The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/848029
AUGUST 2017 THE WOLVERINE 57 BY CHRIS BALAS M ichigan received a big commit‑ ment from East Lansing (Mich.) High rising senior Brandon Johns (6‑8, Rivals.com's No. 43 senior na‑ tionally) June 29, and then got an‑ other one a day later. Taylor Currie (6‑9, Rivals.com three‑star prospect) out of Clarkston, Mich., reclassified from 2019 to join Johns and Detroit East English Village point guard David DeJulius (6‑0, No. 129) in the Wolverines' 2018 class. U‑M currently has room for one more addition to that group, though attrition — Moritz Wagner poten‑ tially leaving early for the NBA, or a transfer — make it likely there will be at least two more joining the class. Wagner flirted with the NBA this year, and many believe 2017‑18 will be his last season in a Michigan uni‑ form. There are often transfers, too, so there could be two or three who join the current three‑man class in Ann Arbor. U‑M coaches still have a number of offers outstanding, and they continue to bring in visitors. A few, however, are off the board. The Wolverines led for Akron (Ohio) Revere big man Pete Nance (6‑10, No. 39), but he pledged to Northwestern shortly after Johns committed to Michigan. Barrington (R.I.) St. Andrew's forward Cole Swider (6‑8, No. 89) had Michigan on his list sight unseen, but he pledged to Villanova at the end of June. In addition, four‑star shooting guards Cormac Ryan (6‑3, No. 63) out of Milton, Mass., and Robby Carmody (6‑4, No. 98) from Mars, Pa., pledged to Stanford and Notre Dame, respectively, this summer. Here's a look at those still on the board. JEROME HUNTER (OFFERED) 6-7 • 185 • SF Pickerington (Ohio) North Rivals.com No. 79 senior nationally Hunter came to Michigan July 1 for a surprise official visit, taking Nance's place on the docket. Some thought he would possibly commit, but he still has others he wants to see. Hunter recently narrowed his list to a final five of U‑M, Indiana, Ohio State, Pittsburgh and Xavier. "It was just based on him being the top priority and what he is most looking for at the next level," An‑ dreas James, Hunter 's trainer, said. "Those five check those boxes. "He is open to new schools coming in, but based on the schools recruit‑ ing him, he is down to those five." Hunter reported in May that he had become tight with the U‑M staff. "I've been talking with Michigan a lot, Coach [John] Beilein and Coach [Saddi] Washington," he said. "I like Michigan, and I like Coach Beilein. They develop players, and I just like that." Hunter averaged roughly 19 points and 10 rebounds per game for Pickerington North this season, while leading the team to a 22‑7 overall record. NOAH LOCKE (OFFERED) 6-2 • 175 • SG Owing Mills (Md.) McDonogh Rivals.com No. 94 senior nationally Locke was the top shooter, 49.5 percent on three pointers, in Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) play, one of the reasons U‑M likes him so much. He picked up an of‑ fer on a recent visit, which helped Michigan. "It was a great visit," Locke said. "I liked it a lot. It definitely helped their chances." Locke is in high demand after an outstanding spring and summer, having earned offers from many. Providence, Xavier, Florida, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech, Penn State, Virginia, Oklahoma State, Marquette and others were on his list after he averaged 18.2 points per game and shot 51.4 percent from the floor on the EYBL circuit for Team Melo. "I like that they have players that can really score the ball, and I like the way they develop their players," Locke said of Michigan going into the visit. "The facilities and the environment appealed to me the most," he added afterwards. Locke isn't certain when he'll decide, but he's going to break things down after Nike Peach Jam BASKETBALL RECRUITING Familiar And New Options Abound In Class Of 2018 Pickerington (Ohio) North small forward Jerome Hunter, the No. 79 overall prospect nationally according to Rivals.com, has a final five of Michigan, Indiana, Ohio State, Pittsburgh and Xavier. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM SCHOLARSHIP CHART 2017-18 1: Duncan Robinson, 6-8 5th-Sr. SG 2: Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman, 6-4 Sr. SG 3: Moritz Wagner, 6-9 Jr. PF 4: Charles Matthews, 6-6 So.* SF 5: Jon Teske, 6-11 So. C 6: Ibi Watson, 6-5 So. SG 7: Xavier Simpson, 5-11 So. PG 8: Austin Davis, 6-10 Fr.* C 9: Jordan Poole, 6-3 Fr. SG 10: Eli Brooks, 6-1 Fr. PG/SG 11: Isaiah Livers, 6-8 Fr. PF 12: Open 13: Open 2018-19 1: Moritz Wagner, 6-9 Sr. PF 2: Charles Matthews, 6-6 Jr.* SF 3: Jon Teske, 6-11 Jr. C 4: Ibi Watson, 6-5 Jr. SG 5: Xavier Simpson, 5-11 Jr. PG 6: Austin Davis, 6-10 So.* C 7: Jordan Poole, 6-3 So. SG 8: Eli Brooks, 6-1 So. PG/SG 9: Isaiah Livers, 6-8 So. PF 10: David DeJulius, 6-0 Fr. PG 11: Brandon Johns, 6-8 Fr. PF 12: Taylor Currie, 6-8 Fr. PF/C 13: Open * Redshirt