Thursday Recruitin' Celebrates Accordingly
Five-Star Out Of Nowhere?
Thank you to every school that has offered me with an opportunity to attend their University, but here is my Top 4. pic.twitter.com/uWdsj7CsYH
— Joshua Kaindoh (@_jkaindoh) April 21, 2016
Five-star IMG Academy DE Joshua Kaindoh released his top four yesterday, and the biggest news didn't involve which programs made it, but one that didn't: Maryland, which had been the presumed leader for the DMV native. The Terps were left off the list in favor of Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Penn State.
While the Wolverines haven't been mentioned as much of a factor for Kaindoh, it's clear his recruitment is capable of taking some unexpected twists and turns. 247's Steve Lorenz initially posted after the news broke that he'd "be very surprised" if Kaindoh ended up at Michigan; he updated that post with intel that Michigan believes they have a shot.
Speaking of five-stars, TMI's Josh Newkirk caught up with Cass Tech WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, who's been in touch with quarterback commit Dylan McCaffrey:
“He has reached out to me,” Peoples-Jones said of McCaffrey. “I took notice of the commitment (to U-M). It was surprising to me that they got a really good quarterback that really sets the bar for all recruitment. You have a strong quarterback; you (can) build around him. That definitely made a statement for Michigan.”
Adding: “I think it’s really good for them to have a guy like him come in. He’s a really good guy. I’ve been talking to him on Twitter. We’re developing a relationship.”
While that's certainly promising, Peoples-Jones maintains no leaders in his recruitment. In fact, his list of schools under consideration has expanded slightly:
In January, at the time, Peoples-Jones released his top-10 schools in alphabetical order, which included: Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas A&M and USC. And after a recent trip to Florida State, Peoples-Jones has since added the ‘Noles to his now top-11.
Peoples-Jones wants to visit every school on his list before making a decision. His recruitment, as expected, should extend until late in the process.
[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]
Timing Is Everything
Michigan offered 2018 four-star CA CB Olaijah Griffin yesterday, per Rivals' Adam Gorney. While 2018 offers don't normally earn this prominent a mention in the roundup, Griffin is the son of legendary West Coast rapper Warren G, and his offer came in on 4/20. That is rather perfect.
In a legacy offer of a different sort, Michigan offered 2018 Detroit Country Day ILB Kolin Demens, the younger brother of Kenny Demens, who was quite excited by the news. Michigan joined Nebraska on the younger Demens' offer list and immediately jumped into the lead on his Crystal Ball.
Michigan is the first big-time program to offer 2018 four-star GA S Otis Reese, who told TMI's Brice Marich the Wolverines are now his leader. He's looking to set up a visit to Ann Arbor. M also put forth an offer to another four-star 2018 safety, California prospect Jaiden Woodbey.
In the 2017 class, Michigan offered three-star OH OT Joel Honigford, who told Scout's Bill Greene he has "high interest" and plans to visit this summer. Honigford's offer list, which also includes Auburn, Michigan State, Oklahoma, and Penn State, suggests he could move up the rankings.
M In Top Three For Alabama DT
While 2017 AL DT Neil Farrell is a three-star to the recruiting services, his offer sheet includes the likes of Clemson, Florida, LSU, and South Carolina. Michigan has also thrown their hat in the ring, and this week Farrell told Scout that the Wolverines are in his top three:
The 6-foot-4, 295-pound junior told Scout’s Chad Simmons that Michigan, Clemson and LSU are the three in the lead. He has visited the two southern schools, but has not been to Ann Arbor yet. The Wolverines are a school that has made his top list, however, because of Jim Harbaugh’s resume and what he knows of Michigan Stadium.
“The NFL, that’s the next spot, and I know he has that experience and he can put me in that place,” Farrell said. “I know they’re a good team and they have one of the best crowds in the nation.”
Farrell plans to enroll early, and Michigan is the only school he knows he'll see on an offical visit.
