Jourdan Lewis. (via ESPN.com)

Michigan Offers a Handful of 2017 Recruits

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

The Michigan coaching staff was quite busy on Tuesday as they extended five offers to 2017 prospects, including one to, arguably, the most dynamic offensive player in the entire class.

Check out who landed an offer:

LB Markail Benton

Out of Phenix City, Alabama, Benton is one of the top ranked linebackers and players in the class. He’s an athletic, versatile outside linebacker that has the ability to drop into coverage and make plays behind the line of scrimmage.

As for Michigan’s Chances: Being a top linebacker recruit from Alabama, he’s likely to stay down south and play for an in-state SEC power. Though, this offer does at least put Michigan on the table with satellite camps coming this summer.

CB Ameer Speed

Speed doesn’t only have one of the best names in the class but he also looks like the ideal fit at cornerback for the staff. At 6’3″+, he has the length, athleticism and physical ability to play press coverage in a blitz happy defense.

As for Michigan’s Chances: Speed doesn’t hold a ton of elite offers (Michigan and Ole Miss are his top offers on the board) so it looks like UM has a good opportunity here moving forward. The staff needs corners in this class and he could be a player that they covet thanks to his fit in the Don Brown’s defense. He’s a player I’d watch for moving forward.

CB Randall Haynie

Haynie is another taller three star cornerback out of Florida (Cardinal Gibbons) who doesn’t hold the longest offer sheet in the class but looks to be gaining momentum. Though he doesn’t have Speed’s height and press ability, he’s much more of a cover man and ballhawk, similar to Jourdan Lewis. Something every defense needs in the secondary.

As for Michigan’s Chances: Michigan is the biggest offer he has on the list right now. Mix that in with the early-ish offer and UM has to be in good shape moving forward. Look for the staff to try and get him up to campus this spring or summer.

CB Alex Perry

Perry is different than the other cornerbacks offered by Michigan on Tuesday. He’s a little smaller but the majority of his offers are from Power 5 programs, including Oklahoma and Arizona State. Though he’s a shorter than the others, he plays much bigger and with a ton of confidence. He has the ability to blitz and cover any sized receiver, something Don Brown covets.

As for Michigan’s Chances: This may be a player Michigan will really have to push for to be in play for a commitment. Coming from Bishop Gorman (Nevada), he should soon blow up on the trail which could be tough for UM to pull him away from the Pac 12 or Big 12. But if they push for him, anything’s possible.

WR Tyjon Lindsey

Last but certainly not least, Lindsey is the highest rated offer of the day and one of the top overall players and offensive weapons in the class. Though he’s a bit undersized (5’8″ish) has electrifying speed and quickness that brings back flashes of De’Anthony Thomas when he was at Oregon. Basically, he’s everything Michigan’s offense has been missing for years now.

As for Michigan’s Chances: Reeling in a five star receiver out of California is normally a pretty difficult thing to do, especially when they hold an offer from just about everyone. Luckily for Michigan, 2016 signee David Long is friends with Lindsey and has already started recruiting him to UM. Though the high powered spread attacks, like Ohio State, Texas A&M and Oregon look to be early favorites, If Long and the coaches can get the talented youngster to visit Ann Arbor and sell him on being in a true pro-style offense, anything could happen.

With all of these offers extended, the staff’s (likely) next move is to get them on campus as soon as possible. The spring game and junior are coming up at the beginning of April, which should be a big time recruiting event. Make sure to stay tuned to MGoFish as I’ll be updating the latest with each prospect.

Photo Credit: ESPN.com

Garrett Fishaw
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