Recruitaholics: A Case of Visitors + A Safety Shot

This Week's Dose: Your UTL II Visitor List and '14 Safety Sitch

"Chicken's" -Brady Hoke  Image

Your UTL II Visitor List

Oh boy is she a big one.  And I'm not even talking about the game; It speaks for itself.  But some of the names listed below give us something else to be excited about.  I'll begin with an excerpt from a past Recruitaholics post regarding this matter:

This year's visitor list for the Septmber 7 showdown is shaping up to be a big one.  The nation's top player DE Da'Shawn Hand will make the trip north along with 5-star teammate '15 DL Tim Settle, who is "excited to check out Michigan."  This is Hand's only scheduled official at this point.  His recruitment has also been quiet as of late;  both good signs for the Wolverines. 

Other of note who will be there:-'14 LA RB Leonard Fournette - arguably the top player in the entire '14 class.  Had plans to visit for the BBQ, but never made it up.  This is HUGE news.  Getting this guy on campus is a major victory for this staff.  247's new guy, Kipp Adams, has more here.  

-'14 CA LB Dwight Williams - The last option at LB* for this class.  Can Michigan pull him away from the west coast? 

-One of  '15's early top prospect DE Jashon Cornell - Cornell took major notice of Campbell's commitment, who he's also been texting about why he chose Michgan. 

-'16 MI OL Tommy Roush - Michigan is def. at the top of his list.  And of course, Coach Mattison left an impression. 

-'16 IL OL Erik Swenson - already has an offer and loves Michigan.  Big-time talent.  

These are just some of the big fishies folks.  Bad News:  not so good update on Williams; doesn't look like he'll be able to make it due to a scheduling conflict.  Not sure if there is a spot for him anyway.  Good New's --maybe-- It'll be a wait-and-see with Fournette.  Some reports say yes, and some no.  Not until an acutal siting --on campus-- can this one blow our minds.

Some other's who will join those mentioned above according to 247Sports Steve Wiltfong, who gives us his breakdown along with who could eventually end up a Wolverine this weekend:

2014
MI DL Malik McDowell

"Southfield (Mich.) High Top50 defensive lineman Malik McDowell’s 247Sports Crystal Ball read unanimous in him eventually signing with the Wolverines. McDowell does not have a timetable for a college decision, but everything points to the Maize and Blue having a huge lead."

2015
OH LB Justin Hilliard

"According to the 247Sports Crystal Ball, Iowa is the current team to beat for Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier Top50 linebacker Justin Hilliard, as his brother is committed to the Hawkeyes in the 2014 class. However as the process continues, that could very well change and Michigan has as good a shot as any other program to land the state of Ohio’s top-ranked prospect. Also firmly in the mix, Notre Dame and Ohio State among others." 

NY TE/DE Tyrone Wheatley Jr.

"Michigan is the unanimous choice on the 247Sports Crystal Ball to ultimately land four-star legacy Tyrone Wheatley Jr. of Manlius (N.Y.) Canisius."

MI ATH Brian Cole

"It’s looking like a Michigan-Michigan State battle for Saginaw (Mich.) Heritage Top100 cornerback Brian Cole, with the Spartans currently holding the slight edge on the 247Sports Crystal Ball."

MI DL Josh Alabi

"Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech Top247 two-way lineman Joshua Alabi has Michigan among his early leaders."

VA OT Matthew Burrell

"Brady Hoke and his staff will have several commits on campus to help entertain in both the 2014 class, currently ranked No. 8 nationally by 247Sports, and in the 2015 class, currently ranked No. 4 nationally. There will be many other prospects visiting that don’t yet hold a Michigan scholarship offer including five-star defensive tackle Tim Settle and four-star offensive tackle Matthew Burrell."

And now the rest:

'15 MI CB Ray Buford
'15 MI WR Grant Perry
'15 MI OL David Moorman
'16 OH QB Messiah DeWeaver
'16 MI WR Desmond Fitzpatrick

A plethora of commits will be on hand as well, aiding the staff the best they can.  They are:

'14ers
Wilton Speight
Michael Ferns
Drake Harris
Moe Ways
Jared Wangler
Mason Cole
Lawrence Marshall (McDowell's teammate)
Brian Mone - ESPN's Tom Luginbill answers whether or not Mone deserves to be a 5-star.
Jabrill Peppers can't make it (game on Sunday afternoon), but he's already got a message for the #1 player in the land:

Cant bro.. my boys will show you why UM is the best place in all the land tho! RT @TheHand54: @JabrillPeppers @ESPN_Lo you can't come?😳
— Breezy (@JabrillPeppers) September 2, 2013

'15ers
George Campbell
Damien Harris - received some high praise this past week as he was named one of Rivals First Five Stars for the '15 class.

It's going to be an electric atmosphere once again as the second edition of  "Under The Lights" steals the spotlight Saturday night.  Gameday makes it's sixth stop to witness this historic rivalry, setting up for a fun morning/afternoon for all of us; pretty sure recruits will be taking notice of the festivities, as well.  Mark another one up for the Good Guys; chalk up another element to awe the talented youngsters.

-Will add more as they are confirmed-


'14 Safety Sitch

This has been an intriguing situation to follow this year, what with all the top talent still considering Michigan. You know the names: Montae Nicholson, Juju Smith, Adoree Jackson, and recently, Erick Smith. These kids have been around for a long time now, and it's been hard to tell who would eventually end up pledging to the Wolverines.  The picture got a little clearer last week when the so-called favorite was eliminated from this list and another had a nice little chat with the coaching staff:

Will be interesting to see how that phone call goes with Smith. Montae Nicholson was told there is no room as of now w/ Michigan.
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) August 27, 2013

More from Van Haaren, who updates us on how that phone call went for Smith and confirms a planned official visit for the West Coast star:

2014 ATH JuJu Smith (Long Beach, Cali.) told me last night he did speak with Michigan yesterday and is visiting for OSU game.
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) August 28, 2013

Smith was told he's being recruited as an "athlete."
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) August 28, 2013

Jackson is a major long shot at this point, and looks like Erick Smith is a wildcard, especially now that it sounds like the staff doesn't want a safety; something that was a little suprising to me.  Eliminating Nicholson and Juju Smith being recruited as an Athlete now?  Does this mean the staff is that confident in landing one of the other two Smith's, mainly Juju?

Who knows really.  Nicholson has had Michigan near the top since the beginning of his recruitment and seemed to be the most likely option to land in this class.  Guess not.  Smith is elite; one you can't not wait on and I think should he choose elsewhere, Nicholson could enter the picture again.  May to be to late though. Just gunna have to trust the coaching staff once again.   I like our odds then...