Several top targets closing in on decisions - Michigan Recruiting Insider

On this week's edition of The Michigan Recruiting Insider, Sam Webb, Steve Lorenz, and Brice Marich recap the recent commitment of four-star defensive end Julius Holly, then discuss U-M's recruiting focus on the offensive and defensive lines moving forward. The crew discusses the latest with Top247 DT DJ Sanders, whether Michigan will continue recruiting Hardy Watts after his pledge to Wisconsin, and rumors of a forthcoming decision by five-star OL Andrew Babalola. Attention turns tow wide receiver recruiting where the Wolverines where after picking up the recent pledge from Jacob Washington the Maize & Blue appear to lead for THREE other top targets. The episode concludes with a breakdown of Michigan's standing with defensive back targets Shamari Earls, Ivan Taylor, and Jordan Young.
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[@TheMichiganInsider]

Don't miss out on our holiday flash sale on TMI -- 1 year of VIP access to TMI for 50% off! ALSO AVAILABLE TO CURRENT MONTHLY SUBSCRIBERS! Newbies can also test drive the site for one month for $1, but only for a limited time. - 247sports.com/college/michigan/join/?Subscription=2661

[@jonjhon8491]

I see Steve Lorenz - I click!

[@stevenvargo2440]

I'm not concerned with Michigan recruiting as long as they continue to recruit 4-5 star QBs. That is what keeps them from becoming Iowa! Think about it...Iowa has a great defense annually; a solid running game; playmaking TE's; and very solid Special Teams. The only thing they never get is a 4-5 star QB. If they did, they'd be really tough to beat. Michigan on the other hand has the QB situation taken care of sans McCarthy with guys like Davis, Smith and Hart. Now, not all three of them will start at Michigan. But we can afford to lose one of them and still be set at the QB position.

[@leeyessir]

What about defensive tackle for this class I’m not high on kanka and grant and graham are off to the nfl after this season need to reload the DT cupboard

[@garymoore1600]

Shoutout to Big Mike reference Michelle is always glad for a mention

[@brucemcgraw2265]

I agree that schools have negatively recruiting michigan from a " they dont throw the ball" but once they commit, how well does bellamy develop them?

[@jaymoret7418]

At least Michigan could say they had 2 WRs drafted by the NFL last year, one in the 3rd round by an organization (Steelers) that has a history of knowing what they're doing with drafting receivers.

[@ddavis1786]

Babalola is my #1 player we need, followed by Earls and Boateng.

[@MissionForward3]

Receiver recruiting has become easier because of our success recruiting at QB. With Carter Smith and Brady Hart in the fold, receiver recruits know Michigan will be throwing a lot more in the future.

[@cartierrick300]

Ron Bellamy need these top wideouts

[@adilansari9987]

Is there a Sauce Gardner somewhere floating around that Michigan is passing on?

[@blankname6629]

There are always guys out there like that. Problem is you don’t know who they are for 2 to 3 years into college for them

[@Jon.A.Scholt]

I wish Michigan would actually offer guys like Earls and DJ Sanders at least something upfront. Both of them are needed in the worst way with Will Johnson and Graham and Grant headed to the NFL (almost certainly) after this season. Michigan needs guys like that in the pipeline. Also wish they'd throw a bag (or two) at Boateng and Babalola. We definitely need LBs after the transfer attrition and while the OL has some great young players waiting in the wings it never hurts to add a 5 ⭐ tackle (OT recruiting has been a bit down the last couple cycles overall). We don't need to be A&M or Miami. But if these players have the right character to recruit in the first place and are cultural fits, then surely they're worth giving some NIL upfront, right? Otherwise Michigan is going to miss on 9/10 of the Top 100 guys it offers.

[@blankname6629]

I thought koumba was French? Xavier worthy was talking about trying to run under a 10.2 100 meters his senior year a year he did not compete in track. So I don’t think Phillip is as fast as worthy. It’s funny how similar Michigan and Georgia are. Both teams get negatively recruited about throwing the ball. Look at Georgia’s wr stats over the last several years. They have not had a 1000 yard wr.

[@ddavis1786]

Is Gatlin Bair a good comp with P. Wright, a true blazer that needs route running polish?

[@seanpaulanthony5917]

I don't understand, Bair is on a mission and also going to Oregon? Just curious... even so, Bair plays in 26 at quickest, though Michigan could flip him. Go BLUE 🟡🔵〽️

[@MissionForward3]

Bair was never really serious about Michigan. He wants to stay closer to home. He committed to Boise with Michigan and Oregon offers. That's nonsensical unless the kid really doesn't want to leave home. Boise fires their coach so for Bair, second best choice is moving next door to Oregon.

[@ddavis1786]

Hard to decipher the minds of 18-year olds before a 2 year mission trip. I don’t have expectations of him changing his mind, but rather was looking for a comparison player with similar speed/skill to Phillip Wright.

