In my latest Michigan recruiting update (aka Inside the Fish Bowl), I mentioned that I was “extremely close” to adding in a Crystal Ball prediction for American Heritage (FL) OL Tedarrell Slaton to Michigan. The only thing holding me back was a little more info and clearing up of his basketball aspirations.
Though there are still questions about his basketball playing future, enough info has come out for me to feel confident enough to put in my Crystal Ball for Slaton to Michigan.
Slaton is a player who has been a pretty consistent member of my Best Guess Recruiting Class since August 2015. He’s been a member of each class prediction besides one since that time, besides one. And that was last month’s as he was the last name taken off of the list. Rumor had it that even though his teammate OL Kai-Leon Herbert committed to Michigan, Slaton was said to be more likely to stay down south as Clemson and the in-state programs looked to have the advantage. But that doesn’t look to be the case anymore (if it ever truly was).
TMI’s Sam Webb recently mentioned that he believed Clemson was indeed the favorite for Slaton. But that was until he spoke with his colleague, Scout’s South Recruiting Analyst Chad Simmons, who believes it will be Michigan for the American Heritage lineman ($).
When you add that into all of the other positive information coming out for Michigan on Slaton, including:
- A source mentioned that talk down in the Sunshine State is that Michigan is the favorite, and the eventual landing spot, for Slaton thanks to the presence of Jim Harbaugh in Ann Arbor.
- American Heritage head coach, Pat Surtain, recently told 247Sports’ Ryan Bartow that Michigan “still leads” for Slaton ($).
- Slaton told Rivals’ Rob Cassidy that his top three were Michigan, Tennessee and Florida State. He also mentioned that he’s looking for a school that’s “like home” and distance wasn’t a factor in his decision, which he’s expecting to make after his season ($).
- Piggybacking off of the “like home” factor, Slaton told Wolverine247 that Michigan “feels more like home” after his June visit ($).
The only two factors that are still out there that don’t have me believing this is a slam dunk for the Maize and Blue is the basketball aspirations and Michigan’s offensive line class filling up quickly.
Honestly, like I’ve mentioned before, I still can’t see Slaton choosing Western Michigan or another lower level football program over Michigan or another P5 program for the opportunity on the hardwood. As for the numbers side of things, I can’t see UM turning down Slaton if he wants to join the class. His upside and talent level is just too high to do so.
So, my Crystal Ball is on Michigan. It may not come to fruition for a couple months now as he’s very likely to enjoy his recruitment and take all of his official visits. But when he does decide, I’m quite confident that the Wolverines will be the choice.
What do you think? Will Michigan land one of the biggest and best offensive lineman in the 2017 class? Let us know in the comment section below!
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