Spring Game
The 2014 Spring \”Game\” was more of a live practice for the fan base and visiting recruits. While it may not be a lot of fun for fans to watch (only 15,000 showed up), the event is a great way to get interested recruits on campus.
Some of the top 2015, 2016 and 2017 recruits were in attendance. Check out what some of the top guys from each class had to say:
C Chad Lindsey (Alabama Transfer)
There were a lot of top recruiting targets, but the most important visitor for the immediate future of the Wolverines was Chad Lindsey. The Crimson Tide graduate is looking for an opportunity to start and finish his career on a high note. Luckily for Michigan, they have his former offensive coordinator and a ton of questions on the offensive line.
According to Scout\’s Sam Webb, Lindsey was seen as a Michigan lean and had a \”strong visit\” for the Spring game with his dad.
If they land his commitment, he could really help solidify the line. He could start at center and allow Graham Glasgow to slide out to right tackle or left guard to allow Kyle Bosch possibly get his redshirt. It would be a great get for the program\’s future.
4* TE Hale Hentges
\”I was there for their spring game. It was great getting to see some of the tradition and the campus,\” he continued. \”It was really something special getting to see 115,000 people they can pack into their stadium and all of the tradition they\’ve had from the different players likes Desmond Howard, Charles Woodson and Gerald Ford. Seeing how much football means to that whole community really intrigues me.\” – via SBNation
Hentges is one of the top tight end targets in the country and looks like he will be a very tough pull. O$U and Missouri look to be the favorites.
4* QB Brian Lewerke
One of the top quarterbacks on the coaches radar, Lewerke has an offer list that includes Michigan State, Arizona State and Florida, with ASU looked at as the leader.
\”The coaches said i\’m one of their top guys, they just want to wait a little longer before sending out an offer.\”
Michigan would be in my top three or four schools if they offered. Michigan State, Michigan, Arizona State, and Florida are my top schools, in no order.\” – via Steve Lorenz of 247Sports
So, just like most recruits in the 2015 class, Lewerke\’s interest weighs on whether the staff offers or not. If they do, which could come in the near future since they are about to watch their top targets live and a decision \”could possibly come this month\” (via Adam Rowe of 247Sports).
OL Ben Bredeson
As one of the top prospects in the Midwest, Bredeson is a wanted man. However, coming from Wisconsin and the relationship he already has with the program will make him a tough pull. But if there is one program that could possibly do it, it\’s Michigan.
The staff extended an offer to the 2016 prospect while he was visiting for the Spring game. He went on to say how much he loved the visit. Adding:
\”There\’s a real difference with the way Michigan treats each other inside their program compared to other schools. I was impressed with how personable all of the coaches were and how much they cared for their players.\” – via Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports
It looks like Wisconsin and Michigan are the leaders, though he said he has no leaders at this moment. With him visiting Ann Arbor again this upcoming weekend, the staff will have more time to really give him the experience they show to their top targets.
The 2016 receiver class is stacked and the staff already has a great relationship with many of them. One of the players that are garnering more and more information is the sure-handed Emmanuel Rugamba.
“The Michigan coaches said I’m welcomed to come back anytime and they want me at camp this summer. Coach (Curt) Mallory said he would be back at my school this spring.” – via Clint Brewster of 247Sports
Rugamaba, along with Donnie Corley, Scott Bracey, Kalebb Perry, Desmond Fitzpatrick, and Jalen Martin, is very interested in the Wolverines. With the 2015 class only (likely) featuring one receiver, the 2016 class could very well take three.
QB Kyle Wood
We spoke with Kyle Wood, who is one of the top 2017 players and quarterbacks in the state. He let us know about his interest in Michigan and his Spring Visit:
About his interest
– He grew up a Wolverine fan
– His mother graduated from U-of-M
– Shane Morris\’ father is his trainer
About his visit
– \”Met with Coach Hoke and the Director of Recruiting\” (Coach Singletary)
– The coaches told him to send in his film for them to look at more.
– Toured the new Champions Center and was really impressed.
– Kept an eye on the quarterbacks throughout the game and loved the competition between them.
Look for Kyle to be back in Ann Arbor a lot over the next couple years of his recruitment. He clearly has a ton of interest in the Wolverines and is a name to keep an eye on.
Previous/Future Visits
OLB Joshua McMillon
– Easily one of the top linebackers in the country, the Tennessee product is said to be an Alabama lean but the Crimson Tide may have some company after his recent visit to Ann Arbor.
