Monday Recruitin' Gets Grimy Comment Count

Ace

Cartwheels For Carlo

This is just great; newest Michigan pledge Carlo Kemp (Hello post here) filmed his commitment call to Jim Harbaugh:

"I had to do a cartwheel there" is an instant entry into the Jim Harbaugh Quote Hall of Fame.

The Denver Post has plenty of coverage on Kemp's commitment, including Kemp explaining why he made his decision:

"Do I see myself being there? Yes," Kemp said. "Definitely the town (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and atmosphere. And, of course, the academics at the forefront of it all. Michigan is one of the top, top academic programs and, of course, along with playing top-caliber football."

The chance to play for Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh, Kemp said, was also a huge factor as "everything I wanted is at Michigan."

Also of note from that article: Kemp will enroll early. And, of course, there's another great Harbaugh story, as Kemp's high school coach is the son of former Bo assistant (and later Colorado head coach) Bill McCartney, whose household served as the all-important sugar sanctuary for the Harbaugh children:

Tom McCartney recalled that he could consume his cereal of choice, but the only cereals permitted in the Harbaugh house "were healthy ones." Hence, John and Jim Harbaugh regularly went over to the McCartney household "for sugar cereal."

When Kemp and Pagano, who already knew about the cereal story, met with Jim Harbaugh last month while in Ann Arbor, they presented him with a gift from McCartney: a box of Cap'n Crunch's Crunch Berries cereal.

"That was our favorite cereal growing up," McCartney said.

Said Kemp: "Coach Harbaugh just started laughing when we gave it to him."

Harbaugh has great taste in cereal, even if Cinnamon Toast Crunch is the undisputed greatest cereal on Earth.

Kemp wasn't the only player to commit to the program this weekend; Bowling Green (KY) TE Dane Drobocky announced he'll join the team as a preferred walk-on in 2016, per Tim Sullivan. You can see his junior highlights on his Hudl page. The coaches are making a very concerted effort to build the preferred walk-on program; Drobocky is the third in this class, joining QB Michael Shuster and WR Simeon Smith, and several other PWO offers have gone out in the last couple weeks.

[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]

Goon Squad

Four-star TX DT Chris Daniels was the lone uncommitted official visitor for the Rutgers game, and what Michigan lacks in volume of visitor quotes is made up for by the incredible quality of this one, via Sam Webb ($):

Said Daniels, “I feel like with the defensive line what stood out to me the most was how grimy they get and how explosive they are. I feel like there’s a goon mindset that Coach (Greg) Mattison put in them.”

Daniels added that the visit was "awesome." He has one other official visit set to Oklahoma and plans to make a decision in early December; Michigan looks to be in good shape.

Michigan is in line for a very strong finish with their defensive line recruiting. Rivals analyst Rob Cassidy told Tim Sullivan he believes everyone else is chasing Michigan for five-star NJ DT Rashan Gary after speaking with him recently ($). No speculation is necessary regarding Michigan's standing with four-star TX DT Jordan Elliott, who reiterated to Webb that Michigan has a decided edge over his other finalists ($).

Simmons Gets His Offer

2017 Ann Arbor Pioneer LB/RB Antjuan Simmons has added offers from a who's-who of top programs this season; over the weekend, the hometown squad threw their hat into the ring.

Simmons didn't mince words when talking about the offer's importance to 247's Steve Wiltfong:

"It was huge," Simmons said.

Simmons got the good news from Tyrone Wheatley and Jim Harbaugh after driving across the street to campus.

"It was big. It's the hometown power. I go to school right across the street. Plus the tradition and where their program will be in a few years."

Michigan should jump right to the forefront of Simmons' recruitment; he attended the Rutgers game and took multiple unofficial visits prior to receiving the offer.

The Wolverines extended offers to a couple more 2017 prospects. Three-star NJ OL Carter Warren told Tim Sullivan he wants to visit campus after adding his offer ($). Three-star OH TE Matthew Dotson told Brandon Brown that Michigan joined Ohio State, Michigan State, and Tennessee among his top group ($).

Commit Updates: Brandon Peters Remains Good

Maize n Brew's Mike Sanborn caught up with Brandon Peters after his four-touchdown performance led Avon to a playoff win over the defending Indiana state champs; while he knows a redshirt is a possibility, he's not enrolling early with his eye on the bench:

"We talked a little bit about redshirting, but I don’t know yet. I still have a chance to earn my spot," Peters said. Such a high level of talent combined with the benefits of enrolling early should have Peters right in the thick of the quarterback competition once the spring practice rolls around.

Peters headlines the rundown of top performers from last weekend's slate of games over at MnB, at well. Meanwhile, Kingston Davis now has 1650 rushing yards this season, a Prattville school record.

Scout's Allen Trieu has the latest on David Reese after his official visit to Nebraska:

"It gave me a lot to think about. Being on that side of the conference, you know they're going to win because of their tradition."

Reese remains committed to Michigan, but has two more officials coming up.

"I visit Florida on the 28th (of November) and Texas on the 10th (of December), that's all I have planned right now."

Something to watch with regard to Reese: 247's Clint Brewster, whose father Tim is on the coaching staff at FSU, just put in a Devin Bush Jr. Crystal Ball pick for the Noles ($). Bush plans to enroll early at the school of his choice, and if Michigan was holding a spot for him and doesn't land him, that could open up an early enrollee spot for Reese.

