2017 Recruiting Update: January 26, 2015

Antioch (CA) Antioch RB Najee Harris (image via San Jose Mercury News)

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Antioch (CA) Antioch running back Najee Harris was offered by Michigan. Harris is a 6'1", 210 lb. prospect with offers from Cal, UCLA, and Utah, among others. He's a 247 Sports 4-star, the #5 running back, and #42 overall in his class. Harris represents Jim Harbaugh's first offer in the 2017 class, and we have seen that kind of early attention pay off in past classes, such as with Bryan Mone in the 2014 class. The running back is a sturdy north-south runner who lacks great speed but is only coming out of his sophomore year. As a sophomore this past season, he carried the ball 271 times for 2,263 yards (8.4 yards/carry) and 23 touchdowns.


OFF THE BOARD
Miamisburg (OH) Miamisburg offensive tackle Josh Myers committed to Ohio State over the weekend. Myers is one of two linemen in his class to have earned offers from Michigan (both from the Hoke regime), along with Florida's Calvin Ashley. Early on Myers is 247 Sports' #1 offensive tackle and #3 overall player, so this is a big commitment for the Buckeyes.

MISCELLANEOUS
Ann Arbor (MI) Pioneer running back Antjuan Simmons visited Michigan this past weekend. Simmons is a 6'1", 205 lb. prospect with no offers at this time, but he boasts a 4.55 forty and could play several positions at the next level. It's early yet, but he looks like one of the top few prospects in the state for 2017.

Over on Recruiting Season, I added/updated profiles for Warren De La Salle RB Allen Stritzinger, Detroit King CB Ambry Thomas, and Detroit Cass Tech WR Donovan Peoples-Jones.

247 Sports Top 100 for 2017 released

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones is the top player in Michigan for 2017

It seems a wee bit early for 2017 recruiting rankings, but 247 Sports went ahead with them anyway. The problem I have with them is that these kids are currently going into their sophomore year, meaning these will mostly be the "prodigies" who played up on varsity as freshmen and had good seasons. Meanwhile, the kids who will hit late growth spurts or change focus from basketball to football will be completely absent. Anyway, here's the complete list (LINK) and then a breakdown of kids from the ever-expanding Big Ten imprint or players with Michigan connections:

5-stars:
2. A.J. Epenesa - DE - Illinois
3. Josh Myers - OT - Ohio: Offered by Michigan.

4-stars:
6. Calvin Ashley - OT - Florida: Offered by Michigan.
8. D'Andre Swift - RB - Pennsylvania: Teammate of 2015 OG commit Jon Runyan, Jr.
9. Hunter Johnson - QB - Indiana
12. Donovan Peoples-Jones - WR - Michigan: Teammate of 2015 RB commit Michael Weber. Son of former Wolverine Shonte Peoples.
20. Jeff Thomas - WR - Illinois: Offered by Michigan.
30. Emani Mason - OT - Michigan
33. Ty Chandler - RB - Tennessee: Attends alma mater of Michigan OG Blake Bars.
39. Lamont Wade - CB - Pennsylvania
43. Danny Clark - QB - Ohio: Teammate of 2015 K commit Andrew David.
44. Cam Spence - OT - Maryland: Attends alma mater of Michigan DE Henry Poggi.
50. Josh Ross - LB - Michigan: Offered by Michigan. Brother of Michigan LB James Ross.
57. Jordan Anthony - ATH - Maryland: Attends alma mater of Michigan CB Blake Countess.
60. Marcus Williamson - CB - Ohio
64. Danny Davis - WR - Ohio
73. Kasim Hill - QB - Maryland: Attends alma mater of Michigan DE Henry Poggi.
77. Anthony McFarland, Jr. - RB - Maryland
81. Juan Harris - RB - Wisconsin
83. Elvis Hines - ATH - New Jersey
94. R.J. Potts - S - Indiana
96. Ricky Smalling - WR - Illinois

Visitors: April 4-6, 2014

New Lenox (IL) Providence Catholic wide receiver Miles Boykin

Some of these prospects will be on campus during the week, and some will be in town for Saturday's spring game. There should be numerous additions to this list throughout the week.