[@seanpaulanthony5917]

@@ddavis1786 Absolutely, Wright is ridiculously underrated, simply because he's a burner! 26' will be loaded anyway....as I say this crystal 🔮 for Ivan Taylor!!!!〽️today!

[@bluefab5]

7:40 until an actual recruiting comment.

[@michaelgleisner6220]

Thank you

[@Wolverine-xm6pp]

It's crazy on the reputation Michigan has about not passing the ball! That's not true really! Michigan played conservative last few years because Harbaugh wanted to protect JJ because he knew he was going to win all the games with him. But remember JJ came out in 3rd quarter in most games and sat on bench. If he stayed in and slung the ball like he could of, he would of had numbers like JT Daniels... Harbaugh accomplished what he knew he could, but Sherrone is going to throw the ball more, and I hope he does while maintaining our dominance on the run game!

[@mavrick6088]

Holly reminds me of Brandon Graham

[@leojanuszewski1019]

To the Ohio fans obsessing on Michigan channels on the daily: Connor Stalions hadn't been hired yet by Michigan when the 2021 game was played and he was long gone by the time the 2023 game went down. This leaves only the 2022 game for which your own coaches say they changed their signs. You were legitimately 3-peated. Stop being babies about it. 👶🍼

[@BulletProofSoul1029]

You guys love flexing over a 3-peat; meanwhile Michigan was on its way to losing 9 straight and 18 out of 20 to Ohio State before Harbaugh forfeited and ran to his big bro for pros. Even Brett Bielema won 3 straight B1G 10 titles...but congrats on 3 wins being the highlight of your rivalry lives.🙄

[@leojanuszewski1019]

@BulletProofSoul1029 Did I say that the 3-peat represents the "highlight" of anything?--- I'm an old man lifelong Michigan fan going back to the beginning of Bo & Woody's 10 Year War; so, my personal favorite "highlight" has to be the 1969 game. Followed by the 3 games in the 90s when Michigan wrecked the natty hopes of heavily favored Ohio teams. And then there are the 1997/98 & 2023/24 natties. I remember well when OSU could lose like MEN and look to exact revenge rather than squeal non-stop excuses. Woody Hayes is rolling in his grave at what little punks you've become.

[@BulletProofSoul1029]

@@leojanuszewski1019 I'm an OSU grad from the 90s, and I was on campus during the Cooper years. I've also seen the rivalry rollercoaster. I concede losing 3 straight games to MI sucks, but it happens, it's rivalry football. That's not what I have an issue with, my life doesn't end because of it. You want to talk about MEN, then win like MEN. Quit (not specifically you) acting like MI delt a death knoll to the OSU program because of 3 straight wins. Quit acting like OSU needs to bow to MI because of 3 straight wins. Quit getting in your feels over every single word Day says. I mean, one of your podcasters was flabbergasted that Day didn't come out and say "MI kicked out a*s". Really?! That's what you expect from a rival coach? Are you guys that desperate for validation?! Talk about something that would make Woody roll in his grave! So please, stop with the pearl clutching. I'm not saying there aren't irrational OSU fanatics, but MI has their fair share also. So before you start lecturing someone on how to lose like a man, how about learning how to win like one. And just so we're clear, I don't care what garbage the actual delusional OSU fanatics say on the socials, I'm not naive to think there aren't fans like that on both sides. I actually respect the effort of those UM players on the field and the work they put in to win. But respect is a two way street, and if I see something I feel is out of pocket about OSU football, especially kids, I'm going to address it.

[@cfaust688]

Michigan is always struggling because they don’t offer the bag. A large % of these kids are jumping for the bag. The question… Is Michigan better off (culture and character wise) to stay away from tossing bags. Will Michigan’s focus on team, culture, and character continue to pay off compared to the Lamborghini-minded programs who focus on talent without character?

[@ddavis1786]

No way MI will trade the teamwork, integrity, brotherhood and academic fit for all the NIL in the world. This is the new winning culture that Harbaugh and Moore co-created and Moore and his staff all 100% believe is a difference maker vs, NIL flush OSU, where Day can’t spell “culture.”

[@seanpaulanthony5917]

Actually, we are offering in a less slimy way...the bag. It's been happening, the collectives are now monstrous under leadership (Sherrone's Vision, Harbaugh probably as well) of former NFLPA Michigan alum Teresa Whitehead, Sean MaGee is definitely offering packages (Nate Marshall didn't magically stay) if not the "opportunities" once signed, and enrolled (loophole) ...any athletic commits are eligible....and UofM is definitely looking away....so we're finally in a less slimy way I guess, ensuring that commits stay committed, and it's not inconceivable with our exponentially greater NIL...a few shortcut. All will earn whatever, millions...high 6 figures .... organization and having the right people laser focused on "NIL", so this is not fiction, look at the recruiting quality and the quality to come!!! Go BLUE 🟡🔵〽️〽️〽️〽️🌩️⚡🔨🌹🌠🏆!!!!

