Wednesday Recruitin' Gets Tingly About Pike Comment Count

Tim

[Ed: so I published this but did not put it on the front page three hours ago. HAHAHA I lose.]

All offered prospects can be found on the 2012 offer list.

[Choose Your Own Horrible 'Pike' Pun]

[Ed: PIKE HER I HARDLY KNOW HER LOL]

With two commitments in last week's update, space was tight, so I didn't spend a lot of time talking about the visit reaction for KY QB Zeke Pike. As he said to Tom:

I think it's a great opportunity to be that next guy at Michigan. It's a program on a national stage, when you say Michigan football people turn their heads. I'm excited to continue to build the relationships...

It was just a feel that I got, it's hard to explain. There's only been a couple other places that I got that feeling and Michigan was one of those places...

I'm really close friends with Chris Barnett who signed with Michigan in the 2011 class. We're really good friends and he stays on me about going to Michigan. It's a school that intrigues me and has a lot of tradition.

Those quotes are exciting on their own, but Pike's upped the ante in the time since. He talked to Sam Webb last week about luring a "Mega Class" to Michigan ($, info in header). I'm not going to claim that means he's close to committing, but they wouldn't be having that discussion unless he really likes Michigan, right? On Monday's Recruiting Roundup, Sam was VERY optimistic about Michigan's chances with Pike, going so far as to say he would pick Michigan if today was Signing Day. He also said Pike is talking to the likes of MO WR Dorial Green-Beckham and other top prospects about attending Michigan together(!!!!!).

Pike told an Arkansas interviewer (video link) that he wants to have a top 8 by the end of the month, and reach a decision sometime this summer. He also says he has a private list of favorites that he's not ready to come out with yet. I would guess Michigan is on that list, especially seeing as how the Wolverines are "adamant" about landing him ($, info in header).

Zeke has been selected to the Army All-American Game, and does not plan to enroll early in the school of his choice.

Commitment Watch?

OH LB Kaleb Ringer plans to commit to a school on April 15th, and he basically tweeted that it's going to be Michigan.

MI TE Ron Thompson could also decide at any time ($, info in header), and it seems like Michigan is probably the favorite to land him.

OH LB Joe Bolden isn't quite in the "almost sure thing" category with Ringer and Thompson, but...

I spoke with him tonight and he told me that he will be back up to Michigan next Tuesday (April 12th) with his parents. He also told me that he believes he is close to a decision, he's just not sure when it will come.

...maybe he should be.

Other Quarterbacks

OH QB Maty Mauk was the subject of last week's Sam Webb column in The Detroit News. First, Allen Trieu breaks down his game:

"Nationally, he's definitely in the top 10 [quarterbacks]. I think he has a very good arm and he can make passes into tight windows, but his best asset may be his ability to improvise and make plays out of nothing. Having been coached his whole life and getting to play varsity at a young age has helped him mature from the standpoint of making decisions, leading, and doing some of the little things it takes other quarterbacks a couple years to learn in college."

Maty visited Ann Arbor over the weekend, and he would like to make a decision before his senior season.

OH QB Austin Appleby visited Michigan last weekend, and was told he needs to camp to earn an offer.

IN QB Aloyis Gray was told by Michigan's staff that they want to see him throw before they'll offer. He plans to make it to the Wolverines' summer camp.

MA QB AJ Doyle is drawing interest from Michigan.

Visits Past and Future

MI WR Efe-Scott Emuakpor tweeted that a recent visit to Ann Arbor was "the real deal," for what it's worth.

OH TE Sam Grant was at Michigan's junior day ($, info in header).

OH TE AJ Williams had a very good visit to Ann Arbor. Tom thinks the Wolverines are now in a good position for Williams.

MN OL Jonah Pirsig connected with Michigan's coaches on his campus visit last week ($, info in header). He told Tom that the visit helped Michigan.

He went over the depth chart and his coaching style. He said they'll be running pro style but they're going to still run Denard. I think I definitely fit in that offense.

The Wolverines still have work to do if they want to land Pirsig. He wants to start narrowing his list soon.

PA OL JJ Denman is visiting soon ($, info in header).

IL LB Antonio Morrison will visit this weekend. He grew up a Michigan fan, and has a prior relationship with Michigan's coaches from their San Diego State days. He says the Wolverines will be in his top three, and probably number one, if they offer.

OH S Allen Gant found a Michigan visit "interesting," but he does not have an offer yet ($, info in header).

NY CB Wayne Morgan enjoyed his Michigan visit enough to move the Wolverines into his top 3.

Of course, next weekend should have a ton of visitors for the Spring Game.

Rankings Galore

Tom Lemming's National Top 100 came out over the weekend, and plenty of uncommitted prospects on the list have Michigan offers:

As Brian (briefly) mentioned in the Monday UV, the Scout 300 is out. Blue in Cleveland has compiled the list of prospects with MIchigan interest. Michigan's current commits received position rankings:

  • Caleb Stacey is a 3*, the #33 offensive guard.
  • Ben Braden is a 3*, the #41 offensive tackle.

Fluff on PA DE Noah Spence being named the #1 defensive end by Scout. He plans to decide on Signing Day.

24/7 Sports has started their release of rankings with the first set of 5-stars.

Etc.

Michigan's coaches have told OH OL Kyle Dodson (obligatory EPIC SHIRT photo) that they want him to be part of a revived running game. Uh... they are aware that Michigan was one of the best running teams in the country last year, right?

Michigan is showing interest in MI OL Kelby Latta.

I want to have it down to three schools by the time football season comes around. I know Wisconsin will be in there and the other two spots are open. Michigan has a chance to be in there.

The Badgers have offered but the Wolverines have not.

AL LB Kwon Alexander has a Michigan offer, but it seems certain his Signing Day decision will be between Alabama and Auburn.

Michigan offeree PA RB Greg Garmon updates U Recruit on his status. NC TE/OL Mark Harrell enjoyed his recent trip to Ann Arbor ($, info in header). Michigan "surprises" MI DE Mario Ojemudia on a recent visit. One must assume that's a pleasant surprise. CA OL Jordan Simmons is mentored by a former Michigan player ($, info in header).

Comments

thedayiscoming

April 7th, 2011 at 12:22 AM ^

I like the way things are shaping up....denard and gardner ripping it up for a few years before making the transition back to elite pro-style qbs of the past.  we'll be back to the brady/gerbac/henne/griese/hensen style nfl qb producing train

ShagEP

April 7th, 2011 at 1:09 AM ^

Dorial is not likely going to stray far from his southern Missouri home.  He is very close to his little brother who has leukemia and the rest of his family who adopted him.  Arkansas (148 miles) and OU (300 miles) likely have a leg up on Dorial, but who knows.  Unless he's offered an "Auburn All In" package, he won't see his family much if he's living as far away as Ann Arbor due to family finances.

After his Fayetteville visit, Pike tweeted "Arkansas is the REAL DEAL" and said they would be on his short list.  He told an AR recruiting reporter "his time in Fayetteville was probably his best visit so far after visiting Virginia, North Carolina, LSU and Michigan."  He was impressed with Petrino and Garrick McGee.  Mallett was also in town during his visit and talked to him about Michigan vs. Arkansas.

I wish the best for Chris Barnett.  He changed high schools a few times and changed his verbal commitment from OU to Arkansas to Michigan.  I doubt Pike puts much stock in where Barnett will or won't be in a year or two, although I truly hope Chris finds some direction in his life including a home in Ann Arbor and does well.  He seems like a good kid who just needs a solid rudder in his life at this point.