The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/740130
NOVEMBER 2016 THE WOLVERINE 65 PREP PROFILES Michigan hosted nine official visitors for the top‑10 matchup against Wiscon‑ sin and got a 14‑7 win in front of some big‑time talent. None of the visitors were more noteworthy than Pensacola (Fla.) Washington offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood. The 6‑5, 298‑pounder wasn't the high‑ est‑ranked prospect in attendance — that honor went to Texas outside line‑ backer Baron Browning, the country's No. 4 overall player — but it's Leather‑ wood's commitment status that makes him especially noteworthy. Leather‑ wood has been pledged to Alabama since June of last year, but the trip to Ann Arbor has him legitimately looking at U‑M. "It was my first official visit, and they really laid out the red carpet for me," Leatherwood explained. "I had a great time with Coach [Jim] Harbaugh, Coach [Tim] Drevno and the staff. It was my first time meeting them, and they made a great first impression." The Michigan staff and visit experi‑ ence certainly has given the five‑star Leather wood something to think about. "It's all on me," he said. "A school can only show me what they have to offer, then it's up to me to evaluate and find where I best fit, and what school is go‑ ing to set me up for the rest of my life. "That's a big part of the reason why I took the visit to Ann Arbor. I don't want to leave any stone unturned, and I'm very glad I took that visit." Leatherwood will take one of his other official visits to Alabama for the Iron Bowl against Auburn Nov. 26, giving Bama and Nick Saban a late‑season crack at holding on to his commitment. His remaining three officials are still to be determined. It will be a very tough task to steal the No. 5 offensive tackle and No. 20 overall player nationally away from the Tide, but Michigan positioned itself to be one of the teams that could actually do it. — Brandon Brown Michigan holds an important connec‑ tion in the process of possibly landing Las Vegas Bishop Gorman dual‑threat quarterback Dorian Thompson‑Robin‑ son. The mother of the four‑star recruit, who is ranked No. 53 overall in the 2018 class, is a U‑M alum. However, there isn't any family pressure for him to commit to the school. Thompson‑Robinson received an offer from the Wolverines back in June, with Arizona State, Boise State and UCLA following suit this past summer. Head coach Jim Harbaugh and passing game coordinator Jedd Fisch saw him working out in Los Angeles before the tender was given, and he has since developed a strong relationship with the U‑M staff. "Coach Fisch, Coach Harbaugh, they call me all the time, too, and tell me how much they want me and how high I am on their board," Thompson‑Robinson recently said in an interview with Rivals recruiting analyst Adam Gorney. The No. 2‑ranked junior in the state of Nevada, behind teammate and line‑ backer Palaie Gaoteote, Thompson‑ Robinson wanted to visit Ann Arbor for the BBQ at The Big House Aug. 6, but those plans fell through. He had not taken any unofficial visits this season through mid‑October. That's due, in part, to the fact that Bishop Gorman, USA Today's top prep team in the country, doesn't have any bye weeks this year, making it difficult for Thompson‑Robinson and other col‑ lege hopefuls to take trips to look at potential schools. That hasn't though deterred coaches f r o m s t a y i n g c o n n e c t e d t o t h e No. 2‑rated dual‑threat quarterback in 2018, including the Bruins staff, espe‑ cially Marques Tuiasosopo, the former Oakland Raiders quarterback and now the passing game coordinator at UCLA. Thompson‑Robinson's had received two SEC offers entering mid‑October — from Missouri and from Florida, after participating in the school's quarter‑ back and Friday Night Lights camp in Gainesville. Arizona State, Colorado, Florida, Mich‑ igan and UCLA appear to be in the lead for the quarterback, barring any future offers, with the Wolverines and Bruins likely at the top. "I feel really good about Michigan," Thompson‑Robinson told The Wolverine in June. "I know that they'll be in my top five whenever that comes out. I have a lot of interest in them." While playing mostly wide receiver this season — the team's signal‑caller is Tate Martell, the nation's top senior dual‑threat quarterback — Thompson‑ Robinson has thrown 24 passes for 187 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. — Zach Libby The No. 2 Dual-Threat QB In Junior Class Likes The Wolverines Alabama Commit Calls His U-M Official The 'Best Visit Ever' ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Bishop Gorman H.S. Las Vegas Class: 2018 Position: Quarterback Ht.: 6‑2 • Wt.: 190 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 2 dual‑threat quar terback and No. 53 overall prospect in the nation Dorian Thompson-Robinson ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Washington H.S. Pensacola, Fla. Class: 2017 Position: Offensive Tackle Ht.: 6‑5 • Wt.: 298 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 5 offensive tackle and No. 20 overall player in the country Alex Leatherwood Leatherwood "It was my first official visit, and they really laid out the red carpet for me. I had a great time with Coach [Jim] Harbaugh, Coach [Tim] Drevno and the staff. It was my first time meeting them, and they made a great first impression." Thompson-Robinson "I feel really good about Michigan. I know that they'll be in my top five whenever that comes out."