The latest edition of INSIDE THE FORT, including plenty of football and basketball recruiting, some football and more …
Starting with football and what we’ve picked up in the first few days of camp …
Michigan elite redshirt sophomore Jabrill Peppers gets all the praise as the do-it-all athlete on the roster, but as we learned in the days leading up to fall camp, senior cornerback Jourdan Lewis is potentially in line to see some snaps on offense and in the return game, as well. Head coach Jim Harbaugh also said that there are a few other guys being looked as potential two-way players and one of them is just a true freshman.
Jumbo tight end Devin Asiasi has taken some reps on the defensive line and at 6-3, 287 pounds he doesn’t look out of place at all. During his recruitment, several schools were courting Asiasi as a defensive end where he shined at Concord (Calif.) De La Salle. His true abilities as a tight end were never really realized at DLS because of the run-heavy offense employed, but the size/athleticism combo he possesses and his ability to block made him the No. 2 tight end in the nation.
That said, his defensive film was always impressive and it appears he’s at least getting a look on that side of the ball at U-M.
One we know is going to play strictly on defense – five-star defensive end Rashan Gary, the nation’s top prep last year.
“He makes the other defensive linemen look like kids,” one observer noted. “He has a ridiculous build.”
Disclaimer here -- it’s the first week of practice and coaches are going to tinker with many different looks. On Friday, though, the first day of full pads, Gary was working with the No. 1 defense. When that happens, fifth-year senior Chris Wormley slides inside.
On the injury front, we haven’t heard of anything terribly serious. Fifth-year senior Kyle Kalis was sporting the red jersey Friday during the first day of full pads, though he was dressed, and freshman tight end Nick Eubanks has been seen in a boot. We spotted what appeared to be frosh defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour walking campus in a boot earlier this week, but he was out there Friday.
Scrimmages, for now, are “thud” – not tackling to the ground. From what we’ve heard (and not unexpected), the defense was getting the better of the offense. Big time.
Again, not reading into anything, but redshirt sophomore Wilton Speight took the first snaps. Later, Speight took the first snap, redshirt junior John O’Korn the second with the ones. The only quarterback not to take a snap throughout was redshirt junior Shane Morris.
Also on offense, fifth-year senior Amara Darboh and redshirt sophomore Drake Harris were working with the ones at wide receiver while fifth-year senior Jehu Chesson and Kekoa Crawford were working on conditioning off to the side during team drill.
Senior running back De’Veon Smith got the first carries, while redshirt junior Ty Isaac came in on the third snap.
One more note on defense … though they weren’t working with the No. 1 offense, true freshmen Devin Bush and Devin Gil were getting a lot of work at linebacker.
Folks have continued to ask about true frosh receiver Ahmir Mitchell, freshman running back Kareem Walker, and redshirt freshman defensive end Shelton Johnson. None of them were in the 2016 team photo, and that immediately had people curious as to why.
Without going into detail, it would not surprise at all if neither Johnson nor Mitchell played this year. Media has been told to ask Jim Harbaugh about their statuses at the next press conference, which we will.
As for Walker – it would not surprise at all if he redshirted this year. His situation is not related to Mitchell and Johnson’s.
Finally, fans restless about no night game at Michigan Stadium this season need not worry, according to some who have heard from the powers that be in private. Word has it that Michigan Athletics Director Warde Manuel has privately assured interested parties of the same thing that he’s said publicly: he does not oppose the night contests. It sounds like Manuel went even farther, though, when away from the public scrutiny.
According to one source, Manuel fully understands the importance of night games from a fan and competitive standpoint. This season is an aberration, with no home night game, but the future will certainly see a return to them.
“They are coming back, and he loves them,” this source assessed.
Meanwhile, Manuel has been a strong proponent for satellite camps publicly, and will continue as such. He’s very much in line with Harbaugh’s thinking that the sport of football is under attack, and that anything done to help bolster it nationally is a positive.
****
To football recruiting …
El Cerrito (Calif.) four-star offensive tackle Aaron Banks was recently in Michigan for the BBQ at The Big House and thoroughly enjoyed himself. He has not publicly released his top group yet but when he does, Michigan will be in it along with nine other schools … including a couple of Los Angeles powers that are always tough to beat for Cali kids.