M Pushing For Ohio's Top Rising Junior
Five-star all-purpose back Jaelen Gill, the top-ranked 2018 prospect in Ohio, is expected to land at Ohio State, but he told The Wolverine's Brandon Brown this week that he likes what Michigan has to offer:
"I love Michigan actually," Gill said. "Once you hit the highway it’s a straight shot so it’s not far at all. You could come home whenever you have free time so I’m really interested in Michigan. I loved it up there."
Gill visited during spring ball and said he wants to get back up to campus. While he should still be considered a longshot, a return visit would be encouraging.
Etc.
Rivals released an unordered top 100 for the 2018 class, and they omitted both of Michigan's commits; while that's not a huge surprise when it comes to Antwuan Johnson (ranked #159 overall on 247), it is for Leonard Taylor, who ranks 22nd on 247 and should fall within the top 100 on Scout when they order their rankings. TTB has a full breakdown of M targets on the list.
MLive's Matt Wenzel posted a feature on 2017 commit J'Marick Woods, who underwent an impressive physical transformation when he started focusing on football over basketball:
Woods didn't get serious about football until the eighth grade, which coincided with a physical transformation. He started as a center and defensive lineman and was playing safety by his sophomore year in high school.
"I was always the big kid, not so much height-wise but weight-wise," Woods said, "and then finally in seventh grade I started hitting my growth spurt and the weight just kind of evened out.
Woods also got in a quality burn on one of his uncles.
Happy trails, for now at least, to top-100 NJ OT Micah Clark, who joined the burgeoning movement to keep New Jersey's top players in-state with a commitment to Rutgers. Ditto four-star TX RB Eno Benjamin, who ignored years of AIRBHG precendent and committed to Iowa.
Congratulations to the NCAA for getting something right.
It's kind of easy when you're listening to the G-Dub sound
April 22nd, 2016 at 12:43 PM ^
WOW! Someone downvoted that post?
Was it because of THE ALL CAPS?!?!?!?!?!?
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Lorenz had an article yesterday where he listed four 5* players and said Michigan would sign at least three of them. Im thinking that if the season goes as alot of us believe three 5* may be the floor not the ceiling. I wouldnt bother posting this but along with Sam and the MGoFolks Lorenz doesnt blow smoke up our asses.
April 21st, 2016 at 10:51 PM ^
Um, who were they?
April 22nd, 2016 at 12:21 AM ^
He was actually just listing some five-stars Michigan is recruiting, and said Michigan would land three five-stars. Separate thoughts.
April 22nd, 2016 at 10:27 AM ^
I feel like we are always in the running for top recruits years after year simply because of the Michigan name. Now im curious to see if this is turning out to be a top recruiting class or if its just early on in the cycle. Could go eaither way and only time will tell.
I don't think that association is fair to Peoples-Jones. Has he done anything remotely diva-like? Everything I've read from him makes him sound like a really good, sharp kid. He's just a guy with the luxury of being able to take his time and check out his options.
Definately agree with turd on this one. I also think wr is the most overvalued position group on the field.
Peoples-Jones hasn't sought out much attention at all given his high profile, and the only time he bucked that trend was to speak out against the satellite camp ban—not because it served his best interests, but because it could help out lesser-known prospects.
Taking the time to evaluate all available options doesn't make one a diva. Blanket characterizations of high school kids really, really bother me.
Ace, we know all high schoolers are skinny-jean-wearing, Ska-Band-Singing, mirror stainers. Throw a blanket on that.
(did I cover all the board topics for the week? did i miss one?)
So confronted with conflicting information from a stereotype (WRs tend to be divas) and a person's apparent character (Peoples-Jones seems like a good, humble kid), you think it's best to roll with the stereotype. Nice.
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You're engaging in a bullshit generalization. Your proposition is that Peoples-Jones is engaging in all-eyez-on-me behavior because...all wide receivers are divas. Your evidence for this? Laquon Treadwell. A single, solitary example. When confronted by people who have followed Peoples-Jones' recruitment more closely than you, who know him better, who may have *gasp* spoken to him and his family, your response is...no they're wrong because wide receivers are divas because Laquon Treadwell. That's basically your argument. And it's basically bullshit.
