The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1371232
52 THE WOLVERINE JUNE/JULY 2021 FOOTBALL RECRUITING Atkinson has ascended to the top of Michigan's defensive line board. The No. 15 weakside defensive end nationally is a versatile prospect that can play multiple roles in U-M's new scheme. The four-star prospect is set to be on campus for an official visit on June 11 and is excited to get his first look at Ann Arbor. Virginia is the only other school scheduled to host him for an official visit at this time. DE JOSEPH ADEDIRE Mansfield (Texas) Summit Michigan has quietly been moving up the list for Adedire, the No. 39 strongside defensive end in the land. The three-star prospect from the Lone Star State has had several Zoom calls with the U-M staff and is grow- ing extremely close to new analyst Ryan Osborn. The 6-2, 245-pounder is set to make an official visit to Michigan June 18 and is very open to leaving the south. Adedire also has official visits set with Cal and Georgia Tech. Baylor is the biggest threat close to home. OLB ANTO SAKA Towson (Md.) Loyola Blakefield Saka, the No. 22 outside linebacker nationally, has a lot of Big Ten flavor in his recruitment. He currently has June official visits scheduled to Mich- igan, Northwestern and Penn State. The aforementioned Osborn is do- ing a terrific job recruiting Saka, and the staff has also sold him on U-M's education — the 6-2, 230-pounder is a very high academic kid. The other school to keep an eye on is USC, which is also set to host him for a June official visit. Overall, Michigan has a very good chance at pulling the four- star prospect from the Baltimore area. TRENDING DOWN RB GAVIN SAWCHUK Highlands Ranch (Colo.) Valor Christian Michigan looked like it was going to be a major player for Sawchuk early on in his recruitment, but the Wolverines have continued to fade for the No. 2 running back and No. 44 overall prospect nationally. The 5-11, 175-pounder has June official visits scheduled with Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ohio State and USC, and it appears unlikely that Michigan will get his final trip. At this point, the Rivals100 prospect is a long shot. TE JALEEL SKINNER Greer (S.C.) High Michigan was once a top-five school for Skinner, the No. 3 tight end and No. 155 overall prospect nationally. Now, the Wolverines are very much on the outside looking in for the 6-5, 215-pounder. The Rivals250 prospect is ex- tremely high on Clemson and Flor- ida, and it would be surprising if he ended up elsewhere. Florida State, South Carolina and Arizona State are the other schools that have created some movement with Skinner. DE JADON SCARLETT Flower Mound (Texas) Coram Deo I've logged a FutureCast pick in favor of Texas A&M in this recruit- ment. The four-star prospect was keeping in constant contact with U-M defensive line coach Shaun Nua and talked about making an official visit, but now, it appears Michigan's chances have dwindled. The only school that may give Texas A&M a bit of a problem is Missouri, but Scarlett, the No. 28 strongside de- fensive end nationally, is definitely trending heavily towards the Aggies. OLB DeMario Tolan Orlando (Fla.) Dr. Phillips Michigan made Tolan, the No. 17 outside linebacker and No. 154 over- all prospect nationally, a top-of-the- board target but hasn't been able to create much movement as of late, which is a shame because he is one of the best overall prospects I saw this offseason. The 6-3, 212-pounder has June official visits scheduled with Auburn, LSU, Miami and Tennessee, and I don't expect the Wolverines to get his final official visit. This one looks like it's over. OLB OMAR GRAHAM Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Stranahan Michigan was slated to host Gra- ham for an official visit next month. However, the No. 32 outside line- backer nationally reshuffled his schedule, and the Wolverines are no longer getting him on campus. In- stead, the 6-1, 220-pounder will see Penn State on that date. The three- star prospect also has official visits set with Auburn, Florida State and Miami. S BRYCE ANDERSON Beaumont (Texas) West Brook Recently departed U-M assistant Maurice Linguist offered Anderson, the No. 4 safety and No. 43 over- all prospect nationally, when he was at Texas A&M, and the two had a strong connection. However, con- tact dropped off when Anderson was looking to make a commitment in April, and it became clear that it wouldn't be Michigan. The 6-0, 185-pounder pushed back his timeline, but the Wolver- ines have been unable to reestablish themselves as major players with the Rivals100 prospect. And without Lin- guist, U-M's chances are very slim. ATH SHEMAR JAMES Mobile (Ala.) Faith Academy Michigan made the top schools list for James, the No. 12 athlete and No. 215 overall prospect nationally, earlier this offseason, but the Wolver- ines' chances have faded. The four-star prospect has June official visits sched- uled with Alabama and Florida, and those two SEC programs are likely go- ing to be his finalists. Michigan needs to get the 6-3, 210-pounder on campus to have a chance, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen. ❑ Four-star linebacker target Anto Saka is expected to take June official visits to Michigan, Northwestern, Penn State and USC. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM