Michigan ‘feels like home’ for 4-star LB Mason Curtis, Wolverines’ first commit in 2024 class

Mason Curtis wanted only one unofficial go to to Michigan to understand it was his future residence.

The four-star linebacker from Nashville (Tenn.) Ensworth committed to the Wolverines on June 27, turning into this system’s first verbal pledge within the 2024 class.

“It was the individuals there,” Curtis instructed MLive. “Everyone I spoke to was actual genuine and I heard issues from coaches that didn’t even coach at Michigan, they usually had nothing however good issues to say about them. I talked to my head soccer coach, and he mentioned if I’m good with it, he’s good with it. It actually looks like residence and I can’t wait to get again up there.”

With Curtis committing earlier than his junior season, the No. 188 total prospect nationally, per the 247Sports Composite rankings, hopes to play a big position in recruiting different prime prospects to Michigan in his class. The Wolverines landed one other 2024 prospect this month in German-born defensive lineman Manuel Beigel.

Curtis, an out of doors linebacker, is the No. 2 participant in Tennessee in his class and is striving to create a pipeline to Michigan. He mentioned he’s continuously in touch with Nashville Lipscomb Academy four-star linebacker Edwin Spillman (No. 98 nationally, No. 1 in Tennessee), Lipscomb Academy four-star cornerback Kaleb Beasley (No. 192, No. 3), Murfreesboro Riverdale four-star cornerback Jaylen Thompson (No. 224, No. 4) and Chattanooga Christian Faculty athlete Boo Carter (unranked). Ethan Utley, a defensive lineman within the 2025 class who additionally attends Ensworth, is one other prime precedence for Curtis.

“I discuss with them like day by day, and I’m all the time asking them, ‘Have you ever talked to this coach?’” Curtis mentioned. “I actually push for them to go see what I noticed. Everyone has a house, and in the event that they really feel at residence in Michigan, I really feel like we will make one thing massive occur. I’m all the time asking them after they need to go as much as a sport as a result of I’m all the time down. That’s my second residence. Now I’m telling them like, ‘Let’s go up collectively, let’s do that collectively.’”

(Highlights embedded with permission from Hudl)

Curtis’ recruitment took off after a breakout sophomore season, when he recorded 34 tackles, one sack, two interceptions and three pressured fumbles. He began as a freshman however didn’t decide up his first supply till halfway via the 2021 season (Jap Kentucky). Of his 16 provides, 14 got here after the season, together with from Michigan on April 27. He visited in June and dedicated simply days later.

“Confidence, that’s a tricky factor these days for many athletes,” Curtis mentioned. “After I’m on the sector, I all the time have faith. However early in my freshman 12 months, I performed on varsity however I had zero provides. Didn’t even go on a go to. Sophomore 12 months, I stayed the course, labored arduous and recruiting began to select up. I used to be like, ‘OK, I can take this to the following stage.’”

Final month’s dedication was a particular second for Curtis and his household. In December, he misplaced his father, Rodney Curtis, who performed defensive finish at Clemson within the Nineteen Eighties.

“We might all the time speak about soccer and the way my future will play out,” Mason mentioned. “He taught me every little thing I do know. Though he can’t be within the stands, he nonetheless is watching from above.”

Soccer has been an integral a part of Mason and his brother’s lives. Devyn Curtis will probably be a redshirt sophomore at Center Tennessee State this season.

“All my household is supportive,” he mentioned. “Each single individual in my household, we all the time push for one another, we all the time congratulate one another and every little thing like that. Rising up, I heard uncles, cousins saying, ‘You might be this in the event you actually wished to. I’m actually not making an attempt to love allow them to down after which in the end not making an attempt to let me down. I’ve been working so arduous in my life, and I’m not performed. I’m to not the place I need to be, however I need to make it to the place I mentioned I’m gonna make it.”

Defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale has served as Mason’s main recruiter, and the 2 will get an opportunity to attach once more Sunday at Michigan’s annual BBQ on the Massive Home. Mason will probably be one among over a dozen prospects in attendance on the widespread recruiting occasion.

“I noticed every little thing I wanted to see at Michigan, however that is going to be even higher this time,” Mason mentioned. “I’ll get the campus tour and get to spend time with coaches to get to know one another higher.”

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