*** Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh wasn't around for the first five hours of the camp since, as I reported, he made a low key trip out to Utah to see four-star linebacker Lander Barton. But as soon as he arrived, Harbaugh was a rock star. Kids and parents flocked to him. He took selfies, signed autographs and was all smiles while doing it. Despite the lack of recent success at Michigan, Harbaugh still commands so much respect. No other head coach at the event received attention like he did. Harbaugh is still a massive figure. Getting out to these camps can only help Michigan on the trail. The dude just has to win.
*** Four-star cornerback Myles Pollard arrived at the camp around noon and spent a lot of time hanging out with Michigan assistants Steve Clinkscale and Ron Bellamy. Pollard is coming off a strong official visit, so it was good for him to get some extra time with the staff. But Michigan wasn't the only school trying to recruit Pollard at the came. The entire Tennessee staff spoke to him and tried to convince him to make a visit. Florida, which just had him on campus for an unofficial visit, also worked hard on him. Even NFL great and Tennessee State head coach Eddie George extended an offer.
*** Pollard hung around in the heat until Harbaugh arrived. The two exchanged a few words and took some photos before Pollard went home. I think it speaks volumes that despite the delay and already seeing him over the weekend that Pollard refused to leave until Harbaugh arrived. Remember, Pollard has trips to Alabama, Auburn and Oklahoma left on the schedule and is looking to make a decision in July. Pollard's father, Greg, left before Harbaugh got to the camp, but he did have fun catching up with the aforementioned Clinkscale and Bellamy.
*** As I mentioned, four-star safety D'Arco Perkins-McAllister was at the camp and spent time with Clinkscale and Bellamy before his weekend official visit. Clinkscale recruited him at Kentucky and has Michigan moving up his list. Perkins-McAllister is also connecting well with Bellamy, and, like Pollard, waited for hours until Harbaugh arrived so he could meet with him. It will be interesting to see where exactly Michigan stands coming out of the OV. Ole Miss worked on him hard during the camp, and LSU and Florida are really interested. Right now, TCU appears to be U-M's biggest threat.
*** Three-star running back Dillon Bell had yet another opportunity to get face time with the Michigan staff. The Texas product made an unofficial visit to Michigan earlier this month, camped with the Wolverines in Big Rapids and stopped by Nashville. Remember, Bell is scheduled to be back in Ann Arbor for an official visit this weekend, and I already have a FutureCast pick in for the Wolverines. Out of all the recruits at the camp, Harbaugh seemed to spend the most time with Bell. U-M offensive coordinator Josh Gattis and offensive line coach Sherrone Moore also worked hard on him during the camp.
*** As soon as Harbaugh got there, one recruit he requested to see was Rivals100 wide receiver Barion Brown. We haven't talked much about Brown, but the Wolverines are continuing to recruit the four-star prospect. Brown has a preexisting relationship with Clinkscale, who recruited him hard a Kentucky. That bond is giving Michigan an opportunity to get in the mix here. Harbaugh and Gattis spent some time with him, and Brown told me that Michigan is under consideration for an official visit.
*** Four-star offensive lineman Jacob Hood camped in front of the Michigan staff for the second time this month. Hood was also in Big Rapids and is connecting well with the aforementioned Moore. Hood left Michigan out of his Top 5 last week, but the Wolverines are right back in the mix. Hood told me that Michigan is in the running for one of his final official visits. However, this one is still an uphill climb. Hood loves SEC programs like Auburn and Georgia. Fellow SEC programs Florida, Ole Miss and Mississippi State were all at the camp and made their pitches to Hood as well.
*** As you guys know, I put in FutureCast picks for Michigan to land 2022 in-state linebacker Aaron Alexander and 2023 in-state wide receiver Semaj Morgan. This was my first time seeing Alexander live, and he left me wanting to see more. Alexander has an impressive frame with plenty of speed. However, he is still very raw from a technical perspective and needs to continue working on his hips and flexibility. Alexander missed a lot of last season with a broken hand, so I really want to see him in pads. Morgan is a quick slot that looked impressive going through drills. I've seen Morgan a lot this offseason and his stock will only continue to rise. Harbaugh made sure to chat with Alexander and also spent some time watching Morgan.
*** Lastly, with Harbaugh still in Utah, Gattis gave a quick speech to the campers. He talked mostly about being coachable and not complaining about criticism. It was a very brief message. Gattis was joined at the camp by new graduate assistant Nate Crutchfield. With Gattis really focused on the field with immense pressure coming up this season, Crutchfield is taking a more expanded role on the recruiting trail. He has been in touch with several targets and was also at the satellite camp in Memphis. Melanie Colson, mother of Michigan freshman Junior Colson, swung by the camp to meet with the staff. She told me Junior is doing really well in Ann Arbor and is currently second on the depth chart.
