Here is an early list of players who are planning to head to Ann Arbor for The Game.
2022
Zeke Berry - S - Concord (CA) De La Salle: Berry is a 6'0", 185-pounder with offers from Michigan, Oregon, and UCLA; he decommitted from Arizona. He's a 4-star, the #19 safety, and #227 overall. This is an official visit.
Ethan Burke - DE - Austin (TX) Westlake: Burke is a 6'7", 225 lb. prospect with offers from Baylor, Kansas State, Michigan, and Texas Tech, among others. He's a 247 Sports 3-star and the #40 edge player. This is an official visit.
Domani Jackson - CB - Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei: Jackson is a 6'1", 185 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama and Michigan, along with a bunch of others. He also just decommitted from USC last week. He's a 5-star, the #2 cornerback, and #6 overall. He has developed a good relationship with Michigan commit Will Johnson (see below), who has been a big positive in Jackson's recruitment. Jackson took an official visit back in September, so this is an unofficial.
Hit the jump for more.
Will Johnson - CB - Grosse Pointe (MI) South: Johnson is committed to Michigan (LINK).
Tyler Morris - WR - La Grange Park (IL) Nazareth Academy: Morris is committed to Michigan (LINK).
Jimmy Rolder - LB - Chicago (IL) Marist: Rolder is committed to Michigan (LINK).
Deone Walker - DT - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Walker is a 6'7", 330-pounder with offers from Alabama, Kentucky, and Michigan, among others. He's a 4-star, the #32 defensive lineman, and #241 overall.
2023
Anthony James - DT - Wylie (TX) East: James is a 6'5", 245 lb. prospect who is committed to Texas A&M. He also has offers from Georgia, LSU, Michigan, and Texas, among others. He's a 4-star, the #19 defensive lineman, and #100 overall.
Luke Montgomery - OT - Findlay (OH) Findlay: Montgomery is a 6'5", 280-pounder with offers from Clemson, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. He's a 4-star, the #6 offensive tackle, and #62 overall. He recently named Michigan to his top six.
Sam Pendleton - OT - Pfafftown (NC) Reagan: Pendleton is a 6'4", 276 lb. prospect with offers from Duke, Michigan, and Penn State, among others.
Andrew Rappleyea - TE - Milton (MA) Milton Academy: Rappleyea is a 6'4", 215 lb. prospect with offers from North Carolina, Ole Miss, and Penn State, among others. He's a 247 Sports 3-star and the #24 tight end in the country.
Joel Starlings - DT - Richmond (VA) Benedictine: Starlings is a 6'5", 310-pounder with offers from Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, and Penn State, among others. He's a 4-star, the #28 defensive lineman, and #197 overall.
Trey Wilson - DE - Garland (TX) Lakeview Centennial: Wilson is a 6'3", 230 lb. player with offers from Arkansas, Baylor, Michigan, and Oklahoma State, among others. He's a 3-star, the #49 defensive lineman, and #335 overall. Wilson attends the alma mater of freshman defensive tackle Ike Iwunnah.
2024
2025
I am surprised at the small number of visitors from the 2022 recruiting class for the game. Given how strong our season has been, I am a little disappointed that this year's recruiting class is not better.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there will be more. This is not a complete list.
DeleteWhat's the risk/reward equation for a game like this with high-profile recruits? If Michigan loses, are top recruits put off, or do they see how they can get early playing time and contribute? (I realize this depends on *how* Michigan plays the game: if they get curb-stomped it's a different dynamic than an exciting, close game.)
ReplyDeletePlayers might see they can get early playing time. Coaches might also say, "Look, the piece we're really missing is you." Like if Michigan has a hard time covering Ohio State's receivers, they could tell Domani Jackson and Zeke Berry that they're needed in the secondary to help shut down star wideouts.
DeleteEnvironment is key. We could lose, but if fans are up & enthused, we should make a great impression. Boo our own players/coaches, or the Big House being taken over by buckeye fans, and recruits will have a dampered experience
ReplyDelete*in addition to Thunder's point on opportunity
I agree. Booing the players is stupid and bad for the program. Don't do it people.
DeleteSome kids are just going to come for the experience and that's OK but you also probably don't want to invite 50 guys who are likely going elsewhere and happy to say so to their fellow recruits. Better to have a mix of commits and guys that can be potentially poached. Make em feel wanted and special and part of an elite club.
ReplyDeleteSeems defeatist to me to worry about turning recruits off by showing them an OSU UM game. Sure it could be ugly, and OSU fans could have another party in Michigan Stadium, but if you're scared to show a recruit The Game then you've already lost IMO.
Got my first real opportunity to sit down with football for quite sometime.
ReplyDeleteEthan Burke is really hard to block. He’s a long way away and is really good for a high school kid at getting his hands on you and pulling you away from where he wants to go.
And speaking of bad offensive tackle play. Ryan Hayes what on earth are you doing blocking on a likely all conference DE with you’re damn elbows like a bad junior high school lineman.
Grab him by the shoulder pads, drag him down, tackle him, take a personal foul. I don’t care what you do except don’t do what you did. Dear Lord!!!!! Maybe the single worst “lookout block” I have ever seen.
I feel better now.
Delete