Quick overview of where things stand, since the meat of this article gets into a lot of 2022 recruits with decisions far in the future.

• The deadline passed for NJ 4* DT George Rooks to make a decision before the season. Now we wait (some more).
• 2021 cornerback recruiting is a bummer; Michigan's best hopes are to get CA 4.5* Ceyair Wright on campus or flip another team's commit, the most likely being FSU's Omarion Cooper, and Cooper more likely that Wright at this point. The good news is 2022 cornerback recruiting begins about as well as it could.
• The 2022 class has a handful of recruitments that look more like a "when" than an "if" in NJ 4* CB/S Jaeden Gould, MI 4* OLB/Edge Josh Burnham, GA sleeper TE Oscar Delp, MA sleeper OL Sully Weidman, and maybe two West Bloomfield 4*s in RB/ATH Dillon Tatum and ILB (at Michigan anyway) Michael Williams.
• They'll also probably go all the way to signing day with 5* CBs Domani Jackson and legacy Will Johnson, win at least one of the 4.5* receivers from Illinois Kaleb Brown and Tyler Morris, and have a good shot at landing IMG 4* OL Tyler Booker, top-100 LB Jaylen Sneed, CT DE Wilfredo Aybar, and Devin Bushian IL 4* ILB Sebastian Cheeks, the latter two being your standard Michigan-Notre Dame wars.

247's Steve Lorenz has a pretty comprehensive free update from this week.

[After THE JUMP: a lot of names, and then we move past 2022 cornerbacks.]

Cornerback

Status: Michigan needs at least two cornerbacks this year, but it's a bad cycle to looking for immediate help (2022 is the exact opposite). Ja'Den McBurrows is one but they need more than a small speedy Floridian (who still hasn't visited Michigan). After whiffing on a bunch of guys they liked, Michigan's main targets right now are all committed elsewhere, with the exception of a coveted California longshot. If not Cooper or Wright expect them to at least go after some late bloomers because no way do they end the cycle with just one guy.

Latest: Of those FSU commit Omarion Cooper seems like the best shot; Michigan certainly hasn't cut off pursuit ($, info in title). The 247 guys discussed Cooper on their podcast. With FSU's rough start Lorenz jokes everybody committed to the Noles is less than 100%. Their site's top Southeast guy thinks Michigan is the biggest danger to flip Cooper($), and Sam Webb notes Cooper's the one initiating contact. Rivals' EJ Holland adds that Cooper is an early enrollee($) so if he flips to Michigan he won't get to visit first.

Michigan would love to get CB Ceyair Wright, whom 247's Brice Marich noted was the only guy to stay in front of 2020 commit Cristian Dixon in 7-on-7s, but the way visits are playing out Sam gets the feeling Wright will stay out on the West Coast; Marich spoke to Wright's parents and came away believing that pulling him from the West Coast will "be a lot tougher" since they want to visit if there's fans and there probably won't be. He also told Marich he'd rather do business than acting, which helps Michigan vs USC. EJ Holland recently switched his forecast to USC ($, reasoning at the link).

AL 3* Kamari Lassiter is an odd swing since he's from Tuscaloosa, has tight connections to Auburn where he's already committed, and Clemson wanted him too.

2022: Rivals' EJ Holland thinks Michigan's doing well($) with CA 5-star Domani Jackson, though any time Ohio State and Clemson are coming you're going to have a long and bloody fight. The 247 guys note that having Darion Green-Warren, who was Domani's mentor($), is a big plus. Marich doesn't make the Peppers comparison directly but said Jackson is "built like a linebacker but moves like an elite corner" and is physically ready to be in college right now.

They're also super into top-50 ATH Larry Turner-Gooden, whom Lorenz does comp a bit to Peppers in that LTG's the kind of three-way five-star you show your Mom and she'll agree. Michigan has a lot of connections here($), between Zordich coaching LTG's half-brother at Yougstown State, and the father being really tight with Russell Shaw. Turner-Gooden is an academic guy too.

USC's going to fight all the way but the family's from Youngstown—Mom is an Ohio State grad but Domani sides with his Michigan dad. He'll cut his list down soon; Arizona State is hanging around here because the son of the coach of Ground Zero is an assistant at ASU—it'll be interesting to see if Ohio State makes the list.

Michigan's also one of the favorites for very large NJ 4* Jaedon Gould, who may grow into a safety or even Viper…but the Jeremy Clark comp is tight. Rivals has some recent analysis (video). Sam had Josh Newkirk on the Recruiting Insider after the latter went on a big New Jersey swing. He loved Gould as well as the RB commit for Michigan State and thinks Michigan's in a good place ($, info title).

