As One Does

Apparently Jim Harbaugh is driving a Corvette indoors (via @Jackson_Carman) pic.twitter.com/wdsxDBwC7B

— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) April 1, 2016

It appears Jim Harbaugh is excited about the Spring Game. Or perhaps this weekend's slate of visitors. Or maybe he's just happy to be living the dream. Regardless, this is now my Twitter header photo. I called dibs. It's mine now.

2017 Spring Game Visitors

Steve Lorenz posted a full, free list of weekend visitors. Pretty much the entire 2016 class and several 2017 commits will be there, assuredly pitching Michigan to the uncommitted recruits.

Michigan will host a pair of running backs in top-50 USC commit Stephen Carr and New Mexico three-star O'Maury Samuels. Even with Kurt Taylor (who'll also be there) and AJ Dillon in the class, the coaches don't appears to be done recruiting the position. Carr might be a longshot; M looks to have a much better chance at Samuels.

New Jersey, as is now the norm, will be well-represented. Two Paramus Catholic four-stars, OLB Drew Singleton and DT Corey Bolds, have Michigan and Clemson out in front with the Wolverines presumed to hold the edge for both; while weekend commitments appear unlikely, M could solidify their standing atop their respective lists. Michigan will make their final push for four-star Princeton (NJ) Hun School DT Fred Hansard, who once looked like he was off the board but now is a distinct possibility to join the class when he announces his choice on May 14th. Three-star Bridgeton (NJ) ATH Markquese Bell included Michigan in his recent top ten and is also a decent bet to end up in the class.

The top center in the class, IMG-by-way-of-NJ four-star Cesar Ruiz, set off a potential commitment watch when he tweeted that "big news" is coming today at 5:30. He told Lorenz it wasn't recruiting-related, but Lorenz also noted that could be misdirection; I won't even try to venture a guess on April Fool's Day.

Other 2017 notables include top-100 AL WR Nico Collins, four-star IMG OLB Jordan Anthony, four-star IMG OT Robert Hainsey, three-star TX TE Major Tennison (Texas commit), and a trio of uncommitted in-state prospects: four-star DE Corey Malone-Hatcher, three-star DT Phillip Paea, and three-star ATH Allen Stritzinger.

One recruit has already wrapped up his visit this week. Three-star FL RB Mike Epstein, an Illinois commit, told MnB's Brandon Justice that Michigan made "a big jump" after he met the whole coaching staff and two of his high school's former quarterbacks, Jake Rudock and John O'Korn.

[Hit THE JUMP for 2018 visitors, new 2018 rankings on 247, an in-depth breakdown on AJ Dillon, and more.]

2018 Visitors

In the 2018 class, Michigan is bringing in a large contingent of Ohio prospects, headlined by commit Antwuan Johnson and his Springfield teammate Leonard Taylor, a jumbo athlete ranked 22nd overall in the class by 247. OH OT Jackson Carman, ranked 20th overall, snapped the photo that graces the top of this post, which is apropos given his last name.

On the in-state side of things, four-star DE Aidan Hutchinson, son of former Wolverine Chris Hutchinson, will be at the game after getting his Michigan offer last week, as will four-star Oak Park OG Marquan McCall and four-star Cass Tech ATH Kalon Gervin. Michigan likes their chances with all three.

While there isn't anyone sending out major commit vibes save, perhaps, for Ruiz, it's tough to rule out a commitment or two happening this weekend given the sheer number of highly interested prospects on campus.

Dillon Film Breakdown

ESPNBoston's John Sarianides posted one of the best film breakdowns I've seen on a high school prospect, diagramming seven plays from AJ Dillon's junior film alongside clips of Dillon running those plays. For example:

Diagram 6

Gun Bunch Over 28 Toss pic.twitter.com/xsofT3NEpv

— Brendan C. Hall (@BHallESPN) March 30, 2016

Diagram 6: Gun Bunch Right Over 28 Toss: Dillon’s patience as a runner is on full display on this toss play. He does a great job giving his blocks a chance to materialize and he fits in behind them. Some running backs are better than others at running the toss play. It’s important that the running back has a feel for the blocks and sees the alley open up. Dillon is good in both of those areas.

The full post is well worth your time. Dillon should be a productive runner given the patience he shows in an offense that strongly features counter runs.

247's 2018 Rankings Updated

247 updated their 2018 rankings. Michigan's lone commit, Antwuan Johnson, fell from #82 overall to #161, but he remains the #3 inside linebacker in the class—there tends to be lots of movement in these early rankings updates as new prospects are discovered. Lorenz has a free post on where the in-state prospects landed, led by Marquan McCall at #69 overall and Aidan Hutchinson at #83.

Etc.

Michigan recently offered four-star TX CB Kary Vincent, a Texas A&M legacy. While there's usually little reason to be optimistic about such a recruit, Brandon Brown talked to him about his connection to Michigan ($):

"A man that works me out by the name of David Underwood is a Michigan alum. He’s been pushing Michigan on me even before I was offered and stuff. It’s been a few months now that I’ve been hearing about Michigan. He told me about how well I’d fit in at a place like Michigan. It’s real big for me to have that offer. I’m really excited."

Vincent added he wants to start his own legacy and he's "more than open" to leaving Texas to do so. He plans to take his time; if Michigan can get him on campus it sounds like they've got a decent shot.

Despite the presence of Dylan McCaffrey in the class, three-star GA dual-threat QB Jelani Woods named Michigan to a top three that also includes Oklahoma State and South Carolina, per Rivals' Patrick O'Brien. Woods hasn't set a visit to Ann Arbor yet, so we'll see how serious that interest really is.

Five-star TN WR Tee Higgins, a potential two-sport player, told 247's Ryan Callahan he's "hearing from Michigan a lot right now." The former Tennessee commit is considering several top Southern programs—Clemson and Tennessee share all the picks on his Crystal Ball—and he plans to enroll early.

Happy trails to four-star IL OG Kevin Jarvis, who committed to Michigan State.