247Sports’ Steve Lorenz shares 10 Michigan football recruiting targets to watch
All has been quiet on the western front as of late for Michigan football in terms of recruiting, but it’s likely just the calm before the storm.
June has typically been a hectic, busy month for the Wolverines when it comes to securing prospects, in large part due to having a big official visit weekend near the end of the month. It’s sure to be even busier this year, considering that the NCAA’s year-plus dead period comes to an end at the culmination of May, meaning recruits will be making their way to campus in droves.
We spoke to 247Sports’ Steve Lorenz to find out who Michigan football, with a new coaching and recruiting staff, appears to be heavily into at this juncture and who fans should be paying attention to as the recruiting cycle heats up significantly.
List
Best case/worst case: Michigan football game-by-game in 2021
EDGE Joshua Josephs
Ratings
Stars | Overall | Position | State | |
247Sports | 3 | - | 16 | 29 |
Rivals | 3 | - | 31 | 61 |
ESPN | 3 | - | 45 | 39 |
247Sports Composite | 3 | 549 | 27 | 53 |
Vitals
Hometown | Kennesaw (GA) North Cobb |
Projected Position | EDGE |
Height | 6-foot-3 |
Weight | 207-pounds |
Steve Lorenz's take: "Probably Michigan's top target at a new position under Mike Macdonald. Can rush the passer, cover the flats and play the run. Pretty complete player." Note: Expected to visit Michigan officially on June 18.
DL Justice Finkley
Ratings
Stars | Overall | Position | State | |
247Sports | 4 | 116 | 18 | 7 |
Rivals | 4 | 174 | 9 | 7 |
ESPN | 4 | 125 | 14 | 7 |
247Sports Composite | 4 | 127 | 19 | 6 |
Vitals
Hometown | Trussville (AL) Hewitt-Trussville |
Projected Position | Defensive Line |
Height | 6-foot-2 |
Weight | 255-pounds |
Steve Lorenz's take: An elite prospect out of Alabama the staff actually has a good shot with. Thick lower body, huge potential as a 3-4 end and could even play standing up a bit. Note: Expected to visit Michigan officially on June 18.
OL Lucas Heyer
Ratings
Stars | Overall | Position | State | |
247Sports | 3 | - | 50 | 3 |
Rivals | 4 | 176 | 23 | 1 |
ESPN | 3 | - | 39 | 2 |
247Sports Composite | 4 | 338 | 39 | 1 |
Vitals
Hometown | St. Paul (MN) Hill Murray |
Projected Position | Offensive Tackle |
Height | 6-foot-5 |
Weight | 307-pounds |
Steve Lorenz's take: Top prospect in Minnesota and one Sherrone Moore has worked hard with. Another high ceiling tackle; battling Stanford and others. Note: Has one 247Sports Crystal Ball and one Rivals FutureCast in for Michigan. Expected to visit Michigan officially on June 18.
OL/DL Deone Walker
2022 Detroit (MI) Cass Tech OT Deone Walker
Ratings
Stars | Overall | Position | State | |
247Sports | 3 | - | 65 | 14 |
Rivals | 4 | - | 18 | 8 |
ESPN | - | - | - | - |
247Sports Composite | 3 | 362 | 56 | 11 |
Vitals
Hometown | Detroit (MI) Cass Tech |
Projected Position | Offensive/Defensive Line |
Height | 6-foot-6 |
Weight | 340-pounds |
Steve Lorenz's take: Cass Tech jumbo athlete has flown up recruiting boards with a strong offseason. I think he projects better as an offensive lineman but is a power five guy on either line. Note: Has one Rivals FutureCast in for Kentucky, however, current Michigan and former Wildcats DB coach Steve Clinkscale was his primary recruiter in Lexington.
DT Walter Nolen
Photo: Max Gersh-The Commercial Appeal
Ratings
Stars | Overall | Position | State | |
247Sports | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Rivals | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
ESPN | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
247Sports Composite | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Vitals
Hometown | Cordova (TN) St. Benedict at Auburndale |
Projected Position | Defensive Tackle |
Height | 6-foot-4 |
Weight | 300-pounds |
Steve Lorenz's take: The highest-ranked player Michigan is still pursuing. Has everyone after him and will be a difficult recruitment to win but has already visited campus on his own dime. Grandparents live in the Detroit area. Note: Expected to officially visit Michigan on June 18.
