Recruiting Update: June 18, 2012

Class of 2014 linebacker Michael Ferns visited Michigan this weekend
(image via Twitter)

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2014
Chicago (IL) De La Salle offensive guard Jamarco Jones was offered by Michigan on his visit to campus.  He's a 6'5", 285 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Ohio State, and Vanderbilt.  He plays left tackle for De La Salle, but his body type and pulling ability suggest more of a future at guard than tackle.  I really like his athleticism, strength, and mentality.


Detroit (MI) Cass Tech cornerback Damon Webb received a Michigan offer on Thursday.  The 5'11", 170 lb. Webb transferred to Cass Tech this offseason and will play for the Technicians for the first time this fall.  Similarly to future teammate Jourdan Lewis, it appears Webb could play either cornerback or receiver in college.  The Wolverines want him for defense.

OFF THE BOARD
Somerville (NJ) Immaculata defensive end Tashawn Bower committed to Auburn.  He said not long ago that he would visit Michigan this summer, but when he made his commitment, he said he was shutting down his recruitment and that he was 100%.  You never know in recruiting, but it looks like that visit might not happen.

Avon (IN) Avon defensive end Elijah Daniel committed to Clemson.  Daniel never strongly considered Michigan and always seemed to want to head south.  Clemson just picked up defensive end Robert Nkemdiche, who is considered by some to be 2013's top overall prospect, last week.  If you go to Clemson, you might not win many games . . . but it does give you a good chance to get to the NFL.

Oakland (CA) Freedom wide receiver Darrell Daniels committed to Washington.  Some people were surprised that Daniels picked the Huskies over USC, but those were his two leaders for a while.  Daniels expressed early interest in seeing Michigan, but it never seemed like a serious flirtation.

Matthews (NC) Butler quarterback Riley Ferguson committed to Tennessee.  Michigan already has its 2013 quarterback in Shane Morris, but Ferguson was one of only three guys that the Wolverines offered in the process.  Michigan's staffs have gone after Butler hard in recent years, trying to reel in guys like linebacker Kris Frost, linebacker Peter Kalambayi, and both Christian and Uriah LeMay; however, the coaches have struck out ever since they got Jamar Adams back in 2004.

Akron (OH) Firestone wide receiver Kevin Gladney committed to Nebraska.  Michigan was pursuing him early and it was rumored that Gladney was close to committing, but that buzz went away and so did Michigan's recruitment of him.  He was originally reported to be 6'3" or 6'4", but it turned out that he's only 6'1".  Gladney's not particularly fast or elusive, and Michigan needs a playmaker as its third wide receiver, anyway, so it wouldn't have been a great match.

Washington (DC) Friendship Collegiate Academy inside linebacker Yannick Ngakoue committed to Maryland.  He was offered just prior to Michigan filling up on linebackers, so it doesn't seem like Michigan got too far into the process of going after him.  Regardless, Ngakoue appeared to want to stay close to home, he has a couple classmates committed to the Terps, and Randy Edsall is doing a nice job of recruiting since coming over from UConn.  Friendship Collegiate Academy has been churning out some quality talent in the last few classes (such as DT Eddie Goldman in 2012), so it's good to try to develop a relationship there.

CAMP VISITORS
Here's a look at some of the kids who are camping at Michigan this week.

WEEKEND VISITORS
Michael Ferns - LB - St. Clairsville (OH) St. Clairsville
Jamarco Jones - OG - Chicago (IL) De La Salle
Josh Malone - WR - Gallatin (TN) Station Camp
Christopher Murphy - CB - Kennesaw (GA) Harrison