Wednesday Recruitin' At Half-Tank
2012 Offer Board lives here.
Decisions on Deck?
IN QB Gunner Kiel has eliminated Notre Dame, and is down to a final four of Michigan, Missouri, Alabama, and Oklahoma. He is planning a June decision.
Not only is OH DE Chris Wormley excelling in field events (discus and shot put) this spring, he's dropping recruiting info to track reporters:
“Everything I do [in the three sports] helps all around,” said Wormley, whose top two colleges choices right now are Michigan first and Ohio State second, followed by Michigan State and Notre Dame. “It keeps me conditioned throughout the season. [Track] ties into everything.”
Now that Scout is asking the customary headline-question-where-the-answer-is-always-yes about whether Wormley will decide soon ($, info in header), it could mean another commitment isn't far off for the maize-and-blue. He told Tom that he'll focus on recruiting once track ends. Magnus talks about Wormley's surprisingly low Rival ranking on Maize n Brew:
It looks like he put on some weight, and it doesn't necessarily look like pure muscle. Secondly, it looks like he's either favoring some part of his body or he just lacks aggression... I'm saying it looks like something is wrong. Additionally, he doesn't get off the ball as quickly in his junior film, and it looks like he lost a notch in the speed department.
Early offers from Michigan and Ohio State speak to his potential, but he's going to have to capture his sophomore-year fitness (he certainly doesn't look fat in the track photo above) and form to improve his standing to the recruiting services.
MI CB Terry Richardson has been on-again, off-again about making a decision at some point this week. If such a decision does come to pass, it will be tomorrow morning at 11:45 in the Cass Tech weight room, but as of right now, it seems like the conference will be delayed again - but he'll announce on social media sites at 8AM tomorrow.
Fill 'er Up
With the 2012 class about half-full (per the expectations come Signing Day, at least), it's time to look at what needs remain for the next crop of Wolverines and which positions must be filled:
- QB: 0-1. The commitment of 2013's Shane Morris allows the coaching staff to be very selective about a QB in this class. They can either swing for the fences with Gunner Kiel, or go for a multi-position guy.
- RB: 1-2. Brady Hoke clearly wants one running back in this class (though it seems they're content to pursue mostly elite prospects) and probably a fullback as well.
- WR: 1. With Darryl Stonum, Junior Hemingway, and Martavious Odoms moving on after this year, at least one wideout is necessary for roster balance. Another would be a luxury.
- TE: 0-1. Early on, it seemed like Michigan would take another tight end despite already having two committed. Now, that isn't looking like the case (sorry, Ron Thompson).
- OL: 2-3. At least one true left tackle is a big need, and another right tackle would give Ben Braden the opportunity to play on the interior.
- DT: 2. With a couple light years in defensive tackle recruiting, a pair of them are needed in this class.
- DE: 1-2. Chris Wormley is the obvious choice here, but the coaching staff might accept another commitment if it's an elite guy.
- S: 1-2. Depending on where Raymon Taylor and Tamani Carter end up from last year's class, this may not be as dire a need as it seems.
- CB: 1-2. With a big crop of DBs in 2011, they can be selective about who they take.
As always in recruiting, this is subject to change at a moment's notice. You'll note that the coaching staff will have to be selective at some of those positions, though they'll figure out a way to take any elite prospects.
New Offers (And Potential New Offers)
Michigan is showing interest in ID QB Tanner Mangum. He's currently committed to BYU.
UT FB/RB Sione Houma has picked up a Michigan offer.
Benson said Michigan and Washington have both recruited Houma with the intention of moving him to fullback, but other schools, such as UCLA, are interested in him as a tailback.
Michigan has offered a bunch of fullback-types.
Michigan has offered IL DE/DT Faith Ekakitie.
FL S Allen Gant - the son of former Wolverine Tony Gant - has received his Michigan offer. He's going to visit Ann Arbor within the next couple weeks.