Banks said the visit to Michigan “went cool” and he’s definitely leaning toward taking an official visit to U-M this fall. The 6-7, 335-pounder is considered the No. 14 offensive tackle and No. 96 overall player in the nation.
Another touted California prospect attended the BBQ and while “Michigan lean” may be a little strong to describe his vibe after the visit, it’s not far from that. Calabasas (Calif.) five-star cornerback Darnay Holmes LOVED his time in Ann Arbor and with freshman friends Dylan Crawford and David Long. A source close to the program spoke with a popular current Michigan player, and that player believes Michigan will ultimately land Holmes.
As is always the case with recruiting, that may be the sentiment right now after a very successful visit, but nothing is permanent until pen meets paper on a national letter of intent.
Still … the 5-11, 185-pound Holmes is the No. 3 cornerback and No. 15 overall player in the country. Luring him away from the west coast would be a huge coup for the Wolverine staff. Last year Michigan landed the No. 10 (Asiasi), No. 15 (Long), and No. 20 (Crawford) players in the state of California. Holmes is No. 2 in California for the 2017 cycle.
Detroit Martin Luther King four-star cornerback Ambry Thomas was also in Ann Arbor for U-M’s BBQ. The speedy, 5-11, 165-pounder is very familiar with U-M and has been on campus many more times as well. He also hasn’t released his top group yet but will very soon and the Maize and Blue will make up 25 percent of it.
Thomas had long been thought as a Michigan State lean, but his bond with Don Brown blossomed into possibly his strongest one of any staff. As we reported long ago, many believe he’s Michigan’s to lose, and that’s still the case. His cousin, Detroit Cass Tech three-star safety Jaylen Kelly-Powell, is definitely a Michigan lean, and the two have said many times that they’d like to play together in college.
The Spartans have done well at King in recent years, giving the staff in East Lansing reason to feel confident in their pursuit of the No. 15 cornerback and No. 174 prospect in the country, but Michigan is sitting at the top right now.
Brandeton (Fla.) IMG Academy offensive center Cesar Ruiz has been recruited by Michigan for what seems like his entire prep career now. The New Jersey native has lately been thought to be an Alabama favorite, but after doing some digging, a source close to Alabama’s side thinks Ruiz is not a take for the Crimson Tide.
It has been obvious the recruitment has been between the Wolverines and Tide for quite some time. With ‘Bama no longer prioritizing Ruiz, it opens the gates for Michigan to go all in on their priority to have a true center. Whether this will speed up his decision or not is still up in the air, but as of right now, it is believed Ruiz will inevitably choose the team that has been there since the beginning -- Michigan.
Gadsden City (Ala.) offensive tackle Toryque Bateman publicly named Michigan his leader, and it was thought that he would be a Wolverine after the BBQ. Unfortunately for him, he has not set himself up properly to attend Michigan and likely will not be able to fix it, so it looks like he won’t be a take for U-M. If the Wolverines can land Ruiz, Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage four-star offensive tackle Tedarrell Slaton and Brooklyn (N.Y.) Poly Prep five-star offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson – very possible -- they likely wouldn’t have room in the end for Bateman anyway.
While Bateman’s talents may have been there, extenuating circumstances will likely keep him from this class.
After attending Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic four-star defensive end James Hudson’s practice on Tuesday, we got an up close look on just how good he is. To start things off, he looks like an NFL player. He has the body, the frame and the potential to be a Willie Henry 2.0.
There are certainly questions about Hudson’s motor and his energy on each play. It was noticeable that he didn’t go 10 percent on every play during the scrimmage, but for him to be out there on offensive and defensive line for six straight series, taking a play or so off in a scrimmage really isn’t worth much concern.
On top of that, Hudson looked rather impressive on the offensive line, but his frame and potential on the defensive line was obvious at the scrimmage Tuesday. Some close to his program, however, believe he can be an NFL lineman someday, and feel it might be his best position.
