Sound Mind Sound Body 2013 Preview

The Sound Mind, Sound Body camp got kick-started with the 360QB quarterbacks competition and a 7-on-7 matchup between Detroit Cass Tech and Cleveland Glenville last night. Today, it gets going in earnest.

Seniors to watch

One of very few Detroit Cass Tech players registered is Ohio State commit Damon Webb. The rest of the Technicians left Southfield High School yesterday - following a strong 7-on-7 performance against Cleveland Glenville - and will head down to Alabama today for the Crimson Tide's team camp.

Another Big Ten commit of note is Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy quarterback Michael O'Connor. The Canadian participated in this event last year as a 2015 prospect, and has since moved to Florida (after a year in Tennessee), reclassified to 2014, and most importantly committed to Penn State.

Clarkston (Mich.) 2014 defensive lineman David Beedle, Detroit Catholic Central DT Chris Okoye, and Delaware (Ohio) Buckeye Valley DT Logan Dziak may not have room in the Michigan class with the exceptional players the Wolverines have already landed (and some they are in strong position with), but it's a strong group of defensive linemen nonetheless.

Offer Watch

With college coaches working the camp, prospects who perform well have the chance to earn scholarship offers on the spot. Although he wasn't working out yesterday, Cass Tech 2015 defensive lineman Joshua Alabi spoke with Illinois coaches, and picked up an offer.

While the Michigan coaches may be a bit more judicious when it comes to giving out offers, there should be some prospects in attendance who can earn an offer - or at least increased interest from the Wolverines - with strong showings.

2015 Oak Park (Mich.) athlete John Kelly has visited Ann Arbor several times, and although the 5-10, 190-pounder is slightly undersized for either running back or safety, he has great athleticism. Southfield (Mich.) 2015 defensive back Ray Buford will get his first opportunity to show that he can play defensive back at the BCS level. He's long been a wide receiver, but college coaches have asked him to make the switch.

Northville (Mich.) 2015 offensive lineman David Moorman is a prospect on the rise. Although he plays at a school that is not known for pumping out Division I talent, his sophomore film was very strong, and at 6-5, 285 pounds, he has the size.

2015 Canton (Ohio) McKinley defensive back/athlete Eric Glover-Williams is not hurting for offers - Ohio State and Tennessee are among the big names that have already pulled the trigger - but he hasn't picked one up from Michigan yet. If he's all he's cracked up to be at SMSB, that could change.

Already offered

Saginaw (Mich.) Heritage 2015 wide receiver/athlete Brian Cole heard the good news from Michigan during the winter, and has visited campus a couple times to see what the school has to offer. This will be a good opportunity to see what he's capable of, since he hasn't played a huge role with the Max Ex 7-on-7 team, and his high school was not a strong team last year.

St. Paul (Minn.) Cretin-Derham Hall outside linebacker/defensive end Jashon Cornell is one of the Midwest's most-offered rising juniors, and Michigan is among those who have jumped into the fray. He has run hot and cold at previous combines, and this is a chance to show off his consistency.

Crete (Ill.) Monee 2014 linebacker Nyles Morgan is a known quantity at this point, the teammate of former 2013 U-M target Laquon Treadwell is a big, physical linebacker with the athleticism to play in space. What's more in question is his interest in Michigan. While it was once quite high, Morgan's focus has shifted southward, and he's looking primarily at SEC schools. U-M defensive coordinator Greg Mattison is one of his favorite coaches though - can the veteran coach work his magic on the Morgan front?

Cleveland Glenville duo Marshon Lattimore and Erick Smith both hold Michigan offers, and the 2014 DBs are prime U-M targets. Although it seems Lattimore may be ticketed to play his college football in Columbus, the two will have the opportunity to learn from Michigan secondary coach Curt Mallory, and perhaps pique the interest in potentially becoming Wolverines.

Others to watch

Detroit Cass Tech rising sophomore LaVert Hill is the younger brother of 2013 U-M signee Delano Hill, and should grow into a bigtime prospect. East Grand Rapids 2015 QB Mikey Roth grew up a Michigan fan, and comes from a strong program. Grand Rapids Catholic Central 2015 wide receiver Nick Marosi visited Ann Arbor for a game in the fall.

Bloomington (Ill.) Normal 2015 quarterback Josh Kirshenbaum is a good friend of U-M freshman Logan Tuley-Tillman. Mount Clemens (Mich.) 2015 athlete Myrick El is an excellent pure athlete who is a sleeper thanks to playing at a program with little exposure. Grand Rapids (Mich.) South Christian 2015 quarterback Jon Wassink led his team to a state title as a sophomore - and grew up a Michigan fan.

Clarkston (Mich.) 2015 tight end Cole Chewins plans to follow up his participation in SMSB with a trip down the road to Ann Arbor for U-M camp. DeWitt (Mich.) 2015 quarterback Jake Johnson has visited Ann Arbor several times during the process. Southfield (Mich.) 2015 defensive end Lion King Conaway has a great name - and lots of potential. Fort Wayne (Ind.) Bishop Luers 2016 quarterback Noah Wezensky could be the Midwest's top signal-caller in the class.

The Action

Sound Mind Sound Body has always brought out some of the region's best players - and even some from across the country - so the competition on the field is exceptional. In addition to the instruction given by college coaches who know what it takes to succeed at the next level, the one-on-one repetitions bring out the intensity.

There is more to SMSB than the on-field action, however. Players get off-field instruction on everything from handling the recruiting process, to focusing on academics, and learning what it takes to be a good student-athlete and community member. From the participants' perspective, that may be just as important as what they learn on the field.

Stay tuned to TheWolverine.com for updates on the action all day.