and girls of Southern California (UCLA) over the tight end guru in Ann Arbor, and Iman Marshall is likely to do what everyone expected of him, which is sign with USC.

Official Visitors: January 16-21, 2015

Long Beach (CA) Poly cornerback Iman Marshall

Damon Arnette - CB - Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas: Arnette is a 6'2", 185 lb. prospect who's committed to South Carolina. He's a soft commit with a visit scheduled to Ohio State later this month, too. The 247 Composite rankings show him as a 3-star, the #60 cornerback, and #649 overall. D.J. Durkin called him up when he was hired, and Arnette immediately responded that he wanted to visit. Arnette is a good sized corner who would be good against the run.

Chris Clark - TE - Avon (CT) Old Farms: Clark is a 6'6", 247 lb. prospect who has been committed to both North Carolina and Michigan in the past. Now he says it's down to Michigan and UCLA with the Bruins having the lead. Even so, he was enthused about Michigan hiring Jim Harbaugh, and some people think the Wolverines will win out. Clark is also close to quarterback Alex Malzone, who enrolled early this semester and will be on campus. Clark is a 247 Composite 4-star, the #2 tight end, and #79 overall in the 2015 class.

Andrew David - K - Massillon (OH) Washington: David is a 5'9", 165 lb. prospect who committed to Michigan in June of 2013. He's a 247 Composite 2-star, the #7 kicker, and #2031 overall. Michigan's starting punter and placekicker both graduated after the 2014 season, so he will have a chance to compete for a starting gig right off the bat.

Shelton Johnson - DE - Delray Beach (FL) Atlantic: Johnson is a 6'5", 220 lb. prospect with offers from Florida State, Miami, and Virginia Tech, among others. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #16 strongside end, and #351 overall. He visited Virginia Tech in December and has visits remaining to the other schools, with Florida State holding the final shot; right now the Crystal Ball is 100% for the Seminoles (based on 10 votes).

Tyree Kinnel - S - Huber Heights (OH) Wayne: Kinnel committed to Michigan in August of 2013 (LINK). He is currently a 247 Composite 4-star, the #10 safety, and #181 overall. Once Michigan's coaching situation got rocky, Alabama and Notre Dame both came forward with offers, but Kinnel has remained committed throughout.

Iman Marshall - CB - Long Beach (CA) Poly: Marshall is a 6'1", 190 lb. prospect with a top group that includes Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, UCLA, and USC. He is using January officials for the out-of-state schools, and the visit to Ann Arbor will be right on the heels of one to FSU this weekend. So while the rest of these players will be in town over the weekend, Marshall will be there from Monday through Wednesday. Marshall is considered a USC lean (the Trojans are at 98% on the 247 Sports Crystal Ball), but he has expressed interest in playing college ball with his summer workout partner, Michigan sophomore wide receiver Freddy Canteen. Marshall is a 247 Composite 5-star, the #1 cornerback, and #4 overall in the class.



Roquan Smith - LB - Montezuma (GA) Macon: Smith is a 6'1", 205 lb. prospect who's considered to be a heavy lean toward the Georgia Bulldogs, but he's another guy who's visiting because of D.J. Durkin. Smith is a 247 Composite 4-star, the #5 outside linebacker, and #49 overall. He had 173 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions as a senior in 2014. He has visited Georgia and USC, and he has visits scheduled for Ole Miss and UCLA.

Recruiting Update: January 6, 2015

Reisterstown (MD) Franklin offensive tackle Pat Allen

This is a huge recruiting update. I am a masochist.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015
Reisterstown (MD) Franklin offensive tackle Pat Allen decommitted from Georgia. He was supposedly leaning toward committing to Tennessee on Sunday night in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, but he ended up not announcing a decision at all. That is supposedly because he is re-considering the Bulldogs. Allen visited Michigan in the fall for an official visit, so a concerted effort by Harbaugh could get the Wolverines back in the mix.

Winter Garden (FL) West Orange running back Dexter Williams decommitted from Miami. A long-time Miami commit, he had been wavering for a while. In early December he said he was on track to graduate early and enroll at Miami in January, but that has fallen off. A reported score of 17 on his ACT might hamper his chances of qualifying at some schools, but he took an official to Louisville, has one set to Notre Dame, and is being pursued hard by Florida. Williams is a 6'0", 192 lb. prospect who's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #10 running back, and #83 overall.

OFF THE BOARD
Miami (FL) Booker T. Washington tight end Devonaire Clarington committed to Texas at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Clarington played defensive end his senior, but he is expected to be an offensive player for the Longhorns.

New Orleans (LA) Warren Easton wide receiver Tyron Johnson committed to LSU at the Under Armour All-American Game, which was exactly what everyone expected.

McKinney (TX) North running back Ronald Jones II committed to USC at the Under Armour All-American Bowl. He had previously been committed to Oklahoma State.

Bellflower (CA) St. John Bosco offensive guard Zach Robertson committed to Arizona State. Robertson was a high school teammate of quarterback Josh Rosen, who enrolled early at UCLA.

