Wednesday Michigan Recruiting Roundup: Recap from a busy visitor weekend

Michigan had a huge recruiting weekend, even with the absence of the spring game, by hosting several top targets on both official and unofficial visits. Let’s see how the staff did impressing these prospects on this week’s Michigan Recruiting Roundup!

Two new commits

Last weekend saw Michigan’s class grow by two, as they flipped four-star cornerback Te’Cory Couch from Tennessee on Sunday, then added three-star offensive tackle Jack Stewart on Monday night.

Couch was an official visitor last weekend, along with two of his teammates from Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Florida. He had been considered a soft commit to Tennessee for a while, and was favoring Michigan and Miami as new destinations the most, before joining the Wolverines.

This commitment may also help with one of Michigan’s top targets at wide receiver, four-star John Dunmore. A teammate of Couch, he was also visiting last weekend.

Stewart visited Ann Arbor about two weeks ago, and a Michigan offer shook up his leaders in a big way. Immediately jumping to the top of his list, Michigan did not have to wait long to receive a commitment from the Connecticut native.

There will be plenty more information on these two later in the week, as I take a look at their high school film and see what skill sets they’ll be bringing to the team, so stay tuned!

Visit for five-star defensive end comes to fruition

After the spring game was canceled, the staff was eagerly waiting to see if it would affect five-star Zach Harrison’s plans. The top prospect in Ohio was deciding between heading up to Ann Arbor or attending Ohio State’s spring game. Thankfully, Harrison and his mom decided to not change their plans and made the trip north.

Harrison’s mother talked with The Michigan Insider’s Steve Lorenz ($) about their busy visit. “We had a really good visit,” she said. “It’s funny because we were there a little less than 24 hours and they were able to pack in a practice, a barbecue, some bowling, a sleepover and a breakfast. I know (Zach) really enjoyed his time there again.”

Although 100 percent of Harrison’s Crystal Balls are to Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State are not treating him as a lock to the Buckeyes. Michigan is making a big push for the elite defensive end. Harrison will make a trip to Happy Valley next weekend.

Top tight end target enjoys official visit

Jim Harbaugh and his staff have been pursuing three-star tight end Luke Deal the hardest at his position, Deal got a chance to feel the love in person last weekend.

“The visit was unreal. I loved it. Expectations were high, but everything was better than expected! We toured campus and had a lot of chances to meet new coaches, players and recruits,” Deal told TMI’s Brice Marich ($). “There were eight other official visitors there with me and that was really cool to me. I had great opportunity to hang out with the guys and coaches.”

One player that he felt a strong connection with was Michigan’s quarterback commit, four-star Cade McNamara. About McNamara, Deal said, “We have a lot of similarities and we hung out for most of the visit. That’s my guy.”

Although Deal is from South Carolina, he has family connections to Michigan. His grandfather grew up in the state and is a “life-long fan” and his mom was born in Detroit.

In-state Clemson has control of the Crystal Balls right now, but hopefully the family connections and relationships Deal has built with some of Michigan’s players help sway this race before his decision on May 25.

Michigan swinging the race for in-state lineman

Last weekend’s visit for three-star Karsen Barnhart has radically turned the tides in his recruitment. Previously considered a Michigan State lean, Michigan enjoyed a run of twelve straight Crystal Balls for Barnhart following his visit.

The Paw Paw native told TMI’s Sam Webb (FREE) what stood out to him. “It was my third time up there and I just love it more every time I come up to Ann Arbor,” Barnhart said. “I just love the vibe, how the coaches coach, and how the team the competes. I talked to a bunch of other recruits and guys that are committed. It was just a good day.”

Barnhart has narrowed his list down to three schools before his decision on Friday — Michigan, Michigan State and Indiana. However, one line at the end of his interview may gleam more good news for the Wolverines:

“(It’s going to come down to) just talking with the family. And then academically, which one has the best academics.”

Three-star guard receives Michigan offer

One player who has been quickly rising up Michigan’s board is Cincinnati three-star Zach Carpenter. The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder has reciprocated Michigan’s interest, and it paid off this past weekend when he received an offer from the Wolverines.

Carpenter spoke with TMI’s Steve Lorenz ($) about what he likes about Michigan.

“They set things up really well for their athletes to succeed,” he said. “Classes are available year-round and they actually have that major in the Kinesiology School. That’s different than some schools who have their players major in something completely random to get to that degree.”

Even though he just visited, Carpenter can’t get enough of Ann Arbor and is already planning to visit next weekend to watch spring practice. Getting back-to-back visits like this is a huge advantage for Michigan in this race. Carpenter is looking to commit sometime in late May or early June. Michigan is in really good shape here.

Michigan makes a jump in four-star receiver’s recruitment

Yet another recruit who was impressed on his visit last weekend was Maryland four-star John Metchie. A dynamic athlete, Harbaugh and Pep Hamilton are offering Metchie an excellent opportunity.

”I talked to coach Harbaugh and coach Hamilton the most,” Metchie told TMI’s Brice Marich ($). “They talked about me being an athlete on both sides of the ball at Michigan. I really liked the coaches like coach Hamilton and the culture of the team. I think he’s a great coach and person.”

Metchie is still deciding who is in his top group, but Michigan is “up there,” he said. He doesn’t have any visits planned as of now. Penn State currently holds all of his Crystal Balls.

There you go, the most important recruiting information of the past week! Check in again soon for the latest developments on Michigan’s recruiting trail.