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What's the deal with Chris Clark?
Four-star tight end commit Chris Clark (Avon, Connecticut) has been a hot topic in the last few days after this cryptic tweet that raised some questions among those following his recruitment:
Love talking to my dude @SethLittrell
— Chris Clark (@Clark8Chris) September 2, 2014
Seth Littrel is the tight ends coach at the University of North Carolina, the school that Clark actually committed to back in March before changing his mind less than a month later of that and choosing Michigan in June. The Tar Heels were still a factor in his most recent decision, even.
It's not unheard of or even frowned upon for a coach from another school to stay in contact with a player, because they absolutely develop relationships throughout the recruiting process.
Clark will continue to be contacted by coaches from other schools because of the type of talent he is. It is just the nature of the beast.
But then Scout's Sam Webb reported this on Twitter yesterday:
Heard from @Clark8Chris this morning. He said that he is indeed considering taking visits. Doesn't know for sure that he will yet.
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) September 2, 2014
Clark apparently took issue with that.
Not cool when reporters throw you under the bus like that #notrustanymore
— Chris Clark (@Clark8Chris) September 2, 2014
A few hours later, it appears he realized Webb was just doing his job and acknowledged that was a statement that come from the heat of the moment.
@SamWebb77 is a great guy and excellent reporter no disrespect to him in anyway heat of the moment type of thing
— Chris Clark (@Clark8Chris) September 2, 2014
So I guess we still do not know for sure what Clark's visit plans are, but I think the Wolverines have enough in their other commits and coaching staff to secure his spot with the team and that he will be a member of this class come National Signing Day 2015.
Michigan checks in on Keisean Lucier-South
Recruiting news has started to pick up a bit this week with coaches being able to contact 2016 recruits electronically, but the Michigan Wolverines took to the phone lines to check in on one of their biggest 2015 targets in five-star defensive end Keisean Lucier-South (Orange, California) per his Twitter account.
Just got off the phone with Oregon and yesterday Oklahoma and Michigan called
— Keisean South1⃣6⃣ (@KLSouth16) September 2, 2014
Michigan is in Lucier-South's list of top schools and they have the look of a program who should be in the mix until the end.
The five-star prospect is the second ranked weak-side defensive end in the 2015 class and the 21st player overall, according to the 247 Composite Rankings.
Tyrone Wheatley Jr. gets a call
One of the more intriguing names in the 2015 cycle so far has been four-star tight end Tyrone Wheatley Jr.(Manlius, New York), who has remained tight lipped throughout the process about what direction his recruitment is going. Many of you will remember his name, as his father was a former Michigan great at running back, Tyrone Wheatley, who now coaches the running backs for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL.
The legacy commit told 247's Steve Lorenz that Michigan made a phone call to him on Monday. (FREE)
All signs point the Michigan being the school to beat right now, but there simply is not a whole lot of information to go on and no timetable for a decision has been given. Many believe that USC and UCLA are the other schools that could be in contention.
Marcus Lewis contacted, too
Michigan has been busy with its 2015 guys still on the board the last few days.
Four-star defensive back Marcus Lewis (Washington, D.C.) revealed via Twitter that he was also contacted by the Michigan coaching staff, specifically cornerbacks coach Roy Manning and safeties coach Curt Mallory.
Phone Call #2 came from Coach Manning and Coach Mallory from Michigan. #GoBlue
— Marcus Lewis (@THE_NUMERO_UNO) September 2, 2014
Lewis decommitted from Florida earlier this summer and there is a ton of mutual interest between Lewis and the Wolverines, and it really does appear that is just a matter of time until he pulls the trigger and becomes a part of the 2015 recruiting class.
An official visit will likely come in the form of the Under the Lights III game vs. Penn State at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 11., but nothing has been set in stone yet.
Michigan offers 2016 five-star Rahshaun Smith
It looks like the Wolverines extended a scholarship offer to elite 2016 five-star defensive end Rahshaun Smith (Towson, Maryland) on Monday, according to his Twitter account.
Blessed To Receive An Offer From The University Of Michigan #GoBlue
— Humble & Hungry 〽️ (@Nextlevel_shaq) September 1, 2014
According to Rivals, the 6-2, 223 pound Smith is the top ranked defensive end in the class of 2016 and 15th player overall.
247's Crystal Ball currently has Florida State as his leader with 83 percent of the predictions in their favor. The next closest is Oklahoma with 17 percent.
That's it for Wednesday. Check back in with us Friday for the latest in Michigan football recruiting news.
Anthony Broome is the Recruiting Reporter for Maize n Brew. Be sure to follow him on Twitter, @anthonytbroome.