Victors Weekend is here. Some of the greatest athletes in the history of ever, or depending on their upcoming school choices, the most unworthy scamps to ever pollute our good campus, are on hand for the biggest (also third) recruiting weekend of the last two years. Sam Webb is out here trying to get me to watch film on Walter Nolen while also admitting he thinks this goes South unless Michigan can beat the SEC’s NLI presentation. Matt Campbell is getting Mike Farrell to throw timely shade at other teams recruiting Mario Eugenio (call me if Northwestern ever beats a ranked Big Ten East team, Mike). Magnus is curating a list of visitors to keep track of the invasion, and who each guy is.

Will Michigan get a commitapalooza the likes of which we haven’t seen since Trey Burke mesmerized ten people into committing to Brady Hoke? Can they reach a generation that knows more about Harry Potter than Harry Kipke? Will they manage to produce the most effective PowerPoint in the state of Michigan since the one my brother made in 1999 to convince all of his friends’ parents* to let them go to Woodstock?

Let’s find out…nothing because this is recruiting. But here’s my list of this weekend’s 2022 class visitors and what I think we’re trying to accomplish here:

• Tier 1: Commits doing recruiting: IL 4* WR Tyler Morris, GA 3* TE Marlin Klein, CO 4* Connor Jones, MI 5* CB Will Johnson, TN 3* CB Kody Jones.
• Tier 2: Pull the trigger dammit: TX 3* RB Dillon Bell, AL 4* DE/DT Justice Finkley,
• Tier 3: Take a commanding lead: MN 4* OT Lucas Heyer, FL 3* DE Mario Eugenio, TN 5* DT Walter Nolen sorry sorry trying to delete it, GA 3* hybrid Josh Josephs, IL 3* S Austin Brown
• Tier 4: Pass the tentative leader: SC 3* RB C.J. Stokes, CT 3* OT Alessandro Lorenzetti, TX 3* EDGE Joseph Adedire, IL 4* LB Sebastian Cheeks
• Tier 5: Get in the game: VA 4* RB George Pettaway,
• Tier 6: Keep the relationship: 3* TX QB Bert Emanuel, 3* IL SDE Brian Allen, FL 3* NG Tawfiq Thomas

*[Really it was just Marjory Epstein he had to convince, since the rest were all planning on her to kibosh it so they wouldn’t have to admit they absolutely would have attended the original if they could have.]

[After THE JUMP: Position by position rundown]

Quarterback

Crootin rule 187.c: A player who is truly interested will bring both mom and dad.
Crootin rule 187.d: Every family member after should be considered a higher level of interest.

Michigan’s probably going to have to choose which California QB they’re going to have in the class now that 3* Nate Johnson ⬆ came for his official with the entire family($), one of those signs we often use to suggest the recruit’s interest is very high. I’m not so sure Michigan is willing to promise he’s the QB of the class however, which might tip the scales, or be what’s preventing them from tipping, is my read.

Running Back

TJ Holland has a Futurecast pick in for TX 3* Dillon Bell ⬆⬆, who’ll be on campus this week, and was just at several Michigan-attended camps($) including the Nashville one. Bell looks like a receiver (not a slot, a WR), which is maybe just what we need to FINALLY THROW THE DAMN WHEEL.

Happy Trails: The NC State guys think it’s the end of the road soon for NC 4* Omarion Hampton ⬇, who’s probably going to UNC($, info in title) if not Penn State.

Wide Receiver

Crootin rule 4: The closer to the Mississippi Delta they live, the less likely they are to leave.
Crootin rule 68.f: If there are a lot of offers at one position, the top of the board probably isn’t going well.

It won’t affect the 2022s much unless they were expecting to start immediately and we get two years from transfer WR Daylen Baldwin, but we got transfer WR Daylen Baldwin who chose Michigan over Ohio State. As is tradition some info that comes in after the Hello gets shared here, like this from Zach Shaw.

