Thursday Recruitin' Talks About Practice
Today's recruiting roundup covers the various All-American bowl practices, the latest on Derrick Green, and (debunked) rumors about a commit taking visits.
Say "Tease"
L to R: Jourdan Lewis, Dymonte Thomas, Derrick Green, Jake Butt, Chris Fox
Michigan has four commits at the Army All-American Game and many are wondering if they'll soon have a fifth after VA RB Derrick Green jumped into a picture with them (above, via). Green conducted a live chat on Rivals yesterday, reiterating that Michigan is his top school, holding a "small" lead over the field—Auburn, Tennessee, Miami, Florida State, and USC. He also got the Fred Jackson Seal of Approval for this quote:
Comment From Guest
Who would you compare your running style to?Derrick Green: I compare my running style to a combination of Bo Jackson, Herschel Walker and Trent Richardson
Green mentioned the possibility of committing within the next week or so—though not at the Army game itself—but also stated a desire to take his two remaining official visits even after he commits; if his choice is Michigan, he'd obviously have to talk that out with the coaches.
FL S Leon McQuay III is set to announce on Friday and the sense from insiders is that Florida State—the presumed pick—and USC both hold an edge on Michigan, and quite possibly Vanderbilt does as well. If he holds off on making a decision, which Sam Webb has mentioned as a slight possibility, then the Wolverines could have hope; as it stands, not so much.
Matters are looking better for CA OL Cameron Hunt, at least if Patrick Kugler is to be believed:
Ok all Michigan fans follow @cjhunt78... trust me its comin soon #GoBlue
— Patrick Kugler (@Kugleybear57) January 3, 2013
Hunt will take his official visit to Ann Arbor on January 11th.
Michigan is out of the running for for Wisconsin commit Marcus Ball, according to 247's Evan Flood. The Wolverines were pursuing Ball as a linebacker.
[For practice reports on the commits and more, hit THE JUMP.]
Yeah, We Talkin' Bout Practice
Some NSFW lyrics, but had to note that DJ Jazzy Jeff >>> DJ Steve Porter
Practice reports abound from the various All-American games. Let's start with the Under Armour game—featuring five Michigan commits (Mike McCray is out with a torn labrum)—where Patrick Kugler has stood out as one of the top offensive linemen, per Scout's Bill Greene ($):
Have to start out with a player I've seen for the first time in Patrick Kugler, and he was even better today than he was yesterday. He will play center at Michigan, and has a chance to be a star. Love everything about this kid, and the more I see him the more I like him. Kugler has size, quick feet, intensity and uses his hands well. Totally earned his ranking this week.
Keep in mind Kugler is a five-star on Scout; when Greene says he's earned his ranking, that lofty praise indeed. Kugler earned the week's top billing at center from 247, which also gave Henry Poggi the nod for best in his position group:
While the defensive ends have received the majority of the attention, and for good reason, a trio of defensive tackles have stood out led by Michigan commit Poggi. The 6-foot-3, 260-pounder has proven to be too quick for any centers when lining up over the ball, and also shown a technically advanced use of his hands and the understanding of when to get small.
David Dawson has also earned consistent mention among the top offensive line performers, while opinion varies on Shane Morris—Scout has him as the white team's top QB($) over Kevin Olsen and Brice Ramsey, while 247 left him off their standout performers list while including his two teammates. The consensus on Logan Tuley-Tillman is that the physical tools are there and his conditioning is much-improved, but he still has a ways to go with technique and pass protection.
Over at the Army All-American Game, the Wolverine contingent is a bit beat up—Chris Fox is out with a torn ACL, while Jake Butt sat out yesterday's practice after aggravating an ankle injury, per 247's Steve Wiltfong ($). The two defensive backs are acquitting themselves nicely, however. Dymonte Thomas came in as Rivals's #10 performer on the East team ($)...
Thomas is a very physical defender who is still getting used to covering in space. He came up in run support very well Tuesday and even when he struggled with guys like Green, he came back as physical as ever. Thomas also covered a lot of ground in pass coverage and you can tell he could be the guy who has the best hit on gameday.
