Recruiting Roundup: Michigan appears to have lost grip on a top remaining in-state target

The loss to Michigan State last weekend has shaken the program, and the result is predictably trickling down to recruiting as well. While recruits usually don’t react to losses as viscerally as fans, there still may be a bigger impact to come. For now, there is at least one big race where the game has had an effect.

Crystal Balls flipping away for four-star DT

Unfortunately for Michigan, one of its biggest recruiting battles left in 2021 is against Michigan State for four-star defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny. While the Spartans had made a surge for Benny recently, it appeared Michigan successfully held off the challenge to maintain a 100 percent lead on the crystal ball.

But following the loss, 247Sports Midwest analyst Allen Trieu heard enough rumblings to flip his crystal ball to Michigan State ($).

Trieu cites “Spartan momentum” as to why he changed his pick, attributing a great job by Mel Tucker and staff to continue to recruit Benny diligently.

There is some glimmer of hope, as Trieu states he doesn’t believe Benny has informed any staff of his decision yet, but his pick was followed by several more flips to Michigan State soon after.

Benny will announce his decision Nov. 9 at 3 p.m. at Oak Park High School.

Michigan working on visit with 2022 top 50 WR

Moving on to some more positive news, Michigan is looking to add to its growing list of unofficial visitors for the Wisconsin game in a couple of weeks. One target the staff is targeting to get on campus is four-star wide receiver Kaleb Brown, per The Michigan Insider’s Steve Lorenz ($).

Lorenz reports the staff is “working hard” to get Brown up to Ann Arbor for the weekend. With fellow Illinois native J.J. McCarthy leading the event, there is potential for Michigan to further cement its lead for Brown.

The Wolverines currently hold all three crystal balls for the nation’s No. 44 overall prospect.

Another 2022 top 50 prospect possibly visiting soon

Sitting right below Brown in the 2022 rankings is California athlete Larry Turner-Gooden at No. 47 overall. TMI’s Brice Marich reports Michigan is also trying to convince him to make the cross-country trip for the Wisconsin game as well ($).

Turner-Gooden said he is a “maybe” but is “working on trying to make the trip happen.”

He would not be the only Californian in attendance, with Ceyair Wright, Domani Jackson and Xavier Worthy all currently planning to be in Ann Arbor for the game as well.

With Mike Zordich as Turner-Gooden’s primary recruiter, the Wolverines are looking at him as a defensive back. There are no crystal ball picks yet.

That wraps up this week’s Recruiting Roundup! Come back again soon for more of the latest recruiting news and updates from Maize n Brew.