Mario Ojemudia was the lone participant in the inaugural Semper Fi game.
The next Semper Fidelis All American Bowl will be in January 2016. It will be just the fifth year of the game, but here's the very short list of Michigan commits who have participated in the game:
2016
Ron Johnson, Jr. - DE - Camden (NJ) Camden*
Brandon Peters - QB - Avon (IN) Avon*
2015
Grant Newsome - OT - Lawrenceville (NJ) School
2014
None
2013
Ross Douglas - CB - Avon (OH) Avon
Maurice Hurst, Jr. - DT - Westwood (MA) Xaverian Brothers
2012
Mario Ojemudia - DE - Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison
Brady Pallante is a fullback now. Brady Pallante is not #23.
Michigan released its spring roster on Monday as the Wolverines begin spring practice on Tuesday (LINK). Here are some notable updates to the roster.
Ian Bunting: Bunting is up to 6'7" and 243 lbs. Michigan needs help at tight end this fall, so 243 lbs. is a good sign of him developing physically. He should be up over 250 lbs. by the fall.
Brian Cole: Cole, a true freshman early enrollee, is wearing #81. He's listed at 6'2", 200 lbs.
Ross Douglas: Douglas was recruited as a cornerback, moved to slot receiver, moved to running back, and now is back at corner. Still wearing #29, he is now listed as Ross Taylor-Douglas.
Derrick Green: Green is listed at 5'11" and 234 lbs.
Ty Isaac: Isaac is listed at 6'3" and 240 lbs.
Alex Malzone: Malzone, a true freshman early enrollee, is wearing #12. He's listed at 6'2", 218 lbs.
Brady Pallante: Pallante came to Michigan as a nose tackle prospect and is now listed as a redshirt freshman, 6'0", 276 lb. fullback wearing #45.
Terry Richardson: Richardson is listed as a redshirt junior cornerback and is finally nearing close-to-acceptable weight at 174 lbs. at 5'9".
Matt Thompson: Thompson is a new addition as a walk-on quarterback from Cincinnati (OH) Indian Hills. He's listed at 6'5", 214 lbs. as a redshirt freshman. Here are Thompson's Hudl highlights from his senior year (LINK). His delivery is a little bit wonky, but he doesn't look too bad for a walk-on. He's not a bad guy to have available for running a scout team and such. It also looks like he's hit a growth spurt since high school.
Ryan Tice: Tice is a 6'1", 177 lb. walk-on who enrolled early out of Saline (MI) Saline. I mainly note this because Michigan graduated both their punter and kicker, so Tice might be competing for one of those jobs, along with walk-on Kenny Allen (punter) and 2015 signee Andrew David (kicker).
Douglas enrolled early in January of 2013, which should have given him a bit of a leg up on some of the other freshman corners. By the time the season rolled around, however, he was behind fellow freshmen Jourdan Lewis and Channing Stribling. With a couple seasoned players at the position, Douglas sat out the year. After the hiring of offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, the coaches moved Douglas to running back, a position he played successfully in high school. Without an emerging player at the position, they thought he might add an element of speed and provide some competition.
Now going into the 2014 season, it appears Michigan will have a plethora of options at running back going forward. Sophomores Derrick Green and DeVeon Smith return, and sophomore Ty Isaac (who may or may not be eligible this year) just transferred in from USC, which likely pushes Douglas further down the depth chart. He was unlikely to contribute much this year, anyway, but hopes of playing in the long-term may be dimming. In the short term, the scat back role can be filled by redshirt junior Justice Hayes. Douglas's best bet for playing time is probably on special teams coverage, but Michigan has some older guys who are probably more suited to filling those roles. I expect Douglas to watch most of this season from the bench.
There have been a couple major position changes and a couple minor ones during the offseason. In an attempt to allay some people's fears, here are my thoughts on how things are developing.
Ross Douglas from CB to RB. Michigan failed to nab a running back in the 2014 class, largely for a lack of trying. There were some candidates out there that the Wolverines simply chose not to pursue, and then rising senior Thomas Rawls chose to transfer to Central Michigan. Michigan needed to add some depth at running back, and Douglas was a pretty good one in high school. I do not think Douglas is in danger of turning into a feature back anytime soon, but he may provide some change-of-pace skills for Michigan's Thunder Squared combination of Derrick Green and De'Veon Smith. Douglas played some running back on the scout team last year, and I think this switch is likely to stick, at least until Michigan has a chance to bring in more running backs in 2015 or 2016. He could also be a guy who bounces back and forth from offense to defense.
