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Football season is finally back, and that means more opportunities for recruits to soak up a Michigan game day atmosphere. While the opponent shouldn’t offer much of a competitive game, the night game experience at the Big House will be hard to match.
The football coaches are obviously scheduling most visits with recruits for the big three rivals later in the season, with some of those dates already having more planned visitors than they’ll have on hand this weekend. However, Juwan Howard and the basketball staff are taking advantage early in the season with a bunch of elite talent ready to visit during the non-conference schedule, including a pair of five-stars this weekend.
2020
Port Huron Northern (MI) Braiden McGregor - 4-star, No. 106 overall, No. 4 SDE
One of Michigan’s jewels of the 2020 class will be on hand to recruit his fellow prospects and get them to join the Maize and Blue. Having a member of the class there will be important, especially since dogged peer recruiter, 2020 4-star cornerback Andre Seldon, can’t make the game.
Hamilton (AZ) Brenden Rice - 3-star, No. 396 overall, No. 69 WR
Rice was the subject of a large segment in the first episode of our Future Brew recruiting podcast. His announcement that he’ll be visiting for the 2019 season opener indicates a possible commitment is iminent from the 6-foot-2 receiver. Keep an eye out for this development over the weekend.
2021
Belleville (MI) Jamari Budden - 4-star, No. 296 overall, No. 17 OLB
Michigan continues to try to forge a pipeline with the talented Belleville squad, and Budden offers the best shot at a commitment following his teammate Seldon. The 4-star linebacker already has two crystal balls for Michigan and could be part of a special in-state class in 2021.
Basketball
IMG Academy (FL) Jaden Springer - 5-star, No. 13 overall, No. 3 SG
This will be the first in a string of official visits for Springer, who is also considering Memphis, Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee. The Tar Heels hold 100 percent of the crystal balls for Springer, who is originally from Charlotte. This looks like it will be a tough battle to win for Michigan.
Woodward Academy (GA) Walker Kessler - 5-star, No. 15 overall, No. 3 C
Kessler has been a long-time Michigan target, whether it be John Beilein or Juwan Howard recruiting him. This will actually be Kessler’s second official visit to Michigan, since NCAA rules allow a prospect to take another visit to a school after a coaching change. Duke has 80 percent of the crystal balls, but Auburn may be the school to watch out for here.