TRANSFER
Chad Lindsay - C - The Woodlands (TX) The Woodlands: Lindsay was a 6'3", 307 lb. prospect coming out of high school in 2010. He was a 3-star prospect and the #30 offensive guard to Rivals, claiming a 425 lb. bench and a 530 lb. squat. Now listed at 6'2" (he lost an inch!) and 302 lbs., he is a graduate transfer prospect from Alabama, where he was a backup interior lineman for the past few seasons. He actually played against Michigan as a backup in the 2012 contest, and he started several games when starter Ryan Kelly was injured in 2013. Lindsay is looking at several possible destinations, including Ann Arbor, where his former offensive coordinator, Doug Nussmeier, now holds the same title with the Wolverines.

2015
Manny Andrade - S - Allen Park (MI) Allen Park: Andrade is a 6'1", 205 lb. prospect with no current offers.

Miles Boykin - WR - New Lenox (IL) Providence Catholic: Boykin is a 6'5", 208 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, and Wisconsin, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #22 wide receiver, #190 overall, and the #2 player in Illinois. Boykin, who claims a 4.41 forty, will be attending the spring game with Core6 Athletes, a training program for high school football players from the Chicago area. There are likely going to be 50-100 prospects in town for the game, so I probably won't be able to list them all here.

Caleb DeWeese - OG - DeKalb (IL) DeKalb:

Aleks Dragin - LB - Libertyville (IL) Libertyville: Dragin is a 6'2", 225 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

Jack Dunaway - DE - Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice:

DeAndre Ford - OT - Joliet (IL) Catholic:

Marvin Franklin, Jr. - RB - Gibraltar (MI) Carlson: Franklin is a 6'0", 165 lb. prospect with no offers right now.

Aaron Garland - S - Oak Park (IL) Fenwick: Garland is a 6'0", 190 lb. prospect with offers from Buffalo, Central Michigan, Nevada, Northern Illinois, Toledo, and Western Michigan. He claims a 4.5 forty, a 295 lb. bench, and a 400 lb. squat.

Hale Hentges - TE - Jefferson City (MO) Helias: Hentges is a 6'4", 230 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Stanford, Texas, and numerous others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #4 tight end, #132 overall, and #2 in his state. As a junior in 2013, he had 61 catches for 940 yards and 15 touchdowns. He will also be visiting Michigan State and Ohio State on his trip.

Brian Lewerke - QB - Phoenix (AZ) Pinnacle: Lewerke is a 6'3", 180 lb. prospect who has picked up offers from offers from Ole Miss, Florida, and Michigan State in the last month. I did a scouting report on Lewerke (and other quarterbacks) in February. I wouldn't be totally surprised if the Wolverines extended an offer, although I'm not necessarily expecting it.

Jordan McInerney - DE - Libertyville:

David Moorman - OT - Pinckney (MI) Northville: Moorman is a 6'5", 275 lb. prospect with offers from Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, and Western Michigan. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #47 offensive tackle, #393 overall, and #6 in-state. He has visited Michigan a handful of times and seems like a kid who will end up at MSU or U of M if either/both offer.

Martez Morton - DE - Oak Park (MI) Oak Park: Morton is a 6'4", 225 lb. prospect with no offers right now. He's the teammate of a few quality prospects, including John Kelly (offer from MSU) and Shahid Bellamy (committed to CMU).

Flynn Nagel - WR - Lemont (IL) Lemont: Nagel is a 5'11", 180 lb. prospect with offers from Boston College, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, Purdue, and a bunch of MAC schools. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #61 wideout, #498 overall, and #6 in Illinois. As a junior in 2013, he had 103 catches for 1,504 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Chuck Norgle - QB - Lombard (IL) Montini Catholic: Norgle is a 6'2", 205 lb. prospect with no offers right now.

Atakan Pekpolat - OT - Libertyville (IL) Libertyville:

Jon Runyan, Jr. - OG - Natrona Heights (PA) St. Joseph's: Runyan committed to Michigan last year. I recently posted my initial TTB Ratings for Michigan's 2015 commits.

Kyonta' Stallworth - OG - Detroit (MI) King: Stallworth is a 6'4", 270 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee, but he committed to Michigan State in August of 2013. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #28 offensive tackle, #262 overall, and #3 in-state. He recently transferred from St. Clair Shores (MI) South Lake and is now teammates with linebacker Tyriq Thompson, whose father Clarence played at Michigan in the '90's.

Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. - TE - Manlius (NY) Canisius: Wheatley is a 6'6", 260 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Miami, Michigan, Penn State, and USC, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #7 tight end, #178 overall, and #1 in the state of New York. As a junior in 2013, he had 16 receptions for 190 yards and 2 touchdowns, along with 41 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 interception, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. Obviously, he's the son of former Michigan running back Tyrone Wheatley, who's currently the running backs coach for the Buffalo Bills.

Eddie Zinn-Turner - DT - Malvern (OH) Malvern: Zinn-Turner is a 6'3", 280 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

Hit the jump for the 2016 and 2017 visitors.

Recruiting Update: February 17, 2014

Richmond (VA) Benedictine defensive
end Clelin Ferrell

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015
Richmond (VA) Benedictine defensive end Clelin Ferrell was offered by Michigan. He's a 6'5", 225 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, Miami, Ohio State, Penn State, Virginia, and Virginia Tech, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 weakside end, and #76 overall. As a sophomore in 2012, he had 60 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks. He plays some linebacker, but he looks like a future weakside end and shows nice burst off the edge. Ferrell is teammates with 2016 wide receiver offeree Scott Bracey and plays in the same league as Michigan freshman quarterback Wilton Speight.

Gardena (CA) Junipero Serra defensive tackle Rasheem Green was offered by Michigan. He's a 6'5", 280 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Notre Dame, UCLA, and USC, among others. He's a 247 Composite 5-star, the #6 defensive tackle, and #17 overall. Michigan went after two of Green's teammates in the 2014 class, but came away empty on cornerback Adoree' Jackson (USC) and linebacker Dwight Williams (UCLA). The favorite for Green appears to be USC, too.

Dallas (TX) South Oak Cliff safety Prentice McKinney, Jr. was offered by Michigan. He's a 6'2", 180 lb. prospect with offers from Arkansas, Boise State, Maryland, Nebraska, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma, among others. He claims a 4.48 forty, a 240 lb. bench, and a 275 lb. squat. As a junior in 2013, he had 5 interceptions. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #37 safety, and the #589 player overall.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius offensive guard Liam Eichenberg was offered by Michigan. He's a 6'5", 275 lb. prospect whose only other offer is from Ohio State. Eichenberg has stated that he is very likely to stay in the Big Ten. Fifth year senior linebacker Jake Ryan is also from St. Ignatius.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Miamisburg (OH) Miamisburg offensive tackle Josh Myers was offered by Michigan. He's a 6'5", 255 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. Myers represents the Wolverines' first offer in the 2017 class. He has a brother who's a redshirt sophomore center at Kentucky and a father who played for the Wildcats, so they're a major player in his recruitment. Of course, as a member of the 2017 recruiting class, his brother will be graduated from UK before Josh arrives.

OFF THE BOARD
Warminster (PA) Archbihop Wood offensive tackle Ryan Bates committed to Penn State. He was just offered by the Wolverine a couple weeks ago and is the #166 player in the class, according to the 247 Composite.

Gaithersburg (MD) Gaithersburg athlete Kamonte Carter committed to Penn State, too. Along with Bates and a defensive back named Jarvis Miller, they became the first three commitments in the 2015 class for the Nittany Lions. Before this past weekend's Junior Day in Happy Valley, Carter previously visited PSU for their overtime win against Michigan, so that had to be a positive game day experience. Carter is a do-it-all high school player, the rare quarterback/defensive end combo. Michigan originally offered him as a SAM linebacker, but at 6'4" and 235 lbs. already, he will likely be a defensive end at the next level.

Washington (DC) H.D. Woodson cornerback DuWayne Johnson committed to Virginia Tech. Johnson had 75 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 18 pass breakups last season.

Virginia Beach (VA) Ocean Lakes athlete Jaason Lewis committed to UCLA. Lewis plays a little bit of everything for his high school team, but at 6'3" and 235 lbs., I have doubts about whether he can stick at wide receiver, which is where some people project him. He looks more like an H-back to me, or perhaps a linebacker. It will be interesting to see how UCLA uses him, and they're not averse to playing players at multiple positions, as they showed with Myles Jack.

MISCELLANEOUS
Here's a list of the 2015, 2016, and 2017 visitors who were on campus Saturday to watch Michigan play Wisconsin.

Lakewood (OH) St. Edward cornerback and current prize of Michigan's 2015 recruiting class Shaun Crawford went to the Nike camp this past weekend, ran a laser-time 4.5 forty, ran a 4.03 shuttle, jumped 36.3" vertically, and earned an invite to The Opening.