...and Jourdan Lewis got the #12 spot for the West ($):
Lewis is the smallest of the West cornerbacks, but he doesn't play like it. He has great hops, elevates well against bigger receivers and is very consistent getting his head around and playing the ball. His work against guys such as Seals-Jones and Derrick Griffin was especially impressive given how many inches he's giving away.
Derrick Green, meanwhile, earned the top spot on the East team.
In the Semper Fi bowl, Maurice Hurst Jr. has been lauded by multiple outlets for his practice performance. Here's a free report from 247:
Hurst is the type of player that you don’t really notice when he’s standing in the huddle but as soon as the ball is snapped, he shows up quickly. His play on Wednesday was characterized by high effort, an intensity to get to the football, and quickness to get into the backfield. The Michigan commit has been one of the better practice players this week.
Hurst's efforts are more impressive when noting that he's been dealing with an illness that's kept him well below 100%, per Scout's Brian Dohn ($):
For the second straight day, Hurst makes the list. The amazing part? He is staggering around before and after every play as he deals with an illness.
However, once he is on the field, he is nearly unstoppable. He is incredibly quick and strong, and has a fantastic move of sweeping his arm to knock a lineman off balance before quickly tearing up the field. He is the most consistent, and most dominant, defensive lineman on the East through two days.
Fellow Michigan commit Ross Douglas made the cut for Dohn's day one top performers ($).
Debunkin'
Twitter, where rumors are born...
#Michigan commit scheduled to take official elsewhere michigan.247sports.com/Board/59424/Mi… via @247sports #Wolverines
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) January 2, 2013
...and quickly killed:
On the rumors about #Michigan commit Henry Poggi tonight, after declining comment his dad said “I have no idea where people get their info”
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) January 2, 2013
Wiltfong's report that Poggi scheduled an official to Alabama was also shot down by TomVH and Tremendous. Cease panic.
Bonus debunking of a rumor that may or may not have actually been a rumor:
Any rumors about Sebastian LaRue and #Michigan seem to be untrue at this point.
— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) January 2, 2013
Duly noted.
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:06 PM ^
I don't know if anyone else caught it when Green said in the live chat when asked whether the picture was just for fun or a sign of things to come- "A little of both"... I have to think that something here is imminent.
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:08 PM ^
Exact quote-
5:05
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Wednesday January 2, 2013 5:05 bigballajj
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5:05
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January 3rd, 2013 at 1:06 PM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:14 PM ^
You want to elaborate or just leave everyone hanging, again?
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:14 PM ^
Please elaborate with source. (source, lol).
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:19 PM ^
This is their board. Info inside is summarized from insider posts on each team's site.
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:15 PM ^
Saw the new info on 247—it could be something, I guess, but they also seem to be running pretty far with the speculation based on one quote. Until there's something from Henry Poggi himself that indicates anything but full commitment—and he's been very strongly Michigan in his UA interviews—I'd wait before getting concerned.
Regardless of the veracity of this particular report, no site turns speculation into pageviews like 247.
EDIT: LINK for those who want it, though it's a paywalled message board post.
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:20 PM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:22 PM ^
Thanks. Without getting through the paywall, it's just 'something something Alabama'...
<shakes fist> SABBBBBBAN!!
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:24 PM ^
You can find everything from the paywall in the link provided.
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:26 PM ^
Appreciate that. Previous snark withdrawn.
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:29 PM ^
I'll take Tom VH's word over the word of those posters.
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:38 PM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:39 PM ^
Agreed. But it's nice to know what rumor it is that I'm not believing. Maybe Poggi's just trolling the wee lil' one in Bama.
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:39 PM ^
...that TomVH couldn't quote him due to language, lol. But he told them the same thing, 100 percent Michigan and not looking around.
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:47 PM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 2:05 PM ^
Jan 11th
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:10 PM ^
already share an affinity for hyperbole. I wonder how they describe the size of Chris Fox because he looks monstrous already.
January 3rd, 2013 at 2:55 PM ^
Not touching that one.
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:19 PM ^
I love it when we read about a rumor that we never knew was a rumor until after its been debunked. Its like a tease that never happened that still feels like a tease.
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:26 PM ^
There's no new information here, but thought this was really nice compilation on the all-star games as far as players to watch / teams / numbers ... it's kind of a viewing guide.
