Tuesday Recruiting Roundup: Michigan making progress with defensive targets

Michigan’s defensive staff is still sorting through a large number of offers they have made to determine who is reciprocating interest the most and will fit best in the class. Today’s Recruiting Roundup has updates on a few of these defensive targets and Michigan’s progress with them so far as the chance for official visit season approaches.

Michigan makes top 8 for three-star S

Michigan is involved with a number of highly touted defensive backs, but one that hasn’t been talked about enough is 2022 Georgia three-star Jake Pope. Pope has been one of Michigan’s favorite prospects at the safety position, and the efforts have resulted in the Wolverine’s making his recently released top eight list.

Michigan is joined by Alabama, Notre Dame, Auburn, UNC, Georgia, Ohio State and Oklahoma in his list.

This is quite the list of schools for a three-star to still be considering, making it likely that Pope could be in line for a rankings boost in the future.

It appears Georgia, Alabama and UNC are the schools close to the top for Pope right now. There are no crystal ball predictions for Pope yet, but this will be a tough battle against the heavyweights of college football.

Recruiting graphic a big hit with mom of four-star DE

Michigan has been stepping up its recruiting graphics lately with some individualized edits for a handful of top targets. A recent graphic the Wolverines made for 2022 Alabama four-star defensive lineman Justice Finkley impacted his mother greatly, she told The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich ($).

“We absolutely loved it,” Mrs. Finkley said about the graphic, which depicted her son as a neurosurgeon.

“We have received some great graphics from Michigan as well as other programs before. However, this one was the first that actually focused on Justice’s academic goals,” Mrs. Finkley said. “As an educator myself, I know the power of allowing students to see themselves in their future. The graphic of Justice as a neurosurgeon put a visual to his dream.”

“I think I may have skipped a breath when I first saw it.”

Winning over a prospect’s mother goes a long way in recruiting, and Michigan took a big stride with this edit. The coaches have done good work forming a relationship with Finkley and his family so far, and have an official visit scheduled for June 18, where they will hope to further cement their position.

Three-star DT working on scheduling official visit

With a new defensive scheme, the Wolverines need a big nose tackle to anchor the defensive line. One guy they have targeted is 2022 Indiana three-star Kenneth Grant. Grant has responded well to the staff’s efforts, telling TMI’s Marich he speaks with the coaches often ($).

“(I talk with) coach Stabb, coach Nua and coach Oz on a daily or every other day basis,” said Grant. “The main thing they say is that I would fit their defense so good. They are a very caring and generous people outside of the football world.”

With that high level of interest, Grant is looking to getting up to campus soon.

“Yes, I have plans of visiting multiple times,” Grant admitted. “(An official visit is) in the process of getting set up.”

The 6-foot-4, 335-pounder also holds offers from Illinois, Nebraska and Purdue, as well as a handful of MAC schools. With Michigan his best offer by far, the Wolverines could be in position to land him after a visit if he remains a take for the staff.

That’s it for this week’s Michigan Recruiting Roundup at Maize n Brew! Come back again soon for more recruiting news and updates.