*** Michigan was once a favorite to land 2022 Rivals250 Kettering (Ohio) Archbishop Alter defensive tackle Derrick Shepard. However, the Wolverines cooled, and Shepard committed to Cincinnati. Since then, Shepard has been pretty locked in with the Bearcats. However, the Wolverines recently reengaged. Shepard is a true nose tackle that fits what Michigan is doing with its new 3-4 defensive scheme under Mike Macdonald. Conversations so far have been mostly preliminary. At this time, it seems that Michigan is simply keeping him warm as it chases after priority targets Kenneth Grant and Deone Walker and others like Isaiah Hastings. If Michigan does push, the Wolverines would have a shot to flip him. He is very familiar with the U-M program and is also good friends with freshman Rod Moore. The two actually spent some time together recently.
*** So why isn't Michigan pushing for Shepard? Like I said, there are some guys they like on the board more at this time. That doesn't mean that Shepard isn't a possibility. It just means that it's a wait and see situation. I loved Shepard when I saw him at the Under Armour camp last summer. He was actually my top overall performer among underclassmen Michigan targets. However, that athleticism he flashed at 6-foot-3, 311 pounds didn't necessarily translate to the field in the fall. Shepard was slow out in terms of his get off, lacked power and struggled to get off blocks. He was just okay when I saw him in-game and actually impressed more at offensive guard. Shepard is built so well for his size and the athleticism he showcased is still there. It's just about getting it to come together when the pads are on. He's a really tough prospect to rank, and I can see why U-M has been on and off.
*** On to the 2023 recruiting class as Michigan isn't in the mix with any other 2022 Ohio prospects. A recruit The Fort should be all over is four-star 2023 Springfield (Ohio) High wide receiver Anthony Brown. After all, Brown fits the description of what this board has been yearning for. Brown grew up an Ohio State fan but feels a little slighted since OSU has not offered, he's a high level kid in Ohio that Michigan is very much capable of landing and he's productive on the field, leading Springfield on a deep run in the Ohio state playoffs a year ago. Brown camped with Michigan this summer and earned his offer on campus. Right now, the Wolverines are very high on his list, and he plans to return to Ann Arbor for a game. Brown also likes schools like Penn State, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wisconsin early on.
*** This was my first time getting to see Brown in a live setting. First thing is first. Brown is a perfect fit for the 'speed in space' offense. Brown has plenty of speed and is quick in short space. Brown was used in a myriad of ways during the practice — out wide, in the slot, on jet sweeps, in the backfield, etc. This is exactly the type of guy that can thrive under offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. Two things are probably contributing to him not being ranked even higher. One is he is not a natural pass catcher. Two is his size. Brown is closer to 5-foot-9 and looks like he's barely at 160 pounds. Getting in the weight room is a must.
*** Very quickly... Brown has a couple of teammates that caught my attention. As Michigan continues to mine for safeties in the 2022 class, I would suggest Tesean Smoot. He plays quarterback for Springfield, but I really like his athletic profile and speed. But EJ, he doesn't even play safety! I'm not exactly sure why but the state of Texas produces a ton of high school quarterback/wide receiver to safety converts, so I feel like I know what to look for. TCU makes a living off of guys like Smoot. I think he can be Jeff Gladney-esque. Springfield also has a high floor three-star safety in Delian Bradley. Nothing really popped, but he was solid overall.
*** Michigan is making Rivals100 Findlay (Ohio) High offensive lineman Luke Montgomery one of its top overall priorities for next cycle. We've talked a lot about Montgomery lately, but I want to reiterate that Michigan has really helped itself in this recruitment. The Wolverines hosted Montgomery for two visits, including for the BBQ at the Big House last weekend, and he has really developed a strong connection with both head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive line coach Sherrone Moore. U-M GA Grant Newsome has also done a fantastic job with his family. Yes, everyone assumes Ohio State will be the pick, but I really do believe a strong season would put Michigan in a prime position to pull the upset. I spoke to Luke's father, Mike, for a while last night and he hammered home that Michigan is really impressing them. Montgomery plans to be back at Michigan for at least one game this fall. Notre Dame, Clemson, Georgia and Oklahoma are some others heavily involved.
*** This was my first time getting to see Montgomery live. I was extremely excited to do so because Montgomery was playing in a scrimmage and not just practice and because the national guys have never seen him (not sure why) but have him rated extremely high. Montgomery definitely passed the eye test with flying colors. He lined up at left tackle on the offensive side of the ball and bullied kids in the run game, serving up several pancakes. Montgomery loves to get physical and is always looking to finish a block. He has an athletic build with the frame to add more weight. No surprise he looked natural in pass pro. I do think he'll be a right tackle at the next level. Montgomery also looked the part of a high level defensive line recruit, recording a sack and a handful of tackles for loss. Montgomery sees himself as an offensive lineman all the way, though — as does Michigan. Rivals has him listed as a defensive end.