The board is definitely expanding, which is probably a sign the guy at the top of it, namely OR 4* Darrius Clemons, isn’t joining his friend Andrel. One guy we’re looking to pluck from another’s class is LA 3* Amorion Walker ⬆, a Notre Dame commit who’s hearing from that guy who was once a Louisiana receiver looking at both schools himself($, info in title).

Things aren’t looking great for my dream of kid from Groves ever playing at my other alma mater, as a bunch of crystal balls to West Virginia flew in recently for MI 4* ATH Jaden Mangham ⬇⬇. Those came in right after Mangham “loved his visit to Michigan State” ($,info in title) and an unexplained 8-level confidence ball by SpartanTailgate’s Sean Scherer, which has to mean MSU is out. WVU is making him a priority, he told Wiltfong. Mangham’s also visited Georgia Tech and will see Illinois this weekend($, info in title).

Michigan appeared to be recruiting Mangham as a receiver as of Detroit Day, since Gattis was the one making an impression($) instead of Bellamy all of a sudden. That's another sign the receiver board is weak but a good sign for their safety prospects.

A friend of the blog was at their Nashville camp, and said Harbaugh (who didn’t get there until late via Holland’s twitter) seemed enamored with TN 4* Barion Brown ⬆, who seems to be a Bama lock($, info in title). Our friend also said Tennessee State head coach/camp host Eddie George tried to get Harbaugh stopped at the door only for a bunch of friends to intervene and escort him in. I wasn’t there to see it but I’m guessing the whole thing looked something like this:

That’s not the only Brown they’re making a run at. FL 4.5* Jalen Brown ⬆ might be the fastest guy in the 2023 class, and Sam has a bit of good news on that front($) other than “Gattis wants.” They’re also taking another swing($, info in title) at AR 4* slot Isaiah Sategna, who recently de-committed from Texas A&M, though some other deep SEC ties (dad’s an assistant for Arkansas track, Mom was an LSU sprinter) are probably too strong.

KY 4* Dan Key ➡, a UK legacy, was on campus last week($, info in title) without anybody who covers recruiting making a big thing about it, which I take to mean we’re not catching the hometown. Lorenz added that Key does plan to be back in town this fall($).

Tight End

Crootin rule 8: There is no prize for second place.

The big question for last week’s recruiting weekend was can Michigan make an impression on top-100 types leaning toward the local SEC power? Given their states will pass whatever NLI legislation their coaches ask for, what can Michigan do right now? Should we rebuild the entire campus to look like Hogwarts? Or maybe we go more Arendelle, because the first wave of children to get hooked on the Frozen crack are now making their way through American high schools?

Anyway Michigan needed to make a fantastic impression last weekend while hosting GA 4* Oscar Delp ⬆, a longtime Michigan target who turned into a Georgia lean when the rest of the nation caught up to Jay Harbaugh’s scouting. Delp told EJ Holland the visit was “unreal,” which I took to be the usual post-visit pabulum until he noticed the Womping Willow:

“It’s a beautiful campus,” Delp said. “It’s one of the nicest campuses I’ve been to. It looked like it was straight out of Harry Potter. The facilities are crazy. The weight room was insane. They have the best of everything.”

and told Rivals’ Adam Gorney he finally understands how Michigan uses their tight ends (video). Michigan is “definitely towards the top of the list,” which I take to mean not the top of the list. Sorta think this is a situation where it does not do well to dwell on dreams and forget to live. However considering Delp is still doing freaky things, I understand why Jay isn’t ready to let it go. Sam has some other reasons($) for some optimism. Lorenz believes Michigan’s going to at least be Anna($).

Offensive Line

Crootin rule 81: If they visit somewhere else right after your visit, it’s a bad sign.

…Crootin rule 81.g: If they’re driving and it’s on the way home, it’s less of one, but still a bad sign.

