Wednesday Michigan Recruiting Roundup: Top targets feeling the love

Welcome back to another Recruiting Roundup! There have been some meaningful updates concerning recruiting recently, so let’s get right to it.

4-star S wants to visit Michigan

One of the highest targets on Michigan’s safety board is Texas 4-star Xavian Alford. Alford just rocketed up the rankings after being moving up 262 spots by 247 in their last rerank. Michigan offered back in early January, and since then he’s blown up, picking up offers from basically every school in the country.

Alford recently talked with The Michigan Insider’s Steve Lorenz about his interest in Michigan ($).

“I am in frequent contact with coach Partridge,” Alford said. “I like what Michigan has to offer. I am going to be there sometime in the near future.”

Regardless of this mutual interest, Alford is going to be a tough pull from the Lone Star State. Both Texas and Texas A&M have been killing it on the recruiting trail lately, and have Alford in their sights as well.

The Longhorns hold all three of the crystal ball picks right now. I have a feeling Alford enjoys the process, though, and this could string out for a while. If and when the staff gets him on campus will better determine their shot here.

4-star OT feeling familiar with Michigan

One of the several offensive linemen to see a big bump in his rating recently is Pennsylvania 4-star Michael Carmody, who now sits inside the top 150 on the composite.

Ed Warinner has been fervently pursuing Carmody, who recognizes the coach’s talent, according to TMI’s Brice Marich ($).

“He’s sent players to the next level consistently and that’s a goal of mine, so to have a coach who has proven he can get guys there, is pretty awesome,” Carmody said. “We talk once or twice a week on the phone. As an offensive line coach, I think very highly of him and what he does for his players with development and helping them get to the next level.”

Carmody said he is waiting until the end of his basketball season to take more recruiting trips, but he is “very interested” in getting back up to Michigan. He’s already been on campus several times, so Carmody said he wants to make sure “it’s a place I could see as my home for the next four to five years.”

Penn State has all five crystal ball picks, but that undersells Michigan’s chances in this race. But don’t expect a top group list from Carmody. He said he’ll most likely “just choose before the start of my senior season of football.”

In-state 3-star schedules more visits

One of the most intriguing athletes from Michigan in the 2020 class is 3-star wide receiver Maliq Carr. Standing 6-foot-6, 215 pounds, he’s a jumbo receiver with the frame to grow into a tight end.

Carr just visited campus for the basketball game against Michigan State, but he’s planning to hit the road soon, and a lot. Talking with TMI’s Allen Trieu, Carr detailed his upcoming visit schedule ($).

The Oak Park native said he’ll be visiting “Kentucky, for sure, LSU, Texas A&M, (and) Miami (Fla.)” coming up.

I don’t see any of those schools as a major factor right now, except maybe Kentucky. Michigan has been trending up with Carr since his last visit, where he said he was excited with the “offensive changes that are coming.”

Michigan received a crystal ball for Carr following the visit, and a pick from Notre Dame (a top contender) to foggy. Now only Michigan and Ohio State are the only schools to have a prediction, with one each.

Under the radar WR moving up Michigan’s board

The Michigan coaching staff isn’t afraid to go after lowly-ranked prospects, especially at wide receiver. Well, it looks like they’ve found a new diamond in the rough in Nebraska 3-star Xavier Watts.

TMI’s Steve Lorenz recently confirmed the staff is “enamored” with Watts ($).

They’re not the only school that’s noticed Watts, however. Tennessee and Notre Dame have also offered recently, joining half of the schools in the Big Ten. He has a visit to South Bend planned in early April, but nothing with Michigan just yet.

Watts’ recruitment looks to be wide open, with no crystal ball picks yet. If he keeps picking up high-profile offers, he may hold off a bit as he gets more attention.

Thanks for visiting for another Wednesday Recruiting Roundup, be sure to check back again in the near future for more news and updates.