If Michigan offers TX CB Will Hines, they'll have a spot in his top 5. That offer could come through as early as today.
Happy Trails
Happy Trails from the future, OH RB/DB William Mahone? There's "an almost 100% chance" he'll eventually pick Penn state, per one expert.
Happy Trails, TX FB/LB Dominic Ramacher. He committed to Oklahoma State.
Happy Trails, OH WR Corey Smith. The teammate of OH S Jarrod Wilson, he will attend Tennessee after a stint at junior college.
Happy Trails, FL LB Raphael Kirby. He picked Miami. Something tells me the coaching staff isn't sweating when linebackers come off the board.
Etc.
Nominees for the US Army All-American Bowl are out (pdf link), and include a number of Michigan commits (Jenkins-Stone, Ringer, Ojemudia, Bolden), and too many targets to list. The 440 nominess will be whittled down to 90ish selections.
The Sporting News ranks Michigan's 2012 class as 6th/7th nationally at this point in the offseason. The Lansing State Journal takes note of Michigan's fast recruiting start.
OH TE Commit AJ Williams is keeping in touch with OH DE Adolphus Washington and OH WR Dwayne Stanford about picking Michigan:
Michigan is looking to capitalize on a few "ins" of its own. The first is Stanford's boyhood affinity for the Maize and Blue. The second is Stanford and Washington's relationship with recent Michigan commitment, Cincinnati Sycamore tight end A.J. Williams.
"(Williams) called me all excited and said he committed to Michigan and told me that me and Aldophus need to get with the program and head on up to Ann Arbor with him and they wouldn't be able to stop us," Stanford recalled. "I'm loving Michigan right now. I have nothing but positive energy and thoughts on my mind about them. Coach (Mark) Smith and A.J. stay on me too. Especially with him committing there, that really helps me. We're just going to see how everything plays out.
The Wolverines definitely need a wideout, and Washington is the type of athlete it would be really hard to turn down, but the Cincy products are both planning to wait until January to announce decisions. We'll see how much room is left in Michigan's class (and what the needs are) when the time comes. Stanford is visiting Michigan soon ($, info in header).
PA RB Greg Garmon has narrowed to a top 5 of Michigan, UNC, Iowa, Illinois, and West Virginia. He does say that some of the schools in that top 5 could change.
Michigan and two mystery schools make up the top three for CA OL Erik Magnuson. He will take an official visit to Ann Arbor in the fall.
CO OL Paul Thurston visited Michigan a couple weeks ago, and it helped Michigan stay near the top of his list.
TX OL Trey Keenan has family in Michigan, and he says the Wolverines are likely to make the cut when he trims his list. He wants to make a final decision before the start of his senior season.
OH DE Se'Von Pittman talks recruiting, including his interest in Michigan:
"I've taken a few visits around to some different campuses," Pittman said. "I've checked out Michigan and Michigan State and Notre Dame." ...He could be an outside linebacker in some scenarios or a defensive end or maybe something more. Notre Dame wants him to be a quarterback-hunting outside linebacker and Michigan wants him to be whatever he wants.
The Wolverines are loading up on defensive ends and linebackers, and Se'Von is going to take his time deciding. That could mean there won't be room for him in the 2012 class by the time he makes a decision.
Though he's a Penn State soft commit, NY DT Jarron Jones is "anxious to learn" on his trip to Ann Arbor next month ($, info in header). Based on a local article, it really sounds like he doesn't consider himself committed to the Nittany Lions at all:
"It's really about where I feel comfortable. Where do I fit in, where are they going to have me? Some coaches want me at offensive, some at defensive end, some at linebacker."
Something tells me a 6-7, 300 pound guy is unlikely to play linebacker in college. He's been nominated for the Army all-American game.
MI OL/DT DaRon Brown will camp at Michigan this summer to try to earn an offer. IL CB Anthony Standifer is continuing to blow up, with new offers from the likes of Purdue and Iowa, Northwestern, and others.
