TVH Weekly: Jordan Diamond, JJ Denman, Mario Ojemudia, and More
The spring game was a success from a recruiting perspective on a few different levels. The commitment from instate LB Royce Jenkins-Stone was an important early get that most didn't expect so soon. Outside of the commitment here's a look at what some of the other visiting prospects had to say. As always you can find me and more updates on Twitter, and if you have any questions or tips please email me at [email protected].
Jordan Diamond
6'6", 289 lbs
Offensive Tackle
Chicago, Illinois
Diamond is a big-time prospect nationally and for a Michigan class that needs a hig- profile tackle or two. He has been to Ann Arbor plenty of times, but this time he brought someone new.
I've seen a lot of that stuff before, and they were just showing us around. My father was there for the first time and he said everything was great. He got a great impression from everything, and he thought the coaching staff was great. He actually said he would feel comfortable with me playing there so that felt good.
Since Diamond has taken numerous visits to Michigan's campus, and the fact that his teammate Chris Bryant signed with Michigan, these visits are more about comfort than discovery for him. But...
It did give me a chance to see how they coached and how they were showing the players what they need to do. I saw Coach Funk is doing a good job with those guys getting the fundamentals down. I've seen a lot of them now and it's about getting familiar with these schools. These visits, I have my parents go up to see where I might be going. I didn't really see anything new, it was just more of a confirmation of what I've been seeing.
While he didn't necessarily see anything new with the program, Jordan definitely got to be a part of a new experience.
When we got there we came out on the field and there was a bunch of fans telling me Jordan we need you. To have them recognize an offensive lineman and ask me for autographs was pretty cool. I was getting stopped on the street and people were asking me if I was Jordan Diamond. I was signing autographs for little kids, and to have that happen at a big school was cool. Being with the players is always great too; they're exactly the same on and off the field. The character and attitude they have is always the same.
Jordan isn't positive exactly when he wants to make his final decision, but he knows how he wants to get there.
I'm going to keep taking visits right now, then narrow it down to a top ten during the summer. After that I'll get it to a top five before the season starts and I'll take my official visits to those five. I know Michigan will definitely be in the top five. Michigan is looking solid right now.
Diamond has always wanted to take his visits and take his time with the process, so this is nothing new. These early visits have helped Michigan lay the ground work for later on in the process when the tough decisions come around.
JJ Denman
6'7", 305 lbs.
Offensive Tackle
Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania
Denman is a huge offensive lineman that has racked up around 21 offers from schools like Michigan, Boston College, Miami, MSU, Notre Dame, Penn State, and Wisconsin to name a few. JJ took in Ann Arbor for the first time and came away impressed.
I spent the whole day Friday looking around the campus, and then Saturday we spent more time at the facilities and the spring game. I was the only one there on Friday so we got talk to all the coaches. We talked about how they're bringing back a pro style offense and that they need big linemen. Everything overall was good, I really liked the coaches. The coaches seem real down to earth and straight shooters. The Big House: I walked in there and it was just huge. They said they were going to put up scoreboards and that they might be adding more seats which is crazy.
The Big House is typically something prospects remember from their visits, but the MIchigan players were what stuck with Denman.
All the players are genuine guys. I talked to Denard Robinson and it was just like he was a normal guy. He saw me walk by and was just like "hey what's up man," it was like he didn't even do what he did on the field. I talked to Jake Long too and he was the exact same way. It's like Michigan doesn't produce cocky guys, they're all humbled and that was cool.
Although JJ has a pretty big offer list he already has a good idea of who makes up his top group.
I think I know the schools that I like, I'm going to go out to a couple more just to make sure. I definitely know I'm going to take an official visit to Michigan, and I'm going to try to make it back for the Notre Dame game because it will be their first night game. I'll probably take all five of my officials. The five schools right now are Michigan, Boston College, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Rutgers.
It sounds like this visit helped Michigan but it won't mean much until he starts taking official visits.
Mario Ojemudia
6'3", 215 lbs.
Defensive End
Farmington Hills, Michigan
Ojemudia is an interesting instate prospect that has been up to Michigan with his teammate TE Devin Funchess a few times now. If you remember last time Mario said that he was surprised that he liked his Michigan visit so much. It seems like the spring game might have helped Michigan a little more.
It went really well, it was fun. I didn't really see anything different but I'm feeling really comfortable with all the coaches, and I really like Michigan now which is kind of weird since I grew up not liking them. I think these visits have sort of leveled everything out now.
Mario has also been to Michigan State three or four times now, but hasn't been in a while. Having processed the trips he's taken, he thinks the visits have helped him narrow down his list to a group of three.
I've somewhat narrowed it down. I like Michigan, Stanford, and MSU, but that could all be subject to change if I get another offer from a school I like. Two schools that I really like are Penn State and Ohio State.
