Recruiting News Recap: Green takes center stage

Richmond (Va.) Hermitage five-star running back Derrick Green has been the center of Michigan's attention for a while, and he'll decide soon. Plenty of updates on 2014 prospects and much more inside.

One of the newest features on TheWolverine.com is the Nightly Recruiting Notebook. Jan. 17, Jan. 18, Jan. 21, Jan. 22, Jan. 23.

Last week's Wolverine Beat with Borton and Balas was heavy on football recruiting.

Michigan's history of losing - and picking up - decommitments has the Wolverines breaking even over time.

New editions of the Rivals Rankings are available. Live chat highlights with Rivals.com's team of analysts discussing the Rivals100 and the Rivals250. Speaking of rankings, those highly ranked players who pick Michigan often go on to have great success in college.

La Mirada (Calif.) High School is home to at least four prospects of interest for Michigan.

Commits

As he has for the last couple years, Hudson (Ohio) linebacker Ben Gedeon stars for his high school basketball team. Gedeon was selected to play in the Ohio North-South game this summer, his final contest as a high school before heading to Michigan.

Our evaluating expert breaks down the film on Michigan's two newest commitments. Reon Dawson reminds him of Vada Murray, while offensive lineman Dan Samuelson draws to mind David Molk.

2013

Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Mike Farrell sits down to discuss Michigan's chances of landing Richmond (Va.) Hermitage five-star running back Derrick Green. The moment approaches for Green. Last week's Recruiting Wrap discussed the possibility of Green ending up in a Michigan uniform, since it appears to be his best option. Rivals Mid-Atlantic Analyst Adam Friedman thinks Michigan will be the choice.

Rivals.com Texas and Midlands Recruiting Analyst Jason Howell sits down to talk about Michigan's shot at landing Belton (Texas) tight end Durham Smythe. Smythe swapped the dates for his Michigan and Notre Dame visits, and will now be in Ann Arbor Feb. 1.

2014

Ithaca (Mich.) quarterback Travis Smith is hoping to continue building a bond with the Michigan coaching staff, including quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Al Borges.

Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy quarterback Michael O'Connor, formerly a 2015 prospect who played at the Baylor School in Tennessee, was one of the impressive quarterbacks at the Under Armour Underclassmen Combine.

Michigan makes the top five for Burke (Va.) Lake Braddock quarterback Caleb Henderson.

Elyria (Ohio) Catholic quarterback Jeremy Holley has been under the radar since he missed most of his junior season with injury, but he's excited to get back on the field and show what he can do.

Marion (Ohio) Harding running back L.J. Scott is very intrigued by what Michigan has to offer, especially with the pro-style offense. He's waiting to see what U-M's plan is for running backs in the 2014 class.

Petaluma (Calif.) Casa Grande running back John Porchevina is hearing some interest from Michigan.

Michigan State's coaches are "OK with" Grand Rapids (Mich.) Christian wide receiver Drake Harris giving up basketball and looking at other schools in the recruiting process. Of course, their tune may change if he pledges to a different school. Michigan, Ohio State, and Alabama are among the schools he's considering. Junior highlights of Harris.

Chatham (Ill.) Glenwood tight end Daniel Helm talks about his recent offer from Michigan, and when he might make the trip up to Ann Arbor.

Michigan has dropped by Hinsdale (Ill.) Central to see tight end Ian Bunting.

Chicago De La Salle offensive lineman Jamarco Jones has several winter visits in the works, including one to Ohio State that's already planned.

St. Petersburg (Fla.) Catholic offensive lineman Reilly Gibbons has an impressive junior highlight reel, on which he shows his nastiness.

Millis (Mass.) offensive lineman Jon Baker is a pile-driving guard, as shown in his junior highlights.

Michigan is one of the teams showing the most interest to Detroit Loyola offensive lineman Ka'John Armstrong.

Jersey City (N.J.) St. Anthony defensive tackle Courtel Jenkins is interested in hearing more from Michigan.

St. John (Ind.) Lake Central defensive end Gelen Robinson's junior year on the gridiron has ended, and he's turned his attention to wrestling, where he's a defending state champ. Robinson is hoping to reconnect with the Michigan coaching staff soon.

Michigan is showing interest in Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco defensive end Malik Dorton.

Defensive end Nile Sykes has transferred to Lombard (Ill.) Montini Catholic High School. He formerly played at Oak Park River Forest.

Cleveland (Ohio) St. Ignatius linebacker Kyle Berger picked up a Michigan offer, and is excited to see what Ann Arbor has in store when he visits in the coming weeks. Junior highlights of Berger.

Michigan was in Indianapolis Lawrence Central to see linebacker Brandon Lee Wednesday.

Cincinnati Sycamore linebacker Tinashe Bere has three Big Ten offers, and may hit up summer camps in the region to expand that list.

Michigan is showing interest in Derby (Kan.) Athlete Deandre Goolsby.

2015

Michigan offered not one but two Detroit Cass Tech sophomores Tuesday afternoon. Running back Mikey Weber says the offer is like a dream come true, while defensive lineman Joshua Alabi is excited for the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of mentor David Dawson.

Weber was among the Technicians who paid respects to Novi (Mich.) Detroit Catholic Central linebacker David Widzinski, who passed away days after the Shamrocks' state championship game against Cass.

Maitland (Fla.) linebacker Jimmy Martin enjoyed a recent junior day visit to Miami, and is still planning to visit Ann Arbor in February.

2016(!)

Downer's Grove (Ill.) offensive lineman Erik Swenson already has serious interest from Michigan.

Off the Board

Pomfret (Md.) McDonough 2013 offensive lineman Na'Ty Rodgers committed to South Carolina.

Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas 2013 safety James Crawford committed to Illinois. He had interest, but no offer, from Michigan.

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