Michigan Football Friday: A Firecracker Recruiting Blitz

First off, I hope everyone has a wonderful Fourth of July weekend.  What a great weekend to spend with the family, listen to your neighbor let off illegal fireworks until 3am, and cook a few tube steaks on the grill. 

Since this weekend is all about America, I hope Rick Stanzi and Iowa don't take all of Michigan's recruits this weekend.  :-) 

Now on with the show.

News Hotter Than A Bottle Rocket

The new Scouts "Michigan 80" is up, and one guy shot up the rankings.

That player is Traverse City's own 6'7" Jake Fisher. 

Fisher has been playing well at camps and just earned a Michigan offer. He is now rated No. 6 in the state and as a four-star prospect by Scouts. 

Look for Fisher to move up even farther on that list with a good year a OT. I could see him as high as the state's No. 3 player overall.

1. Lawerence Thomas
2. DeAnthony Arnett
3. Brennen Beyer
4. Anthony Zettel
5. Justice Hayes
6. Jake Fisher
7. Valdez Showers
8. Onaje Miller
9. Ed Davis
10. Delonte Hollowell
11. Shawn Conway

Michigan has verbals from Conway, Hollowell, and Beyer.  There are also offers out to Arnett, Zettel, Hayes, Fisher, Showers, and Davis.  

I would say Michigan has a fighting chance with Zettel, Fisher, and Showers.  Davis has been hot and cold lately, and has been buying into negative recruiting from other programs. 

Guys That Got Too Close to the Roman Candles and Prefer the Snake

Michigan lost out on some guys this week that they were hoping to be Wolverines.

• TE Ray Hamiltion picked Iowa over Michigan and other schools. Ray is good friends with new Michigan verbal Jack Miller. Michigan will continue to recruit the TE position and would like to add one to this class.
• DT Corey Marshall picked Virgina Tech. It's close to home for him.
• S Ron Tanner will pick the Buckeyes this weekend. The kid lives in Columbus.
• OL Andre Yruretagoyena picked Nike Town instead of Adidasville.  This is a tough one, since Michigan needs offensive lineman and he was a former teammate of Taylor Lewan and Craig Roh.  I wonder if he will change his mind after Taylor Lewan dominates this year?

Could Still See the Maize and Blue Colors in Their Eyes as They Watch the Ann Arbor Airport Fireworks

If I had to guess at Michigan's board right now, here is how I think it would stack up on guys they hope to be Wolverines in 2011:

1. D. Hart
2. Anthony Zettell
3. Kris Forst
4. Jake Fisher
5. Avery Walls
6. One more WR
7. Tony Posada
8. James Adeyanju
9. Ray Ball
10. A linebacker

Michigan needs to lock down Mr. Hart, a TE, and one WR. The Wolverines need at least three more offensive lineman, and then the rest of the class should go Greg Robinson's defense.



Hey, Are You New to the neighborhood? You're a Big fella, Would You Like a Hot Dog or Two?

Some new Michigan offers:

• 6'5", 330-pound Chris Bryant, a three-star OT from Chicago.  I bet he could put down a few Chicago dogs!
• 6'5", 260-pound OT Nick Martin from Indy.  I bet he is hoping for the Big Ten Championship game in his hometown.
• 6'1", 209-pound LB from Houston, Kellen Jones has had an offer from Michigan and is planning a trip to Ann Arbor soon. 

Bryant, Martin, and Jones obviously don't make any ones "2011 All-Name Team" like Andre Yruretagoyena would have, but I'm sure these are fine young men and great additions to the Wolverines if they go that route.

Happy Holiday Weekend!