*** Very quickly, Michigan was the first to offer Montgomery's younger brother, 2025 quarterback Ryan Montgomery. Unfortunately, I did not get to see Ryan in live action as he was out with back spasms. He's high on Michigan early on and loved his time at the BBQ at The Big House. Offering Ryan first really impressed Luke and Mike and will go a long way with the family overall.
*** So why isn't Michigan pushing for Shepard? Like I said, there are some guys they like on the board more at this time. That doesn't mean that Shepard isn't a possibility. It just means that it's a wait and see situation. I loved Shepard when I saw him at the Under Armour camp last summer. He was actually my top overall performer among underclassmen Michigan targets. However, that athleticism he flashed at 6-foot-3, 311 pounds didn't necessarily translate to the field in the fall. Shepard was slow out in terms of his get off, lacked power and struggled to get off blocks. He was just okay when I saw him in-game and actually impressed more at offensive guard. Shepard is built so well for his size and the athleticism he showcased is still there. It's just about getting it to come together when the pads are on. He's a really tough prospect to rank, and I can see why U-M has been on and off.
*** On to the 2023 recruiting class as Michigan isn't in the mix with any other 2022 Ohio prospects. A recruit The Fort should be all over is four-star 2023 Springfield (Ohio) High wide receiver Anthony Brown. After all, Brown fits the description of what this board has been yearning for. Brown grew up an Ohio State fan but feels a little slighted since OSU has not offered, he's a high level kid in Ohio that Michigan is very much capable of landing and he's productive on the field, leading Springfield on a deep run in the Ohio state playoffs a year ago. Brown camped with Michigan this summer and earned his offer on campus. Right now, the Wolverines are very high on his list, and he plans to return to Ann Arbor for a game. Brown also likes schools like Penn State, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wisconsin early on.
*** This was my first time getting to see Brown in a live setting. First thing is first. Brown is a perfect fit for the 'speed in space' offense. Brown has plenty of speed and is quick in short space. Brown was used in a myriad of ways during the practice — out wide, in the slot, on jet sweeps, in the backfield, etc. This is exactly the type of guy that can thrive under offensive coordinator Josh Gattis. Two things are probably contributing to him not being ranked even higher. One is he is not a natural pass catcher. Two is his size. Brown is closer to 5-foot-9 and looks like he's barely at 160 pounds. Getting in the weight room is a must.
*** Very quickly... Brown has a couple of teammates that caught my attention. As Michigan continues to mine for safeties in the 2022 class, I would suggest Tesean Smoot. He plays quarterback for Springfield, but I really like his athletic profile and speed. But EJ, he doesn't even play safety! I'm not exactly sure why but the state of Texas produces a ton of high school quarterback/wide receiver to safety converts, so I feel like I know what to look for. TCU makes a living off of guys like Smoot. I think he can be Jeff Gladney-esque. Springfield also has a high floor three-star safety in Delian Bradley. Nothing really popped, but he was solid overall.
*** Michigan is making Rivals100 Findlay (Ohio) High offensive lineman Luke Montgomery one of its top overall priorities for next cycle. We've talked a lot about Montgomery lately, but I want to reiterate that Michigan has really helped itself in this recruitment. The Wolverines hosted Montgomery for two visits, including for the BBQ at the Big House last weekend, and he has really developed a strong connection with both head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive line coach Sherrone Moore. U-M GA Grant Newsome has also done a fantastic job with his family. Yes, everyone assumes Ohio State will be the pick, but I really do believe a strong season would put Michigan in a prime position to pull the upset. I spoke to Luke's father, Mike, for a while last night and he hammered home that Michigan is really impressing them. Montgomery plans to be back at Michigan for at least one game this fall. Notre Dame, Clemson, Georgia and Oklahoma are some others heavily involved.
*** This was my first time getting to see Montgomery live. I was extremely excited to do so because Montgomery was playing in a scrimmage and not just practice and because the national guys have never seen him (not sure why) but have him rated extremely high. Montgomery definitely passed the eye test with flying colors. He lined up at left tackle on the offensive side of the ball and bullied kids in the run game, serving up several pancakes. Montgomery loves to get physical and is always looking to finish a block. He has an athletic build with the frame to add more weight. No surprise he looked natural in pass pro. I do think he'll be a right tackle at the next level. Montgomery also looked the part of a high level defensive line recruit, recording a sack and a handful of tackles for loss. Montgomery sees himself as an offensive lineman all the way, though — as does Michigan. Rivals has him listed as a defensive end.
*** Very quickly, Michigan was the first to offer Montgomery's younger brother, 2025 quarterback Ryan Montgomery. Unfortunately, I did not get to see Ryan in live action as he was out with back spasms. He's high on Michigan early on and loved his time at the BBQ at The Big House. Offering Ryan first really impressed Luke and Mike and will go a long way with the family overall.
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