The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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FEBRUARY 2023 THE WOLVERINE 51 MICHIGAN RECRUITING NOTEBOOK ces Academy, where he mentored Corum and Nikhai Hill-Green, among others. Poggi opened the door for Michigan in the area, and new director of recruiting Albert Karschnia is following his lead. Last spring, Karschnia personally ex- tended half a dozen offers to members of the Colt Boyz organization, a Norfolk/ Virginia Beach-based youth football and mentorship program, which features some of the top football prospects on the East Coast. Through Poggi, Karschnia was able to build a relationship with program director Redd Jenkins. "I actually had a relationship with Biff Poggi because a lot of my guys go to St. Frances," Jenkins said. "Biff ended up back at Michigan, and he introduced me to Karschnia. From there, we established a relationship. He loves our Colt Boyz. He knows the pedigree. Coach Poggi gave him the rundown of our program and the kids we have. We've been rocking with him at Michigan ever since." Perhaps the most talented player in Jenkins' program is Baltimore St. Frances edge prospect Brandon Thomas, who is already rated as a four-star recruit by On3 in the 2025 recruiting class. "Brandon is definitely a talented edge," Jenkins said. "He works hard. I don't think he realizes how good he can be yet. He's still just playing football right now, but he is becoming a technician at his po- sition, especially up at St. Frances. Iron sharpens iron up there." The Colt Boyz program is also home to two of the youngest recruits nation- ally with Michigan offers in 2026 Lanham (Md.) Mt. Zion Prep wide receiver Jyran Evans and 2026 Baltimore St. Frances de- fensive lineman James Carrington. "We had Evans at about 6-foot-3 last year, and he's not getting any shorter," Jenkins said. "He's one of the best hand- eye coordinated guys we've ever had come through the program. He was 75 percent of our offense. If you throw it up, he's go- ing to come down with the ball. He's going to play for a long time. He has the best set of hands I've ever come across. "Carrington is a massive young dude. When he came in today, he shook my hand, and he was grabbing my wrist at the same time. He has natural girth. He's about 270 right now, but he doesn't look it. It's solid and mostly muscle. He's go- ing to play on Saturdays and maybe even Sundays." Michigan should be a factor for all three prospects down the line, and Jenkins cer- tainly wouldn't mind seeing one of his players land in Ann Arbor. "I've always been a [Jim] Harbaugh fan," he said. "That's a family of coaches that has proved they can coach at any level. That's definitely a plus. Everybody loves the Jordan Brand. The history of Michigan is great. You can't lose with Michigan." — EJ Holland YOUNGER BROTHER OF MICHIGAN WIDE RECEIVER RECEIVES OFFER OF HIS OWN No underclassman recruit visited Michigan more this fall than Quinn Mor- ris. The rising 2025 wide receiver out of Bolingbrook (Ill.) Plainfield East High was in Ann Arbor for almost every home game and enjoyed his experiences in The Big House. "They were really fun," Morris said. "Every time I go, I like Michigan more and more. Seeing the team play has a positive effect on you. They are passing the ball more. I like all the calls they are making. I just really like it out there. It's a lot of fun." Morris is the younger brother of Michi- gan freshman wide receiver Tyler Morris. However, Quinn is making his own name on the recruiting trail and already boasts offers from both Michigan and Minne- sota. Quinn would love to team up with Ty- ler at the next level, but the two actually haven't had many in-depth discussions about the possibility. "We don't talk too much about Michi- gan," Morris said. "But he's excited about next year because he knows he'll be get- ting in a lot more. It would be really cool to play with him. Being with him, he would give me a lot of advice. I've learned a lot from him." Morris could also learn a lot from Mich- igan wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy. Being a frequent visitor has allowed Morris to develop a close relationship with Bellamy early on in the process. "I like Coach Bellamy a lot," Morris said. "He's really honest with you. He tells you what you what you need to know and not what you want to hear. He's not super strict, but he wants you to get the job done." It's still early for Morris, but it's clear Michigan will have a chance to add an- other Morris to the fold down the line. "Right now, Michigan is at the top," Morris said. "I'm there a lot, and I really like everything there." Morris hauled in 29 receptions for 577 yards and 6 touchdowns as a sophomore this past season. — EJ Holland Brandon Thomas, a four-star edge in the class of 2025 from Baltimore St. Frances, is one of many talented players Michigan is targeting in the Mid-Atlantic region. PHOTO COURTESY ON3.COM Quinn Morris, a 5-11, 162-pound receiver from Bolingbrook (Ill.) Plainfield East, is the younger brother of U-M rising sophomore receiver Tyler Morris. PHOTO BY EJ HOLLAND/ON3.COM