*** I got my first opportunity to get an in-person evaluation of 2021 Rivals250 Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peters Prep defensive lineman George Rooks. One of the quietest kids of the cycle, Rooks doesn't get the exposure he deserves. He definitely impressed today and proved worthy of his ranking. In fact, he could easily be a Top 100 kid when it's all said and done. Rooks has a great frame at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds as well as extremely long arms. Even at that weight, Rooks still has plenty of room to add more pounds. There is no doubt in my mind he's going to be a three-tech at the next level.
*** Again, Rooks has been extremely quiet on the recruiting front. So what the latest here? Well, Rooks told me he has basically narrowed things down to a final four of Boston College, Penn State, Pitt and Michigan. Unless Rooks just wants to shy away from the big stage, I do think this one is a Michigan-Penn State battle. As I recently reported, Jim Harbaugh and company did a group video call with Rooks for his birthday. He was also on the line with defensive line coach Shaun Nua earlier this week. Rooks loves the relationships he's built with the staff, and he's very familiar with the campus. His sister played basketball for the Wolverines, and he took a self-guided tour last month.
*** From what I have been able to gather, both the Michigan Penn State staffs are feeling cautiously optimistic about Rooks. It seems that they are having a tough time reading him because he is so quiet. I am as well. I didn't get a vibe either way from him. Though, I think the safer pick is Michigan because they've been pushing for him the longest, and he's more familiar with the school. Rooks was supposed to make a decision last month but opted to push things back. He does want to pull the trigger before Oct. 2, which marks his first senior game, but does not have an exact date in mind.
*** On to the next cycle. Rivals100 Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic defensive back Jaeden Gould is one of Michigan's most wanted recruits for next cycle. And it's not hard to see why. Gould looked elite at today's private training session. He was so smooth going through drills. I didn't see a single bad rep. Gould is built like a safety but has the speed and skills of a corner. He's a supped up version of Myles Rowser and is right up there with Domani Jackson and Will Johnson in the five-star category. I absolutely love him and his game.
*** In terms of his recruitment, Michigan is definitely a top school early on, and I have reason to believe the Wolverines are in a very strong position to land him early on. He's been on a video chat with Harbaugh during the dead period and is in weekly contact with U-M cornerbacks coach Michael Zordich. The latter has gotten some flack this cycle, but Gould had a lot of positives to say about him. On top of that, Gould has been on campus on multiple occasions, is extremely familiar with the program and has former teammate Jordan Morant in his ear.
*** With all this said, Gould is taking a slow approach to his recruiting process. He doesn't plan to make a decision until next spring or summer and is closely looking at schools across the country. Gould is very intrigued by Texas and USC and wants to visit both after the dead period. Gould is also looking to take a trip to Ohio State, which is another big factor in his recruitment. Clemson is in the same boat. I also feel like Penn State is in the thick of things early on as well. Overall, Michigan will obviously have to fight for his services.
*** Again, Rooks has been extremely quiet on the recruiting front. So what the latest here? Well, Rooks told me he has basically narrowed things down to a final four of Boston College, Penn State, Pitt and Michigan. Unless Rooks just wants to shy away from the big stage, I do think this one is a Michigan-Penn State battle. As I recently reported, Jim Harbaugh and company did a group video call with Rooks for his birthday. He was also on the line with defensive line coach Shaun Nua earlier this week. Rooks loves the relationships he's built with the staff, and he's very familiar with the campus. His sister played basketball for the Wolverines, and he took a self-guided tour last month.
*** From what I have been able to gather, both the Michigan Penn State staffs are feeling cautiously optimistic about Rooks. It seems that they are having a tough time reading him because he is so quiet. I am as well. I didn't get a vibe either way from him. Though, I think the safer pick is Michigan because they've been pushing for him the longest, and he's more familiar with the school. Rooks was supposed to make a decision last month but opted to push things back. He does want to pull the trigger before Oct. 2, which marks his first senior game, but does not have an exact date in mind.
*** On to the next cycle. Rivals100 Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic defensive back Jaeden Gould is one of Michigan's most wanted recruits for next cycle. And it's not hard to see why. Gould looked elite at today's private training session. He was so smooth going through drills. I didn't see a single bad rep. Gould is built like a safety but has the speed and skills of a corner. He's a supped up version of Myles Rowser and is right up there with Domani Jackson and Will Johnson in the five-star category. I absolutely love him and his game.
*** In terms of his recruitment, Michigan is definitely a top school early on, and I have reason to believe the Wolverines are in a very strong position to land him early on. He's been on a video chat with Harbaugh during the dead period and is in weekly contact with U-M cornerbacks coach Michael Zordich. The latter has gotten some flack this cycle, but Gould had a lot of positives to say about him. On top of that, Gould has been on campus on multiple occasions, is extremely familiar with the program and has former teammate Jordan Morant in his ear.
*** With all this said, Gould is taking a slow approach to his recruiting process. He doesn't plan to make a decision until next spring or summer and is closely looking at schools across the country. Gould is very intrigued by Texas and USC and wants to visit both after the dead period. Gould is also looking to take a trip to Ohio State, which is another big factor in his recruitment. Clemson is in the same boat. I also feel like Penn State is in the thick of things early on as well. Overall, Michigan will obviously have to fight for his services.
