Wednesday Michigan Recruiting Roundup: Visit reactions from a very positive weekend

While most people were understandably focused on the basketball team participating in the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, the football staff quietly put together a nice recruiting weekend. They hosted several top targets, and the impressions they left on the recruits have been glowing.

We have interviews with linemen Noah Nelson and Josh Priebe up on the site, but let’s see what other prospects had to say.

4-star S blown away by first Michigan experience

After landing the No. 1 safety in the country last year, the Michigan staff is hungry for more. Georgia 4-star Brian Branch had never been to Ann Arbor before, and as he told The Michigan Insider’s Steve Lorenz, it opened his eyes about the program ($).

”Honestly, it did end up going better than I thought it would,” Branch said.

“Their campus was awesome. I liked how it’s like a big city but everything is really close together. The facilities were unbelievable too. The weight room is basically brand new and it’s still expanding. It was definitely a memorable visit for me.”

Safety coach Chris Partridge is recruiting Branch, and they’ve been talking “at least twice a week for a while.”

Branch appreciated the chance to grow the relationship further, explaining “I’m really developing a good relationship with their staff and it was also good to meet all of them on this visit.”

Ranked No. 227 in the country, Branch has offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Michigan State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas A&M and more. The Crimson Tide and Buckeyes have a crystal ball each so far.

Stud OL also enjoys first trip to Ann Arbor

Another highly-touted prospect on campus last weekend was Colorado 4-star offensive lineman Roger Rosengarten.

A former teammate of Dylan McCaffrey, Rosengarten told Wolverines Wire’s Isaiah Hole that he “loved it” in Ann Arbor (FREE).

“They’ve got some really good things going on in Ann Arbor. They showed me around the town. I just had a really good experience,” he said. “I also went there for two days, had a lot of fun and can’t wait to get up for a game now.”

Rosengarten got the opportunity to speak with Ed Warinner, tour Ross Business School and grab dinner with McCaffrey, who sold him on the new strength and conditioning program.

The 4-star mentioned twice he’s looking to visit again for a game this fall and “maybe another visit some time.”

Rosengarten is a national recruit, with Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Oklahoma and UCLA being the top contenders. Oregon has the only two crystal balls for the talented lineman at this juncture.

Virginia DE has Michigan high on his list

As the Michigan staff looks to reload their defensive line, they’ve set their sites on Virginia 3-star defensive end Antwaun Powell. The coaches are very interested in the 6-foot-3, 223-pound Powell, who learned much more about the program, he told Wolverines Wire’s Evan Petzold (FREE).

“It was nice. They showed me around for the most part,” Powell said. “All my questions were answered. I couldn’t have asked for a better visit.”

Powell has offers from Maryland, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State, Virginia Tech and more. But he admitted that he was considering his Michigan offer heavily.

“They are one of the top,” Powell said. “I feel like I can fit inside that environment.”

Powell said he will be returning for an official visit at some point, which will give Michigan another excellent shot at landing the talented defensive lineman.

Michigan jumps out in front for elite 2021 QB

It’s never too early to start recruiting quarterbacks, and the Michigan staff seems to gotten off to a hot start for 2021 following California prospect Miller Moss’ visit last weekend.

Moss spoke with TMI’s Brice Marich about his transformative visit and future plans ($).

“Michigan was absolutely amazing and exceeded every prior expectation,” Miller said. “It really felt like home, and I can’t thank the coaching staff enough for their hospitality.”

Meeting with the coaching staff was a highlight of Moss’ trip. He was able to speak extensively with the offensive coaches, including Josh Gattis, Ben McDaniels and Jim Harbaugh.

“It was honestly amazing being around them,” he said. “Their main messages to me were how I fit the new system coach Gattis was bringing in, and how Michigan fit me as a university, not just a football program.”

Moss said he’s already planning to visit again in late July, for what I assume will be the annual BBQ at the Big House. 247Sports West Coast expert Greg Biggins quickly put in a crystal ball for Michigan following the visit and said Moss will be slotted around 150th in the country when they update the 2021 rankings.

Visit puts Michigan at the top for 2021 RB

Michigan knocked it out of the park for what looks to be one of the most talented players in Ohio for the 2021 class, running back Corey Kiner.

Kiner received an offer from the staff back in January, and took last weekend as an opportunity to check out the campus. According to an interview with TMI’s Brice Marich, it could not have went much better ($).

“The visit was amazing. I got to meet coaches, see practice and facilities. I spent the most time with coach Jim and Jay Harbaugh and they were great,” Kiner said. “I really enjoyed talking to them.”

Kiner did not hold back stating where Michigan stood with him following the visit.

“Michigan is at the top. I think that they want me the most and I just feel amazing energy around them. That is the best environment for me I feel like right now,” Kiner said.

Kiner also holds offers from Michigan State, Penn State, Tennessee and Wisconsin, among others.

He’s not rated yet, but 247Sports’ Ohio expert Bill Greene and Michigan Insider Steve Lorenz said he’ll be a 4-star within the Top 247 when they expand their rankings in a few weeks. Both of them also put in a crystal ball for the Wolverines as well.

As you can see, recruiting is really heating up as the spring game draws nearer. Stick with Maize n Brew to get all of the latest reactions and updates from Michigan recruiting.