ADDED TO THE BOARD
Joliet (IL) Catholic RB Ty Isaac, a 2013 prospect, received an offer from Michigan. Isaac is a 6'3", 215 lb. power runner with offers from Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, and Notre Dame, along with a couple others. The Wolverines have only offered a couple running backs in the 2013 class, and both are of the large variety. I'm not extremely impressed with what I've seen from Isaac or Novi (MI) Catholic Central's Wyatt Shallman, but they're only sophomores in most of the film that's available, so they still have time to develop.
OFF THE BOARD
Hanahan (SC) Hanahan wide receiver Chris Brown - an unfortunately common name - committed to Notre Dame after the Irish defeated Michigan State last weekend. He made some funny comments like "They got their first win and it was an exciting time" and "They are still trying to get it together."
BITS AND PIECES
There weren't many developments in the recruiting world this week. Brady Hoke and Co. fired out so many early offers for the 2012 class that there's not much to do now except watch and wait. Offers to 2013 guys are going out bit by bit. Remember that the coaches have previously stated that they want to finish off the 2012 class by the end of the regular season and then get a jump start on 2013 recruiting after November.
Lakewood (WA) Lakes OT Zach Banner loved his visit to Michigan a couple weeks ago for the Notre Dame game. He still plans to visit other schools, so hopefully ESPN keeps showing replays of that game for the remainder of the season.
West Des Moines (IA) Dowling Catholic WR Amara Darboh is a strong possibility to choose Michigan. He was supposed to visit Ann Arbor a couple weeks ago, but had to postpone his visit. Florida and Notre Dame are in the running, too. There were some rumblings several weeks ago that Darboh's recruiting situation changed, which hurt Michigan's chances . . . but that appears not to be the case.
Flint (MI) Powers Catholic DT Danny O'Brien set an announcement date of October 6th. He's either going to choose Tennessee and then take a celebrator visit to Knoxville a couple weekends later . . . or he's going to choose Michigan and take an awkward visit to Knoxville. Or he'll cancel. The vibe from recruiting analysts suggest that he'll be celebrating by wearing creamsicle.
Dallas (GA) East Paulding RB Kamani Thomas, a 2013 prospect, visited Michigan for this weekend's victory against San Diego State. He's a 5'9", 180 lb. between-the-tackles runner in the mold of someone like the Atlanta Falcons' Michael Turner (who wasn't always 247 lbs.). There weren't many notable prospects at the SDSU game this weekend, and Thomas was the best of the bunch. Last season he carried the ball 237 times for 1,901 yards and 22 touchdowns. He has already been offered by Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Vanderbilt, and a few others. However, Michigan is his favorite school. With Michigan's newly rediscovered love for big backs, I'm not sure whether a small guy with good balance will get an offer or not. Personally, I would take Thomas over Isaac or Shallman.
Westlake Village (CA) Oaks Christian WR Jordan Payton is likely to become a Wolverine sooner or later. Sam Webb hasn't offered a gut feeling on that yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a gut feeling soon. Payton is a 6'2", 199 lb. wideout who looks like a solid possession guy, although he's probably not going to be a big-time playmaker in college.
MagnusThunder is the author of Touch the Banner, a Michigan football blog.