Are we on commit watch this weekend? It’s very possible. We talk about players who could drop, set the over/under on the number of recruits the Wolverines might lands this weekend and talk about The Game and more in this edition of INSIDE THE FORT.
Starting with football recruiting …
While there’s only one prospect who has openly told us it’s a possibility (Houston three-star defensive tackle Jordan Elliott), we’ll set the over/under at about 2.5. There should just be so much excitement on campus – and so many players close – that even if a commitment doesn’t end up happening until the middle of next week, we’d count it a commitment from the weekend, no doubt.
There are a few players who have Michigan publicly atop the board – Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha four-star offensive lineman Terrance Davis, Miami (Fla.) High three-star receiver Keyshawn Young, and several players in the 2017-18 classes – that even if we don’t want to name anyone else specifically in terms of a potential commitment, there are lots of options.
Even if it end up being a tame weekend from that perspective, Michigan will be setting up to close the 2016 class strong, and perhaps kick-start 2017 in the same way.
Some players who aren’t coming are just as notable, but not because it indicates any lack of interest on their end. In fact, for most of them, it’s just the opposite. Brooklyn (N.Y.) Poly Prep 2017 five-star offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson tried to frantically find a ride over the course of this week, and though he thought he worked out a ride, he couldn’t get his parents to agree to letting him miss out on time with family this weekend to make it to The Game.
His actions further indicated what we’ve been sharing for a few weeks now: although Alabama, Ohio State, Rutgers, and several others are named level in his top eight, there’s no denying what he won’t come out and say. Michigan is the heavy favorite right now.
He plans to make an early commitment – probably next summer – and a Feb. 6 unofficial visit (that date, for the basketball game against Michigan State, is shaping up to be a big junior day if current momentum holds) could begin to seal Michigan’s standing on that list.
Another prospect who can’t make it is Clairton (Pa.) five-star defensive back Lamont Wade – he has a WPIAL Championship game tomorrow – but like Wilson, he’ll re-schedule. Michigan is fighting an uphill battle for Wade, who has built a strong relationship with Ohio State, but one of his childhood favorites will certainly get its chance to make up ground.
The out-of-town (recruiting) scoreboard, meanwhile, will also be interesting to watch this weekend with some Michigan targets taking their official visits to Auburn. Five-star defensive tackle Rashan Gary, the nation’s top running back Kareem Walker, and their close friend from the Northern New Jersey area, three-star receiver Donald Stewart, make their way to The Plains together.
Stewart (a very close friend of Walker’s, and a Paramus Catholic teammate of Gary) doesn’t yet hold an offer from the Tigers, but the other two are high on Auburn’s target board. That said, we’ve reported over the past several weeks that the Tigers on are the downswing in Gary’s recruitment, and the Walker visit just popped up in recent weeks, so they’re a relative newcomer in his process.
Gus Malzahn’s crew will have to do a lot to chip away at Michigan’s lead for both top prospects, and even if they offer Stewart, it would be a surprise to see a kid with his high academic aspirations – Stanford, Michigan, and Duke are his top three – opt for the second-best academic school… in Alabama.
There’s no way to know just what will happen on a visit (yes, especially to SEC country) until it happens, but we’re projecting Michigan to remain in the lead for the Gary and Walker. Stewart, who had initially planned to visit Ann Arbor this weekend before switching plans to tag along with his buddies, will reschedule his trip to U-M.
It wouldn’t hurt if Alabama (as expected) smacks Auburn, even though the Tide is involved with Walker, as well.
More recruiting …
Michigan’s chances for a few top prospects seemed to take a hit when they transferred from Midwestern or Northeast schools to Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy. That’s not because of any anti-U-M sentiment at the football factory (if anything, it’s going to be slightly pro-U-M over time), but rather because the competition for those players increases at a high-profile school, and the geographic proximity to Ann Arbor – especially compared to SEC programs – takes a hit once they head South.
That said, the Wolverines will host a number of top players from their own conference’s footprint who board at IMG (all of them are home for the Thanksgiving weekend). Pittsburgh 2017 offensive lineman Robert Hainsey, New Jersey 2017 offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz, and Baltimore 2017 defensive end Josh Kaindoh (a five-star) will all head to tree town.
It’s Ruiz whose move to IMG has spiced up recruitment the most. U-M was one of the first major offers for him when he was at Camden (N.J.) High School, and the Maize and Blue had a pretty healthy lead on the field when he left for IMG. However, plenty of SEC schools have stepped up – and he’s no longer a high school teammate of soon-to-be Wolverines Brad Hawkins and Ron Johnson. However, it’s sounding to us like being home for this week has reminded him how important that duo is from a friendship and football perspective, and also how much he initially liked Michigan before blowing up on the recruiting trail.
