Michigan Targets Tarik Black and CJ Holmes Excited to Host UM Staff for Camp

The Michigan Wolverines satellite camp tour rolls into New England on Saturday, June 4, when Jim Harbaugh's staff joins forces with coaches from Boston College and UConn for a session at Connecticut prep powerhouse Cheshire Academy.

It's a region the Wolverines haven't shied away from under Harbaugh, as Michigan heavily pursued Connecticut tight end Chris Clark in the 2015 cycle, signed Massachusetts tight end Sean McKeon in its 2016 class and currently holds 2017 verbal commitments from Connecticut linebacker Ben Mason and Massachusetts running back A.J. Dillon.

An area that often goes overlooked when compared to nearby recruiting territories in the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes landscape will enjoy an enhanced spotlight during the event.

"We're excited to provide this to not only our players, but kids from all over over New England who might not have a chance to see all these great schools." Cheshire Academy head coach David Dykeman told Bleacher Report.

A pair of his junior players haven't had much trouble attracting national attention. Wide receiver Tarik Black and two-way standout CJ Holmes, rated Nos. 1 and 2 respectively in 247Sports' composite Connecticut recruit rankings, have each collected several offers, including Michigan.

"It's definitely a big deal to have them come here so I can get a better feeling for them, and they can get a better feeling for me as well," Black said. "I can get a good feel for the type of coach [Wolverines passing game coordinator/receivers coach Jedd Fisch] is and how he can develop me in the future."

Dykeman said it remains undetermined whether Harbaugh will be in attendance, but at least 12 members of the Wolverines staff are expected at Cheshire Academy. Defensive coordinator Don Brown has recruiting roots in the region after previous tenures at Yale, Northeastern, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Boston College.

The development of this camp was a collaboration among each party, as Dykeman described a "mix" of conversations between the three FBS programs and Cheshire Academy.

"With Michigan, we obviously began to develop a relationship with that staff when Tarik got offered [in May 2015], and CJ now with his offer [earlier this month]," he said. "I've known Coach Brown probably 10 years. It became an opportunity where they called and had an interest, and we thought it was a great fit for our school. It's been exciting to get this thing going."

The Wolverines are prepared to embark on a whirlwind satellite camp tour that will take staff members to California, Florida, New Jersey, Texas and even Australia. These efforts have become a hot-button topic among college coaches and administration but the stage is set for Michigan to make major inroads across an international recruiting scene.

Plenty of eyes will be on Black and Holmes when Wolverines coaches set up shop at Cheshire Academy alongside Boston College and UConn staff, though the camp (scheduled for 5-8 p.m. ET) will include several other intriguing players.

At the host school alone, defensive back Brandon Sebastian (Boston College commit), offensive tackle Samuel Vretman (Rutgers commit), quarterback/athlete CJ Lewis (UConn offer) and 2019 athlete Bryce Sebastian (Syracuse offer) are among prospects worth noting.

"I think the level of football [in New England] is getting better and better," Dykeman said. "It's a credit to [Tarik and CJ] and some of the others who've come before them. We've got guys leaving New England to compete on a national stage. This is a chance to not only be coached by some of the best coaches in the country, but evaluated by them as well."

For Holmes, who landed a Wolverines offer less than two weeks ago, the camp presents a unique up-close glimpse at a coaching staff that resides more than 600 miles away from Cheshire Academy.

"I'm really pumped up about the opportunity to get a chance to start to form a relationship with the entire coaching staff," Holmes said. "Hopefully Coach Harbaugh can make it. This is just a great opportunity for me and my family—because they'll be there as well—to meet coaches and not necessarily have to travel all the way up to Michigan. We'll have them right here 10 minutes from my home and I'll be able to be coached by them, interact and see if maybe Michigan is a place for me in the future."

Holmes plans to repay the visit with his first trip to Ann Arbor this summer. He also expects to spend time at UCLA, Syracuse and Penn State in upcoming months.

The 6'0", 200-pound playmaker, who received an invitation to The Opening on May 1, is targeted by collegiate coaches at a variety of positions. Michigan aims to line him up in the defensive backfield at safety, while other programs prefer his skill set on offense.

Black, a 6'4", 208-pound pass-catcher, is rated No. 15 nationally among receivers in 247Sports' composite rankings. He told B/R his top-five list revealed in April—featuring Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Stanford and UCLA—remains the same, though he's leaving the door open for other universities.

Black aims to make a West Coast journey this summer, with stops at Stanford and UCLA. He will also attempt return trips to Tuscaloosa and Ann Arbor.

This Cheshire Academy duo will have an opportunity June 4 to further solidify their respective rapports with Michigan, a key common interest between the two. 

"We've pretty much been best friends since second grade," Holmes said. "We talk a lot about recruiting and things that are going on with each other. The conversation [of playing together in college] has always popped up but I wouldn't say that it would sway either of our decisions. We've talked about it, but it's not necessarily a priority."

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.