1. Top Target Comes Off The Board
Happy Trails, Ceyair Wright. The Rivals250 cornerback out of Los Angeles (Calif.) Loyola decided to stay closer to home and committed to USC. This was obviously expected. I reported for several months that Michigan was running third and never felt super optimistic that the Wolverines would pull Wright from Cali like they did with good friend Darion Green-Warren last cycle. As I mentioned earlier this week, I didn't want to sell false hope and tried to keep the Wright updates to a minimum despite Michigan's continued efforts there. So where does Michigan go from here? The Wolverines signed one corner during the early period in Ja'Den McBurrows and would like to add another. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Wolverines hit the portal as the corners on the roster were very up and down this season. Three-star Florida prospect Dontae Balfour is a prospect to know. Michigan was evaluating him closely leading up to signing day, and he remains uncommitted.
2. DT Is The Focus
Michigan has not inked a true defensive tackle since I've been on this beat. That includes the two signing days in the 2020 cycle and the early signing period in the 2021 cycle. Not good, chief. Yes, Kris Jenkins has added some good weight and will slide inside. Yes, Dominick Giudice is capable of outplaying his ranking. But that's not good enough. I've said this over and over: in order to compete with the big boys, you have to land the big boys. And that means elite talent along the defensive line, especially in the interior. That's easier said than done, but Michigan defensive line coach Shaun Nua has to find a way to do that. The transfer portal has some options, but it appears top target Antonio Shelton is trending to Florida. Landing George Rooks and/or Rayshaun Benny is imperative to close out the cycle. They are the top two remaining targets on the board.
3. George Rooks
Let's go ahead and start off with Rooks. While he's listed as a defensive end, Rooks is a true defensive tackle. He's already up to about 275 and will easily play at 300 pounds at the next level. I just don't think there has been an updated Rivals national in-person eval. Rooks looked the part of a Top 250 prospect when I went out and saw him live a couple of months ago. While I would like to see him be more aggressive, I like his length and athletic upside. As far as his recruitment, it's pretty much impossible to report on. Boston College, Penn State and Michigan have all led at some point in this race, and Rooks has remained uncommitted despite setting arbitrary dates. I think Michigan's defensive coordinator hire will be huge here. Don Brown played a big role with Rooks, so Nua doesn't have that assist anymore. However, ace recruiter Sherrone Moore has been really involved here. And keep in mind that Rooks has been to Michigan more than any of his other finalists. Honestly, anything can happen here. It wouldn't even be surprising if Rooks pulled a Drew Kendall and signed with his father's alma mater, Syracuse.
4. Rayshaun Benny
Rooks is a really good prospect. I think Benny is a great prospect. Unfortunately, I did not get the chance to see Benny as a senior. But he was extremely impressive when I saw him in-game as a junior. He passed the eye test as both an offensive lineman and a defensive lineman, and I think he's going to be a multi-year impact starter as a defensive tackle at the next level. At one point, I thought Benny was the best in-state recruit in the 2021 class. I feel like that title now belongs to Donovan Edwards after he took a big leap from junior to senior year. Anyway, Benny is exactly what the Wolverines need. He will play at more than 300 pounds and clog up the middle, while being athletic enough to create plenty of penetration and provide a pass rush from the interior. Benny is the No. 1 target left on the board and not only would he be a great addition from an on the field standpoint, he would also help negate the in-state recruiting perception.
5. Rayshaun Benny Pt. 2
What are the chances that Michigan can flip Benny from rival Michigan State? I feel pretty optimistic here. This has been a complete staff effort, and Benny has had some great things to say about Nua in the past. Moore has seen an increased role here, and as I mentioned a few days ago, talks between the two have been going really well. With Moore helping lead the charge, it gives me more confidence. Michigan also has the help of its in-state commits. Guys like Edwards, Raheem Anderson and Andrel Anthony know Benny and are recruiting him hard. Benny still has some stability questions, but the Jim Harbaugh extension (assuming it gets done) should put him at ease. Reporting on a flip candidate is sensitive, and Benny will likely say all the right things to MSU media, so we'll try to keep you updated with the latest behind the scenes as best as we can.