We like him to eventually end up at Michigan, though there should be twists and turns along the way (and perhaps some significant enough to move us back off that position once more).
As we shared a week ago tonight, it’s become very tough for the Maize and Blue to take away another IMG prospect, senior tight end Isaac Nauta (a five-star whose move to Florida, ironically, made Michigan comparatively closer than his previous favorite, Georgia, though it also made him yearn to return to the Peach State).
Coaches in both Athens and Ann Arbor are feeling like he’s a Bulldog, barring a change of heart that would probably arise only if the Georgia staff is relieved of its duties. A Georgia Tech win over Georgia, while unlikely, may be the final nail in Richt’s coffin, if it’s possible for him to lose his job at all.
Michigan has other tight end options, namely Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep three-star Jacob Mathis (who’s better than his No. 25 tight end ranking might indicate). If they push him, he could end up as the Wolverines’ second tight end in the class. If he decides to stay in the Southeast, though, the staff may be fine simply rolling with early enrollee Sean McKeon, who has greater potential than he gets credit for.
With other positions of need in the class, we wouldn’t sweat just McKeon (in part because he’s simply good enough that he doesn’t require a complement to stock the position group).
Even more recruiting …
Michigan’s “pipeline nine” recruits will mostly be in attendance. Running back Allen Stritzinger, tight end commit Carter Dunaway, offensive lineman Ja’Raymond Hall, defensive end Corey Malone-Hatcher, and cornerback Ambry Thomas will be in town. The only ones who won’t (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s teammates Joshua Ross and KJ Hamler and Detroit Cass Tech teammates Donovan Peoples-Jones and Jaylen Kelly-Powell) have state championships to win Saturday.
Among those attending tomorrow, one is already committed, and we really like the Wolverines shot to eventually reel in Stritzinger, Hall, and Malone-Hatcher. They’ll have a strong shot at Thomas too, but his recruitment will be a little less straightforward (with Michigan starting from behind). It wouldn’t surprise to see any of that trio join the fold very soon.
Malone-Hatcher tentatively plans to take his time, but Michigan still hasn’t been displaced as his top school, even as he’s going around the Midwest and the country seeing some of his other options. If he’s seen enough – and the recruiting process wears on him a little bit – he could join up.
What happens to close out the linebacker group in this class? Ask again after the weekend. Four-stars Dontavious Jackson, Elysee Mbem-Bosse, and Jeffrey McCulloch will all be on-campus. None are considered at the top of the staff’s board (though some have spent time near that distinction), but a strong recruiting pitch this weekend could give clarity to where Michigan stands with each of them.
Pembroke Pines (Fla.) Flanagan four-star Devin Bush can’t make the trip – he has en evening game tonight, making a noon kickoff in Ann Arbor a very tough task – but remains the top player at the position on-board. We still like Michigan’s chances, even though Auburn and Florida State have definitely made him less sure of where he wants to go by introducing themselves as more serious contenders.
Although fellow Floridian Jonathan Jones pushed back his official visit (originally planned for this weekend, he’ll be in town Dec. 11), we’re coming back around to his being a serious option to end up in the class. Part of that is because Michigan hasn’t closed on other linebackers, and part is because the glow of Notre Dame is wearing off enough that we can see a path to U-M reclaiming the top spot on the board. The Orlando Oak Ridge three-star isn’t as big as Bush, but just as productive and relatively game-ready. He got dropped from the most recent Sweet 16 primarily because there are so many players with a realistic chance of ending up Blue, but he’ll be back in the next edition.
We still like five-star Californian Caleb Kelly as a long-term star, but given that U-M needs players to contribute right away, it’s easy to see why the slim 215-pounder isn’t at the top of the board. He came away from his Oklahoma visit with positive things to say, but all indications from the Central Valley in California are that Michigan is still a strong contender in his mind.
Kelly plans to be a bit more patient in making his commitment than early enrollees Bush and Jones (we’ll see where the three visitors for this weekend slot in after their trips), so Michigan can wait a bit and see what has shifted about their own needs by the time his decision date approaches. A strong push could see him end up in the Winged Helmet, but Michigan will make sure they have their need for instant-impact linebackers filled before pushing for a guy who needs a year or two to build his body.
Finally, we’re far from saying it will happen, but the more we think about Michigan’s pursuit of five-star athlete Mecole Hardman, the more it feels like there’s a real chance they can do enough this weekend to convince him that big time football is played in Ann Arbor (losses for Tennessee and Georgia wouldn’t hurt, with both in floundering mode), and it’s where he needs to be.
There’s no way until he actually experiences “Northern Football” to know if he’ll like it. But if he does, Michigan can go from the fringes of his recruitment to a very, very serious contender.
Things are looking very, very good in terms of defensive line recruiting for Michigan in the 2016 class and one domino may fall this weekend.
