Two On Top For Four Star Kates
Josh Helmholdt
Harrisburg (Pa.) Bishop McDevitt defensive tackle Jason Kates had not listed Michigan since the summer before putting them back on his list and taking an official visit this past weekend. The 6-3, 330-pound prospect had taken three previous official visits before this weekend's trip to Michigan and talked about how the Wolverines' stacked up to his other favorites.
"It went well. It was the best one probably so far," Kates said of his Michigan visit. "I think they are tied for No. 1 right now with Maryland."
Kates had previously taken official visits to Minnesota (Oct. 28), Syracuse (Dec. 9), and Maryland (Jan. 13) and said all three of those teams along with schools like NC State and Notre Dame are also in the running for his services. He plans to make a decision on Signing Day and has a few coaches expected in home this week.
"NC State is coming in tomorrow and [Michigan] Coach [Lloyd] Carr is coming in Friday," Kates reported. "I am going to sit down and think about it this whole weekend when everybody comes in."
The Michigan visit was the last official visit Kates had planned. He set it up late after Michigan dropped off their interest following the departure of former defensive line coach Bill Sheridan last winter. New line coach Steve Stripling got back in contact with Kates after his senior season and reinvigorated the four-star's interest in the Wolverines.
Kates had listed Michigan early in the process and said he wanted to take an official visit to Ann Arbor ever since his junior year. The trip lived up to it's billing.
"I just liked everybody and I liked the academic side," said Kates. "I liked the new academic center and I think they have a great business school. It is one of the top three business schools in the country and I was impressed about that. It's just an overall good school.
"It seems like they need defensive tackles. I would probably play defensive tackle and nose guard and I may have an opportunity to get in my freshman year."
Kates was in Ann Arbor for over the course of three days and had two different hosts on his two nights, both of whom kept the excitement level up.
"One night it was Michael Hart and the other night it was Johnny Thompson," remarked Kates. "They might be a little too wild for me. Alan Branch – I liked him a lot, especially since he plays defensive tackle. He's not a skinny defensive back."
Rivals.com ranks Kates as the No. 20 defensive tackle prospect in the country and the No. 11 player in the state of Pennsylvania.
