Michigan Football: Looking ahead to a loaded weekend of visitors

Syndication: The Commercial Appeal
Syndication: The Commercial Appeal /
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Michigan football is hosting a number of top recruiting targets this weekend as part of “Victors Weekend” and here’s a look ahead at key guys in attendance. 

Since the dead period was lifted on June 1st, Michigan football has hosted several recruits on campus both unofficially and official visitors.

However, the Wolverines have been planning this weekend as their big recruiting weekend for June. The coaching staff has dubbed it “Victors Weekend” and they will host 17 official visitors, many of which are top targets. Here is a look at who will be on campus this weekend.

CB Will Johnson

The Wolverines will get their 5-star commitment back on campus a week after Johnson took his official visit to USC. While USC cornerbacks Donte Williams will keep pursuing, Johnson appears solid in his commitment at the moment.

Having Johnson on campus this weekend is huge because he has been instrumental in recruiting other top targets to join him like Walter Nolen and Myles Pollard among others.

DL Walter Nolen

Whenever you can get the No. 2 player in the country on campus, it’s a huge big deal. It is even more important for Michigan because it needs difference-makers on the defensive line. Nolen is already in Michigan visiting his family in the Detroit area.

The Wolverines hope the opportunity to play in front of his family members will be among the reasons Nolen signs. Nolen has gotten tired of the recruiting process and will be committing in August according to Sam Webb of the Michigan Insider (subscription required).

Florida, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Ohio State are among the schools Nolen is still considering. The Gators got a lot of buzz after Nolen’s official visit to Gainesville, however personally I am keeping an eye on LSU. Nolen will visit Baton Rouge next weekend.

DL Justice Finkley

Among the uncommitted targets Michigan has on campus, Finkley might be the Wolverines best chance at landing a commitment even if it doesn’t come this weekend.

Like Nolen, Finkley also has family in the Detroit area. He has also forged a strong bond with Michigan Director of Recruiting Aashon Larkins. Being from Alabama, the Crimson Tide won’t go down with a fight. The four-star visited Alabama on June 5th for an unofficial visit. He also took an official visit to Colorado last weekend and he will visit Texas next weekend.

ATH Kody Jones

Jones was originally scheduled for his official visit to Michigan last weekend, but he took an unofficial visit to Tennessee. However, as I wrote previously, it may be more beneficial for the Wolverines to have the four-star commitment on campus this weekend.

Jones should be more firm in his commitment after experiencing Ann Arbor in person. He can also assist Will Johnson as another recruiter, specifically with Nolen.

CB Marquis Groves-Killebrew

Groves-Kilebrew shocked many when he announced he was taking an official visit to Michigan. Publically, it was unknown that Michigan was even on his radar.

Getting the top-100 Georgia commitment on campus was already a win. Can the Wolverines do enough to get him to seriously consider flipping his commitment? An excellent visit would go a long way towards accomplishing that.

RBs George Pettaway and CJ Stokes

Michigan football currently does not have an RB commitment in its class and it is unclear what backs will join the fold at this point.

However, Pettaway and Stokes are two of the top targets at the position and Michigan will get both of them on campus this weekend. Pettaway is a top 100 back who has the combination of speed to run away from defenders and size (5’11 190 lbs) to be a physical presence between the tackles.

He took an unofficial visit to Florida this week and he will visit Penn State for an official next weekend. He has one lone crystal ball prediction to North Carolina. Stokes is also listed at 5’11 190 lbs though he plays more like a scat back. He has already taken officials to Vanderbilt and Missouri.

The three-star has a lone crystal ball prediction to in-state South Carolina. New running backs coach Mike Hart has earned a reputation for being a good recruiter at his previous stops. He will have the opportunity to show his recruiting chops this weekend.

EDGE Mario Eugenio

Eugenio is a perfect fit for Michigan football’s new 3-4 scheme. This feels like a recruitment Michigan should win with the main contenders being Iowa State, Indiana, and Oregon. Eugenio visited Iowa State last weekend and he will visit Indiana next weekend.

He will be joined in Ann Arbor by his teammate DL Tawfiq Thomas and the duo also took their Iowa State official visits together. Are they a package deal? If so, Michigan does need a nose tackle in this class and Thomas would fit the bill at 6’5 345 lbs.

EDGE Joshua Josephs

Josephs is a player that I would love to see in Michigan’s class because I think he reminds me of Josh Uche. Josephs has Penn State, Kentucky, and Tennesse among his top group. He has already taken visits to Tennessee (unofficial) and Penn State (official) and had positive vibes about each program. Michigan will have its shot to leave an impression this weekend.

OT Lucas Heyer

Heyer is an important target for Michigan football because it needs tackles in this class. While Michigan is taking its swings at Josh Conerly Jr. among others, Heyer might be the OT the Wolverines sit in the best position with at the moment.

Heyer has already taken officials to TCU and Northwestern and he will visit Minnesota and Stanford next week. Michigan leads his crystal ball with one prediction thus far. Perhaps there will be more coming in after this weekend.

TE Marlin Klein

Klein gave Michigan its first commitment in the 2022 class when he gave his pledge last September. Seemingly, he has been under the radar ever since.

The three-star has a lot of potential as a flex TE and he could prove to be a mismatch in the middle of the field as he continues to add weight to his frame. He will be making his visit to Ann Arbor and he appears firm in his commitment at the moment.

WR Dillon Bell

Bell is one of the most versatile targets on Michigan’s board as the coaching staff originally began recruiting him at running back before switching focus to wide receiver after seeing him at the Ferris State Showcase (subscription required).

Bell visited Michigan while in town for the camp and getting him back on campus for an official visit just two weeks later is a good sign for Michigan’s chances.

The Wolverines may need to fend off some new contenders as Bell has blown up in recent weeks. Auburn, Georgia, and Texas A&M extended offers this week. He has already taken an official visit to Colorado and he will visit Minnesota next week.

Next. 10 recruits Michigan needs to add in 2022. dark