Inside the Fish Bowl: May 16th Football Recruiting Update

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

Malzone Commits to Team 136 and the Trail 

Finally, Team 136 landed another commitment. It seems like it\’s been forever since good news on the recruiting front, but that all changed when Alex Malzone committed.

As the top quarterback in the state and one of the most underrated in the country, Malzone had been waiting on a Michigan offer since he was a child. And as soon as it was extended, he didn\’t waste anytime in committing.

Now that he is on board, he is ready to take over as the \”leader\” of the class.  Here\’s what he told Wolverine247\’s Steve Lorenz ($):

\”I immediately got right to it once I committed,\” Malzone told me this morning. \”Now that I\’m a part of the program, I\’m going to do whatever I can to make our class the best it can be.\” 

 As for who he\’s recruiting, Alex told MLive\’s Nick Baumgardner all about it:

\”I\’ve talked a lot with Chris Clark, (four-star receiver) Miles Boynkin, Mike Weber, (four-star athlete) Brian Cole, (four-star defensive end) Darian Roseboro. And some other guys. But those are some of the guys I\’ve talked to a lot, and talked with them about their interest in Michigan.\”

Michigan Gets a Rose (x2)

In the world of recruiting, making an elite prospects top x schools is the equivalent to getting a rose on one of those dating shows. Basically, it means a ton to hardcore fans but is pointless to everyone else.

The first rose Michigan landed was from their top strong side defensive end target, Darian Roseboro. The 6\’4\’\’ 265lb end included the Wolverines in his top 10 that he released via Twitter. That list also included NC State, Duke, Clemson, UNC, O$U, Tennessee, Alabama, LSU and Florida.

Making the top 10 is great and all, but with the news and rumors out there, it looks like Michigan is the team to beat for Roseboro thanks to his three day visit in April. And the news could get even better in the near future when he visits again in July ($). The COMMIT WATCH will be on, for sure.

As for the other given rose, that came from Osa Masina, the 6\’4\’\’ 218lb four star linebacker from Utah. He had Michigan in his top two for a long time, but being from the west it is hard for him to get to Ann Arbor. The last time he visited, he fell in love with the Wolverines and the family atmosphere in the program.

As one of the top 8 schools, likely in the top 3-4, Michigan will have a much better chance at wrapping up the Utah linebacker if/when he visits again.

Top 8 in no order Wisconsin Utah UCLA Arizona State Michigan USC Notre Dame Stanford Thank you every other school and coaches! Grateful

— Ozkie (@OS_tertag) May 1, 2014

Vistors 

After landing plenty of our targets, Penn State\’s recruiting success is finally helping Michigan as one of their top targets, offensive tackle Grant Newsome, is now a very high possibility. The elite tackle has the Wolverines and Nittany Lions on top of his list. But Penn State already has two four star tackles committed, while Michigan has yet to land one.

Now the staff has their chance to wrap up his commitment. Newsome is visiting on June 7th with both of his parents and I think we will be on COMMIT WATCH, with a high probability of success.

Another top target for Michigan and the rest of the nation is defensive end Keisean Lucier-South. Luckily for UofM, he grew up a Michigan fan and was ecstatic when the Wolverines finally offered.

Many believed KLS was a possible commit once offered type of prospect, but thanks to his recruitment blowing up and the fact that he has never visited Ann Arbor. But that will soon change.

KLS is planning to visit Ann Arbor for the Penn State game on October 11th. The news is huge because of his love for the University without ever visiting. So with a visit, it could push the Wolverines to the top of his list for good.

Visitor number three is four star middle linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr.

The Indiana MIKE linebacker is extremely familiar with the Michigan program as he has visited several times. However, this will be the first time he visits with an offer.

Kirkland was supposed to commit at the end of May, but decided to bump back his decision to learn more about his top schools. I am not predicting a commitment when he visits this weekend, but I do think Michigan will definitely pull ahead of the rest.

Clark has a Leader

In a bit of older news, the number one tight end in the nation, Chris Clark, visited Ann Arbor on April 18th. The visit was huge news since the staff clearly needs more depth behind Jake Butt and Ian Bunting, but also because Clark was newly decommitted from North Carolina.

On the visit, the staff did what the staff does, and that is showing out better than, arguably, any staff in the country. Clark felt the family vibe, saw everything the city, University, and program has to offer, and also saw how he would be used. That is one thing Michigan has over his other top schools. No one uses and highlights the tight end like Brady Hoke\’s teams.

The trip went so well that Clark told Scout\’s Kyle Bogenschutz ($) that \”It was like a perfect trip\”. After the visit, Clark has admitted that Michigan and Ohio $tate are at the top of his list, but many are predicting that the Wolverines hold the advantage.

With the nation\’s top tight end likely making a summer decision, look for the Wolverines to bolster their tight end depth, soon.

