Thursday Recruitin' Dines And Dashes

Today's (brief) recruiting roundup covers an intruiging new 2013 offer, this weekend's visitors, and more.

Delano Hill Offered

The onslaught of offers to committed 2013 prospects continues unabated; this time, Michigan offered Cass Tech safety Delano Hill, a longtime Iowa commit, per Allen Trieu ($, info in header). CT defensive coordinator Jermain Crowell told Trieu that Hill is likely to visit Michigan and has been talking to David Dawson about playing together in college—Dawson will take his official visit this weekend, and it's possible Hill joins him. Crowell also speaks highly of Hill's athleticism and ability:

The Wolverines have two corners, Delonte Hollowell and Terry Richardson, from Cass Tech on their roster, and a third, Jourdan Lewis committed. Hill may get a look at corner from the Wolverines and Crowell believes his size and speed will give him a real chance to compete.

"Delano's faster than all of them. He's a difference maker, that's why I didn't understand why they didn't recruit him."

I've seen Hill play several times now and like the offer. He's got good size (6'1", 190), very good closing speed, and he isn't afraid to come up and hit—Hill is very active against the run from his safety spot. While Hill doesn't always make eye-popping plays, he's usually around the football and always seems to end up with more than a handful of tackles. If he visits this weekend, that would be a very good sign for Michigan.

[For this weekend's visitors and more, hit THE JUMP.]

Weekend Visitors

Tremendous has the list of this weekend's visitors, which is mostly comprised of current commits. The Wolverines could be in line to fill their last spot on the offensive line, however, as David Dawson will take his official, as will a new target: 6'10", 295-pound Tennessee commit Dan Skipper. Sam Webb reported Skipper's visit, revealing that Michigan contacted him and eventually offered in the aftermath of Derek Dooley's firing ($). Skipper, who hails from Arvada, Colorado, and has bumped into commit and fellow Colorado native Chris Fox a few times, is a three-star on all four recruiting sites.

Of the two, Dawson seems more likely to make a commitment over the weekend, though he's also got an Ohio State visit lined up for January 18th; Skipper is planning to visit Ole Miss later in the month and he's still largely unfamiliar with Michigan's program. Unfortunately, UCLA OL commit Kenny Lacy, who'd previously been slated to be in Ann Arbor this weekend, won't be able to make the trip; neither will Cal OL commit Cameron Hunt, whose team's playoff run forced him to reschedule for January.

One more potential visitor is OH CB Reon Dawson, an Illinois commit and recent Michigan offer, according to Sam Webb. There's conflicting info out there about whether or not Dawson will be on campus this weekend, so we'll see how that plays out. Sam Webb's also been hinting that there will be a weekend visitor who's currently committed to another school (not Hill), but since those situations tend to get complicated the name hasn't been revealed.

Etc.

Another name to keep an eye on is four-star VA S Tim Harris, who's committed to Virginia but apparently looking around. Tremendous reports that Michigan has been in touch with Harris and could be in line for a visit; Harris has held a Wolverine offer since before his initial commitment.

Mike Farrell's latest Mind of Mike post is headlined by Derrick Green, and Farrell believes Michigan is "squarely in the driver's seat," though they will have to hold off interest from a new suitor (FREE link):

However, keep an eye on new schools, especially USC. USC? Why USC with running back commitments from Ty Isaac and Justin Davis already? Green and fellow POY candidate Su'a Cravens bonded during the three-day tour and Cravens put a bug in the ear of USC running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu. Polamalu has since reached out to Green to gauge interest in a visit.

Green is certainly interested and is not concerned about competition, but we will see if this is just a fleeting notion or has some legs soon enough.

I'm skeptical that USC is a serious player given that they have only 18 scholarships to work with; taking three running backs, even with one as versatile as Ty Isaac in the fold, seems unlikley. Tennessee and Miami are bigger threats, in my opinion—the Hurricanes especially, as Green hasn't yet had the chance to visit there yet.

Michael Ferns released junior highlights on his Hudl page, with plenty of action on both sides of the ball. He looks like a man among boys, in no small part because of his small-school competition. He shows impressive instincts at linebacker and his blitzing ability makes him a very good fit for strongside linebacker.

Tommy Tuberville gives a whole new meaning to the term "dine and dash."