And now we wait. Visitors are still trickling through but Michigan got most of their top targets up for official visits, and those targets got to see some other schools, and some have commitment dates that are more or less exciting than others. Touch the Banner made a list of last weekend’s visitors. Will Johnson said he thinks July will be a big month($, title) for commitment. Let’s run the Board.

Quarterback

MSU flipped that Boise State commit; I still think Michigan should kick the tires. They had AL 3* Conner Harrell ⬇⬇⬇ up here last week($, info in title) but the Denegal commitment probably ends that.

Running Back

The only change here is confirmation from most parties that Michigan’s not getting top-100 VA 4* George Pettaway ⬇⬇⬇ over North Carolina because commit CJ Stokes and an impending commit($, title) from TX 3* Dillon Bell ➡ is a class.

Receiver

The board is frighteningly open here after the two commits. The Wolverines made a final five for TX 3* slot Che Nwabuko ⬆, who’s looking to take his official this fall($), said Holland. IL 3* Jacob Bostick ⬇ was one of their recent visitors, but was crystal balled to Iowa($) a few days after.

Harbaugh has been on the phone with($, info in title) WA 3* Tobias Merriweather ⬆ and EJ Holland learned there’s a very strong Michigan connection($), though the recruitment is in its infancy. Notre Dame has been in there a long time and picked up a few homer crystal balls two weeks ago however.

Michigan was also supposed to host AL 3* slot squirrel Marquarius White ⬇ from Nico’s high school, and lanky speedster FL 4* Chandler C.J. Smith ⬇, but it seems the former visited Tennessee instead($, title) and the latter committed to Florida instead.

Tight End

GA 4* Oscar Delp ⬆, probably the nation’s #1 TE, went home from his visit and Dad said regardless of how the recruitment goes, Delp is going to be a better player as a senior because of Jay Harbaugh($, title)—they spent hours breaking down film. Sam and crew are adamant that this is a Michigan-Georgia battle($) while national pundits name South Carolina and Clemson as the non-Georgia suitors. I believe them that Michigan is in this($), and if it was up to the parents maybe in the lead, but I still have a hard time believing Georgia lets Delp out of the state. He’ll escape at least once more—to see a Michigan game in person—so we get to still have some months to find our maid of honor dress. Weirdly he moved down on Rivals after he was the #3 finisher at their camp.

ID 3* Colston Loveland ⬆⬆⬆ came up for a visit and is getting ready to pull the trigger($, title) via all the sites, despite lots of other big-name programs, including Bama, jumping into this one. I’ve got the hello tabs open and…uh…dang…this is not a 3-star you guys.

Sam also made it clear Michigan can take three tight ends this cycle and I wholeheartedly agree, especially since they like to play two and keep going 1/2. Commit Marlin Klein is a Eubanks who needs some development time, and while Loveland has the size to play immediately it’s a big leap from Idaho football to playing in the potato capital of the college football world. Delp would be more like getting Thomas Fidone a year late, or Theo Johnson two years late, or Luke Ford four years late, or Isaac Nauta six years late, or…why does this happen so much?

[After THE JUMP: Buckle up this afternoon]

Offensive Line

There’s little more to evaluate from recent commit Alessandro Lorenzetti (hello) but the 24/7 guys said they think Michigan got a total steal and shared the coaches see a top-of-the-board player. Lucky.

If that’s not good enough for the three-star mafia, they’ll be happy to know Moore is hard after national recruits, though you’ll have to excuse him if not all of those national recruits have rankings to match the offers. That’s not a problem for WA 5* Josh Conerly Jr. ⬆⬆, the Washington decommit who confirmed to Sam he will be at the BBQ at the Big House($, title).

I’m concerned top target CO 4* George Fitzpatrick ⬇ is going to be the latest in a disturbing line of “Chris Olave” recruitments, by which I mean Michigan finds a 3-star they adore and looks like a clear leader for awhile but the guy is keeping options open, then all of a sudden he turns into a top-25 recruitment (with or without the rankings matching) and ends up at Ohio State. Fitzpatrick just took an official visit to Columbus, and in the aftermath OSU’s guy Bill Kurelic says Oklahoma, Oregon, and Florida are still being considered; Michigan was left out.

The other big target in Washington who used to be committed to Washington is 3* OG Mark Nabou ⬆, who took a mid-week unofficial to Michigan this week.

