Top-40 prospect Jaemyn Brakefield gets visit from Juwan Howard on Wednesday

Jaemyn Brakefield (Huntington, West Virginia), an elite forward prospect in the Class of 2020, received a visit from Michigan head coach Juwan Howard on Wednesday, according to Jake Weingarten of Stockrisers.com. It was later confirmed by 247Sports’ The Michigan Insider that Howard made his way to West Virginia after Big Ten Media Day in Chicago to visit with him ahead of taking an official visit to Michigan this weekend.

“Brakefield is among a cadre of Top100 targets that remain squarely on Howard’s radar as the first-year coach looks to burst onto the recruiting scene by reeling in some elite talent,” writes 247Sports’ Steve Lorenz. “The four-star is expected to officially visit Ann Arbor this weekend as the Michigan Football team takes on Iowa.”

Brakefield is a four-star prospect and the 38th-ranked player in the 2020 cycle, per 247Sports’ Composite rankings. Auburn, Louisville, Ole Miss, Florida State, Kansas, Michigan State, Oregon, Virginia and West Virginia are also in the mix and labeled as “warm” teams in the running for his services.

“Solid size for a forward,” 247Sports’ Jerry Meyer writes in his scouting report. “A smooth athlete. Motor has a come into question at times. Skilled lefty. Can stretch defense with shooting. Has ability to score off dribble. Adequate handler and passer. Good rebounder and defender when playing with passion. Should develop into a first-round draft selection.”

Howard has yet to pull in a commitment for the 2020 class while casting a wide net to try and land a blue-chip recruit to build around moving forward. Several prospects might be in a bit of a holding pattern to see what his Michigan teams look like, but the ability to reach out and get these guys on campus has been strong so far from Howard and his staff.

Without attrition, Michigan has three scholarships available for the 2020 recruiting class and a potential fourth if they do not pursue a fifth year for center Austin Davis.