This week in recruiting is a collection of thoughts and things of interest from me as a recruiting expert that either didn’t rise to the level of being their own story, or for which I did not have time to make into a story this week.
The Week in recruiting: Michigan enters the Top 10 in the rankings
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Michigan’s class made a big jump
The Michigan Wolverines made a move into the top ten this week with the pickup of two talented prospects.
On Sunday, the Wolverines flipped defensive lineman Mike Morris from Florida State. Morris is an FSU legacy, and was committed to the prior coaching staff. But FSU’s new defense prioritizes rushing the passer and getting up the field. Morris is 6’5, 260ish and has the frame to play at 290+. It would not surprise me to see Morris grow into a DT or an OT. His ability to play inside and out could be helpful to Michigan’s defense. The move was expected at both FSU and Michigan, as the Seminoles have five other defensive linemen committed and are in the pursuit of more.
“I didn’t decommit from FSU because Jimbo left.” Morris explained further saying, “I felt like God was pushing me toward Michigan. Tennessee, Michigan and Florida State and Miami, it came down to those. FSU is an amazing school and program, but I did a lot of praying, which led me to Michigan.”
Michigan actually has six defensive linemen committed, including defensive tackles Chris Hinton and Mazi Smith, and end David Ojabo.
Michigan’s offense also got some much-needed explosiveness with a commitment from four-star California running back Giles Jackson.
“The constant communication with the coaches and me being a priority to them,” Jackson said on what led him to committing to Michigan.
Another thing that led to him committing to the Wolverines is current 2019 quarterback commit Cade McNamara.
“(McNamara) had a huge impact,” Jackson said. “It’s always fun playing with him.
Michigan now has 22 commitments, including 11 rated four- or five-stars. And it will host Oklahoma five-star safety Dax Hill this weekend on a visit.
Auburn and Texas have elite talent on campus this weekend
The Tigers are scheduled to host official visits from four different four-star players as LSU comes to town, including Mississippi LB Derick Hall, Tampa OL Will Putnam, Georgia linebacker Kalen Deloach (FSU commit), and Virginia athlete Cam’Rob Kelly (Auburn commit).
Texas, meanwhile, has California five-star athlete Bru McCoy and St. Louis four-star receiver Marcus Washington visiting for its showdown with USC.
Quickly
- USF is doing a solid job on the recruiting trail. The Daily Stampede checks in with the progress of the class.
- This high school coach in Georgia rewards his linemen with syrup shots when they make a pancake block. Awesome.
- Do you play in a college or NFL dynasty style fantasy league? Read this on upcoming freshmen.
- Remember Joey Porter of the Pittsburgh Steelers? Want to feel incredibly old? His son, four-star CB Joey Porter Jr. committed to Penn State this week.
Porter Jr. is a converted linebacker into a cornerback, making him still raw at the position. That being said, the early reports are that the four-star is looking good in his new position. At 6-foot-2 and 185-pounds, he has great size for a cornerback and will be great to put up against opposing team’s top redzone targets in the future. Right now, it appears that cornerback will be where he plays at the next level but knowing how James Franklin and the rest of the coaching staff works, moving him throughout the defense early on is a possibility.
- Who is doing the best job recruiting the state of Florida? I updated the Sunshine State Scorecard.