Wyatt Shallman from RB to H-back. I have long believed that Shallman would not make much of an impact on the running back position, except perhaps as a short yardage guy. I think the need for a short yardage back is relatively non-existent with Green and Smith on the team. Additionally, new offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier seems like a guy who's going to run a lot of single back sets and a lot of spread formations, meaning the fullback will likely be phased out for the next couple years. The 6'3", 243 lb. Shallman could help out as a blocker and pass catcher out of the backfield, and he has the size to be a second tight end on the field like an Aaron Shea.
Keith Heitzman from DE to TE. Heitzman was the starter at strongside end to begin last season, but a hand injury combined with competition from other players bumped him down in the lineup. With other guys emerging at strongside end (Brennen Beyer, Taco Charlton, Chris Wormley), Michigan has the flexibility to put Heitzman at tight end to shore up the position after Jake Butt's ACL injury. Butt might be back by week three, but Heitzman could be a long-term solution as a blocking tight end, since junior A.J. Williams has struggled in his first two seasons. Heitzman played tight end in high school, and while he probably won't run away from anyone or dazzle people with his moves, he should be a quality in-line blocker and has the potential to catch a pass here or there.
Jake Ryan from SAM to MIKE. Royce Jenkins-Stone from MIKE to SAM. James Ross from WILL to SAM. Desmond Morgan from MIKE to WILL. Did I catch all the moves? I think so. A couple of the younger inside linebackers are staying inside, so I won't bother analyzing that. The new starting lineup will look a lot like the old starting lineup, except Morgan will be on the weak side, Ryan will be in the middle, and Ross will be on the strong side. Head coach Brady Hoke announced that Michigan would be running more Over looks in 2014, which means that the protected linebacker (formerly WILL James Ross) will now be middle linebacker Jake Ryan. This also likely changes Michigan's front seven slightly, from a "hold your gap" defense to more of a penetrating unit. Against base 12 personnel previously, Michigan had six defenders from tight end to tackle (four defensive linemen, the WILL, and the MIKE). In an Over look, the defensive front will have seven defenders inside that box (four defensive linemen and all three linebackers). This should allow Ryan to roam from sideline to sideline while keeping Ross relatively clean, and Morgan will still be the guy who has to take on lead blocks from fullbacks, which he does fairly well.
Name: Ross Douglas Height: 5'10" Weight: 176 lbs. High school: Avon (OH) Avon Position: Cornerback Class: Freshman Jersey number: #29 Last year:Douglas was a senior in high school. I gave him a TTB Rating of 63.
Douglas committed to Michigan in July 2012 after de-committing from Penn State. The controversy surrounding Penn State seemed to be the issue, and Brady Hoke poached him from the Nittany Lions. He played running back for his high school team last fall and ended the year with 1,597 yards and 25 touchdowns. His performance in high school was good enough to earn him a roster spot for the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, and shortly afterward, he arrived on Michigan's campus as an early enrollee.
Going into the 2013 season, Michigan essentially has three starters returning (Blake Countess, Raymon Taylor, and Courtney Avery) and freshman Dymonte Thomas seemingly locked into the slot corner position. With junior Delonte Hollowell also pushing for playing time, Michigan could probably get by without much help from other true freshmen. However, Douglas enrolled early and is fairly well developed for a freshman corner, so he won't get abused physically. Even though I think he has a relatively low long-term celing, he could help out as a special teamer or as a backup this year.
