Vilain Shuts It Down

A few significant developments emerged from what was a strong recruiting weekend for Michigan. First and foremost is the optimism surrounding Michigan's chances with top-100 VA WDE Luiji Vilain following his weekend visit. Michigan has pursued Vilain, a Canadian import, since he was a freshman and Brady Hoke was still in charge, and they were one of the first Power 5 schools to get in on what's become a legitmately national recruitment. Sam Webb has a lengthy, free post on Vilain's reaction to his visit last weekend, and the Wolverines are in great shape:

“I came in with high expectations, but I was still pretty blown away,” said Vilain.  “It was really good.  Everything was different.  The vibe as soon as I get there, I felt that it was different. There’s change.  I guess that’s the Harbaugh effect.”

Webb issued one of his famous "gut feelings" about an unnamed recruit who will make his choice public in mid-June, and all signs point to Vilain, who told Sam that after last weekend he won't need to take any more visits before making his decision. After speaking with his parents and his trainer, he'll decide between Michigan, Virginia Tech, and USC. It would be a surprise if he didn't end up a Wolverine before the end of the June.

[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]

A True Package Deal?

The potential in-state package deal of four-star Cass Tech safety Jaylen Kelly-Powell and four-star Detroit King CB Ambry Thomas is looking even more likely to end up at Michigan after both visited over the weekend.

Michigan has long been presumed the leader for Kelly-Powell, who reiterated to TMI's Josh Newkirk that the package deal is really a thing:

“Our mindset is that we are trying to go to school together,” Kelly-Powell said of committing to the same school as Thomas.

“We haven’t really talked too much about (a specific date). But we’re trying to announce on the same day.”

Kelly-Powell tweeted a list of his "deciding factors" this afternoon, and they sure resemble Michigan's recruiting pitch.

Thomas hasn't been as easy to pin down. At various points he's been considered likely to leave Big Ten country, a Michigan State lean, or an Ohio State lean. He's built a close bond with Don Brown recently, however, and that seems to have put the Wolverines out in front, per Newkirk:

“He asks me, ‘What’s taking me so long? What am I waiting on?” Thomas said of Brown, referring to his possible decision to become a Wolverine.

So, where does Michigan stand right now in Thomas’ recruitment?

“I really don’t have a leader right now,” Thomas said. “But (Michigan) is near the peak.”

Right after the visit, Thomas said he didn't have any more visits lined up. Today, The Wolverine's Brandon Brown reported Thomas may be back later this week. After speaking with Thomas on Monday, 247's Steve Wiltfong put in a Crystal Ball pick for Michigan. The outlook here is quite good. As a bonus, both JKP and Thomas plan to enroll early—given the depth in next year's secondary, both would be candidates to see the field as true freshmen.

More From Weekend Visitors

Fast-rising three-star OH SDE James Hudson decommitted from Kentucky just prior to his weekend visit to Ann Arbor, and while he hasn't given an extensive reaction to the trip, the early returns are postive, per Wiltfong:

"I really enjoyed Michigan," Hudson said. "Michigan is a school that has a lot of interest from me."

Hudson picked up an offer and plans to make his way back to campus at some point. Wiltfong believes his recruitment will come down to Michigan, MSU, or re-committing to Kentucky.

Michigan also hosted one of the top 2018 prospects in New Jersey, four-star WDE Dorian Hardy, who's taken note of M's success in the Garden State, per TMI's Brice Marich:

“I’m still very interested,” Hardy told The Michigan Insider. “I like how they love Jersey kids, the love they show the players, the facilities are great as well as the campus and alumni.

It means something to me (Michigan has landed several prospects from New Jersey). It shows they value New Jersey and the talent we have in our state. It shows they are doing something right with the program.”

Alabama, among several other top programs, is also in hot pursuit.

The coaches offered four-star IL CB Houston Griffith, son of former NFL fullback and current BTN analyst Howard Griffith, while he was on campus Saturday, per Wiltfong. He's already pulling in offers from the likes of Florida State and Notre Dame.

2018 NJ QB Shelton Applewhite, who hails from a familiar school in De Paul Catholic (Kareem Walker, Mike Dwumfour), told TMI's Brice Marich he'll "be back for sure" after his weekend visit. Applewhite holds early offers from Rutgers and Temple.

McCaffrey Earns Elite11 Invite

Quarterback commit Dylan McCaffrey earned a spot in the Elite11 finals following an excellent showing at the Oakland regional over the weekend. 247's Barton Simmons broke down his performance:

McCaffrey checks every box not only on the field but in the intangibles department. He was the first in every line, he takes a workmanlike approach to every drill and he has some presence to him as a leader. He also looked great throwing the ball too. In addition to a big-time arm, McCaffrey has a good pace to his game, good rhythm in his drops and his reads and he looks very comfortable sitting in the pocket and working progressions.

Simmons also conducted a rare interview with McCaffrey (embedded above), who's been very quiet with the media since his commitment. That apparently hasn't been the case with other recruits; McCaffrey mentions he's recruiting Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cesar Ruiz, Brett Neilon, and others.

Speaking of quarterbacks, Michigan's top target at the position in the 2018 class, New Jersey four-star Artur Sitkowski, will participate in both the satellite camp at Paramus Catholic and Michigan's A4 passing camp in Ann Arbor, according to 247's Steve Lorenz. Michigan currently holds every Crystal Ball selection for Sitkowski that isn't an overly optimistic choice from a Rutgers person.

Collins To Return

Today's update on top-100 AL WR Nico Collins: Rivals' Adam Friedman reports he'll visit Michigan again on June 17th:

Georgia, Michigan, and Alabama have had the most success recruiting Collins so far. Visits to Clemson and Florida State could really change the momentum in Collins' recruitment but visiting Michigan again is a very good sign for the Wolverines. 

Collins reiterated the impact his recent visit had on his perception of Michigan, saying "I kind of love it up there." Alabama appears to be M's main competition, though Clemson can't be ruled out—Collins hasn't been there yet and plans to visit in June.

New Offers, Etc.

While Michigan is in great shape with several interior line prospects, the picture isn't as clear at tackle after commit JaRaymond Hall. As such, it shouldn't come as a surprise that tackle offers continue to go out.

Not to be confused with former Michigan linebacker Obinna (Obi) Ezeh, four-star TN OT Obinna Eze added a Michigan offer, per Marich. While Eze holds offers from most of the SEC, including Bama, he told Marich he plans to visit Ann Arbor at some point before making a decision.

Michigan also offered three-star VA OT Mekhi Becton, who told Marich he plans to visit this summer.

In the 2018 class, Michigan offered five-star DB Tyreke Johnson, who is teammates at Trinity Chrisitan with 2017 commit Chase Lasater. They also offered four-star NJ WR Justin Shorter, who called Michigan a "legendary school."

Four-star 2017 IMG OC/OG Cesar Ruiz will announce his decision at the UA game.

2018 FL WR Will Mallory, son of former Michigan LB Mike Mallory, picked up an Alabama offer last week. Michigan has already offered and looks to be the early favorite.

Happy trails to four-star ATH DeeJay Dallas, who committed to Miami (YTM).

In a similar vein, Michigan may now be working from behind for four-star OH TE Matt Dotson, whose Crystal Ball has taken on a distinct Penn State flavor after an "amazing" visit to Happy Valley.