Wolverines getting visits from some big 2016 names for game vs. Utah
Michigan is closing out its non-conference slate of games with their biggest opponent in the home portion coming in the form of the Utah Utes (sorry, Appalachian State) this Saturday. It's shaping up to be a very solid weekend for visitors and could be the last big recruiting weekend until the Oct. 11 game against Penn State under the lights.
The Wolverines will be visited by a few of the top in-state prospects in the 2016 class on Saturday, in addition to a player they are very high on from the state of Ohio.
We'll start out with that state to the south, where Michigan will be greeted by 2016 center prospect Nik Urban (Willoughby, Ohio), who I spoke with last night after he announced via Twitter he would be making the trip.
Michigan game Saturday!! #GoBlue 〽️
— Nik Urban (@nikurbs73) September 15, 2014
"I went to camp there in the summer and loved it," Urban told me. "I'm really hoping just to see everything again and talk with coaches before the game."
He also said that his primary recruiter has been Greg Mattison and that he gets "at least three" letters from Michigan in the mail each day, so the interest in him seems pretty legitimate. He stated that as of now, Duke is his leader.
Now we move on to the in-state guys.
Four-star running back Matt Falcon (Southfield, Michigan) will be at Michigan on Saturday for the second weekend in a row, his father told ESPN's Tom VanHaaren.
2016 RB Matt Falcon @mfalcon21 (Southfield, Mich.) is visiting Michigan this weekend, per his father.
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) September 16, 2014
Falcon is a rising prospect of sorts after coming off of a knee injury that caused him to miss all of last season. He second visit in as many weeks could mean good things for both parties. He has yet to be offered by the Wolverines, but one should come if he continues the season he is having.
The last player we'll touch on in regards to visits is four-star receiver Donnie Corley (Wyandotte, Michigan), who will be making his way to Michigan this weekend as well, according to Scout's Allen Trieu.
Detroit King (Mich.) junior WR Donnie Corley will visit #Michigan on Saturday. Scout 300 prospect: http://t.co/WTJlkfXB9M
— Allen Trieu (@AllenTrieu) September 15, 2014
Corley transferred this year to Detroit King after spending his first two years at Wyandotte Roosevelt. He has put up some nice numbers to start the year and is a rising prospect in many people's minds. The Wolverines have yet to offer him, as well.
Speaking of Donnie Corley...
While we are on the subject of Corley, it should be worth noting that on Tuesday, the Michigan State Spartans extended a scholarship offer his way, according to his Twitter account.
Just received my 9th offer from Michigan State University#Spartans #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/SYKyqDxGNR
— FMOI: King_Donnie9 (@DonnieCorley) September 16, 2014
A few of the experts out there think that the offer from the Spartans vaults them into the lead for his services, including 247's Steve Lorenz.
I put my #CrystalBall for #Spartans in for Donnie Corley. Always have felt like that's where he'll end up: http://t.co/MkaQ9oJ0rs
— Steve Lorenz (@TremendousUM) September 16, 2014
After the offer came down this morning, six predictions were made on 247's Crystal Ball, all in favor of the Spartans. For now, I would probably throw my vote the same way. It will be interesting to see if an offer comes for Corley from the Wolverines this weekend following his visit.
Scouting Marcus Lewis
Four-star 2015 athlete/defensive back and Florida decommit Marcus Lewis (Washington, DC) has said that Michigan is his leader on a few occasions recently. This past week, his high school team, Gonzaga HS, won against Centreville 31-14 in a game that was nationally televised.
Lewis exited the game early with cramps, but MGoBlog's Ace Anbender took a look at the film from that game a put together a scouting report of what he saw, which can be found here. (FREE)
Here's some of what Anbender had to say:
I was very impressed with his run support. Lewis read plays quickly, took good angles to the football, and either tackled the ballcarrier—keeping yards after contact to a minimum—or smartly funnelling the play back to the pursuing defenders. He wrapped up well, and his size makes it very tough for high school skill players to escape his grasp.