2013
MI QB Commit Shane Morris will participate in an Elite 11 tryout in Columbus this weekend. 2012 prospects Gunner Kiel and Zeke Pike will also be in attendance. The Free Press covers Morris's commitment.
MI RB Wyatt Shallman tells Tom what the coaching staff thinks of his ability as a running back.
If Gunner Kiel enjoys "eliminating Notre Dame" then Michigan is the perfect place for him.
There seems to be conflicting reports about Kiel. Some mod at 247sports said that he actually hasn't narrowed his list. It is behind a paywall, but the info is in the header.
http://247sports.com/Article/Kiel-has-not-narrowed-his-list-25803
There were reports that he was a Missouri, which also turned out to be false. Tim can you clarify if he has a top 4 and if the article is just saying he hasn't narrowed it down since then.
As to why Gunner took ND off his list? I imagine that ND preferred Gunner to Mauk. Just seems odd.
he would have to deal with a Greg Mattison defense on a national stage once a year, might as well play it safe.
From the beginning, it seemed like he only had lukewarm interest in the Irish (for whatever reason). That they kept pursuing him so heavily seems to me to be the only reason they lasted as long as they did.
It will be interesting to see if this momentum keeps up the rest of the summer. I could see a few of the CB/S prospects following suit if Richardson decides on us tomorrow. And I can only imagine what the signing of a prospect like Gunner would do for our recruiting. I mean what receiver/RB/OL wouldn't want to play with the pretty much the consensus top ranked QB in the nation?
Would like to have a word with them.
just tweeted that a decision might come sooner tha expected!
At the same camp this weekend. There could be an interesting conversation between the two regarding the Maize and Blue.
Maybe they can decide who will play Tom Brady and who will play Drew Henson?
Wednesday Recruitin' At Half-Mast
I'm down with Washington and Stanford. I don't know if I should get my hopes up, but I can only be optimistic when I hear a kid say, " I'm loving Michigan right now. I have nothing but positive energy......"
Yes please.
Yeah, that would be a great tandom. It would take a lot of pressure off of getting more receivers, and although Washington is hardly at a position of need at this point, he's a great prospect to pick up. It would guarantee us fantastic DE play for the foreseeable future.
Add in Dunn and we will be looking really good.
and I continue to be really interested in anything you can tell us about BDunn's status. Is there any data on him that we haven't heard? When considering Garmon and Dunn, who is the recruit more likely to choose UM? Haven't heard much since Dunn was on campus weeks ago...Love how the commits keep the recruiting up amongst their peers!
I thought Allen Gant was from OH, not FL?
He is Ohio.
No print link for the Freep article? For shame, Tim.
The print links now have ads on them, so it doesn't matter.
"The Sporting News ranks Michigan's 2012 class as 6th/7th nationally at this point in the offseason."
This is an important ranking as Hoke & Co. continue to go after the "upper level" recruits !!! Lovin it !
Go Blue !
Dwayne Stanford!
Wow...I can't place if that's porn music, a 70's gameshow, or 70's citcom music...Or just a hybrid of the 3!
Either way, WTF made this person choose that music!?!? Did he have that on 8 track just waiting to grace a highlight film!
After checking my extensive database, i can confidently assure you that it is NOT porn music.
However it might be the soundtrack for a 1989 Amway® human resources training video.
Sounds like late '80s-to-mid '90s rock/jazz by some group you've never heard of. Too fast and lively for porn, Amway, or sitcom.
I didn't detest it as much as all the rap stuff I invariably turn off on other videos.
A true connoisseur.
the quicker gunner gets back up to A2 the better. what are the chances t rich even announces tomorrow?
he's going to announce at 8AM over twitter and facebook. He cancelled the press conference because family couldn't make it. He's not cancelling the announcement, just how he announces it
... in the Freep article.
"Morris and Pike met last month at a 7-on-7 in Pittsburgh, with the sophomore having the better showing."