Holland was in Detroit last week and got a highlight video of 5* CB Will Johnson, who's playing CB and WR. EJ Holland:

He's extremely long, he's technically sound; obviously he's learned a lot of technique from his father. With him it's just how he keeps guys at bay, his length is something that stands out the most.

Holland notes that Johnson is really tight with the other talent (video) around Detroit in 2022, so getting the legacy would help a lot with the rest of them. It's not going to be  slam dunk; Ohio State is "high on his mind"—they sold him on Okudah and the other talent coming through there. Penn State's staff is also deep into Detroit and Johnson's connecting with that staff.

We're not done, because Zordich might have Michigan out in front($) for NV 4* Fabian Ross, whose Chidobe Awuzie comp from 247's regional recruiting guy Blair Angulo should catch your eye.

No we're not done yet. Sam believes Michigan is going to take another look at TN sleeper Myles Pollard, a teammate of Junior Colson, after the 6'1"/180 cornerback prospect balled out against IMG.

Safety

Rod Moore is a good safety to have; they'd like to have more. [Nasternak]

Status: Michigan has Rod Moore and has been missing on their attempts to add another guy to the 2021 class. At this point I believe if they get another it'll be a late-bloomer they see on film—it wouldn't be the first time Don Brown's pulled that. With three guys in the 2020 class with essentially the same eligibility counter it might just be time to move on to 2022s.

Latest: No news on 2021s.

2022: The afore mentioned Newkirk segment actually began with 5* (#7 overall) Keon Sabb, who grew up a Michigan fan. Even with former teammate Aaron Lewis going back home and Partridge/Campanile leaving, the relationships Michigan are still strong, especially with friend Brad Hawkins, position coach Bob Shoop ("real genuine dude") and Harbaugh. The Wolverines are recruiting him as a free safety and making him a top priority.

Former 2022 commit Myles Rowser is still talking to Michigan($), info in title. Things are not looking great there, but there are a lot of other safeties Michigan's after for this class, including the annual "Don Brown says there's gold in them there hills" low-3* athlete who blows up late in the cycle. That might be recent offeree FL 3* James Monds III, who grew up with Zak Zinter before the latter moved to Massachusetts. It could also be TX 3* Sherrod Covil, who recently moved from Virginia($) to a big Houston program—PSU is the other school that was involved prior to the move, but a lot more schools could come now. Michigan is talking to Covil every day($ info in header).

MO 4* Isaac Thompson is an elite guy Shoop is recruiting, so he's definitely a safety to them; Lorenz recently put in a ball to Texas ($, reasoning at link).

Linebacker

Status: They're down to three commits now that Casey Phinney decommitted. ILB/Viper Junior Colson is balling out. ILB Jaydon Hood was looking wobbly. IL 3.5* Tyler McLaurin is a SAM/WLB who sometimes sounds like he'd be coming to Michigan on his own if football didn't make it so.

Latest: Good news on the Hood front($) as Steve Lorenz reports the Bush-like linebacker commit from Aquinas "remains solid to the Wolverines." That's kind of important since he's never visited, and his teammate is Michigan's only cornerback recruit. EJ Holland is really close with LB commit Junior Colson and is on board with Colson as the top player in this class even if Donovan Edwards ends up in it($).

2022: The signs seem to point($) to Traverse City 4* LB Joshua Burnham ultimately committing to Michigan, though there's heavy interest from Notre Dame, OSU and Bama—who are using grad assistant Max Bullough says 247's Allen Trieu($). Burnham's team is asking him to play quarterback this year. I think he's a WLB on the next level.]

247 scout Brian Dohn posted a free article on PA 4* Abdul Carter

EJ Holland got some more coach takes on commit Tyler Martin($) including this informative non-answer:

"[Don Brown] likes to bring it and bring it from all sorts of angles. He needs smart, versatile guys. That’s what Tyler is. He’s a smart, physical player that can be used in a lot of different ways… It’s going to be up to Coach Brown and that crew to figure out the best way to utilize him."

This means SAM folks. Lots more at the jump, plus some stuff about IMG (originally New Jersey) 2022 OL target Tyler Booker, and a discussion on…

Defensive Line

Michigan's in good shape with Rayshaun Benny, who's been sidelined. [Nasternak]

Status: They're set at DE this cycle with Quintin Somerville, TJ Guy, and Kechaun Bennett, unless 5* Dallas Turner from Aquinas gets interested. They have a grow-a-DT but want at least two DT-shaped ones, and have two realistic shots left. NJ 4* DT George Rooks originally wanted to make his decision before the season($), which began last week. This is a 50/50 Michigan-Penn State battle($) that felt like it would go to Michigan if he decided sooner. The recruitment of MI 4* Rayshaun Benny is proceeding in an orderly fashion in the direction of a ultimate commitment. If Michigan misses on Rooks there are some options out there, though not many good ones. Lorenz mentioned LSU commit Anthony Hundley in a recent VIP chat($).arden

Latest: Rooks spoke to Rivals PSU guy Ryan Snyder after doing an unofficial tour with the family of Penn State. PSU lost their DL coach this year so they've been having to make up ground.

