2017 Recruiting Awards

Cesar Ruiz

It's time for the yearly recruiting awards. You can look back on past awards here (LINK).

Best Overall Recruit: C Cesar Ruiz
An offensive lineman isn't a sexy pick for the best overall recruit, but Ruiz is the country's #1 center and I gave him a TTB Rating of 99. He has the size and the experience at the position to play fairly early in his career, as well as develop into a very good player down the road. I expect him to at least be in the running for a Rimington Trophy by the end of his career.

Best Offensive Recruit: C Cesar Ruiz
Centers play offense.

Best Defensive Recruit: DT Aubrey Solomon
Maybe this isn't a very sexy choice, either, because nose tackles generally aren't superstars. But Solomon is 6'3", 295 lbs. and extremely strong, and he plays with good leverage. Defensive line coach Greg Mattison has taken less talented players and turned them into college stars, so Solomon should be in line for some great things.

Hit the jump for the rest of the superlatives.

ESPN 300 for 2017 released

Donovan Peoples-Jones and Michael Onwenu

ESPN released their top 300 prospects for the class of 2017 (LINK). There are no 5-star prospects on the list yet, so all these prospects are 4-stars and 3-stars. Four of the top six prospects are offensive tackles, and a fifth is a defensive tackle. ESPN is weird like that.

Anyway, hit the jump for all of Michigan's offerees:

2015 Michigan Summer Camp Participants

Brownsburg (IN) Brownsburg quarterback Hunter Johnson

Thanks to Jeff for the recent donation! If you would like to donate to the site redesign drive, please use Paypal (on the left sidebar) or do some shopping on Amazon (LINK). Thanks for your support!
---------------
The Exposure U camp (for most positions) is from June 14-17th, and the Aerial Assault camp (for quarterbacks) is on June 20th (LINK). Aerial Assault participants are denoted with an asterisk.

2016
*Jacob Baldwin - QB - Wateford (MI) Mott: Baldwin is a 6'2", 195 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He will be throwing to Desmond Fitzpatrick this fall after Fitzpatrick transferred from Farmington.

*Wade Buckman - QB - Holland (MI) Holland: Buckman is a 6'6", 205 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

Jacob Cerny - OG - Traverse City (MI) West:

*Reagan Cotton - QB - Traverse City (MI) Central:

Bailey Edwards - WR - Chelsea (MI) Chelsea: Edwards is a 6'1", 177 lb. prospect with offers from Minnesota and a handful of MAC programs. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #183 wide receiver, and #1234 overall. He's the younger brother of former Wolverine wide receiver Braylon Edwards, as well as Minnesota running back Berkley Edwards.

Trenton Fincher - OT - East Kentwood (MI) East Kentwood: Fincher is a 6'6", 280 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

Ezra Gray - WR - Lynn Haven (FL) Mosley: Gray is a 5'9", 175 lb. prospect with no FBS offers at this time. He claims a 4.31 forty.

Dele' Harding - LB - Elkton (MD) Eastern Christian Academy: Harding committed to Michigan in October 2014 (LINK). He's current a 247 Composite 3-star, the #21 inside linebacker, and #568 overall.

*Joshua Jackson - QB - Saline (MI) Saline: Jackson, the son of former Michigan running backs coach Fred Jackson and the brother of former wide receiver Jeremy, committed to Virginia Tech in early June (LINK).

Trishton Jackson - QB/WR - West Bloomfield (MI) West Bloomfield: Jackson, coached by former Wolverine Ronald Bellamy, has earned a bunch of MAC offers and Big Ten teams are starting to ramp up their interest (Iowa and Michigan State have offered).

Daniel Joseph - DE - Lake Forest (IL) Lake Forest: Joseph is a 6'3", 240 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, the #15 strongside end, and #262 overall. Michigan State's 247 writer Sean Scherer has him headed to the Wolverines, while a Vandy writer pegs him for the Spartans; however, Michigan State has picked up several defensive line commits in the past week or two, so they're running low on spots.

Jalen Martin - WR - Harper Woods (MI) Chandler Park:

Sean McKeon - TE - Dudley (MA) Shepherd Hill: McKeon committed to Michigan on Monday (LINK).

Jai Nunn-Liddell - WR - Mableton (GA) Pebblebrook: Nunn-Liddell is a 6'3", 185 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

*Brandon Peters - QB - Avon (IN) Avon: Peters committed to Michigan in April (LINK).

Jalen Phelps - S - Powder Springs (GA) Hillgrove: Phelps is a 5'10", 175 lb. prospect with an offer from Kent State.

David Reese - LB - Farmington (MI) Farmington: Reese committed to Michigan in April (LINK).

Nathan Skene - TE - Hartland (MI) Hartland: Skene is the son of former Michigan lineman Doug Skene.

Devin Taylor - CB - Lansing (MI) Sexton: Taylor is a 6'1", 175 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He claims a 4.5 forty.

Eyioma Uwazurike - DE - Southfield (MI) Lathrup: Uwazurike is a 6'6", 254 lb. prospect with offers from seven MAC programs. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #59 strongside end, and #1139 overall. As a junior in 2014, he made 74 tackles, 14 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles.