Physically, Lewis very much looked the part. He looked every bit of his listed 6'1", 187 pounds, and he closed on plays with excellent speed. Lewis looks like he'd be a very solid free safety at the next level; he could also be a physical boundary corner, but I just didn't see enough of him in coverage to get a great read on his coverage ability. In a game that featured several top college prospects, Lewis stood out with his size, athleticism, and ability, even in limited action.
It looks like Lewis will be taking his recruitment all the way to National Signing Day, which I touched on in last Wednesday's roundup.
Thiyo Lukusa making college decision by Dec. 1
Four-star 2016 offensive tackle Thiyo Lukusa (Traverse City, Michigan) announced Tuesday on Twitter that he plans on choosing a college by December.
It is official ill be committing by December 1st. Will have a top 5 by November.
— Thiyo Lukusa (@BigblacK4420) September 16, 2014
Lukusa is a player the Wolverines have had their eyes on for awhile and right now appear to be the leaders for him. He was offered back in January and has been on campus five times throughout his recruitment, as well as being visited by coach Dan Ferrigno.
Michigan currently has 90 percent of the predictions in their favor for him with 247's Crystal Ball.
Iman Marshall releases final official visit list, Michigan included
Five-star 2015 cornerback Iman Marshall (Long Beach, California) has finally chosen the five schools he will take official visits to,Michigan being one of them, according to his Twitter account.
It's Official ™ pic.twitter.com/f9e0tHlmeo
— Biggie (@iman_marshall8) September 14, 2014
Marshal is unable to take any official visits until November because of an NCAA requirement that states he must take the SAT/ACT tests first, his father tells Wolverine 247. ($)
An official visit to Michigan in that timeframe would likely be their Nov. 22 game vs. Maryland unless he decided to check out a basketball game. We'll have to see what happens there.
Marshall is the top cornerback prospect in the 2015 class and is considered a heavy USC lean, despite the Trojans being absent from his official visit list. He's a local product that has been on campus numerous times, so an official isn't necessary.
Wolverines offer four-star 2016 OL
On Monday night, Michigan extended a scholarship offer to four-star 2016 offensive tackle JP Urquidez (Hyattsville, Maryland), according to his Twitter account.
Blessed to say I have received my 17th offer from Michigan! #Wolverines #Bigten #Motivationtogetbetter!
— JP Urquidez (@JP_OT2016) September 16, 2014
Urquidez is the 15th ranked offensive tackle in the class of 2016. Baylor leads the way with 50 percent of the predictions in 247's Crystal Ball.
deWeaver named player of the week by Fox 45 in Dayton
Four-star 2016 quarterback commit Messiah deWeaver (Dayton, Ohio) was named Donatos Pizza Week Three Player of the Week by Fox 45 in Dayton after leading Trotwood Madison to a win after a 17-point deficit in the second half.
deWeaver threw for 166 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for 31 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He helped his team to a 3-0 record heading into Friday night against fellow undefeated school, Centreville HS.
Erik Swenson did WHAT?
Offensive tackle Erik Swenson (Downers Grove, Illinois) was Michigan's first commitment of the 2016 class. According to The Wolverine's Brandon Brown, he showed why the Wolverines think so highly of him in his game last Friday.
Per his dad, 2016 #Michigan commit Erik Swenson had 28 confirmed pancakes in his game Friday.....NBD.
— Brandon Brown (@BSB_Wolverine) September 16, 2014
You read that correctly. 28 pancake blocks. If you don't know what that is, a response to a Yahoo Answers query pretty accurately sums it up:
A 'pancake' block is a term used to describe when a player, usually an offensive linemen, tight end or fullback makes an excellent block and takes the defender out of the play completely, leaving him usually on his butt and seeing stars.
Even for a college bound player, that's a pretty impressive statistic. Michigan fans are hoping he can bring some of that north with him to Ann Arbor.
Whew. That roundup sure was a lot for a Wednesday, but that's it for today, guys. Thanks for reading and be sure to join us Friday for the latest (and probably a lot shorter) edition of our Michigan recruiting roundup
Be sure to follow Maize n Brew Recruiting Reporter Anthony Broome on Twitter, @anthonytbroome.