Durkin Leaves, Partridge Stays

Recruits care more about the man in the middle. [Fuller]

While Michigan lost a strong recruiter when DJ Durkin accepted the head job at Maryland, it doesn't appear his departure is going to have a significant impact on the program's recruiting, at least in the short term. The latest Wolverine pledge, Jordan Elliott*, summed up the general feeling among the commits:

This don't change a thing

— ChadTough〽️ (@XCV____) December 2, 2015

The reaction from uncommitted targets depends on the prospect; for the most part, their ties are more to the program—Jim Harbaugh's program—or their primary recruiter. The Wolverine's Tim Sullivan posted reactions from several prospects that included four-star TX DE Levi Onwuzurike saying that it wouldn't affect him as long as Greg Mattison stayed on staff ($). Five-star CA OLB Caleb Kelly said it affects his recruitment, but he's been considered a long-shot at best for a while now. This is worth watching, though:

Los Angeles Loyola 2016 cornerback David Long Jr.

"That would be huge [to lose him], but if [Stanford defensive coordinator Lance] Anderson replaces him it would work perfectly, but that's in a perfect world."

Despite being a Stanford commit, Long seemed more likely to end up at Michigan. We'll see what comes of his imminent in-home visit; hopefully that clears up any concern.

Meanwhile, 247's Steve Wiltfong reported today that director of player personnel Chris Partridge will not follow Durkin to Maryland, which was rumored to be a strong possibility—Sam Webb added Partridge is in line for an "increased role" with the program. While Michigan's recruiting in New Jersey has reached the point where Partridge isn't essential to their ability to land that state's top talent—more NJ recruits mention Jabrill Peppers than Partridge these days—it's still a a significant plus to have his connections there.

*So I can save myself an extra paragraph, Elliott isn't going anywhere.

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

Nauta In Wait-And-See Mode

Michigan's chances with five-star GA TE Isaac Nauta may have received a huge boost when Georgia fired Mark Richt, but Nauta told 247's Kipp Adams a lot depends on who's next in line in Athens ($):

Nauta is unsure how the coaching changes will affect Georgia's chances.

"It depends on who it is," Nauta said. "If there is a coach brought in that I have a previous relationship with, especially on the recruiting trail, then no. I am going to have to look into everything - how the offensive coordinator uses the tight ends - to make sure I am making the right decision."

Georgia looks poised to hire Alabama DC Kirby Smart; I have no clue how that'd impact Nauta. On one hand, Nauta is probably at least somewhat familiar with Smart since he's been recruited by Alabama. On the other hand, Smart wasn't his primary or secondary recruiter at Bama.

This could be a case where the offensive coordinator hire matters much more than the head coach hire. I get the sense Nauta is going to give Georgia every possible chance to convince him to stay close to home; if anyone else can land him, though, it's Michigan.

More OSU Visit Reactions

Visit reactions continue to trickle in from last weekend. It's hard to get a read on top-100 MD OG Terrance Davis, who talked up the game atmosphere to Rivals' Adam Friedman but added he doesn't have a leader ($):

"It was a good visit but I guess it's different when you take an official visit during the season," he said. "The coaches have to focus on the game. It was their biggest game of the season. I understand that the game is going to take up most of their time. It was still a good visit.

"I loved my time in Michigan," said Davis. "It could have been better. It didn't hurt them in any way. I had a pretty good visit overall. I wouldn't say I have a leader right now."

It's unclear which school is the biggest contender aside from Michigan; it's still getting tougher and tougher to expect Davis to wind up in Ann Arbor the longer this drags out without a commitment.

There no question about where Michigan stands with three-star FL DT Keyshon Camp:

#Scout300 DT Keyshon Camp tells me he's committed to #USC "for good" More here ($) https://t.co/rXErB1O5Yk @gmartlive @ThePeristyle #FightOn

— Corey Bender (@Corey_Bender) November 30, 2015

Camp, a Florida native, wasn't a fan of the weather. If a relatively mild late-November day elicited that reaction, it's probably best for all parties involved for Camp to wind up at a warm-weather school.

247's Clint Brewster posted a few notes on four-star TX ILB Dontavious Jackson after his official visit ($):

I was told that even the coaches recruiting Jackson don't have a great hunch as to where he will end up and that one school is not really out in front as a lock but Texas, Michigan, and Florida State are in the best position.

A reason for optimism or pessimism, depending on your perspective: Brewster added that Jackson isn't as concerned about distance from home as the people advising him.

Top Targets Getting In-Homes

Five-star NJ RB Kareem Walker:

Home visit with coach Wheatley went very well... #GoBlue

— AlightyReem (@_KareemWalker) December 1, 2015

Top-100 TX OT Jean Delance:

LSU and Michigan visits went great tonight!! Unbelievable .. Is the word trust me.

— Jean Delance (@JeanDelance74) December 2, 2015

DJ Durkin (awkward) and Greg Mattison also dropped in on Rashan Gary and Jordan Fuller this week, per Steve Lorenz. For those worried, Durkin's departure shouldn't affect M's chances with Gary—of that I'm quite confident.

Etc.

Brandon Peters is among elite company as a finalist for the Army Player of the Year award:

2016 Army Player of the Year finalists: DT Derrick Brown WR Donnie Corley QB Jacob Eason WR Simi Fehoko QB Shea Patterson QB Brandon Peters

— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) December 2, 2015

In addition, Peters and Ben Bredeson took home Gatorade POTY awards for the states of Indiana and Wisconsin, respectively.