Fridays Future Huddle Goes Under the Lights

With Michigan hosting Penn State this weekend, this has become the biggest in-season recruiting weekend of the year. Which recruits will be in attendance? 2015 commit Garrett Taylor announced he would be taking official visits, which schools will he be visiting? Find out in this Fridays version of “The Future Huddle.”

Keisean Lucier-South Official Visit

Michigan will only have one recruit on campus this weekend for an official visit, and that’s 5* DE/OLB Keisean Lucier-South. Keisean is Michigan’s biggest remaining target on the defensive line, especially since fellow 2015 Defensive End Darian Roseboro decommitted last week. With a glaring need for help on the defensive line, it’s imperative that this recruiting trip goes over smoothly.

KLS has garnered national attention due to his strong play over the past two seasons, and Michigan has remained in the race for his services; even with such a poor start to the 2014 season. With so much uncertainty regarding the state of Michigan football, Keisean will more than likely have a sit down with the coaching staff to discuss the future of the program. Recently, Tyler Donohue from Bleacher Report sat down with Lucier-South to discuss where his head is at regarding Michigan, saying; 

"It's going to be very interesting when I get there because there are some unknowns," he said. "I don't know if Coach Hoke is going to be there at the end of this season or the start of next year. They're still recruiting me hard as ever, but it's definitely a little weird and a situation I'm not dealing with at other schools."

"There's no doubt I'm going to have some questions about what's going on with the coaching staff and program's future when I arrive on campus," he said. "I'm sure other recruits will, too. Honestly, my parents will probably be the ones who address it because they're concerned." 

In my opinion, Michigan has a very solid chance to land the talented pass-rusher, but the lack of knowledge about who will be coaching the Wolverines next year could scare KLS away. Michigan has told Keisean that he is a priority for them, and his interest in Michigan hasn't wavered at all, even with the slow start to the season. It isn't too often Michigan plucks recruits out of California, but if Keisean decided to commit to the Wolverines in the future, this could be a great start to a new recruiting pipeline.

Keisean plans to announce his college decision on National Signing Day. He is currently ranked as the #3 Outside Linebacker and #30 in the nation according to Rivals.  

Garrett Taylor is Planning Official Visits

2015 Cornerback commit Garrett Taylor recently told Rivals Adam Friedman that he will be taking all five of his official visits. Right now it looks as if Penn State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and brace yourselves, Ohio State will be the schools Garrett looks at. Michigan will also receive an official visit from the 4* cornerback. Although Garrett still considers himself committed to Michigan, this does not look well for keeping him in the fold.

Garrett is currently sitting out his senior year of high school football recovering from a torn ACL injury he suffered earlier in the season.  Garrett is currently ranked as the #6 CB and #48 overall in 2015 according to Rivals.

Weekend Visitors:

With a lackluster home schedule this year, Michigan has turned the Penn State game into their biggest recruiting weekend of the season. Michigan will take on the Nittany Lions in “Under the Lights” version 3.0 this Saturday. There is plenty of high quality recruits scheduled to make the trip to Ann Arbor including;

·         2016 OL Ben Bredeson

·         2016 RB Elijah Holyfield

·         2016 OL Clark Yarbrough

·         2016 DE Auston Robertson

·         2016 WR Austin Mack

·         2016 CB Lavert Hill

·         2016 LB Daelin Hayes

·         2016 DE Josh King

·         2017 DE Corey Malone-Hatcher

·         2017 ATH Matt Wilcox

·         2017 WR Donovan Peoples-Jones

Current commits Andrew David, Tyree Kinnel, Alex Malzone, Messiah deWeaver and Darrin Kirkland Jr. will also be in attendance.  Kirkland visited Notre Dame last weekend, so getting him on campus this weekend can only be viewed as a positive. Kirkland will surely have questions about the direction the program is headed, and what better way to ask then in person. Michigan surely has their work cut out for them to keep Kirkland in Maize and Blue, but a big home win under the lights would be a good start. 

Other Notes:

2015 Defensive End target Jalen Bates committed to Arizona State on Tuesday.

2015 QB commit Alex Malzone told ESPN’s Tom VanHaaren earlier this week that Penn State, Wake Forest and North Carolina have all reached out to him recently in an attempt to flip the 4* product.  In my opinion, Alex isn't looking anywhere else other than Michigan and will remain committed to the Wolverines. 

2016 Wide Receiver Theo Howard received a scholarship offer from Cal this week.

2015 ATH Javarius Davis is no longer expected to make his official visit to Ann Arbor this weekend

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High School coach Terel Patrick tweeted out earlier this week that Coach Nussmeier will be visiting Martin Luther King High School this upcoming Monday to get a firsthand look at 2016 Wide Receiver Donnie Corley and 2017 Defensive Back Ambry Thomas. With Michigan on a bye next week, it's a great chance for some of the coaching staff to get out and evaluate some of the local talent. 

For up to the minute recruitment news, you can follow Travis Cooper on Twitter @MaizenBlueCoop. You can also follow Maize & Blue Nation on Twitter, Facebook, and Flickr.