Michigan Targeting Another IMG Academy Prospect In Verdis Brown
Michigan recently offered Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star defensive tackle Verdis Brown, even though the 6-4, 290-pound lineman has never visited Ann Arbor. Brown expects that to change soon, though.
“I plan on making it up there on my spring break,” he said. “It’s a big deal to me personally that a school like Michigan is looking at me.”
Brown also shared his thoughts on a few of the U-M coaches.
“Coach [Chris] Partridge is definitely who’s recruiting me the hardest,” he said. “I’d say I have the best relationship with him of anyone on their staff.
“Coach [Jim] Harbaugh also seems like a great guy. He just brings a lot of enthusiasm to the team, and would be a great guy to play for.”
Brown actually played his 2016 season at Chicago (Ill.) Mount Carmel, but announced his transfer to IMG Academy shortly after the season ended. The No. 162 overall player said his ties to the Midwest are unlikely to impact his college decision.
“I’m not sure who my frontrunners are yet, because I haven’t talked about it with my family,” he said. “Once we sit down and talk about everything together, we’ll let everyone know.”
Anyone who follows recruiting, though, understands how difficult it is for northern schools to pull high-level athletes out of the South, which is why Michigan’s 2016 IMG Academy haul was so impressive. The Wolverines reeled in two elite players from the southern powerhouse, in five-star linebacker Jordan Anthony and four-star center Cesar Ruiz.
“It’s pretty interesting that they were able to land those guys who had such a big impact at IMG,” Brown said. “I know they [Michigan] have a really close relationship with our school, though.”
Landing a future commitment from Brown would only strengthen Michigan’s budding IMG pipeline.
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