The Wolverines are intent on landing a lead-guard type for the 2022 class with Devante Jones and Zeb Jackson the only potential upperclassmen guards on the current roster a year from now. Jones may have professional aspirations and attrition in contemporary basketball is the expectation rather than the exception.  

Things are heating up fast, as one visit has been completed and two more on deck. This may very well be a race to commit first. The latest below. 

 

Bradley Visit Complete

Had an Epic First Official visit at The University of Michigan. Thank You to Coach Howard and the Michigan Family?? pic.twitter.com/0NIviz043C

— Jaden Bradley (@JBsmoovve) June 7, 2021

5-star Jaden Bradley took his official visit to Michigan over the weekend and details have been scant. Poppa Bradley provided some generic quotes to Rivals today:

"Awesome. It was really awesome. Jaden is a quiet kid, so it helped that they had Zeb [Jackson] there with him. He talked about his own experience ... it was really good to have him there."

So not much in the way of ascertaining where Michigan stands in the aftermath, though one can only assume Juwan Howard increases the likelihood of a commitment whenever he is presented with the opportunity to interact with prospects and their respective families. 

Bradley will also take OVs to Alabama, UNC and Arizona during his national visit tour this month. An unofficial visit to Kentucky is also in the works for August. So perhaps the absence of a strong public reaction isn't all that surprising, as the ability to compare isn't yet available. 

That said, I still believe this to be an uphill battle between the various college options, potential reclassification and the pro-route. As always though, hosting Jaden for an OV means we're a legit option.

[Hit THE JUMP for updates on Trimble, McDaniel and a 2023 you should definitely know]

Good Vibes

Fast rising 4-star guard Seth Trimble is up next on the visit trail, with his OV set to commence on June 13th. Michigan continues to trend well here, with Seth confirming that he speaks with the coaching staff daily and the on-court fit being desirable:

"Michigan has been on me heavily, I talk to Coach Martelli every morning. I really enjoy Coach Howard and his personality, I feel they’re a team who could fit my play style and I’m excited to get out to visit soon."

If this were the only planned visit, a commitment might have been imminent in the aftermath. But his brother JP Tokoto is a former North Carolina wing and the Tar Heels will also receive an official visit as soon as he departs Ann Arbor. We cannot disregard the family ties here, but it seems as if UNC may be working from behind with a new HC in place and the questions surrounding playstyle. 

Of all three of our primary 2022 options, I feel the best about our chances with Trimble. Sure, UNC is a major threat, but the novelty of Hubert Davis' tenure means there is an absence of data available in terms of on-court fit in tandem with a lack of a long-standing relationship. We'll learn much more about Michigan's standing late next week upon the completion of both visits.

[Hit THE JUMP for updates on Trimble, McDaniel and Willi]

 

Back In Play?

It's been somewhat of a roller-coaster ride with 4-star guard Dug McDaniel and Michigan. Originally projected by many to be the initial commitment for 2022, his delay in doing so and interest elsewhere made that line of thinking questionable at best. Initially scheduled to make an OV to Ann Arbor during the first week of June, McDaniel is now scheduled to be on campus immediately after Seth Trimble as noted above in what looks like a priority shift. 

While Florida replaced Michigan as the assumed leader for a few months, and there is some debate among the staff as to Dug's standing on the guard board, the most important voice in the room is a big fan and that carries weight. If Juwan Howard puts on the full-court press here, things could progress quickly if the staff doesn't get strong indications from Seth Trimble that he's likely to be in the class.

On the court, McDaniel had good reviews for his performance at the CP3 Memorial Day Classic as an outstanding playmaker and the staff's preference this cycle has been a pass-first point guard. 

 

Definitely One TO Watch For

You may recall that I brought up 2023 Elmarko Jackson in passing a few months back after he immediately popped-out to me in my Dug McDaniel scouting trip. After doing some more digging, I can confirm that Jackson is the nephew of former Michigan All-American and Indianapolis Colt, Marlin Jackson.

Needless to say, the staff has been notified. Elmarko would certainly have serious interest should the staff decide to seriously pursue here. Jackson immediately entered my database as a 4-star prospect after seeing him in West Virginia and to be candid, I like him more than all three of our 2022 options.

Elmarko is from the metro-Philly area, has family connections to the program, a great academic resume and is an absolute stud despite being unranked to mainstreams. This one makes a ton of sense and is a recruitment to monitor going forward, particularly on June 15th (first day 2023s can be contacted directly by college coaches) and during the July live evaluation periods.