Jourdan Lewis and Delano Hill were two of Michigan's ten eventual signees to participate in Nike's The Opening
2013
Ian Bunting, TE - Hinsdale, IL
Drake Harris, WR - Grand Rapids, MI
2012
Kyle Bosch, OG - Wheaton, IL
Jake Butt, TE - Pickerington, OH
Taco Charlton, DE - Pickerington, OH
David Dawson, OG - Detroit, MI
Ross Douglas, CB - Avon, OH
Derrick Green, RB - Richmond, VA
Delano Hill, S - Detroit, MI
Jourdan Lewis, CB - Detroit, MI
Mike McCray II, LB - Trotwood, OH
Shane Morris, QB - Warren, MI
- Kyle Bosch fell from #99 to #104
- Dymonte Thomas fell from #107 to #109
- Mike McCray fell from #88 to #115
- Jourdan Lewis jumped from #147 to #131
- Chris Fox fell from #123 to #142 - Jake Butt fell from #141 to #144
- Taco Charlton fell from #231 to #237
- Ross Douglas fell from #238 to #241
- Logan Tuley-Tillman fell out of the top 250
Here are the rest of Michigan's offerees
104. Kyle Bosch - OG - Illinois (Michigan)
106. Dorian O'Daniel - LB - Maryland (Clemson)
107. Elijah Daniel - DE - Indiana (Mississippi) 109. Dymonte Thomas - S - Ohio (Michigan)
110. E.J. Levenberry - LB - Virginia (Florida State)
112. Larenz Bryant - LB - North Carolina (South Carolina) 115. Mike McCray II - LB - Ohio (Michigan)
124. Isaac Rochell - DE - Georgia (Notre Dame)
127. Jake Raulerson - DE - Texas (Texas) 131. Jourdan Lewis - CB - Michigan (Michigan)
133. Cole Luke - CB - Arizona (Notre Dame)
139. Kameron Miles - S - Texas (Texas A&M) 142. Chris Fox - OT - Colorado (Michigan)
143. Maurice Smith - CB - Texas (Alabama) 144. Jake Butt - TE - Ohio (Michigan)
146. Michael Hill - DT - South Carolina (Ohio State)
147. Jake Oliver - WR - Texas (Texas)
149. Jon Reshke - LB - Michigan (Michigan State)
161. Joe Mathis - DE - California (Washington)
162. Hunter Bivin - OT - Kentucky (Notre Dame) 165. David Dawson - OG - Michigan (Michigan)
174. Darren Carrington - WR - California (Oregon)
175. Billy Price - DT - Ohio (Ohio State)
179. Tim Harris - CB - Virginia (Virginia)
181. Na'Ty Rodgers - OT - Maryland (South Carolina)
183. Jordan Cunningham - WR - Florida
186. Devon Allen - WR - Arizona
200. Kevin Olsen - QB - New Jersey (Miami)
202. Nadir Barnwell - ATH - New Jersey (Rutgers)
204. Jayme Thompson - S - Ohio (Ohio State)
209. Ishmael Wilson - OG - Texas (Texas A&M)
210. Sebastian Larue - WR - California
212. Ebenezer Ogundeko - DE - New York (Clemson)
213. Cameron Hunt - OG - California (Cal)
221. Jason Hatcher - DE - Kentucky (USC)
226. Chase Abbington - ATH - Missouri (Missouri) 237. Taco Charlton - DE - Ohio (Michigan)
239. Darius Latham - DT - Indiana (Wisconsin) 241. Ross Douglas - CB - Ohio (Michigan)
245. Darrell Daniels - WR - California (Washington)
249. Eldridge Massington - WR - Texas (UCLA)
Ross Douglas and Maurice Hurst, Jr. were Michigan's two representatives in the
Semper Fi All-American Bowl, which their East Team won (image via Scout)
Ross Douglas, CB: Douglas wore #6 and was a backup cornerback. He was beaten for a touchdown in the first quarter on a fade route by Devon Allen, but it should have been incomplete because Allen dropped the ball as he hit the ground; the coverage was pretty good. Ross also allowed a couple short completions, but came up well to tackle. On the opening kickoff of the second half, Ross laid a big hit on the West returner. Despite the touchdown, Douglas acquitted himself fairly well and met my expectations. Maurice Hurst, Jr., DT: Hurst wore #50 and started at defensive tackle. He was one of the top performers throughout the week, and on the East's first defensive series, he shed the offensive guard immediately and made a sack for eight yards. He got penetration pretty consistently and put pressure on the quarterback, but he missed a couple tackles. He will also have to work on his technique against double teams; I don't think he's used to playing against kids who can actually block him, even two-on-one. Overall, Hurst looked like one of the best defensive linemen on the field, although the Semper Fi game has less talent overall than the other two high school All-American games.
