Tuesday Recruitin' Blocks Through Whistle, Fence
Todays' recruiting roundup covers Laquon Treadwell's top five, new highlight tapes for Denzel Ward and Taco Charlton, new 2013 and 2014 offers, and more.
Reschke Offered, Treadwell's Top Five
Michigan's coaching staff raised some eyebrows over the weekend after finally offering 2013 Birmingham Brother Rice linebacker and MSU commit Jon Reschke, a Spartan legacy who hasn't shown much interest in the Wolverines. Since Michigan had previously turned away linebacker recruits like Alex Anzalone and E.J. Levenberry, saying they were full at the position, the offer caused concern that a current commit was looking around. That doesn't appear to be the case, according to Tremendous, with rumors that Mike McCray was considering Ohio State debunked.
So, why the offer? For one, Brother Rice is a very strong in-state program, and Reschke was reportedly none too pleased with the lack of an offer (or serious interest) from Michigan. More importantly, however, Reschke is a heck of a player—I thought he was deserving of an offer last year, and he's stepped up his game even more this season—and with the fluid nature of recruiting, it's entirely possible that the scholarship situation at linebacker has changed. While I'd be surprised if Reschke flipped from MSU, he's close friends with Shane Morris, and he'd be a worthy addition to the class.
Matters aren't looking up on the Laquon Treadwell front, unfortunately, as he named an ordered top five to Scout's Beth Long after Crete-Monee's state semifinal victory last weekend ($). That top five, in order: Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, Michigan, Michigan State. Treadwell hasn't even visited the two Oklahoma schools yet, though officials are planned to both, but he has been to Oxford; barring a late turnaround—and in recruiting, that's not exactly unusual—this won't end well.
As for a backup plan, scratch MD WR Paul Harris off the list, as he reaffirmed his commitment to Tennessee despite the news of Derek Dooley's ouster, per Rivals's Adam Friedman ($). While Harris leaves some room to look around, it doesn't sound like he'll consider Michigan. Michigan did host a committed 2013 prospect last weekend in Trotwood-Madison CB Reon Dawson, an Illinois commit, according to 247's Clint Brewster. The three-star could be another option if/when Gareon Conley starts taking visits.
Michigan also handed out a 2014 offer last weekend, to FL WR Artavis Scott, high school teammate of offered OL Mason Cole, per multiple outlets. Scott is a four-star on all three sites that have released early rankings and is also on the ESPN150 Watch List, so he's universally regarded as a top prospect. The Wolverines have established themselves as one of Cole's early leaders, which should help them with Scott; both visited for the Michigan State game.
[For the rest of the recruiting roundup, including Denzel Ward's junior highlights, hit THE JUMP.]
Blind Sided
2014 commit Denzel Ward just finished his first year of football. You'll be forgiven for forgetting that fact while watching his junior highlights; the first play, in which he blocks his man into a fence, was his first play of organized football. Yup, pretty down with that offer, you guys.
Also releasing season highlights is 2013 commit Taco Charlton:
Despite a significant amount of added bulk, Charlton is still able to dominate with his athleticism, and he's added a solid repertoire of pass-rush moves. He also looks much more disciplined and formidable against the run, something I noticed when watching him earlier this fall. This coaching staff appears especially adept at identifying raw talent early, as evidenced above and also in the cases of players like Conley, Logan Tuley-Tillman, and Channing Stribling.
Commit Playoff Roundup
This year's Michigan Division I state title game will be a rematch between Cass Tech and Catholic Central, and once again it'll prominently feature Michigan commits. The Technicians earned their title game berth with a 34-27 triumph over Lake Orian; Jourdan Lewis caught a 30-yard go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Shamrocks crushed Rockford, 35-6, in the other semifinal; Wyatt Shallman rushed for a one-yard touchdown while also adding seven tackles, three TFLs, two sacks, and two batted passes, according to his father.
I'll be in Columbus for The Game, but you can catch the state title game (or DVR it, most likely) Saturday at 1 pm on Fox Sports Detroit. Catholic Central will look to avenge a 49-13 title game loss to Cass Tech last year, while the Technicians are going for back-to-back state championships.
Other recruits in action over the weekend included:
- Jake Butt had a fumble recovery and a 26-yard catch to set up Pickerington North's opening score in a 21-0 regional championship victory over Hilliard Davidson.
