Rivals updated its top 100 recruiting rankings for the class of 2018 on Monday afternoon, and several Michigan targets and commits made significant moves, both positively and negatively.
First, here's a look at the commits.
Commits
Leesburg (Ga.) Lee County four-star linebacker Otis Reese made a huge leap, jumping all the way from No. 116 overall to No. 42. Here's what Chad Simmons, Rivals' Southeast recruiting analyst, said about Reese's jump.
“Reese is a monster," Simmons explained. "He is a very active defender who lined up all over in 2017. He plays fast, he plays physical and he is violent at the point of attack.
"Alec Ogletree is one that comes to mind when watching the Michigan commitment perform.”
Although he's still committed to the Wolverines, Georgia is viewed as a legitimate threat to steal him away.
Atlanta Westlake four-star cornerback Myles Sims took a slight tumble, falling from No. 68 to No. 79.
Sims had been the Wolverines' highest-rated commit in the class since he pledged, but that spot now belongs to the aforementioned Reese.
Targets
Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei five-star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown moved up one spot from No. 4 to No. 3, and remained the top-rated wideout in the nation.
Like Reese, Baltimore St. Frances five-star defensive end Eyabi Anoma also made an incredible climb in the rankings.
He went all the way from No. 99 overall to No. 24, and became one of four new five-stars.
“There are few players in the country that have Anoma's upside," Mid-Atlantic recruiting analyst Adam Friedman said. "He is still learning his position but projects as a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker.
"Anoma's aggressiveness, athleticism and relentlessness are off the charts. He's a dominant force off the edge for his team and was the best player on the field in every game. It will be interesting to see how he plays against the competition at the Under Armour All-America Game in January.
"Alabama, Michigan and Maryland are the top three contenders for Anoma but a few other schools remain in the picture.”
St. Louis Parkway North four-star defensive tackle Michael Thompson hardly moved, going from No. 55 to No. 61.
Metairie (La.) Rummel four-star receiver Ja'Marr Chase dropped from No. 50 to No. 62.
A former Florida pledge, Michigan got involved with the four-star wideout once ex-Gator head coach Jim McElwain was fired.
Like many of the other kids on this list, Corvallis (Ore.) Crescent Valley four-star athlete Talanoa Hufanga didn't move much, dipping six spots from No. 57 to No. 63.
Perhaps the player that Michigan has the best shot with on this list, Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep four-star defensive end Tyler Friday continued the trend of "hardly moving," falling four spots from No. 60 to No. 64.
Tampa Berkeley Prep four-star offensive tackle Nick Petit-Frere made the second-biggest leap of any player on this list, jumping 108 spots from No. 175 to No. 67.
“Petit-Frere has one of the best frames in the country and continues to add muscle," Florida recruiting analyst Rob Cassidy said.
"He carries no bad weight and his length combined with his light feet make him special. Florida, Notre Dame and Michigan are among those in the hunt to land his commitment.”
Carterville (Ill.) High four-star tight end Luke Ford dropped 11 spots from No. 72 to No. 83, but held onto the title of best tight end in the country.
Anaheim (Calif.) Servite four-star safety Julius Irvin made the most significant move of any player on the list, climbing all the way from outside of the Rivals250 to No. 87 overall.
“Irvin was impressive during the 7-on-7 season but I wanted to see him in pads before shooting him up the rankings," national recruiting analyst Adam Gorney said.
"Once I saw him in a real game, there was no question he had proven to be one of the best defensive backs in the West. Irvin is long, rangy and athletic. He's someone who is excellent in coverage or coming up and making big tackles. His length really helps track players sideline to sideline to make plays and he's also an asset on offense and special teams.
"Michigan, Notre Dame, USC, Utah and Washington round out his top five.”
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