As noted, Elliott is likely to commit this weekend while on his official visit giving the Wolverines a talented three-star prospect at a position of need. Despite his modest rating and ranking, Elliott is the No. 28 defensive tackle nationally and the No. 52 player in Texas, his offer list reads like that of a five-star with tenders from Alabama, Baylor, Oklahoma, USC, Florida State, Oregon, LSU, and Tennessee just to name a few.
The 6-5, 300-pounder has not been shy about his affinity for the Maize and Blue and even said that a commitment this weekend is quite likely.
The Michigan staff fully expects Gary to sign with them on signing day. Wheels are in motion that makes a commitment from the No. 1 defensive tackle and No. 2 overall prospect nationally seem inevitable. The top player in New Jersey would add to a growing trend of talented players from The Garden State heading to Ann Arbor and would give the Michigan staff a lot of momentum moving forward in Jersey and everywhere else.
Finally, Euless (Texas) Trinity defensive tackle Chris Daniels is also very high on Michigan and will be making his decision Dec. 18, his birthday. The four-star, 6-3, 301-pounder is the No. 17 defensive tackle and No. 176 player nationally, and is also the No. 20 prospect in the state of Texas. The Michigan staff is fully prepared to take all three talented big men to shore up the defensive line for years to come.
Elliott and Gary are close to locks at this point and Daniels will surely be pursued until he decides next month. Daniels is wanted, but won’t be as big of a miss if he ends up choosing Oklahoma, his other top choice at this time, if Gary and Elliott follow through the way we believe they will.
Things have been very quiet on the Donnie Corley Front lately, mostly because he and his Detroit Martin Luther King Crusaders have been playing their games on Saturdays for about a month in the playoffs. The four-star wide receiver has been a huge part of the offense and defense for his high school team this year and they’ll try for a Division II state championship today against Lowell.
The 6-2, 187-pounder plans to announce his college decision Dec. 8 and Michigan State is his assumed leader. With only officials to East Lansing and Knoxville under his belt, the No. 16 wide receiver and No. 82 player nationally has three allowed officials remaining.
The U-M staff has turned up the heat on him recently and is trying very hard to get him on campus within the next two weeks. The Maize and Blue once seemed like an afterthought in Corley’s recruitment, but the Michigan coaches have put a lot of work in with him and have climbed up his list aggressively.
Corley’s father is very high on the Wolverines and confirmed that communication between their camp and Michigan’s has ramped up recently. At the beginning of the season the Corleyss wanted to see if wide receivers could succeed in Harbaugh’s offense and Jehu Chesson and Amara Darboh have proved that they can ¬– the Corleys have noticed. It’s unclear right now if a visit will materialize, but Jim Harbaugh and his staff are trying hard to make it happen.
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To football now on the eve of The Game, the biggest showdown between Michigan and Ohio State in recent memory that’s bound to get even bigger in the years to come.
We’ve been trying to temper enthusiasm for this year’s edition of “The Game,” but it gets harder each week. This is the game Michigan fans have been pointing toward all year, and if it wasn’t clear before, it certainly is now – the Wolverines have a legitimate chance to win.
This is the week head coach Jim Harbaugh goes through every page of his playbook and pulls out the plays he feels are certain to work against an Ohio State defense that he’s scouted over, and over, and over.
“It’s going to be a coaching clinic,” some close to him firmly believe, even with the more than formidable Urban Meyer on the other sideline.
When Harbaugh was asked earlier this week if he’s done something every day to prepare for Ohio State, he seemed surprised by the question and suggested that they were focused week to week on whoever was next and not on the Buckeyes. However, even if Harbaugh wasn’t overtly emphasizing OSU, he has been building to this moment, his former player/coach (and our source over the weeks) shared.
“Everything he’s done this season has been a prelude to this game, so formations he’s run, personnel packages, players he’s emphasized, you have 11 weeks of film to comb through and try to figure out tendencies, and I guarantee you that this weekend, there will be a wrinkle on almost everything they do,” the source said.
Perhaps the most interesting thing to watch offensively will be how the Maize and Blue utilize redshirt freshman Jabrill Peppers.
“I was honestly surprised that in his press conferences he talked so much about Jabrill playing running back because it is my opinion, based on everything I’ve seen and heard, that you might see him get the ball 10-15 times as a running back this week and I wouldn’t think that Jim would have tipped Ohio State off to that,” the former Harbaugh disciple said.
“It could all be a smokescreen, he’s certainly done that before, but I don’t think so in this case because there’s really no one else that can do what Peppers can in the backfield.
“I think Jim has seen the past few weeks that when Peppers is on the field, defenses are ready for some sort of trickery, so why go that route? He’s a playmaker with the ball in his hands and the goal has changed – instead of trying to fool the defense, they now just want to put him in the best position to be successful, and I think that’s using him like a traditional tailback.
