Five most interesting Michigan recruiting storylines ahead of June official visits

Michigan is set to host several top football recruits for official visits this month. Here is a look at five of the biggest storylines.

1. Who will be Michigan’s second RB take?

All eyes are on Top 100 Longview (Texas) High running back Taylor Tatum, who is set to make his U-M official visit on June 23. Michigan and Oklahoma appear to be at the top, and this is a very winnable recruitment for the Wolverines. Pairing Tatum with Top 100 running back commit Jordan Marshall would be an absolute dream. However, Tatum is taking a slow approach to the process, and Mike Hart isn’t going to wait forever. Hart has some options that he really likes, including three-star Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman prospect Micah Ka’apana (June 9 OV), three-star Chicago (Ill.) Mount Carmel prospect Darrion Dupree (June 16 OV) and three-star Montvale (N.J.) St. Joseph Regional prospect Yasin Willis (June 23 OV). It wouldn’t be surprising to see any end up in the class.

2. How will the WR board shake out?

Michigan only has one wide receiver commit going into June official visits in three-star Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day prospect Channing Goodwin. The Wolverines are in the pole position for four-star Chicago (Ill.) Kenwood pass catcher I’Marion Sterwart and should close with him on his June 23 official visit. That leaves two spots open. Michigan is shooting for the stars with five-star St. Louis (Mo.) University prospect Ryan Wingo (June 9 OV), but that one is unlikely. Four-star Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day wide receiver Jordan Shipp, who is taking his U-M official visit this weekend, and three-star Olney (Md.) Good Counsel prospect Elijah Moore (June 9 OV) are two priorities and much more realistic options. However, neither is a guarantee. If Michigan misses on one or both, it may have to go further down on the board for a guy like three-star King George (Va.) High prospect Mekhai White. Of course, Michigan could simply take three and focus on Top 100 Burley (Idaho) High prospect Gatlin Bair, who won’t count against numbers due to his two-year mission.

3. Will Michigan add a sixth offensive lineman?

Michigan already has five commits along the offensive line, but that doesn’t mean the Wolverines are done at the position. Sherrone Moore is still going after elite prospects like Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei’s Brandon Baker, the No. 1 ranked tackle nationally, four-star Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei guard DeAndre Carter and Top 100 Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy tackle Jordan Seaton. However, all three appear unlikely. The two most realistic additions are On300 Texas prospects Bennett Warren (June 9 OV) and Michael Uini (June 16 OV). Michigan is very capable of winning either recruitment but there is work to do. Michigan doesn’t have to take six but landing Warren or Uini would be the cherry on top of a really impressive offensive line group.

4. How will the EDGE board shake out?

Michigan could take up to five EDGE recruits this cycle excluding athlete commits Mason Curtis and Cole Sullivan. U-M is in the Top 3 for the following pass rushers going into June official visits — Top 100 Olney (Md.) Good Counsel prospect Darien Mayo (June 23 OV), On300 Austintown (Ohio) Fitch prospect Brian Robinson (June 2 OV), four-star Cheshire (Conn.) Academy prospect Jacob Smith (June 2 OV), four-star Brandywine (Md.) Gwynn Park prospect Devon Baxter (June 16 OV), four-star Ijamsville (Md.) Oakdale prospect Dominic Nichols (June 9 OV) and four-star Deerfield Beach (Fla.) High prospect Elias Rudolph (June 9 OV). The Wolverines are also still in play for On300 Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga prospect DD Holmes, who is working on scheduling an OV. Someone has to be the odd man out. It will be interesting to see who it is.

5. Will Michigan beat Ohio State for Aaron Scott?

Michigan is going all in on Top 100 Springfield (Ohio) High cornerback Aaron Scott and is in a strong position in his recruitment going into June official visits. However, this one is a really, really tight battle with Ohio State. Michigan is getting Scott in on June 16 for Victors Weekend. That means Scott will have a chance to be part of a big event with several U-M commits, including friends Jacob Oden and Ben Roebuck. However, Ohio State will have the final say as it is getting Scott in for an OV the following weekend. If Michigan misses out on West, a cornerback class of Ondre Evans and Tehryon Nichols is realistic.

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