Thursday Recruitin' Can Finally Have a Wideout?
This week's Thursday Recruitin' discusses Jordan Payton's upcoming decision, the recruitment of Zach Banner, T-Rich and "Little Shane," and Tom Lemming's high praise of Ty Isaac. Usual request: Please let me know if you have any comments, criticism, suggestions, etc.—as always, I'll be reading the comments, and you can also reach me on Twitter or via email, where I'll also encourage you to send any recruiting articles of interest that you think I should include for the next week's edition.
Payton Sets a Date Plus a Look at the O-Line
Oaks Christian (CA) four-star wide receiver Jordan Payton (right) will announce his college decision next Tuesday ($, info in header), after he returns from a visit to Notre Dame for the USC game. Payton has narrowed his list to Michigan, Notre Dame, and Cal, but has maintained for several weeks that Michigan is his leader and that stance has not changed. Unless he has a major change of heart while visiting South Bend, Payton will likely end up wearing Maize and Blue.
Another recruit of interest visiting Notre Dame this weekend is Lakewood (WA) Lakes OL Zach Banner, who has set a top five of Michigan, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, USC, and Washington. The blue-chip tackle prospect has already visited Michigan and Oklahoma and will make his way to USC and Washington later this season. Sam Webb profiled Banner this week in the Detroit News, and the atmosphere when Banner visited Ann Arbor (for the Notre Dame game) could give the Wolverines a leg up to land his commitment:
Huffman added: "The best thing (the Wolverines) had going for them is he saw the game of the century. He got to fully got to experience the game atmosphere the energy of 115,000 people. He got to meet with Beilein, but more importantly he got to experience a pretty special and electric feeling that he is not going to be able to duplicate anywhere else. Oklahoma topped out at about 80,000 people against Missouri and the kid has been going to Washington games (with fewer fans) his whole life."
Apparently, Michigan has also told Banner they could see him making an impact as soon as next season, potentially at right tackle. Banner says he plans to make his college choice on January 14, but adds that "a change of schedule could happen at any time."
Tim Sullivan (YTTS) takes a look at potential 2012 offensive line commits for the Free Press, discussing Banner, fellow Washingtonian Josh Garnett, recent offeree Alex Kozan, and very recent USC decommit Arik Armstead. Since Michigan's chances at landing Armstead are thin at best, let's look at what Tim has to say about Kozan:
He has a top eight list that includes U-M, Iowa and LSU, and he plans to visit as many of those schools as possible before making a decision in late December. The 6-4, 295-pound Kozan is a powerful drive blocker that needs more polish in pass protection. He said U-M is recruiting him to play guard.
Several recruits trimmed their lists this week. Lakewood (CA) receiver Darius Powe maintains a top five of Michigan, Oregon State, UCLA, Utah, and Arizona State, but says that the Beavers and Bruins currently stand out as his favorites ($). Cincinnati Moeller receiver Monty Madaris hasn't narrowed his focus too much yet, but says that he only has two definite visits lined up, to Michigan State and Florida State. Cincinnati Taft teammates Adolphus Washington and Dwayne Stanford have eached named a top three ($) and will announce their decision on November 9—Washington is down to Ohio State, Alabama, and Michigan State, while Stanford will choose between Ohio State, Oregon, and Cincinnati.
Quickly: Oregon has taken the lead for five-star safety Shaq Thompson ($, info in header), and Cal and Washington round out his top three, but he still plans on taking visits to Notre Dame, Michigan, and Arizona State and maintains that he is still quite open. Alex Kozan's interest in Michigan has picked up since receiving his offer ($, info in header). Tom interviews Jordan Diamond for ESPN.com—please tell me Dave Brandon does not watch this video and get any more brilliant ideas about the uniforms.
Hit the jump for much more on current 2012 commits and 2013 recruits.
T-Rich to the Under Armour All-American Bowl
Terry Richardson was named to the Jan. 5 Under Armour All-American Bowl this week, fulfilling one of his childhood dreams along with good friends Royce Jenkins-Stone and James Ross:
Richardson does not take the honor for granted. He said he has been dreaming to become an All-American his entire life.
“I want to thank my two best friends, (Orchard Lake St. Mary's linebacker) James Ross and Royce Stone for pushing me and each other to fulfill our dreams growing up, which was to be All-Americans,” Richardson said.
Ross and Jenkins-Stone will play in the Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio on Jan. 7.
In an interview with Kyle Warber over at MLive, Richardson expresses the desire to return kicks and also says he's willing to bulk up and play wherever the coaches need him:
"Actually, I can do it," Richardson said when asked about potentially playing safety. "All I need to do is put on some good weight. If I could get more pounds on me I would like to try playing other positions like that. Being a good corner and moving to safety would be a pretty easy transition. At the end of the day, I am an athlete, and I can play on the offensive side of the ball or anywhere else Michigan needs me."