Peace Out…..

Shaun Crawford?

The former top commitment to the class may be on his way out. News broke today that he will be visiting Notre Dame and possibly Ohio State in the near future.

If you\’re not familiar with Michigan\’s visiting policy, once a committed player visits another school they are no longer viewed as a commitment and the staff will start to recruit to fill their position. This is a great recruiting tool, IMO, as it forces kids to be 100% sure before making a commitment.

Even though he is visiting elsewhere, Crawford is still committed to Michigan. His father explained the situation to MLive\’s Nick Baumgardner:

\”His father confirmed the news to the site, saying Crawford would visit Notre Dame this weekend before taking a trip to Ohio State on May 31. He also added that his son was \”still committed\” to Michigan.\”

In my opinion, Crawford ends up in the class (similar to David Dawson in 2012). He just wants to get out and visit other top schools, which only makes sense. Every player should enjoyment their recruitment and never rush into a decision.

Shhhh…….it\’s George Campbell 

The one time Team 136 recruit is rumored to be a silent commitment to Florida (via Scout\’s Sam Webb).

There\’s not too much to say about that. Once Campbell decommitted, the chance of landing him was slim to none.

Sterling Jenkins and Brandon Wimbush

In not too surprising news, Penn State landed 4* OT Sterling Jenkins and 4* QB Brandon Wimbush.

Both players were being recruited by the staff but only Jenkins was offered. At one point, many thought the Wolverines were the favorite to land Jenkins. As for Wimbush, he has one of the best arms in the class but was never offered by the staff, for some odd reason.

New Offers and Targets

  • ATH Javarius Davis
  • RB Dexter Williams (committed to Miami)
  • RB Ty\’Son Williams
  • RB Mikell Lands-Davis
  • OT Drew Richmond
  • OT Abdul Bello
  • OT Henry Roberts
  • OG Patrick Ellen
  • OT Keaton Sutherland
  • OT William Sweet
  • OT Calvin Throckmorton

2016

Unlike the 2015 class, Michigan has a chance to have a top 5 class in the nation in 2016 thanks to the amount of talent in the Midwest and the early interest they have received.

One of the top players and running backs in the class, Kareem Walker out of New Jersey, is very interested in the Wolverines. That is thanks to the staff getting in and relating early, as well as Team 135\’s top recruit and fellow New Jersian, Jabrill Peppers putting in a good word.

In an interview with Wolverine247\’s Steve Lorenz, Kareem let him know about his interest and upcoming visit to Ann Arbor ($):

\”I\’m gonna go up there once Jabrill makes it to campus,\” he said. \”He\’s been talking to me about Michigan for a while. He keeps telling me how great of a school Michigan is and that it\’d be a good fit for me. He likes the coaches there a lot and says Michigan is ready to rise back up again. He also talks a lot about how the coaching staff turns their players into men.\”

If Kareem falls in love with Michigan on his visit like Jabrill did, the staff may land the top player out of New Jersey in two of the last three years.

Team 137\’s QB Update

With Team 136\’s quarterback situation finally wrapped up, it is time for Nussmeier to look for his next class\’ quarterback. The big difference this year is that fact that he will have a year and a half of recruiting. This gives him the chance to really build a relationship with the top talents in the country.

Here are the top names Nuss has been focusing on:

  • Jacob Eason 
    • The top quarterback in the country, according to 247, Eason is the prototypical QB prospect. Also, he will be visiting Michigan this summer.
  • KJ Costello
    • Another big, strong pro-style quarterback is very interested in the Wolverines. He will also be visiting Ann Arbor this summer to camp and throw live for the staff.
  • Sonny Abramson
  • Brennen Wooten 
    • After Nussmeier visited him this past week, Wooten spoke with Steve Lorenz about his interest in Michigan ($). Talking about how Nussmeier is a main reason he\’s interested in the Wolverines.
  • Messiah deWeaver
    • The sure-fire bet to be the quarterback of Team 137. deWeaver is planning camping at Michigan this summer, likely looking for that offer. If and when he\’s offered, a commitment could come soon after.

In Other News

Chad Lindsey, the transfer from Alabama, committed to Ohio $tate. Oh well.

As for positive transfer news…….

Do you remember 5* RB Ty Isaac? The recruit that committed to USC over Michigan in 2012? Well, he is transferring from USC to move back closer to his mom in Chicago. And guess who just may be the favorite to land him? You guessed it.

According to GoBlueWolverine\’s Sam Webb ($), Isaac has spoken with the Michigan coaches and is trying set up a visit in the near future. Things are definitely looking good for this possibility.

If it somehow happens and Isaac is a Wolverine, he will have to sit out the 2014 season. But with his addition, it could mean the staff only takes one running back in 2015. So, it could be a battle between Weber and Harris even more.

Garrett Fishaw
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