Tuesday Recruiting Roundup: Michigan targeting cornerback committed to one of its rivals

Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Michigan Recruiting Roundup! After the contact period opened for 2022 recruits last week, we have some more in-depth updates on some top targets, as well as a new cornerback target for 2021.

Michigan contacts four-star Notre Dame commit

Michigan and Notre Dame often pursue similar types of prospects, with the two schools facing off in several battles in the 2021 class. With the need for at least another cornerback, Michigan coaches have reached out to Irish commit Philip Riley, per The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich ($).

Riley is a four-star from Florida who has been committed to Notre Dame since early May. Riley told Marich he has heard from Sherrone Moore lately, speaking to him a “couple times last week.”

Interestingly, Riley hasn’t ever reported an offer from Michigan publicly. But if he is receiving interest from the staff he will likely have a spot if he wants in. However, this is still in the early stages so there isn’t much buzz about a potential flip yet.

2022 three-star CB excited about Michigan offer

Elsewhere in defensive back news, 2022 three-star cornerback James Monds III received an offer from Michigan just a few days ago and it has definitely piqued his interest. The Florida prospect spoke with TMI’s Marich about his reaction ($).

“Well, me and coach Shoop hopped on the phone and he’s been sending me edits since Sept. 1,” Monds said. “Then once he called they just talked about how they loved my game and how they would use me. They would use me at corner or a nickel just depending on the packaging.”

This offer meant a lot for Monds after he grew up a fan of former Wolverine greats.

“Yeah, I grew up a (Miami) Canes and Michigan fan,” Monds said. “Well, growing (up) I loved Jabrill Peppers and Charles Woodson. Every time I turned on the TV, I always seen Michigan and Ohio State playing.”

Monds also holds offers from Arkansas, Clemson, Miami, Michigan State, Minnesota, Penn State, Wisconsin and several others. There is already a crystal ball pick in for the Spartans.

Michigan making push for top 100 OL

With two 2021 commits on IMG Academy’s loaded roster, Michigan is looking to continue its success in 2022 with four-star offensive lineman Tyler Booker. TMI’s Marich reports Michigan is prioritizing Booker highly for next cycle, with several factors in its favor ($).

Jim Harbaugh called Booker personally right after midnight on Sept. 1, showing his high level of interest in the 6-foot-4, 290-pounder.

Booker is also roommates with 2021 four-star commit Greg Crippen at IMG, who he says is making his pitch to him.

“He’s been telling me just like how he’d like to have me with him at Michigan and things like that,” Booker said.

J.J. McCarthy has also made an impression on Booker, saying, “If he is any indication of what Michigan people are like, Michigan has a good shot with me.”

Booker has a national offer list, so this will be a tough battle. He is originally from Connecticut and played at Bergen Catholic in New Jersey before transferring to IMG Academy, so Michigan will have a good shot. If you want to learn more about Booker’s game, check out my scouting takeaways on IMG’s first game of the season.

Harbaugh FaceTimes 2022 four-star DL

Another top target who got a personal call from Jim Harbaugh last week was Alabama four-star defensive lineman Justice Finkley, according to TMI’s Marich ($).

“I really enjoyed the FaceTime with coach Harbaugh. He was really interested in talking to me as a person and not just an athlete,” said Finkley. “We had a great conversation about leadership and the importance of being a leader.”

Finkley, who took a trip to Ann Arbor for a game last November, said Michigan was “one of the top schools on my list.”

He holds offers from basically every school in the SEC along with schools like Florida State, Penn State and Stanford, so this will be a tough pull. The Wolverines have done all of the right things in his recruitment so far, so if they keep it up they’ll have a shot.

That wraps up this week’s edition of the Michigan Recruiting Roundup. Come back again soon for more news and updates from the recruiting trail.