Newkirk also made it to Red Bank to see 3* DE/DT Dominic Giudice, who was the starting center and defensive end this year. Things from Newkirk: high-energy guy, high-motor, leader. Newkirk could see him becoming a defensive tackle or even an offensive lineman.

"He's that type of grinder that Harbaugh likes… I don't think he's fast enough to play outside—he's not a Chase Winovich or Rashan Gary…he's more of a Matt Godin."

There ya go, summer 2021 Brian. The article($) restates some of the things we've heard: he's up to 275, Michigan is still saying Anchor/3-Tech.

Also somehow WA 5* DT JT Tuimaloau had Michigan in his cut down to 7 schools($), probably to troll us before he picks Ohio State.

2022s: 4* AZ DT Anthony Lucas is a good shot to join commit Alex VanSumeren in this class; Nua has that Arizona connection and Lucas has already visited($). Lorenz shouted out recent offer($ info in header) MO 4* WDE Tyson Ford on the podcast as a dude with Taco skills and low-Power 5 competition. Via the same podcast, the Michigan staff is also very high on OH 4* Derrick Shepard. So apparently are the 247 Ohio State recruiting guys, who keep posting "Why won't OSU offer this kid before Michigan escapes with him"($) articles.

Michigan cast a wide net to start the cycle and got in first for DE Omari Abor, but the WDE prospect is climbing and the vibe is he's more receptive to SEC schools($). I am also intrigued by 320-pound 5* TX DT Bear Alexander, for all of the obvious reasons, though again: not much likelihood. In that article EJ Holland notes another DT prospect from a much smaller school whom Nua has a good shot at landing.

Offensive Line

Raheem Anderson is the kind of recruit who follows Dr. Sap [Nasternak]

Status: This class started much like the 2022 CBs did, with Michigan almost guaranteed a good class because they were starting in good shape with so many good ideas. That resolved into a lot of misses but Michigan has four commits, three of whom were in that original top 8 group, plus a grow-a-tackle secondary option and room for one more. Giovanni El-Hadi has been committed so long it's hard to get excited about a guy in the Ben Bredeson range of if he wasn't OL he'd be a can't-miss. Ditto IMG (via MA) C Greg Crippen, maize-and-blue blooded Cass Tech 4* C Raheem Anderson. Nothing lately on grow-a-tackle prospect Tristan Bounds but a recent offer to a Texas prospect seems like it might bear fruit.

Latest: Here's some reasons to get excited about Giovanni El-Hadi($). The Michigan offer for 3* TX OL Remington Strickland seems to have catapulted us to the front of the line($, info in headline), considering the rest of the line is SMU, UCF, then Houston in that order. Drew Kendall is still on the board because…reasons:

Keeping Kendall on this list for one more month as Michigan is still recruiting him. However, they probably trail both Boston College and Stanford as the Massachusetts native continues to mull a decision date.

2022: Forced to choose just one IMG guy to interview after they played Junior Colson's team, EJ Holland went for 4* OL prospect Tyler Booker. Agents McCarthy and Crippen are working on($) that one as well as IMG 4* OT Dayne Shor, who will probably be a national recruit. Another national guy the Wolverines have a better shot at is NJ top-100 OT Jacob Allen, who's one of the five prospects Lorenz thinks we should be talking more about($, info in header that's linked from the profile). Michigan recently offered($, info in title) 2022 MA sleeper OL Sully Weidman, who doesn't yet have a 247 profile; EJ Holland seems to think($) Weidman's on the edge of takedom. He has a rivals one though and EJ Holland put in a Michigan pick. The tape shows a legit 6'6" giant with long arms who pulls well but plays way too high. OH 4* offeree Aamil Wagner, a Frey-type tackle prospect, is the brother of Tyree Kinnel's best friend($). Michigan also offered ($, inferred info from title) HI 3* Laakea Kapoi, whose brother played for Nua at Navy.

Receiver & Tight End

Status: It appears they're done here with three receivers and a tight end from the top of their board.

Latest: The 2020 commits are looking sweet. We didn't have YouTube when Steve Breaston was a commit so we had to just imagine the things they said about his speed in our heads. With Xavier Worthy you can see it($). If you still doubt the credibility of your eyes, Sam spoke with Brandon Huffman to confirm the least fake FAKE forty time($):

Sam Webb: Xavier just hit me to say he ran a 4.46 on a grass field despite slipping. He said you can verify. So, what was the event? Did it go down the way he described? Set the scene for me.

