*** I was back at home in Chicago today and made my way downtown (I live like 10 minutes away) to see three-star 2021 Michigan linebacker commit Tyler McLaurin at 'The Run,' a showcase featuring top talent in the city. McLaurin had a good showing overall. He told me that he's really been working on hip flexibility this offseason, and it's coming along. That's something I wrote he had to improve when I saw him live a couple of months ago — that and change of direction.
*** There were reports that McLaurin committed to a Michigan at Viper elsewhere, but I mentioned they were bologna. Michigan is talking to McLaurin more and more as a Will linebacker and a little bit at Sam. I still think he has the potential to spin down and play defensive end. He has long legs and long arms, so I could see him adding weight and being solid off the edge with his hand in the dirt — not necessarily as a stand up. Overall, I feel like McLaurin is very much an upside prospect. It will depend on development once he arrives at Michigan.
*** As far as his commitment, McLaurin remains solid to Michigan. Stanford is still trying to recruit him, so that's something to watch, but I feel like McLaurin is very comfortable with his decision. He is helping the Wolverines recruit and is in constant contact with defensive coordinator Don Brown and linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary. He also had a call with head coach Jim Harbaugh a couple of weeks ago.
*** Man, Rivals100 2022 linebacker Sebastian Cheeks looks so impressive running through drills. He has a muscular build in both his upper and lower halves and looks extremely fluid. Cheeks' best days are ahead of him as he only played in five games last year due to injury and is still learning the ins and outs of playing the linebacker position — he spent a lot of time at running back last year. I would like to see him improve in coverage, but all the tools are there for him to be a monster. He's just so damn physically impressive on the hoof.
*** As far as his recruitment goes, Cheeks is still in contact with the Michigan staff on a regular basis. He talks to both Jean-Mary and area recruiter Sherrone Moore. Cheeks is looking to visit Michigan as soon as the dead period comes to an end and has high interest in the Wolverines. Right now, I feel like the biggest threats are Notre Dame, where he's visited in the past, and Ohio State, which hasn't offered but is talking to him frequently. He also wants to see out of region schools like Texas and Oregon.
*** Cheeks and McLaurin were the only offered Michigan recruits at the event, but I was very impressed with rising 2023 wide receiver Carnell Tate, who I've mentioned a couple of times. Tate is a tall receiver who runs great routes and has a tremendous catch radius. He is very much on Michigan's radar and recently spoke to Sherrone Moore. I wouldn't be surprised if the Wolverines jump in with an early offer soon. Right now, he has scholarships from Cincinnati, Michigan State and Vanderbilt.
*** Lastly, 2021 Notre Dame safety commit Justin Walters was at the event, but I didn't ask him about Michigan, mostly because he doesn't want to talk about other schools. There was some dialogue between Walters and Michigan during the dead period, but I don't think there is much here now at this time. Daymon David is at the top of the safety board, and the Wolverines are trending in the right direction in that recruitment.
*** There were reports that McLaurin committed to a Michigan at Viper elsewhere, but I mentioned they were bologna. Michigan is talking to McLaurin more and more as a Will linebacker and a little bit at Sam. I still think he has the potential to spin down and play defensive end. He has long legs and long arms, so I could see him adding weight and being solid off the edge with his hand in the dirt — not necessarily as a stand up. Overall, I feel like McLaurin is very much an upside prospect. It will depend on development once he arrives at Michigan.
*** As far as his commitment, McLaurin remains solid to Michigan. Stanford is still trying to recruit him, so that's something to watch, but I feel like McLaurin is very comfortable with his decision. He is helping the Wolverines recruit and is in constant contact with defensive coordinator Don Brown and linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary. He also had a call with head coach Jim Harbaugh a couple of weeks ago.
*** Man, Rivals100 2022 linebacker Sebastian Cheeks looks so impressive running through drills. He has a muscular build in both his upper and lower halves and looks extremely fluid. Cheeks' best days are ahead of him as he only played in five games last year due to injury and is still learning the ins and outs of playing the linebacker position — he spent a lot of time at running back last year. I would like to see him improve in coverage, but all the tools are there for him to be a monster. He's just so damn physically impressive on the hoof.
*** As far as his recruitment goes, Cheeks is still in contact with the Michigan staff on a regular basis. He talks to both Jean-Mary and area recruiter Sherrone Moore. Cheeks is looking to visit Michigan as soon as the dead period comes to an end and has high interest in the Wolverines. Right now, I feel like the biggest threats are Notre Dame, where he's visited in the past, and Ohio State, which hasn't offered but is talking to him frequently. He also wants to see out of region schools like Texas and Oregon.
*** Cheeks and McLaurin were the only offered Michigan recruits at the event, but I was very impressed with rising 2023 wide receiver Carnell Tate, who I've mentioned a couple of times. Tate is a tall receiver who runs great routes and has a tremendous catch radius. He is very much on Michigan's radar and recently spoke to Sherrone Moore. I wouldn't be surprised if the Wolverines jump in with an early offer soon. Right now, he has scholarships from Cincinnati, Michigan State and Vanderbilt.
*** Lastly, 2021 Notre Dame safety commit Justin Walters was at the event, but I didn't ask him about Michigan, mostly because he doesn't want to talk about other schools. There was some dialogue between Walters and Michigan during the dead period, but I don't think there is much here now at this time. Daymon David is at the top of the safety board, and the Wolverines are trending in the right direction in that recruitment.