Maurice Hurst, Jr. (#11) will play in the Semper Fi game
The Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl will be played on January 4, 2013, at 9:00 p.m. Michigan offerees include:
EAST
Nadir Barnwell - CB - New Jersey (Rutgers)
Devin Butler - CB - Washington, D.C. (Notre Dame) Ross Douglas - CB - Ohio (Michigan) Maurice Hurst, Jr. - DT - Massachusetts (Michigan)
Uriah LeMay - WR - North Carolina (Georgia)
Mike McGlinchey - OT - Pennsylvania (Notre Dame)
WEST
Devon Allen - WR - Arizona
Josh Augusta - DT - Illinois
Darren Carrington - WR - California (Oregon)
Kenny Lacy - OT - Arizona (UCLA)
Cole Luke - CB - Arizona (Notre Dame)
Elijah Qualls - DT - California (Washington)
John Ross - CB - California
- Dymonte Thomas dropped from #102 to #107
- Chris Fox fell from #112 to #123
- Jake Butt fell from #131 to #141
- Jourdan Lewis jumped from #150 to #147
- Taco Charlton jumped from #233 to #231
- Ross Douglas dropped from #232 to #238
- Logan Tuley-Tillman dropped from #241 to #245
- Wyatt Shallman dropped out of the top 250
101. Alvin Bailey - WR - Florida (Florida)
102. Wyatt Teller - DE - Virginia (Virginia Tech)
104. Jake Raulerson - OT - Texas (Texas)
105. Priest Willis - CB - Arizona 107. Dymonte Thomas - S - Ohio (Michigan)
109. Evan Lisle - OT - Ohio (Ohio State)
110. Antwuan Davis - CB - Texas (Texas)
113. Keith Ford - RB - Texas (Oklahoma)
114. James Quick - WR - Kentucky
116. Justin Davis - RB - California (USC)
121. Elijah Daniel - DE - Indiana 123. Chris Fox - OT - Colorado (Michigan)
124. Isaac Rochell - DE - Georgia (Notre Dame)
130. Maurice Smith - CB - Texas (Alabama)
133. Michael Hill - DT - South Carolina (Ohio State)
138. Jake Oliver - WR - Texas (Texas)
139. Brendan Mahon - OG - Massachusetts (Penn State) 141. Jake Butt - TE - Ohio (Michigan)
143. Greg Webb - DT - New Jersey (North Carolina)
145. Yannick Ngakoue - LB - Maryland 147. Jourdan Lewis - CB - Michigan (Michigan)
148. John Reschke - LB - Michigan (Michigan State)
151. David Dawson - OG - Michigan
157. Scott Pagano - DT - Hawaii (Clemson)
167. Joe Mathis - DE - California
169. Kevin Olsen - QB - New Jersey (Miami)
171. Hunter Bivin - OT - Kentucky (Notre Dame)
173. Darren Carrington - WR - California (Oregon)
174. Billy Price - DT - Ohio (Ohio State)
180. Tim Harris - CB - Virginia
184. Jordan Cunningham - WR - Florida
192. Kenny Lacy - OT - California (UCLA)
201. Nadir Barnwell - CB - New Jersey (Rutgers)
202. Jayme Thompson - S - Ohio (Ohio State)
204. Ishmael Wilson - OG - Texas (Texas A&M)
215. Jason Hatcher - DE - Kentucky (USC)
219. Chase Abbington - ATH - Missouri (Missouri)
226. Ebenezer Ogundeko - DE - New York 231. Taco Charlton - DE - Ohio (Michigan)
233. Na'Ty Rodgers - OT - Maryland
234. Darius Latham - DT - Indiana (Indiana) 238. Ross Douglas - CB - Ohio (Michigan)
241. Sebastian LaRue - WR - California (USC)
244. Eldridge Massington - WR - California (USC) 245. Logan Tuley-Tillman - OT - Illinois (Michigan)
August 24, 2012: Avon (OH) Avon lost to Avon (OH) Avon Lake by a score of 42-28. Douglas did not play in the game for an unspecified reason.