6. 2022 DTs
The good news for Michigan fans is that the Wolverines have made landing true defensive tackles a priority for the 2022 class and are off to a hot start. Rivals250 defensive tackle Alex VanSumeren doesn't get as much love as he should. I loved him in his training sessions in the offseason, and he impressed when I saw him in-game in the fall. VanSumeren is mean, aggressive and wants to kill his opponent. He also plays with violent hands and a quick get off. While I'm not super high on new commit Davonte Miles, he is adding a lot of good weight and can be, at worst, a space eater and rotational player in the trenches. Maybe the topics on defensive tackle recruiting will finally come to an end — or at least see a reduction in post count lol.
7. Tom Herman
Texas made a big move and fired head coach Tom Herman this weekend. Obviously, I covered Herman closely during my time at the University of Texas. Look, I have nothing but great things to say about Herman. Some find his personality unbearable. I think he's a great guy. All of my interviews and interactions with Herman were positive, and the guy really put everything he had into turning Texas around — the effort was definitely better than Charlie Strong. He just couldn't meet expectations. There have been some questions in regards to Herman as a potential OC candidate at Michigan. I would be for it. His philosophies are similar to what Harbaugh did in the NFL with Greg Roman, and he's very energetic as a recruiter with ties to the Midwest and West Coast. Obviously, Joe Moorhead is the top priority, but Herman would be worth a look, in my opinion.
8. Bryan Carrington
You probably don't know who Bryan Carrington is unless you follow recruiting from a national perspective. But he is one of the best Directors of Recruiting in the country. Carrington was one of two people who led the small army that was the Texas recruiting department and was instrumental in some of Herman's biggest lands. As I've stated in the past, I feel like Michigan's recruiting department lacks depth. Matty Dudek does a really good job but wears more hats than others in the same role at programs like Texas and Ohio State. If Dudek would be open to co-leading, Carrington would be a grand slam of a hire for the recruiting department. I really believe both could co-exist and be a dynamic duo.
9. JJ's Trick Throws
Michigan quarterback signee JJ McCarthy is known for his trick throws, and his latest one might be the most impressive yet.
10. The Servant
Thanks to all who responded to my post about new shows via social media. My wife and I settled on The Servant (yes, I was suckered into Apple TV Plus). And we really enjoyed it. I don't think the show is for everyone, but my wife and I are into creepy, weird stuff, and if you are too, then you should give it a go. Basically, it's about a weird ass nanny that baby sits a doll that later turns into a real baby.
Happy Trails, Ceyair Wright. The Rivals250 cornerback out of Los Angeles (Calif.) Loyola decided to stay closer to home and committed to USC. This was obviously expected. I reported for several months that Michigan was running third and never felt super optimistic that the Wolverines would pull Wright from Cali like they did with good friend Darion Green-Warren last cycle. As I mentioned earlier this week, I didn't want to sell false hope and tried to keep the Wright updates to a minimum despite Michigan's continued efforts there. So where does Michigan go from here? The Wolverines signed one corner during the early period in Ja'Den McBurrows and would like to add another. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Wolverines hit the portal as the corners on the roster were very up and down this season. Three-star Florida prospect Dontae Balfour is a prospect to know. Michigan was evaluating him closely leading up to signing day, and he remains uncommitted.
2. DT Is The Focus
Michigan has not inked a true defensive tackle since I've been on this beat. That includes the two signing days in the 2020 cycle and the early signing period in the 2021 cycle. Not good, chief. Yes, Kris Jenkins has added some good weight and will slide inside. Yes, Dominick Giudice is capable of outplaying his ranking. But that's not good enough. I've said this over and over: in order to compete with the big boys, you have to land the big boys. And that means elite talent along the defensive line, especially in the interior. That's easier said than done, but Michigan defensive line coach Shaun Nua has to find a way to do that. The transfer portal has some options, but it appears top target Antonio Shelton is trending to Florida. Landing George Rooks and/or Rayshaun Benny is imperative to close out the cycle. They are the top two remaining targets on the board.
3. George Rooks
Let's go ahead and start off with Rooks. While he's listed as a defensive end, Rooks is a true defensive tackle. He's already up to about 275 and will easily play at 300 pounds at the next level. I just don't think there has been an updated Rivals national in-person eval. Rooks looked the part of a Top 250 prospect when I went out and saw him live a couple of months ago. While I would like to see him be more aggressive, I like his length and athletic upside. As far as his recruitment, it's pretty much impossible to report on. Boston College, Penn State and Michigan have all led at some point in this race, and Rooks has remained uncommitted despite setting arbitrary dates. I think Michigan's defensive coordinator hire will be huge here. Don Brown played a big role with Rooks, so Nua doesn't have that assist anymore. However, ace recruiter Sherrone Moore has been really involved here. And keep in mind that Rooks has been to Michigan more than any of his other finalists. Honestly, anything can happen here. It wouldn't even be surprising if Rooks pulled a Drew Kendall and signed with his father's alma mater, Syracuse.