Andrew Vastardis - OG - Ashburn (VA) Stone Bridge:

*Kurt Walding - QB - West Des Moines (IA) Dowling Catholic: Walding is a 6'1", 206 lb. prospect with no offers right now. He attends the alma mater of redshirt junior wide receiver Amara Darboh.

Devin Waldon - LB - Detroit (MI) East English Village:

Kendrew Wynn - S - Norcross (GA) Norcross: Wynn is a 6'1", 185 lb. prospect with no offers right now.

Hit the jump for a bunch of 2017, 2018, and 2019 prospects.

Visitors: June 2, 2015

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones

This event is a meet-and-greet for in-state 2017 prospects. It will take place at 3:30 p.m.

Carter Dunaway - TE - Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice: Dunaway committed to Michigan in April (LINK).

Ja'Raymond Hall - OT - Oak Park (MI) Oak Park: Hall is a 6'5", 255 lb. prospect with offers from Miami-OH and Michigan. He's a 247 Sports 4-star, the #13 offensive tackle, and #82 overall. He is thought to be leaning toward the Wolverines.

K.J. Hamler - WR - Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary's: Hamler is a 5'9", 155 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, and several others. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, the #45 wide receiver, and #279 overall. While he has the size to also play cornerback, he wants to play offense, although he would have to be a slot guy and maybe a kickoff returner. He is considered to be a Michigan State lean.

Hit the jump for a few more visitors.

2017 Recruiting Update: April 21, 2015

Detroit (MI) King cornerback Ambry Thomas (image via Twitter)

Thanks to Karl for the generous donation yesterday! If you would also like to donate to the site redesign drive, please use Paypal (on the left sidebar) or do some shopping on Amazon (LINK). Danke sehr!
---------------

COMMITMENT
Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice tight end Carter Dunaway committed to Michigan (LINK).


ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Olney (MD) Good Counsel linebacker Jordan Anthony was offered by Michigan. He's a 6'0", 210 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, Iowa, Kentucky, and Maryland. He's a 247 Sports 4-star, the #9 outside linebacker, and #110 overall. Anthony is a speedy linebacker who would probably be a weakside linebacker in college. Good Counsel is the alma mater of Michigan fifth year senior cornerback Blake Countess.

Los Angeles (CA) Hawkins wide receiver Taariq Johnson was offered by Michigan. He's a 6'4", 210 lb. prospect with offers from Baylor, Miami, and Ohio. He's a 247 Sports 4-star, the #19 wide receiver, and #127 overall. Johnson is big enough to be a potential tight end. He's a recent transfer from Long Beach (CA) Poly, and his highlights were removed from their Hudl page, so all I have to go on right now is a few highlights from a camp. Two of Johnson's 2017 teammates include running back Greg Johnson and wide receiver Joseph Lewis, both of whom already hold offers from the Wolverines.

Hit the jump for several more new offers, a few guys who committed elsewhere, and some random bits.

Top 247 for 2017 released

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech safety Jaylen Kelly-Powell (image via Twitter)

247 Sports released its top 247 prospects for 2017 (LINK).

Here are the players who have been offered by Michigan:

5-stars:
2. A.J. Epenesa - DE - Illinois
3. Josh Myers - OT - Ohio (Ohio State)
4. Calvin Ashley - OT - Florida

4-stars:
8. Marvin Wilson - DT - Texas
9. Hunter Johnson - QB - Indiana
10. Anthony McFarland, Jr. - RB - Maryland
13. Donovan Peoples-Jones - WR - Michigan
15. Shaun Wade - CB - Florida (Ohio State)
16. Najee Harris - RB - California
17. Osiris St. Brown - WR - California
18. Devon Hunter - ATH - Virginia
20. D'Andre Swift - RB - Pennsylvania
22. Jeffrey Okudah - S - Texas
23. Jeff Thomas - WR - Illinois
28. Isaiah Pryor - S - Georgia
33. Joseph Lewis - WR - California
39. Stanford Samuels - CB - Florida
42. Greg Johnson - ATH - California
44. Tyrell Ajian - ATH - Ohio
46. Dylan McCaffrey - QB - Colorado
47. Richard LeCounte - ATH - Georgia
48. Maleik Gray - ATH - Tennessee
55. Darnay Holmes - ATH - California
58. Brock Wright - TE - Texas
68. Jake Moretti - OT - Colorado
76. Anthony Hines - LB - Texas
77. Juwan Burgess - WR - Florida
81. JaRaymond Hall - OT - Michigan
87. Marcus Williamson - CB - Ohio
88. Hezekiah Jones - WR - Texas
99. M.J. Webb - DE - Texas
106. Jamyest Williams - CB - Georgia
111. Josh Ross - LB - Michigan
125. Kedrick James - TE - Texas
136. J.T. Cauthen - WR - North Carolina
139. Paris Ford - S - Pennsylvania
150. Todd Sibley - RB - Ohio
178. Corey Bolds - DE - New Jersey
180. Jaylen Kelly-Powell - S - Michigan
183. Corey Malone-Hatcher - DE - Michigan
229. Darnell Ewell - DT - Virginia
240. Juan Harris - DT - Iowa