The Wheel of Recruiting Roundup Writers has landed on me for the season, or at least until (if?) basketball causes us to reevaluate the weekly schedule. Bear with me while I get back up to speed. One way we can all do that is to check out the 2022 recruiting board Seth put together last week. It's got Nefarious Eduardo and everything.

Rayshaun Benny Decision Date: Soon

After pushing back a decision that had been set for earlier this week, four-star Oak Park (MI) DT Rayshaun Benny will announce his choice on a live CBS Sports stream between Michigan, Michigan State, Kentucky, and Penn State on November 9th and 3 ET.

While there was some consternation about a late Spartan push when Benny delayed his announcement, that seems to have abated, and the Wolverines hold all seven picks on the 247 Crystal Ball. TMI's Brice Marich reports that confidence hasn't waned on the staff's end:

I’m told the Maize and Blue brass still very good about their standing in this recruitment as Benny’s final decision nears. They continue to stay in daily contact with the talented youngster as well.

Benny, a two-way prospect who reportedly tips the scales at 275 pounds, would help fill a big need at defensive tackle. The 2021 class has a couple players (TJ Guy, Dominick Guidice) who could conceivably go through the Carlo Kemp bulk-up progression but a highly rated prospect who comes in shaped like a true tackle would be welcome.

[Hit THE JUMP for updates on Donovan Edwards, Ceyair Wright, and some 2022s.]

Recruiting Via Game Script

this could be you, if you are a top-50 RB from a school that rhymes with "Best Boomshield"

A number of prospects took notice of Michigan's new-look offense in the Minnesota. One who hasn't gone on the record but liked what he saw was top-40 West Bloomfield (MI) RB Donovan Edwards, whom the TMI podcast crew believes was on the receiving end of a message sent with the first offensive snap:

Sam Webb: “...the running backs, four of them impacted the game. And they started out the contest... the very first play was called 'Donovan-Edwards.' It was, 'okay guys, let's run Donovan-Edwards.' And what was that play? Now... I don't know that it was really called 'Donovan-Edwards.' (Laughter). I don't know that it was really called 'Donovan-Edwards.' But who didn't look at that and think this is (about) Donovan-Edwards? (Laughter).”

Steve Lorenz: “Was an analyst holding a picture of (Donovan Edwards) above his head on the sidelines? (Laughter)”

Brice Marich: “I'm at a wedding, and I'm watching the first play, and that was the first thing I thought of. They throw a little pass to Blake Corum, he takes him for 24 yards, and it shows off hi athleticism and speed... kind of what we've been talking about in our reports. And I'm thinking, 'that's an interesting first play call.' And then I'm thinking Donovan Edwards, who's maybe is the top target for the 2021 class out of West Bloomfield High School... that's one thing he's really stressed with you, Sam. He's like, listen, I want to see how the running backs are utilized. And so for that to be the first playing was interesting.

Strong dedication to the job from both Michigan's coaching staff and Brice.

Edwards will enroll early at the school of his choice so making an impression this early in the season is important. The Wolverine's EJ Holland said Edwards texted him with a positive reaction to the way the backs were utilized; Holland believes Michigan is "in the pole position" as we head into the back stretch of his recruitment.

Ceyair Wright To Visit

Five-star QB JJ McCarthy is among the commits organizing a self-guided visit weekend—we're still in a COVID-induced dead period—centered on the Wisconsin game scheduled for November 14th. The list of projected guests now includes top-100 Los Angeles Loyola CB Ceyair Wright and his family, according 247's Greg Biggins:

We've heard several recruits, headlined by quarterback commit J.J. McCarthy, are organizing a get together on November 14 for the Wisconsin game. Per Big 10 rules, only family members can attend the game but the recruits will meet off campus and watch it together as part of a weekend full of activities. 

Wright, along with his family, will also be in Ann Arbor that weekend. It will be his first time visiting the Michigan and it's huge the Wolverines are able to get the talented corner on campus. 

While Wright can't talk to the coaches on that visit, he can mingle (while safely socially distanced!) with Michigan commits and hopefully get a feel for campus. Most importantly, traveling to Ann Arbor on his own dime with his family is a sign of major interest. USC is the early favorite but Wright is staying open and for now isn't expected to commit until the announcement ceremony taking place of the All-American Bowl on January 2nd.

In other cornerback recruiting, Holland believes Michigan remains in a good spot with Florida State commit Omarion Cooper as FSU's season continues to go badly awry.

2022 Updates: (Sigh) OSU Making Moves

Rumors emerged this week that Ohio State could be on the verge of landing commitments from two of Michigan's top 2022 targets, five-star CA CB Domani Jackson and five-star MI CB Will Johnson—the latter would be an especially tough blow given he's the state's top recruit and the son of former M corner Deon Johnson.

Sam Webb dug into the situation with both prospects, reporting he's also hearing that OSU has moved into the lead for Jackson, while speculation about Johnson seems more tied to a "that's bait" tweet about being a possible package deal with Jackson. They're both slated to visit during that Wisconsin weekend, though Sam writes that there's work to do:

When reached for comment the elder Johnson suggested his son was merely ”gassing” fans up on social media and said that a decision was not imminent. However, that doesn’t mean Ohio State isn’t in strong standing. The Buckeyes are absolutely among the favorites to land Johnson thanks to the longstanding connection with defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs. Dad wouldn’t stand in the way if his son wanted to go with the Bucks.

But plans along those lines haven’t been made yet. Dad says the only recruiting plan he knows of at this point is the one he has to drive Will to Ann Arbor for the recruit gathering on November 14th.

Not loving that, but there's time.

The outlook is better for top-150 St. Louis DB Isaac Thompson, who was impressed by Don Brown's defense in the opener and will also visit that Wisconsin weekend. He told Holland he'll be watching and rooting for Michigan this weekend, which is notable given where his father played ball:

After all, Thompson’s father, Hickey, played running back for Michigan State in the 90s.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Thompson said. “The whole family is going to be watching that one, especially since my dad is a big Michigan State fan. I think it’s going to be me with Michigan and him with Michigan State (laughs). Even with my dad being a Michigan State guy, he still loves Michigan. My dad has never tried to push me to follow his footsteps. He wants me to do my own thing and do what’s best for me.”

Thompson is looking to make a decision in December or January.

Holland put in a FutureCast pick for Michigan; this is reportedly the only school visit Thompson plans to take this calendar year.

Holland talked to top-250 AZ QB Nicco Marchiol, who has Michigan in his top group and is working towards a decision:

“It’s definitely slowed down to my top schools,” Marchiol said. “I’m really thankful that it has slowed down a little bit because I need to focus on the season. Right now, I’m focused on winning a state championship. Once everything gets cleared in January, I’m going to take a couple of weekends to visit those top schools. I’ll have a decision made in January or February.”

Michigan was the early favorite before a strong push by Florida State; the collapse of the Noles has opened the door for the Wolverines and others to move in, and M's cause is helped by Marchiol's familiarity with campus since he visited last year.