Recruiting visitors list for the Notre Dame game

All season up until this point I’ve been harping the Michigan coaches have mostly been saving their recruiting visits for the three rivalry games later on. Well, the first of the big games is finally here, and the recruiting list that comes along with it does not disappoint. Besides hosting a pair of top 100 targets in the 2020 class, there are also a slew of 2021 blue chip recruits that will be on campus for an Under the Lights game against Notre Dame, which never disappoints.

2020

Columbine (CO) Andrew Gentry - Four-star, No. 61 overall, No. 6 OT

This is yet another trip to Michigan for Gentry, who is probably the highest ranked recruit left on the staff’s board. He still hasn’t committed to BYU despite them being the overwhelming favorite on the crystal ball, which only helps Michigan. Maybe this is the visit that finally swings the momentum in the Wolverines’ favor.

Holy Names High School (ON) Theo Johnson - Four-star, No. 96 overall, No. 3 TE

Johnson is another prospect who has been on campus a bunch but hasn’t had any big shake-ups in his recruitment. This will be Johnson’s official visit, but he also indicated he could visit for the Michigan State game in a couple of weeks, which would be huge for Michigan’s changes. That would be three game day visits this season and would have to mean something about his level of interest.

A quick note about four-star defensive end Jaylen Harrell, who we talked about on this week’s Future Brew as a major visitor. The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb reports Harrell had to reshuffle his visit schedule ($) because of a storm down in Florida. Hopefully he’ll be able to make it up later this season.

2021

Good Counsel (MD) Landon Tengwall - Four-star, No. 31 overall, No. 5 OT

Michigan’s in good position with one of the most elite tackles in 2021 in Tengwall, who is teammates with 2020 defensive line commit Kris Jenkins Jr. Some reports say Penn State is leading for Tengwall, while others say it’s Notre Dame. But the one school always mentioned is Michigan, which bodes well.

Clarkston (MI) Rocco Spindler - Four-star, No. 40 overall, No. 7 OT

This is Spindler’s second trip to campus this season, and it won’t be his last. Michigan has leaped ahead in this race, and now it’s just about closing the deal. No timeline is known yet about Spindler’s decision, but when it happens it should be MIchigan.

Clarkston (MI) Garrett Dellinger - Four-star, No. 121 overall, No. 18 OT

Spindler’s teammate is much less of a sure thing. Dellinger is looking more seriously to head out of state, specifically to Notre Dame or Penn State, but Michigan is still right up there and having Spindler on their side eventually will only help.

Cass Tech (MI) Raheem Anderson - Four-star, No. 192 overall, No. 2 C

Anderson is yet another highly-touted in-state lineman who will be on the sidelines this weekend. Like Spindler, it looks to be a matter of when, not if, for the No. 2 center in the country.

Shelby (NC) Jack Hollifield - Four-star, No. 237 overall, No. 9 ILB

With five linebacker commits currently in 2020, Michigan is probably going to be more selective at the position come 2021, and Hollifield looks to be one of the top guys on their list. At 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, he’s more of a traditional size than the guys in the Devin Bush mold Michigan has enjoyed the past few years.

Oak Park (MI) Rayshaun Benny - Four-star, No. 258 overall, No. 30 OT

Hey look, another blue chip in-state lineman on the list. Benny has an awesome offer list that includes Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Penn State, and many more, but there are no crystal ball picks yet. While he’s listed as a tackle, at 6-foot-4 Benny could slide inside at the next level.

Belleville (MI) Jamari Buddin - Four-star, No. 263 overall, No. 18 OLB

Buddin is another linebacker Michigan is really high on in 2021. While Michigan whiffed on Julian Barnett and Devontae Dobbs last year, having Andre Seldon from Belleville in the fold will be a big help. All the crystal balls are already on the Maize and Blue.

Elkhart Central (IN) Rodney McGraw - Four-star, No. 308 overall, No. 18 WDE

There’s been a lot of talk about McGraw and his visit plans lately. After missing his planned return trip because of a postponed game, the four-star made plans to attend two Michigan games in its place. He’ll be here this weekend and for the Michigan State game.

Hillcrest (IL) Mar’Keise Irving - Three-star, No. 343 overall, No. 25 RB

The coaches just offered Irving a couple weeks ago, and he almost immediately made plans to experience Michigan for himself. While Michigan is already in good position with four-stars Donovan Edwards and Corey Kiner, it’s nice to have quality back-up plans ready.

Lake Zurich (IL) Bryan Sanborn - Three-star, No. 349 overall, No. 15 ILB

After watching Wisconsin beat down Michigan earlier this season, a few crystal balls rolled in for Sanborn for the Badgers. However, that performance didn’t deter him enough to cancel his planned trip to Ann Arbor. He doesn’t hold an offer from the Wolverines yet, but that could change this weekend.

Episcopal (TX) Cullen Montgomery - Three-star, No. 367 overall, No. 39 OT

This will be Montgomery’s second trip to Michigan already, which shows big-time interest for the Texas prospect. Montgomery has offers from nearly every big time school in the country, but no crystal ball picks yet. It’s safe to say Michigan is one of the schools in his top group early.

2022

Gordo (AL) Tanner Bailey - unranked QB

Bailey is considered a top quarterback prospect early on for his class. He already holds offers from LSU, Tennessee, South Alabama and UAB, but not Michigan. While getting him on campus is nice, it’ll be tough to pull a big-time quarterback from the state of Alabama.

West Bloomfield (MI) Michael Williams - unranked OLB

Williams has been on campus a few times already and will be accompanied by his teammate Makari Paige. He has good size and a solid offer list for only being a sophomore.

Commits

Lincoln-Way East (IL) A.J. Henning - Four-star, No. 89 overall, No. 18 WR

West Bloomfield (MI) Makari Paige - Four-star, No. 243 overall, No. 22 S

Buckingham Browne & Nichols (MA) Zak Zinter - Four-star, No. 266 overall, No. 10 OG

Eaglecrest (CO) Reece Atteberry - Three-star, No. 424 overall, No. 8 C

Williamstown (NJ) Aaron Lewis - Three-star, No. 441 overall, No. 23 SDE

St. John’s (MA) Eamonn Dennis - Three-star, No. 492 overall, No. 25 ATH

There’ll be a solid group of current commits on campus this weekend, which has been par for the course at major recruiting events this year. Most commits have been doing a good job recruiting their peers, so look for that to continue on the sidelines and in the stands during the game.

Basketball

DeMatha Catholic (MD) Hunter Dickinson - Four-star, No. 34 overall, No. 6 C

This is through a bit of a loophole, but Dickinson will be on campus this weekend as he accompanies his girlfriend on a visit for the track team. You can bet Juwan Howard and the staff will take advantage of this to get some face time with the elite center, and the fact Dickinson is tagging along bodes well for Michigan’s chances here.

Francis Joseph Reitz School (IN) Khristian Lander - Five-star, No. 12 overall, No. 1 PG

Howard keeps the string of elite basketball recruit visitors rolling with Lander, the No. 1 point guard in the 2021 class. This will be an official visit for the elite hooper, who grew up a Michigan fan.