From The Road: Thoughts, tidbits on Top 100 Michigan targets Andrew Olesh, Michael Carroll

*** I spent the latter part of this week in Pennsylvania seeing Top 100 Doylestown (Pa.) Central Bucks East offensive lineman Michael Carroll and Center Valley (Pa.) Southern Lehigh tight end Andrew Olesh. Let’s start off with Olesh since we haven’t talked about him as much on the site. Michigan already has one tight end commit in Eli Owens, who is more of an H-Back, and would like to add another before the end of the cycle. Olesh is at the very top of the board, and Michigan is making him feel like a massive priority. The entire offensive staff made their way to Southern Lehigh this week to see him. Right now, I think Michigan is at the top of the list along with Alabama and Penn State. Florida and Missouri are the two other schools involved and vying for his fourth summer official visit. While the SEC programs are intriguing, Olesh just feels like a Big Ten type of a kid. Penn State has been considered the leader here for a while, but Michigan has really moved the needle thanks to its tight end usage and production. The summer official visits will be crucial as Olesh is looking to make a decision later in the summer.

*** Unfortunately, I was unable to watch Olesh move around as his team is spending more of the spring hitting the weight room before getting into 7v7 in the summer. However, I was able to size him up, and Olesh is right at around 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, which means his On3 listing is accurate. Olesh has plenty of room to add weight in both his upper and lower halves. His frame actually reminds me of Deakon Tonielli, who signed with Michigan in the 2023 cycle and flashed at the spring game. On tape, Olesh plays a lot of wide receiver. He’s definitely a big threat as a pass catcher and would complement a guy like Owens really well. My biggest question with Olesh would be blocking and his ability to play in-line — mostly because I haven’t been able to see him do it. However, he’s a tall, athletic pass catcher that could be a star in Michigan’s offense, especially with the way the Wolverines use and develop the position.

*** I still believe Michigan and Alabama are the two schools at the top of the list for Carroll, and he said as much in our interview. Like with Olesh, Michigan brought its entire staff to Central Bucks East to meet with Carroll and his parents. I’m told Carroll’s mother asked plenty of tough questions, including some about sanctions, and that the Carroll family was pleased with the answers. Carroll has been to Michigan on multiple occasions, has a strong bond with Grant Newsome and loves the offensive line production. However, Alabama hosted him twice this spring and the new Tide staff has really moved the needle. I think this one is too close to call right now. Georgia is also involved here and will get an OV. UGA’s offensive line coach was actually at his school the same time I was. Penn State is the other program locked in for an OV. While Carroll is a PSU legacy, I believe the Nittany Lions still have some work to do.

*** Everybody knows how much I love Carroll as a prospect. I’ve been banging the drum here for several months, and On3 has bought in, recently ranking him as the No. 27 overall recruit in the country. I also believe Carroll is a five-star level recruit after seeing him move around for the first time. Carroll did a brief workout, but it was easy to see the skillset and potential. Carroll is every bit of 6-foot-6, 310 pounds, and no, he’s not a fat kid. Carroll carries the weight extremely well and is an impressive specimen that will obviously continue to develop at the next level. It’s exciting to think about what he’ll look like in a few years. Carroll also moves very well for his size. He has quick feet and looked comfortable is pass pro and pulling drills. I like his length and punch as well. Carroll can keep cleaning a few things up technically, especially if he transitions from guar to tackle, but he checks so many boxes. While I do think he can be a road grader of a guard, I’m enamored with the idea of him playing tackle. This is a crappy comparison for me to use since Alabama is the main competition here, but he reminds me of Tide offensive lineman Tyler Booker, who I evaluated closely at IMG. Booker was a terrific guard for Bama last year but has been getting some time outside this offseason. I felt like Booker could be dominant at both when he was a recruit, and it’s the same with Carroll.

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