Hello: Antonio Poole
OH LB Antonio Poole has committed to become the 15th member of Michigan's class of 2011. He told Tom yesterday:
"It just felt like the right choice, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I really would like to play for coach Mattison."
On with the show.
INFORMATIVE PORTION
GURU RATINGS
Scout | Rivals | ESPN |
---|---|---|
4*, #13 OLB, #227 Overall | 3*, 5.7, #26 OLB, #17 Ohio | 3*, 78, #41 OLB |
The three recruiting sites disagree slightly on where Poole should be ranked, though all agree (for once) that he's an outside linebacker. Scout's the most optimistic, putting him at #13 for the position nationally, while ESPN slots him all the way down at #41. Their evaluation:
Has the size and athleticism for the outside linebacker position at the major level of competition. His strong wrap tackling ability should serve him well as a special team's player... We like his instincts and downhill approach when playing the run; demonstrates good timing when filling gaps, showing the quickness to beat blockers to the point of attack. Displays the playing strength to take on and defeat blockers when moving through traffic to the ball... His playing speed and athleticism show up in pass coverage; demonstrates good route awareness, especially with screens and release routes; is alert and can man up with receivers coming out of the backfield; also shows edge blitz speed and a change of direction move; has a good closing burst to the QB.
This is your standard ESPN fawning, and per usual, is accompanied by a "meh" rating. So, what's wrong with him? The sites disagree on his size, but at an average of 6-1, 215, he's a little undersized to be an immediate contributor at linebacker. Ohio State recruiting guru Duane Long elaborates:
His size is a question mark. His game is not. Knocks the stuffing out of people. Great instincts. Runs great. Plays with another level intensity. I think showing he can play the pass is going to be even more important to Pool [sic]. While Grigsby is a hybrid who could grow into a weak side linebacker, Pool is more a sure hybrid.
Oddly enough, Michigan's hybrid-obsessed coaching staff leaves town... and the Wolverines finally offer the guy who looks like a hybrid player. He got bigger after that evaluation (in the winter after his junior season), so size may not be quite the question mark it once was. Scout's Bill Greene chimes in ($):
His film shows an explosive athlete, equally adept at crowding the line of scrimmage, or playing in space.
He "plays fast" ($, info in header). In ranking him the #18 prospect in Ohio, SWOhioFootball has the following to say:
This young man has sideline to sideline speed & never throttles down as he explodes into ball carriers. Great closing speed & such an athlete he can compete anywhere on the field from covering TE off the LOS to the speedy slot receiver staying right on there hip pad...What an unselfish player Poole is taking on multiple blocks hitting the holes and selling out while his teammates can scrape over to make plays, love this cat's motor when Antonio lays the WOOD it echoes throughout the stadium
Their recap also says he could play in the box as a strong safety at the next level, and that, combined with his measurements, leads me to believe he's destined for the weakside linebacker spot.
He has strong academics, named scholar-athlete of the week.
OFFERS
Rivals and Scout combine to list offers from a few MAC schools, Cincinnati, Louisville, Pitt, and Syracuse from the Big East, Kentucky, Wake Forest, and some middle-tier Big Ten teams. He also had interest from Nebraska ($, info in header). He visited Miami (YTM) last weekend, hoping for an offer. He didn't receive one (and reportedly would have committed had the offer come through).
Michigan offered last week, and as he spent much of 2010 openly coveting a Michigan offer, it didn't take long for him to act on it, and commit to become a Wolverine.
STATS
After an exceptional junior season in which he had 48 solo tackles, 16 assists, 10 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries, he was named to the First-Team All-Cincinnati defense (PDF link). Winton Woods won the State Championship.
I couldn't find full senior stats for Poole, but Winton Woods finished the season 10-2, losing to Trotwood-Madison in the playoffs. Antonio had 22 tackles for loss.
FAKE 40 TIME
He has a listed 40 time of 4.56, though none of the recruiting sites verify it. That's pretty good speed for a linebacker, and considering the name of Poole's game is "speed," that's totally plausible. I give a mere two FAKEs out of five.
VIDEO
ScoutingOhio highlights:
PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE
Some sources say Poole is ready to play immediately, whereas others say he's too small. His skills against the run and pass are relatively polished and he's a big hitter, so if he takes a redshirt year, it's strictly because he's not needed in 2011 and the coaches want him to put on some mass.
However, don't be surprised if he plays a bit on special teams as a true freshman, and works his way into the linebacker rotation over the course of his career. He has an excellent chance to be an All-Big Ten selection as an upperclassman.
He doesn't have off-the-charts measurables that the NFL covets, so he seems more like a late-round pick or free agent signing at the next level.
UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS
Michigan is loading up on linebackers, and anybody who's seen the Wolverines' defense play over the last few years has no problem with that. There's probably at least one more commitment at the position on the way, and defensive line, tight end, quarterback, and fullback are the areas of focus for the rest of the class.
If the coaches can't manage to fill a couple of those spots, they'll probably be fine waiting until next class to fill them in. Almost everything from this point forward is gravy on a transitional recruiting class.
January 26th, 2011 at 12:40 AM ^
I feel all alone on this website right now.
January 26th, 2011 at 1:15 AM ^
After dealing with all the idiots who have taken up residence here recently, it's not such a bad feeling.......
January 26th, 2011 at 1:26 AM ^
a rough couple hours without this shit
January 26th, 2011 at 12:41 AM ^
You my friend are not alone.
January 26th, 2011 at 12:43 AM ^
Mattison is a beast. That is all.
January 26th, 2011 at 1:15 AM ^
I've been very high on Poole for a long time. I'm thrilled about this. He is going to absolutely destroy some mofo's, and will strike fear in the minds of opposing RB's.
January 26th, 2011 at 7:52 AM ^
I love to hear this. It's the doing everything right part that matters. I'll take the guy with the instincts.
Seems like any Ohio prospect that Ohio State doesn't offer is automatically penalized -- people look at them and try to figure out why.
January 26th, 2011 at 2:26 PM ^
...instincts can't be taught, or at least easily. Just a little more meat on his bones, teach him the new scheme...he'll be great in Maize and Blue. And I love the comments about his intensity...The Game needs that type of player. A warrior.
January 26th, 2011 at 9:09 AM ^
Kellen Jones and Poole are going to be a force in the future.
January 26th, 2011 at 11:53 AM ^
wonder if this means leilon willingham is out now
January 26th, 2011 at 12:10 PM ^
No. They play different positions (Poole WLB, Willingham SLB or maybe MLB).
January 26th, 2011 at 2:40 PM ^
I love the linebackers we got so far. We are definitely going to be able to stop the run in the future!
January 26th, 2011 at 3:20 PM ^
That's what a linebacker should look like.
January 26th, 2011 at 1:13 AM ^
January 26th, 2011 at 8:42 AM ^
...Hoke recruiting negative Nancies have to say about this?
Yeah, that's rhetorical.
January 26th, 2011 at 9:53 AM ^
January 26th, 2011 at 10:20 AM ^
...the Denard to transfer after the spring game meme. I was going to comment on this very thing when I read Tim's Hello: Bellomy piece yesterday but was stymied by the site's technical difficulties. I hope that was just sarcasm, but unfortunately, I don't think it was.
Not sure why folks feel the need to propagate such unsubstantiated crap.
January 26th, 2011 at 10:24 AM ^
Bottom line. Some people love to bitch even when there's nothing to bitch about.
January 26th, 2011 at 10:29 AM ^
What makes it especially odd is that Denard Robinson has shown himself so far to be as "all in" for the University of Michigan as anybody on the team.
Sure, there is the possibility DR, or anybody else, could transfer after the spring game, but up to this point there is literally nothing of a factual or evidentiary nature that you could use to justify the speculation that Denard will leave. It's just silly fear-mongering right now.
January 26th, 2011 at 1:13 PM ^
January 26th, 2011 at 10:14 AM ^
He is doing a decent job at salvaging the class. However, final judgment will be reserved for next year. Lets see how he does when he has to compete with the likes of OSU, Nebraska, PSU, etc. He isnt really battling the big boys for these recruits.
He is doing a good job though, no doubt.
January 26th, 2011 at 4:18 PM ^
recruits. He has my full confidence, as I am pretty sure that he has earned it.
January 26th, 2011 at 1:57 AM ^
I'm excited to have a DC that recruits announce publicly they want to play for.
January 26th, 2011 at 5:11 AM ^
Were there any players who announced publicly they want to play for Greg Robinson?
January 26th, 2011 at 6:00 AM ^
a beaver once
January 26th, 2011 at 2:06 AM ^
Someone posted this in another thread, and I thought it should be duplicated here.
January 26th, 2011 at 7:05 AM ^
I'm glad I wasn't there though, I would have accidently knocked that cheerleader on her butt jumping into his arms first.......I kid, I kid.
Great pickup I must say, if you count Jones we have 2 backers who like to bring the wood.
January 26th, 2011 at 11:57 AM ^
So let me get this straight...He asks the cheerleading squad to undress him? I like the way he thinks.
January 26th, 2011 at 12:16 PM ^
How come I didn't get mobbed by cheerleaders when I told people I was going to the University of Michigan? What gives? I want a re-do.
