Thursday Recruitin' Can Finally Have a Wideout?

This week's Thursday Recruitin' discusses Jordan Payton's upcoming decision, the recruitment of Zach Banner, T-Rich and "Little Shane," and Tom Lemming's high praise of Ty Isaac. Usual request: Please let me know if you have any comments, criticism, suggestions, etc.—as always, I'll be reading the comments, and you can also reach me on Twitter or via email, where I'll also encourage you to send any recruiting articles of interest that you think I should include for the next week's edition.

Payton Sets a Date Plus a Look at the O-Line

Oaks Christian (CA) four-star wide receiver Jordan Payton (right) will announce his college decision next Tuesday ($, info in header), after he returns from a visit to Notre Dame for the USC game. Payton has narrowed his list to Michigan, Notre Dame, and Cal, but has maintained for several weeks that Michigan is his leader and that stance has not changed. Unless he has a major change of heart while visiting South Bend, Payton will likely end up wearing Maize and Blue.

Another recruit of interest visiting Notre Dame this weekend is Lakewood (WA) Lakes OL Zach Banner, who has set a top five of Michigan, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, USC, and Washington. The blue-chip tackle prospect has already visited Michigan and Oklahoma and will make his way to USC and Washington later this season. Sam Webb profiled Banner this week in the Detroit News, and the atmosphere when Banner visited Ann Arbor (for the Notre Dame game) could give the Wolverines a leg up to land his commitment:

Huffman added: "The best thing (the Wolverines) had going for them is he saw the game of the century. He got to fully got to experience the game atmosphere the energy of 115,000 people. He got to meet with Beilein, but more importantly he got to experience a pretty special and electric feeling that he is not going to be able to duplicate anywhere else. Oklahoma topped out at about 80,000 people against Missouri and the kid has been going to Washington games (with fewer fans) his whole life."

Apparently, Michigan has also told Banner they could see him making an impact as soon as next season, potentially at right tackle. Banner says he plans to make his college choice on January 14, but adds that "a change of schedule could happen at any time."

Tim Sullivan (YTTS) takes a look at potential 2012 offensive line commits for the Free Press, discussing Banner, fellow Washingtonian Josh Garnett, recent offeree Alex Kozan, and very recent USC decommit Arik Armstead. Since Michigan's chances at landing Armstead are thin at best, let's look at what Tim has to say about Kozan:

He has a top eight list that includes U-M, Iowa and LSU, and he plans to visit as many of those schools as possible before making a decision in late December. The 6-4, 295-pound Kozan is a powerful drive blocker that needs more polish in pass protection. He said U-M is recruiting him to play guard.

Several recruits trimmed their lists this week. Lakewood (CA) receiver Darius Powe maintains a top five of Michigan, Oregon State, UCLA, Utah, and Arizona State, but says that the Beavers and Bruins currently stand out as his favorites ($). Cincinnati Moeller receiver Monty Madaris hasn't narrowed his focus too much yet, but says that he only has two definite visits lined up, to Michigan State and Florida State. Cincinnati Taft teammates Adolphus Washington and Dwayne Stanford have eached named a top three ($) and will announce their decision on November 9—Washington is down to Ohio State, Alabama, and Michigan State, while Stanford will choose between Ohio State, Oregon, and Cincinnati.

Quickly: Oregon has taken the lead for five-star safety Shaq Thompson ($, info in header), and Cal and Washington round out his top three, but he still plans on taking visits to Notre Dame, Michigan, and Arizona State and maintains that he is still quite open. Alex Kozan's interest in Michigan has picked up since receiving his offer ($, info in header). Tom interviews Jordan Diamond for ESPN.com—please tell me Dave Brandon does not watch this video and get any more brilliant ideas about the uniforms.

Hit the jump for much more on current 2012 commits and 2013 recruits.

T-Rich to the Under Armour All-American Bowl

Terry Richardson was named to the Jan. 5 Under Armour All-American Bowl this week, fulfilling one of his childhood dreams along with good friends Royce Jenkins-Stone and James Ross:

Richardson does not take the honor for granted. He said he has been dreaming to become an All-American his entire life.

“I want to thank my two best friends, (Orchard Lake St. Mary's linebacker) James Ross and Royce Stone for pushing me and each other to fulfill our dreams growing up, which was to be All-Americans,” Richardson said.

Ross and Jenkins-Stone will play in the Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio on Jan. 7.

In an interview with Kyle Warber over at MLive, Richardson expresses the desire to return kicks and also says he's willing to bulk up and play wherever the coaches need him:

"Actually, I can do it," Richardson said when asked about potentially playing safety. "All I need to do is put on some good weight. If I could get more pounds on me I would like to try playing other positions like that. Being a good corner and moving to safety would be a pretty easy transition. At the end of the day, I am an athlete, and I can play on the offensive side of the ball or anywhere else Michigan needs me."

Richardson also describes Shane Morris's exuberance at the Notre Dame game, stating "Little Shane is maize and blue until he dies." GBOD.

In other news about cornerbacks, Anthony Standifer chose a pretty awesome favorite player growing up:

For years, Standifer's favorite player has been former Michigan star, 1997 Heisman Trophy winner and future NFL Hall of Famer Charles Woodson. He made his first visit to the Michigan campus on June 1, then made an oral commitment to coach Brady Hoke on the same day, before he left the state.

"Why did I chose Michigan? It's Michigan, one of the best football schools in the country," Sandifer said. "My favorite player, Charles Woodson, came from there. They had only one corner spot left and I knew it was a good place for me and I didn't want to be left out."

Though Standifer forgot the 'fergodsakes' after saying "It's Michigan", he is more than forgiven. I wonder if we'll see him sport that No. 2 jersey at some point during his career.

Finally, Tom talks to current commits, and they were generally unfazed by the loss to Michigan State ($, info in header).

If Tom Lemming is Any Indication, Fred Jackson's Quotes About Ty Isaac Will Be Beyond Epic

Michigan appears to be targeting two 2013 running backs early, Detroit Catholic Central's Wyatt Shallman and Joliet (IL) Catholic's Ty Isaac. The latter is profiled on CSNChicago.com, and the quotes and numbers are both eye-popping:

"He is the best I've seen," Lemming said. "He looks like (NFL Hall of Famer) Eric Dickerson. He will be the No. 1 running back in the Midwest next year. He is the best running back to come of the Chicago area since Rashard Mendenhall (former Niles West and Illinois star now with the Pittsburgh Steelers). He has size, speed, vision, balance and hands."

Isaac, a 6-2, 215-pounder with 4.5 speed, has rushed 99 times for 1,102 yards and 17 touchdowns. He averages 11.1 yards per carry. He also has caught seven passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns. And he has returned one kickoff and one punt for touchdowns.

Isaac and Shallman each hold early offers, and landing either (or, preferably, both) would be huge for the class of 2013.

Quickly: Tim with a writeup on Concord (CA) De La Salle linebacker Michael Hutchings ($), Tyrone (GA) Sandy Creek cornerback Shaq Wiggins—a Michigan offeree—is piling up BCS offers ($, info in header), Mayfield (KY) linebacker Johnathan Jackson is another player on Michigan's radar getting looked at by several big-time programs ($), and Michigan could be on the verge of offering Wheaton (IL) St. Francis OL Kyle Bosch, according to Tom ($, info in header).