Michigan Monday Crootin’: Morris and Patterson commit, as well as other WMU weekend reactions

The home opener against Western Michigan this weekend reaped many benefits.

Including the 49-3 horse-beating for the first victory of 2018, Michigan secured two commitments — 2019 4-star defensive end Mike Morris and 2020 3-star tight end Nick Patterson.

Harbaugh flips Morris from Florida State’s Willie Taggart

Morris officially became the first of Sunday evening’s commitments after announcing his intentions via Twitter.

As mentioned in Jonathan Simmon’s report, Morris is a Florida State legacy — his father played offensive tackle in Tallahassee under Bobby Bowden — who committed to the Seminoles in Feb. 2016.

Back then, current Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher ran the show. After the change to Willie Taggart, a former Harbaugh assistant who expressed desire for Morris to play on offense versus defense, the 6-foot-5, 255-pounder from Delray Beach, Fla. started looking elsewhere.

Taggart’s 1-1 start certainly didn’t help, especially when the lone win came courtesy of a 36-26 escape against Samford of the FCS.

Morris’ official visit this weekend constituted his second trek to Ann Arbor, as he enjoyed the Big House BBQ two months ago. When initially reached for comment from Maize n Brew, he simply expressed he’s having too much fun to talk at the moment.

He later expressed admiration for defensive coordinator Don Brown and future defensive line coach Greg Mattison.

“(Brown) and I talked about my position,” he said, “school, their coaching staff, the entire organization and facilities.”

“Matty...that’s my man,” he said to The Michigan Insider. “A dude coming from the NFL level and then coming back and producing talent. Not only making sophomores into All-American’s, but they come back again as juniors.”

Morris attends American Heritage High in Delray Beach and ranks No. 322 nationally per the 247Sports Composite, as well as No. 22 amongst strong-side defensive ends.

Little brother tags alongside big bro

Nick Patterson pledged to the Wolverines only a few hours after Morris. Patterson is Shea Patterson’s little brother and a 2020 tight end out of San Antonio, Tex.

Jonathan Simmons — killing it this past weekend — relayed the story of how big brother got to extend the official offer to little brother during a visit earlier this summer. The younger Patterson told Jim Harbaugh of his commitment during a meeting this weekend.

Patterson knew what choice to make early on.

“Right when I walked through the door I felt like it was different,” Patterson told The Michigan Insider. “Seeing (Shea) in the winged helmet and running that offense after going to games when we were small...it’s just crazy!”

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound athlete is ranked as the No. 20 tight end in the 2020 class and No. 660 overall.

Michigan’s 2020 class now contains four members. Patterson joins 4-stars Kalil Branham and Denver Warren, and 3-star Andre Seldon. Per 247Sports, the class ranks No. 13 nationally.

Speaking of which...

Other reactions

Andre Seldon:

2019 3-star defensive end Tyrece Woods potentially hinting at more recruiting success this weekend:

2019 3-star receiver Jaylen Ellis got pushed from recruits to pledge to Michigan this weekend. He noticed Morris’ commitment, for sure.

2019 Class Rankings

247Sports: No. 10 at 243.97 points (Auburn at No. 9 with 247.43)

Rivals: No. 10 at 1961 points (26 points behind Florida State)

Both are first in the Big Ten. Penn State and Ohio State are anywhere between three to five places behind Michigan, at the moment.