Friday Recruitin' Exits In Pairs
Goodbye: Antwuan Johnson and Carter Dunaway
While early commitments are more like declaring a current leader these days, I had some hope four-star 2018 OH LB Antwuan Johnson would stick based on his comments after Leonard Taylor's decommitment. Nope.
I look forward to getting back into this recruiting process pic.twitter.com/j8tdxIbcwS
— Antwuan Johnson (@Antwuan21) September 9, 2016
Johnson gave the reason for his decommitment to Maize n Brew's Evan Petzold:
2018 4-star LB Antwuan Johnson to @MaizenBrew on why he decommitted from Michigan: pic.twitter.com/AwWeupt84P
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) September 9, 2016
Johnson set up a long slate of visits before the season; this looks like another case of a player committing as more of a placeholder than anything else. Michigan is now down to one commit in the 2018 class, Georgia safety Otis Reese. It's far too early in the cycle to get worked up about this stuff.
And, when I was just about done with this post, this broke:
2017 TE Carter Dunaway has decommitted from #Michigan: https://t.co/hNqaRxNq8r
— Steve Lorenz (@TremendousUM) September 9, 2016
Dunaway's rankings haven't budged from low-three-star despite being a long-time Michigan commit. The only reason this comes as even a slight surprise is his dad played for Bo.
[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]
Solomon Replacement Options: Extant
Michigan appears to have done quite well with their unofficial visit from four-star Flint DT Deron Irving-Bey last weekend, per Sam Webb:
“It blew me away,” Irving-Bey said of the visit. “It was great. I was going back in the tunnel after the game and somebody from the crowd called my name. That’s when everybody started calling my name. They were like “Deron, you’ve got to come to Michigan. We need you! We need you at Michigan. Come on Deron… be a Wolverine!” I was like, ‘wow… how do they even know me?”
This, in particular, seems telling, as Michigan is recruiting Irving-Bey as a DT while some programs want him as a strongside end:
“I really think I’m going to be a defensive tackle in college,” the 6-4, 280-pounder said. “Whatever it takes for the team to win… I’m cool with anything.”
Irving-Bey isn't naming leaders right now, but 247's Steve Wiltfong said his previous visit for the BBQ "changed everything in this recruitment" and Wiltfong is close to switching his Crystal Ball from MSU to M.
Four-star PA DT Donovan Jeter is considering Michigan again after a lull in contact between the two, and he sounds quite serious about his interest after setting up an official for the Wisconsin game, per Sam:
“I like their defensive line coach (Greg Mattison),” Jeter told The Michigan Insider earlier this summer. “He was the Ravens defensive coordinator for a couple years and he coached Ray Lewis, Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs. They had the best defense in the league almost every year, that would be my position coach. That's kind of big to me.”
It was then and it still is now.
“Basically it’s a NFL coaching staff (at Michigan),” Jeter reiterated Wednesday. “Greg Mattison, Harbaugh… so that plays a part. Great education. And the stadium is amazing.”
Jeter also has officials set up to Notre Dame and Penn State, and he wants to make a decision on Halloween, so this one will move quickly.
Georgia Pushing For Collins
247's Rusty Mansell, who's based in Georgia, posted that the Dawgs may have moved to the pole position for four-star AL WR Nico Collins:
Got a chance to talk with a couple of people this weekend and we have reported that things are starting to turn a little with the Dawgs and Nico Collins last week. However it seems things are looking better than even I thought right now.
I was told by someone this weekend, that UGA is “probably the team to beat” for the 4-Star WR from Alabama.
I'm a little skeptical since Collins made multiple unofficials to Ann Arbor, and Steve Lorenz shares that skepticism:
Over the weekend while in Ann Arbor, I did some digging and the impression I got from the Michigan side of things was along the lines of the knowledge that they know recruitments like Collins' are going to be a battle. I did not get the impression that the Wolverines don't think they're going to get him, however.
Collins has visited Michigan three times in the last four months. He has not visited Georgia within that timeframe (to my knowledge), making it a relatively peculiar time for the Bulldogs to have made such a significant move in such a short amount of time.
Michigan will absolutely get pushed by schools closer to home for Collins, but until he starts showing up on other campuses for multiple visits, it's early to sound the alarm.
More OL To Monitor
Three-star CA OT Jalen McKenzie has an offer list more in line with a high four-star, and this from Scout's Greg Biggins isn't the first time he's mentioned Michigan as a school under serious consideration:
On the recruiting front, McKenzie hasn't set up any of his visits yet but said he would like to get out to Michigan, Tennessee, UCLA and USC and said those four are talking to him the most right now.
With Kai-Leon Herbert at least taking a hard look at Florida, Michigan will continue recruiting OL to the bell.
