Michigan solidified the frontcourt by adding a big piece (literally) last month with the verbal commitment of top-40 center Tarris Reed. And while Tarris figures to be the starting center for the Wolverines at some point in the not-so-distant future, Juwan Howard still needs another big with Hunter Dickinson a lock to leave and Moussa Diabate having one-and-done potential. Let's take a look at the 2022 frontcourt options in addition to news elsewhere.

Making The Cut

5-star Yohan Traore released a top ten last week that included Michigan. Narrowing things to ten options indicates that Traore is still in the early stages of his recruitment as opposed to coming down the stretch. Yohan's comments to 247 last week support that sentiment:

"I am really going to think long-term with my decision. It will probably be made around April. I want to take my time, be patient, and take all the information to the drawing board."

As it relates to the Wolverines specifically, Assistant coach Saddi Washington has made the versatile big an absolute priority since July and that diligence in tandem with Juwan Howard's NBA experience has Michigan in the mix.

"Juwan Howard has so much of a basketball legacy over there, even with him playing and coaching in the NBA. He can give insight on what they are looking for and what it takes to play on that level. The coaching staff has been amazing. Saddi Washington has been an amazing recruiter in how he keeps things transparent and trying to help out as much as possible."

In speaking with Yohan, he did inform me that he tentatively plans to visit Ann Arbor, but has yet to lock in any visits and doesn't appear to be in any rush to make a decision. As a newcomer to the United States, Traore has a few people in his inner-circle that will aid in the process and that may complicate things here. What I can say is that Yohan has been receptive to the staff since contact was initially made and the interest so far has been mutual. 

I'll reiterate that his preference is to play the power-forward spot rather than center. Michigan is making that pitch to Yohan and it is a legitimate one with Tarris Reed now in the mix. Getting him on campus is key. Until that happens, nothing can be considered serious here, particularly with professional options being considered. 

[Hit THE JUMP for the full rundown]

Another Top Ten

Michigan also made the list for 4-star big Ernest Udeh a few weeks back. There hasn't been much movement with Udeh since Juwan Howard extended an offer back in July. That's not to say the Wolverines aren't a legitimate option, but Ernest hasn't scheduled a visit and there hasn't been much talk of Michigan. Much like Traore, until he gets on campus, this one isn't serious.

 

Back To The Future

I was first to report that 4-star Colin Smith will officially visit Ann Arbor on September 24th. After being a secondary option for much of the last six months, Smith has to be considered a priority now with Michigan using valuable resources by allocating a precious OV. 

This is an interesting recruitment, with Colin and the Wolverines being hot and cold with one another over the last two years. Accepted wisdom had Smith as a Stanford lean with his sister a volleyball player in Palo Alto and former HS/AAU teammate Harrison Ingram a freshman on the basketball team. A source on the Stanford side indicates that they have cooled a bit on Colin and he may not be a take depending on how things shake out with their priority prospects. 

The one constant here is Vanderbilt. Smith already took an OV to Nashville in June and he is set to return for a second time in three months in mid-September. Jerry Stackouse was a fixture at his live-evaluation period games during January. 

Colin is a high-academic student that is serious about education, so Vanderbilt is a real threat. However, I think the Wolverines can win out here if that is the primary competition. That said, I've said on previous occasions that I think schools out west will become more of a factor with his transfer to Arizona Compass Prep. It will be interesting to see how much of a push the staff makes on the visit. I'm inclined to think Michigan can land Smith if he's now a Plan A.

 

Closing In

We've reviewed the on-court development of top-40 wing Jett Howard in great detail over the last year but haven't given his recruitment much ink. I figured it was time to check in on things with reports of the youngest Howard scheduling official visits to N.C. State this weekend, Tennessee next weekend, Ann Arbor for the 18th and Georgetown to end the month.

A source tells me to expect Jett to shut things down a few weeks after taking his OVs. Nothing has changed here, I fully expect Poppa Howard to coach his son in Ann Arbor.

 

Probably Fading

4-star forward Ty Rodgers was near the top of the board in June and seemed primed to be Michigan's first commit of 2022 on the heels of an official visit. Fast-forward three months and things have changed a lot here. 

Ty is fresh off an OV to Xavier and is slated to be on campus at Rhode Island on September 16th. Rodgers is apparently trimming his list today. And while I expect Michigan to make the cut, I don't get the vibe that the Wolverines are in pole position. 

I confirm Michigan is still in pursuit here, but probably not to the same extent we saw in the Spring. With Smith hitting campus this month, that seems to line up. Ty seems like he's less than 50/50 to joint the class at this point.