Thursday Recruiting Roundup: U-M back in recruitment of four-star LB

Welcome back to another edition of the Michigan Recruiting Roundup!

It has been a busy past week on the recruiting trail for the Michigan coaching staff. With Rayshaun Benny dropping his top four list and 2022 four-star offensive lineman Fisher Anderson unofficially visiting on his own dime, that’s a pretty busy week just by itself during this pandemic. But nonetheless, there are more recruitments to update, so let’s get to it!

U-M back into race for four-star LB

On Tuesday’s roundup, Jon Simmons wrote about how the Wolverines are still recruiting 2021 four-star cornerback Omarion Cooper, despite the fact he remains committed to Florida State. Now, The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb ($) is reporting they are also one of the major players for a former FSU commit who just de-committed this past week — 2021 four-star linebacker Branden Jennings.

The 6-foot-3.5, 225-pounder from Jacksonville was originally being recruited by Chris Partridge when he was at Michigan. But thanks to his familiarity with Partridge, and with Michigan in general, Ole Miss and Michigan are now near the top of his new list.

“Ole Miss immediately emerged as a school of interest thanks to the presence of Chris Partridge who recruited the talented youngster at Michigan,” Webb wrote. “Not long after that, I learned that the Wolverines are in the mix, too. As a matter of fact, I heard that the Wolverines quickly became one of the favorites to land the Top247 prospect.”

Not only has Jennings visited Michigan in the past, but he’s also seen the Big House up close for a game day, taking in the Army game last fall. Being able to see what Ann Arbor and Don Brown’s defense have to offer definitely help Michigan’s chances here.

Jennings would be a welcome addition to Michigan’s 2021 class. He is the No. 81 overall prospect on the composite, and with the de-commitment of Casey Phinney, Michigan is in a position to take another linebacker in this class. We’ll see how this one goes.

Harbaugh speaking with 2022 WR target

One of my personal favorite recruits in the 2022 class is four-star wide receiver Darrius Clemons. The kid is 6-foot-3, 195 pounds and ran a 4.37 40-yard dash time. He also fills a need for Michigan in this class as an outside receiver. Pair that up with him being from the state of Michigan — he lives in Utah now — and Clemons should, on paper, be one of Michigan’s top targets in the class.

Clemons recently spoke with TMI’s Brice Marich ($) and he explained how he has heard from Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, which doesn’t happen with every recruit.

“Yeah, I’ve talked to coach Harbaugh a few times,” Clemons said.

Coincidentally enough, when Clemons was growing up in Michigan, he got to become close with 2021 three-star wide receiver commit Andrel Anthony.

“Me and Andrel were best friends when I lived in Michigan,” Clemons said. “Yeah, we’re still close and I’ve known him since I was like five.”

With Harbaugh being a part of his recruitment, Clemons could be one of Michigan’s top guys at receiver in this class, along with four-stars Kaleb Brown and Tyler Morris. It would be wise for Michigan to get Anthony a recruiting hat and go after his good buddy.

Clemons is the No. 149 overall prospect and No. 17 wide receiver on 247Sports’ composite. He has other offers from Notre Dame, Penn State, Michigan State, Oregon, Washington, Nebraska, Stanford and more.

U-M intrigues recently-offered 2022 three-star LB

A state the Michigan football program is all too acquainted with is New Jersey. The Wolverines are going to try and keep that pipeline alive in 2022 after offering a scholarship to three-star Camden linebacker Nyair Graham.

Graham spoke with TMI’s Marich ($) after receiving the offer, explaining his emotions and how it was important for a couple reasons.

“I was excited. I felt it coming when he followed early on this week,” he said. “That’s a huge offer. I’m being seen. Coaches see my potential as a player. This offer definitely boosted my confidence.”

Graham is well aware of the Jersey connections to Ann Arbor, as well, which bodes well for the Maize and Blue.

“I’m very interested,” Graham said. “They have a great program, guys from Camden went there like Cesar Ruiz, Brad Hawkins, Ron Johnson, so I think it’s pretty dope.”

Graham admitted Michigan is high on his list now after getting the offer. He also hopes to see Michigan up close in the near future, but with the ongoing pandemic, it’s to be determined when that visit will happen.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder is the No. 401 overall player and the No. 31 outside linebacker on the 247Sports composite. He holds other offers from Penn State, Michigan State, Miami (FL), Texas A&M, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Maryland and more.

That’s it for now! Come back on Tuesday for another Recruiting Roundup.