“I think there is a plan in place this week for how to do this. How to get him 10-15 carries and still play him on 55-60 snaps defensively. Maybe he takes a few plays off defensively when Ohio State is first getting the ball, and then he comes in the game when they approach midfield or sooner, but I’m keeping my eye on that because I really expect we’re going to see something.”
Defensively, Michigan will likely stay in its four-man front and will get senior linebacker James Ross on the field in place of classmate Joe Bolden. Ross has played outside linebacker, inside linebacker and the Buck this year, and because of his athleticism and speed, he should get plenty of run as an inside ‘backer as U-M looks to defend the read-option.
Senior Royce Jenkins-Stone also has better athleticism than Bolden and there has been some talk he could see time at inside linebacker, though we cannot confirm that.
“So what I heard was that a regular defensively has been practicing at MIKE/WILL the past two weeks to get ready for this game, but I didn’t get a name,” our source shared. “I’m trying to do the math myself and going through guys, and Royce Jenkins-Stone is someone that makes a lot of sense to me, but again, I didn’t get a name.”
More football …
There are lots of rumors about attrition, some of which we’ve shared and some we’re keeping private for now. We will have more to share when the season is over with.
We spoke a little a potential replacement for defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin were he to leave this offseason, but the goal is to retain Durkin at any cost.
Cue the “any cost” part of that. We have been told that interim athletic director Jim Hackett understands that to keep some of the assistants who will have options this winter – Durkin, receivers/quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch and running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley – he will have to get the checkbook out.
Michigan is OK with this, to a point. The Wolverines obviously will not pay a coordinator head-coach money just to keep him, but there is a range that is doable.
As for Durkin and Maryland, while it’s possible, we have been told that those close to Durkin don’t view it as the right fit. Not at this time, and are encouraging him to wait for something with a more stable administration and financial situation.
There will be other opportunities, though turning down a Power 5 Conference school would be understandably difficult for any assistant coach.
Speaking of opportunities, it appears there will be one for an athletic director somewhere in the near future to take the job at Michigan. U-M interim A.D. Jim Hackett had done what he was brought in to do, for the most part – he brought Harbaugh to Michigan and finalized a deal with Nike that had done wonders for the prestige of the program before it’s even gone into effect.
We’ve said for a while we didn’t think this would be a long-term gig for Hackett – perhaps two years. He had retired from Steelcase with the intention of spending time with his family, and that’s still what he wants to do.
That said - we’ve heard that a search committee has been chosen to look for his successor. Some believe UConn A.D. and former Michigan associate A.D. Warde Manuel is still the strong frontrunner here, and we’ve talked to many who were here when he was who told us he’d be a great choice.
It does appear, though, that there will be a national search. One we mentioned last time – Northwestern’s Jim Phillips – could get another look, and he’d be an unreal choice if they could convince him to leave. He’s got his roots and a big family there, so there’s no guarantee, but we talked to a bowl rep recently who said the Wildcats did things as well as anyone because of Phillips.
After spending a few days with the Northwestern A.D. he said, “he’d be a great fit up there (at Michigan).
We’ll keep you posted on what we hear.
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Finishing up with hockey …
Michigan welcomes Dartmouth for a pair of games this week, part of a six-game home stand that also sees Wisconsin (Dec. 4-5) and Minnesota (Dec. 11-12) skate at Yost Ice Arena.
The goal over the next six is clear: sweep. The Big Ten is so poor this season – Michigan (No. 14) and Penn State (No. 19) are the only two teams ranked in the top 30 of the RPI, and are the only teams with a winning record – that any home loss in conference play for the Wolverines will be a bad loss and dramatically impact the Pairwise Rankings.
Dartmouth ranks 32nd in the RPI, Wisconsin is 36th and Minnesota is 38th. These are all must-win games for the Wolverines if they want to go into the Big Ten Tournament knowing that even without a conference tournament title they’re safely in the NCAA field.
Michigan likes a lot about its game right now, and if it could just settle on a goalie … we’ve been saying that for three years, and what we know today (and this is always subject to change) is that U-M’s coaching brass thinks it’s time to give senior Steve Racine the reigns full time.
Racine is prone to give up a bad goal, sometimes every game, but he’s also the only goalie capable of stealing a game and going on a hot streak.
What Michigan is prepared for right now is having to overcome a softie per contest, believing their offense can scored 3-5 goals per night. The Wolverines are hopeful Racine will get hot with playing time and go on one of his 6-8-game winning streaks where he allows two goals or fewer per contest.