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:33 PM ^
clintbrew247 Clint Brewster
January 3rd, 2013 at 1:41 PM ^
I was watching ESPNU for around an hour last night trying to see Poggi in action and I swear everytime it was hip rep ESPN would focus the cam on some kid and talk about how he is going to A&M or Bama or something. It was really frustrating. If you watch those practices on ESPNU you wouldn't know we have any prospects at all.
RE: The Poggi rumors. If his dad is planning on taking some kids to go see a Bama practice and he takes his own son I think that is just something we will all have to deal with. You know, becaus eit is a father and his son going to see a practice leading up to the national championship game. He might just want to make some memories and have a good time with his own son. You know, because that is what life is all about and things.
January 3rd, 2013 at 2:08 PM ^
Just trying to figure out why he would be involved in taking kids (other than his own) down there.
Didn't the Grady (Kevin &Kelvin) brothers dad do something similar to that also?
January 3rd, 2013 at 2:09 PM ^
Yes. Biff Poggi is the head coach of Gillman.
January 3rd, 2013 at 2:10 PM ^
My rant is assuming Mr. Poggi is the coach of Henry Poggi, yes.
I am not sure, but I assume he is.
January 3rd, 2013 at 2:20 PM ^
Alabama plays in the BCS Championship on the 7th, so I doubt that if Mr. Poggi goes to visit on the 11th that he will observe any football related activity.
January 3rd, 2013 at 5:59 PM ^
May be not practice-wise, but Saban was known to have already been thinking/preparing for next season after defeating LSU in the National Championship last year.
January 3rd, 2013 at 2:11 PM ^
Would be nice to see Green signing soon; this team needs to pull some top skill position talent soon.
As for Poggi possibly going to Alabama, that seems unlikely. He's been on the radar for some time, so it seems strange that during a dead period he would consider flipping without any warning signs.
January 3rd, 2013 at 2:15 PM ^
pretty sure he is not going to Bama...seriously people, who wouldnt want to watch Bama practice. Even after they kicked our teeth in on national T.V. and humiliated my alma mater, I would still want to go see them practice.
January 3rd, 2013 at 2:35 PM ^
Didn't Wilcher do the same thing for some CT kids a while ago...taking them all down to bama or something.
As far as Poggi....so be it, if his dad wants to get some exposure for some of his kids that is fine and seeing as how he might take his own son, I'm not sure why anyone would be bothered.
January 3rd, 2013 at 3:27 PM ^
Yes, Wilcher took a bunch of CT kids to Bama, including Jourdan Lewis. He talked it over with the coaches beforehand and there was no issue.
January 3rd, 2013 at 5:16 PM ^
That's what I thought....thanks Ace for the confirmation.
January 3rd, 2013 at 2:39 PM ^
Are you wiling to tell us how many "Hello Posts" you have already written in preparation of NSD? I would have to assume you've put work in on:
- Treadwill (shakes fist at sky....)
- Green (crosses fingers.....)
- Hunt
- McQuay
- Reon Dawson
Do you ever worry about a jinx by writing up one ahead of time? ;)
January 3rd, 2013 at 2:56 PM ^
I doubt McQuay commits to Michigan. He is announcing this week and is supposed to be an EE and so far FSU is the only school that has accepted him as an EE.
January 3rd, 2013 at 5:39 PM ^
Per 247's Brewster, Michigan is having a meeting today including coaches and "academic staff" "about McQuay enrolling early." FWIW.
January 3rd, 2013 at 3:26 PM ^
I'll be honest—I've drafted two of those, and at this point they've both been sitting there long enough that they would require an extensive rewrite. I'm optimistic I'll be able to use one. The other, not so much.
In related news, I've stopped pre-writing Hello posts unless a commitment is pretty much inevitable.
January 3rd, 2013 at 5:23 PM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 11:07 PM ^
is the biggest troll in U-M recruiting since Terrelle Pryor.
Thanks for playing with our hearts, Laquon. Best of luck in life.
January 3rd, 2013 at 3:42 PM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 4:02 PM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 4:15 PM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 6:31 PM ^
That is interesting.
January 3rd, 2013 at 5:29 PM ^
January 3rd, 2013 at 7:43 PM ^
The rumors on a visit are true. But it will be to Maryland, not Alabama.
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