TE Oscar Delp
Ratings
Stars | Overall | Position | State | |
247Sports | 4 | 80 | 2 | 9 |
Rivals | 4 | 89 | 1 | 9 |
ESPN | 4 | 121 | 3 | 13 |
247Sports Composite | 4 | 80 | 2 | 8 |
Vitals
Hometown | Cumming (GA) West Forsyth |
Projected Position | Tight End |
Height | 6-foot-5 |
Weight | 220-pounds |
Steve Lorenz's take: Michigan was his first scholarship offer. He now has 33. Georgia native but reportedly grew up a huge Wolverine fan. Georgia and Florida will be biggest competition. Note: 8 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions (75% Georgia, 25% Michigan) and one Rivals FutureCast vote towards the Bulldogs. Official visit to Michigan expected on June 22.
CB Myles Pollard
Ratings
Stars | Overall | Position | State | |
247Sports | 3 | - | 61 | 19 |
Rivals | 4 | - | 31 | 12 |
ESPN | 3 | - | 47 | 16 |
247Sports Composite | 3 | 419 | 37 | 16 |
Vitals
Hometown | Brentwood (TN) Ravenwood |
Projected Position | Cornerback |
Height | 6-foot-2 |
Weight | 185-pounds |
Steve Lorenz's take: Top target on Michigan's board after the commitment of Will Johnson. Ranked as a three-star but has a four-star offer sheet with elite programs still recruiting him. Former high school teammate of current Wolverine Junior Colson. Note: Two Rivals FutureCasts submitted for Michigan. Expected to officially visit Ann Arbor on June 11.
EDGE Micah Pollard
Ratings
Stars | Overall | Position | State | |
247Sports | 3 | 63 | 78 | |
Rivals | 4 | 39 | 76 | |
ESPN | 4 | |||
247Sports Composite | 3 | 524 | 54 | 71 |
Vitals
Hometown | Jacksonville (FL) Bartram Trail |
Projected Position | Outside Linebacker |
Height | 6-foot-3 |
Weight | 200-pounds |
Steve Lorenz's take: Jacksonville native has a connection to Braylon Edwards; was one of the first prospects the new defensive staff offered after taking over. Michigan is perceived as the favorite right now.
Note: Has two 247Sports Crystal Balls predicting Michigan. Expected to visit officially on June 4.
RB George Pettaway
Ratings
Stars | Overall | Position | State | |
247Sports | 4 | 121 | 8 | 2 |
Rivals | 4 | 112 | 5 | 4 |
ESPN | 4 | 104 | 9 | 5 |
247Sports Composite | 4 | 97 | 7 | 3 |
Vitals
Hometown | Suffolk (VA) Nansemond-Suffolk Academy |
Projected Position | Running Back |
Height | 5-foot-11 |
Weight | 190-pounds |
Steve Lorenz's take: Probably Mike Hart's top target right now at running back. Will officially visit in June. Had a monster junior season in Virginia; North Carolina and Alabama also recruiting him. Note: One 247Sports Crystal Ball predicting UNC. Expected to officially visit on June 18.
WR Darrius Clemons
Ratings
Stars | Overall | Position | State | |
247Sports | 4 | 136 | 20 | 1 |
Rivals | 4 | 137 | 14 | - |
ESPN | 4 | 224 | 33 | 1 |
247Sports Composite | 4 | 151 | 20 | 1 |
Vitals
Hometown | Portland (OR) Westview |
Projected Position | Wide Receiver |
Height | 6-foot-3 |
Weight | 205-pounds |
Steve Lorenz's take: Elite athlete who would instantly be one of Michigan's most athletic players. Has ties to freshman receiver Andrel Anthony and grew up in the Lansing area. Note: 247Sports Crystal Ball split 60/40 with 3 total predictions, favoring Penn State over Oregon. Expected to officially visit Michigan on June 25.
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