Wednesday Michigan Recruiting Roundup: Junior Day and offer reactions

We’ve almost reached the end of January, which was a furious month for the coaching staff on the recruiting trail. They’ve traveled all over the country, offering more than 60 prospects in the next three classes by my count.

In the midst of all that traveling, they found time to host a Junior Day last weekend with a solid collection of targets for 2020 and 2021. Today’s roundup will cover reactions from last weekend and some notable prospects Michigan offered this month, so let’s get going!

Junior Day visit strengthens Michigan’s chances with 4-star

One of the most coveted prospects of Michigan’s Junior Day festivities last weekend was Port Huron North defensive end Braiden McGregor. The Wolverines have been battling Notre Dame for the explosive athlete, but according to TMI’s Steve Lorenz, Michigan may have pulled ahead for good ($).

Lorenz reports the main purpose of McGregor’s visit was to check out new defensive line coach Shaun Nua. Apparently the visit went exceedingly well, and the 4-star’s family is “sold on Michigan.”

Going into the visit, Notre Dame held three out of five crystal balls, with Michigan holding the other two. This positive information has caused 247’s Steve Wiltfong to switch his pick from Notre Dame to foggy, a good sign for the Wolverines.

Repairing the relationships with Michigan’s targets along the defensive line is important, and it looks like the staff is off to a good start.

Michigan becoming a contender for 4-star WR

The highest ranked visitor for Junior Day in 2020 was Chicago prospect AJ Henning. Michigan had offered the top 50 player over a year ago and made his top 10, but wasn’t too involved.

That’s changed after his visit to Ann Arbor and meeting with Josh Gattis, according to TMI’s Lorenz ($). According to his source, Michigan “did what they needed to do” and they’re “trending up” in the recruitment.

Gattis apparently views the 5-foot-10, 175-pound receiver as a “near-perfect fit for what Michigan is looking to do offensively” under his new #speedinspace regime.

There’s still work to do here, as Ohio State and especially Notre Dame have made impressions on Henning as well. This race may take a while, but Michigan has made a significant move.

Michigan in pursuit of a handful of NFL legacies

Ready to feel old? The Michigan staff has been keeping tabs on sons of star NFL players, including one who’s still in the league.

On Monday, the coaches offered Shedeur Sanders, a quarterback from Texas who is the son of NFL and MLB star Deion Sanders.

The younger Sanders has already received offers from Florida State, Florida and Georgia, among several others. You have to think the Seminoles are the early favorites considering they’re Neon Deion’s alma mater, but his two other sons went to SMU and South Carolina, so it’s not a guarantee.

Michigan doesn’t have too many inroads in Texas, but Sanders plays at Trinity Christian, where former safety target Lewis Cine played last season, so there is some familiarity.

Closer to home is Michigan 2022 wide receiver Antonio Gates Jr. who is the son of, you guessed it, Antonio Gates. While his old man is still rumbling around the NFL, Gates Jr. is still looking for an offer from the local Wolverines. He talked to The Michigan Insider’s Josh Newkirk about his recruitment ($).

“I talk to my family about it and Michigan and Michigan State those are my best interest schools right now,” Gates Jr. said. He also said a Michigan offer “would mean a lot.”

He’s still only a freshman, but just picked up his first Power 5 offer from Kentucky. Given his bloodlines and early success on the field, Michigan would be smart to stay on the Dearborn prospect.

Besides Sanders and Gates Jr., Michigan has also offered the sons of Ken Griffey Jr. and Marvin Harrison.

2021 elite ATH plans Michigan visit

After being the only one to run a 40-yard dash in the 4.4s at the All-American combine earlier this month, 2021 Washington athlete Emeke Egbuka’s recruitment blew up.

“I have received (offers from) Tennessee, LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Michigan, Penn State, and Notre Dame,” Egbuka told TMI’s Sam Webb about his recent explosion ($).

“I was definitely excited for the offer. Michigan is a big school and I’m eager to go there and see what they’re about,” he said.

He won’t have to wait long, as he’s planning a Midwest swing in March. Besides Michigan, he’ll also visit Ohio State and Notre Dame.

“I’m excited to learn more, excited to go down to the campus and visit around there,” he said. “It’s going to be fun.”

Egbuka has one crystal ball each for Washington and Florida State.

That wraps up yet another edition of the Wednesday Michigan Recruiting Roundup. Check back soon for more!