Category: Recruiting

Signed: Osman Savage

Everything you need to know about new Wolverines signee Osman Savage.

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Stars Overall Position State
247Sports 3 521 #38 OLB #18
Rivals 4 166 #13 OLB #10
ESPN 3 – #35 OLB #15
247Sports Composite 4 307 #21 OLB #14

Vitals

Hometown Baltimore (MD) St. Frances Academy
Projected Position Linebacker
Height 6-foot-2
Weight 225-pounds

Recruitment

There was little smoke surrounding the St. Frances Academy product, and even less known. Still, he pulled the trigger for Michigan back in Jan. 2019 and completely shut down his recruitment from there.

He was the first of four to commit from the Baltimore school coached by former Michigan assistant Biff Poggi.

Readiness Level

Likely redshirt candidate in year one. Could contribute in years 2-3.

Early Enrollee?

Yes

Notes (via MGoBlue.com)

Prep
• Attended St. Frances Academy (2020) coached by Biff Poggi and Hank Russell
• Helped lead St. Frances to an 11-1 season in 2019 and the No. 3 rank in HighSchoolFootballAmerica.com’s national rankings and the No. 5 ranking in the USA Today Super 25.
• Part of a defense that shut out six opponents in 2019
• Scored four defensive touchdowns across sophomore and junior seasons (2017-18)

Honors and Rankings
• A four-star prospect according to 247Sports Composite rankings, the No. 307 player nationally, the No. 21 outside linebacker in the country and the 14th-rated player in Maryland
• Ranked as a three-star prospect by 247Sports, the 521st-rated player nationally, the 38th-ranked outside linebacker and the No. 18 player in Maryland
• Graded as a three-star prospect by ESPN, the No. 35 outside linebacker and the No. 15-ranked player in Maryland
• Rivals.com four-star prospect, ranked No. 166 nationally, the No. 13 player at his position and Maryland’s 10th-ranked prospect
• PrepStar Magazine Top 150 Dream Team member; No. 8 player in the state of Maryland, the 13th-rated outside linebacker prospect and the 149th-best player nationally
• 2019 nominee for the High School Butkus Award
• Two-time All-Metro selection

Personal
• Osman Kassim Savage was born October 7, 2000
• Son of Beatrice Kanu

Film (mid-season)

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Wisconsin Signing Class Preview – Preston Zachman

Wisconsin received Preston Zachman’s national letter of intent as part of the early signing period on Wednesday.

With the early signing period for high school football players beginning on December 18, Badgers Insider takes a closer look at the recruits that signed with the Wisconsin football program.

In this edition, we examine Southern Columbia (PA) High School inside linebacker Preston Zachman.

Note: All notes and stats provided by uwbadgers.com

Zachman chose Wisconsin over other offers from: Air Force, Army, Kent State, and Temple

Zachman’s High School Accolades: Three–star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals…Led Southern Columbia to 16–0 record and 888–82 scoring margin as a senior in 2019…Part of three state championship teams at Southern Columbia, finishing with record of 63–1

Zachman’s Impact as a Badger: Zachman came on Wisconsin’s radar during one of the Badgers summer football camps this past June as his performance gave the Badgers coaching staff something to think about.

Although Zachman didn’t immediately receive an offer from Wisconsin following his summer camp performance the Badgers officially extended an offer to him this past September as it took him a day to commit to the Badgers.

The question is where does Zachman end up playing for the Badgers? Zachman was announced as an inside linebacker by Wisconsin but he also could end up lining at safety or on the offensive side of the football at fullback.

The coaching staff should have a plan for Zachman once he arrives on campus as it will be up to them to figure out his best position and where he can have the most success.

Although Zachman’s position versatility is an asset it seems likely he’ll wind up at linebacker. Zachman lined up at quarterback for his high school football team and given Wisconsin’s track record of taking high school quarterbacks and turning them into successful linebackers has been impressive with the latest example being redshirt senior Zack Baun.

Regardless of the position that Zachman lines up at for Wisconsin he’ll need a year to redshirt. As that redshirt year will allow him the chance to focus solely on one position to learn and to gain comfort in it. A task he should have success in considering his work ethic and IQ as he held offers from Air Force and Army.