Manassas (VA) Stonewall Jackson defensive tackle Tim Settle committed to Virginia Tech during the Under Armour All-American Game. At one time Settle was presumed to be leaning toward Ohio State, and he was also friendly with 2014 defensive end Da'Shawn Hand (Alabama), who was thought to be a draw at one time (Settle also had an Alabama offer).

Missouri City (TX) Fort Bend Marshall cornerback Kendall Sheffield committed to Alabama at the Under Armour All-American Game.

Dallas (TX) Skyline linebacker Anthony Wheeler committed to Texas at the Under Armour All-American Game.

Hit the jump for a bunch of brief profiles on potential recruits to look at for 2015, plus some miscellaneous recruiting tidbits from the last week or two.

Visitors: 2014 BBQ at the Big House

Lincolnton (NC) Lincolnton defensive end Darian Roseboro

This year's BBQ at the Big House for 2015 prospects will be on July 27th. Last year Michigan did two separate barbecues for seniors and then underclassmen, but I believe this year's will be one combined event.

2015
Jalen Bates - DE - Kaplan (LA) Kaplan: Bates is a 6'4", 240 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech, among others. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #22 weakside end, and #499 overall. Michigan is one of his top few schools, and his cousin is former Wolverine linebacker Jonas Mouton. Bates is aiming to visit Ann Arbor sometime around June 24-26, so he may miss the actual BBQ but will be in town at roughly the same juncture.

Chris Clark - TE - Avon (CT) Old Farms: Clark committed to Michigan in June (LINK).

Brian Cole - WR - Saginaw (MI) Heritage: Cole is a 6'2", 190 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #5 athlete, and #65 overall. Cole may not be able to stay for Sunday's BBQ, but he will be at Michigan on at least Friday and Saturday.

Kengera Daniel - DE - Raleigh (NC) Millbrook: Daniel is a 6'5", 250 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Miami, Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wake Forest, among others. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #21 strongside end, and #503 overall. He claims a 4.89 forty and had 89 tackles, 13 sacks, and 1 interception as a junior in 2013.

Jack Dunaway - DE - Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice: Dunaway is a 6'3", 212 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He's the teammate of Michigan quarterback commit Alex Malzone. Dunaway is also the son of Craig Dunaway, a tight end at Michigan from the mid-1980's.

Joshua Ellison - WR - Flint (MI) Carman-Ainsworth: Ellison is a 5'11", 185 lb. prospect with no FBS offers at this time, as far as I know. He is a potential walk-on candidate.

Damien Harris - RB - Berea (KY) Madison Southern: Harris was committed to Michigan, but he then de-committed in January (LINK) after offensive coordinator Al Borges was fired. Michigan is still under consideration but is believed to have fallen behind Ohio State, if not Alabama and Kentucky. UPDATE: Harris no longer plans to attend the BBQ.

Amari Henderson - CB - Charlotte (NC) Mallard Creek: Henderson is a 6'1", 182 lb. prospect with offers from Kansas State, Kentucky, Penn State, and Wake Forest, among others. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #111 safety, and #1481 overall. He claims a 4.46 forty, a 41" vertical, a 255 lb. bench, and a 355 lb. squat. He has not been offered by Michigan, but he has been in contact with area recruiter Roy Manning. The Wolverines are searching for someone to replace Shaun Crawford, who decommitted in favor of Notre Dame. UPDATE: Henderson committed to Wake Forest on July 19, but still wants to attend the BBQ.

Tyree Kinnel - S - Huber Heights (OH) Wayne: Kinnel committed to Michigan in August 2013 (LINK).

Darrin Kirkland, Jr. - LB - Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence Central: Kirkland committed to Michigan in May (LINK).

Marcus Lewis - CB - Washington (DC) Gonzaga: Lewis is a 6'1", 187 lb. prospect who committed to Florida in April. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #8 athlete, and #118 overall. He claims a 4.38 forty and will be at The Opening this month. Lewis has said that, while he remains committed to Florida, he wants to explore his options, and one of them is playing in Ann Arbor. There was recently some news that he would transfer to IMG Academy in Florida for his senior year, but it appears he will remain at Gonzaga Prep.


Alex Malzone - QB - Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice: Malzone committed to Michigan in May (LINK).

Iman Marshall - CB - Long Beach (CA) Poly: Marshall is a 6'1", 170 lb. prospect with offers from LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Stanford, UCLA, and USC, among others. He's a 247 Composite 5-star, the #2 cornerback, and #8 overall. He will also be attending The Opening. Marshall's presumed leader is USC, but he worked out with Michigan freshman Freddy Canteen in the off-season and wants to check out Michigan's campus. He attends the alma mater of former Michigan corner Donovan Warren. UPDATE: Marshall did not make the trip.



Joshua McMillon - LB - Memphis (TN) Whitehaven: McMillon is a 6'3", 230 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #16 outside linebacker, and #215 overall. He visited Michigan this spring and is very high on Michigan, although the SEC pull is strong in the state of Tennessee. UPDATE: McMillon will not be attending the BBQ because his parents can't come, but he will try to visit with them prior to his August 22nd announcement date.