August 31, 2012: Avon beat Wellington (OH) Wellington by a score of 33-0. Douglas did not play in the game for an unspecified reason.
September 7, 2012: Avon beat Lorain (OH) Lorain by a score of 40-14. Douglas carried the ball 16 times for 114 yards and 2 touchdowns. Avon is now 2-1 on the season.
September 14, 2012: Avon beat Lakewood (OH) Lakewood by a score of 35-3. Douglas had 12 carries for 102 yards and 2 touchdowns. Avon is now 3-1 on the year.
September 21, 2012: Avon beat Bay Village (OH) Bay by a score of 42-7. Douglas had 160 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns, along with 1 interception. He now has 376 yards and 8 touchdowns in three games. Avon is now 4-1 on the season.
September 28, 2012: Avon beat Elyria (OH) Catholic a by a score of 45-14. Ross had 51 yards rushing, including a 13-yard touchdown. He now has 427 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns in four games. Avon is now 5-1.
October 5, 2012: Avon beat Grafton (OH) Midview by a score of 28-0. Douglas had 18 carries for 137 yards and 3 touchdowns, along with 1 fumble recovery on defense. He now has 564 yards and 12 touchdowns in five games. Avon is now 6-1.
October 12, 2012: Avon beat Vermilion (OH) Vermilion by a score of 49-20. Douglas had 4 carries for 84 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown. Avon is now 7-1.
October 19, 2012: Avon beat Rocky River (OH) Rocky River by a score of 42-21. Douglas had 23 carries for 235 yards and 5 touchdowns, from 5, 4, 58, 64, and 1 yards. Avon is now 8-1.
October 26, 2012: Avon beat North Ridgeville (OH) North Ridgeville by a score of 41-7. Douglas had 155 rushing yards, touchdowns of 67 and 65 yards, and a 79-yard punt return. Avon is now 9-1.
November 2, 2012: Avon beat Perrysburg (OH) Perrysburg in the first round of the playoffs by a score of 28-11. Douglas had 245 rushing yards, including touchdowns of 70, 20, and 1 yards. Avon is now 10-1.
November 9, 2012: Avon beat Tiffin (OH) Columbian by a score of 24-14. Douglas had 13 carries for 42 yards and 1 touchdown. Avon is now 11-1.
November 16, 2012: Avon lost to Toledo (OH) Central Catholic by a score of 42-14. Douglas had 14 carries for 72 yards and a 20-yard touchdown, along with 2 receptions for 32 yards. He also had 2 tackles. Avon ends the season 11-2.
Final Stats: 1,597 yards rushing and 25 touchdowns
- Dymonte Thomas fell from #95 to #102
- Chris Fox fell from #57 to #112
- Jake Butt fell from #118 to #131
- Jourdan Lewis fell from #147 to #150
- David Dawson jumped from #171 to #165 - Wyatt Shallman fell from #182 to #206
- Ross Douglas fell from #222 to #232
- Taco Charlton fell from #175 to #233
- Logan Tuley-Tillman fell from #235 to #241
- Ben Gedeon fell out of the top 250 4-stars: 102. Dymonte Thomas - S - Ohio (Michigan)
103. Michael Hill - DT - South Carolina (Ohio State)
104. Evan Lisle - OT - Ohio (Ohio State)
105. Antwuan Davis - CB - Texas (Texas)
109. Elijah Daniel - DE - Indiana (Clemson)
111. Isaac Rochell - DE - Georgia (Notre Dame) 112. Chris Fox - OT - Colorado (Michigan)
115. Keith Ford - RB - Texas (Oklahoma)
121. Greg Webb - DT - New Jersey (North Carolina)
127. Jake Oliver - WR - Texas (Texas)
130. Brendan Mahon - OG - New Jersey (Penn State) 131. Jake Butt - TE - Ohio (Michigan)
136. Yannick Ngakoue - LB - Washington, D.C. (Maryland)
137. Jordan Wilkins - RB - Tennessee (Auburn)
145. Scott Pagano - DT - Hawaii (Clemson) 150. Jourdan Lewis - CB - Michigan (Michigan)
151. Joe Mathis - DE - California
156. Al-Quadin Muhammad - DE - New Jersey
158. Hunter Bivin - OT - Kentucky (Notre Dame)
160. Billy Price - DT - Ohio (Ohio State)
162. Darren Carrington - WR - California (Oregon) 165. David Dawson - OG - Michigan (Michigan)
167. Jordan Cunningham - WR - Florida
178. Maurice Smith - CB - Texas (Alabama)
182. James Quick - WR - Kentucky