[@stevenvargo2440]

Struggling??? We just won the Natty with only 2 5 star players on the roster. What Harbaugh has reestablished is what has always won at Michigan: Culture and Character. No reason to change.

[@allensaunders449]

Coaches get paid so do schools why shouldn't players get paid. Michigan has nil too. Don't think they are holier then

[@malachimckinney156]

I was with u when it first happened but we are 4 years into NIL PAY THE FUCKING KIDS

[@RICOJEEZUS]

This is the best Tony Alford could do? 😒

[@bryancannon5921]

What happened with David Sanders?

[@seanpaulanthony5917]

Thinking hopefully!

[@Jon.A.Scholt]

@bryancannon5921 Michigan was never once in that recruitment.

[@seanpaulanthony5917]

@@bryancannon5921 he may be coming to the bar b que...if he can hold out. Even then a small town kid, but Michigan has a 1/50 shot at the moment. His visit was a highlight...maybe sees the up side.. having said that, hope is about all we have right now, but at least DJ Sanders is still looking at Michigan, we are only 1 of 3 on his board...so this lotto ticket isn't impossible! Go BLUE 🟡🔵〽️

[@bleiburg101]

Ivan Taylor is not going to Michigan

[@jefflampas7759]

He committed, crazy talk by you!

[@seanpaulanthony5917]

Why wouldn't he...thank you, Shamari Earls would be a game changer on the CB board, which is non existent. Get him to the barbeque...OV, if he can at least...as u just said....back on campus!!! Another cat decommitted from LSU looks good as well. Go BLUE 🟡🔵〽️〽️〽️〽️🌩️⚡🔨🌹🌠🏆

[@seanpaulanthony5917]

DJ Sanders was one of those guys that actually paid attention to his visit, also realized he will make more bank on talent. We have other OLine prospects...if the grown German kid from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory wants to (YES, the stage is too big as well) go to sub 500 Wisconsin, will take awhile to get relevant. Stupid, but Clemson lost out too. Remember that Babalola is not making quick decisions, the gorman kids, except for 27' Alai, even Meadows is not a losing bet. Max was s false flag recruit, already "unofficially" committed to oh**," Brady Hart burned em nicely ...to take care of Porter, commits on his Michigan visit day....were alright, well see on the 8th how well were holding things down. Everyone loses a battle or 3. Incidentally, Sanders and Babalola just sit right, Meadows said the right things, if he gets ND out of his head, because they "saw" him first? ... he's a wild card...but Sanders and Babalola are not making sudden moves because they both are entertaining Michigan. For now, converting CBs, landing CBs, ...filling out what we can, ...but Olesh on the 8th, the 13th offers 2'recievers..i feel great about Olesh, but if we lose him because of a zoom meeting....which we wont...olesh is a wolverine. If not then its time to be pissed. If watts can surprise Michigan, Clemson.... we have a better chance on the positive side of that, Sanders, Babs, Archie, and many just starting they're deals... Marsh is our guy. What do you do? You take him... Taz, everyone else takes everyone, hell now you don't turn him away. Were not at limits with reciever position...but damn we really need some high caliber CBs for the future. Anyway were good, think postive....8th, 13th = 3 more. Andrew Olesh is on the clock! No lose situation .,.and were in (that interview was awesome!!!) great shape with others on and off the board. CBs CBs CBs and we will be one happy bunch of fans backing up a very happy team!!!! Go BLUE 🟡🔵〽️〽️〽️〽️🌩️⚡🔨🌹🌠🏆!!!!

[@EKJ313_]

We cry and whine about any and everything.😂 Our NIL is geared towards retaining talent and the Portal. NIL for recruits is improving but we won’t be just dropping bags of money up front. I’m content with Top 10-15 classes with excellent development.

[@davesnothere8859]

watt conection

[@Jon.A.Scholt]

How does Hardy Watts have a connection with TJ and JJ Watt when they have different last names? (Assuming this is what you were referring to)

[@ddavis1786]

Hardy is blind lying if he says academics are a top choice factor in choosing WI over MI. No frigging way…IWOULD believe he just gelled better with WI’s OL and felt a stronger sense of brotherhood and relationship bond. But don’t say “academics.

[@jefferywicks3632]

I honestly believe Hardy saw the depth chart at Michigan and decided he could start earlier at Wisconsin.

[@ddavis1786]

@@jefferywicks3632 that makes total sense…

[@bleiburg101]

Michigan was direct competition fo four Georgia players. Lol. This is some crazy delusion.

[@cartierrick300]

This team need wideout elite ones