Michigan football recruiting visitors list for the BBQ at the Big House

The Michigan football program is holding its second major recruiting event of the summer this weekend with the BBQ at the Big House. Traditionally one of the bigger gatherings of prospects in a recruiting cycle, Michigan’s list this year heavily emphasizes young in-state talent.

See who is scheduled to make an appearance on Saturday with this ever-evolving visitors list.

Commits

Grosse Pointe South (MI) Will Johnson - Five-star, No. 12 overall, No. 4 CB

Nazareth Academy (IL) Tyler Morris - Four-star, No. 89 overall, No. 13 WR

Gaither (FL) Mario Eugenio - Four-star, No. 294 overall, No. 15 EDGE

Germantown (TN) Kody Jones - Four-star, No. 318 overall, No. 16 ATH

Hammond School (SC) CJ Stokes - Three-star, No. 688 overall, No. 60 RB

Loomis Chaffee (CT) Alessandro Lorenzetti - Three-star, No. 719 overall, No. 63 OT

Belleville (MI) Aaron Alexander - Three-star, No. 1,100 overall, No. 90 ATH

There are a few notable things to point out about the handful of Michigan commits slated to be at the BBQ to help recruit their peers to the class. I’m including Johnson without a firm report he’ll be there just because he’s at every big recruiting event and I wouldn’t expect him to miss this.

Eugenio coming up from Florida is a big deal because he’s best friends with in-state defensive lineman Deone Walker, who will also be in attendance. Having his buddy on campus could help Walker finally pull the trigger and publicly announce a commitment to Michigan.

Finally, getting Kody Jones back on campus is also good news since he’s been wavering a bit, taking visits to Tennessee and Illinois in June. Having him back in Ann Arbor bodes well to their chances of keeping him in the fold.

2022

Rainier Beach (WA) Josh Conerly - Five-star, No. 19 overall, No. 3 OT

Unquestionably, Conerly is the biggest fish on campus for the BBQ. His interest in Michigan was reignited by the hire of Courtney Morgan as Director of Recruiting, and this will be the first chance for the staff to impress him in person. If things go well, he’ll be able to come back in the fall for an official visit, which will only help Michigan’s chances.

Cass Tech (MI) Deone Walker - Four-star, No. 325 overall, No. 44 DL

It’s starting to get near the time where Michigan has been the clear leader for Walker long enough that if he doesn’t announce a commitment soon, confidence may start to wane. But, like mentioned above, his good friend Eugenio is making the trip up from Florida, so he may push Walker to commit and give Michigan a versatile option for either line.

Merrillville (IN) Kenneth Grant - Three-star, No. 74 DL (247Sports only)

This will be Grant’s second unofficial visit to campus this summer, following one in June. Making two trips without using his official yet is a great sign of Grant’s interest as Michigan battles Ohio State and Wisconsin for his pledge.

Ponchatoula (LA) Amorion Walker - Three-star, No. 533 overall, No. 40 ATH

Currently a Notre Dame commit, Walker is an intriguing prospect who has been climbing the rankings due to his ability to play either side of the ball. While committed to the Irish as a wide receiver, schools like Michigan and Alabama are recruiting him as a defensive back. Getting him up on campus is a big development in Michigan’s pursuits. Ron Bellamy’s high school head coach is now Walker’s, which gives them a strong connection to build on.

Clearwater Academy (FL) Isaiah Hastings - Three-star, No. 618 overall, No. 89 DL

Michigan will be trying to land another under-the-radar riser from Canada in their class with Hastings, who transferred to play his senior season in Florida. At 6-foot-4, 290 pounds, Hastings could play along the defensive line for Michigan in a 3-4 scheme. Miami will be a contender and Oregon just offered, so there’s still a ways to go in this recruitment.

2023

Findlay (OH) Luke Montgomery - Four-star, No. 55 overall, No. 5 OT

This will be a return trip for Montgomery, who took another visit to Michigan on June 10. He’s saying all the right things about not being a lock to Ohio State, but we’ve seen this play out too many times before to get your hopes up now. I’d consider him a Buckeye until further notice.

West Bloomfield (MI) Amir Herring- Four-star, No. 157 overall, No. 4 iOL

On the flip side, Herring seems to be a strong lean towards Michigan after visiting several times and having five crystal ball predictions in for the Wolverines. He has a good shot to be the first commit of the 2023 class and get the ball rolling.

Cass Tech (MI) Jalen Thompson - Four-star, No. 167 overall, No. 31 DL

The next big thing out of Cass Tech, this is already shaping up to be a knock-out, drag-out fight between Michigan and Michigan State. The Spartans hired his former coach Thomas Wilcher recently and Thompson would be eligible to play for them if he doesn’t enroll early. On the other hand, Michigan has been able to consistently beat Michigan State on the recruiting trail for prospects they both want, even if they can’t beat them on the field.

Detroit King (MI) Johnathan Slack - Four-star, No. 271 overall, No. 18 OT

As a teammate of five-star quarterback Dante Moore’s at King, it would be smart for Michigan to offer Slack during his visit. He has the talent to be offered on his own merits, with a four-star rating and offers from Arizona State, Kentucky, Michigan State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Tennessee and West Virginia already.

Clarkston (MI) Cole Dellinger - Four-star, No. 272 overall, No. 46 DL

Last cycle, Michigan missed out on Dellinger’s older brother Garrett, who committed to LSU. They’ll get another shot at the family with Cole, who is a four-star in his own right. He’s ranked as a defensive lineman but could play on offense as well.

West Bloomfield (MI) Semaj Morgan - Three-star, No. 50 WR (247Sports only)

Morgan recently earned an offer from Michigan after an impressive camp performance. With his former head coach Ron Bellamy on staff, the Wolverines will be in a strong position throughout this recruitment if they choose to prioritize Morgan.

Divine Child (MI) Dylan Senda - Three-star, No. 22 iOL (247Sports only)

Rounding out the pile of big men in the 2023 group is Senda, who is already listed at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds. He has an early crystal ball prediction in for Michigan State, and other offers from Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Miami, Pitt, Syracuse, West Virginia, and more.

Roseville (MI) Amare Snowden - Three-star, No. 49 CB (247Sports only)

Michigan has yet to offer Snowden, but he does hold one from Notre Dame, Nebraska, Pitt, Syracuse, West Virginia and a handful of G5 schools. At 6-foot-3, he has great length for a defensive back and could also play wide receiver at the next level.

2024

Southfield (MI) Isaiah Marshall - unranked QB

Saline (MI) CJ Carr - unranked QB

These two look to be the next big thing in the state at quarterback following Dante Moore in 2023. Both have been on campus several times before and are building good relationships so far. It’s hard to take two QBs in one recruiting class, but this is a situation where it could happen.

Loomis Chaffee (CT) Jaiden Spearman - unranked S

A transfer from North Carolina, Spearman is teaming up with 2022 offensive line commit Alessandro Lorenzetti in Connecticut, which should help Michigan get ahead here. It also helps Lorenzetti will be on campus for the BBQ as well.

Lyons Township (IL) Eddie Tuerk - unranked DL

As a rising junior, Tuerk already holds offers from Cincinnati, Iowa, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Michigan. He’s from La Grange, Illinois, which is where Nazareth Academy is located. While they didn’t go to the same school, I’m betting he is familiar with Tyler Morris and J.J. McCarthy.