Lol how can you seriously be this dense. I have stated 3 different times the point was his recruitment would be going down to the wire, and I believe he is using the process for branding (along with finding the best school, which I have no issue with).
And one solitary example of diva WRs, you're right Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Braylon Edwards, Percy Harvin, Desean Jackson, Ochocinco, Brandon Marshall, and oh....and if you google "Diva Wide Receivers" there are literally multiple lists dedicated to the topic.
And I never said anything about DPJ personally. Thank you for incorrectly "generalizing" my arugment and somehow missing the point I have restated.
April 21st, 2016 at 11:46 PM ^
You're not just saying that some high ranked WRs are going to be divas through the recruiting process. That might be true and no one's disputing that point, although it wasn't true for some of the WRs you listed above.
You were specifically referring to DPJ and his recruitment.
It's a diva position, and this recruitment will make the Hand or Gary sagas look like a "sure thing.
You've said a lot more with an uncommon certainty that you know this kid and how he's going to act, apparently only because you can cite a few examples of other WRs. This while ignoring many counter examples and what's been said by people that actually do know him. You may be right that his reruitment lasts until signing day. You might be wrong too. You should probably acknowledge that instead of digging a deeper hole. .
All quarterbacks are divas--Johnny Maziel, RGIII, Tim Tebow, Bernie Kosar, Joe Namath, Jamarcus Russell. Therefore O'Korn is a diva. Wait...no. All linebackers are divas--L.T., Bill Romanowski, Ernie Sims Jr, Brian Bosworth, Dhani Jones. Therefore, Devin Bush Jr is diva. Um...wait, I've got this. All offensive tackles are divas--Michael Oher, Jake Long, Tony Mandarich...[logic fail]
Nobody here really knows him -- so I'll continue making unfounded assumptions about him based on the position he plays and his decision date.
Hell yes, he's aware of his high profile. He's an intelligent young man. He could do or say many things to ensure he gets all the pub he wants. But when he does make a statement for public consumption in regard to an issue that has dominated the cfb landscape for the past week+ and the crux of his message is, "It's not going to hurt me or others like me, but it obviously will hurt those that have enough talent to earn a degree and how they think this benefits the student/athlete is perpexing, at best." As I said, he's fully aware of his status, that being a lock of the roster of almost any school he chooses, but to speak out in this manner removes all doubt, if any existed as to the character of the young man. He's going to be one hell of a teammate, and selfishly I hope they wear maize and blue.
April 22nd, 2016 at 12:51 PM ^
What has DPJ done that's Diva-like you ask?
How about NOT COMMITTING TO MICHIGAN already and becoming a Recruiter-in-Chief for other top talents to join him?
I mean, I know that's what I'D do...
Don't forget the coeds...
You have no evidence to base that on my friend.
April 22nd, 2016 at 12:58 PM ^
OK, not sure if that was /s Craze?
But in the case of Treadwell at least, HE provided plenty of evidence on his own, quite proudly too. And NOTHING was done to Ol' Miss or Freeze, so far anyway, and now Quon and Nkemdiche are gone on to the draft and it continues with others...
So Joshua Kaindoh wants nothing to do with Durkin and Maryland as of now. I guess he watched Durkin orchestrate that defensive scheme against THE ohio and doesn't want any part of that for 3 - 4 years.
/yes, I am still butt hurt over an ex-DC, not for getting a HC gig, but who was preoccupied thinking about crab cakes and not buckeyes when it mattered most!
Maybe Durkin is pulling in such a monster class that Kaindoh's offer was non-commitable
I thought we had a 5 start commitment. No, it's not a Hello post, but still, I was disappointed when I learned it was only a top-4. Yes, I'm happy we made the top 4 unexpectedly.
Kaindoh visited ND last weekend, and has had 8 crystal balls drop for the Irish yesterday and today.
Long way to go but...
I think a helpful addition to this would be a section where you would have a running list of players with 247 crystal balls that have Michigan at 50% or higher (or to make it simple, any recruit that has a Michigan crystal ball).
In this list you'd have their star rating, how high a priority to get in the class, most likely destination, and potential commit date (if known).