TMI's Brice Marich added another name to the target pile this week, reporting top-50 TX OT Austin Deculus—an LSU commit—is looking to schedule a visit to Ann Arbor. After last weekend, it wouldn't surprise if several LSU commits suddenly came into play for other programs.
Well, I'm a Lost Cause Now
I will not get my hopes up about Mo Bamba. I will not get my hopes up about Mo Bamba. I will not get my hopes up about Mo Bamba. I will not—oh, crap.
Michigan was the first official visit that Bamba has taken and his recruitment continues to be unique. There aren’t many five-star center prospects that have taken multiple visits to Harvard — where his former AAU teammate Bryce Aiken is a freshman point guard — and have also stopped by the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference.
I SAID, I WILL NOT—OH FERGODSAKES:
"Overall, he loved it," [Bamba's brother Ibrahim] Johnson said. "It was a great experience. It was an eye-opening experience because, before that, he was only told how many opportunities that are offered at the business school. But when he got to the school and got to sit down with the dean, it was a different experience."
Bamba, in fact, reached out to Michigan to express his interest in the program instead of the other way around, which led to last weekend's official visit, on which he received an offer.
Here, this cold water is necessary:
Kentucky's John Calipari met with elite post player Mohamed Bamba this morning, a source tells Scout.
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) September 9, 2016
I'll warn you again: don't watch his highlights. Just don't do it.
Etc.
FOUR-STAR 2018 ILB BUMPER POOL WILL VISIT FOR THE WISCONSIN GAME YES ALL-CAPS ARE NECESSARY.
247's Ryan Bartow reports five-star S Devon Hunter will take an official to Michigan for the Penn State game. The reason this news is buried down here is Lorenz almost immediately posted that Michigan's chances with him are slim to none; he compared this to Donovan Peoples-Jones's official visit to Nebraska, a team with no hope of landing him.
Rivals's Adam Friedman, who was very much on the Gary-to-Clemson train last year, notably picks Michigan over Clemson when predicting where TJ Slaton will end up.
September 9th, 2016 at 2:18 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
September 9th, 2016 at 2:39 PM ^
I think you have the decision tree going the wrong way there.
September 9th, 2016 at 2:41 PM ^
This smells like Michigan dropping him rather than him dropping us
September 9th, 2016 at 3:18 PM ^
September 9th, 2016 at 3:21 PM ^
You don't think he looked at Gentry's playing time and wondered whether he would ever see the field?
September 9th, 2016 at 2:19 PM ^
I want DPJ - Collins - Black - Martin at WR
Make it happen
September 9th, 2016 at 4:08 PM ^
No visits and yet Georgia moves way up Nico's board? Hmm...
Still, do want. I hope they all choose the good guys. And Ruiz/Slaton/Wilson.
September 9th, 2016 at 2:22 PM ^
September 9th, 2016 at 2:22 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
September 9th, 2016 at 2:25 PM ^
September 9th, 2016 at 2:24 PM ^
And while we're at it, Najee Harris goes down at first contact always. I am anti-Fred Jackson with those two until NSD.
September 9th, 2016 at 2:52 PM ^
One of the 2 you mention above, i am not very high on. One is very overrated.
September 9th, 2016 at 4:06 PM ^
Two different sports apples and oranges caveats apply, that said I find Harris's highlight tape on a completely different level of dominant than Bamba's.
Im kind of thinking this may be a down year overall for HS basketball talent to see Bamba a top 5 guy. There is a lot to like there with his size, length, & defensive ability. He also has good form (for a 7 foot high schooler) on his shot and has good handles for his size/position. But most of his highlights are him dunking over people 6 inches shorter than he is.
Would still be an astronomical get and huge asset to this team... Im just not drooling dumbfounded over his highlights like Ace keeps suggesting I should be.
September 9th, 2016 at 2:27 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
September 9th, 2016 at 2:57 PM ^
That's also a lot of folks, whom could be ahead of you on the depth chart, leaving one year earlier (as opposed to if they did RS).
September 9th, 2016 at 2:30 PM ^
September 9th, 2016 at 2:38 PM ^
Bunting, Wheatley, Asiasi and Gentry are definitely ahead on the depth chart, and if Eubanks gets a RS, that will be at least 5 ahead on the depth chart.
Let alone the 2017 commits.
September 9th, 2016 at 3:48 PM ^
McKeon too.
September 9th, 2016 at 3:01 PM ^
It came at a bad time if he was expected to show improvement this year.
September 9th, 2016 at 4:11 PM ^
Tough break for him. Happy trails, wish him the best.
