Who Michigan spoke to on the first day of being allowed to contact 2022 prospects

September 1st marked a big day on the recruiting calendar. Coaches and staff at college football programs were finally allowed to contact members of the 2022 class themselves. Previously, the prospect had to reach out to the program themself, but now their phones are blowing up with text messages and Twitter DMs daily.

Michigan of course wasted no time in contacting their top targets to show them their interest. Through a few sources including our tireless Von Lozon, I have compiled a list of everyone I’ve seen the Michigan staff reach out to on the first day of contact.

The list is long but it isn’t comprehensive. So if there is someone missing that you’re wondering about, they probably just didn’t feel like responding to a bunch of reporters asking questions hours after their phones melted because of non-stop calls from coaches.

Quarterbacks

First up we have Tennessee high four-star Ty Simpson, per the Michigan Insider’s Steve Lorenz ($). The No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the nation, Michigan was the first to offer Simpson back in eighth grade, but he looks likely to stay down South.

Michigan also sent some love to Kentucky four-star Gavin Wimsatt, who they haven’t even offered yet. According to TMI’s Brice Marich, both Jim Harbaugh and Matt Dudek reached out to Wimsatt early on ($).

Running Backs

Given that he’s the No. 1 RB in the country, it’s unsurprising that Michigan probably loves Alabama five-star Emmanuel Henderson the most at his position. TMI’s Lorenz reports that Michigan reached out to Henderson “almost immediately” on Tuesday morning ($).

Another five-star RB that got some attention is Raleek Brown, according to TMI’s Lorenz ($). Both Jim and Jay Harbaugh reached out to the Mater Dei (CA) stud, who is considered a lean to Oklahoma.

Colorado five-star Gavin Sawchuk also has Crystal Balls to Oklahoma, but Michigan has a much better chance in this race. Jay Harbaugh was also the point of contact here, per TMI’s Lorenz ($).

Yet another top back Jay Harbaugh is pursuing is Florida four-star Terrance Gibbs. TMI’s Lorenz reported that the running backs coach has been going after Gibbs hard lately ($).

More locally, Ohio four-star Gi’Bran Payne also heard from the Harbaughs, TMI’s Marich confirmed ($). An Ohio State offer could shake things up, but Michigan looks good here so far.

The deep running back class continues with Missouri four-star Arlen Harris Jr. Per TMI’s Lorenz, Jay Harbaugh reached out to Harris Jr., who has a Crystal Ball to Iowa ($).

Michigan also contacted the top back in the state of Michigan, four-star Dillon Tatum, according to TMI’s Marich ($). Tatum is the successor to Donovan Edwards in the West Bloomfield backfield.

Wide Receivers

Our own Von Lozon at Maize N Brew confirmed that the trio of Jim Harbaugh, Sherrone Moore, and Josh Gattis reached out to Illinois four-star Kaleb Brown on Tuesday morning. Michigan holds 100% of the Crystal Balls for Brown.

Lozon also reported that fellow Illinois four-star Tyler Morris also heard from the offensive staff early in the contact period. Michigan is in a good position with Morris as well, holding all of the Crystal Balls.

Jim Harbaugh texted Utah four-star and former Michigan native Darrius Clemons on Tuesday morning, according to TMI’s Lorenz ($). Clemons is a childhood friend of current commit Andrel Anthony, giving Michigan a feather in their cap here.

Tight Ends

On Twitter, Texas four-star Donovan Green posted a graphic sent to him by the Michigan staff. He has been in frequent contact with Sherrone Moore over the summer.

Sherrone Moore reached out to South Carolina four-star Jaleel Skinner as soon as he could, according to Von Lozon. He also scheduled a chat with Jim Harbaugh later in the afternoon. Despite South Carolina and Clemson Crystal Balls, there is buzz that Michigan could be leading.

Georgia three-star Marlin Klein is another top target at the position who heard from Moore and Harbaugh just after midnight as well, per TMI’s Lorenz ($). Klein will be making his own trip up to Ann Arbor this weekend.

Offensive Line

Michigan was one of several schools to reach out to five-star tackle Zach Rice at midnight, per 247Sports’ Brian Dohn. This will be a national recruitment.

California guard Earnest Greene is right on the edge of five-star status and heard from Ed Warinner, according to TMI’s Lorenz ($). Greene was able to visit Ann Arbor before the shutdown in spring, which gives Michigan an advantage.

TMI’s Marich confirmed that IMG Academy four-star tackle Tyler Booker heard from Warinner as well ($). Booker checks all the boxes for Michigan. He’s originally from Connecticut, played at Bergen Catholic in New Jersey, and is now at IMG Academy protecting JJ McCarthy along with Greg Crippen.

One of the few guards Michigan has offered so far, Wisconsin four-star Carson Hinzman was in contact with Ed Warinner on Tuesday, per TMI’s Lorenz ($). He’s a lean to the in-state Badgers right now.

For the sake of brevity I’m going to combine four-star tackles Drew Shelton and Jacob Sexton since Lozon spoke to both. Michigan looks best for Shelton right now, who grew up a Wolverine fan, but Sexton is also near the top of the board.

Another IMG Academy linemen that was contacted by Michigan is four-star Dayne Shor, according to TMI’s Marich ($). Shor is originally from Georgia.