Michigan still has some connections out East that are paying off with the emergence of CT 3* Alessandro Lorenzetti ⬆⬆, who moved up from a Michigan State target to a guy Michigan and Penn State are going to fight over. 247’s Brian Dohn shared that Lorenzetti earned a Michigan offer on Monday when he was in town, but also saw PSU, and will revisit Happy Valley on his way home($) after the Michigan official next weekend. There’s another rule in recruiting: It’s not good when they visit somewhere else right after your visit.

Sam has intel on the plans($) of 5* OT Josh Conerly Jr. ⬆.

UPDATE: Michigan caught IL 3* Luke Dalton ⬆ at a satellite camp then hosted him unofficially($, info in title) over the weekend. Dalton's family is close with the Keegans (who know the Glasgows) and the Chicago-area guy knows JJ and AJ, so this could get consummated quickly if Michigan extends an offer.

Also top target, 4* OT George Fitzpatrick ⬆, came on his official, which went well thanks to a star host, according to Lorenz($), but this is now a national 5-star recruitment in everything but the actual rankings, so consider that up arrow an increase from "falling out of it" to "back in it and up against some elites."

Nose Guard & Defensive Tackle

Crootin rule 5: Don’t watch 5-star tape until they commit 

      sign (amended 12/13/13)
      are practicing (amended 4/15/21)

We got a post-visit crystal ball in for 4* Cass Tech’s Deone Walker ⬆⬆ from Allen Trieu($) right in the middle of Walker’s tour-de-SEC. A decision would come after the officials, which means not until late in the fall, but it looks like adding Clink put Michigan in pole position. Which line and where can be sorted out later.

Remember this is three positions on the new defense. Nose candidate IN 3* Kenneth Grant ⬆ was on campus, unofficially, last week, and raved($, info in title). Marich posted a “quick note on DT recruiting”($) not long after that tagged Grant as well as 3* WA NT Peter Taoipu ⬇⬇. I’m guessing the inclusion of Grant is a hint that Michigan’s board is narrowing and only has room for one 350-pound man.

We are still dreaming about TN 5* Walter Nolen ⬆, because all of our recruiting tea leaves like “who’s got mom?” and “which school’s people does he talk to?”($) are betraying our finely tuned pessimism. Sam said on the radio that the other SEC schools were jumping for joy when they heard Florida was trending, because they think they can beat Florida. He said more things on the VIP message board($).

EDGE

I DON’T KNOW WHY WE CAPITALIZE THIS POSITION NAME EITHER BUT I GUESS THIS IS THE CONVENTION SO WE’LL GO WITH IT. I THINK MICHIGAN’S TOP TARGET IS STILL FL 3* MARIO EUGENIO ➡, WHO PROBABLY WON’T BE A 3-STAR FOR LONG AFTER HE DISPLAYED ADVANCED SKILLS AT THE RIVALS 5-STAR CHALLENGE. HE VISITED HIS OTHER LEADER IOWA STATE LAST WEEK, AND WILL BE ON CAMPUS IN ANN ARBOR THIS WEEKEND. HE ALSO ADDED AN INDIANA TRIP THE WEEK AFTER.

[WHISPERS] SORRY FOR YELLING THE LAST BIT THERE—INDIANA SCARES ME ALL OF A SUDDEN.

HAPPY TRAILS: NC 4* BEAU ATKINSON STOPPED BY NORTH CAROLINA’S CAMPUS RIGHT AFTER HANGING AT MICHIGAN LAST WEEKEND AND LO AND BEHOLD HE’S A TAR HEEL. (SEE CROOTIN RULE #81) ALSO MICHIGAN SEEMS OUT OF IT NOW FOR IN 4* JOE STRICKLAND, WHO CANCELED HIS VISIT. AT LEAST WE ALL KNOW HOW TO PRONOUNCE BREBEUF NOW. (IT’S BREH-*BAHF*).

Linebacker

Crootin rule 941: Maybe it was Zavier all along.