BTW: How do you make block quotes these days?
...steps:
- Switch to plain text editor
- Type <blockquote> before the text you want blockquoted
- Type </blockquote> after the text you want blockquoted
- Switch back
- Marvel at your skillz
6.) Profit?
To much work.
Recruiting Need By Position:
- QB: 1. They're 'swinging for the fences' and going for multi-position athletes right now, but they'll probably end up offering second-tier pro-style passers if those options don't pan out.
- RB: 0-1. They're offering elite RB (and FB) but seem content to let the second tier guys go elsewhere.
- WR: 1-2. There are plenty of numbers here (7-8 returning players plus a few TE/WR hybrids) but not taking a receiver in two consecutive places is unlikely. They seem to have a good chance of landing at least one high-end WR and may add an 'athlete' type besides that.
- TE: 0-1. Several offers remain out to elite TEs. With either Funchess or Williams potentially a better fit at another positions they could take another, but don't count on it.
- OL: 3-4. Biggest need number-wise for the roster and the number of offers out indicates the coaches see the same. However, there is talk that Godin, Williams, and Wormley (were he to commit) are potentially better fits at OL in the long term. The coaches may be thinking the same thing, but 5 OL is still the minimum need.
- DL: 3-4. Agree we need 2 DTs, but some of the nominal DE's may end up at DT once they fill out. Expect to take one true DT, one true SDE, and the other DL will just depend on which of the elite talents want to commit.
- LB: 0. We're good.
- DB: 2-3. Too much position fluidity in the secondary to be too concerned about who is a CB or S right now. Neither position is an immediate need - just looking for quality players.
So, at least 10 more commits expected, but probably a few more - depending on where attrition occurs.
Tangent - sometimes we take things coaches say a little too literaly. I think Hoke's comment about always taking a RB is an example. I think, yeah, that's the goal normally, but given the current roster makeup (unless there is significant attrition), I think Hoke may prefer to use the scholarship on a position of more immediate need (SDE after Van Bergen leaves, OL after the 2012 class departs, etc.) We'll see...
I'm loving the Mattison recruiting thus far and love the future of the defensive side of the ball and trust that the OL will work itself out closer to signing day, but I remain worried about offense. After we lose Odoms, Hemingway, and Stonum after 2011 and Roundtree and
Stokes after 2012 whats left at WR? Gallon and Dileo have been mostly return men and the likely slots that leaves us with Jerald Robinson and Jeremy Jackson out wide.
Isn't this a highly desirable depth chart for 2012 WRs and with a likely upperclassman Gardner taking snaps in a pro-style offense, shouldn't we be able to get 1 or 2 blue-chip wideouts? It's been too long since Braylon, it's time that finding our next #1 becomes a priority. Hopefully Hoke and Mattison can make this happen, and I'd say that landing a big-time skill player is the last recruiting hurdle that the new staff has yet to prove it can overcome. Fingers crossed for Burbridge and another!
If you're worried about 2013...theres the 2012 and 2013 recruiting classes that can handle that. Plus the 2009 class of recruits, most of which have yet to see the field much because of all the quality veterans ahead of them. Desmond Howard and Braylan Edwards didn't do much their first seasons either.
If, hypothetically, we reach a worst-case scenario where none of the underclassmen impress and no elite WR are landed in the 2012 class... there will be a major opportunity for the 2013 class and you'll see elite recruits sign on once they notice.
WR is, seriously, the position I'm least worried about on the entire roster. We'll be fine.
I agree, not worried. And I mentioned this in a thread last night (I think in response to you also) that people are forgetting about Baquer Sayed. Kid won't be a star, but he'll be a solid contributor once the older guys leave and until the young guys we bring in become stars. Look for him to be the #2 or #3 WR for a year if needed.
But with recruits from 2012 and 2013, it probably won't be needed.