Finally, five-star running back Najee Harris loved his visit, as well, and some in the Michigan camp believe the Wolverines might even lead for him. Rivals.com analyst Adam Gorney isn’t among them. He was on the boards recently to inform us he’d spoken with folks close to Harris’ recruitment and they told him “President Obama himself” couldn’t sway him to Michigan.”
We’ll continue to watch that one.
****
Finishing with basketball and recruiting …
First, on the team. Word from summer workouts is that sophomore big man Moritz Wagner has been tearing it up, really impressing after doing so well late last season. He’s expected to make a huge jump this year.
Senior Derrick Walton Jr. had an excellent summer and was in town for 16 straight weeks working on his game. His shooting was on display at the camp – he was lights out – and that’s been the case in workouts as well, from what we’ve heard.
Redshirt junior Duncan Robinson also seems primed for a big year. He’s stronger, an elite shooter and his body should hold up much better in Big Ten play this year.
On the freshmen … the big men, Jon Teske and Austin Davis, are a work in progress, but they like the potential. Xavier Simpson’s teams just win during scrimmages, and Ibi Watson … he has the potential to be the next sleeper to be really good at Michigan.
Watson shot lights out when we saw him at the camp, and he, too, is doing it doing drills, as well. He’s very bouncy and athletic and picks things up quickly. He should contribute this year.
On the recruiting front, Michigan took bird in hand with Isaiah Livers (6-8, Rivals.com No. 114 senior nationally) rather than wait on Massillon, Ohio, Jackson’s Kyle Young, who had been a priority for the Wolverines. Privately, Young had been saying he wanted to get the process over with. Publicly, he narrowed his list to five and was going to take visits, even after Michigan made it clear they would offer others and might not have room for him.
Make no mistake – Livers is not a consolation prize. MSU wanted him badly, and it was a great head-to-head win for the Wolverines.
“Kyle has more tricks in his bag offensive and is more combo forward. Isaiah is a straight up four man,” Rivals.com’s Eric Bossi said. “But there’s not a huge difference between them. When you’ve got one who is ready to commit, fits what you want, the proposition is such that you take the sure thing or risk ending up with neither.”
As of now, 2017 recruiting is on hold until spring, when U-M sees what (if anything) they need. There’s often attrition, and senior Mark Donnal isn’t guaranteed a fifth year, so there could be room.
Lincolnshire, Ill.’s Justin Smith was slated to visit this weekend, but he’s canceled (“they are full,” he told TheWolverine.com). We expect him to commit somewhere else and sign this fall.
There are others, however, who could wait until spring. Kris Wilkes is one. The five-star wing out of Indianapolis has said as much, and he’s worth waiting for. He’ll narrow his list to five this September and Bossi doesn’t believe Michigan will make the cut.
“Maryland, UCLA, Indiana and Xavier will be on it for sure, I believe,” he said. “That leaves a lot of teams vying for one spot.”
Wilkes told us his visit went great, but others have told Bossi it wasn’t so hot. That would be surprising given the presentation head coach John Beilein and his crew put forth, but … we’ll see.
Five-star Brian Bowen of LaPorte, Ind., La Lumiere is another with an offer who could be in consideration, as well as five-star Indianapolis product Jaren Jackson. Both are expected to end up elsewhere, but Bowen has said all the right things privately about Michigan, even though he grew up in an MSU household.
On the 2018s, Michigan is strong with each of its three offerees, but there are no guarantees, of course. East Lansing, Mich. four-star forward Brandon Johns would be a great fit at Michigan and knows it, and many feel he’s U-M’s to lose. The 6-7 standout is Rivals.com’s No. 26 player nationally.
U-M is currently on top for Milton, Mass., Academy’s Cormac Ryan (6-5, four-star), but watch out for Stanford. If they turn it up they’ll be right with the Wolverines, we hear, even though it’s much further from home.
Purdue feels good about its chances with Mars, Pa., four-star Robby Carmody (No. 86), but the Wolverines have made a serious move with the offer. We like where they sit. Whether or not they’d take both Carmody and Ryan depends a lot on what happens with the roster over the next year.