Richardson also describes Shane Morris's exuberance at the Notre Dame game, stating "Little Shane is maize and blue until he dies." GBOD.
In other news about cornerbacks, Anthony Standifer chose a pretty awesome favorite player growing up:
For years, Standifer's favorite player has been former Michigan star, 1997 Heisman Trophy winner and future NFL Hall of Famer Charles Woodson. He made his first visit to the Michigan campus on June 1, then made an oral commitment to coach Brady Hoke on the same day, before he left the state.
"Why did I chose Michigan? It's Michigan, one of the best football schools in the country," Sandifer said. "My favorite player, Charles Woodson, came from there. They had only one corner spot left and I knew it was a good place for me and I didn't want to be left out."
Though Standifer forgot the 'fergodsakes' after saying "It's Michigan", he is more than forgiven. I wonder if we'll see him sport that No. 2 jersey at some point during his career.
Finally, Tom talks to current commits, and they were generally unfazed by the loss to Michigan State ($, info in header).
If Tom Lemming is Any Indication, Fred Jackson's Quotes About Ty Isaac Will Be Beyond Epic
Michigan appears to be targeting two 2013 running backs early, Detroit Catholic Central's Wyatt Shallman and Joliet (IL) Catholic's Ty Isaac. The latter is profiled on CSNChicago.com, and the quotes and numbers are both eye-popping:
"He is the best I've seen," Lemming said. "He looks like (NFL Hall of Famer) Eric Dickerson. He will be the No. 1 running back in the Midwest next year. He is the best running back to come of the Chicago area since Rashard Mendenhall (former Niles West and Illinois star now with the Pittsburgh Steelers). He has size, speed, vision, balance and hands."
Isaac, a 6-2, 215-pounder with 4.5 speed, has rushed 99 times for 1,102 yards and 17 touchdowns. He averages 11.1 yards per carry. He also has caught seven passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns. And he has returned one kickoff and one punt for touchdowns.
Isaac and Shallman each hold early offers, and landing either (or, preferably, both) would be huge for the class of 2013.
Quickly: Tim with a writeup on Concord (CA) De La Salle linebacker Michael Hutchings ($), Tyrone (GA) Sandy Creek cornerback Shaq Wiggins—a Michigan offeree—is piling up BCS offers ($, info in header), Mayfield (KY) linebacker Johnathan Jackson is another player on Michigan's radar getting looked at by several big-time programs ($), and Michigan could be on the verge of offering Wheaton (IL) St. Francis OL Kyle Bosch, according to Tom ($, info in header).
October 20th, 2011 at 11:13 AM ^
Is Shallman being recruited as a FB or RB?
October 20th, 2011 at 11:37 AM ^
Michigan has offered Shallman as a running back. It'd be great (obviously) if they could land a big bruiser like Shallman to go along with an every-down workhorse like Isaac. Those two would be a fantastic running back haul.
October 20th, 2011 at 12:17 PM ^
If we get Dunn are we still after Isaac AND Shallman just as hard?
October 20th, 2011 at 12:18 PM ^
I say we land Shallman, he would be a beast of a RB.
Worst case scenario, Isaacs works out fantastically, and we have a 280ish lb athlete who runs a 4.5 40 to plug in somewhere to make an impact.
October 20th, 2011 at 12:39 PM ^
Reprising Thunder and Lightning that USC had a couple years ago would make me very very happy.
Meant to be a response to Ace.
October 20th, 2011 at 4:29 PM ^
If a 280ish guy can run a 4.5 40 I give that five fakes out of five.
October 20th, 2011 at 4:55 PM ^
Good thing Isaac's 215
October 20th, 2011 at 11:38 AM ^
RB, from everything I've heard.
October 20th, 2011 at 11:15 AM ^
Man, Ty Isaac sounds like the kind of kid you'd be willing to rig a raffle for.
October 20th, 2011 at 11:19 AM ^
Perhaps "Raffle-riggable" can join "OMG Shirtless" as standards by which to judge recruits.
October 20th, 2011 at 1:48 PM ^
I like it.
October 20th, 2011 at 11:18 AM ^
"Ty Isaac is like a Rhino that is crossed with a cheetah and somehow came out human, mixed with a little Barry Sanders and Eric Dickerson"
-Fred Jackson
October 20th, 2011 at 11:52 AM ^
...except fast.
October 20th, 2011 at 3:16 PM ^
"Yeah, that is the cheetah part," also Fred Jackson.
October 20th, 2011 at 11:31 AM ^
Yo Ace,
Don't mean to be pedantic, but this always bother for some reason so I am going to tell. You're not really doing a "disclaimer"; it's more of a "request".
October 20th, 2011 at 11:40 AM ^
Fixed it. Thanks for that.
October 20th, 2011 at 11:44 AM ^
If that pic is any indication, Jordan Payton might want to bone up on ball security.
