COMMITMENTS
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech cornerback Terry Richardson committed to Michigan on Thursday morning (Touch the Banner profile here). Richardson is a 5'9", 165-pounder with offers from just about every notable school in the country (Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, USC, etc.). He had originally said that he wanted to commit at the Under Armour All-America Game, which happens in early January, and Michigan seemed to be on the outside looking in. However, his good friends Royce Jenkins-Stone and James Ross committed to Michigan in recent weeks, and that seems to have sped up and perhaps changed Richardson's mind. It may be interesting to see what happens if one of that trio starts to have a wondering eye, because they seem to be a very tight group. I'm not expecting them to waver, but a decommitment from one could cause a Domino effect, just like the commitments have done.
Commitment #13 has dropped for the Wolverines, but he's a silent commit. It will likely be made public early this coming week.
ADDED TO THE BOARD
Cleveland (OH) Glenville cornerback De'van Bogard was offered by Michigan earlier this week. He's a little tricky to evaluate because his highlights consist of the 5'11", 172-pounder playing middle linebacker. That's not something you see every day.
Jackson (TN) Christian wide receiver Drae Bowles is the #109 player in the country to Rivals, and he was offered by Michigan this week. Bowles is lightning fast with offers from tons of mid- to high-level programs. Not a whole lot of kids come out of Tennessee, but pulling players out of SEC country is always difficult.
Lake Forest (IL) Lake Forest defensive tackle Faith Ekakitie is a new Michigan target. He's 6'2", 280 lbs. Don't let the recruiting websites trick you into thinking he's a defensive end.
Sylvania (OH) Southview safety Allen Gant got a Michigan offer. He's the son of Tony Gant, a Michigan safety from 1982-1986. The elder Gant had 96 career tackles, 11 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions. I'm not a big fan of what I've seen of the younger Gant on film, but he's a big kid (6'2", 210 lbs.) with decent bloodlines.
Virginia Beach (VA) Ocean Lakes defensive end Eli Harold got an offer, too. He's 6'4" and 215 lbs., a wide receiver/defensive end in the same way 2011 recruit Desimon Green was, a guy who's big and fast right now but will probably outgrow the receiver position. He's probably a weakside end type, and Michigan might have a little flexibility with Pharaoh Brown and Mario Ojemudia either having the frame or tenacity to be strongside defenders in the future. I won't hold my breath for a kid from Virginia Beach, though.
Waco (TX) Waco cornerback Will Hines earned an offer on Wednesday. He has good size at 6'1" and 175 lbs. but there are times in his highlights where he looks a little tentative when it comes to contact. The team could use a bigger corner to go along with the tiny ones brought in over the last couple classes.
Salt Lake City (UT) Highland fullback Sione Houma reports a Michigan offer. He's a 6'1", 215 lb. fullback for a triple-option team. The Wolverines could use a fullback, since the only current options for 2012 are hefty tailback Stephen Hopkins and incoming walk-on Joey Kerridge.
Land O'Lakes (FL) Land O'Lakes tight end Kent Taylor picked up an offer. He's the #68 tight end in the country to Rivals, which isn't surprising because he's 6'5", 220 lbs., and runs like the wind. This might tell you a little something about how Michigan feels about Ron Thompson. Thompson keeps delaying his decision, and the coaches might move on without him. Florida, Florida State, and Miami seem to be the leaders, and I doubt the Wolverines will get a whiff.
OFF THE BOARD
Fairless Hills, PA offensive tackle J.J. Denman committed to Penn State. He visited Ann Arbor this spring and Michigan might have even been as high as #2 on his list, but the Nittany Lions were always the leader. It's a disappointing loss because Denman is one of the top players in the country, but it wasn't unexpected. In fact, I'm a little surprised he didn't drop for PSU earlier.
Charlotte, NC tight end Mark Harrell committed to Notre Dame. He was pretty high on the Wolverines at one time and visited this spring, but perhaps Michigan's other tight end commits got in the way. Harrell can really run, but some also figured he might grow into an offensive tackle.
Georgia linebackers Raphael Kirby and Dillon Lee committed to Miami and Alabama, respectively. Both are excellent prospects, but pulling recruits out of Georgia is tough for Michigan to do. And, of course, there are already four linebackers committed to Michigan.
Guyer, TX fullback/tight end Dominic Ramacher committed to Oklahoma State. He had a few teammates who went to Oklahoma State last year, and the Cowboys are a common destination for Texans who don't pull offers from the Longhorns.