On The Trail: Michigan Wolverines
When a dream school offers a prospect it’s very difficult not to get excited. When the dream school offers you as a freshman, it’s hard to comprehend the magnitude. That dream came to reality on Wednesday for 2016 offensive lineman Erik Swenson (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove South).
As Swenson’s father, Swen, discussed the offer over the phone, a neighbor in a Michigan jersey yelled Go Blue. Swenson returned the favor and proudly exclaimed that his son received an offer from the Wolverines.
As Swenson’s father, Swen, discussed the offer over the phone, a neighbor in a Michigan jersey yelled Go Blue. Swenson returned the favor and proudly exclaimed that his son received an offer from the Wolverines.
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If you know ESPN 150 offensive tackle Roderick Johnson (Florissant, Mo./Hazelwood Central), then you know that nothing tends to bother him. Not the stress of being the No. 2 player in the state of Missouri. Not being a four-star athlete.
Not even his recruiting process -- one that seems to remix every day.
Not even his recruiting process -- one that seems to remix every day.
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Malik Hooker (New Castle, Pa./New Castle) is not new to football. He was just new to high school football.
The 2014 athlete that exploded onto the recruiting scene a month ago played football back in eighth grade but dropped it in high school to pursue basketball. He made his way back to the gridiron before his junior season, and it paid huge dividends. Hooker has added double-digit offers, and the majority have come since April.
“I’m grateful for it because not a lot of people can say they haven’t played football since eighth grade and come back one year and get scholarships or as many big scholarships I have,” Hooker said.
The 2014 athlete that exploded onto the recruiting scene a month ago played football back in eighth grade but dropped it in high school to pursue basketball. He made his way back to the gridiron before his junior season, and it paid huge dividends. Hooker has added double-digit offers, and the majority have come since April.
“I’m grateful for it because not a lot of people can say they haven’t played football since eighth grade and come back one year and get scholarships or as many big scholarships I have,” Hooker said.
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Every Wednesday, WolverineNation will take a look at Michigan's week in recruiting in Tales From The Road.
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It was the first practice of the season, and Nicholas Abramson's youth football coach went up and down the line asking his players who their favorite athletes were. Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and all the usual suspects were rattled off.
Then his coach reached his young quarterback, no more than 8 years old. His answer befuddled his coach, shocked he even knew a player from a half-century ago.
Then his coach reached his young quarterback, no more than 8 years old. His answer befuddled his coach, shocked he even knew a player from a half-century ago.
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NORCROSS, Ga. -- ESPN 150 defensive end Lorenzo Carter seems to never stop grinning, even on the football field. His 100-megawatt smile calls to mind another affable defensive end, Michael Strahan, complete with the trademark gap. Even a shoving match with a teammate resulted in Carter falling down laughing about it later.
During the Norcross spring game on Friday, Carter and offensive tackle Horatio Walker tangled as they went at each other in the trenches. Walker held Carter’s jersey and was rewarded with a shot to the helmet.
“Well it was a run, and I don’t think Horatio respects me on the run yet, but it is all good,” Carter said between guffaws. “He tried to bully me around, but I was not having that so I had to hit him back. I was having fun out there.”
During the Norcross spring game on Friday, Carter and offensive tackle Horatio Walker tangled as they went at each other in the trenches. Walker held Carter’s jersey and was rewarded with a shot to the helmet.
“Well it was a run, and I don’t think Horatio respects me on the run yet, but it is all good,” Carter said between guffaws. “He tried to bully me around, but I was not having that so I had to hit him back. I was having fun out there.”
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D'Andre Walker (Fairburn, Ga./Langston Hughes) racked up 105 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 21 sacks, two forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles and a blocked punt last season as a junior. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound pass rusher played a huge role in helping his team to a 10-2 record and its first playoff berth in school history and hit the recruiting map late in January, when North Carolina became the first program to offer Walker.
Since that time, 34 other programs have offered Walker. While Walker says all schools are now even, three coaching staffs have been able to connect with him the best so far. The 2015 prospect almost committed to one of them a few months back.
Since that time, 34 other programs have offered Walker. While Walker says all schools are now even, three coaching staffs have been able to connect with him the best so far. The 2015 prospect almost committed to one of them a few months back.
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Last fall, the Elyria (Ohio) trio of offensive guard Darius Badford, athlete Jordan Connell and running back Jumarr Lewis could count on one hand schools showing interest.
It’s funny what successful junior seasons have done for the Pioneers' three, as schools have come out of the woodwork.
“I’ve been amazed,” Badford said. “I didn’t know I’d get more coming at me. They all say I’m good and am a prospect for the future. I’m so excited I can’t even explain it.”
It’s funny what successful junior seasons have done for the Pioneers' three, as schools have come out of the woodwork.
“I’ve been amazed,” Badford said. “I didn’t know I’d get more coming at me. They all say I’m good and am a prospect for the future. I’m so excited I can’t even explain it.”
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The recruiting process is only beginning for Steven Gonzalez (Union City, N.J./Union City), but he knows what he wants. He is going to sign with a school close to his family.
That does not mean the 2015 offensive tackle is already Rutgers bound, however. Gonzalez has a large number of his family in Florida, and any number of states along the Atlantic Coast are close enough, he said.
One of the latest offers for Gonzalez, who has five total, came from Virginia. The Cavaliers offered Tuesday.
That does not mean the 2015 offensive tackle is already Rutgers bound, however. Gonzalez has a large number of his family in Florida, and any number of states along the Atlantic Coast are close enough, he said.
One of the latest offers for Gonzalez, who has five total, came from Virginia. The Cavaliers offered Tuesday.