Comments

chatster

November 9th, 2015 at 5:04 PM ^

Could Jim Harbaugh’s reaction to Carlo Kemp’s announcement have anything to do with (a) a close relationship that both Jim Harbaugh and John Harbaugh might have with Carlo Kemp’s uncles, Chuck Pagano, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, and John Pagano, defensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers, and (b) Jim Harbaugh’s relationship with Andrew Luck who plays for Chuck Pagano?
 
Chuck Pagano coached with John Harbaugh and succeeded Greg Mattison as the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator when Mattison moved to Michigan.
 
I could imagine Jim Harbaugh asking both Chuck Pagano and Andrew Luck if Luck wouldn’t mind speaking with Carlo Kemp about what it’s like to play for Jim Harbaugh in college. It also would not surprise me if the Harbaugh brothers have been hearing lots of talk about Carlo Kemp’s athletic abilities and personal character for several years and that their relationship with Chuck Pagano might make Jim Harbaugh’s very excited reaction to Carlo Kemp’s commitment to Michigan seem very natural.

FreddieMercuryHayes

November 9th, 2015 at 4:12 PM ^

Booo on Devin Bush.  I mean, it was kind of a long shot for UM if FSU really wanted him, but the staff seems to really really want him bad, so I hope they get him in the end.  Not likely it seems though.

getsome

November 9th, 2015 at 5:34 PM ^

i think the safety metellus can ball.  hes not one of the freakishly athletic safeties around the country in terms of range and elite versatility and all that (though everyones looking for those guys) but hes athletic enough, has good instincts, likes to hit - i think hell end up being a good player.

but i agree re gil, i just dont see it.  im not sure he has the talent or even the body to physically develop into a solid LB at this level and i certainly dont think hes athletic enough and versatile enough to play safety.  and ive prob always been in the minority but ive never seen bush as the elite top of the board type LB prospect many others see - hopefully im wrong (especially if he chooses m) but he doesnt play like one of the top 10 (or even top 25) LBs in the country.  im sure hell be a decent player but guys ranked as top 10 or whatever at their position should be more than just decent players.

obviously just my opnion but metellus is the best of those 3 prospects

M-Dog

November 9th, 2015 at 4:12 PM ^

Goon squad.  I love the individually targeted "marketing" aimed at what specific recruits are looking for.  It shows we are paying attention to them.

That's how you do that marketing stuff, Dave Brandon.

Brady Elliott

November 9th, 2015 at 4:34 PM ^

DT recruiting- I'm curious how interchangeable the three main DTs are the we are after and how they relate in timeline of their expected commitment. Obviously, Gary is a guy you wait for and make room for but just curious how the other two fit in with timelines and distinctions (1-3 tech, etc)



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alum96

November 9th, 2015 at 4:47 PM ^

All are top 150 commits - the other 2 seem more DT; some guys think Gary can be a SDE.

We do lose almost the entire DL in 14 months so we do need multiple DTs - question is do we have room in a class of 28 for them.  I'd prefer not to have a 2017 true freshman DT out there in the rotation - with all due respect to Mone last year - if need be.

In 2017 your DTs might be Hurst next to Mone and behind them 2016 recruit #1 and 2016 recruit #2.  And have to account for injuries etc.  Pallante is the only other guy out there - we didnt recruit a DT in last year's class and Mone and Pallante were it in 2014.

buddhafrog

November 9th, 2015 at 4:38 PM ^

No hyperbole, this is THE BEST recruit quote of all time:

“I feel like with the defensive line what stood out to me the most was how grimy they get and how explosive they are. I feel like there’s a goon mindset that Coach (Greg) Mattison put in them.”

alum96

November 9th, 2015 at 4:42 PM ^

Is Dylan Freeman of MenoftheScarletGrey legit?  He crystal balled Walker to Bama this week. Otherwise just a host of to UM the past week.

Only other interesting movement is Crawford getting some Oregon love (he said Oregon was his dream offer) and Bush as Ace said got FSU by Brewster.  No movement on Lorenz or Wiltfong though - if those 2 turn as well I'll be dour but still will hope a bit there. 

Pretty quiet overall - some dude out of nowhere gave the first ballz to UM to Nauta.  Strange with all the Elliott love no one is budging him off Texas.

ken725

November 9th, 2015 at 4:59 PM ^

I don't know if we should trust those fringe predictions after the Jason Rubinstein thing. I trust main 247 guys like Wiltfong and Michigan guys like Clint Brewster and Lorenz.

Apparently Jason Rubinstein was claiming he had sources and was putting in crystal ball picks to rile up fans. For example, he CB Mecole Hardman Jr. to Michigan. I think all his predictions have been removed from 247.

Farnn

November 9th, 2015 at 5:21 PM ^

The only opponent recruiting guy I trust is Jeremy Birmingham from 11W.  The other OSU guys and MSU guys seem to just be homers making the picks they want to happen or following the pack without any info of their own.

readyourguard

November 9th, 2015 at 4:47 PM ^

Kids and their poor choices.

Combine the best of both worlds: Pour some Grape Nuts in a bowl, add an equal amount of your favorite (unfruited) granola, top off with Frosted Mini Wheats.  Douse with plenty of homogenized whole milk and you have yourself the greatest bowl of cereal known to mankind.