Here are tonight's Blue Chips...
*** Rivals100 defensive tackle Damon Payne released his Top 10 schools earlier today, and as expected, Michigan made the cut. So where exactly do the Wolverines stand? Ohio State was considered the early favorite and still might be, but it looks like the Buckeyes have Tywone Malone higher on the board (we'll get to him) and just landed a commitment from Michael Hall. That has the door open for Michigan.
*** Michigan made a big impression on the 2021 product from Belleville (Mich.) High on his recent unofficial visit. I've always said that the best approach with Payne is simply chipping away, letting him know you're there and not recruiting him too hard. Payne knows what Michigan is all about. It appears he's looking for reasons to get away from home, but at the end of the day, Michigan offers him an opportunity for early playing time at a place he's comfortable and familiar with.
*** Onto Malone. The 2021 Rivals100 prospect from Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic was very high on Michigan early on in his recruitment. However, the Wolverines are dropping here. Malone is a big-time baseball prospect, and he said Ohio State and Penn State are both recruiting him harder on the diamond than Michigan. He wants to play both at the next level, so that's important to him. On top of that, Michigan lost lead recruiter Anthony Campanile, brother of Bergen Catholic head coach Vito Campanile. That really really hurt the Wolverines.
*** Four-star 2021 Westlake Village (Calif.) Westlake defensive tackle Victory Vaka will make an official visit to Michigan this summer and announce a decision soon after. Michigan is in a sneaky good position here. UM defensive line coach Shaun Nua saw him during the contact period, and the two have built a really strong bond. With that said, it is going to be tough to beat out LSU and Oregon. LSU has been a favorite for a while, and he has a longstanding relationship with that staff. Oregon will host him for a visit on April 10, and the Ducks have a number of Polynesian ties and offer a chance to stay out West.
*** Rivals100 defensive tackle Damon Payne released his Top 10 schools earlier today, and as expected, Michigan made the cut. So where exactly do the Wolverines stand? Ohio State was considered the early favorite and still might be, but it looks like the Buckeyes have Tywone Malone higher on the board (we'll get to him) and just landed a commitment from Michael Hall. That has the door open for Michigan.
*** Michigan made a big impression on the 2021 product from Belleville (Mich.) High on his recent unofficial visit. I've always said that the best approach with Payne is simply chipping away, letting him know you're there and not recruiting him too hard. Payne knows what Michigan is all about. It appears he's looking for reasons to get away from home, but at the end of the day, Michigan offers him an opportunity for early playing time at a place he's comfortable and familiar with.
*** Onto Malone. The 2021 Rivals100 prospect from Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic was very high on Michigan early on in his recruitment. However, the Wolverines are dropping here. Malone is a big-time baseball prospect, and he said Ohio State and Penn State are both recruiting him harder on the diamond than Michigan. He wants to play both at the next level, so that's important to him. On top of that, Michigan lost lead recruiter Anthony Campanile, brother of Bergen Catholic head coach Vito Campanile. That really really hurt the Wolverines.
*** Four-star 2021 Westlake Village (Calif.) Westlake defensive tackle Victory Vaka will make an official visit to Michigan this summer and announce a decision soon after. Michigan is in a sneaky good position here. UM defensive line coach Shaun Nua saw him during the contact period, and the two have built a really strong bond. With that said, it is going to be tough to beat out LSU and Oregon. LSU has been a favorite for a while, and he has a longstanding relationship with that staff. Oregon will host him for a visit on April 10, and the Ducks have a number of Polynesian ties and offer a chance to stay out West.