Brandon Huffman: “Yeah, I was there. I saw with my own two eyes. It was the National Preps Showcase, and National Preps is an NCAA certified scouting service. This is the first event they've done. And they work for the different colleges. It was in Fresno, and they partnered with Mike Ware NOZON3, who is Xavier's 7-on-7 coach. So, (Worthy) came out Velltray Jefferson came out and a couple of the kids from Central and Northern California came out. It was on a grass field with the laser system they use at the NFL combine. So, it was legit, legit.”

Also looking sweet is "Michigan's Most Interesting Commit"($) Cristian Dixon, who's a philosopher:

“Social media is the worst thing that’s ever happened to us as humans,” Dixon said. “We waste so much time on it. It’s ridiculous. There is so much money in it, but it’s so bad for us. All the radiation in the phones. Apple knows what they’re doing to us. There is a reason why Bill Gates doesn’t have a whole bunch of technology in his house.”

Rivals subscribers the whole profile is well worth your time($).

Third WR commit Andrel Anthony also had a big opener, with 3 catches for 84 yards despite getting the Braylon treatment. I'm sorry is it rude to bring up Braylon with an East Lansing native MSU badly wanted in this class? Let me check….

Yes, very rude.

2022: EJ Holland thinks Michigan's got the edge on PSU and ND (video) for IL 4.5* Tyler Morris, who played with JJ McCarthy, but that Morris is going to take his time. GA commit Marlin Klein is a guy Lorenz said on the podcast and in a more thorough post-commit analysis($) that Michigan had top 2 or 3 on their board the whole time; they also see the Travis Kelce comp. Fellow underrated GA prospect Oscar Delp is another good shot to end up in the class, but the board has some elites and taking three seems plausible. Via Holland($), UT 4* WR Darrius Clemons grew up in Michigan and Gattis is in contact($). AJ Henning-like TX 4* Brenen Thompson is FAST and therefore has Josh Gattis in his ear($).

Happy Trails: GA 4* Jayden Thomas chose Notre Dame. 2022 MO 4* WR Luther Burden cut down his list and left Michigan out; he's an Oklahoma lean with SEC schools making their pitch. 2022 TX 5* WR Caleb Burton, the teammate of RB commit Tavierre Dunlap, left Michigan off a top-whatever list. Speaking of,

Running Back

Status: Taking two and those will likely be the thunder-lightning duo of TX 4* commit Tavierre Dunlap and five-star West Bloomfield dynamo Donovan Edwards, who remains the top guy on the board overall, and a Michigan lead who wants to still see Georgia and Oklahoma.

Latest: TX 4* commit Tavierre Dunlap expects to enroll early. He might blow up after a ridiculous season opener that included a 99-yarder($). Holland is at 70%($) in the Donovan Edwards marathon. Michigan's after another TX basher in Emeka Megwa, who according to Holland is training with David Underwood($).

2022: Lorenz put out a 2022 board that's full of names, including one GiBran Payne and another called Gavin Sawchuk, both of whom should consider whether they want Carl Grapentine or anyone other than Carl Grapentine entrusted with those monikers. Things are trending down($) for top target AL 4* Emmanuel Henderson($). Michigan has a LOT of backs on the board. They were the first offer for MS sleeper Branson Robinson, and Chris Partridge (Ole Miss) and others quickly followed. Robinson had a monster first game but Lorenz is intrigued if it was possible to get a guy out of that black hole. 4* MO target Arlen Harris Jr. seemed like a lock before but might be trending to Iowa now($) via 247; Rivals thinks PSU-Iowa are a little bit ahead($). Lorenz loves the film of NC 4* Omarion Hampton who doesn't have the offers of a superstar—Florida is in there.

Quarterback

Status: 5* JJ McCarthy is out there throwing off his back foot and dropping dimes. They're still sorting through 2022s.

Latest: Maize and Brew's Stephen Osentoski had a film breakdown against Ravenwood (Junior Colson) this week. The film shows a guy who runs read options well and HOLY SHIT JUNIOR COLSON.

2022: The top two targets right now seem to be CA 5* Maalik Murphy, and GA 4.5* MJ Morris, and then you may or may not include KY 4* Gavin Wimsatt, whom Michigan offered a month ago without getting much of a reaction from that. Murphy is also the top target of Oregon and Ohio State, so…yeah. Morris on the other hand would be a simple fight with Bama, Florida, Miami and Auburn, but recent offers from Stanford, Vanderbilt, and Virginia suggest Morris might have more than passing interest in the school side. AZ 4* Nicco Marchiol had passed from our sight but he might not be as into the "dumpster fire"($) version of FSU, which could open that back up.