Welcome to the first edition of The Justice Report, TMBR’s weekly recruiting insider column.
This will grow as we do. For now, it will stick to a format similar to what you’re about to read.
The Jimmy Rolder situation
Chicago (Ill.) Marist 2022 four-star ILB Jimmy Rolder’s recruitment has been well documented by TMBR in our first week.
Rolder is an Illinois baseball commit who’s undecided on playing football or baseball at the next level. He didn’t have a football offer going into his senior season but now has 12 from several Power Five programs, including Michigan, Ohio State, LSU, Tennessee, and Iowa.
Our coverage started with a source on the baseball side of things — reminder: Rolder is still a verbally committed infielder to Illinois — telling me he was likely to play only football and Michigan was most likely to land him. That was 10 days ago.
The day we launched, Monday, was two days after Rolder’s official visit to Ohio State. Following that trip, my baseball source told me to hit brakes as the visit may have evened the Buckeyes up with Michigan in the race for the four-star.
Wednesday, I reported from a source that Michigan’s chances with Rolder elevated despite the trip to Columbus. That source told me he’s, “most likely going to end up at Michigan,” and that U-M impressed him with its football tradition, business school, and the coaching staff.
This ultimately led me to placing a FutureCast for Michigan to land Rolder.
On Saturday, I spoke with Rolder’s stepdad - who’s a former NFL player - about the recruitment of the Chicago product.
“If it were up to his mom & dad, he would be in the Maize & Blue, that’s for sure,” he said.
I’ve linked this full post but to recap beyond that quote, he went on to add that Rolder’s visit schedule & commitment timeline aren’t definitive.
Due to how quickly Rolder’s recruitment has evolved, it’s hard to tell when he will make a decision. He may visit Wisconsin, or he may not. He could make his decision after playoffs, or he may wait long after them.
One thing is certain, though, Michigan has a marginal lead now, maintained it after an Ohio State visit, and has the family’s blessing + recommendation.
What’s more is Michigan’s coaching staff recruiting the hell out of him.
Rolder has received calls from head coach Jim Harbaugh, linebackers coach George Helow, and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald this week. His parents have received calls from the same group, including a game day call from Helow to Rolder’s stepdad on Saturday morning.
This commitment seems inevitable for Michigan at this time.
Marist won its playoff game on Saturday, 30-7, and Rolder played nearly every snap on both sides of the ball.
An interview with Rolder will be published soon.
A potential QB/WR pairing?
Harbaugh’s staff didn’t have many 2022 recruits on campus this weekend, but it did include two recruits committed elsewhere on top of a few high-end talents in the 2023 class.
A quarterback and wide receiver combo, from the same high school, highlighted the guest list.
McEachern (Ga.) 2022 QB Bryce Archie (Coastal Carolina commit)
I have a call scheduled with Archie tomorrow to recap his visit. He’s flying home tonight. He stuck around until today with teammate Kaleb Webb, a 2022 wide receiver committed to East Carolina, and sat in meetings with quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss. It sounds like Michigan is serious about the recruitment of Archie despite it having a commitment already in the class in Apple Valley (Calif.) QB Jayden Denegal. A closer look at this situation should be coming tomorrow after I speak with him.
Archie finished with 1,886 passing yards to go along with 21 touchdowns and 5 interceptions at a 56-percent clip. He added 334 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.
McEachern (Ga.) 2022 three-WR Kaleb Webb
After losing in-state wide receiver commit Tay’shawn Trent, a four-star by Rivals, U-M has an immediate need at receiver. Among its options is Webb, an East Carolina commit. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Michigan recruiting Webb & Archie by selling them on bringing their high school chemistry to Ann Arbor.
Webb had monstrous numbers with 66 receptions for 1,238 yards and 14 touchdowns in 10 games for McEeachern this season. He’s 6-foot-4, 195 pounds and boasts offers from Kentucky, Louisville, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, and more.
Whether or not Archie comes along with Webb, I think Webb is someone you’ll see on the field early if Michigan scoops him up.
Others in attendance:
In other news…
Richmond (Va.) Benedictine School 2023 four-star DT Joel Starlings will be a visitor at the Ohio State game, Nov. 27. I have a call setup with him later tonight.
I didn’t travel this week due to some out-of-town family being in town for an early Thanksgiving.
I’ll be seeing 2023 in-state QB and massive Michigan target, Dante Moore, and King High play Allen Park on Friday. On Saturday, I’m traveling to Chicago to see Rolder play and get an interview with him + the family.
