Michigan Notebook: Rivals Camp Series Miami

The star-studded Miami stop of the Rivals Camp Series presented by Under Armour took place at Gulliver Prep School today, and it lived up to expectations. Some standouts in the trenches and plenty of speed at the skill positions stole the show.

Even though there was a solid roster of defensive backs, the very best of the wide receivers couldn't be slowed down.

They were led by the No. 3 overall player in the nation, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas five-star Trevon Grimes. The 6-4, 195-pounder is simply too big to jam at the line... and too fast to cover if you do let him get a clean release. The only way to deal with GrimeTime is to give him a big cushion. It prevents him from making some of the exciting plays in one-on-one reps, but would mean a constant stream of 8-yard gains in a real game. Grimes, originally from Indiana, plans to take an unofficial visit to Michigan before coming to his commitment (likely to Ohio State if he were deciding today).

Deerfield Beach (Fla.) four-star Jerry Jeudy made an argument for five-star status. He doesn't have Grimes's size, but the pure speed and ability to get open thanks to his quickness were on display. Most impressively, he was this good without the top attribute os his game - moves after the catch - being a factor. Though he holds a Michigan offer, the Wolverines will have to ramp up the interest to have a serious shot at him.

St. Thomas Aquinas four-star Mike Harley hasn't even heard from Michigan yet, but maybe the Maize and Blue should take a look at the 5-10, 150-pounder. He has blazing speed (probably the best of the camp), and looks taller than his listed size. He had no offers before Rivals.com Southeast Analyst Rob Cassidy ranked him in the Rivals250, and that seems to have been the right move.

One player that Michigan was on earlier than anyone is another STA product, Toronto native Josh Palmer. He made a strong case to be a Rivals250 member when the rankings are updated. He tentatively plans to make a spring decision, and Michigan is the only school he's in regular contact with (though he does hold a handful of other offers).

Aquinas is one of the most talented programs in the country - three of those four wideouts hail from the school - and the Miami camp showed it.

2018 cornerback Asante Samuel was one of the best defensive backs in attendance - earning an invitation to the Rivals Five-Star Challenge presented by Under Armour - and he plans to keep a close eye on the Maize and Blue.

His classmate, Al Blades, is a Miami legacy, and almost certainly bound for the Canes. He was the defensive back MVP and an invitee to the Five-Star Challenge.

Anthony Solomon - a 2019 star - was one of the top linebacker performers, though clearly he could use a little seasoning (and, with three more years of high school, plenty of time to get it). He holds a Michigan offer but is very early in the recruiting process.

2018 offensive lineman Sebastian Sainterling was up-and-down in the competitive portion for the bigmen, but still among the better prospects at the position group. The 6-2, 331-pounder doesn't have ideal height, but is young and may grow.

A 2017 prospect with a Michigan offer who was among the best linemen, Kedonis Haslem has a famous name (dad is former Miami Heat forward Udonis), and with give the Wolverines a very serious look. He's tall and lean as a defensive tackle, and can add mass to be even more dominant down the road.

2017 running back Mike Epstein is an Illinois commitment, but will take a summer visit to Ann Arbor. He exceeded expectations, and was among the better running backs.

The Wolverines are building momentum in Florida - particularly South Florida - under the current coaching staff, and they have a chance to really close on some prospects, and an opportunity to build with others.

Wide receiver/defensive back Daniel Wright holds an offer from the Maize and Blue, but has them on the periphery of his recruitment. He admits that an increase in interest from their end would see him put U-M into strong consideration.

Similarly, Miami Southridge receiver Rodney Scott has picked up only minor interest from the Wolverines (unlike Wright, he doesn't hold an offer), but says they'd be in the mix if they want to be.

– Grimes, Herbert, Blades, running back Camron Davis, Florida quarterback commit Jake Allen, defensive end Owen Carney, and linebacker David Reese were the positional MVPs.

– Grimes, Harley, Herbert Jeudy, Samuel, and Blades were selected to participate in the Rivals Five-Star Challenge this summer.

– Some Michigan targets from the area didn't participate in camp. Plantation American Heritage offensive lineman Tedarrell Slaton and (injured) defensive backs Pat Surtain Jr. and Marco Wilson missed out.