University of Michigan Football

Unofficial Recruiting Page

News, Rumors, and Commentary

11/21/96

Maurice Williams

Jason Brooks

Kenny Smith

11/20/96

Lorenzo Guess

Charlie Bell

Dane Fife

David Webber

Javin Hunter

Tom Izzo

Steve Fisher

11/19/96

Ryan Humphrey

Maurice Williams

11/13/96

Fans Only

Victor Rogers

Austin Kemp

Anthony Thomas

11/8/96

Patrick McCall

Jamal Lewis

Tyrone Wheatley

Ed Wilder

Dixie Football Recruiting Service

Demetrius Smith

John Anes

Burnest Rhodes

Mike Frank

Levron Williams

11/4/96

Omar Easy

Brian Marshall

10/25/96

Ray Jackson

John Gnida

Bill Seymour

Bruce Branch

Steve Shipp

Patrick McCall

Travis Minor

Hodges Mitchell

Levron Williams

Omar Easy

Jamal Lewis

Ed Wilder

DaWayne Woods

Tony Driver

10/15/96

The state of Georgia has produced some great RB prospects in recent years. Last year's top TB recruit, Patrick Pass, is currently a Bulldog (and looks very impressive). This year, three of the best RB's in the country are from Georgia. Michigan is recruiting all three, and has a decent shot at landing one of these players.

Jamal Lewis is a 6'1", 220 lb. FB/TB prospect. He is listed as running a 4.45 40, 10.6 100, and 21.8 200. He is being compared to Hershel Walker with a similar combination of size and speed, and most consider him one of the top 25 overall prospects in the nation. Lewis prefers to play TB, and is considering Michigan, OSU, LSU, Tennessee, and Nebraska. He has the talent to step in and contribute immediately.

Jasper Sanks is a 6'2", 215 lb TB with 4.49 speed in the 40. He is widely thought of as the top RB prospect in the nation this year. Michigan is one of the few non-southeastern schools he is considering, but it is rumored that he is a "lock" for Georgia.

Ed Wilder is a 6'2", 245 lb FB who runs a 4.6 40. He is a great FB prospect, with tremendous power. Unfortunately, he recently suffered a season-ending knee injury which required surgery. Nevertheless, his talent is such that few (if any) of the schools which were recruiting him have backed off; Michigan is generally mentioned among his top 5 schools.

Omar Easy

Jamal Lewis

10/13/96

As usual for this time of year, things are starting to sort themselves out as far as recruiting - mostly along the lines of where players will be taking their official visits. I will update this periodically, hoping to post a more complete list in a few weeks.

Tony Driver

James Whitley

Alvin Morrow

Chad Irwin

Brandon Stephens

Victor Rogers

Jeff Backus

Paul Tannous

Teddy Johnson

Fred Booker

10/4/96

Demetrius Smith

In any case, Smith remains firmly committed to Michigan. It will be interesting to see a 270 lb. fullback who can block and run with the ball. What is intriguing is that although Smith is 6'2", 270, reports are that he is solid - no fat, just big.

9/30/96

Grant Irons

Dion Grubbs

Maurice Williams

9/27/96

William Peterson

Demetrius Smith

Chris Floyd

John Anes

9/25/96

Michigan is, as usual, recruiting a number of top tailback prospects. Given the lack of depth at TB currently, these players have the potential to come in and contribute quickly. Here are profiles on a few which supposedly have Michigan near the top of their lists. By no means is this a comprehensive list of all the TB's considering the Wolverines, but these are a few of the top players that Michigan may have a chance of bringing in.

Patrick McCall, Carson, CA. McCall is one of Michigan's main targets at RB. He is 5'10", 190 lbs, and runs a 4.4 40. He was a participant at Michigan's football camp, and was one of the fastest players present. McCall has great acceleration and moves. He is rated very highly at both RB and DB, though it sounds as if Michigan is recruiting him more for offense. He has been rumored to favor Michigan, but is also looking closely at the Pac 10 schools; USC and UCLA are pushing hard. It sounds as if he will make his visits before deciding.

Levron Williams, Evansville, IN. Williams is a big, fast back at 6'3", 200 lbs, listed between 4.4 and 4.6 in the 40 (usually 4.5). He reminds some of Eric Dickerson in his running style, and is generally considered one of the top 5 RB's in the country. He has apparently been a fan of Michigan for many years, but is also strongly considering USC, with Tennessee and others involved as well. There are varying reports as to who he currently favors. He did not attend any football camps.

Derek Combs, Grove City, OH. Combs was another participant at Michigan's camp, and was also one of the fastest players there; he is listed at 6'1", 175 lbs, and runs a 4.4 40. Combs was a virtual unknown before shining at the camp, and was offered a scholarship by the Michigan coaches. He has put up very impressive numbers so far in his senior season. Early rumor said that he didn't want to play at OSU, but the latest has Michigan and OSU as his top two schools, with several other schools calling.

Tony Driver, Louisville, KY. Driver is another outstanding prospect at both DB and RB. He is 6'2", 205 lbs, and has been listed at 4.4 or 4.5 in the 40. Driver is the top player in Kentucky. At various times, about 5 different schools have been rumored to be leading, but the latest has Notre Dame and Michigan near the top of his list, along with Louisville, Tennessee, and others. Some reports have him a near "lock" for Notre Dame, though these are from Notre Dame sources. He is likely to take most or all of his visits before making a decision.

