Sam Web On the Final 5 Spots In the '14 Recruiting Class
On recruiting roundup, Sam Webb took a guess on the final 5 recruits that will finish up the class.
Da'Shawn Hand
Tay Scott
Malik McDowell
Jamarco Jones
Adoree Jackson
Other than the obvious "yes, please" response, three of these 5 recruits would be incredible, and would almost certainly guarantee a top 3 recruiting class.
Thoughts?
Edit: I finally listened to this morning's recruiting roundup, and this information is legit; Disregard earlier statement.
High optimism from Sam. I have heard that Scott is suddenly much more likely to be in the class than KJ Williams. I'm kind of surprised that he expects Jamarco Jones and Adoree to join the class
Love Sam, but I don't think be knows anything but high optimism. If he ever gives a percentage shot at landing a recruit, I'd cut it in half. At least.
I think Adoree Jackson's nickname, if he commits to us should be Adoree "That's Amore' " Jackson.
for your insightful response.
Obviously Sam knows far more about recruiting than I'll ever hope to know, but I see Adoree' Jackson as a major stretch right now, and most every insider has Jamarco Jones in a buckeye jersey at this juncture. Tay Scott seems to be a Michigan lean, and it appears to be only a matter of time before Malik McDowell pulls the trigger. Michigan insiders seem to be strangely confident about Da'Shawn Hand recently, with both Sam and TomVH going so far as to say Michigan is in the lead for his services. I'm growing in confidence about Hand because it seems like it's trending in our favor.
Has Sam really gone so far as to say Michigan is in the lead for Hand? I think he has been pretty careful about not saying that.
If I remember correctly (and if I heard correctly - WTKA isn't always that clear on my daily commute between Ionia and Lansing), he said something to the affect of, I don't see Michigan as the far and away leader for Hand. To me this implied that he thinks Michigan is a leader but not by much. He's still choosing his words carefully, but again it sounded like that's what he was implying.
ionia, yuck
I think Jackson is less of a stretch post Peppers. Supposedly Jackson's interest is picking up and he talks to Peppers frequently. What likely needs to happen is for Hand for commit, which will create more hype and a higher projected ceiling for the program. If Hand commits while Jackson is still fairly open minded, I think we're in a good spot.
I can see us taking one more. It is pretty clear that the coaches want more depth at OLB.
I want the last spot to go to Darrion Owens. I think he is similar to Winovich in a way that he has played some safety in the past, but will be a OLB in college.
I'm a little confused by that.
I think Sam said that he was going to discuss Jackson and Westphal on tomorrow's recruiting roundup.
the odds are good that we have more than five spots to give out, but of those spots, these are the guys we are hearing about most, and thus seem most likely.
It would be more than a sting.. more like a gut wrenching bite. The meltdown would be great.
must have been a serious blow. . .
I hear rumors starting already that Urban is "starting to cool" on him.
/s
that his butt may have too much wiggle, for Urban's taste......
/s
If Peppers and Adoree' Jackson end up signing with Michigan, I think we're going to see some transfers at that position...
It's interesting that Parrker Westphal isn't listed. Much like Tommy Doles and LaQuon Treadwell, it seems like Westphal is waiting for a reason not to commit... I'm not saying he won't, but it's a little strange that he hasn't done so already with spots dwindling.
Also, I think Jamarco Jones will end up at OSU, even though I think he would fit better at Michigan.
I also get that Treadwell/Doles feeling from Westphal... numerous visits, says lots of positive things, but not pulling the trigger despite the class filling up... I think he ends up elsewhere.
My theory on Westphal, and how Hoke operates, is that he tells Westphal that only, say, Jackson and Smith can trump Westphal's committment...ie he is third on the committable list, whereby if Jackson or Smith go somehwere else, that Westphal can committ, and thus, he "waits".... my theory would explain why Westphal hasn't committed, and answers your thought. That Hoke won't accept a Westphal committment yet, until the other two ahead of him decide, presuming theyve given a timeframe suitable to Hoke.
