As promised, recruiting updates and evaluations will be more frequent with AAU in full swing and the dead period set to end in June. I've received word that Michigan is looking at a class of 3-4 for 2022 as of right now. Obviously this is fluid, considering the state of affairs in the portal and the extra year of eligibility granted to seniors. As a baseline, I think its safe to assume the Wolverines will take 1 true big, 1 true wing-forward, 1 playmaking guard and perhaps the best available talent if a fourth prospect is pursued. 

Atlanta was the destination last weekend, as I attended the Sweet 16 event sponsored by On The Radar Hoops. This was Jett Howard's first appearance on the AAU scene in 2021, as he just completed his high school season with IMG Academy and what a debut it was. 

Guards/Wings

Having viewed Jett Howard live three times since October, I have a good feel for his game and his trajectory. I was anxious to see him in a different setting with perhaps a more featured role, and the youngest Howard did not disappoint.

Suiting up for Nightrydas Elite (Nike EYBL), the 6'6 junior played more of an on-ball role as opposed to his primarily catch-and-shoot duties with a loaded IMG Academy team. Howard looked good as a shot-creator for himself, as he connected on multiple pull-ups after change of speed/direction dribbles and stepbacks. Perhaps more encouraging, Jett displayed some very nice flashes as a playmaker for others in ballscreen action and also thrived as a transition passer with some nifty bounce passes that resulted in easy layups/dunks. 

There are some things he needs to tighten up. He has a tendency to dance with the ball without getting getting anywhere at times and has a bit too much air on some of his passes. But the overall take is that Howard is trending up as a viable on-ball option at the next level. Six months ago, Jett had the look of a catch and shoot wing that plays the PF spot at times. With this most recent evaluation, Howard is projecting more as a wing that is capable of handling shot-creation duties occasionally. 

I'll get ahead of the curve here. Yes, I'm fully confident that Jett Howard will be part of Michigan's 2022 class. 

 

File This Under Pursue Immediately

While he hasn't heard from Michigan as of yet, I would be remiss to not mention 2022 Emanuel Sharp of Bishop McLaughlin (FL)/E1T1 (EYBL). I've been higher on Sharp than anyone, having him ranked as 4-star prospect for nearly a year, but wanted to be cautious until seeing him against elite competition this weekend. 

I'll keep this brief since Emanuel isn't on Michigan's board just yet, but I would easily take him as our lead-guard in 2022 over any of Jaden Bradley, Dug McDaniel or Seth Trimble (probably more SG). Range out to 30 feet, great playmaker for others, athleticism that absolutely defies what you may think in the layup line and great positional size at 6'4.

I'm guessing the staff will get eyes on him at some point soon, as E1T1 is based in Central Florida and will likely play Jett/Nightrydas Elite several times. It is absolutely negligent that mainstreams have him ranked in the 80-140 range. Sharp will likely debut as a 5-star prospect in my rankings come June/July. It's nearly impossible to watch and not think of a prospect that looks a lot like Talen Horton-Tucker with a better jumpshot at the same age. 

[Hit THE JUMP for new film + intel on Wings and Bigs]

Wings/Forwards

2022 A.J. Casey is number two on my wing board (behind Jarace Walker) and he's inching closer toward being my top choice. Casey made his AAU debut with Meanstreets (Nike EYBL) earlier this month at the NY2LA Swish N' Dish and was very impressive.

The 5-star wing out of Chicago displayed all the tools you want to see. Perimeter shotmaking, explosiveness at the rim, occasional playmaking and high-level rim protection. At 6'8 with a developed frame he's going to be a kid that produces early in his collegiate career and I'd be very happy if that happened in Ann Arbor. 

While he play things close to the vest with respect to his recruitment, Michigan is among the schools prioritizing him and Juwan's connections to Chicago obviously help here. I plan on seeing Casey soon and hope to have more intel on him in the coming weeks. 

 

4-star offer Ty Rodgers lead his Grand Blanc (MI) team to a Division I state championship over the weekend. A great athlete with potential to be a premier defender in college, Michigan appears to be in good position here per this late-March piece with 247.

“A lot of (the schools) that have offered me are showing me a lot of love, but the main ones and head coaches that are reaching out is Michigan, Syracuse, Houston, Missouri and Marquette. Those are the main ones who have been reaching out to me personally the head coaches."

“It’s good (my bond with Coach Howard). I feel like he’s a great coach and a great person. He tries to reach out to me once or twice a week, but he does consistently, so that really stands out to me how consistent he is with everything. He’s a great guy."

Rodgers isn't as high on my wing board based on some of his offensive limitations, but there's no denying he fits the Juwan Howard mold of a rangy athlete that plays hard. In a program that has transitioned to more of a defensive-oriented identity, he would make a real impact as a defensive-stopper capable of defending three positions during any given game. 

A few notes on some of the other 2022 wing offers. Once thought to be a near lock, Gregg Glenn (Calvary Christian HS/FL), is taking a bit too long to pull the trigger. I wouldn't be surprised if the staff makes contact this week to measure where exactly things stand and perhaps expedite the timeline.

Dallas-native Colin Smith will also be contacted by the staff this week. While not necessarily considered a lock, Smith has been prioritized by the staff for months and I get the feeling the staff may attempt to gain clarity relatively soon here with Smith's sister at Stanford along with former teammate and Michigan target Harrison Ingram. 

 

Bigs

4-star offer Donovan Clingan is off to a strong start in his travel season for Team Spartans. He hasn't played the best competition just yet on the Hoop Group circuit, but his club figures to square-off against some of the heavy-hitters soon. That said, the skill here is quite obvious and the fit even moreso. As a 7'1 lefty, he has a great drop-step and touch at the basket. Remind you of anyone?

On the recruiting trail, this seems like a natural fit for a Juwan Howard team that loves to feature post-play and that resonates with Clingan per this February 247 article :

“It was big to get that offer. It's a big time school with a great coach. I hopped on a zoom call for two hours with the staff and it's just a blessing to get an offer from that school. Their message to me was that they see me fitting in well in their program, they like my game and they think I can make it big. They produce bigs very well and having coach Juwan as a coach is huge. He was a good big man himself so that factors in.”

While UConn has been rumored to be the front-runner here, I'd be inclined to think Michigan will be in a functional top group considering Donovan's skillset and Michigan's style of play. Definitely projects as a perfect marriage for both parties.