They also know that at some point, he will have a clunker, and give up four or five, but the feeling is they have to stick with him through a stretch of games because he is the only goalie capable of backstopping this team to a Big Ten title and an NCAA berth.
Starting with football recruiting …
While there’s only one prospect who has openly told us it’s a possibility (Houston three-star defensive tackle Jordan Elliott), we’ll set the over/under at about 2.5. There should just be so much excitement on campus – and so many players close – that even if a commitment doesn’t end up happening until the middle of next week, we’d count it a commitment from the weekend, no doubt.
There are a few players who have Michigan publicly atop the board – Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha four-star offensive lineman Terrance Davis, Miami (Fla.) High three-star receiver Keyshawn Young, and several players in the 2017-18 classes – that even if we don’t want to name anyone else specifically in terms of a potential commitment, there are lots of options.
Even if it end up being a tame weekend from that perspective, Michigan will be setting up to close the 2016 class strong, and perhaps kick-start 2017 in the same way.
Some players who aren’t coming are just as notable, but not because it indicates any lack of interest on their end. In fact, for most of them, it’s just the opposite. Brooklyn (N.Y.) Poly Prep 2017 five-star offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson tried to frantically find a ride over the course of this week, and though he thought he worked out a ride, he couldn’t get his parents to agree to letting him miss out on time with family this weekend to make it to The Game.
His actions further indicated what we’ve been sharing for a few weeks now: although Alabama, Ohio State, Rutgers, and several others are named level in his top eight, there’s no denying what he won’t come out and say. Michigan is the heavy favorite right now.
He plans to make an early commitment – probably next summer – and a Feb. 6 unofficial visit (that date, for the basketball game against Michigan State, is shaping up to be a big junior day if current momentum holds) could begin to seal Michigan’s standing on that list.
Another prospect who can’t make it is Clairton (Pa.) five-star defensive back Lamont Wade – he has a WPIAL Championship game tomorrow – but like Wilson, he’ll re-schedule. Michigan is fighting an uphill battle for Wade, who has built a strong relationship with Ohio State, but one of his childhood favorites will certainly get its chance to make up ground.
The out-of-town (recruiting) scoreboard, meanwhile, will also be interesting to watch this weekend with some Michigan targets taking their official visits to Auburn. Five-star defensive tackle Rashan Gary, the nation’s top running back Kareem Walker, and their close friend from the Northern New Jersey area, three-star receiver Donald Stewart, make their way to The Plains together.
Stewart (a very close friend of Walker’s, and a Paramus Catholic teammate of Gary) doesn’t yet hold an offer from the Tigers, but the other two are high on Auburn’s target board. That said, we’ve reported over the past several weeks that the Tigers on are the downswing in Gary’s recruitment, and the Walker visit just popped up in recent weeks, so they’re a relative newcomer in his process.
Gus Malzahn’s crew will have to do a lot to chip away at Michigan’s lead for both top prospects, and even if they offer Stewart, it would be a surprise to see a kid with his high academic aspirations – Stanford, Michigan, and Duke are his top three – opt for the second-best academic school… in Alabama.
There’s no way to know just what will happen on a visit (yes, especially to SEC country) until it happens, but we’re projecting Michigan to remain in the lead for the Gary and Walker. Stewart, who had initially planned to visit Ann Arbor this weekend before switching plans to tag along with his buddies, will reschedule his trip to U-M.
It wouldn’t hurt if Alabama (as expected) smacks Auburn, even though the Tide is involved with Walker, as well.
More recruiting …
Michigan’s chances for a few top prospects seemed to take a hit when they transferred from Midwestern or Northeast schools to Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy. That’s not because of any anti-U-M sentiment at the football factory (if anything, it’s going to be slightly pro-U-M over time), but rather because the competition for those players increases at a high-profile school, and the geographic proximity to Ann Arbor – especially compared to SEC programs – takes a hit once they head South.
That said, the Wolverines will host a number of top players from their own conference’s footprint who board at IMG (all of them are home for the Thanksgiving weekend). Pittsburgh 2017 offensive lineman Robert Hainsey, New Jersey 2017 offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz, and Baltimore 2017 defensive end Josh Kaindoh (a five-star) will all head to tree town.
It’s Ruiz whose move to IMG has spiced up recruitment the most. U-M was one of the first major offers for him when he was at Camden (N.J.) High School, and the Maize and Blue had a pretty healthy lead on the field when he left for IMG. However, plenty of SEC schools have stepped up – and he’s no longer a high school teammate of soon-to-be Wolverines Brad Hawkins and Ron Johnson. However, it’s sounding to us like being home for this week has reminded him how important that duo is from a friendship and football perspective, and also how much he initially liked Michigan before blowing up on the recruiting trail.
We like him to eventually end up at Michigan, though there should be twists and turns along the way (and perhaps some significant enough to move us back off that position once more).
