Big Day For Visitors
Michigan hosted their "Junior Day" event Sunday afternoon that treated the recruits in attendance to an afternoon basketball game against the Spartans. A game which the Wolverines happened to win in deciding fashion 79-70. The visitors were highlighted by big name targets such as Damien Harris and Brian Cole. Both of whom stayed the entire weekend in Ann Arbor.
Though there were no commitments, the response to the weekend was very positive. Here are some of the highlights of the visit:
〽️ #⃣2⃣4⃣ 〽️〽️ pic.twitter.com/NFDdokG4P7
— Daelin Hayes (@DaelinHayes_24) February 23, 2014
Damien Harris and Doug Nussmeier -- from @MelanieMaxwell pic.twitter.com/aXaMN56UPE
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) February 23, 2014
DEZ and Coach Hoke here at UofM's Junior Day. pic.twitter.com/CpsIb12v4y
— Greg (@coachfitz007) February 23, 2014
I spy @CSing57 and Tyriq Thompson in there RT @MVictors Captain Ryan with Laura Hoke as Coach Mattison looks on pic.twitter.com/h9S8zCBqXa
— Steve Lorenz (@TremendousUM) February 23, 2014
2 of the best backers in the state repping #317 at Michigan's Junior Day. Hope they pull the trigger on us both! pic.twitter.com/wVceBDR9Vg
— Darrin Kirkland Jr. (@_KIRKjunior) February 23, 2014
The Michigan team at 247Sports has a fantastic update thread on the happenings of Junior Day on campus ($). It has some great notes on Cole and Harris, including this one from Steve Lorenz:
"Five-star RB Damien Harris told recruits in attendance that Michigan is his top school. I assume that will be echoed when I talk with his mother later."
Although this recruitment will go until the very end, it is a very good sign that Michigan has not dropped from his list of top schools. Michigan needs to win some football games this year to help their cause.
Michigan Offers "Little Brother"
Late Saturday night, Scout.com's Sam Webb first reported that Michigan offered 2017 linebacker Joshua Ross.
2017 Orchard Lake (Mich.) St. Mary's LB Josh Ross was officially offered by #Michigan tonight
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) February 23, 2014
Ross also happens to be the younger brother of current Michigan linebacker James Ross III. Webb caught up with Ross who says that he was "super happy" by being offered by Michigan ($). I feel that having his brother playing for Michigan puts them over the top for his services. In fact, I am so confident Michigan will land him I did a 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction for Ross in favor of Michigan.
Michigan Offers Another Lineman
Lost in the visitor reactions was news that Michigan offered 2015 four-star offensive lineman Christian Pellage (Brooksville, FL) late Sunday afternoon.
Just offered by #Michigan ! #Blessed
— Christian Pellage (@CPellageNCT15) February 23, 2014
Boasting over 20 scholarships from various big-name colleges across the country, pulling Pellage out of Florida might not be an easy task. Especially when the in-state teams like Miami, Florida and Florida State have all offered and have a much bigger head start on his process than Michigan has. A mid-season highlight tape for Pellage can be found, here.
General Odds and Ends
Notice the top-three players in the state of Indiana. Michigan has a legitimate shot at landing linebackers Darrin Kirkland Jr, Asmar Bilal and Josh Barajas. Barajas visited campus last weekend and Kirkland/Bilal were on campus together today.
Commits typically have the best insight and feel for where other recruits are either leaning towards or have strong interest in other schools. That's why 2015 safety commit Tyree Kinnel believes that Michigan is in good shape for Cole according to ESPN's Tom VanHaaren.
Looks like all positive reactions from Michigan's visitors, which is expected. Tyree Kinnel believes Michigan is in good shape with Cole.
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) February 23, 2014
Here are some other highlights from over the weekend:
Lol was just in a elevator with adrian payne, didnt even know we were in the same hotel as state
— B.Cole... (@Young__Kid__) February 23, 2014
Great visit at Michigan! Go blue!
— Harrison Moon (@harrisonmoon1) February 23, 2014
AA whaddup! Been too long! pic.twitter.com/B5Pb2yiZIx
— Thiyo (@BigblacK4420) February 23, 2014