186. Nadir Barnwell - CB - New Jersey
189. Eldridge Massington - WR - Texas (USC)
195. Jayme Thompson - S - Ohio (Ohio State)
197. Ishmael Wilson - OG - Texas (Texas A&M) 206. Wyatt Shallman - FB - Michigan (Michigan)
213. Jason Hatcher - DE - Kentucky (USC)
217. Devon Allen - WR - Arizona
218. Sebastian LaRue - WR - California (USC)
219. Chase Abbington - ATH - Missouri (Missouri)
221. Cole Luke - CB - Arizona
229. Darius Latham - DT - Indiana (Wisconsin) 232. Ross Douglas - CB - Ohio (Michigan) 233. Taco Charlton - DE - Ohio (Michigan) 241. Logan Tuley-Tillman - OT - Illinois (Michigan)
Avon (OH) Avon cornerback Ross Douglas committed to Michigan on Tuesday. He also had offers from Cincinnati, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, Penn State, Purdue, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others.
Douglas is a 5'10", 180 lb. corner. As a junior in 2011, he had 175 carries for 1,019 yards (5.8 yards per carry) and 15 touchdowns, 10 receptions for 150 yards, 40 tackles, 13 pass breakups, and 1 interception. Yes, he's also Avon's starting tailback. He had originally committed to Penn State at the end of February, but he didn't like the idea of playing for a bunch of creepers and not playing in bowl games now that the NCAA has cracked down on the Nittany Lions. I can't say that I blame him.
Douglas isn't very tall, but he's solidly built. He's a willing tackler, although sometimes he doesn't have as much mass behind him as he would like. While Douglas claims a 4.41 forty, he appears to have just average speed for a cornerback. He changes direction with some fluidity, but again, he's not great in that area.
When I watch Douglas's film, the word that comes to mind most often is "almost." As in, "Hey, that was almost a really good play." I'm not sure how well that translates to the Big Ten. He's not an elite athlete in any particular way, so his ceiling is a little bit limited. The coaches likely want him to play slot cornerback, the position currently manned by Courtney Avery, and he might be able to help out on special teams, too. I don't think Douglas's skills translate well to boundary corner or field corner.
Douglas gives Michigan 23 commitments in a class that is expected to reach 24 or 25. He joins cornerbacks Gareon Conley, Jourdan Lewis, and Channing Stribling. Each of those guys seems headed for field or boundary. Avery will be a senior in 2013, but I think he could also play some field corner. That means the slot corner position could be a Delonte Hollowell vs. Ross Douglas battle next season, when Hollowell will be a junior.
ADDED TO THE BOARD (2013, 2014)
Avon (OH) Avon cornerback Ross Douglas was offered by Michigan, even though he committed to Penn State a couple weeks back. Douglas visited Ann Arbor in recent months and enjoyed his visit, but the coaches had their sights set on some bigger corners than the 5'10", 180 lb. Douglas. But now that guys like Tre Bell and Devin Butler have committed elsewhere (see below), they might be expanding their search for a guy to complement Gareon Conley and Jourdan Lewis.
Honolulu (HI) Moanalua defensive tackle Scott Pagano was offered by Michigan on Saturday. The 6'3", 280-pounder also holds offers from Arizona, Arkansas, Cal, Nebraska, and Oregon, among others. Pagano looks like a nose tackle but his highlights remind me of 2010 defensive tackle Terry Talbott, whose film was a series of play where nobody really bothered to block him. As a junior he had 72 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and 5 sacks.
Charlotte (NC) Providence offensive tackle Bentley Spain, a 2014 prospect, was offered by Michigan. He's a 6'6", 280 lb. lineman with offers from North Carolina, North Carolina State, and South Carolina. He's just a sophomore, but he claims a 330 lb. bench and a 400 lb. squat.
