Strong in-state crop of players leads solid group of football visitors this weekend

After spending the past couple of weeks out on the road, the Michigan coaching staff is heading back home to host some recruits for themselves in Ann Arbor. This group of players is concentrated strongly from in-state, which doesn’t really impact the quality of recruits given how deep the 2021 class is for Michigan. It will be interesting to see if Michigan can add another piece to their pair of top-100 commits following the visits from this weekend.

Nazareth Academy (IL) JJ McCarthy - Five-star, No. 17 overall, No. 4 PRO

The class’ early crown jewel will make his way back up to Michigan to lead the recruiting efforts for his potential future teammates. There’s no reason at all to be concerned about McCarthy’s status with the Wolverines.

Belleville (MI) Damon Payne - Four-star, No. 31 overall, No. 5 DT

Let the speculation begin. After reports saying that the Michigan staff backed off of Payne after the BBQ at the Big House over the summer, this will be his second trip to campus in three months following a visit for The Game in November.

I don’t really know what to think anymore with Payne. It still looks like it’ll be an uphill battle, with 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong recently saying on his podcast that Alabama probably leads. Ohio State with new defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs will also make a push, but it looks like Michigan isn’t going to give this one up.

Clarkston (MI) Rocco Spindler - Four-star, No. 40 overall, No. 6 OT

What seemed like a mile-wide lead for Spindler during the season may have been shortened due to strong efforts from Notre Dame and Ohio State. Still, this is the legacy’s umpteenth visit to Ann Arbor and he’ll have his buddy JJ McCarthy on him hard. It’d be really nice for Spindler to commit early and help be a peer recruiter with the other two members of the Michigan class.

Clarkston (MI) Garrett Dellinger - Four-star, No. 89 overall, No. 14 OT

I’m actually starting to warm up on Michigan’s chances with Dellinger. He adamantly denied that Notre Dame was his leader in a recent interview and will be on campus once again with his teammate Spindler. On the other hand, the pair does have plans to be in South Bend in late March, but that’s a long time away. We’ll see if this visit helps accelerate either of their timelines.

Oak Park (MI) Rayshaun Benny - Four-star, No. 175 overall, No. 23 OT

I don’t think the Michigan staff is as quite high on Benny as they are with some other members of the ridiculously deep in-state offensive line class. But that does not mean they won’t continue to pursue the 6-foot-5, 275 pound four-star. I’m sure the coaches would love to break into Oak Park, where they’ve struggled recently.

Belleville (MI) Jamari Buddin - Four-star, No. 281 overall, No. 21 OLB

As one of the top targets on the board at linebacker, it will be good for Buddin to get on campus and meet his potential new position coach in Brian Jean-Mary. Since Myles Rowser just transferred to IMG Academy, it would be nice to get Buddin on board to help recruit his teammate Damon Payne.

Detroit Country Day (MI) Caleb Tiernan - Three-star, No. 346 overall, No. 34 OT

In contrast to Benny, it’s clear that the staff absolutely loves the potential that Tiernan brings to the table. His 6-foot-7, 265 pound frame has been their ideal measurements for tackles in the past couple of classes and also lines up with top draft picks. I could see him committing on this visit.

Oak Park (MI) Jaylin Mines - Three-Star, No. 575 overall, No. 28 S

Michigan has yet to offer the promising local safety, who is teammates with Benny at Oak Park. The staff could jump into the fray this weekend, joining the likes of Penn State, Kentucky, Maryland, Pitt, and Rutgers. The Nittany Lions hold the lone Crystal Ball pick right now.

Southfield (MI) Caleb Banks - Three-star, No. 741 overall, No. 70 OT

Banks is another svelte in-state tackle, standing 6-foot-6 while only weighing 255 pounds. After receiving his offer from Michigan back in November, he’s picked up additional ones from Michigan State, Indiana, West Virginia, Purdue, and Minnesota.

Governor Mifflin (PA) Nicholas Singleton - 2022 unranked RB

While it’s still early for the 2022 class, it looks like Singleton is going to be one of the top running backs in the country. He already holds offers from Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Penn State, among others. There’s a good chance Michigan joins that group this weekend with an offer of their own.