As we shared a week ago tonight, it’s become very tough for the Maize and Blue to take away another IMG prospect, senior tight end Isaac Nauta (a five-star whose move to Florida, ironically, made Michigan comparatively closer than his previous favorite, Georgia, though it also made him yearn to return to the Peach State).
Coaches in both Athens and Ann Arbor are feeling like he’s a Bulldog, barring a change of heart that would probably arise only if the Georgia staff is relieved of its duties. A Georgia Tech win over Georgia, while unlikely, may be the final nail in Richt’s coffin, if it’s possible for him to lose his job at all.
Michigan has other tight end options, namely Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep three-star Jacob Mathis (who’s better than his No. 25 tight end ranking might indicate). If they push him, he could end up as the Wolverines’ second tight end in the class. If he decides to stay in the Southeast, though, the staff may be fine simply rolling with early enrollee Sean McKeon, who has greater potential than he gets credit for.
With other positions of need in the class, we wouldn’t sweat just McKeon (in part because he’s simply good enough that he doesn’t require a complement to stock the position group).
Even more recruiting …
Michigan’s “pipeline nine” recruits will mostly be in attendance. Running back Allen Stritzinger, tight end commit Carter Dunaway, offensive lineman Ja’Raymond Hall, defensive end Corey Malone-Hatcher, and cornerback Ambry Thomas will be in town. The only ones who won’t (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s teammates Joshua Ross and KJ Hamler and Detroit Cass Tech teammates Donovan Peoples-Jones and Jaylen Kelly-Powell) have state championships to win Saturday.
Among those attending tomorrow, one is already committed, and we really like the Wolverines shot to eventually reel in Stritzinger, Hall, and Malone-Hatcher. They’ll have a strong shot at Thomas too, but his recruitment will be a little less straightforward (with Michigan starting from behind). It wouldn’t surprise to see any of that trio join the fold very soon.
Malone-Hatcher tentatively plans to take his time, but Michigan still hasn’t been displaced as his top school, even as he’s going around the Midwest and the country seeing some of his other options. If he’s seen enough – and the recruiting process wears on him a little bit – he could join up.
What happens to close out the linebacker group in this class? Ask again after the weekend. Four-stars Dontavious Jackson, Elysee Mbem-Bosse, and Jeffrey McCulloch will all be on-campus. None are considered at the top of the staff’s board (though some have spent time near that distinction), but a strong recruiting pitch this weekend could give clarity to where Michigan stands with each of them.
Pembroke Pines (Fla.) Flanagan four-star Devin Bush can’t make the trip – he has en evening game tonight, making a noon kickoff in Ann Arbor a very tough task – but remains the top player at the position on-board. We still like Michigan’s chances, even though Auburn and Florida State have definitely made him less sure of where he wants to go by introducing themselves as more serious contenders.
Although fellow Floridian Jonathan Jones pushed back his official visit (originally planned for this weekend, he’ll be in town Dec. 11), we’re coming back around to his being a serious option to end up in the class. Part of that is because Michigan hasn’t closed on other linebackers, and part is because the glow of Notre Dame is wearing off enough that we can see a path to U-M reclaiming the top spot on the board. The Orlando Oak Ridge three-star isn’t as big as Bush, but just as productive and relatively game-ready. He got dropped from the most recent Sweet 16 primarily because there are so many players with a realistic chance of ending up Blue, but he’ll be back in the next edition.
We still like five-star Californian Caleb Kelly as a long-term star, but given that U-M needs players to contribute right away, it’s easy to see why the slim 215-pounder isn’t at the top of the board. He came away from his Oklahoma visit with positive things to say, but all indications from the Central Valley in California are that Michigan is still a strong contender in his mind.
Kelly plans to be a bit more patient in making his commitment than early enrollees Bush and Jones (we’ll see where the three visitors for this weekend slot in after their trips), so Michigan can wait a bit and see what has shifted about their own needs by the time his decision date approaches. A strong push could see him end up in the Winged Helmet, but Michigan will make sure they have their need for instant-impact linebackers filled before pushing for a guy who needs a year or two to build his body.
Finally, we’re far from saying it will happen, but the more we think about Michigan’s pursuit of five-star athlete Mecole Hardman, the more it feels like there’s a real chance they can do enough this weekend to convince him that big time football is played in Ann Arbor (losses for Tennessee and Georgia wouldn’t hurt, with both in floundering mode), and it’s where he needs to be.
There’s no way until he actually experiences “Northern Football” to know if he’ll like it. But if he does, Michigan can go from the fringes of his recruitment to a very, very serious contender.
Things are looking very, very good in terms of defensive line recruiting for Michigan in the 2016 class and one domino may fall this weekend.
