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Friday Michigan Recruiting Roundup: Rashan Gary's Mother Enjoys Third U-M Visit

In this edition, a five-star New Jersey defensive tackle's mother described her son's official visit to Michigan last Saturday as very thorough.

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Junior Running Back Receives U-M Offer

Michigan is now the fifth school in the FBS to offer three-star Damon Williams (Gadsden, AL) on Thursday, as well as the first school from the Big Ten to extend their gratitude. Ole Miss, Kentucky, Louisville and Arkansas State round out the offer list. The Wildcats were the last program to offer Williams back in late April.

Williams is the No. 38 ranked 2017 running back in the country and No. 24 ranked in the state of Alabama.

Four-Star Defensive Tackle Releases Top Five

There's not set date for Boss Tagaloa's official visit to Ann Arbor, but the defensive tackle and another teammate are expected to arrive on campus sometime in the near future, according to Steve Lorenz of 247Sports.

Tagaola also released his top five schools on Wednesday, with Michigan being the only program from the Big Ten. The rest of whom reside in the Pac-12: Arizona, Washington, Cal and UCLA.

Three predictions from the Crystal Ball have the Bruins picking up Tagaloa on signing day. Expect more updates soon.

Harbaugh Leaves Recruit "Top Secret" Message

Isaiah Wilson, the No. 1 ranked junior recruit in the state of New York, told the Wolverine affiliate of 247Sports that Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh followed him on Twitter before leaving him a message that was secret. While Wilson did not reveal what the message contained, he did say that he'll be working out a trip to Ann Arbor for a game this season.

Wilson is also a five-star offensive tackle at 6-foot-7, 322 pounds. The No. 21 ranked 2017 recruit overall in the country has collected over 25 offers, including Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Miami. His latest offer came from Florida in early September.

First Offer Coming From U-M For 2017 Quarterback

Collin Smith is currently unranked by a majority of the top recruiting websites, but that didn't prevent Michigan for taking a chance on the Pennsylvania native, offering the junior quarterback this past Sunday.

The 6-foot-0, 196 pounder has thrown for 722 yards and rushed for 390 yards with 19 touchdowns this season, but it's the defensive side of the ball where the Wolverines are taking a look at him.

I got a message from Coach Harbaugh, and I waited to talk to him on the phone. We talked, and that's when he gave me the offer. They're looking at me more on the defensive side of the ball at safety. He said he liked how I came up and hit. That was what he noticed most about me: I'm physical and I hit hard. That was one of the big things, he said I'm a hard-nosed football player.

Smith also told Rivals.com that Purdue has shown interest in him, as well as Texas Tech, Florida State, Navy and Northern Illinois. He's expected to take a visit to West Lafayette for the Nebraska game on Oct. 31.

Rashan Gary's Mother Keen On U-M Academics

Jen Coney, the mother of defensive tackle Rashan Gary, the No. 1 ranked senior recruit in the country, didn't visit Michigan's campus again to hear about football, she wanted to hear about academics.

Coney told Rivals.com that she wanted to receive a plan, a step-by-step procedure on how Gary will succeed inside the classroom before earning his degree. Coney knows that the 311 pound lineman will be fine inside the white lines, it's what Gary is doing outside the football field that's most important to her.

Saturday's official visit to Ann Arbor for the BYU game was the third time in which both Coney and Gary stepped foot on the campus, the last one being in June. What was not including in the previous visits was a chance to see the Ross School of Business, but this time the duo was able to check out the facility.

Most of them have some good academics and a good academic plan. You've got to present me with a plan. I need a step-by-step how you're going to enable him to be successful academically. They showed that , and Michigan did that last time.

The schools in general, because when I set up a visit, I let them know what's important to me. They provide it. Some people's academics and academic support are not as strong as others. There are positive points and negative points in every program, and that's why Rashan has to pick what feels best for him. He's the one who's going to have to live there, not me. I don't want to hear, 'Mom, it's not what I thought it was going to be, I want to transfer.' No. We don't give up. This is what you signed up for, this is what you're going to go through, so we have to be thorough.

The apparent favorite for Gary's services is Michigan at the moment, due to the increased focus on the academic side of things. According to Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports, Gary's camp was impressed by how many people have obtained a Michigan degree and the networking that comes along with it, including people that reside in Gary's home state of New Jersey.