As always, thanks for visiting TheWolverine.com!
Starting with football and what we’ve picked up in the first few days of camp …
Michigan elite redshirt sophomore Jabrill Peppers gets all the praise as the do-it-all athlete on the roster, but as we learned in the days leading up to fall camp, senior cornerback Jourdan Lewis is potentially in line to see some snaps on offense and in the return game, as well. Head coach Jim Harbaugh also said that there are a few other guys being looked as potential two-way players and one of them is just a true freshman.
Jumbo tight end Devin Asiasi has taken some reps on the defensive line and at 6-3, 287 pounds he doesn’t look out of place at all. During his recruitment, several schools were courting Asiasi as a defensive end where he shined at Concord (Calif.) De La Salle. His true abilities as a tight end were never really realized at DLS because of the run-heavy offense employed, but the size/athleticism combo he possesses and his ability to block made him the No. 2 tight end in the nation.
That said, his defensive film was always impressive and it appears he’s at least getting a look on that side of the ball at U-M.
One we know is going to play strictly on defense – five-star defensive end Rashan Gary, the nation’s top prep last year.
“He makes the other defensive linemen look like kids,” one observer noted. “He has a ridiculous build.”
Disclaimer here -- it’s the first week of practice and coaches are going to tinker with many different looks. On Friday, though, the first day of full pads, Gary was working with the No. 1 defense. When that happens, fifth-year senior Chris Wormley slides inside.
On the injury front, we haven’t heard of anything terribly serious. Fifth-year senior Kyle Kalis was sporting the red jersey Friday during the first day of full pads, though he was dressed, and freshman tight end Nick Eubanks has been seen in a boot. We spotted what appeared to be frosh defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour walking campus in a boot earlier this week, but he was out there Friday.
Scrimmages, for now, are “thud” – not tackling to the ground. From what we’ve heard (and not unexpected), the defense was getting the better of the offense. Big time.
Again, not reading into anything, but redshirt sophomore Wilton Speight took the first snaps. Later, Speight took the first snap, redshirt junior John O’Korn the second with the ones. The only quarterback not to take a snap throughout was redshirt junior Shane Morris.
Also on offense, fifth-year senior Amara Darboh and redshirt sophomore Drake Harris were working with the ones at wide receiver while fifth-year senior Jehu Chesson and Kekoa Crawford were working on conditioning off to the side during team drill.
Senior running back De’Veon Smith got the first carries, while redshirt junior Ty Isaac came in on the third snap.
One more note on defense … though they weren’t working with the No. 1 offense, true freshmen Devin Bush and Devin Gil were getting a lot of work at linebacker.
Folks have continued to ask about true frosh receiver Ahmir Mitchell, freshman running back Kareem Walker, and redshirt freshman defensive end Shelton Johnson. None of them were in the 2016 team photo, and that immediately had people curious as to why.
Without going into detail, it would not surprise at all if neither Johnson nor Mitchell played this year. Media has been told to ask Jim Harbaugh about their statuses at the next press conference, which we will.
As for Walker – it would not surprise at all if he redshirted this year. His situation is not related to Mitchell and Johnson’s.
Finally, fans restless about no night game at Michigan Stadium this season need not worry, according to some who have heard from the powers that be in private. Word has it that Michigan Athletics Director Warde Manuel has privately assured interested parties of the same thing that he’s said publicly: he does not oppose the night contests. It sounds like Manuel went even farther, though, when away from the public scrutiny.
According to one source, Manuel fully understands the importance of night games from a fan and competitive standpoint. This season is an aberration, with no home night game, but the future will certainly see a return to them.
“They are coming back, and he loves them,” this source assessed.
Meanwhile, Manuel has been a strong proponent for satellite camps publicly, and will continue as such. He’s very much in line with Harbaugh’s thinking that the sport of football is under attack, and that anything done to help bolster it nationally is a positive.
****
To football recruiting …
El Cerrito (Calif.) four-star offensive tackle Aaron Banks was recently in Michigan for the BBQ at The Big House and thoroughly enjoyed himself. He has not publicly released his top group yet but when he does, Michigan will be in it along with nine other schools … including a couple of Los Angeles powers that are always tough to beat for Cali kids.