October 20th, 2011 at 11:56 AM ^
realistic chances with Ty Issac? Anybody here in the know? Could you imagine landing Dunn and Issac? /ok, rational meter back on now.
October 20th, 2011 at 12:44 PM ^
Hey ... we're fans, buddy. There's no reason to turn any rational meter back on.
/ still believes we're hotly in the running and preferred choice for each of the country's top 100 players
/ and that Charles Woodson & Tom Brady each still have two years left of eligibility, perpetually
October 20th, 2011 at 11:57 AM ^
Thanks Ace for the updates. Can't wait for Tuesday to see Payton hopefully join the maize and blue. Also, congrats to Terry Richardson for the UA game selection.
October 20th, 2011 at 12:37 PM ^
but that could change obviously. Shallman also has some interest from the defensive staff as well so there are options there.
October 20th, 2011 at 12:48 PM ^
at 240lbs would dominate for years to come! Still has a long ways to go with him. If Michigan does in fact land Payton, i hope they push for Powe as well. Get some size on these WRS to block for our rb's. I know it's a longshot but just maybe they can get Aaron Burbridge to flip his side to Michigan.
Would love Hoke to land these guys.
Kozan
Payton
Burbridge/Powe/Darboh
Taylor McNamara would be a great get! If not him then Yuri Wright
Banner
Dunn
If Dunn visits before tsio then he will go Blue. Needs that one class to be an EE.
October 20th, 2011 at 1:21 PM ^
I highly doubt we get Burbridge.
And Dunn isn't going to be an EE.
October 20th, 2011 at 2:03 PM ^
Didn't Michigan essentially pass on him because of grade issues?
October 20th, 2011 at 4:37 PM ^
Why would we go for McNamara? The coaches have been done with TE recruiting for quite some time now. You don't even hear about Ron Thompson anymore.
October 20th, 2011 at 2:06 PM ^
Isaac, a 6-2, 215-pounder with 4.5 speed, has rushed 99 times for 1,102 yards and 17 touchdowns. He averages 11.1 yards per carry. He also has caught seven passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns. And he has returned one kickoff and one punt for touchdowns.I think I just passed out there for a minute.
October 20th, 2011 at 2:25 PM ^
why is that? If your Devin and Mario your not pitching UM in Aaron's ear? Correct me if i'm wrong, they were declined the invitation to tag along with Aaron for the visit. Might upset the young WR.
So why isn't Dunn going to be an EE?
TVH said on his twitter he needed the one class to qualify for it. It's still a possibility and how his Dad said the visit for the MSU game was a mess.
http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/40773/wolverinenation-vanhaaren
EDIT: sorry can't make cute boxes to highlight the conversation that was talked about Dunn.
October 20th, 2011 at 2:48 PM ^
How is Shallman catching the ball? If he's decent, I could see us utilizing him like we did Aaron Shea. Not a bad weapon to have.
If we get Dunn this year, I think we'll let Isaacs go. But if we don't get Dunn, I think the staff will put the full court press on Ty. Sounds real good from all the reviews I've read and the highlights I've watched.
October 20th, 2011 at 4:34 PM ^
Why wouldn't you try to get both. Hoke has said that he like to get at least one RB is every class. If Issac is what everyone says he is, then he seems like a guy that you wouldn't just "let go."
October 20th, 2011 at 6:11 PM ^
I guess I shouldn't say "let him go." It wouldn't sting as much if we got Dunn and missed on Isaac. He wouldn't be as big of a priority compared to other recruits IMO. But I don't know if Isaac would be up for following another blue chipper either. Plus, I think Shallman will be committing earlier, so there's your running back for 2013 (although I think he outgrows the position personally).
October 20th, 2011 at 6:25 PM ^
I guess getting Dunn might hurt our chances on getting Issacs based on how he feels about the depth chart and competition.
I also think Shallman outgrows the position. Some have said that he might have some upside on the defensive side of the ball.
October 20th, 2011 at 7:40 PM ^
These two seemed to be around each other quite a bit at the UM-ND game. If Payton is as strong of a UM-lean as it seems, it could be pretty beneficial to have him hanging around with Banner again, perhaps in his ear about joining up AA...
Banner at RT makes some sense. The interior of the line gets very thin in '13, and the coaching staff hasn't shown great confidence in Khoury. Schofield looks like he can play at OG - perhaps he keeps his '6th man' role for a while longer, meaning that with Huyge graduating there might be a spot open for an OT.
2012 [Lewan / Schofield / Barnum / Omameh / Banner] with Khoury, Bryant, and Miller remaining at backup - enough to maintain the RS status for the rest of the '12 freshman.
October 20th, 2011 at 10:58 PM ^
mispost
October 21st, 2011 at 4:23 PM ^
But I wonder what notorious ND homer Tom Lemming would say about him if he wasn't considered to be a Notre Dame lean. Might not be so effusive.
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