Trieu: Will top prospects flip at UM spring game?
Michigan's spring game is Saturday, and along with that, the Wolverines will have a big group of recruits visiting, many of whom hold Michigan offers or are top targets for the staff. The question many fans have is, will Jim Harbaugh land his first commitment of the 2016 class? (The Wolverines have commitments in the class, but they gave their verbals before Harbaugh was hired.)
The following is not a complete list of expected attendees, but a rundown of some of the notable names in the 2016 class.
David Reese, fullback-linebacker, Farmington: Reese's offer went public recently, but the Wolverine staff told him he has had an offer since January. A Louisville commit, all signs are pointing toward the hard-hitting junior flipping to Michigan. Will it happen this weekend? That remains to be seen, but his commitment could set off a chain of several in-state prospects with whom he is close.
Desmond Fitzpatrick, wide receiver, Farmington: See Reese's description above. Like his high school teammate, Fitzpatrick is also committed to Louisville, but also received a Michigan offer following his verbal commitment, and the popular belief is that he will end up in Maize and Blue. Fitzpatrick previously said he would like to camp and see more of Michigan before he makes a firm decision -- he has reaffirmed his commitment to Louisville several times -- but a commitment from Reese or other prospects this weekend could move that timeline up.
Brandon Peters, quarterback, Avon (Ind.): Peters has an offer and the athletic 6-foot-3, 190-pound signal caller did not visit many schools in the winter months because of basketball. Michigan is in good position with him, but Nebraska, who he visits the following weekend, is also in strong consideration, and the Huskers feel good about their chances, as well. He visits Vanderbilt on April 18.
Michael Onwenu, guard, Detroit Cass Tech: Onwenu was offered by Michigan last summer, and although he has additional offers from Ohio State, Michigan State, and others, the Wolverines are widely considered to be the team to beat. He had good things to say following a February visit and meeting with the new staff.
Michael Jordan, offensive tackle, Plymouth: Jordan recently put the Wolverines in a group of four with Michigan State, Notre Dame and Ohio State; he said those schools lead the way in his recruitment. The Wolverines were the first to offer, and he and his family came away impressed with a recent practice visit to Michigan. But Jordan, at this point, is not nearly as close to a decision as some of the other in-state targets.
Matt Falcon, running back, Southfield: Falcon told Scout at a recent event that Tennessee still leads, but Michigan is gaining ground. He visits the Volunteers on April 25 and he is another prospect who could be affected should some of the in-state guys he is close with end up committing.
Khalid Kareem, defensive end, Farmington Hills Harrison: At one time, Kareem was committed to Michigan State, but since re-opening his recruitment, he has been to Ann Arbor several times. He has a lengthy offer list and many choices, and he recently took a visit to Notre Dame. But Michigan is considered to be in good position with him and he is also close with the group.
Donnie Corley, wide receiver, Detroit King: Corley has a who's-who of offers on a list that now approaches 30 schools. A recent visit to Notre Dame improved the Irish's standing, and Michigan State and Ohio State are also contenders. But sources recently indicated that it's Tennessee, who he visited last weekend, and Michigan that may be the two trending schools in this race.
Kingston Davis, running back, Prattville (Ala.): A big, physical 6-foot-1, 230-pound back, Davis was teammates with Michigan's 2015 signee Keith Washington. He has also built a relationship with Michigan running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley, but this will be his first opportunity to get on campus, and it could go a long way in determining if he ends up in the class.
Terrance Davis, guard, Hyattsville (Md.) Dematha Catholic: Davis has offers from around the country and will embark on a series of visits after Michigan that will include Ohio State, UCLA, Georgia, Alabama, Florida State and others. He visited home-state Maryland last weekend and says he would like to take his official visits before he makes a decision.
Dontavious Jackson, linebacker, Houston Alief Elsik: Jackson is one of the nation's best and has 39 offers to prove it. He told Scout recently that he plans to narrow his list in the spring. This will be his first visit to Michigan.
In addition to the above prospects, top underclassmen like Detroit Cass Tech wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones, Orchard Lake St. Mary's linebacker Joshua Ross, Edwardsville (Ill.) defensive end A.J. Epenesa and Baltimore Gilman defensive tackle Taron Vincent, among others, are expected to attend.
Wolverines offer Indiana RB
Michigan extended an offer to Brownsburg (Ind.) junior running back Toks Akinribade on Tuesday. The 6-foot, 205-pound prospect has additional offers from Iowa, Illinois, Boston College, Indiana and more. He visited campus on Tuesday along with his teammate, highly-regarded sophomore quarterback Hunter Johnson.
Pittsburgh commit visiting
Michigan will host Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward safety Tony Butler on Thursday. He committed to Pittsburgh recently, but has planned to visit Michigan for several weeks. His former high school coach, Rick Finotti, was recently hired by the Wolverines as director of football operations.
More information
Allen Trieu began covering the state of Michigan for Scout.com in 2005 and began managing the entire Midwest in 2009. He has been featured on the Big Ten Network on its annual Signing Day Show. His Michigan and Michigan State recruiting columns appear weekly at detroitnews.com.