Banks said the visit to Michigan “went cool” and he’s definitely leaning toward taking an official visit to U-M this fall. The 6-7, 335-pounder is considered the No. 14 offensive tackle and No. 96 overall player in the nation.
Another touted California prospect attended the BBQ and while “Michigan lean” may be a little strong to describe his vibe after the visit, it’s not far from that. Calabasas (Calif.) five-star cornerback Darnay Holmes LOVED his time in Ann Arbor and with freshman friends Dylan Crawford and David Long. A source close to the program spoke with a popular current Michigan player, and that player believes Michigan will ultimately land Holmes.
As is always the case with recruiting, that may be the sentiment right now after a very successful visit, but nothing is permanent until pen meets paper on a national letter of intent.
Still … the 5-11, 185-pound Holmes is the No. 3 cornerback and No. 15 overall player in the country. Luring him away from the west coast would be a huge coup for the Wolverine staff. Last year Michigan landed the No. 10 (Asiasi), No. 15 (Long), and No. 20 (Crawford) players in the state of California. Holmes is No. 2 in California for the 2017 cycle.
Detroit Martin Luther King four-star cornerback Ambry Thomas was also in Ann Arbor for U-M’s BBQ. The speedy, 5-11, 165-pounder is very familiar with U-M and has been on campus many more times as well. He also hasn’t released his top group yet but will very soon and the Maize and Blue will make up 25 percent of it.
Thomas had long been thought as a Michigan State lean, but his bond with Don Brown blossomed into possibly his strongest one of any staff. As we reported long ago, many believe he’s Michigan’s to lose, and that’s still the case. His cousin, Detroit Cass Tech three-star safety Jaylen Kelly-Powell, is definitely a Michigan lean, and the two have said many times that they’d like to play together in college.
The Spartans have done well at King in recent years, giving the staff in East Lansing reason to feel confident in their pursuit of the No. 15 cornerback and No. 174 prospect in the country, but Michigan is sitting at the top right now.
Brandeton (Fla.) IMG Academy offensive center Cesar Ruiz has been recruited by Michigan for what seems like his entire prep career now. The New Jersey native has lately been thought to be an Alabama favorite, but after doing some digging, a source close to Alabama’s side thinks Ruiz is not a take for the Crimson Tide.
It has been obvious the recruitment has been between the Wolverines and Tide for quite some time. With ‘Bama no longer prioritizing Ruiz, it opens the gates for Michigan to go all in on their priority to have a true center. Whether this will speed up his decision or not is still up in the air, but as of right now, it is believed Ruiz will inevitably choose the team that has been there since the beginning -- Michigan.
Gadsden City (Ala.) offensive tackle Toryque Bateman publicly named Michigan his leader, and it was thought that he would be a Wolverine after the BBQ. Unfortunately for him, he has not set himself up properly to attend Michigan and likely will not be able to fix it, so it looks like he won’t be a take for U-M. If the Wolverines can land Ruiz, Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage four-star offensive tackle Tedarrell Slaton and Brooklyn (N.Y.) Poly Prep five-star offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson – very possible -- they likely wouldn’t have room in the end for Bateman anyway.
While Bateman’s talents may have been there, extenuating circumstances will likely keep him from this class.
After attending Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic four-star defensive end James Hudson’s practice on Tuesday, we got an up close look on just how good he is. To start things off, he looks like an NFL player. He has the body, the frame and the potential to be a Willie Henry 2.0.
There are certainly questions about Hudson’s motor and his energy on each play. It was noticeable that he didn’t go 10 percent on every play during the scrimmage, but for him to be out there on offensive and defensive line for six straight series, taking a play or so off in a scrimmage really isn’t worth much concern.
On top of that, Hudson looked rather impressive on the offensive line, but his frame and potential on the defensive line was obvious at the scrimmage Tuesday. Some close to his program, however, believe he can be an NFL lineman someday, and feel it might be his best position.