Reggie White, Liberty, TX. White is one of the top prospects in Texas, and rumors have him leaning to the Longhorns, though he is also considering Michigan, LSU, ND, OSU, and others. White is 6'1", 195 lbs, and runs a 4.5 40. He averaged almost 9 yards a carry as a junior, and is also an excellent basketball player.

Robbie Crockett, Battle Creek, MI. Crockett is a lifelong Michigan fan, and rumor says he will commit if offered a scholarship. Crockett is 6'1", 190 lbs, and also runs a 4.4 40 (seems like everyone does). Crockett is probably Michigan's top RB prospect, and is considering several Big 10 schools, Notre Dame, and Nebraska. He is an outstanding all-around athlete.

Najea Davenport, Miami, FL. Davenport is one of the top RB prospects in Florida. He is a big back at 6'2", 220 lbs, and reportedly runs anywhere from 4.4 to 4.55 in the 40. Early reports have him listing Miami and Michigan as his two favorites, although he apparently hasn't thought about it extensively yet.

Ladell Betts, Blue Springs, MO. Betts is considered oe of the top RB prospects in the country. He is 5'11", 205 lbs, and runs a 4.6 40. He is a strong runner, and is rumored to be considering Michigan, Colorado, Nebraska, and Notre Dame among others.

9/12/96

Although it is fairly early in the recruiting season, Michigan is on track to land a great recruiting class. A recent sports radio talk show (evenings on WTKA, a.m. 1050 in Ann Arbor - worth your time for you Michigan fanatics) reported that of the top 500 recruits, over 300 mentioned Michigan among their favorite schools. This is almost 100 more than the next school.

National Top 100

Todd Mossa

Jason Brooks

Demetrius Smith

Jake Frysinger

Grant Irons

Levron Williams

Patrick McCall

David Aaron

Maurice Williams

Brandon Stephens

Jamal Lewis

Tony Driver

Omar Easy

Joe Domingeaux

Jerry Johnson

Chad Irwin

Victor Rogers

Quentin Jammer

9/6/96

Josh Asselin

Bruce Branch

9/5/96

Todd Mossa

Adam Adkins

Jason Brooks

Ben Mast

Victor Rogers

9/4/96

Todd Mossa

9/3/96

USA Today

Jason Brooks

TB Tony Driver - Michigan in his top 5, but some say ND and Tennessee are leading.

FB Omar Easy - may come down to Michigan, ND, and Syracuse; Demetrius Smith's commitment may make it tough.

RB Jamal Lewis - Michigan is reportedly in his top 5.

WR Reggie Germany - some rumors have Michigan leading, but he needs to make a major academic turnaround to qualify.

DE Andre Carter - Michigan has been mentioned, but a very long shot.

LB Grant Irons - Michigan currently the favorite. Brother of superstar Michigan LB Jarrett.

WR Kenyon Rambo - Another longshot.

OT-DT Victor Rogers - Michigan, USC, and OSU among his favorites.

LB Hubert Thompson - A truly great player. Unfortunately, he's unlikely to qualify.

LB/DE David Warren - Michigan mentioned, but he reportedly favors the Florida and Texas schools.

Brandon Smith

Shane Battier

8/27/96

Kurt Vollers

8/26/96

There is a host of DB talent (and speed) in Texas this year. Michigan is in on many of these players, and stands to stock up the defensive secondary with outstanding athletes should they land even a few.

Chris Chambers

Brian Marshall

Bruce Branch

8/16/96

Knoxville News-Sentinel

Eric Parker

8/15/96

The National Recruiting Advisor's

Jake Frysinger

Ray Jackson

Maurice Williams

Jon Ryder

Chris Chambers

Lorenzo Guess

8/7/96

Jason Brooks

Patrick McCall

Ben Mast

Jon Ryder

Hubert Thompson

Bobby Sabelhaus

7/28/96

Demetrius Smith

It is likely that at least one other player committed to Michigan this weekend, but no public announcements have been made. I will hold off on speculation until players publicly announce their intentions.

7/17/96

Things are far from quiet around Ann Arbor. Current rumors are that Michigan is in line for more possible verbal commitments during an "open house" towards the later part of this month.

Maurice Williams

Levron Williams

Sean Penny

Demetrius Smith

270

6/30/96

Jason Brooks

Ben Mast

Adam Adkins

Ray Jackson

Michigan seems to have refocused on recruiting Ohio after being nearly shut out last year. Mast and Brooks are possibly the two best OL's in Ohio, and both were recruited nationally as well as in the midwest.

Robbie Crockett

Brian Marshall

Levron Williams

Patrick McCall

5/22/96

Dion Grubbs

5/12/96

Bill Seymour

Scott Dreisbach

4/22/96

Adam Adkins

Jason Brooks

Ben Mast

Tom O'Brien

Jason Ott

Joel Messman

3/21/96

Jake Frysinger

Kurt Anderson

Stan Parrish, formerly of Rutgers, is the new QB coach. Parrish was offensive coordinator/QB coach for a very diverse and successful offense at Rutgers - a few of you might remember the Penn St game last year, which was an offensive display by both sides. Parrish also has head coaching experience, and Lloyd Carr expects him to add a new dimension to Michigan's offense.

go blue!