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Inside the Fish Bowl: Latest July Recruiting Update

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

With the BBQ at the Big House coming up this Sunday, recruiting news is start to pick up even more. The visitors list continues to grow but the chances of a commitment are decreasing with the latest news on the trail, including a big time decommitment and a possible new/old wide receiver and cornerback rethinking their view of the Wolverines:

People Who are Supposed to Catch the Ball

Starting with wide receiver recruiting, Michigan looks to (possibly) have a real shot at bringing in-state WR Donnie Corley back into the fold. The Detroit King standout confirmed his two visits to Michigan this week to Rivals’ Josh Helmholdt ($):

I’ll be going to Michigan on Wednesday and then I’ll probably go to their barbecue (Sunday),”

While I still don’t have a ton of faith in Michigan’s chances to land Corley, this week could be huge. If the staff really opens his eyes to the program and University, things could get very interesting.

Corley is clearly still a top option for the staff but if he’s looking to wait and make a decision, his spot could be gone (assuming the staff is only planning on taking 3 WRs). Along with current commit Brad Hawkins, the safe bet at the moment is that the wide receiver class ends with Ahmir Mitchell and Keyshawn Young.

Speaking of Young, I had an update on him in the last Inside the Fish Bowl and now it looks like my decision to add him to my July Best Guess Recruiting Class is looking better and better. Also adding in a prediction to the good guys, Wolverine247’s Steve Lorenz put in his Crystal Ball prediction for “Pie” to commit to Michigan ($):

On Monday, we learned that the Wolverines have been in daily contact with Young and that they’re pushing hard for him to visit campus. He’s definitely taking an official visit to Ann Arbor sometime this fall, but the goal is to try to get him up for a visit sometime before the football season starts.”

If the staff is able to get him on campus by the end of the summer, I wouldn’t rule out a quick decision from Young, especially with the limited amount of spots available and plenty of targets still on the board.

As for another wide receiver that looks to be on Michigan’s board, TheMichiganInsider’s Brice Marich caught up with recent USC commit WR Trevon Sidney who is still planning on taking an official visit to Michigan this fall ($).

….And People Who Also Block

The biggest news in college football recruiting on Tuesday was the nation’s #1 tight end, Isaac Nauta, decommitting from Florida State:

Though he told Rivals’ Rob Cassidy he was “open to everyone,”($),  several analysts quickly added Crystal Ball predictions to his home state Georgia Bulldogs. And when you read what he told 247Sports’ Kipp Adams ($), you can see why:

Georgia, from the beginning, and when I made my decision, they were in my top four, but really they were in the top two,” Nauta said last week. “They have always been at the top for me. Really the proximity to home plays in their favor.”

While Georgia is obviously the favorite and safe bet, I have believed Michigan was a legit threat since day one. He was a normal addition to my BGRC’s up until March before I wimped out and just left him in the “Other Options” category.

And now it looks like I may have been pretty close all along.

Nauta has visited Michigan in the past, has consistently mentioned his interest in Michigan and officially visiting this fall in interviews and now, with what he told 247Sports’ Josh Newberg, his family ties to the state and Greg Mattison could be huge for the Wolverines ($):

I’d kind of like to play somewhere I have family around. I have close relatives in Texas, close to TCU and Baylor. I have family in Michigan, that’s where a bulk of my family lives.”

This is a long shot at the moment but if Michigan can solidify that official visit and get him on campus before he makes his final decision, look out. Harbaugh’s offense mixed with, arguably, the top offensive weapon in the class could be outstanding.

With the good comes the bad, and while it’s not the worst thing in the world, Michigan’s top tight end target Naseir Upshur decided to officially bump back his announcement date until after he takes his OVs:

I still believe the Wolverines are the front runner here but Florida State is an obvious threat now with Nauta gone. As Wolverine247’s Steve Lorenz tweeted, with Nauta gone, FSU will likely ramp up the pressure on Upshur.

The dream scenario here is for Michigan to walk away with both Nauta and Upshur (who happen to be good friends so it’s not completely off the table), they are looking at other tight end options. According to TMI’s Brice Marich, one name to keep an eye on is TE Chris Ellington, who looks to be high on the Wolverines ($).

Flip Flip Flip-chigan? (Sorry about that horrible joke)

Remember Detroit King CB Lavert Hill? He was the in-state target that just about every Michigan analyst and fan thought was destined to be in this class since 2016 recruiting started thanks to his brother already being a member of the team. However, he decided to commit to Penn State during a visit back in January.

Remember him yet?

Well, it looks like Michigan is back on the table and has a good chance to flip him:

Per Lorenz, Hill is expected to be at the BBQ at the Big House on Sunday and while it’s doubtful he flips that quickly, the coaching staff has the chance to really make a move. With a fast start to the season, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him flip to Michigan this fall.

Quick Hitters 

  • According to TMI’s Brice Marich, DT Chris Daniels will be visiting Ann Arbor around August 12th ($) for the first time and is becoming a real option for this class. If the staff knocks the visit out of the park and he clears admissions, I like Michigan’s chances here.
  • According to Rivals’ Rob Cassidy,Michigan still looks to be the team to beat for top linebacker target Devin Bush Jr ($).
  • Cassidy added two very interesting pieces on LB Jonathan Jones and DB Craig Watts.
    • About Jones, he said, “He’s pretty high on Michigan but at this point he’s not a lean or anything like that.”
    • As for Watts, he said, “I do know that he was very high on Michigan when he committed to Wisconsin so if he decides going far from home is okay, Michigan will have a shot.”

2017 Name(s) to Keep an Eye On: 

  • RB Anthony Davis
  • RB Michael Carter
  • RB Kylin Hill
  • RB Biaggio Ali-Walsh
  • RB CJ Cotman
  • WR Charleston Rambo
  • WR Cameron Buckley
  • WR Sam Crawford
  • WR Omar Manning
  • WR Jaevon McQuitty
  • ATH/QB Sam Ehlinger (Texas commit)
  • ATH Jamari Dunbar
  • ATH Chadarius Townsend
  • ATH Tahj Capehart
  • OT Kendall Randolph
  • OT Matt Brockhurst
  • OT Carter Warren
  • OT Grayson Reed
  • OT Dontae Powell
  • OLB Rahyme Johnson
Garrett Fishaw
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