Happy Trails: IN 3* Ashton Craig ⬇⬇⬇ was bumped up to a “top target” by Lorenz, but committed to Notre Dame. All parties seem to think Michigan and Minnesota have cooled on MN 4* Lucas Heyer ⬇⬇⬇, who is down to Stanford and Northwestern.

Nose Guard/Defensive Tackle

Sam keeps telling me to watch the film on TN 5* Walter Nolen ⬆, who might be wrapping up his recruitment by the end of summer, and Kody Jones’s dad is now getting in on the positivity as well($, info in title). On the other hand he’s made three unofficial trips to Tuscaloosa recently. I told them we can count on the money cannon if it comes down to an NIL battle, so don’t let me down. Anyway Sam got Nolen to admit “Michigan was better”($, title) than Florida, and published a very long and free post-visit report…

So I say all of that to say, Michigan hit the academic piece... they hit name, image likeness... they have family in the area... he is acquainted with a guy like Will (Johnson) and sees some of the other guys that recruiting like Justice Finkley. They are absolutely in this race. If signing day were tomorrow I would pick Michigan. But signing day isn't tomorrow. And because there is a long road, I still say that the odds are in favor of the South. But this isn't an exercise in futility. Michigan has a great shot here.

…and has been talking all week about what can Michigan do to bag NIL this. Will be interesting at least to see how the math has changed.

There’s been a major spike these last few weeks in use of the term “mammoth” in recruiting circles as Michigan is no longer the only program making a major push for elephantid IN 3* Kenneth Grant ⬇. The proboscidean prospect took officials to Ohio State and Wisconsin this month. EJ Holland drove out to see the Midwest’s resident mastodon($) as well, and thinks Ohio State has moved into pole position($), though I suspect once the visit glow wears off Michigan might be back out front. He told OSU’s Bill Kurelic that he’s in no hurry to make a decision($). Michigan, who’s already gotten a few unofficials, will get an official this fall before Grant makes his decision. I know it’s not like me to be positive about a recruitment battle with Ohio State, and this one could easily go Chris Olave on us in a hurry, but how else am I supposed to interpret a guy who wants to inspect every square inch of Michigan before setting a date? Also: if you make Ohio State wait they tend to move on.

The other school after FL 3* DE/DT/wrestler Hayden Schwartz ⬆ is TCU, so it was pleasant to see this from the Horned Frogs’ 24/7 guy this week:

If I have to predict now…I would choose Michigan. Schwartz has taken two official visits with Michigan being one of them.

But…Schwartz did make his way to TCU for an unofficial visit on June 18 and toured the facilities and also did a private workout. TCU offered him after he left campus. Will the interest from TCU be enough to let Schwartz drag out his decision a little longer.

One of the reasons for optimism for Cass Tech’s 4* giant Deone Walker ⬆⬆ (and 2023 blue chip Jaylen Thompson) is he would be ineligible at Michigan State for two years, since they hired Thomas Wilcher as an analyst, which triggers the Partridge rule. Also: a heartfelt and completely sincere congratulations to Coach Wilcher. Michigan State was getting obliterated in-state, not just by Michigan but Penn State, Cincy, Wisconsin. Maybe once the two-year Partridge Rule is over Michigan can bring him back. Or they could leave him in the doghouse for that fumble that almost cost Jim his guarantee in 1986. Sam Webb put in a crystal ball to Michigan for Walker, but it sounds like we have to wait until August.

Happy Trails: I got more over my skates than anybody when Michigan was the first school to discover FL 3* Jordan Phillips ⬇⬇⬇—at least I got to talk about the history of Ocoee in the never-to-be-published Hello post. He committed to Tennessee, where his mom is from. EJ Holland noted Phillips is friends with Joe Milton($). To make an observation, between Giles Jackson, Xavier Worthy, and now Phillips, that’s three former would-be Michigan players I adored who are closely associated with the former quarterback. Am I speculating that there’s bad blood there, or is it just clear there’s bad blood there? I don’t know what more Michigan could have done for Milton than name him opening day starter and pull him when he was clearly struggling. Maybe they turned of zone reads or something. Let’s go with that, because it’s no mere speculation to say Harbaugh keeps getting cold feet right at the door of making his QB a true part of the running game.

