The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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42 THE WOLVERINE AUGUST 2020 PREP PROFILES Tyler Morris is ready to lead his high school football team this fall. With Rivals100 quarterback J.J. McCarthy transferring to national powerhouse Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy, Morris is now the man at La Grange Park (Ill.) Nazareth Academy. "It definitely feels like I have to step up as a leader," the rising ju- nior said. "I don't know playing on a team without J.J. He doesn't know playing on one without me. "We both came in and played var- sity at the same time. Now, it's just me, so I do feel like I have to be more of a leader." Morris is one of the top overall re- cruits in the 2022 class. The four-star wide receiver holds close to 20 offers from programs around the country. But right now, recruiting hasn't been too hectic. "Recruiting is a little slow," Mor- ris said. "But I have been talking to Michigan, Penn State, Northwestern and Missouri. "Those are some of the schools that I've talked to the most and have been keeping in touch with." Morris had an opportunity to visit Michigan just before the beginning of the abrupt dead period, and he has an obvious tie through McCarthy, who is the crown jewel of U-M's 2021 recruiting class. Morris has been in touch with U-M offensive coordinator Josh Gattis throughout the dead period. "I actually talk to Coach Gattis weekly," Morris said. "We have good conversations. It's not always about football. We've talked about what it's been like in the city with everything going on and things like that. We have a great relationship." On the football side, Gattis sees Morris as an explosive playmaker in the same mold as junior wideout Ronnie Bell. "I went over film with him when I last visited, and we talked about how they would use me," Morris said. "A lot of it ended up being Ronnie Bell. I can play in the slot, but he's told me he can put me anywhere, get the ball in my hands and let me do me." Michigan is in a good early posi- tion with Morris. "Michigan is up there," Morris said. "I just like the way that they show me that they really do want me. That's something that I really appreciate and look at. I would say that they are defi- nitely one of my top schools." Morris hopes to make a return visit to Michigan after the dead period. As McCarthy's favorite target last fall, he recorded 68 catches for 1,237 yards and 17 touchdowns for a state runner-up in the 7A division, and was named a first-team MaxPreps Sophomore All-American. — EJ Holland Michigan head coach Jim Har- baugh has been busy recruiting dur- ing the extended dead period that is a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the focus has mostly been on the current cycle, Harbaugh has had the opportunity to video chat with a couple of Michigan's most prized prospects in the 2022 recruiting class. Five-star Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei cornerback Domani Jackson had his first call with Harbaugh during the shutdown, and it left a lasting impression. "Michigan's my dream school, and to have Coach Harbaugh show a lot of interest in me is crazy," Jackson said. "It's a big factor. He was just explaining to me how everything is at Michigan and how they are differ- ent from everyone. "I think he's a great coach. He's laid back. He's really cool. I like him a lot. My father had the biggest smile on his face. He was smiling from ear to ear when Coach Harbaugh called." Jackson's father grew up in Ohio before serving in the military and ulti- mately ending up in California. Their entire family still resides in the Mid- west, which makes Big Ten schools appealing to Jackson, especially Mich- igan. After all, Jackson grew up a fan of the program like his father. After not hearing from Michigan much since nabbing an early offer, Jackson had a lot of questions, which were answered on his call with Har- baugh. Now, his interest level in the Wolverines is higher than ever. "They are really interested now, and I'm always going to be interested in Michigan," Jackson said. "They are always going to be around No. 1 for me. When all this is done, Michigan is the first place I'm going." Jackson also has a special tie to the program with 2020 signee Darion Green-Warren. The two played with the same club seven-on-seven team, Ground Zero, and are close friends. Green-Warren has already been help- ing U-M recruit Jackson. "Darion just tells me that it's dif- ferent," Jackson said. "He was a top recruit, too. Everyone wanted him. He said when he went to Michigan, he fell in love with it. Hopefully, it will be the same for me when I go up there." Jackson, who is also a high school teammate of 2021 Michigan wide re- ceiver commit Cristian Dixon, said Arizona State, Michigan, Ohio State and USC are the schools he's been talking to the most during the dead period. As a sophomore, Jackson posted 48 tackles, one interception and nine passes broken up and was named a first-team MaxPreps Sophomore All- American. — EJ Holland Top Junior Wideout May Join His Former Teammate In Ann Arbor Nation's No. 4 Junior Is High On Michigan ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Nazareth Academy La Grange Park, Ill. Class: 2022 Position: Wide Receiver Ht.: 5-11 • Wt.: 170 Rankings: No. 54 junior in the country per 247Sports Tyler Morris ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Mater Dei H.S. Santa Ana, Calif. Class: 2022 Position: Cornerback Ht.: 6-1 • Wt.: 180 Rankings: No. 4 junior nationally ac- cording to 247Sports Domani Jackson Jackson "Michigan's my dream school, and to have Coach [Jim] Harbaugh show a lot of interest in me is crazy."