Thursday Recruitin' Rides The Carousel
Durkin Leaves, Partridge Stays
Recruits care more about the man in the middle. [Fuller]
While Michigan lost a strong recruiter when DJ Durkin accepted the head job at Maryland, it doesn't appear his departure is going to have a significant impact on the program's recruiting, at least in the short term. The latest Wolverine pledge, Jordan Elliott*, summed up the general feeling among the commits:
This don't change a thing
— ChadTough〽️ (@XCV____) December 2, 2015
The reaction from uncommitted targets depends on the prospect; for the most part, their ties are more to the program—Jim Harbaugh's program—or their primary recruiter. The Wolverine's Tim Sullivan posted reactions from several prospects that included four-star TX DE Levi Onwuzurike saying that it wouldn't affect him as long as Greg Mattison stayed on staff ($). Five-star CA OLB Caleb Kelly said it affects his recruitment, but he's been considered a long-shot at best for a while now. This is worth watching, though:
Los Angeles Loyola 2016 cornerback David Long Jr.
"That would be huge [to lose him], but if [Stanford defensive coordinator Lance] Anderson replaces him it would work perfectly, but that's in a perfect world."
Despite being a Stanford commit, Long seemed more likely to end up at Michigan. We'll see what comes of his imminent in-home visit; hopefully that clears up any concern.
Meanwhile, 247's Steve Wiltfong reported today that director of player personnel Chris Partridge will not follow Durkin to Maryland, which was rumored to be a strong possibility—Sam Webb added Partridge is in line for an "increased role" with the program. While Michigan's recruiting in New Jersey has reached the point where Partridge isn't essential to their ability to land that state's top talent—more NJ recruits mention Jabrill Peppers than Partridge these days—it's still a a significant plus to have his connections there.
*So I can save myself an extra paragraph, Elliott isn't going anywhere.
[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]
Nauta In Wait-And-See Mode
Michigan's chances with five-star GA TE Isaac Nauta may have received a huge boost when Georgia fired Mark Richt, but Nauta told 247's Kipp Adams a lot depends on who's next in line in Athens ($):
Nauta is unsure how the coaching changes will affect Georgia's chances.
"It depends on who it is," Nauta said. "If there is a coach brought in that I have a previous relationship with, especially on the recruiting trail, then no. I am going to have to look into everything - how the offensive coordinator uses the tight ends - to make sure I am making the right decision."
Georgia looks poised to hire Alabama DC Kirby Smart; I have no clue how that'd impact Nauta. On one hand, Nauta is probably at least somewhat familiar with Smart since he's been recruited by Alabama. On the other hand, Smart wasn't his primary or secondary recruiter at Bama.
This could be a case where the offensive coordinator hire matters much more than the head coach hire. I get the sense Nauta is going to give Georgia every possible chance to convince him to stay close to home; if anyone else can land him, though, it's Michigan.
More OSU Visit Reactions
Visit reactions continue to trickle in from last weekend. It's hard to get a read on top-100 MD OG Terrance Davis, who talked up the game atmosphere to Rivals' Adam Friedman but added he doesn't have a leader ($):
"It was a good visit but I guess it's different when you take an official visit during the season," he said. "The coaches have to focus on the game. It was their biggest game of the season. I understand that the game is going to take up most of their time. It was still a good visit.
"I loved my time in Michigan," said Davis. "It could have been better. It didn't hurt them in any way. I had a pretty good visit overall. I wouldn't say I have a leader right now."
It's unclear which school is the biggest contender aside from Michigan; it's still getting tougher and tougher to expect Davis to wind up in Ann Arbor the longer this drags out without a commitment.
There no question about where Michigan stands with three-star FL DT Keyshon Camp:
#Scout300 DT Keyshon Camp tells me he's committed to #USC "for good" More here ($) https://t.co/rXErB1O5Yk @gmartlive @ThePeristyle #FightOn
— Corey Bender (@Corey_Bender) November 30, 2015
Camp, a Florida native, wasn't a fan of the weather. If a relatively mild late-November day elicited that reaction, it's probably best for all parties involved for Camp to wind up at a warm-weather school.
247's Clint Brewster posted a few notes on four-star TX ILB Dontavious Jackson after his official visit ($):
I was told that even the coaches recruiting Jackson don't have a great hunch as to where he will end up and that one school is not really out in front as a lock but Texas, Michigan, and Florida State are in the best position.
A reason for optimism or pessimism, depending on your perspective: Brewster added that Jackson isn't as concerned about distance from home as the people advising him.
Top Targets Getting In-Homes
Five-star NJ RB Kareem Walker:
Home visit with coach Wheatley went very well... #GoBlue
— AlightyReem (@_KareemWalker) December 1, 2015
Top-100 TX OT Jean Delance:
LSU and Michigan visits went great tonight!! Unbelievable .. Is the word trust me.