- Mike McCray had six solo tackles and an interception to lead Trotwood-Madison to a 42-14 win over Turpin for the regional title.
- Michael Ferns caught a 12-yard touchdown pass to help St. Clairsville win their regional title game, 37-29, over Johnstown.
- Channing Stribling's Matthews Butler squad advanced to their regional final with a 25-15 win over East Forsyth.
- Henry Poggi and Baltimore Gilman triumphed in a 34-32 double overtime classic against Calvert Hall to take home their conference championship.
- Gareon Conley caught two touchdown passes, but it wasn't enough to push Massillon Washington past Toledo Whitmer in a 49-16 loss.
- Toledo Central Catholic, featuring 2014 QB Deshone Kizer and 2013 OSU commit Jayme Thompson, defeated Ross Douglas and Avon, 42-14; Douglas finished with 69 yards on 14 carries.
- Jaron Dukes and Marion-Franklin lost a heartbreaker to New Albany, 32-30, for the regional title.
- Chris Fox's Ponderosa squad came up just short in their effort to come back from a 19-0 deficit against Mesa Ridge, as their running back fumbled on the goal line with under a minute left and the score at 19-14.
Channing Stribling was profiled in the Charlotte Observer, and his coach had nothing but good things to say about him:
“It’s his athleticism,” Hales said. “He’s so athletic. There’s so much he can do. He’s not just an offensive player or just a defensive player. He’s a football player. Throw him the ball and he’ll do something with it. He’s not really obvious with his moves. He’s real slick and you can’t even tell what he’s doing and he makes people miss. And he’s got this competitiveness about him. He gets these kids going. He just doesn’t want to go home right now.”
Finally, the Baltimore Sun featured Biff Poggi, Henry's father and coach, in an article about the balance he strikes between football and family.
November 20th, 2012 at 1:12 PM ^
expecting to hear "in the weightroom, in the community" when that song started
November 20th, 2012 at 1:20 PM ^
I mean, just... Goddamn.
November 20th, 2012 at 1:22 PM ^
This should probably be mentioned in any recruiting update.
Mountain Pointe OT Kenny Lacy, a #UCLA commit, eyeing official visit to #Michigan. http://michigan.247sports.com/Article/Mountain-Pointe-OT-Kenny-Lacy-eyeing-official-visit-to-Michigan-102445 …via @ToddWorly247
November 20th, 2012 at 1:24 PM ^
November 20th, 2012 at 1:33 PM ^
UM is committed to McCray and Gedeon still. Not like they're pulling their schollies. I don't think the coach's view of their depth chart needs, however, is static, nor do I think they cede the right to constantly reevaluate those needs when offering a kid at a particular position.
November 20th, 2012 at 1:36 PM ^
The "you commit to us, we commit to you" policy is very important indeed.
Second only to the, "yeah, fuck Michigan State" policy.
WE are the mother-fuckin threat.
November 20th, 2012 at 1:40 PM ^
They stopped committing Anzalone because at the time they didn't need another LB at that position (McCray filled that spot, IIRC), and they stopped recruiting Levenberry because Levenberry committed to Florida State and made it clear that he was solid there. The reason they stopped recruiting Dawson was completely different; the staff has a firm "if you commit and then take other visits, we don't consider you committed," and Dawson wanted to take visits.
The staff isn't looking to proactively REPLACE Gedeon or McCray with Reschke as an upgrade, but rather to ADD him to the class (unless one of those guys plans to leave, but that does not seem to be the case). They may have told the two current guys that they wouldn't recruit anyone else (though at the time they were still recruiting Levenberry), but there isn't much public info about what promises were made.
November 20th, 2012 at 2:31 PM ^
November 20th, 2012 at 3:01 PM ^
Talking about Dawson has anyone notice the conversation betwwen dawson and shane on twitter. Shane is trying to talk him back into coming and dawson made the comment he thinks that ship has sailed. With shane telling him to make some phone calls and talk from the heart. Does anyone think this is even a possibility? Or is that book closed?
November 20th, 2012 at 3:18 PM ^
I would be Ok with Dawson coming back on board. I was really upset with the treatment he received by supposed Michigan fans talking about his 'Pops'. It was really disrespectful and wrong. I feel bad for the kid. I know we have a policy and I agree with it. People make mistakes and he, I think now realizes it. The kid can flat out play and play angry. I love that about Dawson.
