Big-Bodied Wide Receiver Giving Michigan An Unexpected Chance

Michigan has really started to make some noise on the recruiting trail as of late landing two prospects from the state of Ohio, including four-star running back Jordan Marshall, who Ohio State really wanted. Now the Wolverines are working on a prospect from the state of Florida after it looked like he wasn't interested in the maize and blue.

Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas wide receiver James Madison II released a top ten in early January that consisted of Missouri, LSU, Oregon, Colorado, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Penn State, Florida State, South Carolina and Auburn, but is apparently giving Michigan a pretty serious look at this juncture.

University of Michigan Sunday ! #Goblue @19Bellamy
— James Madison ii (@JamesJTMadison2) March 24, 2023

The 6-3, 190-pounder will be in Ann Arbor tomorrow per his Twitter account and made it a point to tag wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy in the announcement. Madison does have a Michigan offer in hand so it'll be interesting to see how things develop moving forward after this weekend.

Andrew Ivins of 247 Sports has seen Madison in person and has this to say about the big-bodied pass catcher from The Sunshine State.

A gangly pass catcher with surprising run-after-catch capabilities. Measured just over 6-foot-3, 190 pounds in Spring of 2022. More importantly, had a near 6-foot-8 wingspan. First emerged on the recruiting scene as a freshman at TRU Prep. Eventually transferred into St. Thomas Aquinas where he cracked the rotation as a junior, totaling 407 receiving yards and six touchdowns for Florida’s 3M champions. Long stride allows him to chew up turf as he works his way up the field while superb body control allows him to make high-level grabs look easy every now and then. Has proven to be a bit of a mismatch on the inside as he can quickly stack linebackers or safeties and get vertical on post/corner routes. At one point looked like he was going to grow into an F tight end of sorts (and has been utilized some in that role on Friday nights), but continues to bill himself as a larger wide receiver. Should be viewed as a potential game-changer that offensive coordinators can get creative with (especially in the red zone) given his skill set. Must keep progressing and fill out, but arrow seems to be pointing in the right direction.

Madison has taken unofficial visits to Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, Clemson and presumed leader Florida State (several times) over the past two seasons, so him checking out Michigan is pretty noteworthy.