— Jean Delance (@JeanDelance74) December 2, 2015
DJ Durkin (awkward) and Greg Mattison also dropped in on Rashan Gary and Jordan Fuller this week, per Steve Lorenz. For those worried, Durkin's departure shouldn't affect M's chances with Gary—of that I'm quite confident.
Etc.
Brandon Peters is among elite company as a finalist for the Army Player of the Year award:
2016 Army Player of the Year finalists: DT Derrick Brown WR Donnie Corley QB Jacob Eason WR Simi Fehoko QB Shea Patterson QB Brandon Peters
— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) December 2, 2015
In addition, Peters and Ben Bredeson took home Gatorade POTY awards for the states of Indiana and Wisconsin, respectively.
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:10 PM ^
Kinda surprised this Kareem Walker tweet wasn't worth a mention (and I haven't seen it on the board either):
Recruits suppose to commit and be loyalty but college coaches take jobs as soon as present itself... Crazy how much Criticism we take
— AlⓂ️ightyReem (@_KareemWalker) December 2, 2015
No idea whehther it means anything (probably nothing).
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:14 PM ^
...is exactly why I rarely include tweets like that in these posts.
Regardless of that, I'd be pretty surprised if Durkin's departure has much of an impact on the recruitment of Walker, anyway. Not on the same side of the ball and Walker's primary recruiter is Wheatley.
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:23 PM ^
Fair enough. I agree that Durkin's departure probably won't affect his recruitment. Still seemed newsworthy to me, but you guys run the show for a reason.
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:23 PM ^
being back in contact with Walker again?
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:26 PM ^
I thought it was pretty clear that OSU wasn't going to be an option anymore.
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:30 PM ^
...on 247 (which I assume is where you got this), he said that they did contact him again, but while the door isn't closed, the likelihood he ends up back at OSU "is low."
December 3rd, 2015 at 6:04 PM ^
I feel you do not have enough MGoPoints. Have an upvote.
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:16 PM ^
December 3rd, 2015 at 8:49 PM ^
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:27 PM ^
it might have less to do with Durkin, and just more to do with OSU fans probably giving him crap for de-committing. Because that comment sounds more like he is annoyed by criticism of him than by coached leaving.
December 3rd, 2015 at 7:34 PM ^
And not even a high schooler is going to fault a guy for getting a *promotion*
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:35 PM ^
BTW, it was brought up in the "DCC: Question about timing" thead by Moe, but no worries as everyone doesn't see every comment.
It does make your head scratch as this is not the first time or year where coaches move around or maybe he was probably talking with Mike Weber?
December 3rd, 2015 at 5:49 PM ^
I take that as more of a reply to those who critcised him for de-commiting.
December 3rd, 2015 at 7:22 PM ^
Walker's tweet makes perfect sense. He got a lot of grief from OSU fans when he decommitted from the Buckeyes. It really doesn't seem fair that coaches can cut and run whenever they want to whomever will take them. But players don't have that freedom in the least.
December 4th, 2015 at 6:37 AM ^
...words always mean things. We are left to conclude whether the meaning is significant and whether it detrimentally affects M's chances with him. (I think not.)
Onward!
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:11 PM ^
I'm a little skeptical that Durkin leaving has no effect on uncommitted defensive prospects like Gary. Yes, Mattison is still here coaching his position, but the head of the entire defense leaves and it won't affect his thinking at all? I hope so, but I don't know about that.
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:21 PM ^
You don't think that if Ace adds "of that I'm quite confident" at the end of a statement, it might mean it's more than a hunch? I don't know what Ace knows, but if Ace is speculating, he'll usually say so. If he adds emphasis like that, it might mean something. Of that I'm quite confident.
December 3rd, 2015 at 5:55 PM ^
Ace does a great job for the blog, but that doesn't mean I'm going to take those types of statements as if they're set in stone and 100%. I don't think it's unreasonable to believe losing the coordinator on your side of the ball will affect your thinking (not completely change his mind, just make him think about it a little). Thanks for the condescending reply though.
December 3rd, 2015 at 5:56 PM ^
December 4th, 2015 at 9:03 AM ^
And to that end, the main writers on this blog (Ace, Brian, Seth etc...) go out of their way to stay out of the murky bog of recruiting conjecture. They are pretty connected guys in the M football recruiting community. I think we'd all be surprised by the level of insider info and ramblings they sit on because it's in the best interest of the recruits and the program.
I'm not saying they can't be wrong. I'm saying they try pretty damn hard to tread lightly when all they have to go on is speculation. If Ace says what he said with a qualifier like "of this I feel confident" then we can probably infer that he's got info to back that up.
