Previewing a loaded official visit weekend at Michigan

Official visit season is officially here. Michigan hosted a small group of targets last weekend and will follow that up with a loaded group this weekend.

Here is a full preview.

RB Micah Ka’apana, Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman

Michigan is still working on Top 100 Longview (Texas) High running back Taylor Tatum. However, Tatum is trending towards USC and is continuing to take his time with his decision. If Ka’apana wants in the class, it’s going to be tough to pass him up. While he’s just a three-star prospect, Ka’apana has terrific speed and complements Top 100 commit Jordan Marshall extremely well. Michigan running backs coach Mike Hart is also known for trusting his evaluations, and it’s no secret he values Ka’apana way more than the recruiting services. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Michigan take the lead in this recruitment this weekend and close soon after.

WR Ryan Wingo, St. Louis (Mo.) University

A five-star prospect, Wingo visited Michigan twice last year and is now set to return for his official visit. Wingo seems to genuinely love the program and has a strong relationship with lead recruiter Ron Bellamy. However, Michigan’s offense isn’t exactly pass happy, which can often deter pass catchers of this caliber. Michigan needs to find a way to get past that on this visit to even have a chance in this recruitment. Right now, Georgia is considered the heavy leader. The Bulldogs also hold a commitment from the No. 1 quarterback in the country in Dylan Raiola, who has actively been recruiting Wingo to Athens. This one is a long shot, but Michigan will do its best.

WR I’Marion Stewart, Chicago (Ill.) Kenwood

A four-star prospect, Stewart has been considered a Michigan lean for the majority of the cycle and is now set to announce his commitment on June 16. Wisconsin has made things a bit interesting and really impressed him on his official visit last weekend. With that said, Michigan still has the lead here and can solidify that even further with a strong official visit. Bellamy has done a phenomenal job of bonding with Stewart and his family and should pick up this recruiting win out of the Windy City.

OL Bennett Warren, Fort Bend (Texas) Christian

Michigan already holds five offensive line commits, but the Wolverines are continuing to leave the door open for a sixth take. Warren is the most likely candidate to join the fold. The On300 prospect named Michigan his leader following a visit for the spring game. While Warren backed off that statement last month, Michigan is still in a strong spot and will have an opportunity to re-take the lead this weekend. Michigan obviously has a lot to sell to offensive line recruits after back-to-back Joe Moore Awards. The recent success and development is really moving the needle here. However, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas A&M all have fair shots to land him as well.

DL Justin Scott, Chicago (Ill.) St. Ignatius

A five-star prospect, Scott would be a whale of a land and an immediate contributor along the defensive line. Michigan was able to secure one of Scott’s June official visits. However, the Wolverines have plenty of work to do here. Miami is considered the leader and knows how to play the NIL game, while Georgia and Notre Dame also appear to be ahead of U-M. Michigan defensive line coach Mike Elston has formed a strong relationship with Scott and can easily sell his resume as a developer of talent. This visit could help Michigan become a true contender… but it’s going to be tough.

DL Owen Wafle, Princeton (N.J.) Hun School

If you’re looking for a commitment candidate this weekend, then Wafle is definitely your guy. The three-star prospect recently backed off of his verbal pledge to Notre Dame after a strong push from Michigan. Both Elston and area recruiter Grant Newsome have done a fantastic job recruiting Wafle and those around him and are in a prime position to close this weekend. Michigan is the only school slated to receive an OV, and while there is no set timeline, Wafle said a decision could come ‘soon.’

DL Deyvid Palepale, Landisville (Pa.) Hempfield

Palepale is another recruit that Michigan is in a strong position to close with this weekend. The three-star prospect recently named Michigan his leader and loves what the program can offer on and off the field. Palepale is being recruited as a nose but can also play the three-technique. Either way, he sees himself as a perfect scheme fit under Jesse Minter. Penn State hosted him for an OV last weekend and made a strong push for him to stay closer to home. However, I still like my prediction for the Wolverines.

DL Manuel Beigel, Wallingford (Conn.) Choate Rosemary Hall

Michigan notched a commitment from Beigel almost a year ago. The three-star prospect has since been on campus twice and remains fully locked in with the Wolverines. Beigel, who is originally from Germany, is still raw from a technical standpoint but brings plenty of upside to the defensive line room. A strong spring netted him new offers from Georgia, Penn State and Texas A&M. Still, Beigel has shown no interest in any of those programs. This OV should help keep him locked in.

EDGE Dominic Nichols, Ijamsville (Md.) Oakdale

Michigan has been considered the leader for Nichols over the last couple of months. However, Wisconsin made a major move with its official visit last weekend. The Badgers now have momentum, and some around Madison feel like Wisconsin can really win this head-to-head battle. However, Michigan isn’t panicking. The Wolverines are getting him in this weekend, have plenty to sell when it comes to EDGE production and are confident they can knock it out of the park. This will be Nichols’ mother’s first time on campus. Winning her over would go a long way.

EDGE Elias Rudolph, Deerfield Beach (Fla.) High

A four-star prospect, Rudolph spent his entire life in Cincinnati before transferring to Deerfield Beach this offseason. While he’s now in Florida, Rudolph is still an Ohio native and would like to return to the Midwest for college. Lead recruiter and co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale has obviously has strong ties in enemy territory and has been working on Rudolph since he was an underclassman. Michigan leads going into the OV, and the Wolverines would love to lock him down now, especially with Ohio State and Miami officials looming large.

DB Bryce West, Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville

West released his Top 7 going into this weekend’s official visit, but it’s pretty clear this is a Michigan-Ohio State battle. The Top 100 prospect has been considered an Ohio State lean for the majority of the cycle, and it appears the Buckeyes are still ahead in this race. Clinkscale has worked non-stop over the last several months, and, at the very least, has made things interesting. West is unlikely to land in Ann Arbor when he makes his decision this summer, but the Wolverines will give it one last go this weekend.

DB Boo Carter, Cleveland (Tenn.) Bradley Central

It all comes down to this weekend. Carter is set to make his decision on June 17, and it’s clear the two frontrunners are Michigan and Tennessee. The Volunteers have the lead on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine and garnered plenty of momentum on a recent unofficial visit. Still, Clinkscale has arguably the best relationship with Carter out of any coach recruiting him. Carter is also very close with Michigan commit Jacob Oden, who will join him on the visit. I do think Tennessee has the edge here, but Michigan is capable of leapfrogging the Volunteers.

DB Jordon Johnson-Rubell, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy

Michigan appeared dead in the water as Johnson-Rubell was set to release a top schools list that wasn’t going to include Michigan. However, Michigan was able to rebound and is now making a surge in this recruitment. Johnson-Rubell did visit Michigan this spring, but it was very much a quick trip. This visit will give him a true in-depth look at the program. It will also be his mother’s first time on campus. Michigan can cement itself as a true dark horse with a strong visit. Right now, Texas is considered the leader.

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