Monday Recruitin' Kicks Butt (NTB)
Today's recruiting roundup wraps up last weekend's high school football action and more.
Jake "Butts" In Early*
Tim Sullivan reports that tight end commit Jake Butt made arrangements with his high school and the Michigan coaching staff to graduate in December and enroll early ($). Kyle Bosch, Taco Charlton, Ross Douglas, and Logan Tuley-Tillman are also slated to arrive in Ann Arbor this winter, and Dymonte Thomas will likely join that number as well.
Given the lack of depth at tight end, this is great news for the Wolverines. Devin "The Funchess" Funchess emerged on Saturday as the future at the position, but he's more of an H-back ("U"-back in the Borges offense) or big wide receiver than a traditional tight end, while Butt has the versatility to play with his hand down or off the line. Butt has a good shot at earning a large role in the offense next year and this increases his shot of earning a starting job right away.
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*Jesus, I'm sorry.
Backs On Backs On Backs
Michigan only has two running backs committed in the class of 2013, but you wouldn't know that based on last weekend's high school football games. Cornerback commit Ross Douglas rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries to lead Avon to a 40-14 victory. Future Wolverine linebacker Ben Gedeon tallied 107 yards on 18 carries to help Hudson to a win of their own. Safety Dymonte Thomas spearheaded a Marlington comeback with 166 yards and two touchdowns—including the go-ahead score—on 19 carries. Then there was 285-pound nose tackle Maurice Hurst Jr., who pounded in a one-yard touchdown in a Xaverian Brothers blowout victory, set up by a 24-yard run in which he dragged two defenders to the brink of the goal line.
Actual running back DeVeon Smith toted the rock 26 times for 183 yards and the game-winning touchdown for Warren Howland despite a sore shoulder, but that's to be expected, right?
It's hard to believe, but some Michigan commits had the nerve to excel at non-RB positions over the weekend, as well. Two-way lineman Chris Fox, who is slated to play guard for Michigan, paved the way for a 34-14 Ponderosa victory and earned the admiration of a Highlands Ranch coach:
"Hey, Foxie," an opposing assistant coach yelled Saturday afternoon after the final play. "Great job. You kicked our butts."
Shane Morris, who received his Under Armour All-American Game jersey at a school pep rally last Thursday, completed 9-of-18 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown as De La Salle beat Dearborn Fordson, 40-19.
Wide receiver Jaron Dukes hauled in six catches for 92 yards and a touchdown to help Marion-Franklin to a 28-3 victory over Canal Winchester.
Perhaps the biggest star of the weekend, however, was Gilman DT Henry Poggi, who tallied 11 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks in a 13-6 triumph over national powerhouse Don Bosco Prep. The loss snapped a 46-game winning streak for the Ironmen.
Etc.
While the Air Force game wasn't the huge visit weekend that Michigan State will be, there will still some major targets on campus. A large Cass Tech contingent made the short trip from Detroit, including 2014 CB Damon Webb, who told Tremendous that he could see himself ending up in Maize and Blue. 2014 Grand Rapids Christian OL Tommy Doles took in the game and told Allen Trieu($) that the B2 stealth bomber flyover was "incredible." 2013 in-state kicker J.J. McGrath was on hand as well and told Tremendous the visit really helped Michigan, though the deciding factor for him will likely be which school offers him a scholarship.
Things have been quiet on the Joe Mathis front, at least where Michigan is concerned, and it sounds like it could stay that way for the 2013 California four-star: he told Rivals analyst Adam Gorney that he plans to take official visits to Texas A&M, Washington, and Utah, and isn't sure where else he'll visit following a good trip to UCLA ($).
Happy trails to 2014 five-star AL RB Bo Scarbrough, who predictably made an early pledge to hometown squad Alabama.
September 10th, 2012 at 2:11 PM ^
We need a nickname for our upcoming two-headed monster at TE. Fun-Butt? FunchButt?
September 10th, 2012 at 2:21 PM ^
Funchy-Butt-lovin'
September 10th, 2012 at 2:24 PM ^
The Buttnchess Monster?
September 10th, 2012 at 2:52 PM ^
September 10th, 2012 at 3:09 PM ^
Good, but Williams deserves to be included too.
A.J. Buttfuncher?
That's a superhero's name if I've ever heard one.
September 10th, 2012 at 8:13 PM ^
September 10th, 2012 at 3:15 PM ^
September 10th, 2012 at 3:55 PM ^
Brady's Bunchess?
September 10th, 2012 at 11:12 PM ^
September 11th, 2012 at 12:27 AM ^
September 10th, 2012 at 2:26 PM ^
September 10th, 2012 at 2:38 PM ^
I wouldnt put high importance on number alone. The important things to look at in a HS QB are arm strength, technique, size, reads. Shane seems to be playing with kids who are not very talented, especially on the OL.
September 10th, 2012 at 3:07 PM ^
September 10th, 2012 at 8:01 PM ^
September 10th, 2012 at 8:23 PM ^
It is somewhat hard to bring in a top-tier guy in '12 when Shane was already committed for '13. There were several that we would have taken (Pike = bullet dodged) but only in that top group. I think IF it becomes clear that DG's future is WR (and he is on board with that) the staff might take a flyer on another QB/athlete in this class if we strike out on our 3 remaining top targets.
September 10th, 2012 at 2:43 PM ^
I wouldn't worry about Shane's numbers. Quality over quanity. Just because he doesn't throw the ball 40 times in a game doesn't mean we should go recruit a new QB.
September 10th, 2012 at 2:59 PM ^
September 10th, 2012 at 3:02 PM ^
September 10th, 2012 at 3:44 PM ^
How is Funchess a U-back in the Borges offense? I'll have to take a look at the tape again, but I think Funchess spent the majority of his time with his hand in the ground. Edit: His second catch he was not lined up with his hand in the ground.
I thought the protypical U-back type was going to be someone like Khalid Hill.
September 10th, 2012 at 3:47 PM ^
Hill is 6'2" and about 220 lbs and Funch is 6'5" and 235 so they are pretty similar weight wise. I think U-Back is just a heavier WR which both would be.
September 10th, 2012 at 3:53 PM ^
I thought the U back more of a FB who can catch passes. Basically a FB/TE hybrid.
I was going to add this to my original post:
When Devin lines up next to Lewan his hand is in the ground. When he lines up on the opposite side he is usually playing off the line. That is what I got from the limited amount of snaps we saw of him in the Air Force game.
September 10th, 2012 at 4:44 PM ^
Question about Chris Fox. Has he ever been on campus?
I appreciate the relative anonymity of Chris Fox. He certainly doesn't seem like a headline searcher. Sometimes it's better to let your play do the talking.
September 10th, 2012 at 5:52 PM ^
He came on an unofficial visit in April and July. He also camped last June when he got his offer.
September 10th, 2012 at 11:07 PM ^
He came to the BBQ and took pictures with Derrick Green and the rest of the OLine recruits
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