The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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48 THE WOLVERINE ❱ MAY 2024 ❱ PREP PROFILES Michigan hosted a small group of elite offensive line recruits in late March, in- cluding Hardy Watts. The On300 2025 prospect out of West Roxbury (Mass.) Dexter enjoyed his first- ever trip to Ann Arbor and was impressed with the program on and off the field. "It was great," Watts said. "I had a great time meeting all the staff. I had a great tour of the business school. It was amaz- ing. … The players stood out. I've been to a bunch of schools now and have gotten to see practices. The players came up to me and introduced themselves and talked to my mom. Players at other schools do that, but they actually stopped, talked to us and sat down with us. "The hospitality of the players them- selves shows the quality of the team and the athletes that are being produced there. I got to spend some time with Trente Jones, who I idolize, and Kalel Mullings, who is also a Boston kid." This visit also gave Watts plenty of time to get to know the coaching staff. Head coach Sherrone Moore met with Watts and made a strong impression. "I've seen so much online about how much of a great man he is and how much of a true leader he is," Watts said. "That was definitely evident in my meeting with him. He was super well-spoken. He has a great head on his shoulders. He'll have a long career in coaching." Watts was also impressed with offen- sive line coach Grant Newsome, who has been leading the way in his recruitment. "I loved Coach Newsome," Watts said. "He's young. He's energetic. He's getting in a stance with the guys. He's getting on them but also joking with them. It was great for me to see that because that's a coach I would want to play for." Both Moore and Newsome made a simple sell to Watts when pitching him to join them at Michigan — offensive line production. "They just referenced their offensive line that won two Joe Moore Awards," Watts said. "They said they all came in as freshmen and were one big class. That's what they want from us. Me and four other kids were there, and that was their message to us — you are our guys. "I've been with [On3 top-100 of- fensive lineman] Mike Carroll at a few other places. I already knew Mike, and it was great to meet some of the other guys in person." So where does Michigan stand com- ing out of the visit? "I already knew I was high on Michi- gan," Watts said. "This only solidified that and bumped them up a few as well. Mich- igan will definitely get an official visit." Along with Michigan, Watts holds of- fers from Alabama, Clemson, Kentucky, Miami, Michigan State, Nebraska, Penn State, South Carolina and Texas A&M. — EJ Holland Michael Carroll was one of a handful of elite offensive line recruits that vis- ited Michigan in late March. The Doylestown (Pa.) Central Bucks East top-100 prospect had a hectic travel schedule, driving from Alabama to Clem- son to Georgia to Michigan. U-M had the final visit and made a lasting impression. "It was really good," Carroll said. "I was a little tired from being in the car, but it was a great time. I really enjoyed hanging out with some other elite tal- ent. I learned about their NIL and how much their players make. I got to see how Coach [Grant] Newsome trains firsthand and the way Coach [Sherrone] Moore is as a head coach. "When I came in after driving from Georgia, it was later in the evening, and the whole staff was waiting for me at Schembechler Hall. They greeted me and my whole family, and we took a pic- ture together." Carroll visited Michigan on multiple occasions last year. However, this visit allowed him to have a one-on-one meet- ing with new head coach Sherrone Moore. "It lasted a while," Carroll said. "I was there with my whole family and my grandparents. He told me, 'You're a spe- cial talent, and you're going to succeed wherever you go.' But he really believes Michigan would be a perfect fit for me. He sees me as an impact player. "He can't promise me that I'll play right away, but he sees me as a great fit. He said I'm a top priority." Carroll also spent extended time with U-M offensive line coach Grant New- some, who also serves as his area recruiter. "He cares a lot," Carroll said. "He's very passionate. You can tell he really cares about their development. He wants to create the best offensive line possible. "Especially being new, I thought he did a great job. … We watched a lot of film. Learning about the little nuances was great. Even after practice, he talked to me about techniques one-on-one, and I learned so much." Carroll was one of the biggest risers in the recent On3 rankings update and is now rated firmly among the top 100 prospects nationally. While he is listed as an interior lineman, Carroll has an im- pressive frame at 6-foot-6, 300 pounds and definitely offers tackle flexibility. Michigan sees him in the same mold as guard Zak Zinter, a unanimous All- American last fall. "I talked to Coach Newsome about it, he told me I could play tackle," Carroll said. "But he said he sees me exactly like Zak Zinter. I was like, 'That's not a bad comparison.' He sees me as a really elite-level guard at the next level." Carroll will return to Michigan for an official visit in June. He is looking to make a decision in July or August. — EJ Holland On300 Massachusetts O-Lineman Impressed By U-M Top-100 Pennsylvania Offensive Lineman A 'Special Talent' ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Dexter West Roxbury, Mass. Class: 2025 Position: Offensive line Ht.: 6-5 • Wt.: 295 On3 Rankings: No. 2 player in Massachusetts, and No. 16 interior offensive lineman and No. 242 overall prospect nationally ❱ Hardy Watts ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Central Bucks East Doylestown, Pa. Class: 2025 Position: Offensive line Ht.: 6-6 • Wt.: 300 On3 Rankings: No. 3 player in Pennsylvania, and No. 3 interior offensive lineman and No. 69 overall prospect nationally ❱ Michael Carroll