The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/558143
FOOTBALL RECRUITING UNDERCLASSMEN REPRESENT The visit list extended beyond the class of 2017 well into the underclass- man ranks. Players from 2018 and 2019 — even a 2021 prospect entering the seventh grade this fall — made the trip. The 2018 prospects may have been the most impacted by the trip. Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep defensive end Jayson Ademilola and his twin brother Justin, a linebacker, both hold Michigan offers, and they ventured west with Paramus (N.J.) Catholic linebacker Bartek Rybka, who could be nearing an offer of his own. The trio came away from the visit impressed, perhaps none more so than the highest-regarded of the bunch, Jayson Ademilola, who al- ready holds offers from Boston Col- lege, UConn and Virginia, along with Michigan. The 6-2, 265-pounder may ultimately be one of U-M's top targets in the class, and the coaching staff is off to a strong start in his recruitment. "The facilities were amazing, and so is the way that Coach Harbaugh is changing things," Ademilola said. "They told us when Coach Harbaugh came in, he changed everything to make it — not popping out, but just get the job done. He's told people when they come in they have to get the job done every day." Belleville (Mich.) High 2019 quar- terback Dwan Mathis has yet to play his first high school game, but the 6-4, 170-pound rising freshman is already a familiar face on campus, previously visiting for multiple spring practices and participating in two summer camps in Ann Arbor. Getting a taste of day-to-day life in town was the next step for him in learning about Michigan. "I got to see a lot of the campus, a lot of the stuff that I've never seen be- fore.," he said. "That was a great way to win the recruit over, especially if they're looking for education. "That showed a lot of where you're going to be if you're going to Michigan." While the most immediate effects on Michigan's recruiting classes will be felt in 2016 and 2017, the Wolver- ines have set themselves up for suc- cess well down the road in recruiting by involving younger prospects in the key visit weekend of the summer. ❏ Class of 2018 defensive end Jayson Ademilola of Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep was among the youngsters on campus for the Barbecue at The Big House. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM