Monday Recruitin' Goes Full Geriatric

Today's recruiting roundup covers the latest on Drake Harris and Da'Shawn Hand, the potential Tarpon Springs package deal of Cole-Scott-Campbell, an offer to the son of a Michigan legend, and more.

In Our Base, Possibly Stealin Ur Dudes Anyway

Devin Gardner, Drake Harris, and Shane Morris, via Harris' Instagram

Grand Rapids Christian WR Drake Harris may be a Michigan State commit, but it's becoming clearer and clearer that he's a commit only by the loosest possible definition of the term. Harris admitted as much to 247's Steve Lorenz($) after taking in yesterday's game while sitting between Devin Gardner and Shane Morris:

"My commitment to Michigan State is a soft verbal right now and say that Michigan is up at the top as well," Harris said. "I really like being there a lot."

Reports flew around Twitter last night that Harris was spotted singing "The Victors" after the game, with some suggesting that Michigan has even opened up a big lead in his recruitment. While that may be going too far at this stage, it's clear that the Wolverines have made up a lot of ground, and they'll have the chance to continue that soon—Harris will be at the Indiana game on Sunday for his third visit in a matter of weeks. If Michigan isn't already in command, that trip could put them there.

A couple 2015 prospects were also on campus last week. Cass Tech quarterback Jayru Campbell was at yesterday's game; he told Scout's Josh Newkirk that the visit went well, and while Michigan isn't likely to offer him any time soon* it sounds like they'll be a contender if that does happen ($):

“They just told me they weren’t in a rush to offer me,” he said. “They told me to make sure I come to camp this summer and will sit down and talk again. But they’re really not in a rush to offer me. I guess they’re waiting to see my development…I like Michigan, so it would definitely be a school that I would want an offer from. I think it would be pretty interesting to get a Michigan offer.”

Campbell is a long way from making a decision—he mentioned a desire to play the hat game at the Under Armour All-American Game, which recently sent him an invite—so there's plenty of time for the Wolverines to evaluate him.

2015 Westerville (OH) OL Rob Dowdy made a mid-week visit, which gave him a chance to get some one-on-one time with Coaches Hoke, Borges, and Funk. After the visit, he told The M Block that Michigan is his top school despite growing up an Ohio State fan, though that's likely because the Buckeyes have yet to show much interest.

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*I don't think this is a sign that they're not very interested in Campbell—keep in mind how long it took for the coaches to offer a 2014 quarterback.

[Hit THE JUMP for the latest on Artavis Scott and George Campbell, plus much more.]

Package Deal Potential, But Maybe Not The One You Expected

Before Mason Cole committed to Michigan, he and high school teammate WR Artavis Scott—a fellow 2014 four-star—discussed the strong possibility of going to the same school. As is often the case with these things, however, it sounds like the package deal may fall apart—here's what Scott had to say to Scout's Anna Hickey ($):

“When we first started this recruiting journey together, we wanted to play together,” Scott said. “We had that plan in our minds and we were visiting all the same schools. I don’t really know about that anymore. He committed too early for me.”

Scott mentioned Michigan among four schools—the others: Clemson, Notre Dame, and Ohio State—currently in the most contact with him, and he also says he'd have no issue leaving his home state of Florida. By no means are the Wolverines out of it, but Cole's commitment may have less of an impact on his choice than many had hoped.

Meanwhile, Michigan made a huge impression on their 2015 teammate, probable five-star WR George Campbell, when he visited with Cole for the Illinois game last week. Campbell told Steve Lorenz that Michigan was his best visit and his interest would be high even if Cole wasn't a commit ($):

"Mason's decision is obviously a great thing in Michigan's favor," Campbell said. "But to be honest, the coaches did a good enough job of showing me the great parts of the program to make me want to visit again soon whether or not Mason was a part of the class."

Campbell has a visit set to Vanderbilt on the weekend of Michigan's spring game, so he'll be unable to accompany Cole on that trip, but he says he wants to make it back up to Ann Arbor in the spring or summer.

BREAKING

As I was putting together this piece, TomVH broke the news on the WolverineNation forum that the #1 overall prospect in the 2014 class, VA DE Da'Shawn Hand, will visit Michigan from March 15-17 ($). Getting Hand on campus at all is a big deal. Getting him on campus for a whole weekend is icing on the cake.

ALSO BREAKING: I AM OLD

Per Scout's Allen Trieu($), Michigan's latest 2015 offer went out to a 6'6", 240-pound TE/DE named Tyrone Wheatley Jr.—yes, son of that Tyrone Wheatley. The younger Wheatley mentions that he wasn't born until his father was in the NFL. Excuse me while I purchase a walker and dentures.

/drives at 15 miles per hour to the nearest pharmacy

Okay, I'm back. Wheatley also holds an early offer from Syracuse—he hails from Fayetteville-Manlius High School, just outside of Syracuse—and had some good things to say about his father's alma mater:

"I haven't really taken a visit up to the campus, but we used to live up there. Last weekend, my dad was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, so we drove through there. I've been to games at Michigan before. It's great. They have a beautiful campus, everyone's crazy and wild, and they have amazing fans. It'd be great to play there. The renovations they made to the stadium are beautiful."

Etc.

Four-star Cleveland Shaker Heights LB Joe Henderson tells 247's Steve Wiltfong that Michigan and Louisville are the two schools that have made an early impression on him ($).

The M Block caught up with recently-offered NJ WR Saeed Blacknail, who said Michigan has a "legit chance" in his recruitment.

Michael Ferns isn't going anywhere, even with an Alabama offer.