This does show you why it's so easy for big-time schools to oversign.
These kids are fussed and fawned over every waking hour. It's easy to see how they come to believe that they are the best player that ever lived, and getting pushed out due to oversigning is something that happens to the "other guy".
January 26th, 2011 at 4:18 AM ^
Have been reading the news from the sights (in addition to the post above) seems like he got passed over Jr. and early Sr. year due to stigma that he is undersized; however, he is lightening fast to get to the ball. Hopefully he can bulk up on his frame. Great recruit, Great Catch.
January 26th, 2011 at 7:07 AM ^
Everyday, this recruiting class gets better and better. Who will be added tomorrow? I'm hoping for a lineman - maybe even one for each side of the ball. I made the statement when Hoke was hired that if he could pull off a top 35 recruiting class, that would be a big win for the team. Well, now I think we are pushing for a top 25 class. Well, Brady & co., this is me being impressed. Keep it rollin'.
January 26th, 2011 at 7:26 AM ^
talking about how he is ready to "take it to the bucks"!
Being here in Ohio, I love it when another Ohio guy hates tOSU...
January 26th, 2011 at 7:28 AM ^
Buckeye fan scream "Go Bucks!", I like to reply "Go Male Deer!"
They get so mad, and then I ask them, "what does a Male deer have to do with a worthless nut?"
January 26th, 2011 at 9:34 AM ^
2 -3 years from now seeing Jones & Poole sending Buckeye runningbacks to the sideline. These guys are brutal hitters.
January 26th, 2011 at 7:33 AM ^
January 26th, 2011 at 8:27 AM ^
He's 30 years old, and playing in his second Super Bowl. Anybody who thinks that Poole is too small, especially for the college game, is an idiot.
January 26th, 2011 at 9:21 AM ^
I will always take a kid who knows the game over a kid who has the 'body'
January 26th, 2011 at 9:43 AM ^
January 26th, 2011 at 10:03 AM ^
There are lots of linebackers in the NFL who are around that size - 6'1" and 235-240, and I expect that Poole will get to that size within a couple years of lifting and eating right.
January 26th, 2011 at 10:24 AM ^
That's what I don't get about the downgrading of Poole for his size. It's as though some recruiting geeks are unfamiliar with that crazy thing young male humans naturally do: grow.
January 27th, 2011 at 10:02 AM ^
Pretty sure that recruiting geeks are unfamiliar with a lot of things that young male humans do.
January 26th, 2011 at 9:13 AM ^
January 26th, 2011 at 9:49 AM ^
The HS coach he was/is living with got a job with the MSU Athletic Dept. Can't see that guy even letting Mattison in the house, given that his employment is directly tied to delivering the goods. But it's ok, Dantonio is a great guy. Just ask the Freep.
January 26th, 2011 at 10:12 AM ^
January 26th, 2011 at 11:31 AM ^
Worth a shot, but i think you can get arrested for that. Like Larry Harrison
January 26th, 2011 at 9:27 AM ^
I must say, this staff has gone balls to the wall since being hired. I am impressed by their efforts thus far. Keep it coming.
January 26th, 2011 at 9:43 AM ^
Tim lists DL, TE and FB as the final positions that could use another commitment in this class. Personally, i would think OL would be the top remaining positional priority, besides perhaps TE.
This year's class boasts 1 (Posada) and maybe a 2nd (Miller is listed at DE on rivals, C on scout), if you consider Fisher and Bryant unlikely to become Blue, which seems to be the at least possible, and perhaps likely. Last year M landed only Pace, and with BWC and Q Washington both likely to stick with defense, we're left with Lewan and Schofield in the 09 class on the O-Line. That's anywhere from 4 to 7 upperclass offensive linemen, barring injuries, in 2013, more likely in the lower range, and I would have to think Lewan would be an NFL early-exit risk.
Probably too late for the new staff to do much about it if Bryant and Fisher head elsewhere, but i think it is certainly a concern.
January 26th, 2011 at 10:04 AM ^
There are always some MAC-level kids who would probably jump at a Michigan offer right around National Signing Day, but obviously Bryant and Fisher are bigger fish.
January 26th, 2011 at 12:13 PM ^
"Bryant unlikely to come Blue" is at best pessimistic, at worst just untrue. Hopefully the latter, because I still think Michigan is the favorite.
January 26th, 2011 at 10:25 AM ^
I love this, this guys video is awesome.
I wounder what the rest of the big ten coachs are thinking about Hoke at this point. The guy comes in and two weeks later he puts together a decent recruiting class. That kind of recruiting talent and the brand of Michigian is a leathel weapon.
Good job coaches! Keep them coming!
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