All of these trips he's taking are helping him get to his final decision, which he says he wants to have done before his season starts.
Extra:
2013 QB Shane Morris was also on hand for the spring game. He seemed to enjoy the fan attention he got as well.
It went really well, I had a lot of fun. I signed my first autograph on a #12 Michigan jersey. That was crazy. I've pretty much seen the whole school three times now so I just want to get to know the coaches better and get more comfortable at the school.
Michigan commit OL Caleb Stacey had his decision validated while he was on campus for the first time as a commitment.
It went great, I had two kids around the age of ten ask for my autograph. It made me feel like I was at home with great people, great atmosphere, great fans, and just all around great place. I was trying to recruit [JJ Denman] and Sheldon Day while I was up there.
** QB Zeke Pike is announcing his decision on Wednesday. He told me that he's down to Auburn, Michigan, and Purdue. He said you shouldn't look too much into the rumors about him being committed to Auburn. I have a strange feeling about this one.
New York DB Wayne Morgan's coach tells me that Michigan has moved up on his list.
Ohio LB Joe Bolden took in Ann Arbor with his parents, and may be nearing a decision.
I hinted on Twitter that there was going to be a silent commit yesterday. The prospect told me it was ok to tell people his intentions, but to obviously keep his name quiet. The plan was to commit to the coaches, take two more visits then come forward with the announcement at his school. He told the coaches Sunday night and they told him that he should take the other two visits first then commit to them. It wasn't a rejection, but more so not acknowledging a commitment from a kid that wants to take visits. The announcement should happen in 3 or 4 weeks.
If you missed it here's last week's Weekly Update with TE Pierre Aka, DE Noah Spence, and WR Amara Darboh.
Great update - Was this all the visitors in the spring game or were there any other visits worth mentioning?
I'll probably have a few more during the week, but nothing earth shattering yet.
Not asking the name or any other info whatsoever, but are the reports of the silent commit being a defensive player true?
Yes.
April 18th, 2011 at 12:20 PM ^
April 18th, 2011 at 12:33 PM ^
I was thinking the same thing. Weird is such a weird word...I hope it is in our favor.
Well this narrows down the speculation.
April 18th, 2011 at 12:09 PM ^
i go to church with Kelbys Latta's grandparents, i saw he was a maybe at the spring game. wondering if he showed up or if this info will come out in your later week edition?
Go Blue! Beat wmu!
Are 10 year olds mgoblogging these days? How do they know potential recruits and what they look like? It's awesome that these recruits feel like celebrities when visiting.
My kid is the one who got Morris' auto, but it was on a #2 jersey. he also got a glove from Hopkins which he later signed, wrist bands from Gallon (didn't appear to happy), and a skull cap from Hawthorne, not to mention a ton of autographs including all the hockey players.
It's funny how the current players are so willing to sign as were some of the players in the alumni game, but except for Stevie Breaston none of the current pros or Desmond wanted to sign anything. I don't know whether it's not getting paid or they're just sick of doing it all the time.
I didn't see Gallon in the whole game...did anyone else? Probably not happy that Dileo passed him on the depth chart. Same deal with Terrence Robinson
I saw Gallon in one play, very late.
I actually think I saw him make one catch along the sideline, but I didn't watch much of the game.
He was on the field for a few snaps, I remember making a lame "Gallon is pint-sized" joke, but no more than that...
April 18th, 2011 at 10:07 AM ^
...Gallon throw a block early in the "game". He was out there with the #2 offense and the play ran left. He had a strong block on that play, but that's my only memory of him.
April 18th, 2011 at 12:24 PM ^
Most poignant post I have ever read.
April 18th, 2011 at 12:27 PM ^
First mishap encountered with the Android App. I had no idea I commented on anything, until accessing the site from my desktop PC.
April 18th, 2011 at 10:57 AM ^
Your kid very well may have put a future # into Morris' head.
I thought these three players were true autograph heroes after the game.
Mike Cox, Stephen Hopkins, Patrick Omameh.
They hung out outside the stadium posing for photos, signing autographs, and chatting with kids long after most had left. They didn't leave until everyone was satisfied. Very cool. Lots of other players were great as well, I was just amazed at the patience of those three.
Long after the game ended, Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson came out of the stadium and signed lots of autographs. Well, Desmond did anyway. Charles only signed for kids and took off when all kids had their stuff signed. Desmond, however, stayed for a long time taking care of requests.
I had fun watching Sam Webb, Alen Trieu, and others work the recruits and recent commits as they emerged from the Junge Center. Most were interviewed once or twice. The kids all looked exhausted.
Two other comments:
Why did Jake Ryan leave on the back of a John Deere trailer? Hopefully he was just having fun and not injured. It made for a great pic though!
Josh Furman has the team's #1 dreads!
