rashad knight

Editor's note: Tom's back after a happy hiatus with a roundup on the defensive prospects. Items in blockquotes are direct quotes; items outside are impressions gleaned from Tom's conversations with the below recruits.

In light of the depth chart, defensive players are now the focus of recruiting. Michigan has 19 commits on board and will look to fill the rest of the open spots with defense. Here's an update from most of the recruits left on the board:

Bobby Swigert. He will be visiting for either the Penn State, or Ohio State game. He wants to make a decision relatively soon.

Cullen Christian.  Cullen is visiting November 21^st, and making his decision on November 24^th. 

“Michigan still leads.” –Cullen Christian

Michigan is in good position to land Christian, and always have been. A lot of the current commits have been contacting him, letting him know how much Michigan wants him.

Marquis Flowers. He’s focusing on his season, and will start evaluating schools once his season is over. He’s not sure if he’s going to visit Michigan. He said he will probably visit, but he’s not sure.

"Notre Dame is really the only visit I have set up right now. I'm going to make my decision either at the Army All American game, or at signing day. I'm just going to take my time with it." –Marquis Flowers

By the sound of how he was talking, he hasn’t put a lot of stock or time into his recruitment yet.

Rashad Knight. Knight is visiting for the Ohio State game, which is shaping up to be a huge game for recruit visits. He doesn’t have any leaders as of now. He has never been to Michigan before, and wants to wait to see the campus before naming any leaders, which is a good sign for M.

Aramide Olaniyan. He recently took a visit to UNC, and (surprise!) he liked it. Everything is still wide open with him. Until his parents get to see the campus of the schools he’s really interested in, he won’t make a decision.

Josh Furman. Josh just visited Virginia Tech. That scares me a little, and I can’t get a feel for what he’s going to do.

Tony Grimes. Grimes will be visiting with his teammate, Clarence Murphy, for the Ohio State game. They have said before that they both want to go to school together. Michigan is one of few schools that have offered both prospects.

"As of right now, Michigan leads for both myself and Clarence (Murphy)." –Tony Grimes

Grimes will be deciding on signing day, and I’m assuming so will Murphy, otherwise that would ruin the surprise.

John Fulton. He has interest in Michigan. We’re not in his top group, he’s an outside shot, but there’s still a shot. I spoke with him the other day, and didn’t sense that much interest, FWIW.

Dietrich Riley. Will take a visit after his season is done, he’s not sure if it will be official, or not.

"They pretty much call every week, so I definitely know that they're interested. I'm just waiting until everything slows down." –Dietrich Riley

He said he liked that they have shown so much interest. This will be a wait and see. He’s one of the better prospects out there, and is being recruited for both safety and running back.

Some names that might still pop up. Ricardo Allen, Dior Mathis, Sean Parker.

Florida cornerback Rashad Knight (right, obviously) recently picked up two pieces of good news: a Michigan offer and four stars from Rivals, where he's the #18 cornerback. After the Michigan offer he declared the Wolverines his leader. MGoRecruitingGuy Tom Van Haaren caught up with him and got the latest.

TOM: When did you get your offer from Michigan?

RASHAD: It was recent, about 2 weeks ago. Right now I have a total of 12 offers though.

TOM: Was it something you expected? Were the coaches in contact with you before hand?

RASHAD: Michigan’s a big school, and I got a lot of hand written letters from them, but I didn’t expect it this soon. I did expect to get one eventually though.

TOM: What coaches have you started to build a relationship the most with?

RASHAD: From Michigan, Rod Smith. I have the nicest relationship with coach Disch from Illinois, we talk a lot.

TOM: You have all offers from up north schools; do you have ties up there?

RASHAD: No, I don’t have any ties. A lot of the north schools want more speed, and they say that I can add a lot. So, I just think it’s because they know that there’s a lot of speed in Florida. UCF recruits me really hard; I get a lot of letters from them. I talk to the coach from USF a lot too, but that’s really it for the south schools.

TOM: Are you comfortable leaving Florida?

RASHAD: Yea, I have no problem with that. My family will probably stay here, and come up for a couple home games, but there’s no problem.

TOM: I saw that you play safety, running back, wide receiver, and you return kicks too. What do you think you play the best, and what do you like playing the best?

RASHAD: I play safety, but I'm good in man to man coverage, which is why a lot of schools are recruiting me as a corner. Offense is ok with me, but I love playing defense.

TOM: What are most schools recruiting you as? How are they saying you can help them on the field?

RASHAD: They’re recruiting me as a corner. Louisville said they want me to play a little offense. They said if I get in real good shape I could play both. Most schools are just for corner though, which is what I like.

TOM: Have you taken any visits yet? Where do you plan on going?

RASHAD: I’ve been to Florida State a couple times. Towards the summer I’m going to Illinois, Vanderbilt, Louisville, and I want to make sure I go to Michigan too. I’m still planning out when though.

TOM: Who’s helping you the most?

RASHAD: My coach played at FSU, but he’s like my high school agent. He does everything for me, and takes care of everything for me. My other coach went to Florida, so they know the process and take care of everything.

TOM: You recently were quoted saying Michigan was your leader, and then retracted that and said Indiana is one of your top schools. Let’s clear this subject. Where do all the schools stand?

RASHAD: I don’t really have a top 5 for sure. I’m still open, but I would have to say that right now Michigan is at the top. I still want to take a look at everyone though. Michigan is just a good school, and I would have to say right now they are probably at the top. I just want to make sure I see everyone.

TOM: Do you have a timeline for when you want to make your decision?

RASHAD: I might take it to signing day. My coaches told me to make sure I’m comfortable, and build relationships. When I go take a look, I want to make sure I feel comfortable on campus, and the atmosphere. I also want to see if there’s a chance for me to play early, that’s important.