TMI’s Marich also reported that Tennessee four-star tackle Fisher Anderson was contacted by staff ($).

Colorado three-star tackle Connor Jones had an extra special day, getting a call from Ed Warinner that he received an offer from Michigan, per Von Lozon. The two had been in contact before today, but Warinner waited until he could initiate to extend the offer.

Defensive Ends

247Sports’ Dohn confirmed that Pennsylvania five-star Enai White was contacted by Michigan coaches, along with several other schools ($). He is ranked as the No. 2 player at his position.

Top-50 defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton heard from Michigan on Tuesday, TMI’s Lorenz reports ($). The Maryland prospect hasn’t been discussed much as a legitimate target yet.

One of the handful of Alabama prospects Michigan is targeting in 2022 is four-star Justice Finkley. TMI’s Lorenz reports that Michigan reached out to him and believes he could bulk up to play defensive tackle at some point ($).

Shaun Nua personally called Indiana four-star Joe Strickland on Tuesday, according to TMI’s Marich ($). This could turn into a classic Notre Dame-Michigan battle.

Virginia three-star prospect Aiden Gobaira received contact from the Michigan staff despite not holding an offer yet, per TMI’s Lorenz ($). Penn State holds an early Crystal Ball.

River Rouge three-star Davonte Miles received a text from Jim Harbaugh on Tuesday morning, according to TMI’s Marich ($). He hasn’t yet been able to visit campus despite his proximity to Ann Arbor.

Defensive Tackles

Shaun Nua, Jim Harbaugh, and Matt Dudek all reached out to Arizona four-star Anthony Lucas, reports TMI’s Lorenz ($). Michigan has a good shot with Lucas, who has already visited campus as an underclassman.

As the only commit in the class, four-star Alex VanSumeren heard “almost immediately” from multiple members of the coaching staff, per TMI’s Marich ($). Other schools like Alabama and Michigan State are still trying to pry VanSumeren away from Michigan, but he’s staying solid.

A teammate of Dani-Dennis Sutton, three-star Kwan Williams has shown much more interest in Michigan. TMI’s Marich reports that he has been high on Michigan for a while and received contact from coaches on Tuesday ($).

Massive Washington three-star Peter Taoipu heard from Shaun Nua on Tuesday, according to TMI’s Marich ($). Taoipu is already 6-foot-5, 350 pounds as a junior.

Linebackers

Michigan loves South Carolina four-star Jaylen Sneed, which is why TMI’s Marich confirmed that Michigan coaches reached out soon after midnight on Tuesday ($). He’ll be a tough pull from Southern powers but Michigan is trying.

Jim Harbaugh contacted in-state four-star Joshua Burnham as soon as they could as well, per TMI’s Lorenz ($). Michigan already holds five Crystal Balls for Burnham, who is a top priority.

Von Lozon was able to confirm that one of the Midwest’s best prospects, four-star Sebastian Cheeks, heard from Michigan coaches on Tuesday. This has the looks of a Notre Dame-Michigan battle if the Wolverines prioritize him highly.

Versatile West Bloomfield four-star Michael Williams was in contact with Michigan coaches on Tuesday, per Von Lozon. Williams could develop into an edge rusher similar to Josh Uche if he continues his development.

Another potential edge rusher is California four-star Sterling Lane, who TMI’s Lorenz reported was contacted by Michigan coaches ($). Lane attends Oaks Christian, the same school as Zach Charbonnet.

Orchard Lake-St Mary’s three-star Jordan Cannon received a customized edit from Michigan, along with several other schools, that he shared on Twitter.

Cornerbacks

Of course, Michigan reached out to maybe the top overall target in the class in five-star Domani Jackson as soon as they could. Michigan sent him a sick edit on Twitter to show some love.

Michigan five-star Will Johnson to stay home with their own graphic for him. The edit reads “The Best Players in Michigan Go to Michigan.”

Even though he’s a longshot, Michigan is shooting their shot with four-star Earl Little Jr., reports TMI’s Lorenz ($). Little’s father was once enrolled to play at Michigan, but his son has 100% Crystal Balls to LSU.

Mike Zordich and Jim Harbaugh were among the first to contact New Jersey four-star Jaeden Gould, TMI’s Lorenz reported ($). Michigan has 100% of the Crystal Ball predictions right now.

Safeties

Safeties coach Bob Shoop made sure to contact New Jersey five-star Keon Sabb on Tuesday, per Von Lozon. Sabb and Shoop have plans to talk again on Friday as well.

TMI’s Lorenz reports that Iowa four-star Xavier Nwankpa heard from Matt Dudek on Tuesday ($). Nwankpa also said that he is in “frequent contact” with Bob Shoop.

Athletes

California four-star Larry Turner-Gooden was contacted by Bob Shoop soon after midnight his time, according to TMI’s Marich ($). As the contact by Shoop implies, Michigan is recruiting Turner-Gooden as a safety.

Shoop also reached out to three-star Treyveon Longmire out of Kentucky, per TMI’s Lorenz ($). In-state Kentucky has a Crystal Ball pick in, but Michigan could become a contender if they push.

In-state three-star Tyrell Henry heard from Michigan on Tuesday, he stated on his Twitter account. Henry projects as a wide receiver at the next level.