The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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NOVEMBER 2017 THE WOLVERINE 71 FOOTBALL RECRUITING DON BROWN HEADS TO THE NORTHEAST Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown has quickly become a fan favorite not only because of the way his unit performs on the field, but also because he's just an entertaining, energetic individual. That personal- ity also makes him a great recruiter. He returned to his neck of the woods during the bye week to check in on Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep four-star strongside defensive end Ty- ler Friday, Cheshire (Conn.) Academy four-star safety Josh Jobe and Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter 's Prep four-star outside linebacker Shayne Simon. Friday, the uncommitted prospect of the trio, is considered the No. 6 strong- side defensive end and the No. 60 overall prospect nationally. At 6-3 and 260 pounds, he could end up playing inside, and that's why he would fit nicely in Michigan's 2018 class. Jobe has been committed to Mi- ami — where he's originally from — for more than two years, but Brown and company are working extremely hard on flipping the 6-0, 175-pounder to Michigan. Simon, a Notre Dame commit, is the No. 10 outside linebacker and No. 141 overall prospect nationally. At 6-3 and 210 pounds, he's perfectly built for Brown's Viper position and that's why the staff wants him so badly. OTHER STOPS BY THE STAFF Cornerbacks coach Mike Zordich also popped in on Jobe, and while in the area he also made stops to see Simon and Friday. It is clear that all three are big-time targets for the Wolverines. Michigan's offensive line has strug- gled in 2017 and that's why both of- fensive coordinator and O-line coach Tim Drevno and Frey dropped by Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep to see four-star offensive tackle Nick Petit- Frere. At 6-5 and 265 pounds, Petit- Free looks more like a power forward right now with a great frame and high-level athleticism. He is considered the No. 13 offen- sive tackle and No. 175 overall pros- pect in the country. Petit-Frere hasn't released a top group yet, but U-M is expected to make it when he does. He visited Ann Arbor in June and was impressed with what he saw. "It was a good overall visit," he said. "It's a great campus, and Ann Arbor is great. I was really happy I got a chance to go up there and see it. I got to meet with some of the coaches and see all of the facili- ties. The coaching staff tells me that they're still interested in me, and that's very humbling." Petit-Frere is a high academic kid and seems to fit the mold for exactly what U-M is looking for in a student- athlete. It also doesn't hurt that his head coach, Dominick Ciao, has sent two kickers — Jay Feely and Garrett Rivas — to Michigan. Rivas actually coaches at Berkeley Prep now, and while he won't try to force Petit-Frere to head to Ann Arbor, he certainly fills him in about what it's like playing there. "Selfishly, personally, I would love to see him at Michigan, but I would never force him, push him or influ- ence him in any way," Rivas stated. "I will answer any question he ever has, and I answer as unbiased as I possibly can because I want him to be happy with where he ends up." Frey, who also coaches tight ends, also stopped by the high schools of Luke Ford and Mustapha Muham- mad, two of U-M's top targets at the position. Ford, from Carterville (Ill.) High, is a four-start talent and ranked as the No. 1 tight end and No. 72 over- all prospect nationally by Rivals. He would compliment a high-upside athlete like current pledge Luke Schoonmaker at tight end in Michi- gan's class. The 6-7, 247-pounder was once committed to Arkansas but now has offers from just about everybody and is reportedly leaning toward Ala- bama. The Michigan staff is recruit- ing him diligently, evidenced by the graphics he's received and posted on Twitter, and is in a good spot with Ford as the football season marches on. With Missouri City (Texas) Ridge Point four-star Muhammad, Michi- gan is setting the pace. The No. 19 tight end in the country has been quite open about U-M being his leader and doesn't mind if people know it. The 6-5, 225-pounder did take an official visit to UCLA, but noted that U-M still is out in front. He wants to make a decision closer to National Signing Day and if nothing changes, it'll be the Wolverines. Meanwhile, Michigan passing game coordinator Pep Hamilton swung through the nation's capital to check in on a running back com- mitted to USC. Washington (D.C.) H.D. Woodson four-star all-purpose back Mychale Salahuddin pledged in June, but was extremely high on Michigan before pulling the trigger. Several schools are still trying to flip the No. 4 all-purpose back and No. 110 overall prospect nationally away from the Trojans, and U-M is one of them. "Michigan is definitely a school in that discussion," Salahuddin said. "Pitt is in that discussion. Maryland is still in that discussion. There are numerous schools. "It's a long way until signing day, and I'm definitely weighing my op- tions to the fullest. I'm still set on being 100 percent to the Trojans, but situations may happen, things can occur. But I'm still a Trojan." The 5-11, 190-pounder is saying the right things, but the mutual inter- est in Michigan could get interesting down the stretch. Michigan running backs coach Jay Four-star offensive tackle Nick Petit-Frere plays at Tampa (Fla.) Berkeley Prep, which has sent kickers Jay Feely and Garrett Rivas to Michigan. Rivas is currently an assistant at the school. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN