Monday Recruitin' Ain't Scared

Today's recruiting roundup covers MSU visit reactions, a friendly bet between a future Wolverine and a future Buckeye, how not to deal with the Dawson decommitment, and more.

Visit Reactions: Positive (Surprise!)

The overall ugliness of the Michigan-MSU game wasn't enough to dampen the excitement of visitors to the Big House, even when you put aside Denzel Ward's pre-game commitment. In fact, Ward could be joined sooner or later on the 2014 offensive line by four-star FL lineman Mason Cole, who said this to 247's Todd Worly ($, info in header):

“I liked everything about it,” Cole said. “Just the atmosphere and everything. It just feels like home. Just the coaching staff and Ann Arbor.”

When asked where Michigan stands, Cole stated that they're "really high" on his list—impressive considering an offer list that includes USC, Ohio State, Florida, Florida State, and Notre Dame.

GBW's Kyle Bogenshutz caught up with Cass Tech junior CB Damon Webb, who normally plays things close to the vest but had high praise for the visit ($):

“This time when I was up at Michigan it was different,” Webb told GoBlueWolverine. “The crowd was more live. Other Michigan games it wasn’t really this big, but I was really impressed by this visit.”

...

“It helped a lot,” added Webb.

Top 2013 target VA RB Derrick Green:

Derrick Green responded one word on how visit is going so far at #Michigan -- "great"

— Mike Farrell (@rivalsmike) October 21, 2012

I have to think—given the poor seasons of Auburn and Tennessee—that Michigan is in the driver's seat for Green at this point.

While IL WR Laquon Treadwell was unable to make the trip—I'm a broken record on this subject, so react as you will (sorry, mods)—the Wolverines did host a pair of 2013 prospects currently committed elsewhere. Westland John Glenn WR Da'Mario Jones (CMU commit) was in the Big House for the second straight week, telling Tim Sullivan($) that "it was probably one of the hypest games that I've been to." Scout's Simone Scott posted on The Victors Board($) that Pickerington (OH) North RB Godwin Igwebuike—Northwestern commit and HS teammate of Jake Butt—was also in attendance, though it sounds like he just took the opportunity to catch a game with his friend and teammate. Both Jones and Igwebuike could be backup options should the Wolverines miss out on Treadwell and Green.

Michigan even made waves in the 2015 class, especially with their first offered prospect, KY RB Damien Harris. Harris has spent the season putting up video game numbers after camping in Ann Arbor over the summer; he came away from the visit in awe of the stadium atmosphere, according to TomVH ($):

“I’d say that Michigan was already on top, but it just moved them up even more for me because that’s definitely the type of atmosphere I’d like to play in,” he said. “That makes me want to go there even more. To know that the fans are that into the game, it definitely moved them up.”

Harris added that he couldn't "put it into words how amazing it really was," so yeah, that went well. He's a potential five-star who's already getting serious national attention, and it's safe to say the Wolverines are leading the way right now. It's worth noting that his mother accompanied him on the visit, as well.

The Cass Tech pipeline could continue, meanwhile, in the form of sophomore DE Joshua Alabi, who told 247's Todd Worly that he wants to stay close to home ($):

“Everyone around you is family, so if I could go there, I would,” Alabi said. “I’ve been to Michigan already, and if I could stay home, I would. I don’t want to leave home if I don’t have to. I’d just stay in Michigan.”

Alabi is an impressive young prospect who already stands at 6'5", 245 lbs.; while he doesn't have an offer yet, he's a candidate down the road, and it sounds like Michigan would be in a very good position to land him.

For more visit reaction, Tremendous has you covered.

[Mike McCray throws down the gauntlet against Cam Burrows, a roundup of last weekend's high school action, and more after THE JUMP.]

These Colors Don't Run

Trotwood-Madison teammates Mike McCray and Cam Burrows each received their Under Armour All-American jerseys over the weekend. McCray, as you know, is a Michigan commit, Burrows, an Ohio State pledge. It's not a surprise, then, that the time-tested "wear your hated rival's shirt" bet is on, son:

Although the two were friendly Wednesday when they each received their jersey for the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game as part of the American Family Insurance Selection Tour, the teammates will be on opposite sides next month with a little wager on the line.

If the Wolverines win, Burrows, the first commitment of the Buckeyes' 2013 class, will have to wear a Michigan shirt.

"I'll probably buy one that makes fun of Ohio State," said McCray, who added he had to convince a "scared" Burrows to accept the deal.

Burrows, for his part, says he's confident that McCray will be forced to don the scarlet and grey; McCray was probably just talking trash, but I'm fine accepting his words at face value.

In other commitment news, Gareon Conley received an offer from Ohio State over the weekend, per ESPN's Brad Bournival ($, info in header). I'll reiterate what I've said all along: until Conley actually takes a visit, there's no reason for consternation. On the field, Conley hauled in another touchdown pass over the weekend.

Other standout commitment performances from last weekend:

• DeVeon Smith rushed for 282 yards en route to breaking the Trumbull County career rushing mark with 6,461 yards.
• Ross Douglas carried the ball 22 times for 214 yards and five touchdowns, including two from 50+ yards out.
• Channing Stribling had touchdown catches of 64 and 20 yards in a blowout victory for Matthews Butler.
• Jake Butt had four TFLs from his defensive end spot in a big win for Pickerington North.

Etc.

Yes, David Dawson named a top four that included Ohio State alongside Florida, LSU, and Alabama ($). This must be a move of bitter retribution, and most certainly not because he's a top Midwest talent and Ohio State has a track record of developing... top Midwest talent. Not that he'd have anything to be bitter about, right?

Mick McCabe talks to Cass Tech head coach Thomas Wilcher and Farmington Hills Harrison coach John Herrington about the perception that they direct their players towards Michigan and Michigan State, respectively.