The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/589596
FOOTBALL RECRUITING Maize and Blue have achieved only minimal traction with the star defen- sive end. Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep tight end Jacob Mathis is another story. The 6-5, 227-pounder may be listed as just a three-star talent, but the U-M staff values Rivals.com's No. 56 prospect in Florida and No. 25 tight end na- tionally much more highly than that. He saw the Wolverines throw to the tight end with regularity in the win. However, he plans a full slate of of- ficial visits before wrapping up his recruitment. "I will probably take an official to Florida after the season," Mathis said. "Ole Miss is another school I want to take an official visit to." MICHIGAN STATE — OCT. 17 The final result against Michigan State was a letdown in the worst way — the Wolverines gave away a two- point lead on a botched punt snap on the game's final play — but the out- come didn't diminish recruits' views of the team. That's a positive, since four highly important official visitors made their way to town. Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy five-star Isaac Nauta is listed by Ri- vals.com as the nation's top tight end and No. 18 overall prospect. He's also the website's No. 5 senior in Florida, but has connections to the Great Lakes State. "My aunt and my two cousins came over from Grand Rapids," he said. "It was really cool to get to see them, and then I really liked hanging out with Jake Butt." The remaining official visitors were all from the opposite coast, with a trio of California prospects. Los Angeles Loyola four-star defen- sive back David Long is committed to Stanford, but the 6-0, 170-pounder is open to Michigan. Rivals.com rates him as the No. 23 senior in California, and the No. 11 corner- back and No. 134 overall prospect nationally. "It was really the best game I've ever been to," Long said of the Wol- verines' tight loss. Elk Grove (Calif.) Franklin safety Lamar Jackson came away with the same impression. The 6-2, 206-pounder is Rivals.com's No. 14 senior in the Golden State, and the No. 7 safety and No. 87 overall pros- pect in the country. "The game was great," he said. "It was a good hard battle. Michigan won in my eyes; it's just the unthinkable happened. Everyone gets lucky every once in a while." Jackson could be a sleeper pick to end up in the U-M class. The Wolver- ines are seeking an additional defen- sive back in the class, and he's high on U-M following the trip. Rancho Santa Margarita (Ca- lif.) Santa Margarita Catholic four- star wideout Dylan Crawford was the final official visitor. The 6-1, 175-pounder is ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 15 senior in California, and the No. 17 wide receiver and No. 90 overall prospect nationally. While he has remained quiet since his trip, he is one of U-M's top remaining targets at the position. ❏