Defensive End

Michigan is close to landing several Anchor-like ends, and since they can take two in the class I’m splitting them out. It sounds like I have a hello to write for Michigan’s top oversized edge prospect, FL 3* Mario Eugenio ⬆ (pronounced “uh-Hen-i-o” Dehulius fans), who got the “yeah it’s happening” flood of crystal balls after he canceled a Miami (YTM) trip($, info in title) and set a commitment date for next Monday after his visit. He did take his official to Indiana but Iowa State was the hurdle here. You may want to brush up on Matt Judon highlights over the weekend.

Top target AL 4* Justice Finkley ⬇ still seems to have Michigan out front, but he took officials to Texas and Colorado after Victors Weekend, and Alabama is still evaluating. Holland explained his hesitancy to put in a FutureCast($).

The other out-of-region guy they have at the top of their board here is TX 3* Joseph Adedire ⬆, and EJ Holland spoke to Adedire’s coach($) after the edge target was in Ann Arbor for an official. The 24/7 TCU guys are feeling optimistic a week later in a way that makes me feel more optimistic($):

If I have to predict now…give me the Frogs winning out a close battle. TCU has done a really good job of recruiting Adedire and his family and most recently has the 6-foot-3, 250-pounder in for an official visit this past weekend. This is another player Fitch has built a solid relationship with over the course of Adedire’s recruitment.

But…could TCU’s distance be too close? Adedire has several schools looking at him and TCU is far from a slam dunk at the moment.

My read on this is Michigan leads—Lorenz has a more informed opinion($) if you want free you’re stuck with me—but if they get Eugenio and Finkley they might still be interested in Adedire as a more pass-rush type. Michigan offered Mike Danna-ish SC 4* Robby Harrison ⬆, but that might be another “if we don’t get Finkley”($) offer according to Holland.

Longtime Anchor target AZ 4* Anthony Lucas ⬇⬇ out of Chapparal appears to be moving on, despite a very long relationship with Nua, because he’s an Alabama-LSU-Oregon-Miami-ND fight.

PURE EDGE RUSHER

I’m making the distinction between the last group—who are the Judons or stand-up Kwity Payes—and some of the Uche-like objects they’re looking at to be pure edge rushers. Here I’ll share a dated note from Lorenz’s VIP article($):

If I was a betting person, I would bet that Michigan's top two outside linebacker/edge targets are Joshua Josephs and Kevonte Henry and in that order.

Since then they secured Henry (Hello). Meanwhile GA 3* Joshua Josephs ⬆⬆ took an official visit to Tennessee then told Steve he’s contemplating a second Michigan visit($, title) a few days later. Remember what I said about a guy wanting to visit another school right after visiting yours?

Michigan’s in good enough shape here that I think they’re leaving the race for MD 4* Anto Saka ⬇⬇, who was in for his official visit recently but picked up a bunch of crystal balls to Northwestern. Saka’s ranking has been falling lately as well, but he was definitely a take for Penn State.

EJ Holland got out to see CA 3* commit Kevonte Henry and saw raw($) and a pure edge rusher who needs a lot of development. The commitment of Henry also moved Holland to flip his FutureCast for FL 3* Micah Pollard ⬇⬇⬇ to Auburn, and Steve Lorenz did the same with his crystal ball after an Auburn visit($, info in title) got their insiders feeling good about landing Pollard along with his cousin, DE Caden Story—the Braylon Edwards connection is a similar prospect to Henry; it seems Michigan was expecting a commitment earlier this month on Pollard’s official and moved on when he didn’t pledge.

Inside Linebacker

Sam and the gang think we will beat Texas for IL 4* Sebastian Cheeks ⬆ , who’s still choosing between Ann Arbor and Austin, mostly because it’s close enough to get up here and the relationship with JJ McCarthy and AJ Henning. Wiltfong got Cheeks on the record about his top schools($) and here’s the Michigan bit:

“Honestly going into Michigan I wasn’t really sure about things they were doing with the new coaching staff. It was great to talk ball with them. It was all laughs. It was easy to connect with the staff honestly. Coach (Mike) Macdonald, things he’s doing with the defense I’m really interested in. The things he’s bringing from Baltimore have helped me understand the way he wants to use me in his defense as that dime, vapor position. They kind of mirror each other and he does a lot of disguises. Their business school is one of the top in the nation. There is a multitude of things that stand out to me and my family and why I’m so high on Michigan.”

That’s going in my HTTV 2021 article that you’ll get to read eventually I promise.

Michigan offered—as in they held the staff vote in front of him($)—OH 3* Mani Powell ⬆⬆⬆, when he came for an unofficial visit. Powell quickly put out a top six, then set a commitment date. Arkansas has his only crystal ball but Syracuse people thought they led until this happened. Lorenz said Michigan would take($) Buckle up?

They’re going to pursue UT 4* Lander Barton to the whistle($) either way.

Safety

IMG via OH 4.5* Keon Sabb ⬆⬆ was up for an official, and Michigan is “100% back in it”($, title), but needs to have a very good season($) to stay in it. I don’t think they’re going to wait for Sabb however if IL 3* hybrid Austin Brown ?⬆? wants in after his visit rounds($). Sounds like a decision is coming soon($) between Michigan, Wisconsin, Boston College, Northwestern, and Illinois. I can’t resist sharing the Illinois part:

“Really just the fact that they’re trying to bring that winning tradition back. They always talk about family. They’re thing is FamILLy with two l’s. That’s what it seems like for sure. They take care of each other on and off the field, and they’re just very genuine. You can just go up and talk to any coach and there’s no egos walking around. You can go just talk to whoever and be there with whoever. That was really tight.”

Wait’ll he hears about the two E’s. Interestingly, Brown was high enough on the Illini to convince BC’s Tyler Calvaruso to say they should be taken seriously($), and that Brown seems to want to be in the Big Ten.

MI 4* Dillon Tatum ⬇ has gone dark($) as he decides between Michigan and MSU. Sam Webb made good on his promise to back his crystal ball to something less positive, but said on the recruiting insider this week that he still thinks Michigan is more likely than MSU.

AL 3*  ATH Ja’Kobi Albert ⬇ was close to going to Kentucky before we got Clink. He’s probably a safety but Harbaugh made it clear “We just want you at Michigan” on his official visit. Running into Juwan Howard helped, but Brice said on the podcast he still thinks Auburn or another SEC school locks it up.

Steve Wiltfong put in a lonely Michigan crystal ball for TN (juuuuuuust) 4* D’Arco Perkins-McAllister ⬆ after his visit. It’s more interesting that DPM was left off LSU 24/7 writer Shea Dixon’s latest Tigers class prediction($). DPM’s remarks after a recent Ole Miss visit were pretty tepid, though he plans to be back there in late July and I wouldn’t bet against Chris Partridge’s ability to make up ground. He also visited TCU and plans to get to Florida, Kentucky, and FSU. Play the “nicest words” game:

Michigan: "It was legit. I liked everything about that visit. It was an official visit so I saw everything. They have crazy facilities. Their whole campus is crazy. Their staff is legit. They have some former NFL coaches on their staff. Everything up there is legit."

TCU: "They showed me crazy love over there. I want to say out of all of the schools who are recruiting me, TCU is showing me the most love. It just felt like home when I was on that visit. They are on me 24/7 all day, everyday.  I just love how much love they show me."

Florida: "It was an unofficial visit. We just saw their facilities and did a private workout for their coaches."

Kentucky: "It was great at Kentucky. I like the staff they at Kentucky.  I like what they are doing on the defensive side of the ball at Kentucky. I really like their defensive schemes."

FSU: "I've always liked Florida State. They have a crazy defensive recruiting class. They are about to go off and get back to playing old Florida State ball. I feel like FSU is a legit program. I have been liking FSU a long time before they offered me."

Sam adds that Perkins-McAllister hit it off with Dillon Bell($).

Happy trails: Michigan took their shot at rising GA 3* Jake Pope ⬇⬇, who’s getting five-star interest now, which probably resolves into a Georgia/Bama fight though Tom Loy has a recent ND crystal ball in.

Cornerback

TN 3.5* Myles Pollard ➡ took his officials and set a mystery commitment date($) in the next couple of weeks. TN 3* commit Kody Jones ⬆ was up the same weekend and if he had any doubts when Linguist left they’re gone now.

The next guy on the board now seems to be rising CA 4* Jahlil Florence ⬆⬆, a lengthy Courtney Morgan find who was on the phone with Clinkscale($). Sam says it’s Michigan, Oregon, and Washington, but that Florence probably wants to go to school out East, and considering his official went well($, info in title), the bigger question might be whether or not he brings speedy top-150 teammate Jalil Tucker ⬇ with him. Thing is I can’t even tell if he brought Jalil with him last week. Michigan offered years ago when Tucker was still at St. Augustine, but contact drifted until Morgan came back. I think he’s a top-25 athlete. There was no mention I could find of Tucker making the visit with Florence, though as of a few weeks ago that was the plan.