Tyrone Miller - S - Saline (MI) Saline

Grant Perry - WR - Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice: Perry is a 6'0", 185 lb. prospect with offers from Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, and Kent State. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #131 wide receiver, #1051 overall, and #15 in the state of Michigan. He camped at Michigan and did well, although the Wolverines have not extended an offer. He is Malzone's top receiving target at Brother Rice.

Patrice Rene - CB - Alexandria (VA) Episcopal: Rene is a 6'1", 180 lb. prospect with offers from Indiana, Ohio State, Rutgers, and Syracuse, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #27 cornerback, and #212 overall. Rene is moving from Ontario to Virginia for his senior season.

Mook Reynolds - CB - Greensboro (NC) Northern Guilford: Reynolds is a 6'0", 175 lb. prospect who committed to Virginia Tech in February; he also has offers from Georgia, Michigan, and Notre Dame, among others. Despite being committed to the Hokies, he wants to explore his options and has made a good connection with cornerbacks coach Roy Manning. UPDATE: Reynolds did not make the trip but remains interested in the Wolverines.

Drew Richmond - OT - Memphis (TN) University School: Richmond is a 6'5", 320 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Tennessee, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 offensive tackle, and #75 overall. Richmond will likely not be in attendance at the BBQ, but he has mentioned an interest in visiting, despite Michigan not making his initial top 10 list. UPDATE: Richmond did not make the trip.

Darian Roseboro - DE - Lincolnton (NC) Lincolnton: Roseboro is a 6'3", 293 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Duke, Michigan, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #8 strongside end, and #122 overall. As a junior in 2013, he made 125 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. Michigan recruiting guru Sam Webb has been speaking very confidently about Michigan's chances of landing Roseboro, who has developed a solid relationship with his recruiter, cornerbacks coach Roy Manning.

Jon Runyan, Jr. - OG - Philadelphia (PA) St. Joseph's: Runyan committed to Michigan in June 2013 (LINK).

Auden Tate - WR - Tampa (FL) Wharton: Tate is a 6'4", 195 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, and South Carolina, among others. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #40 wide receiver, and #319 overall. As a junior in 2013, he caught 49 passes for 815 yards and 5 touchdowns. Michigan may have been in front at one point, but an offer from the Seminoles in late May might have changed the tide in his recruitment. Tate is a possibility to attend the BBQ but has not yet purchased airline tickets, so it is unlikely. UPDATE: Tate did not make it to the BBQ.

Garrett Taylor - CB - Richmond (VA) St. Christopher: Taylor committed to Michigan in March (LINK).

Tyriq Thompson - LB - Detroit (MI) King: I wrote a scouting report on Thompson in January (LINK).

Michael Weber - RB - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Weber is a 5'10", 205 lb. prospect who has a top group that includes Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #13 running back, and #108 overall. Over the last two seasons, he has 3,359 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns. Weber is visiting USC this weekend and is attempting to fly back in time for the BBQ. UPDATE: Weber did return from California in time to get to the BBQ.

Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. - TE - Manlius (NY) Canisius: Wheatley is a 6'6", 275 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Miami, Michigan, UCLA, and USC, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #10 tight end, and #231 overall. While he has grown to a mammoth size, Michigan is still recruiting him as a tight end, although he could play defensive end or even offensive tackle if he continues to grow. UPDATE: Wheatley will miss the BBQ.

Hit the jump for 2016 and 2017 prospects.

Recruiting Update: June 3, 2013

Long Beach (CA) Poly cornerback Iman Marshall

COMMITMENT
Clairton (PA) Thomas Jefferson linebacker Chase Winovich committed to Michigan.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015
Long Beach (CA) Poly cornerback Iman Marshall was offered by Michigan. Marshall is a 6'1", 186 lb. prospect with offers from Cal, Florida State, Notre Dame, UCLA, and USC, among others. He's also teammates with 2014 wide receiver/safety offeree John "Juju" Smith and attends the alma mater of former Michigan cornerback Donovan Warren.  USC is the presumed leader for Marshall, however. He is currently a 4-star, the #5 cornerback, and the #50 overall player to 247 Sports.

OFF THE BOARD
Bamberg (SC) Bamberg-Erhardt tight end Kevin Crosby committed to South Carolina.  Crosby never visited Michigan and did not plan to.  Michigan has recruited several kids out of Bamberg-Erhardt in recent years, but so far they've been striking out.

Cleveland (OH) Shaker Heights defensive end Joe Henderson committed to Tennessee. His offer was reported several months ago, but it was always questioned whether he was actually offered.  The Wolverines appeared not to have been pursuing him too hard in the intervening months, however.

Tyrone (GA) Sandy Creek wide receiver Demarre Kitt committed to Clemson.  He never visited Michigan and did not appear particularly interested in doing so at any point.

MISCELLANEOUS
Last week's scouting report was on Peyton (CO) Falcon athlete Kalen Ballage.