Just in case anyone was wondering how big Kaindoh. In multiple reports yesterday not one article showed his height and weight, as if, they all saw the same tweet and were just too darn lazy to take 15 seconds to look it up. You're welcome.
April 22nd, 2016 at 10:39 AM ^
I saw him play last year. Had no idea who he was initially but he was one of the first kids on IMG that really stood out to me. He is a big fast dude. Looks like your typical future freakish professional athlete.
on pretty much every high level recruit. That seems to be the common refrain. Not very encouraging
Thats kind of the way recruiting works. There's both plenty of time left and a lot of players that the staff is in on. I am not worried about the recruiting class one bit. It is probably not going to be the Alabama level class lots of people here are thinking it will be but they'll get their guys.
April 22nd, 2016 at 10:21 AM ^
If you are a recruiting power (which we should be), then you should have your share of high level recruits that you lead on at this point. You don't have to look any further than OSU. They already have one of the best classes in the country and stated leaders for a few Top 10 type players. We are no where near then in terms of 2017 recruits and I am not sure where we are going to close the gap on them. Heck we are probably no better than 50-50 with OSU on Peoples-Jones, who is a legacy kid and plays in our own backyard.
To say it is okay to be outrecurited by OSU is to accept your place as an inferior program. I refuse to do that. The only thing i will accept is beating them on the field and in recruiting. Right now we are doing neither.
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The 247 Composite has 31 five-star recruits. One of them is committed to Michigan (McCaffrey, #17). Two of them, the last I heard, said that we lead (Wilson, #18; Slaton, #24). Another guy seems very open but the common thinking is that Michigan probably leads (Peoples-Jones, #5). And then we're involved with a bunch of other guys who are probably unlikely (e.g., Browning, #16; Kaindoh, #26; Samuels, #28).
So maybe we get three of those guys. We haven't even had two 5-stars in the 247 Composite since 2005. I think we'll be okay.
April 22nd, 2016 at 10:19 AM ^
if we get any three of those guys. The only ones that have claimed Michigan as a leader have been Wilson and Slaton, and Slaton has since backed off of that stance (which is never good) and Wilson has not been as strong on Michigan as his leader in recent comments. So in both cases, based on the updates, it seems we are losing ground rather then strengthing our lead. Peoples-Jones is the most troubling, he refuses to single out Michigan at all, which is never good when you are talking about a legacy kid. We are by no means a clear leader for him, and probably an underdog to the field at this point. Kaindoh, Samuels and Browning are all considered longshots and not likely to be part of the class.
We have to hope Partridge still has some pull and can land us Singleton and Bolds. But we can't rely on Partridge to put the whole class together for us.
April 22nd, 2016 at 11:00 AM ^
Point is, it's early and the longshot thing isn't a serious concern right now. If Signing Day were tomorrow, I'd bet on us landing three 5-stars (McCaffrey + two of DPJ/Wilson/Slaton/other). That's more than our share of top talent, and it's been a long time since we've done that. A lot will change before Signing Day, though, both in who's regarded as a 5-star and which schools those guys are focused on. So IMO no need to worry about that.
To be honest, though, I don't love how many offers are going out and commitments are being accepted. I was hoping the coaches would be a little more reserved with offers this year, and that doesn't seem to be happening. I'm sure it'll work out fine, but I miss some aspects of Hoke's approach to recruiting.
April 22nd, 2016 at 11:09 AM ^
It'll work out fine when in the fall we push out some lower level commit for a higher level guy. It is what it is but clearly this staff considers commitments to be like working as an at-will employee, can be cut at any point for any reason, including if there is someone better we need a spot for.
So I'm annoyed we have let so many guys committ but I guess I;m not concerned about oversigning.
I don't know where you came up with this concept of "more than our share of top talent"?!
But for me, "more than our share" wouldn't even begin to be a thought until we'd filled the class with multiple 5*/hi 4* recruits, so many there was competition at literally every spot on the field.
Like say, Peters & MacCaffrey...
I think maybe you meant to say, more than we've been getting? I'm good with that...
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