December 3rd, 2015 at 5:58 PM ^
Id suspect that the one position where Durkin leaving would have the greatest effect would be the Buck LB position. Other positions wouldnt be effected nearly as much in a schematic sense.
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:10 PM ^
that Peters convinces Corley to DO THE RIGHT THING
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:26 PM ^
Corley in this class.....
He's a position of need
December 3rd, 2015 at 6:36 PM ^
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:21 PM ^
Story ran here the other day about Eason. Long time Georgia commit who may be reconsidering...
http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/high-school/lake-stevens-quarterback…
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:24 PM ^
...not happening, as far as I know. Don't think Michigan is even pursuing him. They're quite set with Peters/Viramontes.
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:27 PM ^
You mean Peters/Viramontes/Taysom Hill. #DoneDeal
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:35 PM ^
December 3rd, 2015 at 4:03 PM ^
Eason at WSU.......... likely not happening, but I could easily see UW, UCLA, et al. making another run.
December 3rd, 2015 at 4:04 PM ^
he visited UF.
December 3rd, 2015 at 4:46 PM ^
Gators beat reporter said Eason told UF players he would be decommitting from UGA and flipping to UF.
December 3rd, 2015 at 5:52 PM ^
The Gators just Flipped a very highly ranked QB from LSU: Felipe Franks
Not that they wouldn't take both of them, but I don't think it's likely.
December 3rd, 2015 at 4:07 PM ^
December 3rd, 2015 at 4:19 PM ^
I wish would could all discontinue the use of the word "haul" with regards to recruits.
These kids aren't a sack full of corn or something.
Just a pet peeve of mine.
#Ruddock
December 3rd, 2015 at 4:38 PM ^
I dunno, I like when UM reaps the benefit of a good recruiting haul.
December 3rd, 2015 at 9:40 PM ^
December 3rd, 2015 at 5:36 PM ^
December 3rd, 2015 at 9:10 PM ^
Wouldn't that indicate these maize-sacked fellows have trouble producing testosterone?
On top of that, they'd have great difficulty producing offspring - no more legacy players.
December 4th, 2015 at 12:52 AM ^
Don't you think?
December 3rd, 2015 at 6:00 PM ^
I see it differently with Nauta. Hes looking for any reason to STAY at Georgia.
December 3rd, 2015 at 6:46 PM ^
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:26 PM ^
I seem to recall that Smart said he is staying on with Bama until after the National Championship game (assuming Bama is in it). Am I misremembering that?
I also seem to recall that Nauta is an early enrollee. Am I correct on that?
If those two things are true doesn't think basically kill UGA's chances? Smart won't even technically be UGA's coach until after Nauta decides? Seem like this might also hinder Smart's ability to put otgether a staff/recruit during December.
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:29 PM ^
Or that could be bad for us. It seems like UGA might be in the "innocent until proven guilty" zone with Nauta, meaning he's theirs until they prove otherwise, not the other way around. So if they don't prove otherwise soon enough, he'll just enroll there.
This is not based on anything but my own guesses.
December 3rd, 2015 at 3:34 PM ^
I think he wants to go to UGA (all things being equal). But man it would be a huge risk to commit to a coach sight unseen. While I guess it is possible, it seems really unlikely. Espeically if he never really met Smart.
Who Smart gets for his staff (and when) is goign to be real interesting. I haven't even heard names thrown out (not that I follow UGA at all)
December 3rd, 2015 at 4:45 PM ^
Yes Nauta wants to enroll early...However does he decide to wait to sgin his LOI after Smart goes to Ga? And not entroll early to make sure it will be a good fit? Or from what it sounds like is that he will enroll and be playing OC roulette? I'm hoping M prevails in his decision.
December 3rd, 2015 at 4:18 PM ^
But has a top, uncommitted recruit ever both committed and enrolled early at a school that had no head coach? We've seen just about everything else in recruiting, so it wouldn't be a total shock, but that sounds pretty unlikely.
What if Georgia then settles for Schiano as their coach? Would Nauta really take that risk just to stay close to home? Could anyone face such dire consequences as accidentally committing to Greg Schiano???
December 3rd, 2015 at 9:02 PM ^
coaching the offense, then there is almost no scenario where he comes here. Any hire will sell him on their plans to utilize an elite TE, regardless of their track record. We either have no shot or the timing is good for us.
December 4th, 2015 at 10:14 AM ^
I'll put it this way:
Isaac Nauta decommitted from Florida State because he wanted to play closer to home (a.k.a. Georgia). For those of you who are geographically challenged, Georgia borders Florida on the north side.
Michigan is several states away from Georgia. I think the only way he comes to Michigan is if Georgia royally fouls up its offensive staff hires and/or recruitment of him.
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