The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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58 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2019 PREP PROFILES Oklahoma Ball Carrier Is Still On The Wolverines' Board Michigan has already landed Bal- timore St. Frances four-star running back Blake Corum and Shrewsbury (Mass.) St. John's three-star Eamonn Dennis, who is listed as a wide re- ceiver by Rivals.com but will play a hybrid running back position for the Wolverines. That means landing another ball carrier is not exactly essential, but still would help bolster a physical po- sition. There aren't a lot of targets left out there, but Owasso (Okla.) High three-star Isaiah Jacobs is one of them and the Wolverines are still actively recruiting him. The 5-10, 200-pounder received an official offer from Michigan Aug. 1, the first day they were allowed to members of the 2020 class, indicat- ing that he definitely is still on the Wolverines' recruiting board. "They've been in contact with me and I've had conversations with the running backs coach [Jay] Har- baugh," Jacobs said. As the younger brother of for- mer Alabama running back Joshua Jacobs, Isaiah is a little bit familiar with Michigan's new offensive coor- dinator Josh Gattis and that has his attention. "Josh [Jacobs] was saying that Coach Gattis is cool and he's a good coach. Hopefully I get the chance to get up there," the younger Jacobs noted. "I'm not that familiar with Michigan, I will have to get up there and see what they all have to offer." On paper, Michigan is Jacobs' best offer. Other noteworthy tenders in- clude Maryland, Mississippi, Ne- braska and Oklahoma State. How- ever, it's still probably going to take a visit to Ann Arbor to really put the Wolverines in the mix, and Jacobs intends to check things out this fall. Once he does, he will look to his coach, parents and brother for guid- ance before making a decision. "My coach would never tell me where to go, but he helps with re- cruiting a lot," Jacobs said. "And my parents are the same, they just want me to choose what feels best to me and they'll support it." The senior running back hasn't taken any official visits yet, but he plans to in December. Once he does, he will be able to really pare things down and make his choice. Jacobs missed five games last year, but still managed to put up pretty good numbers. He finished his junior season with 1,024 yards and nine touchdowns on 151 carries. He also added 27 receptions for 296 yards and a score. — Brandon Brown U-M has a commitment in place from Belleville (Mich.) High four-star cornerback Andre Seldon, but he is just 5-9, 154 pounds and likely will fill a niche role as a nickel corner. That means that cornerbacks coach Mike Zordich and defensive coordi- nator Don Brown would probably like to add a long, rangy prospect at the position, and Alexandria (Va.) Episcopal three-star Elijah Gaines cer- tainly fits the bill at 6-2, 190 pounds. He recently pared his list down to seven, and Michigan made the cut along with Duke, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Penn State, Syracuse and Virginia. "I feel like those seven schools fit the criteria that I'm looking for in the college that I want to go to," Gaines said. "I'm looking for three things: community, education and good football. I feel like those seven schools had a good mixture of those three things." Gaines will get a chance to see all three during an official visit to Michi- gan Nov. 30 for the Ohio State game. As of early August, that's the only official visit Gaines has scheduled. He is excited to check out the pro- gram and to see a former Episcopal standout that has been at U-M for a few years now. "I think Michigan has a really good program," he said. "[Redshirt sopho- more defensive end] Luiji Vilain, was at my school when I was a freshman. When I went to go see Michigan in March, he was telling me about the program and toured the campus. "I love that program and love the campus. It's a really good place and the academic support system that they have is really good." Most feel like Michigan, Notre Dame and Penn State are pacing the pack for Gaines, but he has never really singled anyone out. Interest- ingly, Gaines has former teammates at the other two programs too in safe- ties Litchfield Ajavon and Jonathan Sutherland at Notre Dame and Penn State, respectively. As a junior, Gaines actually made the all-state second team as a wide receiver after catching 20 balls for 321 yards and two touchdowns. That obviously speaks to his overall ath- leticism and ball skills, making him even more valuable as a cornerback or safety. — Brandon Brown Virginia Cornerback Plans To Take An Official Visit To U-M ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Owasso H.S. Owasso, Okla. Class: 2020 Position: Running Back Ht.: 5-10 • Wt.: 200 Rivals.com Rankings: Unrated Isaiah Jacobs ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Episcopal H.S. Alexandria, Va. Class: 2020 Position: Cornerback Ht.: 6-2 • Wt.: 190 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 13 player in Virginia and No. 62 corner nationally Elijah Gaines Jacobs "I'm not that familiar with Michigan, I will have to get up there and see what they all have to offer." Gaines on U-M "[U-M redshirt sophomore defensive end] Luiji Vilain, was at my school when I was a freshman. … I love that program and love the campus."