Michigan Football: The Clone Wars

Michigan hosted a large group of visitors last weekend, and reactions are beginning to come in, including those from a couple of the top defensive linemen in the country.

The nation's #1 overall prospect, NJ DT Rashan Gary, told Rivals' Adam Friedman that one of the highlights was seeing his former high school coach ($):

"It was exciting seeing coach Partridge again," Gary said. "I gave him a hug as soon as I saw him. 

"The visit was a lot like Ohio State," he said. "As soon as I walked into the building the coaches were giving me high-fives, giving me hugs. It was good to see all that love. The campus is set up basically like my hometown is with how the houses are. Everything is together on campus and I like the way it looks. I got to see Michigan's academics. They showed me their great plan for the student athletes."

Gary was also excited to see Michigan offer his 2017 teammate, DE Corey Bolds, on the trip. He told Friedman that both Michigan and Ohio State—considered by many the two programs to beat in his recruitment—will make it into his next top group, which should be determined when he's done with a lengthy list of visits. Among other tidbits, Sam Webb posted on The Victors Board that he believes Michigan made a better impression on Gary than Ohio State ($).

Top-100 IL DE Josh King saw a significant difference in the quality of Michigan's practice under the new regime, per 247's Steve Wiltfong ($): 

“Oh man it was pretty cool,” King started in. He had been to Ann Arbor in the past and was really high on the Wolverines prior to last fall.

“Michigan was different with Coach (Jim) Harbaugh stepping in. He completely turned it around. I remember last year we went there and they were struggling to this year they were flying around. They looked better. They look like a much different team.”

King added "you're not going to find a coach like [Harbaugh] anywhere else." It sounds like Michigan is working their way back into the thick of his recruitment.

Four-star PA TE Cary Angeline mentioned to Wiltfong that OH NO CARY THAT WAS OUR LITTLE SECRET ($):

“Coach Harbaugh, his past of breeding tight ends, he’s one of the best at doing that and he said he’s trying to build an army of big fast tight ends and it’s intriguing how he uses his tight end.”

PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE LARGE MACHINE BEHIND THIS CURTAIN. IT'S OUR COFFEE MAKER. WE'RE VERY PROTECTIVE OF OUR COFFEE PRACTICES, AND IN NO WAY CLONING AN ARMY OF COBY FLEENERS.

ANYWAY, Michigan made a strong impression on top-100 NJ WR Ahmir Mitchell, per 247's Steve Lorenz ($):

"They moved way up my list," Mitchell said. "I don't really know specifically right now how much, but I loved this visit. I like it a lot there."

Mitchell, who also visited Ohio State this weekend, also had the Buckeyes in his top group along with Rutgers (leader), Notre Dame, Ole Miss and Virginia Tech.

I'm quickly becoming familar with the Rutgers Effect, in which they offer talented in-state prospects early in the cycle, stake claim to an early lead, and then watch helplessly as other programs shoot past them. The Sun rises in the East, and sets as far away from Piscataway as possible.

[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]

"Dream Offer" Count: Two

Michigan offered three-star Farmington (MI) LB David Reese after he was on campus last Thursday. Reese, who's committed to Louisville along with WR teammate Desmond Fitzpatrick, told GBW's Josh Newkirk where he stands after the offer ($):

"Michigan is a dream offer to have," Rees said. "Michigan is in top consideration besides Louisville. That's where I'm at with them.

"Since I am committed right now, I am going to take a look at [Michigan] again. I'm sticking with Louisville right now. So I will just have to take a look at everything and talk with my parents and make sure I am making the right decision."

Reese wants to see the program again, perhaps as soon as Saturday's spring game, before making a decision. Fitzpatrick also holds a Michigan offer, and the plan for now is for both Farmington prospects to attend the same school. Sam Webb caught up with Reese's father, who suggested the package deal may include a couple more in-state recruits ($):

“[Reese and Fitzgerald are] very tight,” Mr. Reese said.  “We already thought that Desmond was going to flip and leave us. It’s kind of crazy because I think another thing that people finally started to see (was the strong relationships between in-state prospects).  When he was up there with all the kids that already got offered… the four-star kids like Donnie Corley… all those guys have so much respect for each other.  David and Khalid Kareem have played every year since they were little. Khalid finally beat him last year.  His dad is always teasing him about that.”

“I think Michigan probably saw that chemistry between David, Matt Falcon, Donnie Corely, (and others.)”

“These boys have got to be together.”

Fitzpatrick said as much while remaining (sorry) noncommittal about his Lousiville pledge to GBW's Kyle Bogenschutz ($):

Despite a lack of new verbal commitments in Michigan’s 2016 class, murmurs of a chain reaction among Harbaugh’s top targets grow louder and louder by the day.

“The in-state guys are really just waiting for the first commit,” Fitzpatrick said. “I feel like once one person does, it's going to be a domino effect.”

/cracks knuckles

In a strong year for in-state talent, Michigan is poised to take advantage.

A more under-the-rader Michigan talent, unranked Orchard Lake St. Mary's OL Cameron Kolwich, also added an offer over the weekend. He provided a short but sweet reaction to Steve Lorenz ($):

"It was really like a dream come true," he said. "Coach Harbaugh came up to me before Saturday's practice and told me they wanted to offer me a scholarship. He said he and the staff want to keep getting to know me on and off the field as well."

Kolwich claims no leaders for the time being, but Michigan represents his best offer, and he plans to make a decision by the end of the summer.

Three-star GA CB Korey Banks vaulted Michigan right to the top of his list after Harbaugh extended an offer, per Sam Webb ($):

Western Michigan also tossed its name in the offer hat Friday to help push his scholarship tally near double figures.  Before that Wisconsin had been his biggest offer and the Badgers had been leading the pack, but now that the Wolverines have entered the fray things have changed a bit.

“It’s Michigan,” Banks said matter-of-factly.  “Getting that offer was definitely exciting.  That had to be the most exciting out of all of them.  But I don’t have a favorite or top five. See me in a few weeks and I’ll have a top five for you.”

As Banks adds other offers, we'll see if Michigan maintains that status; at the very least, they're starting from a great position.

After a Thursday visit, Michigan became the first to offer 2018 IN OL Emil Ekiyor, per Steve Wiltfong. They also offered 2016 three-star FL S Devin Gil, a Miami (YTM) commit, per The Wolverine's Brandon Brown.

More Satellite Camps: The Harbaugh Tour Expands

Sam Webb posted the full list of Michigan satellite camps last night ($):

June 5th in Prattville (Alabama)
June 6th in Tampa
June 7th in Pennsylvania
June 8th in Houston
June 9th in Dallas
June 10th in California

In the span of six days, the coaches will see prospects in Alabama, Florida, Pennsylvania (hi, James Franklin!), Texas, and California—six of the most talent-rich states in the country.

These should attract plenty of top prospects. Steve Lorenz reports that the #27 overall prospect in the 2017 class, AL OLB Markail Benton, will be at the Prattville camp ($). Others will certainly follow.