From The Road: Thoughts, intel on pair of Top 150 Michigan recruiting targets
*** I made a couple of stops in the Tidewater area of Virginia for practices this week. My first stop was at Norfolk (Va.) Maury to see Top 100 2026 linebacker Isaiah Simmons. Michigan just put an offer on the table for Simmons in June, and it appears new linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary is making him an early priority. Next cycle is crucial for Jean-Mary, and landing elite prospects at the position is a must. Jean-Mary is already making progress with Simmons as he is set to make his first visit to U-M for the game against USC next month. Jean-Mary also has a direct tie in this recruitment — Simmons’ high school linebackers coach, Mike Privott, played for Jean-Mary during his time at Louisville.
*** I’ve been a frequent visitor at Maury since it’s a five-minute walk and the program is loaded with talent and coming off a state championship. However, this was the first time I really honed in on evaluating Simmons. At 6-foot, 190 pounds, Simmons is definitely on the smaller side for the position. I do think he has the frame to add another 25 pounds, but the height is a bit of a concern if he’s not a MIKE. I actually think he’s best suited for the WILL or some type of Rover hybrid role. With that said, he is fast as hell. I can’t think of a better way to describe him. The way he runs sideline-to-sideline and gets to the quarterback is extremely impressive. There is a reason On3 has him ranked as a Top 100 recruit despite the lack of ideal measureables. Simmons is just a really fun player. He reminds me of former Michigan signee Osman Savage, who I really liked as a recruit but was plagued by off-the-field problems.
*** Next cycle is also a big one for Michigan offensive line coach Grant Newsome and the tackle position. The Wolverines need to find a true tackle — or two — in the 2026 recruiting class. One of Newsome’s top priorities is On300 Virginia Beach (Va.) Green Run prospect Thomas Wilder. Newsome visited Green Run during the spring evaluation period in May and offered Wilder on the spot. The two have been keeping in constant contact, and Newsome is working to get him to a game this fall. However, I get the sense Wilder doesn’t have the best circumstances. He made zero visits this summer and only has one fall visit scheduled — to home state program Virginia Tech. Wilder’s recruitment is wide open right now. Newsome and U-M’s offensive line production are definitely moving the needle, but the Wolverines need to find a way to get him to campus.
***Yesterday’s practice was just a walk-thru. However, Wilder is an impressive looking prospect on the hoof. He’s every bit of 6-foot-6, 285 pounds and has the frame to add plenty of weight the right way. Wilder was actually up to 300 pounds earlier this offseason, but lost some fat and rebuilt it with muscle. Wilder is a true tackle with great feet and athleticism. He can continue to improve his technique, but his ceiling is certainly sky high. I saw flashes at this walk-thru as well as at the Under Armour camp in Baltimore in the spring, so I’m excited to see if he can put it all together in pads this fall.
*** Very quickly… Michigan has an offer out to three-star 2026 Norfolk (Va.) Maury wide receiver Jyran Evans. This is his third high school, and he’s battled injuries, which is why his recruitment has been quiet. However, he could have a breakout year. I love his size and tools. Rising 2026 Virginia (Va.) Beach Green cornerback Shawn Church is one to watch. He is 6-foot-3, 180 pounds and a former junior olympian. Rising 2028 Virginia Beach (Va.) Green Run linebacker Junious Clay will be a national recruit.
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