In-State Updates: Michigan Moving Up

While 2015 was a down year for prospects in the state of Michigan, 2016 boasts a solid crop of in-state recruits, and there's no question Jim Harbaugh has to work from behind for many of them; he's just getting to know players who've been recruited by the likes of Meyer and Dantonio for years, in some cases.

Visits over the last few days have spurred progress in that regard. In four-star Cass Tech OG/DT Michael Onwenu's case, so did a certain issue with a teammate, per Rivals' Josh Helmholdt ($):

"[My Ohio State interest] lowered a little after the (Mike Weber) incident," Onwenu said. "My position is they should have told him anyway. He had a bond with the coaches, and if I had a bond with a coach and was excited to play for that coach, that is something I should know."

Onwenu, who'd previously named the Buckeyes as his leader, now claims no favorites. He visited Michigan, which is one of a couple schools recruiting him for offense, last week.

Four-star Detroit King WR Donnie Corley also made it campus last week, and his father told Sam Webb that M is moving up his son's list ($):

Sam Webb:  Before it seemed like Michigan was on the outside looking in. It seemed like Michigan was like fourth or fifth on his list. Do you think Michigan is more in the picture with him now? 

Donnie Corley Sr.:  “Yeah, most definitely.  It was real impressive.  We were real impressed with it.”  

Three-star Farmington WR Desmond Fitzpatrick, who recently added a Michigan offer, was back on campus Tuesday for a practice and also plans to attend the Spring Game, according to Allen Trieu.

The father of four-star Plymouth OT Michael Jordan told Webb that the new staff is "very high" on his son, and he plans to camp at Michigan for a day this summer ($).

2017 Orchard Lake St. Mary's LB Josh Ross, younger brother of James Ross, told GBW's Kyle Bogenschutz that the new staff "definitely does" help Michigan's chances to land him ($). The coaches have re-affirmed Ross' offer from the previous staff.

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

Ahead of Schedule

It sure looks like Michigan is a safe bet to land three-star FL OLB Jonathan Jones, who pulled in an offer back around Signing Day. After pulling in a coveted offer from Georgia this week, Jones steered his discussion with Scout's Amy Campbell towards another school ($):

“I have a good school in mind, I’ve been researching it and talking to all the coaches. They feel real fired up about me, I feel real fired up about them. I’ve prayed about it, talked to my parents about it, so as the time comes down, I think I’ll keep feeling sure about it.”

It’s quite likely Jones is talking about Michigan. He continues to name Michigan as the frontrunner. He hasn’t visited the Wolverines program yet, and he’d love to get to Georgia, but he also plans to commit this spring.

Yesterday, Jones informed 247's Steve Lorenz that he'd already scheduled his official visit to Ann Arbor for the weekend of September 25th, when Michigan hosts BYU ($). With a spring decision planned, he could be in the fold long before he sets foot on campus.

New Offers

Michigan continues to pepper the 2016 class with offers and also get a jump on the elite prospects of the 2017 class, as well.

Three-star LA DE Willie Baker told Maize n Brew that it felt "amazing" to be offered by Michigan. If Baker's going to make it to campus, however, it'll most likely be in the fall in the form of an official visit.

Michigan became the highest-profile offer for unranked NC LB Jonathan Smith, who told The Wolverine's Brandon Brown that recent interest from other school caused him to scrap his top two ($):

The Blue Devils have already offered Smith and have done a good job with him. He recently named Duke and Georgia Tech as his top two schools but with so much new interest lately, he's backing off of that statement just a bit.

"I really don't have a top school or any sort of top group right now," he revealed. "I'm just still trying to see what schools are best for me. Some of this new attention has me slowing down a little bit."

Virginia also offered recently, and Smith visited Florida State last weekend.

The Wolverine reported four more offers out to the 2016 class:

• Four-star NC CB Marquill Osborne, who committed to Tennessee last September and doesn't appear to be wavering.
• Three-star AL ILB Erroll Thompson, who also added a Louisville offer this week.
• Three-star NC ATH Thaddeus Moss, a jumbo athlete (6'4", 240) who could play tight end or defensive end. He's the son of Randy Moss, and we're all one step closer to death's door.
• Three-star CA CB Lamar Jackson, who also added a recent UCLA offer after winning positional MVP honors at a Rivals camp in Las Vegas.

Michigan also offered a couple top 2017 targets. FL CB Stanford Samuels is poised to be a five-star; per 247, Michigan was his 27th verbal offer. PA ATH Paris Ford told Lorenz that "words can't explain" how he felt after Michigan offered; he's arguably the top Pennsylvania prospect in his class and already holds PSU and Pitt offers.

Etc.

Four-star FL WR Eli Stove, the #73 overall player on the 247 Composite, told Lorenz that he's planning to visit Michigan in March ($). He added that Auburn—the Crystal Ball favorite—and Michigan are the two schools recruiting him the hardest right now.

Four-star CA OLB Camilo Eifler told Scout's Brandon Huffman that he'll take an April tour through the Midwest that'll include trips to Northwestern and Michigan ($). Eifler noted Cal, UCLA, and Washington are the programs pursuing him the hardest.

Four-star FL CB Chauncey Gardner told 247's Ryan Bartow that he'd like to get an offer from Michigan ($). Ohio State, Miami (YTM), and Florida are currently standing out in his recruitment.