Michigan Tuesday: Welcome To The Dead Period

The recruiting dead period is now in effect until January 13th.   This means, recruits can't take official visits or host coaches at home or at their schools.  Coaches and players can communicate via phone or text. 

Even though this is a "dead period" a lot of things will be happening during this period.  Including two "All American All Star Games" (UA and Army) where many players will announce their school of choice.   Speaking of announcements, Michigan will be watching two announcements very closely this week.  

Michigan vs. FSU recruiting 12:30 battle:

• Kareem Walker is announcing Thursday at 12:30 at his school and then will shut down his recruiting process. Kareem is ranked as the #1 RB in the nation and recently de-committed from Ohio State.   A week ago, I thought Kareem was a strong Michigan lean, now I'm hearing Florida State is making a very hard push and could steal this commitment at the last minute.   He is planning on enrolling in January so this will be his official and final announcement.

• Devin Bush, Jr. is announcing tomorrow at 12:30 and it's another Michigan - FSU battle for this talented LB.   One hint on this recruitment is that Michigan didn't really try to pull back David Reese when he de-committed last week.   Michigan really needs LB's and this is what Devin had to say recently about his decision:  “I am glad I made my decision,” Bush Jr. added. “I am happy with it.” Playing time was a major factor in his recruitment, but noted that all four of his finalists don't have a lot of linebackers.“It mattered, but at the same time the schools that are recruiting me a lot of them didn’t have linebackers,” Bush Jr. said on depth charts. “The ability to go in and start and take a spot, play in the spring game, play in the season, is a great jump for me."  Devin's father played at FSU and this is a very close race.  We know he has a great opportunity in Ann Arbor and hopefully he picks the Maize and Blue.

More Recruiting news and notes:

• For those that want Victor Viramontes back in this class.  Michigan hasn't contacted him since he de-committed.   A telling sign there are other priorities and Michigan wants to use his scholarship in other area.

• Michigan offered Missouri TE Chase Allen yesterday.  He is 6'7 and 225 pounds.   This is probably a sign Nauta is not coming North. Michigan is his top offer with others including Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana and Iowa State.  At 6'7 that is one big target!

• DE Levi Onwuzurike is still on the Michigan coaches radar and Levi recently had a game visit from GMat.   This could be a Michigan - Baylor battle for this Texas big man.

• WR McDoom committed to Oregon this past weekend.  What a name! Hopefully that helps Michigan's chances with CA WR Dylan Crawford who is also very high on the Ducks and Wolverines.

An interesting side note is that Michigan is playing in the Citrus Bowl on 1/1.  The Under Armour game is there the very next day.   Many Michigan prospects will be playing in that game.    Michigan of course can't have any live contact with those players, but those recruits could attend the game (they would have to pay or have some special UA bowl admittance) and could even mistakenly take in a practice.   Alabama did the same thing when they played in the Citrus Bowl and happened to practice at Dee Hart's High School.   Dee kept forgetting his science text book in his locker during Bama practices.