November 20th, 2012 at 4:23 PM ^
The treatment he received from Michigan fans and his recruitment are two very separate things. There's no excuse for some of the things that were supposedly said (I don't follow him on Twitter and don't care to), but he was still shady about visiting Florida. If Michigan's coaches want their policies to be respected, they need to stick to them. If you welcome him back into the fold now, you're inviting trouble with 2014 recruits who get an itch to visit elsewhere.
November 20th, 2012 at 1:25 PM ^
Isn't the MHSAA title game on Friday? I never remember having to skip watching college games to watch the high school guys...
November 20th, 2012 at 1:47 PM ^
1/2 of the state title games are on Friday, the other 1/2 are on Saturday. Depends which division the team is in as to what day they play the finals.
November 20th, 2012 at 1:57 PM ^
Friday, Nov. 23
Division 8 - 10 am
Beal City (13-0) vs. Harbor Beach (12-1)
Division 2 - 1 pm
Muskegon (12-1) vs. Birmingham Brother Rice (11-2)
Division 6 - 4:30 pm
Ithaca (13-0) vs. Constantine (11-2)
Division 4 - 7:30 pm
Grand Rapids South Christian (10-3) vs. Detroit Country Day (11-2)
Saturday, Nov. 24
Division 7 - 10 am
Ishpeming (12-1) vs. Detroit Loyola (13-0)
Division 1 - 1 pm
Detroit Catholic Central (9-4) vs. Detroit Cass Tech (11-2)
Division 5 - 4:30 pm
Grand Rapids West Catholic (10-3) vs. Portland (12-1)
Division 3 - 7:30 pm
Grand Rapids Christian (12-1) vs. Orchard Lake St Mary's (11-2)
November 20th, 2012 at 3:17 PM ^
November 20th, 2012 at 3:04 PM ^
That until the recent Big Ten Schedule change, it was only a rare scheduling quirk that Michigan-OSU would be after Thanksgiving, rather than every year like now. There used to be only a few games on Saturday after Thanksgiving. Actually sometimes more on Friday.
November 20th, 2012 at 1:30 PM ^
Wow, looks like Taco got way bigger. He's just swallowing dudes up in that footage.
November 20th, 2012 at 2:22 PM ^
That was the secret to his weight gain. He literally devours the competition.
November 20th, 2012 at 1:34 PM ^
Real excited about Taco, my only concern is a lot of arm tackling. I'd like to see some QB's driven into the ground when he undoubtedly gets therefor a sack.
November 20th, 2012 at 1:58 PM ^
That is why he is considered a raw prospect. I think he is in good hands with this defensive staff.
November 20th, 2012 at 1:40 PM ^
"He's a football player."
Is his H.S. coach Brady Hoke?
November 20th, 2012 at 2:28 PM ^
Close. A Hoke quote would've been: "Weeell, Channon Stribley, you know, he's a kinda a guy who's gon'........ he's a football player."
And honestly that's one of the reasons I love coach Hoke.
November 20th, 2012 at 1:45 PM ^
I am salivating watching Ward's highlights. Imagine this man-child with some technique.
November 20th, 2012 at 1:49 PM ^
Anyone else looking at future WR depth charts and feeling very mehhh about it?
Hope Treadwell commits- or that if not the backup plan for a big player WR can still come in this class.
November 20th, 2012 at 1:58 PM ^
With the receivers we have recruited all Devin and Shane have to do is throw the ball high and it will be a catch. For some reason everyone keeps forgetting how fast Chesson is too, and every DB we've recruited has put up monster numbers at WR in their senior year, so they can switch and be a speed guy if we need them to. I'm not worried. Why does one receiver have to be far and away the best on the team? If they can all play their role, our OL will give Shane enough time to find them. Would be nice to have Treadwell, but I'm not worried.
November 20th, 2012 at 2:10 PM ^
It sure would be nice to have a guy who can dominate a game, rather than having to spread it around to a bunch of mediocre guys. I do think Chesson has some potential to beat teams deep, but this is largely a collection of possession receivers.
November 20th, 2012 at 2:12 PM ^
Still, if any elite WR recruits have been paying attention the last 3 weeks and have seen the preview of Al's real offense, I don't see how they are not taking a strong second look.
It's just so hard to believe that this team can't get a solid 4*/5* receiver to committ.
