Tuesday Recruitin' Calls Its Own Number

Today's recruiting roundup covers Michigan commits as they progress through high school playoff season, USC's latest decommitment and its possible impact on Leon McQuay III, an emerging name along the offensive line, and more.

Jake Butt: TE/DE/OC?

Michigan commits and cross-town rivals faced off for the second time this season as Jake Butt's Pickerington North squad took on Taco Charlton and Pickerington Central in the first round of Ohio's Division I playoffs on Saturday; the result was similar to their first meeting of the year, as North once again shut out Central, this time 24-0, to advance to the next round. Butt was the star for North, even calling his own number to tally a 29-yard score:

“It’s called a hitch-and-go, and he threw me the perfect pass,” said Butt, who had five catches for 122 yards. “I’d been seeing that the play was open throughout the entire game.”

“Jake Butt called that play,” North coach Tom Phillips said. “He saw it and I said, ‘Just be patient.’”

The future Wolverine tight end also tallied a tackle for loss on defense as North held Central to a paltry 93 yards of total offense.

Elsewhere in Ohio's opening playoff round, cornerback commit Ross Douglas rushed for 262 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries, with 212 of those yards coming in the second half, as Avon pulled out a 28-11 victory over Perrysburg. Ben Gedeon carried the ball 18 times for 104 yards and two scores to lead Hudson to an upset over three-seed Canton GlenOak. Gareon Conley—yes, still a commit at this moment—had TD catches of 28 yards and one yard and also scored on a reverse as Massillon defeated Nordonia 63-34.

In Division II action, both Mike McCray (36-yard TD, video here) and Jaron Dukes (5 catches, 66 yards, 1 TD) recorded touchdown receptions as both Trotwood-Madison and Marion-Franklin moved on to the second round with blowout victories. Junior commit Michael Ferns caught touchdowns of 14 and 35 yards for St. Clairsville, which defeated Harrison Central 41-6 in the first round of the Division IV playoffs.

Seasons ended for a pair of Ohio commits, unfortunately, as a banged-up Dymonte Thomas was limited to 79 rushing yards in a 38-0 loss to Poland, while DeVeon Smith's 147 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries weren't enough to overcome Chardon in a 42-16 first-round defeat.

Cass Tech's Jourdan Lewis hauled in a 43-yard touchdown catch in a 42-23 district final win over Dearborn more noteworthy for the work of two running backs—junior Gary Hosey had 143 yards and two scores on 15 carries, while sophomore Mike Weber toted the rock 20 times for 178 yards and a TD. In another Division I district final, Wyatt Shallman had nine tackles, three TFLs, three sacks, and several QB hurries from his defensive end spot in a 45-17 win over Walled Lake Northern, according to his father.

Tim Sullivan caught Malik McDowell in action as Detroit Loyola defeated University Liggett, 50-7, last weekend, and he has free video and a scouting report available over at The Wolverine. McDowell tallied four sacks, all in the first half.

[For the rest of the roundup, including the latest on Leon McQuay III, hit THE JUMP.]

USC: Lose A Safety, Gain The Edge For McQuay?

USC has long been presumed to be very much in the mix—and possibly the leader—for FL DB Leon McQuay III, but they've been full with 18 commits in a sanction-limited class. They're full no more, as CA ATH Max Redfield—expected to play safety for the Trojans—decommited on Sunday night. It didn't take long for McQuay to set up an official visit to USC for December 7th; he'll be in Ann Arbor this weekend and also has taken officials Vanderbilt and Oregon. While Tremendous notes that USC would have tried to take McQuay regardless of Redfield's status—several other Trojan commits are looking around—the timing of him setting up the visit is noteworthy; this could be a double whammy for Michigan as Redfield currently favors Notre Dame, as well.

Etc.

Tremendous also has an update on the offensive line situation, as they caught up with MD OL Na'Ty Rodgers—Michigan has been in contact with the four-star since David Dawson decommited, and while they still haven't offered there appears to be mutual interest, with Rodgers planning to set up a visit after his season. South Carolina currently leads for him, but the situation could alter if the Wolverines come through with an offer.

Another name to watch on the offensive line is FL five-star Laremy Tunsil, a prospect we haven't heard about for quite some time. Sam Webb posted on The Victors Board that Michigan is back in contact with Tunsil and the behemoth tackle has shown some interest, even considering a visit for the Iowa game($); while that would be great news, Michigan is still an extreme longshot, with Alabama and Georgia considered the two favorites.

Allen Trieu caught 2014 OL offeree Tommy Doles in GRC's game against Zeeland West($), saying he's "another who has to add a little weight, but he is a technician with great footwork, knee bend and smarts." Michigan appears to hold an early edge for Doles.

Rivals named 2014 VA S Quin Blanding, who recently named Michigan to his top ten, as one of their early five-stars in the junior class.