Tuesday Michigan Recruiting Roundup: Frequent contact being made with four-star defensive linemen

While we’re all still huddled inside our homes trying to flatten the curve, Michigan coaches are still staying in touch with their targets for the 2021 class. This roundup, which is continuing a theme I’ve noticed in the past couple of weeks, is heavy on defensive line prospects as Shaun Nua strives to prove himself as a recruiter in an important cycle for his position group.

Michigan in “constant contact” with top 100 DE

The guy I have listed as the top target at defensive end for Michigan is 2021 four-star Quintin Somerville. The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich lent credence to that designation when discussing the staff’s efforts with the blue chipper from Arizona ($).

According to Marich, both Nua and Jim Harbaugh FaceTimed Somerville last week and have been in touch with him often during this dead period.

Somerville just included Michigan in his group of top eight schools he released last week. Notably, the one school with a crystal ball prediction, Oklahoma, was left off the list, leaving an opening at the top for Somerville’s services.

Right now, it looks like Georgia may be Michigan’s biggest competition here. The staff will be looking to get Somerville back on campus after he visited for the spring game last year.

Four-star DE considering Michigan for an official visit

Another top-tier defensive end considering Michigan highly is Pittsburgh 2021 four-star Elliot Donald. The nephew of NFL superstar Aaron Donald, he spoke with 247Sports’ Brian Dohn about his official visit plans once the recruiting ban is lifted ($).

“People will get things situated when all this stuff is over. I will reschedule the official visits,” Donald said. “I know three will be Pitt, Penn State and LSU. I still have to choose the last two (with choices) being Michigan, West Virginia and Kentucky a little bit.”

It sounds likely Michigan will be one of the final two schools that gets an official visit based on that statement, in part because of Don Brown’s scheme and Nua’s efforts.

“I like the way they run their defense. It’s a real aggressive defense,” Donald said. “They try to get after the quarterback. I talked to the defensive line coach and he’s real cool.”

Given Donald’s familial ties, Pitt unsurprisingly holds the crystal ball lead. However, Michigan may have an advantage in that facet of the recruitment as well. Director of recruiting Matt Dudek is a Panther alum and was part of the recruiting staff that helped bring Aaron Donald to Pitt, so an existing relationship is already in place.

Michigan coaches still attempting to flip USC DT commit

Another target being tag-teamed by Nua and Harbaugh is 2021 four-star defensive tackle Jay Toia. After receiving an offer from Michigan last month, Toia has quickly ascended to top target status. He spoke with TMI’s Marich about how the staff is recruiting him ($).

“I think our relationship is great,” Toia said about Nua. “He’s a great coach. We don’t talk a lot, but we stay in contact. I like that he’s not trying to sell me something, but the real thing. I’ve known him for a couple of months.”

Like Somerville, both Nua and Harbaugh FaceTimed Toia last week. This has led Toia to include Michigan in his list of top eight schools, a sign he is not totally solid to the Trojans.

Three-star OT hearing from Michigan coaches often

Let’s end this roundup by flipping to the other side of the ball with an offensive line target who hasn’t been discussed much. Connecticut 2021 three-star Tristan Bounds was offered back in January and told TMI’s Marich that he’s been in almost daily contact with Michigan coaches since ($).

“I talk to coach Warinner almost everyday through text and same with coach Newsome,” said Bounds. “It’s good (my relationship with coach Warinner). (He’s) just giving me information about the program and telling me he wants me there.”

That relationship led Bounds to plan a trip to Michigan this spring, which will now have to be rescheduled.

“Yeah I was supposed to go to the spring game, but that was canceled so that stinks, but I plan to go later.”

While Marich confirmed Bounds is probably not at the top of the board at tackle with Michigan looking really good for guys like David Davidkov and Caleb Tiernan, Bounds’ 6-foot-7.5 and 258-pound frame fits the mold for what Warinner has been trying to land for the left tackle position.

That concludes this edition of the Michigan Recruiting Roundup. I hope it helped fill some time during your quarantines! Stay safe and check back soon for more recruiting news from Maize n Brew in the coming days.