November 20th, 2012 at 2:13 PM ^
November 20th, 2012 at 2:14 PM ^
I don't really get it. WR is the one area that we have not recruited well. I don't mean any disrespect to the receivers that have been recruited in the last few classes, but we have not been able to reel in any bue chip players at this position. We are loaded everywhere else, but dynamic wideouts are lacking. More often than not, if you want to be an elite team, you need to be able to strecth the field vertically. This is Michigan. Why can't we garner interest from 4 and 5 star receivers? Honest question.
November 20th, 2012 at 2:23 PM ^
J. Dukes |
A. Darboh! |
J. Robinson* |
J. Jackson |
Not getting Treadwell is not the end of the world.
IMHO
November 20th, 2012 at 2:51 PM ^
End of world.... no- but there is so little experience at WR on that depth chart and nobody that is really proven.
I agree if you have 3-5 average to above average guys a stud may not be necessary- but 3-5 below average with maybe the potential to be average is not ideal to me.
Maybe we are looking at a future where TE's are getting a higher percentage of pass plays and good TE classes could mitigate the WR issues- but imo we need a big time threat. Spread guys or average WR are easy enough to contain- adding one legit threat also can give those spread guys or average WR more space and allow them to be passable if not stellar as a WR corps.
November 20th, 2012 at 3:00 PM ^
November 22nd, 2012 at 1:45 AM ^
C'sonte York: a name often too forgotten, wouldn't you say? Dude exhibits pure tenacity when going after the ball.
November 22nd, 2012 at 8:01 AM ^
I went to three of his games this year and you are correct about his willingness to go up after the ball. This will sound crazy but I saw him get better each game. He does a great job of catching the ball away from his body and is a big kid with a nice frame. I'm not saying he is going to come in and play right away but after a few years in the program I expect he'll be a big part of the team. Super nice kid too...
November 20th, 2012 at 2:53 PM ^
Not to mention Funchess, Butt, and Hill across the middle and in the red zone. We're in pretty good shape indeed. Still, it was nice thinking about the best WR in the country in a winged helmet.
November 20th, 2012 at 3:15 PM ^
November 20th, 2012 at 4:25 PM ^
Robinson and Jackson aren't very good.
A couple of the other guys have potential, but they're all possession guys except maybe Chesson and Jones. None of the guys in your list have shown that they can be home run hitters in college.
November 20th, 2012 at 2:32 PM ^
so we will be going another year without adding a stud WR. Right now we will have to make do with the middling 3 star and borderline 4 star types, but don't expect any game breakers on the team for the next few years.
November 20th, 2012 at 3:36 PM ^
November 20th, 2012 at 6:36 PM ^
November 20th, 2012 at 9:44 PM ^
November 20th, 2012 at 1:54 PM ^
I hate to be thus guy, but with Hoke offering another LB out of the blue, could Jake Ryan be seriously considering the NFL after this season?
November 20th, 2012 at 2:02 PM ^
November 20th, 2012 at 2:22 PM ^
I like your idea better than mine
November 20th, 2012 at 2:06 PM ^
One interesting MHSAA championship game, at least from a QB perspective, is the division 4 game- Detroit Country Day against South Christian (Friday at 7:30).
Detroit Country Day is the home of 2014 QB prospect Tyler Wiegers, who has visited UM and is on the radar. South Christian has a 2015 QB prospect by the name of Jon Wassink who has put up very good numbers recently. He's a young kid (obviously), but he has good size, athleticism, and throws a nice ball. Not sure Wassink is a high major prospect yet, but certainly MAC-level one at this point.
November 20th, 2012 at 2:11 PM ^
I've liked what I've seen out of Wiegers. I think Michigan might end up going after him, because they haven't jumped on any of the "elite" QB prospects for 2014.
November 20th, 2012 at 3:19 PM ^
November 20th, 2012 at 4:23 PM ^
Doing some Michael Oher shit right there. Except Oher put his man over the fence, if the scene from The Blind Side is to be believed.
[Ed. - Duh I guess that's why the title is Blind Sided. Guess I'm losing it what with the uncontrolled anticipation of turkey and The Game].
November 20th, 2012 at 5:06 PM ^
I'm looking foward to seeing Malik McDowell play at 10am saturday against Ishpeming. Although I will be rooting for Ishpeming as a Yooper, I cant wait to see what McDowell does to their 180 lb linemen
November 20th, 2012 at 5:45 PM ^
I have a feeling the kid lined up against McDowell will be wishpeming he was back in the UP by halftime.
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