And this would explain why Tommy Doles didnt committ, and then all of a sudden went with NW.... ie he is told that, say, he is fourth on the list.. and Bushell-Beatty and whoever were ahead of him yet undecided at the moment, and that he can either wait, or not.
I do not think Hoke would recruit Westphal in that manner.
i have witnessed (and i am sure many others have, too) brady and mattison interacting with recruits and their families and it seems very much against the atmosphere BH is trying to build. it would be damn near impossible for someone to tell me "we like you 4th best" and then turn and try to hug my mom without getting a facefull of purse.
I think Hoke and staff would gladly take a commitment from Westphal right now. I think they have put a few kids on the backburner in the past, but I don't think Westphal is one of them. While he's not a 5* DB, he's still very good. ESPN has him as a top 100 player.
ESPN knows best this year.
Yeah, I think U-M would be elated to get Westphal; not sure what the hold-up is, but I think he'll commit if there's a spot for him when he finally decides.
I think it is more likely that Westphal is waiting to see where A. Jackson goes, than that Michigan is waiting on Jackson before they'd accept a committment from Westphal.
The one thing recruits have consistently said about Hoke & Co. is that the staff is honest and lets recruits know where they stand. I think there is good chance that M has told Westphal that although the plan is to take 2 CBs in 2014, they consider Jackson an elite prospect and will take him regardless if he wants to come. If so, then Jackson's decision could be a major factor in Westphal's thinking.
So far as I've seen, Westphal is the only other corner that M is recruiting besides Jackson. That means if Westphal doesn't want to have to out-compete both Peppers and Jackson for a starting position, then he can probably afford to wait and see what Jackson does before making up his mind. If Jackson goes Blue, then Westphal can go to Northwestern or wherever else will gladly take him. If Jackson doesn't commit to M, then Wetphal can take that second spot for himself knowing the position is closed.
I think, in a general sense, Brady Hoke wants kids who want to play for Michigan. In that respect, I think he'd be more likely to do first come, first serve between a top 100 guy and a top 10 guy than hold a spot for the top 10 guy only to never have him commit.
While that makes sense, I think it's gonna be hard to tell - we could also see moves to WR, couldn't we?
We have Jones, Dukes, York, Chesson, Darboh (and then walk-ons) after Gallon and Dileo graduate. Then we have Ways and Harris in the fold for 2014.
I could definitely see Jourdan Lewis moving to the slot, maybe even Reon Dawson seeing some snaps on offense.
That's seven scholarship wide receivers, not counting any other additions in the 2014 class (Scott, Williams, etc.). I don't see a dire need to change kids' positions. Yes, I think one or two of those cornerbacks could play WR if needed, but competition could be almost as fierce on that side of the ball with Harris, potentially Artavis Scott, and any other breakout receivers.
If Michigan does land Tay Scott, plus already having Moe Ways and Drake Harris, does that have any effect on George Campbell for the class of 2015? Or not just because he's that good.
Would probably help with Campbell considering they are HS teammates and play different WR roles. They would make each other better being on the field together.
From everything I have heard landing Scott would help quite a bit with Campbell as the two go to the same school and have a friendship.
Campbell would be a problem for Ways, not the other way around, and as noted, Scott projects more to the slot position.
Green also seemed like he had no reason to hold off on commiting last year and he still ended up in the class.
Ummm...okay? I don't know what that has to do with anything.
Green was the #1 running back in the country according to some, and virtually any school would have taken him up until National Signing Day (or beyond). Westphal isn't that talented.
Secondly, Green wasn't a heavy Michigan lean last spring. Treadwell put it off and put it off and put it off, even though Michigan was strongly leading very early in his recruitment. Westphal's early comments about Michigan put him much more in the Treadwell category than the Green category.
True, but also remember than T. Howard is Westphal's coach. That may make a difference in the end.
I have not forgotten.
A lot of things "may make a difference in the end."
Let's not get arrogant about who knows more about high schoolers, ok?
Thanks for the insight you have added to the discussion.
You make me laugh. Please continue.