Zachman is a type of player Wisconsin has had success with in the past as he’ll find a way to contribute for Wisconsin. Whether that’s on offense, defense, or on special teams it may not be right away but he will earn himself a role and whatever role he does earn he’ll have success.

 

Signed: Jaylen Harrell

Everything you need to know about new Wolverines signee Jaylen Harrell.

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Stars Overall Position State
247Sports 3 470 #22 WDE #60
Rivals 3 – #33 OLB #92
ESPN 4 172 #4 ILB #27
247Sports Composite 4 301 #12 WDE #52

Vitals

Hometown Tampa (FL) Berkeley Prep
Projected Position Hybrid Defensive End/Linebacker
Height 6-foot-4
Weight 235-pounds

Recruitment

Thought to be a lean to either Florida State or Miami (FL), Michigan made a quick impression on Harrell, who was offered way back in Jan. 2018 (Ohio State was the reported first in June 2017), but didn’t make his way to campus until Dec. 6.

It didn’t take long for Harrell to make his decision. Though he told WolverinesWire that he planned to visit Miami on Dec. 13, he changed his mind quickly, pledging to the Wolverines the very next day, on Dec. 11.

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He will play a hybrid role, similar to Josh Uche.

Readiness Level

Likely redshirt candidate in first year. Could be a major contributor in year 2 and beyond.

Early Enrollee?

No

Notes (via MGoBlue.com)

Prep
• Attended Berkeley Prep (2000) coached by Dominick Ciao
• Four-year varsity starter and team captain as a senior in 2019
• Helped Berkeley reach the second round of the state Class 3A Playoffs as a senior
• Played defensive end, linebacker, running back, fullback and tight end during his career

Key Statistics
• Recorded 58 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and three sacks as a senior
• Posted career highs as a junior in 2018, accumulating 106 tackles, 20 TFLs and five sacks
• Registered 72 stops, eight TFLs and two sacks during his sophomore year
• Contributed 81 tackles and 16 TFLs as a freshman in 2016

Honors and Rankings
• 247Sports Composite ranking of four stars; 12th-rated wideside defensive end prospect, the 52nd-best recruit in Florida and the 301st overall recruit nationally
• 247Sports rates as a three-star prospect, the 22nd-rated wideside defensive end, No. 60-ranked prospect in Florida and the 470th-rated recruit in the country
• ESPN300 member; rated as the No. 4 player at his position, the No. 27 prospect in Florida and the 172nd overall player nationally
• Rivals.com three-star prospect, the 33rd-rated defensive end nationally and the 92nd-ranked recruit in Florida
• PrepStar Magazine Top 150 Dream Team member; No. 10 defensive end prospect, the 21st-rated prospect in Florida and the 137th overall recruit nationally
• Named Team’s Defensive MVP as a junior and senior
• Selected MaxPreps Sophomore and Junior All-American
• Candidate for the 2019 High School Butkus Award

Personal
• Jaylen Davon Harrell was born May 1, 2002
• Son of Aria Siplin-Turner and James Harrell
• Father, James, played at Florida State and in the NFL from 1979-87; played with the Detroit Lions from 1979-83 and 1985-86 after a stint in the USFL

Film

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Notre Dame Football: Four-Star QB Drew Pyne Signs with Irish

In case you forgot because you’ve been swept up in Buchner-mania or whatever you’d like to call it – here’s a quick reminder:

Drew Pyne is really good at football.

Way back in mid-April of 2018 quarterback Drew Pyne of New Canaan, Connecticut made his commitment to Notre Dame as he gave his verbal commitment.

Not because of anything he did or failed to but more because of the insane numbers that 2021 Notre Dame commit Tyler Buchner put up this season in Southern California, it seems like Pyne has essentially been forgotten about by parts of the Notre Dame fanbase.

In case you forgot because you’ve been swept up in Buchner-mania or whatever you’d like to call it – here’s a quick reminder:

Drew Pyne is really good at football.

In his senior year Pyne threw for over 2000 yards and surpassed the 9000 passing yards for his high school career.  He also threw 54 touchdown passes to just 13 interceptions over the last two seasons as his New Canaan squad finished his senior year with a 9-3 record.

The 6-0, 194 pound Pyne chose Notre Dame over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Penn State and plenty of others.

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247Sports ranks Pyne as the seventh best pro-style quarterback in the 2020 recruiting class.

