TVH Weekly: Armani Reeves, Jaleel Johnson, and more

Submitted by TomVH on

As we're getting closer to spring ball we will start to see more visits being scheduled and more lists being narrowed down. Michigan is firing up visits. Here's a look at some of those trips that have been scheduled and what a few recruits have to say about the Wolverines. As always, you can follow me on twitter for more updates, and feel free to email me at [email protected] with any tips or questions.

Armani ReevesArmani Reeves

5'11", 185 lbs.

Athlete

West Roxbury, Massachusetts


The Massachusetts athlete and teammate of LB Camren Williams has a Michigan offer and plans on taking a visit this month.

I have 12 offers right now, so I'm kind of taking everything in. Michigan is definitely a school I want to see, I think we're going there either March 26th or the 19th. Coach Mallory is the one recruiting me, and they're telling me I could play cornerback. It doesn't matter to me, wherever I can play the fastest.

Reeves is currently playing basketball for his high school, so he hasn't focused too much on the process. He does know what his timeline will look like.

My final decision will probably be no later than December or January, I'm not going to drag it out. I'll visit all the schools that have offered first, then narrow it down. I'm really looking for a school with good academics, good coaching staff, and what the campus around it is like. 

So far Armani has been to Rutgers, North Carolina, Wake Forest, and Maryland. Reeves will be visiting Michigan with his teammate Camren Williams, who is also being recruited by Michigan.

Me and Camren are just enjoying the process together. We've been friends since 4th grade so he's like my brother. We don't base everything on going to school together, it's just a blessing to go through it together. Hopefully we can pick the same school.

This upcoming trip to Ann Arbor should make things more clear for the pair. Williams is looking to make his decision in June, so the visit will be crucial for him.

Jaleel Johnson

6'2", 277 lbs.

Defensive Tackle

Westchester, Illinois


Johnson does not have an offer from Michigan yet, but they have been in constant communication. He has definite interest.

I do think they'll offer me soon, and I know I want to get up there for a visit. I just have to put some dates in order and check my schedule to see when I have off. I think it will be during spring, since I have that time off, either way I will visit [Michigan]. I don't have a top list yet, but they're definitely a school that sticks out to me.

Defensive tackle is going to be a major focus for Michigan. Despite the fact that Johnson doesn't have an offer from Michigan yet, I believe that he could eventually get one. As other DT prospects make their decisions Michigan will have to look to kids like Johnson to try to shore up that hole on the depth chart.

Upcoming Visits:

These visit dates seem to be changing every day, so I will update them as I confirm what they are. Some of the recruits weren't positive on the dates, which tells me it might change. Here's a list of visitors that I have confirmed so far in the next coming weeks.

Michigan DT Matt Godin (6'5", 260 lbs) was in Ann Arbor this past weekend for the Michigan vs. MSU basketball game.

Illinois OL Dan Voltz (6'5", 289 lbs) visiting Michigan this weekend. He'll be making his final decision in the next couple months, so this is a big visit. I think Michigan is a little behind right now.

Wisconsin LB Vince Biegel (6'3", 210 lbs) also visiting Ann Arbor this weekend. This date could change, but as of yesterday it was still the right day. Vince has Michigan in his top three with BYU, and Wisconsin. The coaching changes at Wisconsin made him take a step back, so he'll visit Michigan and BYU next, then likely make his decision.

Michigan LB Royce Jenkins-Stone (6'2", 215 lbs) said he thinks he'll be up to Ann Arbor on March 12th, but it sounded like it wasn't set in stone. This one might change.

Ohio TE AJ Williams (6'6", 260 lbs) has a trip planned for March 19th.

Ohio DE Pharaoh Brown (6'6", 220 lbs) also coming up on March 19th.

As mentioned, Mass LB Camren Williams (6'2", 215 lbs) wasn't sure of the exact date, but it's either March 19th or the 25th. I'll confirm with him in the future.

Mass ATH Armani Reeves (5'11", 185 lbs) teammate of Camren Williams, and will be visiting the same time as Williams.

New York DB Wayne Morgan (5'11", 188 lbs) will be visiting on March 25th. Morgan plays quarterback, corner, and free safety for his high school team now. Very versatile, very good athlete. 

