Port Huron (Mich.) Northern defensive end Braiden McGregor has been Michigan's top target for a while and in just a few days the staff is going to find out if their efforts have paid off.
The 6-6, 250-pounder is just five days away from making his decision and, in my opinion, it's going to be Michigan. Here's why...
1. I've been informed that McGregor is target one, two and three at defensive end by many people close to the situation. New defensive line coach Shaun Nua is only getting three (a very outside chance at four) scholarships to work with so he can't take just anyone. McGregor has been the guy for a long time and the coaches are recruiting him that way. There honestly isn't another strongside defensive end type getting any love from Michigan right now.
2. The plan has always been to recruit McGregor hard, land him and then focus on the interior of the defensive line. Michigan has offered two defensive tackles in the last three days — Eads (Tenn.) Briarcrest Christian four-star Omari Thomas, who is actually listed as an offensive tackle, and Lexington (Miss.) Holmes County three-star Montra Edwards Jr. In my opinion, that is very telling. The staff must feel confident about McGregor and have already turned their attention to the defensive tackle position.
3. Even though Nua is the defensive line coach, tight ends coach Sherrone Moore has actually been the one spearheading McGregor's recruitment for a long time. All of the coaches logged A LOT of miles on the recruiting trail this past week and it definitely took its toll. They were all tired as they got in late Friday night but Moore said, "it'll be worth it next week," with a laugh. A pro-Michigan choice from McGregor would definitely make all the travel worth while.
With all that said, McGregor has been very good at keeping his preferences to himself. He released a top ten, checked out just about every school on his list multiple times and has spoken highly of them all. It hasn't been too hard to figure out that Michigan and Notre Dame are at the top of his list. If you talk to Notre Dame people, they'll say the Irish lead. If you talk to people around Ann Arbor, Michigan is the obvious choice.
I put a FutureCast in for Michigan on April 23 and I'm not changing it. McGregor decides on May 24 and I think it's going to be the Wolverines.
The 6-6, 250-pounder is just five days away from making his decision and, in my opinion, it's going to be Michigan. Here's why...
1. I've been informed that McGregor is target one, two and three at defensive end by many people close to the situation. New defensive line coach Shaun Nua is only getting three (a very outside chance at four) scholarships to work with so he can't take just anyone. McGregor has been the guy for a long time and the coaches are recruiting him that way. There honestly isn't another strongside defensive end type getting any love from Michigan right now.
2. The plan has always been to recruit McGregor hard, land him and then focus on the interior of the defensive line. Michigan has offered two defensive tackles in the last three days — Eads (Tenn.) Briarcrest Christian four-star Omari Thomas, who is actually listed as an offensive tackle, and Lexington (Miss.) Holmes County three-star Montra Edwards Jr. In my opinion, that is very telling. The staff must feel confident about McGregor and have already turned their attention to the defensive tackle position.
3. Even though Nua is the defensive line coach, tight ends coach Sherrone Moore has actually been the one spearheading McGregor's recruitment for a long time. All of the coaches logged A LOT of miles on the recruiting trail this past week and it definitely took its toll. They were all tired as they got in late Friday night but Moore said, "it'll be worth it next week," with a laugh. A pro-Michigan choice from McGregor would definitely make all the travel worth while.
With all that said, McGregor has been very good at keeping his preferences to himself. He released a top ten, checked out just about every school on his list multiple times and has spoken highly of them all. It hasn't been too hard to figure out that Michigan and Notre Dame are at the top of his list. If you talk to Notre Dame people, they'll say the Irish lead. If you talk to people around Ann Arbor, Michigan is the obvious choice.
I put a FutureCast in for Michigan on April 23 and I'm not changing it. McGregor decides on May 24 and I think it's going to be the Wolverines.
