Thursday Recruiting Roundup: Five-star CB sees chance for early playing time at U-M

The positive talk from last weekend’s recruiting event continues for the Michigan football program. Jon Simmons wrote about a few guys on Tuesday’s Recruiting Roundup, and I will be doing the same on today’s edition. Let’s start right at the top with one of Michigan’s biggest targets at a major position of need in the 2022 class.

2022 five-star CB cognizant of immediate opportunity

It has been a struggle this season for the defense as a whole, but especially for the corners. There is a real opportunity for some elite players at the position to come into the program and play immediately as true freshmen. It doesn’t happen often at Michigan, but with the way things are going, it may happen sooner rather than later.

In-state 2022 five-star Will Johnson sees that opportunity and views it as a positive for Michigan, he told The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb ($) after visiting last weekend.

“I would say I look at (as they need some corners). It’s an opportunity to come in and play early and get on the field,” he said.

Another cornerback who visited last weekend is another 2022 five-star, Domani Jackson. Johnson and Jackson have formed a pretty tight bond over the last few months and have visions of playing together in college.

“I think I’m pretty high on (Michigan’s) list,” Johnson said. “I know they want to get me and Domani to come play together. I think that would be real good for the program. I think that would be big for the program, too. I feel like that would change the narrative as far as the school a little bit. I think if we both went here then it’d be something special.”

“We’re trying to go to the same school and see if we can play together. That would be big to whatever we school we go to.”

The duo are also high on Ohio State, and Johnson actually planned on taking a trip down to Columbus before the coronavirus numbers began going drastically up. That has also led to uncertainty on when his recruitment will end, as Johnson said he could commit “as soon as the next couple months or it could happen in the spring. I don’t know for sure yet.”

Since then, multiple crystal balls have come in for Johnson to wind up at Michigan. It doesn’t sound like any decision is imminent, but this is looking good at this moment in time for the Wolverines.

2021 committed CB still getting recruited by U-M

Despite being a verbal commit to Florida State, the Wolverines continue to go after 2021 four-star cornerback Omarion Cooper, according to TMI’s Brice Marich ($).

The 6-foot, 170-pounder has been committed to Florida State since June, but the Wolverines are not giving up on him being a part of their class.

Cooper told Maize n Brew last week he planned on visiting Ann Arbor for the big recruiting event his past weekend, but he unfortunately did not end up making the trip.

With only one corner currently committed to Michigan’s 2021 class (three-star Ja’Den McBurrows), the need for at least one more corner is very high on the holiday list for Jim Harbaugh and company.

At this point, I find it hard to believe Cooper would be that guy. I would start putting more and more eggs into the basket of four-star Ceyair Wright, who was on campus this past weekend and raved about his experience.

2021 LB commit expects to compete right away

Another prospect who visited Ann Arbor last weekend is 2021 four-star linebacker commit Junior Colson. The fringe top 100 player committed back in May and has been solid to his pledge ever since, as he continues to be despite the recent string of losses, he told TMI’s Marich ($).

“I have noticed it, but I don’t really focus on it because I’m not there and they might have an off year or they might not,” Colson said. “I think our class will change it, though. When your family is down, you don’t abandon them and I won’t with Michigan. That’s my family and I got their back always.

“I’m completely set with Michigan and can’t wait to play for them.”

Colson was also very happy to be able to bond with a few of his future roommates, J.J. McCarthy and TJ Guy.

“It has been just great getting to know my future teammates and my new roommates. J.J. and TJ are the two that I know will be my roommates so far. I haven’t ever been around this many commits before, but they are really nice guys and I have watched all their film. They are very athletic and it’s just a great group.”

Colson intends on signing in December, enrolling early and competing right away.

“I want to start, but I know I’ll have to work,” Colson said. “If I can get on the field early, I’m going to try my hardest too. They have said I have a really good shot. They said I have a really good shot at getting a starting spot. All I got to do is learn the defense.”

That’s all for this week! Come on back next Tuesday for another roundup!