OFF THE BOARD
St. Louis (MO) DeSmet offensive tackle Andy Bauer, a 2014 prospect, committed to Missouri. This is kind of a disappointment for Michigan fans, since Bauer visited Michigan a couple months ago and thoroughly enjoyed his visit. The 6'5", 291 lb. lineman looks like a future star and gives the Tigers a couple victories over Michigan in grabbing upper echelon linemen in recent years, to go along with Evan Boehm in 2012.
Jersey City (NJ) St. Peter's Prep cornerback Tre Bell committed to Florida. The 5'11", 170 lb. Bell gave some lip service to considering Michigan, but at no point did the Wolverines seem like a serious contender.
Washington (DC) Gonzaga cornerback Devin Butler committed to Notre Dame. This was somewhat expected, as his two leaders all along seemed to be Penn State and the Fighting Irish. Hopefully he will go to South Bend and do what most cornerbacks do there, which is stand by idly while Mario ManninghamSam McGuffieGreg MathewsJunior HemingwayRoy Roundtree Jehu Chesson catches awesome touchdown passes.
Rancho Cucamonga (CA) Rancho Cucamonga cornerback Chris Hawkins committed to USC. Hawkins was all set to announce a commitment a couple weeks ago to Stanford, but then USC swooped in with an offer. He put his recruitment temporarily on hold, visited USC, and then became a Trojan.
Sicklerville (NJ) Timber Creek defensive tackle Greg Webb committed to Penn State. A lot of Michigan fans seemed to be pinning their hopes on Webb for the 2013 class because Michigan needs a couple interior guys, but I said all along that I did not expect the Wolverines to pull Webb. Michigan still has a shot with Baltimore (MD) Gilman's Henry Poggi, but I think any commitments at the nose tackle position will have to come from new offers, such as the one to Pagano.
WEEKEND VISITORS
Peoria (IL) Peoria defensive end Josh Augusta visited Michigan last week. The 6'5", 275 lb. end/tackle prospect lists an offer on Rivals so I'm keeping him on the offer board, but Wolverine Nation's Tom VanHaaren recently stated that he does NOT have an offer yet.
St. Paul (MN) Cretin-Derham quarterback Ricardo Johnson III, a 2014 prospect, visited Ann Arbor last week. Johnson is only 5'11", 170 lbs., but he's a sophomore so there's still room to grow. It's unclear how serious of a prospect he is. Some people have hyped him as one of the top prospects in Minnesota, which isn't a talent-rich state, but Cretin-Derham is a productive school. He also has yet to play for the varsity team. Regardless of his talent, he seems to have interest in the Wolverines and could be someone to watch in the future.
Upland (CA) Upland defensive end Joe Mathis visited Michigan over the weekend. He has offers from all over the country and he reportedly really liked his visit to Ann Arbor, so much that he has promised an official visit for the fall. Sometimes those promises don't pan out, so take that with a grain of salt, but it's still a good sign from the Californian. Mathis has recently shown up at camps and done very well. He could play the strongside end or the 3-tech defensive tackle position for the Wolverines.
Bealeton (VA) Liberty defensive end Wyatt Teller did NOT visit this past weekend. He was scheduled to come to Ann Arbor, but was unable to make it. He hopes to plan a trip for later this month.
Detroit (MI) Country Day defensive tackle Poet Thomas visited the Michigan campus. The 6'6", 280-pounder does not yet hold an offer from the Wolverines, but he has been offered by Colorado, Eastern Michigan, Florida, and Toledo. He's a big, thick-legged kid who looks like he'll be well over 300 lbs. by the time his career is finished. His size is intriguing, but I think he's a big project at this point. The coaches have been in contact with him for a while and previously were looking at him for the offensive line, but with OL positions filled up at this point, they recently informed him that they're evaluating him as a defensive tackle. He runs like an offensive lineman, plays really high, and frankly doesn't look like he's physically strong yet.
Lakewood (OH) St. Edward's safety Solomon Warfield will be visiting Michigan on Tuesday. He's a 6'1", 170 lb. defensive back who does not have a Michigan offer but attends the same school as 2012 commit Kyle Kalis. Warfield does hold offers from Arizona, Iowa, and West Virginia, along with a few others. He's a big hitter for being kind of a slight kid and has good speed, but Michigan seems set at safety at this point unless there's attrition.