As noted, Elliott is likely to commit this weekend while on his official visit giving the Wolverines a talented three-star prospect at a position of need. Despite his modest rating and ranking, Elliott is the No. 28 defensive tackle nationally and the No. 52 player in Texas, his offer list reads like that of a five-star with tenders from Alabama, Baylor, Oklahoma, USC, Florida State, Oregon, LSU, and Tennessee just to name a few.
The 6-5, 300-pounder has not been shy about his affinity for the Maize and Blue and even said that a commitment this weekend is quite likely.
The Michigan staff fully expects Gary to sign with them on signing day. Wheels are in motion that makes a commitment from the No. 1 defensive tackle and No. 2 overall prospect nationally seem inevitable. The top player in New Jersey would add to a growing trend of talented players from The Garden State heading to Ann Arbor and would give the Michigan staff a lot of momentum moving forward in Jersey and everywhere else.
Finally, Euless (Texas) Trinity defensive tackle Chris Daniels is also very high on Michigan and will be making his decision Dec. 18, his birthday. The four-star, 6-3, 301-pounder is the No. 17 defensive tackle and No. 176 player nationally, and is also the No. 20 prospect in the state of Texas. The Michigan staff is fully prepared to take all three talented big men to shore up the defensive line for years to come.
Elliott and Gary are close to locks at this point and Daniels will surely be pursued until he decides next month. Daniels is wanted, but won’t be as big of a miss if he ends up choosing Oklahoma, his other top choice at this time, if Gary and Elliott follow through the way we believe they will.
Things have been very quiet on the Donnie Corley Front lately, mostly because he and his Detroit Martin Luther King Crusaders have been playing their games on Saturdays for about a month in the playoffs. The four-star wide receiver has been a huge part of the offense and defense for his high school team this year and they’ll try for a Division II state championship today against Lowell.
The 6-2, 187-pounder plans to announce his college decision Dec. 8 and Michigan State is his assumed leader. With only officials to East Lansing and Knoxville under his belt, the No. 16 wide receiver and No. 82 player nationally has three allowed officials remaining.
The U-M staff has turned up the heat on him recently and is trying very hard to get him on campus within the next two weeks. The Maize and Blue once seemed like an afterthought in Corley’s recruitment, but the Michigan coaches have put a lot of work in with him and have climbed up his list aggressively.
Corley’s father is very high on the Wolverines and confirmed that communication between their camp and Michigan’s has ramped up recently. At the beginning of the season the Corleyss wanted to see if wide receivers could succeed in Harbaugh’s offense and Jehu Chesson and Amara Darboh have proved that they can ¬– the Corleys have noticed. It’s unclear right now if a visit will materialize, but Jim Harbaugh and his staff are trying hard to make it happen.
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To football now on the eve of The Game, the biggest showdown between Michigan and Ohio State in recent memory that’s bound to get even bigger in the years to come.
We’ve been trying to temper enthusiasm for this year’s edition of “The Game,” but it gets harder each week. This is the game Michigan fans have been pointing toward all year, and if it wasn’t clear before, it certainly is now – the Wolverines have a legitimate chance to win.
This is the week head coach Jim Harbaugh goes through every page of his playbook and pulls out the plays he feels are certain to work against an Ohio State defense that he’s scouted over, and over, and over.
“It’s going to be a coaching clinic,” some close to him firmly believe, even with the more than formidable Urban Meyer on the other sideline.
When Harbaugh was asked earlier this week if he’s done something every day to prepare for Ohio State, he seemed surprised by the question and suggested that they were focused week to week on whoever was next and not on the Buckeyes. However, even if Harbaugh wasn’t overtly emphasizing OSU, he has been building to this moment, his former player/coach (and our source over the weeks) shared.
“Everything he’s done this season has been a prelude to this game, so formations he’s run, personnel packages, players he’s emphasized, you have 11 weeks of film to comb through and try to figure out tendencies, and I guarantee you that this weekend, there will be a wrinkle on almost everything they do,” the source said.
Perhaps the most interesting thing to watch offensively will be how the Maize and Blue utilize redshirt freshman Jabrill Peppers.
“I was honestly surprised that in his press conferences he talked so much about Jabrill playing running back because it is my opinion, based on everything I’ve seen and heard, that you might see him get the ball 10-15 times as a running back this week and I wouldn’t think that Jim would have tipped Ohio State off to that,” the former Harbaugh disciple said.
“It could all be a smokescreen, he’s certainly done that before, but I don’t think so in this case because there’s really no one else that can do what Peppers can in the backfield.
“I think Jim has seen the past few weeks that when Peppers is on the field, defenses are ready for some sort of trickery, so why go that route? He’s a playmaker with the ball in his hands and the goal has changed – instead of trying to fool the defense, they now just want to put him in the best position to be successful, and I think that’s using him like a traditional tailback.
