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Inside the Fish Bowl is Liking the Look of this Week

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

The 2016 Michigan spring game is this Friday which means the first true recruiting run could be upon us. With the list of visitors expected mixed with the timelines of some of the top names on the board, there’s a real chance the Wolverines coaching staff receives plenty of good news.

And that good news should start pretty soon.

Another Alabama Safety on Deck

Last week, Michigan was expected to get some good news from Bob Jones (AL) S AJ Harris. Well, after doing some digging, that went south after some dumb mistakes and information leaked that was not supposed to be told.

So, that is on hold. But what isn’t on hold is the other safety out of Alabama.

First reported by The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich, Woods is planning on making his commitment announcement this Tuesday, just days after leaving Ann Arbor ($). That’s a pretty good sign and I fully believe he does indeed choose UM. As does another Michigan recruiting analyst.

Wolverine247’s Steve Lorenz put in his Crystal Ball for Woods to Michigan on Sunday night ($).

Sounds almost exactly the same as last week, right? Difference is, this information was released with the player’s agreement.

As for where the safety board stands if/when Woods joins the fray, Harris is still very much in the mix. The other names to obviously watch closely are Cass Tech (MI) DB Jaylen Kelly-Powell, who’s been one of the most frequent visitors to UM, and Epsicopal (VA) S Jonathan Sutherland and Bridgeton (NJ) ATH Markquese Bell.

And, though it’s a bit of a shot in the dark, I’d keep an eye on elite South Grand Prairie (TX) DB Jeffrey Okudah. He’s one of the best overall players in the class and has favored Ohio State for sometime, but Michigan is pushing and he’s definitely interested.

Make it a Double?

Like previously mentioned, Michigan may be in store for one of their best recruiting weeks of the cycle. Woods looks likely to join the class on Tuesday while the staff could add another versatile athlete that recently visited in Lawrence Academy (MA) ATH AJ Dillon.

Dillon, who visited Ann Arbor for the first time on March 22nd, came away very impressed with what UM has to offer him. That includes his connection with Coach Wheatley, whose running style is similar to Dillon’s. Add in him prioritizing education and things look to be swaying towards UM.

It also helps when multiple top 247Sports analysts start putting in their Crystal Ball selections for the Wolverines, including two who are close to the situation in Bucknuts’ Alex Gleitman and national analyst Steve Wiltfong.

But when could it go down? Well, if you pay close attention to Twitter and read into things closely, it may happen at 10 o’clock in the near future:

This tweet’s intentions hasn’t been confirmed yet but I’ll be watching closely Monday morning. It also helps when The Wolverine’s Brandon Brown is hearing some buzz about good news coming ($).

Wilder Out 

Michigan recently hosted a large group of recruits this past week, including one of the best linebackers in Florida and in the class, Carol City (FL) LB De’Andre Wilder.

Some would think Michigan wouldn’t stand a chance in the recruitment of a top linebacker from the Sunshine State that is heavily wanted by the likes of Miami, Florida and Alabama. However, UM did a ton to help their chances moving forward.

After speaking with a source close to the situation, Michigan has “a great shot at both” Wilder and his teammate, DB Naytron Culpepper, who also truly enjoyed his trip to Ann Arbor.

If Michigan continues to push for Wilder, they should be a real option for him moving forward as the UM brand is gaining a ton of momentum in Florida thanks to Jim Harbaugh and Devin Bush Sr. It also helps that some Miami recruits get worn down from people pressuring them to commit to the Hurricanes.

Versatile Targets Taking Notice

DE DJ Johnson

I caught up with Johnson recently and he wasn’t hiding his affinity for the Maize and Blue. He let me know that Michigan is among his top five teams. But could he have just been being modest?

According to Wolverine247’s Steve Lorenz’s sources, Michigan is a top contender and could make a run for the talented west coast target ($).

LB Jordan Anthony 

Mentioned last week that the IMG Academy linebacker/running back and Maryland native is planning to visit Michigan for the spring game on Friday.

Anthony is a name to watch closely on the trail. He’s highly interested in UM and if he is able to make it to Ann Arbor this week, the Wolverines could launch to the top of his list.

ATH Popo Aumavae 

Jim Harbaugh loves him some two-way players and one of the top names on their jumbo athlete board comes from the west coast.

Aumavae is a player that could be an impact player at either defensive tackle or offensive guard and looks to be a top target for new Director of Player Personnel Tony Tuioti. And now that prioritized recruitment may pay off as, according to Lorenz, Aumavae may visit for the spring game ($).

Quick Hitters

Photo Credit: John Raoux/AP

Garrett Fishaw
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