*** Four-star cornerback Myles Pollard arrived at the camp around noon and spent a lot of time hanging out with Michigan assistants Steve Clinkscale and Ron Bellamy. Pollard is coming off a strong official visit, so it was good for him to get some extra time with the staff. But Michigan wasn't the only school trying to recruit Pollard at the came. The entire Tennessee staff spoke to him and tried to convince him to make a visit. Florida, which just had him on campus for an unofficial visit, also worked hard on him. Even NFL great and Tennessee State head coach Eddie George extended an offer.
*** Pollard hung around in the heat until Harbaugh arrived. The two exchanged a few words and took some photos before Pollard went home. I think it speaks volumes that despite the delay and already seeing him over the weekend that Pollard refused to leave until Harbaugh arrived. Remember, Pollard has trips to Alabama, Auburn and Oklahoma left on the schedule and is looking to make a decision in July. Pollard's father, Greg, left before Harbaugh got to the camp, but he did have fun catching up with the aforementioned Clinkscale and Bellamy.
*** As I mentioned, four-star safety D'Arco Perkins-McAllister was at the camp and spent time with Clinkscale and Bellamy before his weekend official visit. Clinkscale recruited him at Kentucky and has Michigan moving up his list. Perkins-McAllister is also connecting well with Bellamy, and, like Pollard, waited for hours until Harbaugh arrived so he could meet with him. It will be interesting to see where exactly Michigan stands coming out of the OV. Ole Miss worked on him hard during the camp, and LSU and Florida are really interested. Right now, TCU appears to be U-M's biggest threat.
*** Three-star running back Dillon Bell had yet another opportunity to get face time with the Michigan staff. The Texas product made an unofficial visit to Michigan earlier this month, camped with the Wolverines in Big Rapids and stopped by Nashville. Remember, Bell is scheduled to be back in Ann Arbor for an official visit this weekend, and I already have a FutureCast pick in for the Wolverines. Out of all the recruits at the camp, Harbaugh seemed to spend the most time with Bell. U-M offensive coordinator Josh Gattis and offensive line coach Sherrone Moore also worked hard on him during the camp.
*** As soon as Harbaugh got there, one recruit he requested to see was Rivals100 wide receiver Barion Brown. We haven't talked much about Brown, but the Wolverines are continuing to recruit the four-star prospect. Brown has a preexisting relationship with Clinkscale, who recruited him hard a Kentucky. That bond is giving Michigan an opportunity to get in the mix here. Harbaugh and Gattis spent some time with him, and Brown told me that Michigan is under consideration for an official visit.
*** Four-star offensive lineman Jacob Hood camped in front of the Michigan staff for the second time this month. Hood was also in Big Rapids and is connecting well with the aforementioned Moore. Hood left Michigan out of his Top 5 last week, but the Wolverines are right back in the mix. Hood told me that Michigan is in the running for one of his final official visits. However, this one is still an uphill climb. Hood loves SEC programs like Auburn and Georgia. Fellow SEC programs Florida, Ole Miss and Mississippi State were all at the camp and made their pitches to Hood as well.
*** As you guys know, I put in FutureCast picks for Michigan to land 2022 in-state linebacker Aaron Alexander and 2023 in-state wide receiver Semaj Morgan. This was my first time seeing Alexander live, and he left me wanting to see more. Alexander has an impressive frame with plenty of speed. However, he is still very raw from a technical perspective and needs to continue working on his hips and flexibility. Alexander missed a lot of last season with a broken hand, so I really want to see him in pads. Morgan is a quick slot that looked impressive going through drills. I've seen Morgan a lot this offseason and his stock will only continue to rise. Harbaugh made sure to chat with Alexander and also spent some time watching Morgan.
*** Lastly, with Harbaugh still in Utah, Gattis gave a quick speech to the campers. He talked mostly about being coachable and not complaining about criticism. It was a very brief message. Gattis was joined at the camp by new graduate assistant Nate Crutchfield. With Gattis really focused on the field with immense pressure coming up this season, Crutchfield is taking a more expanded role on the recruiting trail. He has been in touch with several targets and was also at the satellite camp in Memphis. Melanie Colson, mother of Michigan freshman Junior Colson, swung by the camp to meet with the staff. She told me Junior is doing really well in Ann Arbor and is currently second on the depth chart.
