*** Top Michigan quarterback target Nate Johnson flew off the board today as he committed to Utah. The timing of this one was definitely strange as Johnson wanted to wait until July and was just seeing his stock rise — UCLA offered yesterday. Either way, a decision delay may not have helped Michigan anyway. I'm told Johnson realized he didn't want to be that far away from home and was more comfortable playing in the Pac-12 for a school that utilizes his skillset at the quarterback position. Michigan and Utah entered last weekend as co-leaders. The Wolverines obviously didn't overcome the distance factor.
*** So what's next? Michigan is continuing to shoot its shot for four-star Cal quarterback commit Justyn Martin, who recently made an unofficial visit. Martin loved his time in Ann Arbor and really bonded with head coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss. New Director of Player Personnel Courtney Morgan is also close to those around the recruitment of Martin. With that said, Ole Miss also hosted him for a visit this month and may be in a better position to flip him. Cal is working hard to keep him and is set to host him for an official visit this weekend. Right now, I think Michigan is running third.
*** That leaves with Conner Harrell. The three-star prospect from Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson is set to make an unofficial visit to Michigan on Sunday. Most guys will be gone from Victors Weekend, so that will give Harrell an opportunity to spend more 1-on-1 time with the staff, particularly Harbaugh and Weiss. New Michigan Director of Recruiting Aashon Larkins has strong ties in the state of Alabama and is really helping the Wolverines in their efforts with Harrell. There does not appear to be a clear-cut favorite for Harrell, so the door is open. He made official visits to Arizona State and Northwestern earlier this month and is set to see North Carolina next weekend. He also made an unofficial visit to Auburn. If Auburn pushes, that could be a deal breaker.
*** Weiss has circled back around to Garland (Texas) Sachse quarterback Alex Orji, who notched a Michigan offer before committing to Virginia Tech. With no Mo Linguist on staff, there isn't a tie to his family anymore, and I'm told Orji isn't very willing to listen to Michigan at this time. Michigan is taking a closer look at three-star Bronx (N.Y.) Cardinal Hayes quarterback Henry Belin and could make a move depending on how things go with Harrell and Martin. Right now, Syracuse leads with him.
*** So what's next? Michigan is continuing to shoot its shot for four-star Cal quarterback commit Justyn Martin, who recently made an unofficial visit. Martin loved his time in Ann Arbor and really bonded with head coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss. New Director of Player Personnel Courtney Morgan is also close to those around the recruitment of Martin. With that said, Ole Miss also hosted him for a visit this month and may be in a better position to flip him. Cal is working hard to keep him and is set to host him for an official visit this weekend. Right now, I think Michigan is running third.
*** That leaves with Conner Harrell. The three-star prospect from Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson is set to make an unofficial visit to Michigan on Sunday. Most guys will be gone from Victors Weekend, so that will give Harrell an opportunity to spend more 1-on-1 time with the staff, particularly Harbaugh and Weiss. New Michigan Director of Recruiting Aashon Larkins has strong ties in the state of Alabama and is really helping the Wolverines in their efforts with Harrell. There does not appear to be a clear-cut favorite for Harrell, so the door is open. He made official visits to Arizona State and Northwestern earlier this month and is set to see North Carolina next weekend. He also made an unofficial visit to Auburn. If Auburn pushes, that could be a deal breaker.
*** Weiss has circled back around to Garland (Texas) Sachse quarterback Alex Orji, who notched a Michigan offer before committing to Virginia Tech. With no Mo Linguist on staff, there isn't a tie to his family anymore, and I'm told Orji isn't very willing to listen to Michigan at this time. Michigan is taking a closer look at three-star Bronx (N.Y.) Cardinal Hayes quarterback Henry Belin and could make a move depending on how things go with Harrell and Martin. Right now, Syracuse leads with him.
