Football recruit Jaylen Kelly-Powell
At times — especially when the Wolverines have gone on a run of commitments — it’s best to reset and take note of the top prospects remaining on the Michigan football recruiting board:
Detroit Cass Tech wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones: Rated a five-star prospect and the nation’s No. 2 wide receiver (No. 13 overall), the 6-foot-1, 188-pounder has been at or near the top of the Wolverines’ recruiting board for a couple of years. While he has dealt with injuries on the high school field, he has dominated there and in off-season camps. Florida and USC are among the top competitors for him.
Cass Tech WR Donovan Peoples-Jones plans to commit early
Brooklyn (N.Y.) Poly Prep offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson: Earning even higher rankings than Peoples-Jones, the 6-6, 315-pounder is the top offensive lineman and No. 5 overall prospect nationally. He has taken one unofficial visit to Ann Arbor, and Michigan and Alabama are atop his list. Georgia, LSU and USC are not far behind, though he hasn’t visited any of them yet.
Paramus (N.J.) Catholic linebacker Drew Singleton: A highly ranked prospect from a program that has sent several stars — most recently the nation’s top 2016 player, defensive tackle Rashan Gary — to Ann Arbor always will be a priority. That Singleton is considered the country’s second-best outside linebacker and No. 34 overall prospect just underscores how big of a deal the 6-2, 220-pounder could be for U-M.
Detroit Cass Tech safety Jaylen Kelly-Powell: A three-star prospect and the No. 24 safety nationally, Kelly-Powell doesn’t have the high rankings of some others on this list, but the 6-foot, 180-pounder is coveted by the Michigan staff. With skills to play cornerback, safety or even an undersized linebacker role, his versatility and talent win out.
St. Joseph defensive end Corey Malone-Hatcher: Yet another in-state player, Malone-Hatcher is a 6-3, 246-pounder ranked the No. 13 strongside defensive end in the nation and the No. 7 prospect in Michigan. He has taken several visits to U-M’s campus, but Notre Dame and Michigan State are among those he has seen regularly, as well.
With 12 commitments in a recruiting class that should end up in the mid-20s, the U-M coaching staff has filled out about half of the group. Landing some of these top targets could turn it into a dream class.
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Tim Sullivan is the football recruiting editor of The Wolverine magazine and thewolverine.com. He is also a contributor to national football recruiting coverage on the rivals.com network. You can follow him on Twitter @tims_wolverine.