isaiah jackson
Coach Howard and crew are set on pulling in a projected one-and-done type that would likely change perception of the recruiting prowess in Ann Arbor. The staff has done a great job getting such prospects on campus and making various top lists after getting in the mix relatively late in the game. The recruiting chops seem legit, but it will be an open question until a five-star makes a pledge to the good guys.
Momma Knows Best
Top-15 forward Isaiah Todd was on campus for an official visit last weekend and the early returns are good. I was able to catch up with Todd’s mother yesterday and she certainly gave off positive vibes.
“We love Michigan. We had a wonderful time, the staff was great.”
The Wolverines envision a versatile role for the 6’10 senior, allowing him to explore his game from multiple spots on the court.
“The coaching staff sees Isaiah as a stretch 4, giving him the freedom to showcase all of his talent.”
A final five which includes Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas and Memphis along with Michigan generally incites one to pump the brakes. But Todd has visited UNC on multiple occasions without a commitment, cancelled a scheduled official to Memphis and details have yet to emerge about planned visits to both Kansas and Kentucky. Rivals’ Corey Evans recently retracted a UNC prediction and considers Michigan a darkhorse.
There have been mild concerns about Isaiah’s consistency over the last year. As someone with several live evaluations of the Virginia-native last Summer, there is no doubt he has the look of a future lottery pick down the road. Athletic 6’10 wing-forwards with a pull-up jumper off the bounce don’t grow on trees.
Yes, please.
[Hit THE JUMP for more visit notes and your weekly Nimari Burnett update.]
So I’ll be around MGoBlog in an official capacity with scouting analysis and recruiting updates. Brian and company were gracious enough to bring me aboard and I’m fortunate to work with an excellent crew. Hopefully they can tolerate me for the foreseeable future. I’m not the most charismatic guy around, so that’s it for the intro stuff. Let’s get to actual recruiting news.
Since being hired in May, Coach Howard has not shied away from direct battles with the likes of Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky and Kansas. While that approach has yet to produce a commit, it hasn’t served as a deterrent despite a few prospects coming off the board to the aforementioned pool. With multiple prospects slated to visit Ann-Arbor over the next month and the early signing period during November, the early results will be in soon.
Holding Steady
After dropping Louisville from his final 5, Michigan is in solid position for 2020 five-star combo guard Nimari Burnett after hosting the Chicago native for an official visit two weeks ago. A collective gasp ensued when news broke that Memphis would conduct an in-home visit last week. Burnett promptly said thanks, but no thanks, to Penny Hardaway and staff. In the aftermath, the entire Michigan staff was on hand for a September 17th home visit. A longstanding relationship with Howard, opportunity for early playing time and the desired on-ball role are all factors in favor of the Maize and Blue.
Oregon was originally scheduled to receive an official visit last weekend, but that has been pushed back to October 26th. Alabama, perhaps the stiffest competition to Michigan, will host Nimari and family in Tuscaloosa this weekend for an official visit. As of now, the plan is to wait until December-January to make a commitment.
[Hit THE JUMP for more battles against blue-bloods.]
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