Wisconsin Signing Class Preview – Malik Reed

Wisconsin received Malik Reed’s national letter of intent as part of the early signing period on Wednesday.

With the early signing period for high school football players beginning on December 18, Badgers Insider takes a closer look at the recruits that signed with the Wisconsin football program.

In this edition, we examine Chandler (AZ) High School linebacker, Malik Reed.

Note: All notes and stats provided by uwbadgers.com

Reed chose Wisconsin over other offers from: Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Nebraska, Oregon State, Purdue, UCLA, and Washington State

Reed’s High School Accolades: Three–star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals…First–team all–state as a senior in 2019

Reed’s Impact as a Badger: This will mark the sixth recruiting class Paul Chryst has overlooked as Reed will represent the fourth player he has signed from the state of Arizona in that time span.

Although Wisconsin doesn’t receive many commitments from Arizona the Badgers success rate has been good so far. Considering the other three players to sign with Wisconsin are quarterback Kare Lyles, defensive end Garrett Rand, and long snapper Adam Bay. Lyles transferred out of Wisconsin after two seasons as he’s now with Southern Illinois but both Rand and Bay are starters at their respective positions and have played key roles since their arrival in Madison.

Reed who is projected to play inside linebacker in Wisconsin’s 3-4 defense is a physical linebacker. Reed’s physicality from the inside linebacker position comes from him playing with a high motor allowing him to make his way into the opponents backfield.

Reed has also lined up at the outside linebacker position too allowing him to make plays from sideline to sideline, utilizing his speed to make a play from the linebacker spot.

Reed like fellow inside linebacker commit Jordan Turner has the physical tools to have success in Wisconsin’s 3-4 defense it’s just a matter of him putting it all together under position coach Bob Bostad. Reed like most high school athletes entering college will need to continue to gain strength to allow him to hold up in Wisconsin’s defense but of the incoming recruits he is put together well.

The speed and athleticism Reed possesses should allow him to have success in pass coverage. He’ll need to continue to gain a comfort with dropping back to cover passes but with repetition and learning from his past mistakes in this area he’ll have a chance to succeed in pass coverage.

It may take Reed a year or two before he is able to see the field but that will also allow him to gain the comfort he needs in Wisconsin’s defense. As soon as he can play and rely on his instinct and not overthink things on defense will allow him to make plays for the Badger defense.

Wisconsin Signing Class Preview – Cade McDonald

Wisconsin received Cade McDonald’s national letter of intent as part of the early signing period on Wednesday.

With the early signing period for high school football players beginning on December 18, Badgers Insider takes a closer look at the recruits that signed with the Wisconsin football program.

In this edition, we examine Hudson (WI) High School defensive lineman Cade McDonald.

Note: All notes and stats provided by uwbadgers.com

McDonald chose Wisconsin over other Offers from: Illinois State, North Dakota, and South Dakota

McDonald’s High School Accolades: Three–star recruit by 247 Sports and Rivals…All–state selection by Wisconsin Football Coaches Association as a senior

McDonald’s Impact as a Badger: McDonald was able to earn his offer from Wisconsin during one of the Badgers 2019 summer football camps.

During Wisconsin’s football camp he was able to work with Badger defensive line coach Inoke Breckterfield. Allowing for Breckterfield to get a live evaluation of McDonald to see how he practiced, performed, and how he could apply what he was being coached on and translate it to the field.

Traditionally, Wisconsin brings in talented offensive lineman that are being recruited by the Badgers to their summer camps. If McDonald was getting the better of them in one-on-one situations in front of Breckterfield it has to speak to McDonald’s capabilities and potential at the defensive end position.

McDonald is listed at 6’7″ and 250 pounds as he’ll need to continue to gain weight and strength in order for him to compete in the trenches. McDonald plays with a strong motor allowing him to be able to disrupt the offense’s rhythm. In addition, thanks to his size he’ll have a chance of being able to deflect passes at the line of scrimmage.

With Isaiahh Loudermilk and Garrett Rand both heading into their senior seasons will allow for McDonald a chance at a year of development as he continues to gain weight and improve as a player. McDonald has the right tools to have success in Wisconsin’s football program but it may take him a year or two before he’s able to make a significant contribution.

Something the Wisconsin coaching staff is betting on considering McDonald had to make a sizable jump from his junior season to his senior season in order to gain the attention of Wisconsin’s coaching staff. If he can carry that work ethic over to Madison and continue to work hard he’ll have a chance of creating himself into an every down player for Wisconsin’s defensive line.

 

Signed: Zak Zinter

Everything you need to know about new Wolverines signee Zak Zinter.

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Stars Overall Position State
247Sports 3 389 #18 OG #4
Rivals 4 148 #16 OT #3
ESPN 4 – #14 OG #2
247Sports Composite 4 273 #11 OG #3

Vitals

Hometown North Andover (MA) Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
Projected Position Offensive Line
Height 6-foot-6
Weight 300-pounds

Recruitment

Long looked at as a Michigan – Notre Dame battle, Zinter was a frequent visitor to both schools.

It felt like he was leaning towards the Fighting Irish, but Don Brown and Ed Warinner’s persistence paid off, as Zinter pledged to Michigan on May 16. However, he still did take an official to South Bend in June, but remained solid to the class.

Readiness Level

Definite redshirt in 2020. Could become a contributor or starter anywhere between years 2-4, depending on the matriculation of the depth ahead of him.

Early Enrollee?

Yes

Notes (via MGoBlue.com)

Prep
• Attended Buckingham Browne and Nichols School (2020) coached by Mike Willey
• Set to graduate Buckingham Browne and Nichols School in December and enroll at the University of Michigan in January 2020
• Team Captain as a senior in 2019
• Attended St. Joe’s Prep for the first two years of his high school career, where he made the Principal’s List each semester, before transferring to BB&N
• As a junior, led the team to an 8-1 record and title game appearances in the Independent School League (ISL) and New England championships
• Helped his team win the Kevin Driscoll Bowl to close out the 2018 season (NEPSAC Bowl Champions)

Key Statistics
• Three-year starter along the offensive line, with one year at St. Joe’s Prep and two at BB&N
• ISL Shot Put State Champion and NEPSAC New England State Shot Put Champion as a junior
• Holds the BB&N school record in the shot put
• Won the MIAA Division I shot put twice (freshman and sophomore years) and the discus state titles as sophomore

Honors and Rankings
• 247Sports Composite ranking of four stars, the 273rd player nationally, the 11th-best guard in the country and the No. 3 player in the state of Massachusetts
• Three-star prospect according to 247Sports, the No. 389 player nationally, the 18th-best guard and the No. 3 player in Massachusetts
• Ranked a four-star prospect by ESPN, the No. 14 player at his position and second-best in Massachusetts
• Rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals, the No. 149 player in the nation, No. 16 at guard and No. 3 in Massachusetts
• PrepStar Magazine Top 150 Dream Team member; rated as the top prospect in Massachusetts, the 17th-best offensive tackle in the country and the nation’s 123rd overall recruit
• Boston Herald and Boston Globe All-Scholastic athlete in football and track and field
• USA Today All-Massachusetts (2018) and Super 26 All-State Team (2019)
• Two-time Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association All-State (2018-19); only underclassman on 2018 team
• Two-time All-New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC), earning the honor as a junior and senior
• 2019 NEPSAC All-New England Lineman of the Year
• 2019 Buckingham Browne & Nichols High School MVP and Lineman of the Year as a senior
• Two-time All-ISL (2018-19) and two-time ISL Healey Lineman of the Year (2018-19)

Personal
• Zak Lyle Zinter was born April 17, 2001
• Son of Paul and Tiffany Zinter
• Family grew up in Port St. Lucie, Florida, until Zak was in middle school

Film

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Notre Dame Football: Three Star WR Xavier Watts Signs with Irish

Notre Dame beat out in-state Nebraska who Notre Dame coaches at one point thought were getting a commitment from Watts. 

 

Notre Dame went to the heartland and took a three-star wide reciever right out of Nebraska, Iowa and Iowa State’s backyard when they landed Xavier Watts on National Signing Day.

Watts checks in as the second rated prospect this year from the state of Nebraska, but its worth noting that he’s ranked 75th among receivers nationally, per 247Sports.

The 6-1 Watts had 1072 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in 11 games as a high school senior at Burke High School in Omaha, Nebraska.  Notre Dame beat out in-state Nebraska who Notre Dame coaches at one point thought were getting a commitment from Watts.

Watts will enroll at Notre Dame in January and be on campus for spring practice.