Michigan is suddenly very close to picking up a commitment from Belleville 3* Aaron Alexander ⬆⬆⬆. Holland had some incomplete impressions($) after seeing Alexander in Nashville. Speaking of Nashville, it seems EJ figured out why Harbaugh got in there late—the coach flew out to Utah($, info in title) to see 4* Lander Barton ⬆. Clearly that’s a priority.

The bigger news is IL 4* Sebastian Cheeks ⬆, their top target at the position now, canceled his ND official($, info in title), and changed his Michigan trip to an official ($, info in title).That’s an uptick, but one with “you’ve got a ways to go” caveat stuck to it since Texas is “making a big play”($) for Cheeks. The official is this weekend. It would be so sad if someone reminded him Texas boosters like making their players sing.

Cheeks sorta fell into Michigan after Notre Dame stole Josh Burnham, and that could happen again if Texas gets Cheeks, which would probably shake loose long-term Michigan target TX 3* Jeremy Patton ⬆, who just had a ‘great’ visit to Michigan($, info in title) last weekend. Patton is a WR/LB athlete whose offer blitz started with Michigan’s new staff, so they’re probably in this thing either way. Would be kinda weird if the lifelong Michigan diehard Burnham ends up at Notre Dame, the kid from a Notre Dame family goes to Texas, and Michigan gets guy who grew up a Texas fan.

Safety

Crootin rule 10: The longer a guy goes with a clear leader without committing, the it is for the leader.
Crootin rule 10.C: Allotments may be made for coaching changes
CROOTIN RULE 10.F: Crootin rule 10 may be subject to crootin rule 46 (lolmsu)

5* IMG (via OH) hybrid Keon Sabb ⬆⬆ left Michigan out of his top 6 but will be visiting mid-week($, info in title) so we’re not out of it yet. That link also has an update on MI 4* Dillon Tatum’s ⬇ unofficial visit to MSU, who pitched him on being the greatest recruit in the history of the Mel Tucker era. Michigan will get to make their pitch, which probably isn’t “you’ll get to play with dudes who are more talented than those Mel Tucker can recruit.” But the longer this draws out, etc.

TN 3.5* D’Arco Perkins-McAllister ⬆ is now a Rivals 4-star to match his 4-star offer sheet, and was at the Nashville camp long enough to see Harbaugh($) and locked in an official visit this weekend($, info in title). EJ Holland has an opinion on which school’s the biggest threat to Michigan right now, though they’re no longer the only programs who know about this guy.

Happy Trails: VA 4* Sherrod Covil ➡ committed to Clemson. Michigan dropped out of the NJ 4* Jaeden Gould ➡ sweepstakes but a bunch of crystal balls came in this week for USC, as well as a commitment announcement date of June 20. Sucks to be PSU. Also Magnus noted in his rundown that GA 3* Mumu Bin Wahad ⬇⬇⬇ canceled his Michigan visit.

Cornerback

Crootin rule 308c: if they visit right after an offer it’s a good early sign
crootin rule 308f: if they visit you twice before they schedule another visit it’s a good early sign.
crootin rule 309: early signs mean less than late ones.

Top target TN 3.5* Myles Pollard ➡ had a good official visit last week, and became even tighter with Will Johnson($). Pollard was at the Nashville camp, though his dad left before Harbaugh got there($), reported Holland. I think meeting Clinkscale in person was a big deal, and that Pollard will be getting Oklahoma’s and Auburn’s best anti-Michigan pitches before the dangerous anti-Michigan pitch from Alabama on the 22nd.

GA 3* Andre Stewart ⬆⬆, Clinkscale’s other Kentucky commit, is definitely on Michigan’s board now($). The commitment feels soft now, but there are others on his list.

Michigan’s working on two California athlete teammates that Courtney Morgan knows out of San Diego, 4* Jahlil Tucker ⬆ and 4* Jahlil Florence ⬆. EJ Holland got updates on their visit plans, which sound favorable to Michigan($).

Happy Trails: In more bad news for people who wanted ANY kind of Groves on the team, Georgia commit Marquis Groves-Killebrew ⬇⬇⬇ canceled his visit via Magnus.