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Jabrill Peppers (Paramus, N.J./Paramus Catholic), the No. 2 prospect in the country, has set his decision date.
The No. 1 defensive back will make his decision live on ESPNU on May 26. With almost every program in the country targeting the talented prospect, Peppers has narrowed his list down to LSU, Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State, Rutgers and Stanford.
He still plans on taking his visit to Penn State on May 18, and has already been out to Michigan, LSU and Ohio State. There might still be a surprise visit in store before the announcement as well. The five-star prospect has turned heads with his play on the field and will undoubtedly be a game changer for whichever school he picks.
Every Wednesday, WolverineNation will take a look at Michigan's week in recruiting in Tales From The Road.
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When an assistant coach makes the rounds at area high schools, he might make five or more stops that day. That was not the case with Reggie Mitchell when it came to East St. Louis (Ill.) High.
It paid big dividends, too, as the Kansas assistant coach helped land ESPN 150 outside linebacker Kyron Watson on Tuesday.
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FRISCO, Texas -- Soso Jamabo (Plano, Texas/Plano West) would have liked to be a part of this weekend’s Nike EYBL series playing with the Texas Titans. With a sling on his right shoulder, however, the 2015 two-sport star was reduced to watching the Titans on the bench, offering instruction to teammates and being the team’s biggest supporter.
For the rest of the spring and most of the summer, Jamabo’s focus will be on rehabbing after undergoing shoulder surgery on April 30. Jamabo broke some bones and damaged some ligaments in his shoulder during a Texas Class 5A Division-I state quarterfinal playoff. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound athlete is expected to miss 6-10 weeks but is projected to return a couple of weeks before Plano West’s first scrimmage in August.
“It’s early in the process, but it’s going well,” Jamabo said of the rehab process. “I’m just trying to get the shoulder back to usual, if not better. Right now, I’m just doing basic stuff and keep everything as minimal as possible.”
Exactly what kind of football player will Plano West look to see back on the field? Jamabo’s first rush as a varsity player was against Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus on Aug. 31. It went for 12 yards. His second rush: A 75-yard touchdown run.
Since then, Soso has been ... well ... anything but.
Only the shoulder injury managed to slow the electrifying 2015 running back down. He rushed for a team-leading 1,697 yards and 24 touchdowns and also caught 20 passes for 453 yards -- an average of almost 23 yards per catch -- and four touchdowns. On the basketball court, Jamabo averaged 13.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 11 games.
For the rest of the spring and most of the summer, Jamabo’s focus will be on rehabbing after undergoing shoulder surgery on April 30. Jamabo broke some bones and damaged some ligaments in his shoulder during a Texas Class 5A Division-I state quarterfinal playoff. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound athlete is expected to miss 6-10 weeks but is projected to return a couple of weeks before Plano West’s first scrimmage in August.
“It’s early in the process, but it’s going well,” Jamabo said of the rehab process. “I’m just trying to get the shoulder back to usual, if not better. Right now, I’m just doing basic stuff and keep everything as minimal as possible.”
Exactly what kind of football player will Plano West look to see back on the field? Jamabo’s first rush as a varsity player was against Flower Mound (Texas) Marcus on Aug. 31. It went for 12 yards. His second rush: A 75-yard touchdown run.
Since then, Soso has been ... well ... anything but.
Only the shoulder injury managed to slow the electrifying 2015 running back down. He rushed for a team-leading 1,697 yards and 24 touchdowns and also caught 20 passes for 453 yards -- an average of almost 23 yards per catch -- and four touchdowns. On the basketball court, Jamabo averaged 13.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 11 games.
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Marshall says decision was perfect timing 
May, 11, 2013
May 11
3:32
PM ET
By
Tom VanHaaren | ESPN.com
It's been an interesting process for ESPN 150 prospect Lawrence Marshall (Southfield, Mich./Southfield). He made a commitment to Ohio State in February that lasted a few days, and is now a part of Michigan's 2014 class after committing to Michigan on a visit Saturday.
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Michigan adds another ESPN 150 prospect
May, 11, 2013
May 11
12:04
PM ET
By
Tom VanHaaren | ESPN.com
With seven commitments in the ESPN 150, Michigan has been on a roll in the 2014 class. That continued Saturday as the Wolverines picked up their eighth ESPN 150 prospect.
Defensive end Lawrence Marshall (Southfield, Mich./Southfield) confirmed in a text message that he committed to Michigan while on a visit Saturday.
- Lawrence Marshall
- Defensive end
- 2014
- Committed: Michigan
| Pos Rk | Stars | Grade | Hometown |
| 12 | | 83 | Southfield, MI |
Many believed that the Spartans held the upper hand with Marshall, but Michigan had a secret weapon on its side. Wide receiver commit Maurice Ways (Beverly Hills, Mich./Country Day) has been friends with Marshall since middle school and put in some extra work to recruit his longtime friend to Michigan. Ways said at a recent camp that he believed his recruiting pitch to Marshall was working, and it turns out he was right.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound prospect is likely a weakside defensive end at the next level. He has added good weight in recent months while maintaining his quickness off the line. He will add size and speed to Michigan's pass rush.
Marshall's commitment gives Michigan nine total commitments and two defensive line commits to go along with defensive tackle Bryan Mone (Salt Lake City/Highland). Michigan is being considered by some other top-ranked defensive line prospects and Marshall's commitment likely won't deter those efforts.
The overall No. 4-ranked prospect, Da'Shawn Hand (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge), still holds Michigan in his top group and is probably best suited at strong-side defensive end in college. His recruitment shouldn't be impacted by Marshall. The same goes for defensive tackle target Malik McDowell (Detroit/Loyola), who also holds Michigan very high on his list.
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