It's time I say goodbye.
Although I am not leaving Maize n Brew, this will be my last recruiting roundup for the site. I have been filling in since Anthony Mammel is no longer with the site and have been waiting for a replacement. I will still be around, but my focus will shift to the actual on-field product. I will be focusing completely on covering the Michigan football beat and was also given editorial duties as well.
It is a huge honor and I am ready for a challenge that I feel suits me better.
Now, as for your replacement, Anthony Broome will be taking over the roundup responsibilities starting on Monday. He's the Managing Editor of my former website I created, The Big House Report. He has done a fantastic job taking over in my absence and also does a great job with recruiting coverage as well. He will bring in exclusive coverage that he has worked hard to obtain.
Be kind to him and please stay patient as we go through another transition.
Now, let's get to recruiting coverage.
A trip to Ohio was made, apparently
It appears Roy Manning made a trip to Ohio yesterday to visit some talent. To be more specific, the coaches visited Akron to see 2016 DB Tyrece Speaight and 2017 RB Todd Sibley Jr., alongside the visit it appears that the two had potential good news to share sometime in the near future.
Talked to Michigan today, offer coming soon guys!!!!!
— The Messiah "¤" (@KingReese_9) April 30, 2014
Just talked to Michigan Offer coming!! 〽️ #Blessed
— Todd Sibley Jr. (@ToddSib23) April 30, 2014
I firmly believe that if Michigan offers the both of them that it puts them in the early drivers seat for the both of them. I know with personally speaking to Speaight that he grew up a lifelong Michigan fan, and combine that with close proximity to home, it's a good look so far. I'm not sure about Sibley, but I know there is definite interest from him and he has visited in the past.
Anthony from The Big House Report, remember the name, briefly spoke with Speaight after his tweet to get the lowdown (FREE) on what is happening.When I asked him about when he thought a scholarship offer from Michigan was going to come, he told me that he isn't sure when it would happen, but does think it is a matter of time.
Speaight has been in contact with defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Greg Mattison, who says that he likes him and plans on offering him soon.
He says an offer from the Wolverines would "mean the world to him," and that he has always dreamed of getting one from Michigan.
Speaight told me his top schools as of now are Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Florida State.
The obvious contender for their services would be in-state power Ohio State, but I don't feel like there is a definite lock there. For Speaight, I feel as if Notre Dame would be more of a legitimate threat if they were to offer. However, I'm not really ready to call it a lock for Michigan, especially considering both players are very young and have a long way to go until their recruitment is finished.
2015 RB situation broken down
247's Steve Lorenz broke down the 2015 RB situation ($) on Thursday to make things more clear as to where Michigan stands with a few of them.
The obvious list toppers are Damien Harris and Mike Weber.
Weber's situation is far more interesting now with a recent development, Lorenz explains:
Hubbard (OH) four-star RB Larry Scott may be on the verge of committing to Michigan State will potentially help Michigan's case for Weber. The Spartans took a pair of running backs in 2014 and would have already added one in '15 with Scott. Michigan did not recruit Scott at all, so it would be a potential addition without subtraction on their RB board. After talking with a few sources, this belief was re-iterated.
That's certainly interesting and one would assume that Michigan's chances to land Weber would definitely increase if this were to happen like many expect. It has been fairly clear that Michigan will take two running backs in this class. With Weber certainly getting a good look and eventually expected to join the class, does the second spot become expendable to Michigan is Harris decides to not re-commit to Michigan?
According to Lorenz, Michigan still has a shot:
The one major factor in Michigan's favor is that mom seems to want him back in Ann Arbor. I expect him to take an unofficial at some point this summer and follow it back up with an official visit during the season. This one is far from over for the Wolverines, but it won't be easy either. He is one of the most coveted players in the country.
This one will probably go until the end and at this point, who knows where this one goes.
Michigan makes the cut for Masina
2015 LB Osa Masina has received attention from Michigan for quite some time and he has now whittled his list down to eight schools. He tweeted the list out in no particular order.
Top 8 in no order Wisconsin Utah UCLA Arizona State Michigan USC Notre Dame Stanford Thank you every other school and coaches! Grateful
— Osa Masina (@OS_tertag) May 1, 2014
It's to no one surprised that Michigan made the cut for the top eight, though news will start to get interesting if Michigan makes further cuts. I think Michigan is a legitimate threat here, but not sure if it will happen.
Spartans in front for another
One final bit of information that came out for the Rivals camp is that 2015 LB Tyriq Thompson may not be a safe bet for the Wolverines after all ($).
Coming off a spring game visit to Michigan State on Saturday, Detroit King linebacker Tyriq Thompson has the Spartans out front as the team to beat in his recruitment. Thompson is attracted to the defense in East Lansing as well as the way head coach Mark Dantonio runs his program. Thompson has not set a timetable for making his college commitment. Thompson's father played for Michigan and he holds an offer from the Wolverines. Wisconsin, Northwestern and Pittsburgh are also schools Thompson maintains a good relationship with.
WELL, that's not good. I really thought the Michigan offer would seal the deal, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Michigan still has a chance to push to the front of the group, but Michigan State has had on-field success so is anyone really surprised here?
One final gut punch
This is my last gut punch before I leave the roundups forever. I'm sorry I had to do this, but ($):
"UCLA is probably I would say the team to beat right now. I have been talking to them the most right now and I've seen them and been to their school the most so they're the team to beat."
Can you guess who that is? That's 2015 DE Keisean Lucier-South. Though it's not actually surprising because UCLA is the local school who can apply the most pressure in this instance. But, still, not encouraging news for Michigan.
Goodbye
It's been a pleasure doing the roundups for a better part of two months, I hope each and every one of you will continue to read my coverage of the Michigan football team in the future. The NEW Anthony will do a fine job and I will drop by with my two cents from time to time.
Thank you.