*** Obviously, Michigan lost a commitment from four-star Clayton (Ohio) Northmont wide receiver Markus Allen. The news was pretty surprising to me. I just saw him play last week, and he gave no indication that he wasn't solid to the Wolverines. He had been one of the more vocal leaders of the class. I did check in with a program source and was only told that Markus decided to go elsewhere. Markus sent out some ominous tweets the last couple of days, but it doesn't seem like he was processed. This is speculation on my part, but I feel like not getting surgery on the torn labrum may have played a role. After all, Markus was set to be an early enrollee. It's definitely a weird one. Markus just backed out of his pledge like an hour ago, so I'm sure I'll get more details with time.
*** Regardless of the details, this one is over. Markus is gone, and Michigan is moving on. Expect the Wolverines to make an even harder push for Rivals250 Atlanta (Ga.) Pace Academy wide receiver Jayden Thomas. Before Andrel Anthony committed, Michigan was in a very good spot with Thomas. Communication never died down with Thomas, but as of last week, it didn't seem like U-M was as high on Thomas' list as it had been. That should change with the way things have worked out. Thomas loves U-M's academics and the fact that he can also play baseball for a successful program. Notre Dame is high on his list, and if schools closer to home push, then he could stay in SEC country. Still, Michigan has always been intriguing to him. The Wolverines just need to get him on campus.
*** Michigan hasn't stopped contacting Rivals100 Pickerington (Ohio) Central wide receiver Lorenzo Styles, either. At one point earlier this cycle, it looked like Styles was definitely a flip candidate. Then the pandemic hit. If visits open up and Michigan can get him on campus then watch out. For now, however, Styles remains firmly committed to the Irish. The dead period really helped Notre Dame solidify his verbal pledge. It is worth noting, however, that Styles has a friendship with Michigan quarterback commit JJ McCarthy and that the two still talk.
*** Lastly, Michigan has been recruiting four-star Ewa Beach (Hawaii) Campbell athlete Titus Mokiao-Atimalala at safety, but his desire is to play wide receiver. Michigan would give him the opportunity to play either side of the ball, so he's definitely someone that could rise up the confidence board as the cycle goes on. There isn't a lot of optimism with Mokiao-Atimalala right now, but he hasn't visited yet. Mokiao-Atimalala is friends with freshman wide receiver and fellow Hawaiian Roman Wilson and has always wanted to see Ann Arbor.
Of course, these are all names that you already know. I'm told Michigan will evaluate some other options as well.
*** Regardless of the details, this one is over. Markus is gone, and Michigan is moving on. Expect the Wolverines to make an even harder push for Rivals250 Atlanta (Ga.) Pace Academy wide receiver Jayden Thomas. Before Andrel Anthony committed, Michigan was in a very good spot with Thomas. Communication never died down with Thomas, but as of last week, it didn't seem like U-M was as high on Thomas' list as it had been. That should change with the way things have worked out. Thomas loves U-M's academics and the fact that he can also play baseball for a successful program. Notre Dame is high on his list, and if schools closer to home push, then he could stay in SEC country. Still, Michigan has always been intriguing to him. The Wolverines just need to get him on campus.
*** Michigan hasn't stopped contacting Rivals100 Pickerington (Ohio) Central wide receiver Lorenzo Styles, either. At one point earlier this cycle, it looked like Styles was definitely a flip candidate. Then the pandemic hit. If visits open up and Michigan can get him on campus then watch out. For now, however, Styles remains firmly committed to the Irish. The dead period really helped Notre Dame solidify his verbal pledge. It is worth noting, however, that Styles has a friendship with Michigan quarterback commit JJ McCarthy and that the two still talk.
*** Lastly, Michigan has been recruiting four-star Ewa Beach (Hawaii) Campbell athlete Titus Mokiao-Atimalala at safety, but his desire is to play wide receiver. Michigan would give him the opportunity to play either side of the ball, so he's definitely someone that could rise up the confidence board as the cycle goes on. There isn't a lot of optimism with Mokiao-Atimalala right now, but he hasn't visited yet. Mokiao-Atimalala is friends with freshman wide receiver and fellow Hawaiian Roman Wilson and has always wanted to see Ann Arbor.
Of course, these are all names that you already know. I'm told Michigan will evaluate some other options as well.
