Wednesday Michigan Recruiting Roundup: U up?

Welcome back to another Wednesday Recruiting Roundup. Last week, I mentioned the recruiting dead period was ending on Sept. 1, allowing coaches to contact 2020 prospects without any restrictions.

Well, Jim Harbaugh didn’t waste any time in contacting players he is targeting for next year’s class. Harbaugh showed recruits they are a priority by texting them at the stroke of midnight that night. This week’s edition will cover reactions from some of the recruits who got those texts from Harbaugh as soon as the window opened.

4-star RB Tirek Murphy

Tirek Murphy first visited Ann Arbor for the BBQ at the Big House in July and immediately fell in love. He received a crystal ball for Michigan from Steve Wiltfong right after the event.

Needless to say, Murphy was excited to finally be able to communicate with the staff on a regular basis.

Here’s the text Harbaugh sent to Murphy, and several other players:

“I couldn’t be more excited to FINALLY be able to communicate with you. You should know my staff and I believe you are an extraordinary talent and we will be working hard to show you all that is great about our University and the ALL-TIME WINNINGEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL PROGRAM! Please feel free to reach out anytime. I look forward to continuing our friendship over the next two years and seeing you soon. Go Blue!”

“Coach Harbaugh personally texting me just blew my mind. It feels good that I can actually communicate with him directly now,” Murphy told Evan Petzold at WolverinesWire (FREE).

Murphy says his mom is also “in love” with Michigan, but hasn’t actually visited yet. They are planning on seeing a game together this season so she can experience it directly.

“I told her how much I enjoyed myself and she saw how happy I was, which made her happy. She loved all the pictures from the BBQ visit,” said Murphy.

The New York native still has to make plans with Chris Partridge, his main recruiter, about when he’ll be making it up to campus. Now that Michigan not only has Murphy, but his mom on board, it will be hard beating the Wolverines.

3-star WR Ian Stewart

Receiving an offer from Michigan has always been a dream for in-state athlete Ian Stewart. That dream came true in June, when the Wolverines offered after his performance at their camp.

Now, Harbaugh was one of the coaches getting in contact with him as soon as he could, per NCAA regulations.

“It was cool and very humbling,” Stewart said to Petzold (FREE). “To see all the work I put in pay off feels good. I just know I have to work even harder because there’s always room for improvement.”

Stewart wants to get to campus for a couple of games this season. He’s not sure which ones yet, but he does know he’ll be at the Wisconsin game.

Michigan has three out of four crystal balls for Stewart, with the other going to Michigan State. The coaching staff will have to keep fighting to win this in-state battle, but they’ve put themselves in an excellent position so far.

3-star CB Jaheem Joseph

Another BBQ at the Big House attendee, Florida cornerback Jaheem Joseph was excited to receive a text from Harbaugh, complimenting his talent.

Coming all the way up from Florida, Joseph told Petzold (FREE) he enjoyed his time on campus. “The atmosphere is great up there,” he said. “I’m very interested in Michigan.”

Like the others, Joseph is looking to get back up to Ann Arbor for a game this season. Since his is a longer trip, he admitted he may not be able to get up there before the season ends, but will still visit after.

Joseph, at this juncture, holds offers from FAU, Louisville, Marshall and Syracuse, along with Michigan. He doesn’t have any crystal ball selections yet.

That wraps up another Wednesday Recruiting Roundup! Now that the season has kicked off, we’ll be putting together visitor lists to see who is on the sidelines for home games.

Also be sure to check out my Friday Night Recaps series, a weekly roundup of stats and tidbits from Michigan commits’ high school seasons!