Five-Star Out Of Nowhere?

Thank you to every school that has offered me with an opportunity to attend their University, but here is my Top 4. pic.twitter.com/uWdsj7CsYH

— Joshua Kaindoh (@_jkaindoh) April 21, 2016

Five-star IMG Academy DE Joshua Kaindoh released his top four yesterday, and the biggest news didn't involve which programs made it, but one that didn't: Maryland, which had been the presumed leader for the DMV native. The Terps were left off the list in favor of Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Penn State.

While the Wolverines haven't been mentioned as much of a factor for Kaindoh, it's clear his recruitment is capable of taking some unexpected twists and turns. 247's Steve Lorenz initially posted after the news broke that he'd "be very surprised" if Kaindoh ended up at Michigan; he updated that post with intel that Michigan believes they have a shot.

Speaking of five-stars, TMI's Josh Newkirk caught up with Cass Tech WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, who's been in touch with quarterback commit Dylan McCaffrey:

“He has reached out to me,” Peoples-Jones said of McCaffrey. “I took notice of the commitment (to U-M). It was surprising to me that they got a really good quarterback that really sets the bar for all recruitment. You have a strong quarterback; you (can) build around him. That definitely made a statement for Michigan.”

Adding: “I think it’s really good for them to have a guy like him come in. He’s a really good guy. I’ve been talking to him on Twitter. We’re developing a relationship.”

While that's certainly promising, Peoples-Jones maintains no leaders in his recruitment. In fact, his list of schools under consideration has expanded slightly:

In January, at the time, Peoples-Jones released his top-10 schools in alphabetical order, which included: Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas A&M and USC. And after a recent trip to Florida State, Peoples-Jones has since added the ‘Noles to his now top-11.

Peoples-Jones wants to visit every school on his list before making a decision. His recruitment, as expected, should extend until late in the process.

[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]

Timing Is Everything

Michigan offered 2018 four-star CA CB Olaijah Griffin yesterday, per Rivals' Adam Gorney. While 2018 offers don't normally earn this prominent a mention in the roundup, Griffin is the son of legendary West Coast rapper Warren G, and his offer came in on 4/20. That is rather perfect.

In a legacy offer of a different sort, Michigan offered 2018 Detroit Country Day ILB Kolin Demens, the younger brother of Kenny Demens, who was quite excited by the news. Michigan joined Nebraska on the younger Demens' offer list and immediately jumped into the lead on his Crystal Ball.

Michigan is the first big-time program to offer 2018 four-star GA S Otis Reese, who told TMI's Brice Marich the Wolverines are now his leader. He's looking to set up a visit to Ann Arbor. M also put forth an offer to another four-star 2018 safety, California prospect Jaiden Woodbey.

In the 2017 class, Michigan offered three-star OH OT Joel Honigford, who told Scout's Bill Greene he has "high interest" and plans to visit this summer. Honigford's offer list, which also includes Auburn, Michigan State, Oklahoma, and Penn State, suggests he could move up the rankings.

M In Top Three For Alabama DT

While 2017 AL DT Neil Farrell is a three-star to the recruiting services, his offer sheet includes the likes of Clemson, Florida, LSU, and South Carolina. Michigan has also thrown their hat in the ring, and this week Farrell told Scout that the Wolverines are in his top three:

The 6-foot-4, 295-pound junior told Scout’s Chad Simmons that Michigan, Clemson and LSU are the three in the lead. He has visited the two southern schools, but has not been to Ann Arbor yet. The Wolverines are a school that has made his top list, however, because of Jim Harbaugh’s resume and what he knows of Michigan Stadium.

“The NFL, that’s the next spot, and I know he has that experience and he can put me in that place,” Farrell said. “I know they’re a good team and they have one of the best crowds in the nation.”

Farrell plans to enroll early, and Michigan is the only school he knows he'll see on an offical visit.

M Pushing For Ohio's Top Rising Junior

Five-star all-purpose back Jaelen Gill, the top-ranked 2018 prospect in Ohio, is expected to land at Ohio State, but he told The Wolverine's Brandon Brown this week that he likes what Michigan has to offer:

"I love Michigan actually," Gill said. "Once you hit the highway it’s a straight shot so it’s not far at all. You could come home whenever you have free time so I’m really interested in Michigan. I loved it up there."

Gill visited during spring ball and said he wants to get back up to campus. While he should still be considered a longshot, a return visit would be encouraging.

Etc.

Rivals released an unordered top 100 for the 2018 class, and they omitted both of Michigan's commits; while that's not a huge surprise when it comes to Antwuan Johnson (ranked #159 overall on 247), it is for Leonard Taylor, who ranks 22nd on 247 and should fall within the top 100 on Scout when they order their rankings. TTB has a full breakdown of M targets on the list.

MLive's Matt Wenzel posted a feature on 2017 commit J'Marick Woods, who underwent an impressive physical transformation when he started focusing on football over basketball:

Woods didn't get serious about football until the eighth grade, which coincided with a physical transformation. He started as a center and defensive lineman and was playing safety by his sophomore year in high school.

"I was always the big kid, not so much height-wise but weight-wise," Woods said, "and then finally in seventh grade I started hitting my growth spurt and the weight just kind of evened out.

Woods also got in a quality burn on one of his uncles.

Happy trails, for now at least, to top-100 NJ OT Micah Clark, who joined the burgeoning movement to keep New Jersey's top players in-state with a commitment to Rutgers. Ditto four-star TX RB Eno Benjamin, who ignored years of AIRBHG precendent and committed to Iowa.

Congratulations to the NCAA for getting something right.