Have a good Sunday, folks.
This will grow as we do. For now, it will stick to a format similar to what you’re about to read.
The Jimmy Rolder situation
Chicago (Ill.) Marist 2022 four-star ILB Jimmy Rolder’s recruitment has been well documented by TMBR in our first week.
Rolder is an Illinois baseball commit who’s undecided on playing football or baseball at the next level. He didn’t have a football offer going into his senior season but now has 12 from several Power Five programs, including Michigan, Ohio State, LSU, Tennessee, and Iowa.
Our coverage started with a source on the baseball side of things — reminder: Rolder is still a verbally committed infielder to Illinois — telling me he was likely to play only football and Michigan was most likely to land him. That was 10 days ago.
The day we launched, Monday, was two days after Rolder’s official visit to Ohio State. Following that trip, my baseball source told me to hit brakes as the visit may have evened the Buckeyes up with Michigan in the race for the four-star.
Wednesday, I reported from a source that Michigan’s chances with Rolder elevated despite the trip to Columbus. That source told me he’s, “most likely going to end up at Michigan,” and that U-M impressed him with its football tradition, business school, and the coaching staff.
This ultimately led me to placing a FutureCast for Michigan to land Rolder.
On Saturday, I spoke with Rolder’s stepdad - who’s a former NFL player - about the recruitment of the Chicago product.
“If it were up to his mom & dad, he would be in the Maize & Blue, that’s for sure,” he said.
I’ve linked this full post but to recap beyond that quote, he went on to add that Rolder’s visit schedule & commitment timeline aren’t definitive.
Due to how quickly Rolder’s recruitment has evolved, it’s hard to tell when he will make a decision. He may visit Wisconsin, or he may not. He could make his decision after playoffs, or he may wait long after them.
One thing is certain, though, Michigan has a marginal lead now, maintained it after an Ohio State visit, and has the family’s blessing + recommendation.
What’s more is Michigan’s coaching staff recruiting the hell out of him.
Rolder has received calls from head coach Jim Harbaugh, linebackers coach George Helow, and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald this week. His parents have received calls from the same group, including a game day call from Helow to Rolder’s stepdad on Saturday morning.
This commitment seems inevitable for Michigan at this time.
Marist won its playoff game on Saturday, 30-7, and Rolder played nearly every snap on both sides of the ball.
An interview with Rolder will be published soon.
A potential QB/WR pairing?
Harbaugh’s staff didn’t have many 2022 recruits on campus this weekend, but it did include two recruits committed elsewhere on top of a few high-end talents in the 2023 class.
A quarterback and wide receiver combo, from the same high school, highlighted the guest list.
McEachern (Ga.) 2022 QB Bryce Archie (Coastal Carolina commit)
I have a call scheduled with Archie tomorrow to recap his visit. He’s flying home tonight. He stuck around until today with teammate Kaleb Webb, a 2022 wide receiver committed to East Carolina, and sat in meetings with quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss. It sounds like Michigan is serious about the recruitment of Archie despite it having a commitment already in the class in Apple Valley (Calif.) QB Jayden Denegal. A closer look at this situation should be coming tomorrow after I speak with him.
Archie finished with 1,886 passing yards to go along with 21 touchdowns and 5 interceptions at a 56-percent clip. He added 334 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.
McEachern (Ga.) 2022 three-WR Kaleb Webb
After losing in-state wide receiver commit Tay’shawn Trent, a four-star by Rivals, U-M has an immediate need at receiver. Among its options is Webb, an East Carolina commit. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Michigan recruiting Webb & Archie by selling them on bringing their high school chemistry to Ann Arbor.
Webb had monstrous numbers with 66 receptions for 1,238 yards and 14 touchdowns in 10 games for McEeachern this season. He’s 6-foot-4, 195 pounds and boasts offers from Kentucky, Louisville, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, and more.
Whether or not Archie comes along with Webb, I think Webb is someone you’ll see on the field early if Michigan scoops him up.
Others in attendance:
In other news…
Richmond (Va.) Benedictine School 2023 four-star DT Joel Starlings will be a visitor at the Ohio State game, Nov. 27. I have a call setup with him later tonight.
I didn’t travel this week due to some out-of-town family being in town for an early Thanksgiving.
I’ll be seeing 2023 in-state QB and massive Michigan target, Dante Moore, and King High play Allen Park on Friday. On Saturday, I’m traveling to Chicago to see Rolder play and get an interview with him + the family.
Have a good Sunday, folks.
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