Michigan’s staff is finally set in stone, so recruiting can start again at full speed. We’re already seeing the new hires reach out to new targets that they like, as well as some guys the previous staff offered.
Today’s Recruiting Roundup has a mix of new and old faces that coaches in new positions are targeting.
Michigan still a factor for four-star DB
While new defensive backs coach Maurice Linguist has sent out plenty of new offers in his short time on the job, he’s also been building a relationship with long-time Michigan targets. One of those players is 2022 four-star cornerback Jaeden Gould, who told The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich he still thinks highly of the Wolverines ($).
“It was great talking to coach Linguist. We had a good conversation. His energy was great,” Gould said. “He just told me that he wants to bring a top defensive back class to Michigan like how he did while he was at Texas A&M, so that’s why as soon as he got the job, he started reaching out to top guys who he believes can change the program. He believes that me and him can do special things together.”
This was Gould’s first time speaking with Linguist, but he came away impressed.
“I think he’s a great coach and recruiter,” Gould said. “He knows what he’s talking about and he’s had experience on every level, so that is definitely a plus when it comes to someone that’s going to coach you for four years.”
Other than Michigan, Gould said Clemson, Penn State, Rutgers and Notre Dame are also among his favorites. The Wolverines have led the crystal ball here for a while, and are hoping not to lose any ground during the coaching transition.
Moore reaches out to top OL target
One of the first guys new offensive line coach Sherrone Moore reached out to after his title was announced was Wisconsin 2022 four-star guard Carson Hinzman, TMI’s Marich confirmed ($).
According to Marich, Hinzman and Moore spoke on Sunday, with this being the first contact the two have had during his recruitment.
Michigan offered Hinzman back in April. He is one of the only two players listed as guards they have extended a scholarship to so far.
Hinzman holds offers from basically every school in the country, including Alabama, LSU, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, Stanford, Wisconsin and plenty more.
Given he’s an offensive lineman from Wisconsin, this will probably be a tough battle to win. The one crystal ball pick for Hinzman is in fact for the Badgers.
Michigan offers rising three-star RB
The first offer new coach Mike Hart handed out while wearing the block M was to Texas 2022 three-star running back Ollie Gordon. Gordon spoke to TMI’s Marich about his feelings towards Michigan following the offer ($).
“I was on the phone with coach Hart and we were talking, he was just getting to know me and then he offered me,” Gordon said. “I was very thankful. (He was telling me) just how he looks for the best backs.”
After rushing for 445 yards against Allen in the playoffs and for more than 2,000 yards on the season, Gordon also picked up offers from Arkansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma State last week.
Gordon says he hasn’t narrowed down his list yet, but Michigan is “up there” for him. There are no crystal ball predictions for him yet.
That does it for this edition of the Recruiting Roundup! Come back again soon for more Michigan recruiting updates.