“Pretty much everything opened my eyes today,” McMillon said. “I learned a lot about Michigan that I didn’t before. I didn’t know Tom Brady came out of Michigan. I didn’t know Larry Foote. Lamar Woodley, Charles Woodson and all the great athletes they have in the NFL came out of Michigan. They have a great fan base and alumni. Their funding they get for academics and athletics is just tremendous. I found out a lot information today. Everything was great.”
“I would love to come up there and visit Michigan again,” McMillon said. “If it wasn’t so far away then I would comeback all the time. Most definitely will try to make it back for an official visit.” – via Josh Newkirk of Scout
Like always, the staff hit a home run on a top recruits visit. These guys are just too good. Good enough to pull one of the top players out of SEC country? Maybe. McMillon are big on academics and he is hoping to go into aerospace engineering. So, once again, it looks like Michigan could be battling Alabama in the classroom for a top recruit.
TE Chris Clark
After recently de-committing from North Carolina, Clark is making a midwest trip to visit the Wolverines and Buckeyes. The idea to decommit was a very mature one, as he wanted to go into every visit with a \”open mind\”.
“Coach Nussmeier is awesome,” Clark said. “I talk to him all the time and Coach (Dan) Ferrigno too. So, I’ve built a good bond with those guys and he’s (Nussmeier) just made a good point that coming with Michigan’s offense, I know what he did at Alabama, they were kind of a run first team and didn’t use the tight end that much but at the same time that may have been Coach Saban’s thinking.
“He loves the tight end position so he feels like at Michigan he’s going to have a great opportunity to do a lot of different things with the tight end position.” – via Kyle Bogenschutz of Scout
As one of the best tight ends in the country, Clark is heavily enjoying the recruiting process. He has admitted to liking every visit. So, it\’s hard to put a lot of weight into his visit reactions. But with Nussmeier and Michigan\’s tight end friendly offense, I believe the Wolverines will be one of his top schools after the weekend.
With most of the top offensive line targets in 2015 off the market, Newsome is likely the #1 target for the staff. Luckily, they will have him on campus and will be able to show him the love they show their top guys.
OL Ben Bredeson
We mentioned earlier that Bredeson will be visiting Ann Arbor for the 2nd time in three weeks this weekend. This should be an even better visit with him now holding an offer and the staff being able to devote all of their time to showing him a good time.
Coaching Visits
After having their past two quarterbacks committed prior to the spring, the staff is in a bit of a unusual situation. Their top targets and offers are all committed elsewhere and they are getting to the time of the year that most of the guys are making their decisions.
That is why their next three visits are so important.
Coach Nussmeier and some of the staff will be visiting Brandon Wimbush, Travis Waller, and Alex Malzone to see them throw live. This is extremely important will likely include offers to at least one the signal callers. If/when any of them are offered, they will become the top target for the staff, who will possibly be looking for a quicker decision.
My opinion:
- Malzone could be a commit on the spot, if offered.
- Wimbush could push Michigan to the top of his list, if offered.
- Waller will put Michigan near the top of his list, if offered.
Another visit that is slated to happen (via 247Sports) involves one of, if not the, top quarterbacks of 2016, KJ Costello. The big, strong armed signal caller will be a tough pull out of California. But getting in early will help the Wolverines, a lot.
Costello, along with DeWeaver, Frank, and Guarantano, are the likely top targets for the staff in 2016.
Next Commitment?
In some very big news, Daelin Hayes announced via Twitter that he will be announcing his decision at the Rivals Camp on April 27th.
Will be announcing my commitment at the Rivals camp April 27th
— Daelin Hayes (@DaelinHayes_24) April 12, 2014
This is huge news because Hayes is one of the best players in the state and the Midwest for 2016 and has been heavily predicted to choose Michigan. If this happens, it will be the 2nd top commit for the class and will give them another player to help them recruit the top targets for the next two years.
Oh yeah, did we say Hayes is going to be a special talent? Check out his latest offseason training highlights. Very impressive for a sophomore in high school.
Latest Offers
– 2015 Darren Kirkland Jr
– 2015 Asmar Bilal
– 2016 Ben Bredeson
– 2015 Kahlil Haughton
Next Possible Offers
– S Rashad Roundtree
– OLB Porter Gustin
– QB Brandon Wimbush
– QB Travis Waller
– QB Alex Malzone
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