The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1040273
NOVEMBER 2018 THE WOLVERINE 63 PREP PROFILES Michigan has a commitment in place from one true wide receiver in Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward two-star Quintel Kent and also has pledges from Stuart (Fla.) Martin County three-star athlete George Johnson III and Oakley (Calif.) Free- dom three-star all-purpose back Giles Jackson, who are both expected to play receiver at U-M. Still, the Michigan coaches would love to add a true outside receiver to the group, and Greenwich (Conn.) Brunswick three-star Cornelius John- son remains on the board and un- committed. The 6-3, 195-pounder has been high on U-M since picking up his offer in April and has maintained communication with the U-M staff. "I've been able to talk with Coach [ J i m ] M c E l w a i n , C o a c h [ R o y ] Roundtree and Coach [Jim] Har- baugh," Johnson said. "They've ex- pressed their interest in me, and they also talked to me about their offensive plays and plans. Coach Roundtree is really relatable because he is younger. "Michigan is recruiting me pretty hard. If 10 is the highest I'd probably say that Michigan is recruiting me at an eight or a nine out of 10." McElwain also made it a point to let Johnson know that he's coveted because of his size and ability on the outside. Johnson's talents would complement U-M's current receiver haul perfectly and the No. 59 pass catcher in the country knows it. He also sees himself being able to succeed like some of U-M's current receivers. "I know that they have some nice receivers right now with Donovan [Peoples-Jones] and Tarik [Black]. They have some young guys," John- son said. "By the time I'd get there they could've possibly left early or will be in their last year or two. I think I could fit in well with that group." Johnson has already been to Michi- gan a couple of times, but would love to make one more trip to Ann Arbor. "I'll probably take an official back at Michigan," he said. "I'd like to do that during the season. I want to see a game and see what that's like." Johnson really got hot on the re- cruiting trail during the later part of last spring and into the summer, picking up offers from, among others, Alabama, Notre Dame, Penn State and Stanford. As a junior, Johnson was named to the USA Today All-USA Connecticut first team after reeling in 33 recep- tions for 485 yards and seven touch- downs. He was also named to the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council All-New England Class A first team. — Brandon Brown Round Rock (Texas) Cedar Ridge three-star wide receiver Jaylen Ellis has been committed to Baylor since June 2017, but the 6-0, 186-pounder is definitely giving other schools a chance to convince him that he's not a future Bear. The No. 46 wide receiver in the country gave Michigan a hard look earlier this fall for an official visit and seems genuinely interested in playing for the Wolverines. "I loved it, just being able to be in Ann Arbor. It was good," Ellis said. "Being able to get somewhere that is as big as they are, it was a blessing. The coaches were telling how I can take the top off the defense and how speed is a big factor at the next level." Football is the main focus for Ellis in terms of potentially flipping to Michi- gan, and there are a couple of other connections working in U-M's favor. "People who know me know that my mom's favorite school is Michi- gan," Ellis said. "When the offer fi- nally came it just grew to 'This is re- ally happening' and 'This is a place I'm definitely going to take a look at more.' It opened my eyes a little bit." Winning moms over is always huge in recruiting, and U-M has another secret weapon, albeit an unorthodox one given that Ellis stars on the grid- iron. "I actually talk to Ray Jackson a lot about Michigan," Ellis said. "He's been around for pretty much all of my life. Having been a part of the Fab Five at Michi- gan is cool. "He was just telling me to go there. I'll just catch a different vibe that I won't get that at any other school. Walking into The Big House, on campus and off, it's just crazy out there. He said, 'That's something you want to be a part of.' Listening to him, that's just big." Michigan isn't the only school giv- ing Ellis something beyond Baylor to think about. "I still have the same love for Bay- lor that I've had since day one, but now I'm just venturing out," he said. "Michigan, Houston, Tennessee, Col- orado and Arizona are the ones that are really on me. "The amount of attention they give to me and my family, those are the reasons I look at those schools heavier than others." Ellis racked up 56 catches for 1,240 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior, and was a unanimous selection to the 6A All-District first team. — Brandon Brown Connecticut Standout Is Still An Option At Wide Receiver Official Visit To U-M Has Texan Thinking About Flipping ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Brunswick H.S. Greenwich, Conn. Class: 2019 Position: Wide Receiver Ht.: 6-3 • Wt.: 195 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 4 player in Connecticut and No. 59 wide receiver nationally Cornelius Johnson ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Cedar Ridge H.S. Round Rock, Texas Class: 2019 Position: Wide Receiver Ht.: 6-0 • Wt.: 186 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 50 player in Texas and No. 46 wide receiver in the country Jaylen Ellis Johnson "Michigan is recruiting me pretty hard. If 10 is the highest I'd probably say that Michigan is recruiting me at an eight or a nine out of 10." Ellis "People who know me know that my mom's favorite school is Michigan."