Tuesday Michigan Recruiting Roundup: Staff remains in contact with targets through new dead period

In the wake of recruiting being suspended across the NCAA this spring, this is going to be a unique cycle as prospects have to change their visit plans and most likely push their decisions farther back than they’d like. Still, in this new landscape, the Michigan staff is keeping in contact with their targets so they can remain in a good position once the restrictions have been lifted. Here are a few recruits that are hearing from the coaches.

Ohio four-star DE looking to eventually get on campus

One prospect whose visit had to be cancelled is Ohio four-star Najee Story. According to The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich, defensive line coach Shaun Nua has been in contact with Story lately ($).

A native of Solon, Ohio, Story’s Crystal Balls once pointed 100% to Ohio State. However, the latest picks have all come in cloudy as it looks like the Buckeyes have prioritized their efforts elsewhere. This will give Michigan an opportunity to pick up a solid prospect in the state that may have a chip on his shoulder.

Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 235 pounds, Story could eventually bulk up and play inside as well. He’s ranked No. 276 in the country and 17th at his position.

Michigan in official visit plans for three-star OL

Another recruit who is pushing his recruiting calendar back is three-star guard Ross Maseuli. The Mater Dei (CA) prospect caught up with TMI’s Marich to discuss his new plans after spring visits were postponed ($).

“I will schedule an official to Michigan once my senior year comes around,” Maseuli said. “I’m really interested in Michigan and I honestly liked everything about the unofficial I took.

That unofficial visit was for the Ohio State game last fall. He recapped how he felt about the trip to Marich. ““Honestly (what stood out was) just the heavy surroundings. Everywhere I went and everything I did, I would see ‘Go Blue’ everywhere.”

Aside from Michigan, Masuli also holds offers from Arizona, Fresno State, Oregon, and USC. He has no Crystal Ball predictions yet.

Coaches keeping tabs on recent DT offer

South Carolina three-star defensive tackle Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins earned an offer from Michigan in early February. Since then, TMI’s Steve Lorenz reported that his primary recruiter, Shaun Nua, has been putting in work to stay in touch ($).

“They are making me feel like a priority. I’m definitely looking to visit but don’t have anything scheduled as of now,” Ingram-Dawkins explained.

There is only one Crystal Ball prediction for Ingram-Dawkins so far, to in-state South Carolina. Michigan has only recruited six players from the Palmetto State in their history, so landing Ingram-Dawkins would be notable.

Four-star DT target keeps Michigan in his top five

Another defensive tackle target that Michigan is pursuing is California four-star Victory Vaka. Throughout his recruitment, Vaka has released a couple of top lists and moved his decision date around, but Michigan has remained a constant. In his most recent top five list, there were some notable inclusions and omissions, but the Wolverines stayed put.

Michigan was joined by Texas A&M, Oregon, Florida, and Florida State in this new top five. Only Michigan and Texas A&M remained the same, with the latter three schools replacing LSU, Utah, and Arizona State.

Usually when a prospect changes his top schools around, the ones who stay consistent have the best chance. With an official visit still on the books for the end of June, Shaun Nua could really make an impact by landing the 6-foot-3, 325-pound beast.

That’s it for this week’s Tuesday Recruiting Roundup. Come back again soon for the latest in Michigan football recruiting!