Indiana TE/DE Pierre Aka (6'4", 250 lbs) is planning a trip on the 25th as well. He thinks Michigan may offer on the visit. If Michigan offered they could hear his decision shortly after. 

This is who I've confirmed so far. I'll be spending time this week trying to confirm more, so this list is going to go up from here. 

Extra:

  • Mass LB Camren Williams says Michigan is in his top five, and grew up a Michigan fan. Visiting this month.
  • The Good Counsel prospects have interest in Michigan, and vice versa. 
  • Ohio DE Ifeadi Odenigbo will visit Michigan in June, and says that Michigan is not in his top five yet. A visit may change that, but I believe Ohio State and Stanford are the teams to beat.
  • Texas LB Jeremiah Tshimanga didn't make it up to Ann Arbor this weekend, but is hoping to make it up soon.
  • Kentucky QB Zeke Pike (6'5", 220 lbs) told me that he plans on visiting Michigan sometime this spring. He doesn't have an exact date yet, but he will make it up. Remember that 2011 Michigan signee TE Chris Barnett is friends with Pike, and has been trying to convince him to pick the Wolverines.

Comments

bing24

March 7th, 2011 at 12:10 PM ^

Keep working on Pike! Get these kids on campus and it will only help our cause.

I'd like to see some commits soon and get the ball rolling.

GO BLUE

Lutha

March 7th, 2011 at 12:45 PM ^

I'm shocked Michigan hasn't already offered Jaleel Johnson.  The kid looks like a monster in the combine video where he just manhandles everyone.

Wolverine0056

March 7th, 2011 at 2:08 PM ^

Thanks for the update. I would love for Barnett to get Pike to come to Michigan. That would be amazing. I really hope that RJS or Wormely commits sooner rather than later, that could be a big momentum booster for this next class.

a non emu

March 7th, 2011 at 2:09 PM ^

It's awesome that a couple of West Roxbury kids are being recruited. I lived there till a few months ago. If either of these kids end up committing to us, I will try and give you guys scouting updates once the season rolls around. Was Todd Collins the last MA player to suit up for Michigan? I can't recall another one.

Bodogblog

March 7th, 2011 at 3:00 PM ^

Michigan will have to look to kids like Johnson to try to shore up that hole on the depth chart."

Babelfish tells me this translates to  "O'Brien is going to UT"

GhostPoster

March 7th, 2011 at 3:03 PM ^

It may not be set in "stone" as of now, but hopefully it will be set in Jenkins-Stone later.

It seems as if 4 of the top guys are very interested in schools outside of the state.  I realize it's early, but is it something to worry about?  I'm talking about Richardson, Ross, Jenkins-Stone, and O'Brien. 

Jenkins-Stone seems to be holding a grudge about the late offer.

Richardson has one of the most impressive offers lists out there.  And it's still growing.

O'Brien likes Tennessee.  A lot.

and Ross has 2 high school teammates at Penn State and grew up an OSU fan.

All of these would be great gets, is Hoke and co making them a priority? To early to tell?

GhostPoster

March 7th, 2011 at 3:54 PM ^

I think the whole "hey, how would you like to play in front of the biggest crowd in the United States every Saturday" should work.  

But you're right, need to start doing well to lock up the state again.  There's plenty of time to draw interest back with these kids.  I do, however, think that all four of them will draw out the process which scares me.

True Blue Grit

March 7th, 2011 at 5:22 PM ^

I'm trying not to get worked up about it, but I REALLY wish we'd get at least one or two commits sooner rather than later.  I understand why we haven't, but dang - you'd think at least one of these 100+ offers would be a 100% Michigan Man.  Patience, patience. 

UMfam

March 7th, 2011 at 6:06 PM ^

It's Monday March 7th, no need to panic at this point.  We are a program with a completely new coaching staff, implementing a new O and D.   Recruiting is about relationships, both Hoke and Mattison are skilled recruiters but they still have to build a tie to the kids.    Bama has 10, OU only has 3 commits and Auburn has 1, which means nothing on March 7th.   Sit back and enjoy some march madness

Rockne

March 7th, 2011 at 7:34 PM ^

I would say ND is on equal or better footing with OSU and Stanford for Odenigbo, he loved his junior day visit.  He has yet to make his visit to Stanford however.