The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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56 THE WOLVERINE JUNE/JULY 2022 PREP PROFILES Asaad Brown is quickly establishing himself as one of the top 2024 recruits nationally. The rising defensive back out of Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith holds double-digit offers from the likes of Ar- kansas, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, North Carolina, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M and others. Right now, however, Brown doesn't have any visits planned and is taking a laid-back approach to the process. "The recruiting process is going well," Brown said. "I'm taking it slow right now, but once the summer comes, I'm going to be making a lot of visits. I want to finish my 7v7 season and make it out to campuses in June." Michigan put an offer on the table for Brown back in July 2021 and immedi- ately caught his attention. "Michigan was a great offer," Brown said. "It was my first Power Five. I was excited about it. I like the way they play football. I like the Jordan brand. I just like Michigan overall. Now, I just want to go out there and visit." Brown's offer came from area re- cruiter Ron Bellamy, who has since moved from coaching safeties to wide receivers. Brown hopes to keep building his relationship with Bellamy and also hopes to talk to some of the new mem- bers of the defensive staff. "Coach Bellamy said he liked the way I played the game," Brown said. "He also said he liked the way I carried myself on and off the field. I had a chance to FaceTime with him. It was great. Now, I just need to reconnect with the new coaches." Next up for Brown is making his way to Michigan for an unofficial visit. He hopes to get his first look at Ann Arbor this summer. "I'm definitely planning to be out there in June," Brown said. "I just want to meet the coaching staff. They have new coaches on the defensive staff, and I want to talk to them. I also want to see the campus, the facilities and all of that." At 6-foot-1, 174 pounds, Brown is not yet ranked. However, he already is committed to play in the 2024 Under Armour All-American Game. — EJ Holland Michigan has hosted a number of tal- ented underclassmen for visits this off- season, including rising 2024 quarter- back Michael Van Buren. The Baltimore St. Frances product took in a Michigan spring practice in April and got his first in-depth look at the program. "It was great," Van Bu- ren said. "I really enjoyed meeting the coaching staff and seeing all the facilities. I liked getting to see prac- tice and how everything goes. I loved all the energy the players bring. I also liked seeing the way Coach [Jim] Harbaugh coaches." Aside from practice and tours, Van Buren enjoyed his conversations with Harbaugh and quarterbacks coach Matt Weis, who spent 12 years coaching with the Baltimore Ravens. "Coach Harbaugh is a really cool guy," Van Buren said. "I got a chance to talk to him a little bit. I like the way he produces quarterbacks. I can be like one of them. Coach Weiss told me about the offense and gave me information about his back- ground. "The Ravens are a good team, and La- mar Jackson is a good quarterback. It was great to know Coach Weiss was on a level I'm trying to reach." St. Frances Academy has been kind to Michigan throughout the last several recruiting cycles, producing current Wolver- ines like running back Blake Corum, linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green and edge rusher Derrick Moore. Former St. Frances coach Biff Poggi also happens to be on staff in Ann Arbor. Michigan has built a strong pipeline at St. Frances, and Van Buren has en- joyed getting to connect with everyone involved. "I talked to all the St. Frances guys," Van Buren said. "They told me that Michigan is a great move. They also told me how it's not a four-year decision — it's a 40-year decision. It's a great move for now and later. "Coach Biff has always been a loving guy and has told me the real inside story. All those guys are great." Along with Michigan, Van Buren cur- rently holds offers from Boston College, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Ole Miss, Penn State, Pitt, Rutgers, West Virginia and others. "My recruitment is 100 percent open, but I would say Michigan is really high on my list right now," Van Buren said. "I really enjoyed being there. They made me feel like family and showed a lot of interest. Michigan is a great, historic pro- gram." At 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, Van Buren is not yet rated as a prospect. — EJ Holland Fast-Rising Virginia Defensive Back Is Taking Things Slowly Baltimore Quarterback Could Continue School's Pipeline To U-M Van Buren "I talked to all the St. Frances guys. They told me that Michigan is a great move … for now and later." Brown "Michigan was a great offer. It was my first Power Five. I was excited about it. I like the way they play football. I like the Jor- dan brand. I just like Michigan overall." St. Frances Academy Baltimore Class: 2024 Position: QB Ht.: 5-11 • Wt.: 180 On3 Rankings: Not yet rated. Michael Van Buren Oscar Smith H.S. Portsmouth, Va. Class: 2024 Position: Defensive back Ht.: 6-1 • Wt.: 174 On3 Rankings: Not yet rated. Asaad Brown