Sam Webb: Recruiting
This weekend's matchup with Michigan State looms large for Rich Rodriguez and the Michigan Wolverines, not only because the opportunity it provides to stem the negative tide from a 2-5 start, but also for what it might mean for recruiting.
The Wolverines are set to host their biggest visit weekend of the season, with eight official visitors (those seniors whose trip is paid for by the program), and even more unofficial visitors (those who have to foot the bill themselves).
Here are the attendees that we've been able to confirm thus far (all class of 2009 unless noted):
OFFICIAL VISITORS
QB Shavodrick Beaver, 6-4, 200, 4.50, Rider High (Wichita Falls, Texas): Committed to Michigan. Saturday will mark Beaver's second visit to Ann Arbor, but his first for a game. The dual-threat quarterback remains solidly committed to the Wolverines despite persistent pressure from Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to reconsider.
OT Travis Bond, 6-7, 300, 5.28, Bertie High (Windsor, N.C.): After watching Bond work out at the Carolina Panthers' training facility with my own eyes this summer, I can verify that this young man's measurables are unquestionably legit.
Michigan has been Scout.com's No. 16 OT since the spring, when he was a virtual unknown nationally. Since then, both his exposure and his stock have been on the rise. Butch Davis' Tar Heels have made Bond a priority, and after hosting him during their summer camp and for visits earlier this season, they may be tough to beat.
However, Bond insists he has no leader currently and that Michigan is on equal footing will all of his other suitors. He further indicated that Michigan's early-season struggles will not hurt their chances.
"I think they are still rebuilding," Bond told Scout.com. "I think their future looks good, so I'm not too worried about how they are doing right now. Michigan has great history and has produced some great athletes. They always seem to make their players better and the school is also known for its good academics, too."
S Vladimir Emilien, 6-1, 190, 4.66, Plantation High (Plantation, Fla.): Scout.com's No. 40 safety is out for the year because of a torn ACL, but reportedly is mending very well and has a top six of Wisconsin, Michigan, Wake Forest, Central Florida, Ohio State and Stanford. His visit to Wisconsin two weeks gave the Badgers a big boost, but if Michigan can equal or better that effort, they could become the team to beat. Emilien may also visit Stanford before announcing his decision on his birthday, Nov. 23.
WR Willie Haulstead, 6-3, 205, 4.59, Titusville High (Titusville, Fla.): Scout.com's No. 37 wideout verbally committed to Florida State in May but is looking to visit a few other schools, including Michigan. Thus far, his trip to Michigan this weekend is the only one other than Florida State for which he has concrete visit plans. Regardless of how his trip to Ann Arbor goes, don't expect a decision anytime soon. Haulstead plans to announce his intentions on signing day in February.
DE/OT Anthony LaLota, 6-6, 265, 4.65, The Hun School, (Princeton, N.J.): Committed to Michigan. LaLota will be the highest-rated prospect in attendance as the No. 4 OT in the country, No. 28 player overall, and a five-star recruit, according to Scout.com.
WR/CB Dewayne Peace, 6-0, 183, 4.68, South Grand Prairie High (Grand Prairie, Texas): Committed to Michigan. This cat-quick athlete, ranked the No. 104 WR in the country by Scout.com, has maintained his commitment to Michigan. However, he is contemplating visits to Kansas and Oklahoma with his high school teammates.
WR/CB Josh Robinson, 5-10,180, 4.45, Plantation High (Plantation, Fla.): A teammate of Vladimir Emilien at Plantation High, Robinson has consistently put in-state schools South Florida and Central Florida at the top of his list over offers from Michigan, West Virginia and South Carolina. His time in Ann Arbor could go a long way toward closing the gap.
RB/slot Vincent Smith, 5-8, 175, 4.62, Pahokee High (Pahokee, Fla.): Committed to Michigan. Smith, who is Scout.com's No. 101 RB, will be making his first visit to Ann Arbor.
UNOFFICIAL VISITORS
RB Brennan Clay, 6-0, 190, 4.47, class of 2010, Scripps Ranch High, (San Diego): A teammate of Michigan QB commitment Tate Forcier, Clay already has offers from Wisconsin, Baylor and Stanford. Now the Wolverines are jumping in the mix.
QB Tate Forcier, 6-1, 190, 4.63, Scripps Ranch High, (San Diego): Committed to Michigan. The other half of Michigan's quarterback contingent will be on hand to take in the game and help court future teammates. Forcier is currently ranked a four-star prospect and the No. 12 quarterback in the country by Scout.com.
RB Demetrius Hart, 5-9, 165, 4.5, class of 2011, Dr. Phillips High (Orlando, Fla.): This electrifying tailback is only a sophomore, but Michigan and a number of others have decided to get started early.
WR Jeremy Jackson, 6-4, 200, 4.57, class of 2010, Huron High (Ann Arbor): Committed to Michigan. The son of Michigan running backs coach Fred Jackson opted to join his dad in Ann Arbor after considering offers from Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, Stanford and Wisconsin. Now he is working hard to help bring others into the Maize and Blue fold.
OL Christian Lombard, 6-5, 280, class of 2010, William Fremd High (Palatine, Ill.): Lombard was one of the top performers at Michigan's camp last summer and will be among the highest-rated linemen in his class. Michigan, Notre Dame, Stanford, Iowa and Illinois have already offered.
WR Ricardo Miller, 6-3, 200, 4.5, class of 2010, Dr. Phillips High (Orlando, Fla.): Committed to Michigan. Miller had accumulated offers from Florida, Central Florida, UCLA and South Florida before choosing to end the recruiting process with his commitment to Michigan in September.
DB Marvin Robinson, 6-1, 204, 4.63, class of 2010, Lake Region High (Eagle Lake, Fla.): This talented youngster already has offers from Michigan, Tennessee, Florida, USC, Ohio State, Florida State, Georgia and Nebraska, but might decide to end his recruitment in the coming days. Friends Jeremy Jackson and Ricardo Miller have been working hard to convince him to do just that.
"It's possible I could join (Miller and Jackson) in the class," Robinson said, referring to this weekend. (Their commitments) had an effect on me, but I'm going to still talk it over with my family."
CB Lo Wood, 5-11, 170, 4.5, class of 2010, Apopka High (Apopka, Fla.): Wood, who is a teammate of Michigan commitment Jeremy Gallon, is receiving strong attention from a number of national powers, including Florida and Michigan.
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