The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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52 THE WOLVERINE MAY 2019 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ficial visit to Michigan for the spring game. The 6-7, 290-pounder couldn't have had a better time and is definitely giving the Wolverines a hard look after the successful trip. "I got to meet a lot of the players, and that was a big thing that I didn't get to do last time I visited," Nelson said. "We had a good time at our hotel and after dinner my host player, Andrew Stueber, took me to meet some of the players and that was cool. He was an awesome guy. I definitely wanted to make sure I did that. "I would say that Michigan is prob- ably top three right now." As the No. 27 offensive tackle and No. 232 overall prospect in the country, Nelson is a wanted man. Oklahoma and Notre Dame are two schools that will give U-M some tough competition, but Warinner and the rest of the staff did a great job while they could. Nelson will graduate early and enroll in January at his school of choice. Another lineman who could end up at Michigan is in-state three-star guard Josh Priebe. The standout from Edwardsburg (Mich.) High had been to U-M in the past but felt great being back on campus as an offered prospect. "Coach Warinner has made it a clear I'm a priority for them and that they'd love to have me," he said. "We talk almost every day and have gotten to know each other very well throughout this process." The 6-5, 281-pounder plans to make a decision soon so that he doesn't miss out on a potential spot. Michigan is also combing the coun- try in search of a versatile running back. Position coach Jay Harbaugh has targeted Eads (Tenn.) Briarcrest Chris- tian three-star athlete Jabari Small as a candidate to fill that void. The 5-10, 177-pounder loved his time in Ann Ar- bor for the spring game and now see U-M as a very real option. "Michigan pretty much speaks for it- self, there's not much they have to do," he said. "It's a very big program, and they have rich greatness in their history. "Coach Jay has told me that they have evaluated many prospects, and I am special. He said he is going to make my decision harder. He is a very down to earth and cool coach." Small is the No. 44 athlete in the country and has a versatile skill set. He can be a true running back, more of a scat back, a slot receiver and a weapon in the return game, which are all valu- able traits in Gattis' new offense. Out of the entire group, as the younger brother of sophomore run- ning back Ben VanSumeren, Essexville (Mich.) Garber freshman defensive tackle Alex VanSumeren might be the most likely to pick Michigan despite his youth. The 6-2, 260-pounder is al- ready bigger than his older brother and definitely feels the love from Michigan now that he has an offer. "I have been fortunate to have been around some of the staff and see how they operate," he said. "I have a great amount of respect for Coach Harbaugh and the other members of the coaching staff. They make you feel like part of the family." He's likely nowhere near a decision, but as a legacy recruit and in-state kid, VanSumeren has to be viewed as a U-M lean even though he has three years of high school left. ❏ On The Web For regular reports on Michigan football recruiting plus videos of U-M commitments and targets visit TheWolverine.com. Defensive lineman Alex VanSumeren, a fresh- man, has a long time to go before he makes a college decision, but the younger brother of U-M running back Ben VanSumeren already looks the part at 6-2, 260 pounds and was on campus for the spring game. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN Other Targets To Keep An Eye On The following prospects all have an offer from the Wolverines and were in attendance for the spring game. Michigan likely doesn't lead for the players in this group, but getting them on campus was still a good look during the spring. Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas 2020 three-star cornerback Colby Dempsey The three-star prospect checks in at 5-11 and 160 pounds, but is unranked by Rivals within his state or position group. Michigan is his biggest offer on paper, but he's also considering Minnesota, Syracuse and West Virginia, among others. Catawissa (Pa.) Southern Columbia 2020 three-star inside linebacker Cal Haladay The 6-1, 200-pounder is considered the No. 6 player in Pennsylvania and likely holds a conditional offer from Michigan. Army, UMass, Nebraska and Pittsburgh make up the rest of his offer list. Southfield (Mich.) A&T 2024 dual-threat quarterback Isaiah Marshall As a 2024 high school grad, Marshall is the youngest prospect to ever receive an offer from Jim Harbaugh. He is just 5-8 and 150 pounds right now, but is more than a year away from even entering high school. Michigan is his only offer so far. Oakdale (Conn.) St. Thomas More 2020 three-star weakside defensive end Kenny Mestidor The one-time Canada resident is now in Don Brown's neck of the woods, mak- ing him an interesting target to watch. The 6-2, 230-pounder has added some really nice offers, including Florida, Tennessee, UCLA and USC, among others. Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro 2021 weakside defensive end Quintin Somerville Measuring in at 6-3 and 210 pounds as a sophomore, Somerville is one of the more coveted West Coast youngsters. He already holds offers from both Arizona schools, along with Auburn, Nebraska, Ohio State, Utah and others. Boston (Mass.) College High 2020 three-star offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo At 6-8 and 255 pounds, Trapilo has the long, lean build Ed Warinner is looking for up front. Rivals' No. 56 offensive tackle in the lands holds offers from schools like Boston College, Louisville, Nebraska, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Virginia and more. — Brandon Brown