As the world of sports hits is annual slow period in July, college football recruiting has slowed down a bit as well. However, like the world of sports, this time is also the calm before the storm. With the start of August comes the start of fall camp and the 2015 BBQ at the Big House. And both are expected to bring a ton of news.
Out Front for Top 2017 Target
While it looks like Michigan will only sign 2-3 wide receivers in 2016, I believe they’ll take around 4 receivers in 2017, and they are already out front for one of the top names on the board, Cheshire (CT) WR Tarik Black.
When asked who his leader was by 247Sports’ Tom Loy, his childhood favorite’s biggest rival was the answer ($):
Michigan,” said Black. “They make me feel comfortable. They make me feel at home. They make me feel wanted. I loved it up there. It was a great environment. I just felt comfortable.”
Black, who has been included in my 2017 BGRC since May, is one of the top pass catchers in the class and looks to be very high on the staff’s recruiting board. If they continue to heavily target him, they should remain the favorites, even if Ohio State extends an offer.
Tell Me It’s Real
The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb caught up with Devin Bush Sr, father and head coach of top linebacker target, Devin Bush Jr to get a better understanding of his thoughts and philosophy on the recruiting game, being a former top recruit himself ($).
I tell him, look at what’s real. A lot of people like going around saying, ‘don’t commit to coaches’… but it’s impossible not to.”
Bush Sr also talked about how much harder his son’s decision is now after his friends and teammates committed to Michigan:
He has got problems now, man,” Mr. Bush said with a smile. “That’s how the recruiting process works. I told him before, ‘you haven’t seen it yet. it’s going to get real tough as time goes on.”
Though Junior is expected to make a decision in “mid-August” (per 247Sports’ Josh Newberg), there are also reports out there that he’ll hold off on making it public. For Michigan’s sake, I believe the quicker he makes his decision, the better.
Still in the Game?
According to Wolverine247’s Steve Lorenz, offered LB Erroll Thompson looks to be a much better option than expected and could very well visit Ann Arbor for the BBQ on the 2nd ($).
If the staff gets him on campus for an event like that, they may become one of the favorites to land him as Lorenz and others have mentioned Thompson’s parents wanting him to go to Michigan.
As for two recruits who I believe Michigan is not much of a contender for:
OT Jauan Williams spoke with Rivals’ Adam Friedman about his recruitment and mentioned Michigan as one of the schools he’s still looking to visit in the future ($).
ATH Jordan Fuller went from a realistic option to join this class to an after thought over the last couple months. However, he let Scout’s Brian Dohn know that he’s still considering taking an official to Michigan this fall ($).
While all three of these names look to be long shots, Michigan has continued to impress on the recruiting trail and staying in the game for top targets throughout the cycle is a great look for the staff and future of the program in the eyes of other recruits.
Quick Hitters
- One of the most underrated commits, CB Benjimin St-Juste, is also one of the most unique cases in the 2016 class. He spoke The Wolverine’s Tim Sullivan and after raving about his commitment, he clarified how he will not know if he’s a member of the 2016 or 2017 class until next summer because of the difference in school systems in Montreal vs the US ($).
- While it’s not much, Rivals’ national analysts predicted elite OLB Caleb Kelly to choose Michigan when he decides on National Signing Day ($).
- It looks very likely that Michigan takes two quarterbacks in 2017 but I believe it’ll be very similar to 2016 where they take a true QB and a versatile athlete who plays quarterback in high school, like Victor Viramontes. As for the 2017 class, their ATH/QB target could very well be Robichaud (MI) QB Jairus Grissom. He told 247’s Steve Wiltfong that Michigan is one of the schools recruiting him the hardest ($).
Basketball Notes
- The Wolverines’ Chris Balas broke down the remaining 2016 recruiting targets, which includes some new names to most fans ($), including Lima (OH) PG Xavier Simpson, Mequon (WI) G Te’Jon Lucas, Saxton River (VT) G Bruce Brown, Hopkins (MN) G Amir Coffey, and a name I believe is one to watch closely, Pickerington Central (OH) SG Ibi Watson.
- Rivals’ #18 player in the 2017 class, Indianapolis (IN) SF Kris Wilkes let Jacey Zembal know that he is hoping to visit Michigan soon ($).
- Another name to keep an eye on is 2017 Dallas (TX) PF Billy Preston as he let Zembal know that Michigan has been in “steady” contact with him and that he’s looking to visit ($).
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