MSU Visitors: Biggest Recruiting Weekend Of The Fall

Well, I hadn't even started this post before Michigan got a commitment this weekend. Three-star GA RB Kurt Taylor is the newest member of the 2017 class; here's a short post on him for now, and he'll get the full Hello treatment on Sunday.

As for the rest of this weekend's visitors, 247's Steve Lorenz has the full list posted for free. Some highlights follow.

Official visitors:

• Five-star GA TE Isaac Nauta is arguably the most important recruit left on Michigan's board—yes, perhaps even including Rashan Gary—and this weekend's visit will give the Wolverines a chance to push past home squad Georgia.
• Four-star CA WR Dylan Crawford hasn't let on much about his recruitment, but 247 national analyst Steve Wiltfong recently put in a Crystal Ball pick to Michigan.
• Four-star CA ATH Lamar Jackson was ticketed for USC by most; with that program in a state of disarray, the door is open for another school to make a move.
• Four-star CA CB David Long is a Stanford commit but Michigan appears to have a real shot regardless.

Unofficial visitors:

• Penn State commits Lavert Hill (four-star Detroit King CB) and Quinn Nordin (top-ranked Rockford kicker) will be two to keep an close eye on this weekend, especially Nordin. Hill's teammate Donnie Corley (four-star WR) is also expected to be in attendance.
• Four-star 2017 CO QB Dylan McCaffrey, Michigan's top target at the position in the class, will be on campus. With Stanford, where his father Ed went and brother Christian currently stars, coming off a blowout of UCLA, Michigan might need to make a statement.
• Several members of the Pipeline 9, including five-star Cass Tech WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, are expected to be there.
• Three-star 2017 Ann Arbor Pioneer OLB Antjuan Simmons could be in line for an offer; his recruitment has blown up lately.

There are plenty more at the link above. This is a huge recruiting weekend for Michigan. That probably didn't need to be said.

[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]

Kareem Walker Tea Leaves: Promising

Garrett Fishaw caused some waves when he reported earlier this week that a source close to five-star NJ RB Kareem Walker told him that Walker looked to be on his way out with Ohio State and Michigan is now the favorite to land him. The corroborating evidence is trickling in. Walker had only positive things to say about last weekend's visit to Sam Webb ($):

“I really like (Michigan’s) coaching staff,” said Walker. “I really like what they’ve got going on.  I see what they (have) planned for me in the future.  And with what Jabrill had to say to me… it would be a good place for me. As of right now I’ve just got to sit back and weigh my options once I take my visits.”

Meanwhile, four-star NC RB Antonio Williams decommitted from Wisconsin and set a visit to Ohio State, which now looks to be the overwhelming favorite to land him. Scout's Bill Greene, who's very plugged in to OSU recruiting, said in the aftermath he doesn't see Walker ending up in their class ($). While Michigan likely will have to sweat out a few visits, they look like the odds-on favorite for Walker. Urban Meyer is already talking like he's moved on.

Michigan also really impressed four-star FL ILB Devin Bush Jr. last week. His father discussed the visit with Webb ($):

“Michigan is who they are,” Mr. Bush said. “Michigan has a storied tradition… a big time program that is going to be able to recruit nationally.  That’s just who they are.  When you see it (in person), it’s really real.”

Bush announced a final three of Michigan, Auburn, and Florida State. Even though his dad is a former Seminole, there's a ton of optimism from Michigan's end right now.

So How Do These Guys Fit?

The natural question, of course, is how will Michigan fit all these highly ranked prospects into the class when they're already close to full? Right now, it looks like they're allowing current commits to take a look around. ILB David Reese recently added a Texas offer; any school that has a spot for him to enroll early could look very attractive after Michigan informed him they don't have a mid-year spot for him. ATH Chris Evans just set an official visit to Purdue, per 247's Steve Wiltfong. Michigan appears to be recruiting with the expectation there will be some attrition from within the class.

Two You Can Count Out

Michigan finished second to Alabama when four-star Farmington Hills Harrison DE Khalid Kareem made his initial decision over the summer. Even though Kareem decommitted from Alabama this week, it doesn't look like Michigan will pursue him; Sam Webb said in no uncertain terms that the Wolverines aren't recruiting him ($).

It doesn't look like Michigan is making a push for four-star Ann Arbor Skyline OLB Daelin Hayes, either. Hayes recently decommitted from USC, but he's set five official visits—Michigan isn't among them—and Notre Dame is the clear favorite right now.