“I think there is a plan in place this week for how to do this. How to get him 10-15 carries and still play him on 55-60 snaps defensively. Maybe he takes a few plays off defensively when Ohio State is first getting the ball, and then he comes in the game when they approach midfield or sooner, but I’m keeping my eye on that because I really expect we’re going to see something.”
Defensively, Michigan will likely stay in its four-man front and will get senior linebacker James Ross on the field in place of classmate Joe Bolden. Ross has played outside linebacker, inside linebacker and the Buck this year, and because of his athleticism and speed, he should get plenty of run as an inside ‘backer as U-M looks to defend the read-option.
Senior Royce Jenkins-Stone also has better athleticism than Bolden and there has been some talk he could see time at inside linebacker, though we cannot confirm that.
“So what I heard was that a regular defensively has been practicing at MIKE/WILL the past two weeks to get ready for this game, but I didn’t get a name,” our source shared. “I’m trying to do the math myself and going through guys, and Royce Jenkins-Stone is someone that makes a lot of sense to me, but again, I didn’t get a name.”
More football …
There are lots of rumors about attrition, some of which we’ve shared and some we’re keeping private for now. We will have more to share when the season is over with.
We spoke a little a potential replacement for defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin were he to leave this offseason, but the goal is to retain Durkin at any cost.
Cue the “any cost” part of that. We have been told that interim athletic director Jim Hackett understands that to keep some of the assistants who will have options this winter – Durkin, receivers/quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch and running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley – he will have to get the checkbook out.
Michigan is OK with this, to a point. The Wolverines obviously will not pay a coordinator head-coach money just to keep him, but there is a range that is doable.
As for Durkin and Maryland, while it’s possible, we have been told that those close to Durkin don’t view it as the right fit. Not at this time, and are encouraging him to wait for something with a more stable administration and financial situation.
There will be other opportunities, though turning down a Power 5 Conference school would be understandably difficult for any assistant coach.
Speaking of opportunities, it appears there will be one for an athletic director somewhere in the near future to take the job at Michigan. U-M interim A.D. Jim Hackett had done what he was brought in to do, for the most part – he brought Harbaugh to Michigan and finalized a deal with Nike that had done wonders for the prestige of the program before it’s even gone into effect.
We’ve said for a while we didn’t think this would be a long-term gig for Hackett – perhaps two years. He had retired from Steelcase with the intention of spending time with his family, and that’s still what he wants to do.
That said - we’ve heard that a search committee has been chosen to look for his successor. Some believe UConn A.D. and former Michigan associate A.D. Warde Manuel is still the strong frontrunner here, and we’ve talked to many who were here when he was who told us he’d be a great choice.
It does appear, though, that there will be a national search. One we mentioned last time – Northwestern’s Jim Phillips – could get another look, and he’d be an unreal choice if they could convince him to leave. He’s got his roots and a big family there, so there’s no guarantee, but we talked to a bowl rep recently who said the Wildcats did things as well as anyone because of Phillips.
After spending a few days with the Northwestern A.D. he said, “he’d be a great fit up there (at Michigan).
We’ll keep you posted on what we hear.
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Finishing up with hockey …
Michigan welcomes Dartmouth for a pair of games this week, part of a six-game home stand that also sees Wisconsin (Dec. 4-5) and Minnesota (Dec. 11-12) skate at Yost Ice Arena.
The goal over the next six is clear: sweep. The Big Ten is so poor this season – Michigan (No. 14) and Penn State (No. 19) are the only two teams ranked in the top 30 of the RPI, and are the only teams with a winning record – that any home loss in conference play for the Wolverines will be a bad loss and dramatically impact the Pairwise Rankings.
Dartmouth ranks 32nd in the RPI, Wisconsin is 36th and Minnesota is 38th. These are all must-win games for the Wolverines if they want to go into the Big Ten Tournament knowing that even without a conference tournament title they’re safely in the NCAA field.
Michigan likes a lot about its game right now, and if it could just settle on a goalie … we’ve been saying that for three years, and what we know today (and this is always subject to change) is that U-M’s coaching brass thinks it’s time to give senior Steve Racine the reigns full time.
Racine is prone to give up a bad goal, sometimes every game, but he’s also the only goalie capable of stealing a game and going on a hot streak.
What Michigan is prepared for right now is having to overcome a softie per contest, believing their offense can scored 3-5 goals per night. The Wolverines are hopeful Racine will get hot with playing time and go on one of his 6-8-game winning streaks where he allows two goals or fewer per contest.
They also know that at some point, he will have a clunker, and give up four or five, but the feeling is they have to stick with him through a stretch of games because he is the only goalie capable of backstopping this team to a Big Ten title and an NCAA berth.
