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Michigan football might have found a prospect from the NJCAA ranks to give depth on the defensive line and help stop the run.
Coming out of Tampa (Fla.) Jefferson as a member of the 2018 recruiting class, Almosse Titi took a grayshirt at Massachusetts.
As a grayshirt, Titi had to wait an extra semester to become a full-time student and member of the team on scholarship. He was unable to play or practice throughout the 2018 season, so the defensive tackle waited to report to UMass until the 2019 spring semester.
During the transition from fall to spring, Minutemen coach Mark Whipple was fired, along with the rest of the coaching staff, and Florida State offensive coordinator Walt Bell took over as the head coach.
That’s when Titi decided to take the JUCO route.
After one season spent at Iowa Western Community College, the 6-foot-3, 310-pound defensive lineman has offers from Arizona, Akron, Arkansas State, Southern Miss, Troy, UNLV and Division II West Florida.
And Michigan could be next, as director of recruiting Matt Dudek reached out to Titi before the team’s game against Alabama in the Citrus Bowl.
“He said they wanted my tape and loved it, so they are very interested,” Titi said. “I like schools that play defense, and Michigan is one of those schools.”
Titi will be eligible to play at the Division I level for the 2020 season.
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Even though Titi has yet to pick up an offer from the Wolverines, and he hasn’t heard from anyone on the coaching staff, he’s confident in Michigan’s interest.
Titi said Dudek spoke with him about setting up a visit. The JUCO recruit added that Michigan “probably will” offer him in the spring.
“It will mean a lot to me, my family and friends,” Titi said, “but I’ll remain humble.”
In 11 games at Iowa Western, Titi registered 27 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
“I have speed for my size and get off the ball quicker than a lot of defensive tackles,” he said.
Titi is ranked No. 142 in the 2020 recruiting class for NCJAA players, according to the 247Sports composite. He’s also the 16th-best defensive tackle available.
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