Michigan football 2021 target board: Tight ends

Michigan will always have room on the roster for some athletic tight ends who can move people and find holes in the defense to get some crucial first downs. There are a bunch of solid four-star guys Michigan is in good shape with in 2021, so let’s meet the crew.

Top Target

Lewis Central (IA) Thomas Fidone - Four-star, No. 34 overall, No. 1 TE

Fidone is the top target at his position for basically every school on his offer list. That explains his massive jump from being a fringe four-star to fringe five-star in the latest re-ranks. Nebraska and Iowa have been on Fidone for a long time so they are probably at the top right now, but he is planning a Michigan trip this fall where the staff will get their chance to go to bat.

In the Mix

Napa (CA) Brock Bowers - Four-star, No. 71 overall, No. 2 TE

I like Michigan’s chances with Bowers, who also received a healthy bump in the rankings that pushed him into the top 100. While he has also not visited campus (nobody on this list has except Louis Hansen), he has locked in March 6 as his first trip to Ann Arbor.

Liberty (NV) Moliki Matavao - Four-star, No. 144 overall, No. 4 TE

Matavao was the previous No. 1 tight end in the country before ceding that title to Fidone. Still, Michigan loves Matavao’s game and he has been receptive to the coaches’ pitch. He should be visiting campus in the coming months. Washington has the lone crystal ball pick right now, with schools like Georgia and Penn State also in contention.

Seffner Christian Academy (FL) Michael Trigg - Four-star, No. 187 overall, No. 7 TE

I’m starting to think I should’ve written these before the rankings updates, because it decimated by under the radar section. Trigg is another prospect who jumped from being unranked to a four-star, slotting in all the way up at No. 114 on 247Sports. A recent convert from basketball, Trigg is an athletic freak who will probably need some seasoning on campus before he reaches his potential.

St. Sebastian’s (MA) Louis Hansen - Four-star, No. 190 overall, No. 8 TE

A four-star tight end from New England...might as well wrap this one up for Michigan, right? While Michigan’s inherent advantages will play a major role in this recruitment, it seems like the staff has a few guys higher on the board right now. Hansen is the only tight end to have visited campus, however, so he may be the most likely to commit at this point.

Long Shots

Hardin County (TN) Hudson Wolfe - Four-star, No. 216 overall, No. 9 TE

This will probably be the only preview where the long shots are actually ranked lower than the guys Michigan has a good chance with, but here we are. I just haven’t heard as much news about Wolfe and Michigan as the guys listed above, so he seems in a lower tier interest-wise.

Grandview (TX) Dametrious Crownover - Four-star, No. 222 overall, No. 10 TE

Crownover was one of the staff’s first offers at the position back in the spring. Almost all the SEC and Big 12 have also jumped in the race, with Texas A&M holding the lone crystal ball. Michigan is probably prioritizing other guys at the moment.

Under the Radar

Hilliard Bradely (OH) Jack Pugh - Four-star, No. 315 overall, No. 13 TE

This is also probably the only preview that will have a four-star in the under the radar section, although Pugh is close to the line. He doesn’t hold an offer from Michigan yet, but will be on campus soon so there’s a good chance that changes.

Independence (TX) Elijah Arroyo - Three-star, No. 595 overall, No. 25 TE

Despite the almost 400-spot difference in the rankings, Arroyo has a pretty similar offer list to the other tight end from Texas on this list, Dametrious Crownover. Arroyo has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Penn State, Texas A&M, USC and many more. I’ll be interested to see how much Michigan pursues here.

Class Prediction

You could probably roll a die to see which tight end ends up in Michigan’s class this year. I don’t think they’ll be able to pull Fidone from the Big Ten West, but I think Brock Bowers is the most likely candidate to commit, followed by Hansen and Matavao. I think the staff would love to pair Michael Trigg with whoever they land to develop him down the road.

Offer Board

Tomorrow’s preview will be dedicated to offensive tackles!