4. Rayshaun Benny
Rooks is a really good prospect. I think Benny is a great prospect. Unfortunately, I did not get the chance to see Benny as a senior. But he was extremely impressive when I saw him in-game as a junior. He passed the eye test as both an offensive lineman and a defensive lineman, and I think he's going to be a multi-year impact starter as a defensive tackle at the next level. At one point, I thought Benny was the best in-state recruit in the 2021 class. I feel like that title now belongs to Donovan Edwards after he took a big leap from junior to senior year. Anyway, Benny is exactly what the Wolverines need. He will play at more than 300 pounds and clog up the middle, while being athletic enough to create plenty of penetration and provide a pass rush from the interior. Benny is the No. 1 target left on the board and not only would he be a great addition from an on the field standpoint, he would also help negate the in-state recruiting perception.
5. Rayshaun Benny Pt. 2
What are the chances that Michigan can flip Benny from rival Michigan State? I feel pretty optimistic here. This has been a complete staff effort, and Benny has had some great things to say about Nua in the past. Moore has seen an increased role here, and as I mentioned a few days ago, talks between the two have been going really well. With Moore helping lead the charge, it gives me more confidence. Michigan also has the help of its in-state commits. Guys like Edwards, Raheem Anderson and Andrel Anthony know Benny and are recruiting him hard. Benny still has some stability questions, but the Jim Harbaugh extension (assuming it gets done) should put him at ease. Reporting on a flip candidate is sensitive, and Benny will likely say all the right things to MSU media, so we'll try to keep you updated with the latest behind the scenes as best as we can.
6. 2022 DTs
The good news for Michigan fans is that the Wolverines have made landing true defensive tackles a priority for the 2022 class and are off to a hot start. Rivals250 defensive tackle Alex VanSumeren doesn't get as much love as he should. I loved him in his training sessions in the offseason, and he impressed when I saw him in-game in the fall. VanSumeren is mean, aggressive and wants to kill his opponent. He also plays with violent hands and a quick get off. While I'm not super high on new commit Davonte Miles, he is adding a lot of good weight and can be, at worst, a space eater and rotational player in the trenches. Maybe the topics on defensive tackle recruiting will finally come to an end — or at least see a reduction in post count lol.
7. Tom Herman
Texas made a big move and fired head coach Tom Herman this weekend. Obviously, I covered Herman closely during my time at the University of Texas. Look, I have nothing but great things to say about Herman. Some find his personality unbearable. I think he's a great guy. All of my interviews and interactions with Herman were positive, and the guy really put everything he had into turning Texas around — the effort was definitely better than Charlie Strong. He just couldn't meet expectations. There have been some questions in regards to Herman as a potential OC candidate at Michigan. I would be for it. His philosophies are similar to what Harbaugh did in the NFL with Greg Roman, and he's very energetic as a recruiter with ties to the Midwest and West Coast. Obviously, Joe Moorhead is the top priority, but Herman would be worth a look, in my opinion.
8. Bryan Carrington
You probably don't know who Bryan Carrington is unless you follow recruiting from a national perspective. But he is one of the best Directors of Recruiting in the country. Carrington was one of two people who led the small army that was the Texas recruiting department and was instrumental in some of Herman's biggest lands. As I've stated in the past, I feel like Michigan's recruiting department lacks depth. Matty Dudek does a really good job but wears more hats than others in the same role at programs like Texas and Ohio State. If Dudek would be open to co-leading, Carrington would be a grand slam of a hire for the recruiting department. I really believe both could co-exist and be a dynamic duo.
9. JJ's Trick Throws
Michigan quarterback signee JJ McCarthy is known for his trick throws, and his latest one might be the most impressive yet.
10. The Servant
Thanks to all who responded to my post about new shows via social media. My wife and I settled on The Servant (yes, I was suckered into Apple TV Plus). And we really enjoyed it. I don't think the show is for everyone, but my wife and I are into creepy, weird stuff, and if you are too, then you should give it a go. Basically, it's about a weird ass nanny that baby sits a doll that later turns into a real baby.
