Indiana comes to Ann Arbor on Saturday, and this is a significant recruiting opportunity for Michigan with the defending national champion in town.
The biggest headline visitor is Bradenton (Florida) IMG Academy quarterback Jaylen Wade, a five-star and No. 1 quarterback in the country according to the Rivals Industry rankings. Wade (6-3, 195 pounds) is committed to Georgia, but the Wolverines have been in regular contact. Originally a California native, he has had a relationship with this Michigan staff. This is currently the lone visit Wade has planned, so it is notable Michigan was able to get this visit.
Two of Wade’s IMG teammates, four-star linebacker D.J. Alexander, and wide receiver Eric Whitfield Jr., also are expected to visit. Alexander is a 6-foot, 215-pound missile with offers from Oregon, Alabama, Ohio State, Notre Dame and more. Whitfield is only a sophomore, but his 6-foot-4 frame and ball skills have earned him a national offer list. Michigan has offered.
Detroit Cass Tech offensive tackle Antijuan Wilkes will visit Michigan this weekend. Wilkes was thought to be visiting for last week’s Penn State game, but chose to sit that one out in favor of this week. There is growing optimism Michigan can keep the 6-foot-6, 265-pound blue-chip at home despite overtures from top programs across the country.
Marietta (Georgia) edge Merrick Ham is a four-star junior who visited Michigan in the summer and now returns for a game. A big-framed 6-foot-5, 240-pound defender who had seven sacks as a sophomore last season, Ham is being recruited by much of the SEC and several Big Ten programs. His summer visit with Michigan and relationship with defensive line coach Lewis Powell has the Wolverines in high consideration.
Marietta Kell defensive tackle Tory Clark also will visit Michigan this weekend. Michigan offered the 6-foot-4, 280-pound Clark in the summer and he quickly set this visit up to see the Wolverines. He has a relationship with Michigan defensive line coach Larry Black dating to his time at Vanderbilt.
Closer to home, Saline junior Marquis Ray will be back on campus. A legacy recruit, he is the son of former Wolverine safety Marcus Ray, and holds a Michigan offer. The belief is Michigan leads for Ray, although other schools have continued their pursuit. Ray is a 5-foot-11, 180-pound defensive back who transferred to Saline after playing his first two seasons in Ohio, and has been a big part of Saline's undefeated season to date.
Chicago Mount Carmel defensive tackle Caleb Tucker is a four-star and one of the top juniors in the country. He’s a 6-foot-4, 365-pound nose with rare size and strength. Michigan has commitments from his senior teammates Tavares Harrington and Quentin Burrell, and is considered one of the top contenders for Tucker as well. Ohio State, Notre Dame and others are also in pursuit.
Michigan also will have one of the top freshman quarterbacks in the region up in Chicago Brother Rice Sam Holcomb. Holcomb is the son of quarterback trainer Greg Holcomb, who worked with former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The younger Holcomb has had a standout freshman season for the Crusaders and holds offers from Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and others.
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: 5-star target headlines Michigan visitors for Indiana showdown