The Wolverine

January 2017

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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54 THE WOLVERINE JANUARY 2017   FOOTBALL RECRUITING Ja'Raymond Hall, 6-5, 255, Oak Park, Mich. (Oak Park) Has been committed since last December and will enroll at Michi- gan this January. Kai-Leon Herbert, 6-4, 279, Plantation, Fla. (American Heritage) Surprised an entire state when he decided he'd leave Florida and chose the Wolverines over the Gators. For a while it looked like Florida might be able to pry him away from U-M, and an official to Gainesville is on the horizon However, an official visit to Ann Arbor seems to have solidified things with the No. 244 overall prospect in the country. Joel Honigford, 6-6, 263, Sugarcreek, Ohio (Garaway Local School) The three-star tackle is an Ohio kid that isn't interested in an Ohio State offer, even if it were to come. He was at the BBQ at The Big House in August and returned for most of Michigan's home games this season. He's solid and won't be heading anywhere. Alex Leatherwood, 6-5, 298, Pensacola, Fla. (Washington) USC holds appeal for the Alabama commit, as does Michigan, which is making serious in-roads in Florida. The five-star and No. 19 overall player in the country officially visited Michigan and has also been in contact with the staff since. Phillip Paea, 6-4, 277, Berrien Springs, Mich. (Berrien Springs) Listed as an offensive guard, but committed to Michigan as a defensive lineman. Has immense upside because of his size and athleticism. He's beyond solid to the Maize and Blue. Cesar Ruiz, 6-3, 313, Bradenton, Fla. (IMG Academy) Planning to commit Dec. 18, the nation's top center and No. 77 overall player nationally has been looked at as a Michigan lean for some time. Tedarrell Slaton, 6-6, 339, Plantation, Fla. (American Heritage) With his teammate Herbert committed to the Wolverines, the U-M staff is in a good spot with the No. 124 overall player in the country. Has played his situation close to the vest, but Michigan, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech and Florida are battling it out for his services. Andrew Stueber, 6-6, 305, Darien, Conn. (Darien) Rolled into Ann Arbor for the Big Man camp in June and landed an offer from the staff. Headed back home to Connecticut and it didn't take long for him to choose the Wolverines. He's as solid as can be to Michigan and won't take any other visits. Isaiah Wilson, 6-8, 354, Brooklyn, N.Y. (Poly Prep) The No. 2 offensive tackle and No. 6 overall player in the country was arguably Michigan's top target as of mid-December. His Nov. 19 official visit for the Indiana game was big for U-M. Ala- bama is the other serious contender for New York's top player and likely the Tide or Michigan landed him Dec. 16. Defensive End James Hudson, 6-5, 271, Toledo, Ohio (Central Catholic) Pledged to the Wolverines over Michigan State just before the season got underway. He also held offers from many other top programs in the country including Alabama. The No. 236 overall prospect in the country is locked into Michigan. Deron Irving-Bey, 6-5, 245, Flint, Mich. (Southwestern Academy) Michigan is more involved than in the early stages of his recruit- ment and he took a Dec. 9-11 official visit to Ann Arbor. Michigan State is still right there as well. Maryland and Tennessee are two other schools to watch out for if the in-state programs miss on him. Corey Malone-Hatcher, 6-3, 246, St. Joseph, Mich. (St. Joseph) Is about as firm as it gets in his commitment. A very active Twitter recruiter, he's been all over every target talking about Michigan. The in-state four-star doesn't look to be headed anywhere else. Kwity Paye, 6-3, 225, Warwick, R.I. (Bishop Hendricken) Was in Ann Arbor for an official visit for the Wisconsin game and loved everything Michigan had to offer. The three-star cited his relationship with defensive coordinator Don Brown as the big- gest reason he's now a member of the class. Luiji Vilain, 6-4, 240, Alexandria, Va. (Episcopal) The No. 7 weakside defensive end and No. 181 overall prospect in the county was blown away during his multiple-day stint in Ann Arbor in June and decided that Michigan was the place for him not long after. He seems very solid to U-M and brings a lot of athleticism to the D-line. Defensive Tackle Donovan Jeter, 6-5, 255, Beaver Falls, Pa. (Beaver Falls) The four-star was once committed to Notre Dame, but opened things up and immediately set up an official visit to Michigan. He thoroughly enjoyed his time at U-M and is now a part of the class. Rutger Reitmaier, 6-3, 274, Nashville, Tenn. (David Lipscomb) The No. 28 defensive tackle in the country committed to Oregon in June, but an offer from Michigan got his attention. His Nov. 19 official visit to Ann Arbor gave him something to think about, but he seems content with Oregon. Aubrey Solomon, 6-4, 287, Leesburg, Ga. (Lee County) One of Rivals.com's newly minted five stars and the No. 30 overall prospect nationally was in Ann Arbor for the Maryland game for an official visit with his mother, and the trip couldn't have gone better. The Wolverines may even be considered the front-runner for his services after the visit, but Georgia will not relent. Jay Tufele, 6-2, 306, South Jordan, Utah (Bingham) Has a top seven consisting of USC, Ohio State, Utah, Washington, UCLA, Michigan and BYU. He was in Ann Arbor for an official visit for the Illinois game and then checked out Ohio State for the fi- nale against Michigan as well. The Buckeyes, Utah and Michigan are all pushing hard for his pledge. Linebacker Jordan Anthony, 6-1, 220, Bradenton, Fla. (IMG Academy) Michigan is in really good shape with the five-star linebacker. As the No. 1 inside linebacker and No. 70 overall prospect in the country, he is now more coveted than ever. He hasn't openly U-M pledge Kwitty Paye was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Rhode Island after compiling 61 stops, 11 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks on defense, plus 44 carries for 651 yards (14.8 yards per rush) and 13 touchdowns on offense, for Warwick (R.I.) Bishop Hendricken. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN

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