Finally, five-star running back Najee Harris loved his visit, as well, and some in the Michigan camp believe the Wolverines might even lead for him. Rivals.com analyst Adam Gorney isn’t among them. He was on the boards recently to inform us he’d spoken with folks close to Harris’ recruitment and they told him “President Obama himself” couldn’t sway him to Michigan.”
We’ll continue to watch that one.
****
Finishing with basketball and recruiting …
First, on the team. Word from summer workouts is that sophomore big man Moritz Wagner has been tearing it up, really impressing after doing so well late last season. He’s expected to make a huge jump this year.
Senior Derrick Walton Jr. had an excellent summer and was in town for 16 straight weeks working on his game. His shooting was on display at the camp – he was lights out – and that’s been the case in workouts as well, from what we’ve heard.
Redshirt junior Duncan Robinson also seems primed for a big year. He’s stronger, an elite shooter and his body should hold up much better in Big Ten play this year.
On the freshmen … the big men, Jon Teske and Austin Davis, are a work in progress, but they like the potential. Xavier Simpson’s teams just win during scrimmages, and Ibi Watson … he has the potential to be the next sleeper to be really good at Michigan.
Watson shot lights out when we saw him at the camp, and he, too, is doing it doing drills, as well. He’s very bouncy and athletic and picks things up quickly. He should contribute this year.
On the recruiting front, Michigan took bird in hand with Isaiah Livers (6-8, Rivals.com No. 114 senior nationally) rather than wait on Massillon, Ohio, Jackson’s Kyle Young, who had been a priority for the Wolverines. Privately, Young had been saying he wanted to get the process over with. Publicly, he narrowed his list to five and was going to take visits, even after Michigan made it clear they would offer others and might not have room for him.
Make no mistake – Livers is not a consolation prize. MSU wanted him badly, and it was a great head-to-head win for the Wolverines.
“Kyle has more tricks in his bag offensive and is more combo forward. Isaiah is a straight up four man,” Rivals.com’s Eric Bossi said. “But there’s not a huge difference between them. When you’ve got one who is ready to commit, fits what you want, the proposition is such that you take the sure thing or risk ending up with neither.”
As of now, 2017 recruiting is on hold until spring, when U-M sees what (if anything) they need. There’s often attrition, and senior Mark Donnal isn’t guaranteed a fifth year, so there could be room.
Lincolnshire, Ill.’s Justin Smith was slated to visit this weekend, but he’s canceled (“they are full,” he told TheWolverine.com). We expect him to commit somewhere else and sign this fall.
There are others, however, who could wait until spring. Kris Wilkes is one. The five-star wing out of Indianapolis has said as much, and he’s worth waiting for. He’ll narrow his list to five this September and Bossi doesn’t believe Michigan will make the cut.
“Maryland, UCLA, Indiana and Xavier will be on it for sure, I believe,” he said. “That leaves a lot of teams vying for one spot.”
Wilkes told us his visit went great, but others have told Bossi it wasn’t so hot. That would be surprising given the presentation head coach John Beilein and his crew put forth, but … we’ll see.
Five-star Brian Bowen of LaPorte, Ind., La Lumiere is another with an offer who could be in consideration, as well as five-star Indianapolis product Jaren Jackson. Both are expected to end up elsewhere, but Bowen has said all the right things privately about Michigan, even though he grew up in an MSU household.
On the 2018s, Michigan is strong with each of its three offerees, but there are no guarantees, of course. East Lansing, Mich. four-star forward Brandon Johns would be a great fit at Michigan and knows it, and many feel he’s U-M’s to lose. The 6-7 standout is Rivals.com’s No. 26 player nationally.
U-M is currently on top for Milton, Mass., Academy’s Cormac Ryan (6-5, four-star), but watch out for Stanford. If they turn it up they’ll be right with the Wolverines, we hear, even though it’s much further from home.
Purdue feels good about its chances with Mars, Pa., four-star Robby Carmody (No. 86), but the Wolverines have made a serious move with the offer. We like where they sit. Whether or not they’d take both Carmody and Ryan depends a lot on what happens with the roster over the next year.
As always, thanks for visiting TheWolverine.com!
