Ryan Glasgow via MGoBlue.com

Inside the Fish Bowl is Offering Future Regulators

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

While the Big Ten is signing massive television contracts and counting their money, the Michigan coaching staff has been hitting the recruiting trail extremely hard. From offers going out to sons of transcendent hip hop artist to top targets showing love, there’s been a nice amount of action for the Wolverines

Let’s dive into the latest Michigan football recruiting update:

Five Star Fun

The biggest news on Wednesday night came from one of the top players in the class, DE Joshua Kaindoh, as he released his top four list and included Michigan. However, that wasn’t the biggest thing about the list. It was rumored heavy favorite Maryland being left off of the list.

Maryland being left out was a big shocker to most recruiting analysts, who shared their feelings on Twitter. Most believed that the Terps not only led but could land his commitment in the near future. But that isn’t the case…..or is it?

Some believe that Kaindoh may just be throwing people off his trail and will end up choosing Maryland, including a current Terps commit:

Honestly, I don’t think Maryland is completely out of the running but, at this time, Notre Dame looks to be the favorite per his recent 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions. As for Michigan’s chances, I’d put it as an outside shot that could possibly improve with a visit this summer of fall.

Tight Ends to Remember  

The 2017 recruiting class has two positions that have been bled dry by early commitments: quarterback and tight end.

Luckily, Michigan already has their quarterback commit for the class but is still looking to add 1-2 more tight end commitments. And thanks to a recent weekend visit, one of the best bets to join Carter Dunaway is Moeller (OH) TE Matt Dotson.

Dotson is one of the top tight ends in the midwest and looks to be a perfect fit in Michigan’s tight end heavy offense thanks to his ability to make plays as a pass catcher and blocker. This was obviously a selling point for Jay Harbaugh and it was the right one.

Rivals’ Josh Helmholdt caught up with Dotson about his recent trip to Ann Arbor and raved about his budding relationship with both Jim and Jay Harbaugh ($). Thanks to those relationships and visit overall, Michigan looks to be the favorite for the Buckeye state standout moving forward.

As for the other top tight end targets, Jimmy Jaggers and Major Tennison, UM is still in great shape with both but will likely be waiting on both to make a decision (Tennison to possibly flip from Texas) until the fall, if not later.

Another name that could possibly join those top targets has yet to be offered just yet. And that is Bishop Gorman (NV) TE Brevin Jordan.

Jordan spoke with Wolverine247’s Steve Lorenz about what a possible offer from Michigan could do for his recruitment and he didn’t hide the fact that it’s an offer he wants and would put UM near the very top of his list ($).

Just looking at Jordan’s film and you can see why the staff could very well extend that offer in the near future:

Big Boy Bullet Points

Safety School

The safety position is a big need in the 2017 class for Michigan and though they’ve already landed one of their top targets on the board in J’Marick Woods, they’re definitely looking to add more.

At the top of the list sits the likes of Jaylen Kelly-Powell, Jeffrey Okudah, Brelin Faison-Walden and AJ Harris. But two names to keep an eye on are players that hardcore recruiting fans likely know pretty well by now in top Indian River (VA) ATH Devon Hunter and Canadian transplant/Episcopal (VA) FS Jonathan Sutherland.

Hunter told Rivals Adam Friedman that Michigan is a school he wants to do more research on ($). Though that’s not the most glowing endorsement, UM is looking for the most elite talent in the class and offered Hunter soon after taking over the program. If they can get him on campus this summer of fall, they may have a puncher’s chance.

As for Sutherland, this hard hitting safety that reminds me a ton of former Louisville standout and 1st round pick (NYJ) Calvin Pryor. And having a player that strikes fear into every receiver and ball carrier is something every secondary needs, including Michigan’s.

Sutherland spoke with 247Sports Ryan Bartow about his recruitment and named Michigan to his top five ($). But I believe they may be in his top two.

Luckily for UM, Sutherland has been a normal visitor to campus multiple time in the past and looked to be very high on the Wolverines before an offer was even extended. With that now in hand and another visit expected to come this summer, I believe Michigan could land the Canadian as long as they push for him.

As for the 2018 board, it’s obviously pretty wide open at this point but there’s one name to watch closely that just received his offer from Michigan and that’s Lee County (GA) S Otis Reese.

The Peach Tree state standout looks to be one of the top safeties in the 2018 class and told The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich that UM is now his leader after the offer and is already looking to visit ($). That’s a good sign but we’ll see what happens with so much time on the clock.

Other Recent Offers

Out of all of those names, two standout the most in Demens (former UM LB Kenny Demens little brother) and Griffin (Warren G’s son).

I fully expect Demens to be a part of Michigan’s 2018 class and wouldn’t be shocked to see him be one of the first couple commitments to go along with the Ohio duo.

In honor of the Griffin offer, I’ll end this dip Inside the Fish Bowl with one of his father’s (and hip hop’s) greatest songs:

Photo Credit: Ryan Glasgow via MGoBlue.com

Garrett Fishaw
Latest posts by Garrett Fishaw (see all)