It is now the spring evaluation period, and coaches are on the road.
Michigan’s staff is on the road, and hit in-state programs hard this week.
Seven coaches were at Harper Woods for wide receiver Dakota Guerrant, the state’s top junior. Wide receivers coach Micah Simon has led the charge there, as Michigan looks to gain ground on Oregon, the perceived leader. Texas A&M also remains as a top choice. The Wolverines have gotten Guerrant on campus twice this spring, first for a practice and then for the spring game. He’s set to return on June 19 for his official visit.
June 19 is also when Farmington four-star Myles Smith, a hybrid pass-rusher, will take his official to Michigan. The Wolverine staff was at his school Thursday as well, which led to the finalization of that official visit date.
Running backs coach Tony Alford was at Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills for Lundon Hampton, a two-way standout who the Wolverines like at running back. Hampton is taking an official visit to Michigan on June 5, and the latest talk is the Wolverines have moved into the lead over Purdue, Michigan State and Kentucky.
Michigan was also at Muskegon for defensive end Recarder Kitchen, who is committed to the Wolverines. The staff has made certain to not take that for granted, and have been at his school frequently during the allotted recruiting periods. He also has been to campus including recently for the spring game.
The staff stopped at Detroit Catholic Central for four-star defensive back Gideon Gash. The Wolverines are making an attempt there but Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Alabama and LSU are all among the top contenders.
Several new offers were extended.
Brother Rice sophomore Tyler Trusel was offered as a wide receiver. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Trusel also plays defensive back. He has a long list of offers, but says Michigan will be heavily considered. Michigan also is recruiting his teammate Jayden Bell, a four-star defensive end.
Portage Central sophomore Camden Noe was offered. Noe is a physical 6-foot-3, 215-pound high school running back who schools think could play several positions in college including linebacker or H-back.
The lone in-state freshman to get an offer this week was Orchard Lake St. Mary’s quarterback Case Campbell, the son of former Wolverine and NFL tight end Mark Campbell. Case is already 6-foot-3 and has shown a big arm in camp settings.
Offer out to Ohioan with Michigan ties
Michigan offered Cincinnati Moeller offensive lineman Jace Montgomery on Thursday. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Montgomery projects as a center or guard.
His father Jerry Montgomery coached defensive line at Michigan in 2011 and 2012. He is currently the defensive line coach for the Cincinnati Bengals.
The younger Montgomery has offers from Iowa (where his father played and brother plays), Wisconsin, Virginia Tech and more.
Allen Trieu covers Midwest football recruiting for On3. He has been featured on the Big Ten Network on its annual Signing Day Show. His Michigan and Michigan State recruiting columns appear weekly at detroitnews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Trieu: Michigan football making push for in-state recruiting targets
Reporting by Allen Trieu, Special to The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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