The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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52 THE WOLVERINE DECEMBER 2017 PREP PROFILES Michigan offered Baton Rouge (La.) Dunham four-star cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. in early November and the potential five-star is calling it a big deal. The No. 1 cornerback and No. 18 overall prospect nationally is a big deal, too. He recapped how the Michigan offer developed and how he felt about picking it up. "I was direct messaging [recruit- ing coordinator] Cooper Petagna and [player personnel analyst] Joe Schwartzmiller on Twitter early Wednesday [Nov. 1]," Stingley Jr. said. "They were saying I had good game film and that they thought I was a good player and a good fit for what they're looking for as a defen- sive back. "Later that day, I called Coach [Mike] Zordich. We talked a little about technique from the DB posi- tion. He told me he was really im- pressed with my film, too. "We talked a little more about foot- ball, and he asked me what I would like to study in college and then to- wards the end of the conversation he offered. I was excited. Michigan is a big deal." Stingley Jr. is a highly coveted prospect and has just about every offer you can imagine, including ten- ders from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, Penn State, Tennessee and Texas. Even though he already has all of those blue bloods as options, he said Mich- igan is special. "Michigan is rich in tradition and they're always playing in big games," he noted. With more than a year of high school left, Stingley Jr. still has a lot of time to figure his recruitment out, and he plans to use it. He isn't ready to name any leaders yet, but there are a few schools putting more effort into him than others. "I hear the most from LSU, Geor- gia, Penn State, Texas, Alabama, Mis- sissippi State, Florida, Houston, Lou- isiana Tech, Ole Miss, Florida State and Arkansas," Stingley Jr. listed. "I also hear from the other schools, too, just more from them. "I hope Michigan is a part of my picture moving forward, too." A one-time LSU commit, Sting- ley Jr. is going to take his time and get his pledge right when he de- cides again. As a sophomore, he was named to the 6A first-team all-district squad as a cornerback and he's got a real shot at being a Rivals.com five- star prospect. — Brandon Brown Westerville (Ohio) Central four-star athlete Cameron Phillips was in Ann Arbor for the Michigan State game Oct. 7 and had a really good time. The 6-1, 183-pounder doesn't hold an offer from the Wolverines yet, but he feels like one could come at any time based on his interactions with the coaches during his October visit. "The visit went great," Phillips said. "The atmosphere and the fans were amazing, and I love the culture of the team and coaches. They really wanted me to experience the atmo- sphere and a game to see how I could fit into their program." Phillips, the No. 26 athlete and No. 240 prospect overall nationally according to Rivals.com, checked out another Big Ten school before head- ing to Michigan and has some other visits coming up including a poten- tial return trip to Ann Arbor. "I took a Minnesota visit before Michigan," he said. "I'm heading to Wisconsin, Ohio State and couple of other schools as well. I'm planning to go back to Michigan for the Ohio State game, too." Phillips thinks that a Michigan of- fer could come during the regular season finale in Ann Arbor and is hoping that's the case. Once he has a chance to take in some more visits and potentially pick up a few more offers, he'll start think- ing about paring his suitors down. He's still just a junior, so there's no need to be in a rush. "I have not come up with my top list at this point," he said. "I'm just trying to learn more about the programs and schools. I'm trying to learn more about the style of the coaching staff and how I can fit into each program. "As for my decision timeline, I'm thinking about the fall of my senior year." Listed as an athlete, Phillips shines on both sides of the ball in high school at wide receiver and defensive back. As a sophomore, he was recog- nized as an all-district second-team defensive back in Division II. Despite his accolades on defense in high school, he is viewed by most colleges as a better prospect at wide receiver, including Michi- gan. With a full year of high school left, there's time for Phillips to sort out his best position as well as his recruitment. — Brandon Brown Wolverines Enter The Race For The Nation's Top 2019 Corner U-M Is Keeping A Very Close Eye On Versatile Ohio Athlete Phillips on his U-M visit Oct. 7 "The atmosphere and the fans were amazing, and I love the culture of the team and coaches." Stingley Jr. "I hope Michigan is a part my picture moving forward, too." ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Dunham H.S. Baton Rouge, La. Class: 2019 Position: Cornerback Ht.: 6-0 • Wt.: 170 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 2 player in Louisiana, and the No. 1 cornerback and No. 18 overall player nationally Derek Stingley Jr. ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Westerville Central H.S. Westerville, Ohio Class: 2019 Position: Athlete Ht.: 6-1 • Wt.: 183 Rivals.com Rankings: No. 10 player in Ohio, and the No. 26 athlete and No. 240 overall player in the country Cameron Phillips