Signed: Makari Paige

Everything you need to know about new Wolverines signee Makari Paige.

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Stars Overall Position State
247Sports 4 214 #21 S #5
Rivals 4 – #21 S #7
ESPN 4 81 #12 S #5
247Sports Composite 4 242 #25 S #6

Vitals

Hometown West Bloomfield (MI)
Projected Position Safety
Height 6-foot-3
Weight 192-pounds

Recruitment

A longtime Michigan target from nearby West Bloomfield, no one had any discernible idea what Paige was going to do until he did it.

Keeping his cards close to the vest and saying little, it looked to long be a Michigan – Penn State battle with Ohio State and Kentucky in the mix. Butthe Wolverines ultimately pulled it out, with Paige committing on July 30.

Readiness Level

Could contribute in year one. Starter anywhere between 2-3 years.

Early Enrollee?

Yes

Notes (via MGoBlue.com)

Prep
• Attended West Bloomfield High School (2020) coached by Ron Bellamy
• Part of a team that went 10-2 and appeared in the state quarterfinals
• Helped the Lakers reach the state finals in 2017 and the regional final in 2018
• Two-time team captain

Key Statistics
• Made 94 tackles, five tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions with seven pass breakups as a senior; also recovered an onside kick
• Posted 105 tackles, three TFLs, two interceptions, four PBUs, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery as a junior in 2018

Honors and Rankings
• Four-star prospect in the 247Sports Composite rankings; rated as the sixth-best prospect in Michigan, the No. 25 safety in the nation and the 242nd-overall recruit
• Holds a four-star ranking form 247Sports, ranks as the No. 5 player in Michigan, the No. 21 safety and the 214th-rated recruit in the country
• Rivals.com four-star prospect, the seventh-rated recruit in Michigan and the nation’s No. 21 safety
• ESPN300 member; No. 5 player in Michigan, the 12th-overall prospect at safety and the 235th overall recruit in the country
• PrepStar Top 350 All-American; the 23rd-ranked defensive back nationally, the sixth-best prospect in the state of Michigan and the 245th overall recruit in the country
• Earned all-state honors as a senior
• MLive Detroit first-team Dream Team selection in 2019
• Detroit News Dream Team member and All-North team selection as a senior

Personal
• Makari Jaimon Paige was born January 11, 2002
• Son of Glen and Lajuanna Paige

Film

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Wisconsin Signing Class Preview – Jordan Turner

Wisconsin received Jordan Turner’s national letter of intent as part of the early signing period on Wednesday.

With the early signing period for high school football players beginning on December 18, Badgers Insider takes a closer look at the recruits that signed with the Wisconsin football program.

In this edition, we examine Farmington (MI) High School linebacker, Jordan Turner.

Note: All notes and stats provided by uwbadgers.com

Turner chose Wisconsin over other offers from: Boston College, Cincinnati, Duke, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rutgers, Syracuse, Washington State, and West Virginia

Turner’s High School Accolades: Three–star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals…Second–team all–state by Associated Press as a senior in 2019

Turner’s Impact as a Badger: Turner certainly didn’t have a shortage of offers as he had over 25 scholarship offers including having a handful of Ivy League offers too.

Despite having numerous opportunities to continue his academic and athletic career Turner turned his attention to two primary schools Wisconsin and Purdue.

Turner’s mom attended Wisconsin while his dad went to Purdue. In the end, the Badgers came out on top as Turner made his commitment to Wisconsin this past June.

Turner is projected to play on the inside for Wisconsin’s 3-4 defense as he’s listed at 6’3″ and 220 pounds. Turner clearly is a smart kid demonstrated by some of the offers he received during his recruitment. That IQ will serve him well on the football field in helping him learn Wisconsin’s defense in addition to applying what he has learned in practice over to his game.

Turner is built well for his age, which should allow him to hold up as he continues to adjust to the college game. Turner will need to continue to add strength as it will allow him to strike through blockers more easily in order to generate pressure in the opponents backfield.

Due to the depth and talent, Wisconsin has returning at the inside linebacker position it will be difficult for Turner to see the field early in his career. A redshirt year will allow him to gain another year of separation between him and the other inside linebackers on Wisconsin’s roster, in addition, allowing him to continue to focus on the demands that is playing the inside linebacker position at Wisconsin.