I've been waiting for this, very good info. I would really like to see us get Jordan Diamond. Thanks for the update Tom
Keep the good news coming Tom, thanks for the update. I hate to pry about the silent commit, but in your opinion was it someone you weren't expecting it from, or someone who might have been a lean already prior to this? Don't answer if you feel it will be too revealing.
Good stuff Tom, thanks. I look forward to the further updates throughout the week.
Glad to hear we're making inroads with one of the other two players from Farmington Hills, but Tom, do you know if Burnbridge was at the Spring Game too?
No, I think he was at Wisconsin.
Thanks Tom.
That could mean good things for the class. Sheldon Day... Wayne Morgan... Yes Please!
Yeah, jeesh.
Gotta be pretty awesome to meet a Michigan great, #1 draft pick, and current pro-bowler as a high school lineman checking out schools.
Can we get Brady in town when Zeke Pike visits?
/s
Personally i think its Joe Bolden with Royce Jenkins Stone committing over the weekend and Ringer before that I think he wants to make sure he has a spot. Just a pure guess on my part..... Awsome future line backing core if that happens!!!!
Personally, I'm digging the new recruiting strategy. Offer a bunch of really good kids early, gauge their interest, get a few to commit...
...and fill in the blanks later. I don't have high hopes for a Denman commitment or an Ojemudia commitment, but a lot of these guys are genuinely hyped up about Michigan.
Denman would be a great pick-up, but I'm not too high on Ojemudia. He's either a big LB or a small DE, and we don't really need either of those right now. If we bring in Wormley and Godin, we probably either focus on DTs or bring in one more DE, and I'd like it to be someone bigger (and preferably better) than Ojemudia. I'm thinking Strobel or MacMullen would be nice, but someone like Pharoah Brown would be good as well.
Wormley is a top 60 player, and Godin is highly regarded by some services (but not all). If we get those two and take an additional DE, I don't know how good you can expect that third DE to be.
April 18th, 2011 at 11:03 AM ^
It's Tom Strobel. I think he has potential to be a gigantic 6-6 JJ Watt-type player. Yes, I feel like Fred Jackson after typing that.
What do you think about how hard the coaches are going after him and his level of interest?
April 18th, 2011 at 11:13 AM ^
I don't have a lot of confidence in Strobel coming to Michigan, but we'll see. For the most part, I think all those Ohio defensive ends (with the exception of Wormley) will be cherry-picked by Ohio State. Michigan should have a good shot with anyone left over, but I don't get the sense that Strobel is extremely interested in playing in Ann Arbor.
April 18th, 2011 at 12:12 PM ^
April 18th, 2011 at 12:50 PM ^
I like Brown a lot, but I think he's going to take awhile to develop. He's a great athlete, but extremely raw. If we get a couple guys who will be ready to play early (Wormley, Godin, etc.), then it wouldn't be a bad idea to take a guy like Brown, who probably wouldn't contribute for a few years. I would hope that Brown wouldn't be the headliner of the DE class, though, because we need guys to play earlier.
Four linebackers is too many. I really doubt Michigan will take four unless there's some attrition. You can't devote 25% of your recruiting class to linebackers when you already have 11 guys for 3 spots.
If Ross wants to play at Michigan, I think they will find a way to get him in here, even if it means politely asking another guy to go elsewhere.
I'm not as convinced as others seem to be that Pike will choose Auburn. I'm not saying he WON'T pick Auburn...but I'm not writing Michigan off yet, either.
Magnus, did you hear anything about Brown wanting to play TE in college? I read that recently on the Duane Long Report. He seems to think that he has more upside at DE.
I've read that Brown would play wherever a team wanted him, so I'm not sure I would put a ton of stock in that. However, I do think he could be a very good tight end, too. If I were Michigan, I would take him either way.
NEEDZ MOAR 10 YEAR OLDZ!
<br>
<br>/creepy
hot young female recruiting "escorts" food chain, but 10 year olds with big puppy dog eyes begging for a recruit to sign an autograph . . . that we can do.
There's proabably a camp they all go to to learn the right approach.
Mario O, from not liking Michigan and being a Sparty fan in the beginning, to liking Michigan and calling things all even... That there tells me a lot about this staff and their recruiting skills.
I feel really good about every position the staff is recruiting except for RB. Just have not heard about anyone for awhile. It's early though and we are off to a great start.
We're in a good position with two 5*s (Keith Marshall and Brionte Dunn), as well as Greg Garmon, Drew Harris, Wes Brown and Donovan Roberts. I'm not too worried about the RB recruiting
What do you mean by "good position"? I'm not disagreeing with you, just asking for a little more insight.
It seems like Marshall, Brown, Garmon, and Dunn can go anywhere they want (with Dunn committed to OSU but still looking) and Michigan is a great place, but we haven't had most (any?) on campus yet. Just curious what you've seen/heard.
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