September 9th, 2016 at 2:31 PM ^
about partridge as our LB coach/recruiting LBs? kid mentioned LB coach and relationship, not accusing just something to watch
September 9th, 2016 at 2:36 PM ^
if they don't call you much, they're likely trying to tell him something, looks like he got the message. Sorry, life goes on young fella.
These little bitchy pot shots taken at M on the way out are beyond annoying at this point.
September 9th, 2016 at 2:59 PM ^
I dunno, sounds like this was different than a "lack of communication". Kid really liked Harbaugh but maybe didn't click as well with Partridge, who is his position coach. Nothing wrong with explaining that as a reason for decommitting, doesn't strike me as a "little bitchy pot shot".
September 9th, 2016 at 3:08 PM ^
He added: “(Partridge)never reached out to me. I didn’t feel like I was a priority.”
September 9th, 2016 at 3:13 PM ^
If it wasn't a bitchy pot shot, my bad but we have seen them in the past.
But whatever we do, lets start questioning the UM staff rather than the capricious whims of a 16 yo.
September 9th, 2016 at 3:12 PM ^
September 9th, 2016 at 3:35 PM ^
Don't do this.
I happen to strongly disagree with your interpretation of Johnson's comments; it can mean something as innocuous as him and Partridge not having much contact. Even if it were correct, there's zero need to take shots at a high school kid on his way out. Be better than that; your comment has no place here.
September 9th, 2016 at 3:50 PM ^
Let em have it Brian!
September 9th, 2016 at 4:13 PM ^
That's no way to treat recruits, no matter the circumstances.
September 9th, 2016 at 2:42 PM ^
Yeah, what has Partridge proven on the recruiting front, anyway?
September 9th, 2016 at 2:48 PM ^
just wondering how he will do with athletes not from jersey/paramus catholic
September 9th, 2016 at 2:52 PM ^
This should help ease your worries.
http://247sports.com/Coach/Chris-Partridge-3716/Recruits?RecruitmentYea…
September 9th, 2016 at 2:57 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
September 9th, 2016 at 2:58 PM ^
You could fill up a whole P5 team with athletes from Jersey/Paramus Catholic.
September 9th, 2016 at 3:00 PM ^
The way I see it, if you and Harbaugh are boys, and you like Don Brown's scheme and you guys are cool, and you like everything Michigan has to offer, then Chris Partridge would have to be an A-1, top-rated asshole to push you away as a Junior in H.S.
I can't imagine what a position coach would have had to say to him to cause a decommit on those actions alone, considering the positives he mentioned: "Hey kid, f*** you, you'll never make it?"
My completely uninformed and biased guess is he changed his mind and used Partridge as a scapegoat.
But let's keep an eye on that.
September 9th, 2016 at 4:01 PM ^
September 9th, 2016 at 2:49 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
September 9th, 2016 at 2:56 PM ^
panicking?
September 9th, 2016 at 3:07 PM ^
My grandma. Always.
September 9th, 2016 at 3:41 PM ^
Well there's also the other evidence of Partridge being a major positive factor in the recruitment of Drew Singleton, Gary, I think maybe Bush and others. So I take this as a blip.
September 10th, 2016 at 10:07 AM ^
It seems that some of these kids may feel they need to offer up a more legitimate sounding reason for decommitting than their actual "lame" (as others may judge) reason. IOW, some of the offered reasons sound kinda manufactured.
In Solomon's case, for example, I assume the gaffe resulted from "form-lettering" a bunch of thank-yous from a (not so accurate) list of attendees - short on sincerity for sure, but a plausible mistake. But Solomon makes it more egregious by inferring that the coaches actually believed he was there because they were talking to some mother-son duo that they mistook for hiim and his mom - they don't even know what I look like!! I'm outta here!
All speculation, but that's my gut feel.
September 9th, 2016 at 2:33 PM ^
I don't know if I am enthralled with or disgusted by Mr. and Mrs. Pool giving their son the name "Bumper"
If it's a nickname please disregard.
September 9th, 2016 at 2:53 PM ^
Oh, it's his actual, given name. Not a nickname.
And you are enthralled. Because it's awesome.
September 10th, 2016 at 9:42 AM ^
September 10th, 2016 at 10:12 AM ^
And younger brother Dead is a promising LB.
September 9th, 2016 at 2:38 PM ^
Can anyone translate the Johnson comment to Maize and Brew? Is he talking about his relationship with Partridge being poor or his current coach not liking Harbaugh?
It is not possible for anyone not to like Partridge. I feel like Seinfeld's mom. How can anyone not like him?
September 9th, 2016 at 2:49 PM ^
It is pretty clear his issue is with Partridge. And a lot of people in Jersey for one don't like him because he recruited other high schools which is some shady shit. But hey he is on our staff now so I'm all about him.
Comments