Rivals250 DE raves about Michigan visit

After landing the scholarship offer this past spring, Carlo Kemp finally took a much-anticipated visit to Michigan last week and already has his sights set on a return trip.

The Rivals250 weakside defensive end from Boulder (Colo.) Fairview had been hearing the recruiting pitch from the Wolverines for months but he got to see everything for himself.

The reviews from the 6-foot-3, 250-pound prospect were all positive.

"Michigan was awesome," Kemp said. "I had very high expectations, and they shattered that. Coach (Greg) Mattison and I have grown close and we have a great relationship. It was great catching up with him.

"Walking into the stadium was an incredible feeling. Walking out of that tunnel, with all the history that is at that school and the amazing players that have walked through there, it was a rush of emotions."

Kemp, the No. 9-rated weakside defensive end in the 2016 class according to Rivals.com, has garnered looks from Ohio State and Oregon, too, but those schools have yet to join the race with offers.

Michigan, Kemp said, is recruiting him the hardest along with three others: Colorado, Notre Dame and UCLA. He has already set up one official visit.

"I'm going to Notre Dame for the Navy game," Kemp said. "I'm also working on setting one up with Michigan, either for the BYU game or the Ohio State game.

"I've had an ongoing mindset where I want to take all my officials and then commit to my school. But if I know where I want to be, I might not have to take all five. I might know after my first visit or my second one. You fall in love with schools and try to stick to your plan, so hopefully going into the season I'll know of five schools and then commit after the officials."

The Wolverines left a great impression and certainly appear to be in contention to add the top-rated prospect in Colorado.

"The visit left me with a very positive outlook," Kemp said. "Going to Michigan and not just to see it, but with a scholarship offer in hand, it was great. What they have academically and with the city supporting them 100 percent, it's awesome. It left a lasting image and I could definitely see myself there."

Kemp intends to graduate in December and enroll early at his school of choice. He was credited with 66 total tackles, including 20 for a loss, and rushed for 11 touchdowns as a junior last season. Fairview opens its 2015 campaign Sept. 4 at home.