Trieu: Michigan 2020 commits putting up big numbers for high school teams
With the high school season a month in in many states, there are several members of Michigan’s 2020 class turning heads and putting up big numbers for their teams.
Wolverines wide receiver commit Roman Wilson has played the most games so far this year, as his Honolulu (Hawaii) St. Louis team already has played six games. His team, ranked No. 7 nationally by MaxPreps, is undefeated. Last week against Punahou, a team that has FBS prospects on their roster, Wilson broke out with 11 receptions for 190 yards and two touchdowns. For the season, Wilson has 21 receptions for 416 yards and five touchdowns.
There was a lot of interest in quarterback commit J.D. Johnson going into the year because he did not enter his junior year as a starter, and although he wound up starting for a good portion of that season, this would be Johnson’s first year fully being the man under center with heavily recruited Spencer Rattler now at Oklahoma. Through four games, Johnson is 57 of 97 for 798 yards and nine touchdowns to one interception. His Phoenix Pinnacle team is 3-1 with a two-point loss to nationally ranked Eastside Catholic from Washington state.
A.J. Henning of Frankfort (Ill.) Lincoln-Way East is another Michigan commit who had something to prove this year. He is a four-star and ranked in the national top 150 by 247Sports, but after being injured for part of his junior season, he was eager to show what he can do in his senior year now that he is healthy. Henning, through four games has seven total touchdowns combined rushing and receiving. Against a tough opponent in Bolingbrook last week, he had two of those touchdowns.
The week before, with Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis watching, he had 155 total yards and three touchdowns.
"He (Gattis) loved the way we moved the ball," Henning said. "Offensively we had a good game on the ground. I played some running back too. On the outside, (the quarterback) made some good throws and allowed me to go get them. The offensive line made a good push, and he said he was excited for me to get there next year."
With the way he has played, colleges other than Michigan have still been trying to get him to come off his verbal to the Wolverines.
"I still hear from a couple, but I respectfully turn them down," Henning said. "I'm 100 percent committed to the University of Michigan, so when guys come calling, I tell them respectfully that I'm done with my process."
Of all the commits, the argument can be made that Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances running back Blake Corum is having the best year to date. Corum was moved to four stars by 247Sports after seeing his performance against Miami Central in week one. Against a strong schedule since then, Corum has continued to post good numbers. In his team’s lone loss, to a very good Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei team, Corum had 112 rushing yards and 28 receiving yards. Last week against Miami Norland, Corum had two rushing touchdowns, two receiving touchdowns, and had one more touchdown on a punt return called back. His laser-timed 4.44 speed and performance this season has recruiting analysts think he can play as a true freshman.
4-star recruits in the Big House this week
Elkhart (Ind.) Central junior defensive end Rodney McGraw will visit Michigan this weekend for the Wolverines’ home game against Rutgers.
The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb reported that Stanford offensive tackle commit Myles Hinton will be at the game as well, watching older brother Chris, a freshman defensive tackle.
More information
Allen Trieu covers Midwest football recruiting for 247Sports. 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.