Welcome back to our fourth installment of our 2020 recruiting position preview series.
Today, we are going through the one position where I expect more random recruits to pop up as the cycle moves on: Tight end.
Commits
San Antonio Christian (TX) 3-star Nick Patterson
When Patterson committed, it was seen as something to appease his brother, the starting quarterback. However, he’s come into his own as a player during his junior season and received a nice bump in the rankings because of his performance, sliding into the top 10 in the country at his position.
Top Target
Delbarton School (NJ) 4-star Lukas Ungar
Just like Aeneas DiCosmo last cycle, Ungar is a recruit from New Jersey who is seemingly deciding between Stanford and Michigan. Clemson, Ohio State and Wisconsin round out his top five right now, and this one could go down to the wire.
In the Mix
Oak Park (MI) 3-star Maliq Carr
Carr is listed as a wide receiver now, but at 6-foot-6, the Michigan staff views him as growing into a tight end. He’s an elite athlete, receiving scholarships to play basketball as well as football.
The 3-star plays for Oak Park, a school Michigan would very much like to make inroads with, considering the talent coming from there.
Carr blew up on the recruiting trail this fall, picking up offers from Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Penn State, among others. Ohio State may be the biggest threat, as his mom was a basketball star for the Buckeyes.
Corona Del Mar (CA) 3-star Mark Redman
While he attends high school in California, Redman grew up and still has family in Michigan. He attended the BBQ at the Big House and has seen his stock rise considerably during his junior season. Michigan was in early, and his family connections could help pull him across the country.
Holy Names High School (Canada) 3-star Theo Johnson
Johnson was just offered by the staff yesterday, but given that he’s already visited campus twice and is planning another trip later this month, Michigan is solidly in this race. Johnson is Canadian, but camped at major FBS schools last summer, including Michigan’s.
He also visited for the Penn State game. The Nittany Lions hold the two Crystal Ball picks for Johnson right now, but I think Michigan’s chances grow significantly following this offer.
Longshots
Desert Pines (NV) 5-star Darnell Washington
Washington is a 5-star listed at defensive end, but several schools, including Michigan, are viewing him as a tight end. The Las Vegas native has reciprocated Michigan’s interest, and was supposed to visit for the BBQ until he encountered a travel snag. Look for him to make it on campus at some point in the future. UCLA could be the threat here.
Covington Catholic (KY) 4-star Michael Mayer
Notre Dame currently has the top two tight ends in the country committed for 2020. No. 1 is Michael Mayer, who Michigan really likes and is still pursuing. Given he’s committed to the Irish, it’s a longshot he’ll end up in the class, but the staff isn’t giving up here. To a lesser extent, they may also be going after their other commit at the position, Kevin Bauman.
Archbishop Hoban (OH) 3-star Caden Clark
Yet another prospect committed elsewhere is Caden Clark. He’s from Ohio and was teammates with Nolan Rumler at Archbishop Hoban, but is committed to Alabama. But come on he’s only a 3-star, there’s no way he’ll end up Alabama, right?
Under the Radar
Bishop Dunne (TX) 3-star Elijah Yelverton
Could Michigan land two tight ends from Texas? They’re trying to with Yelverton, who is ranked right behind Patterson at the position. Yelverton holds offers from major programs from all over the country, possibly indicating his 3-star ranking may not be in place much longer.
Jesuit (FL) unranked Jonathan Odom
Odom is extremely under the radar, given he isn’t even ranked yet. That didn’t stop Michigan from offering him in early November, joining Duke, Iowa, Nebraska and Vanderbilt, among others. Given his current slate of offers, if he’s a take for Michigan, he could easily be in the class.
There are only five tight ends in the country rated as 4-stars for the 2020 class right now. That’s not going to hold as more players are discovered or break out. It’s safe to say the Wolverines will be in on several of them, considering they are likely to take two in the class.
After a relatively short position break down, we’re going long tomorrow with the offensive line.