Meh. Baquer Sayed isn't going to do anything more at WR than your standard slow-ish WR. He might be able to run a short hitch or catch a fade once in awhile (i.e. once in his career). He's not fast enough to even be a threat on the field. If we get down to having to play Sayed, we're going to be in trouble.
The people who want us to bring in 2 recruits at WR are looking for star power, not depth. So I'm not sure Sayed is pertinent in that regard.
9 times out of 10 when you hear about a walk-on as an incoming freshman, nothing comes of it. Griese and a few others are exceptions, but they're rare.
WR is a deep position. Sayed may be nice insurance/depth to have, but I don't think depth is much of an issue nor will it be. If a walk-on plays its because of attrition/injury (like Kovacs, Leach, Simmons and Nowicki in the last few years).
I'll be absolutely shocked if he is the #2 or #3 WR at any point. Yeah, he had some nice offers from MAC schools, but he's competing with guys like Stokes, Roundtree, Dileo, Jackson, etc that had offers from all over the country. That's before the 2012/13 recruits arrive. Not saying its impossible - and I like Sayed's tape - but just very very unlikely he'll even make a catch during his career.
Real glad to have him - he's just the kind of walk-on you want to have - but expecting him to contribute in games is probably overreaching, IMO. I'd be happy to be wrong. It would make a nice story.
I think you're right. I don't think we'll ever need Sayed, but my post was more in response to the people freaking out about 2013 because we won't have any bodies at WR. Chances are, the scholarship guys we have will be enough and we won't have to dip that low, but I'm just saying that Sayed is an oft-overlooked guy who is not really your typical walk-on. Most walk-ons are here because they didn't have scholarship offers from anyone, want to go to Michigan and are also pretty good football players. Sayed was a guy who had multiple FBS offers, but chose to pass up a full-ride to walk on at UM.
In 2010, in Rivals top 30 players from the state of Michigan, Sayed was #30 and Jeremy Jackson was #22. There were other Big Ten players below and just above Sayed (#34 was also a WR who signed with Iowa), so he's no slouch.
Rudy,Rudy,Rudy.......Baquer, Baquer, Baquer......
That if Se'von and Adolphus both wanted to commit at some point, room would be made. There has been talk that some of Michigan's DE recruits could move inside, and someone like Wormley could move to OT if Michigan got commits from all of them.
People say this a lot, but I'm not entirely sure what it means. If the class is full, how can we just make room? Is it that we will always leave a couple of spots until signing day? Or we won't give a senior a 5th year? How exactly does that work?
Not offering a 5th year is one way, but I have a feeling that our total number of commits will be 22+ no matter what, so that really wasn't what I was getting at. I'm not saying over signing either.
I think it's more a combination of Michigan leaving a couple spots open until near the end, maybe taking one of these guys instead of a lower rated player at a position of less focus (say another 3-star O-lineman wants to commit and Michigan has commitments from 5/6 that they wanted going in, maybe they don't take one of the DEs rather than the O-lineman), and also that their are polite ways to tell recruits that their best option may be elsewhere.
I'm not saying that the coaching staff is going to say "well you committed but we don't really want you so take a hike" to anyone, but they may say "we have extended and offer and that offer is still there, but it may be in your best interest to look around a bit to make sure this is what you want." Coaches often check up often on their commits to make sure they are solid, things can happen with that, so on and so forth where a kid "no longer is feeling the love". I'm sure the coaching staff knows how to handle the situations better than what I described, but there are morally acceptable ways to make room for players you want without oversigning. And basically, in the end, recruiting is a always changing, very fluid situation up until signing day, when the next cycle begins.
Wormley looks like he is in shape to me...
Watch his sophomore highlights, then watch his junior highlights. I doubt you'll say the same thing.
He claims a 4.5 forty on his Scout profile, and I remember reading that he had one of the fastest times at one of the combines he attended.
I don't think he's Denard Robinson fast, but he's not slow, either.
That settles it, you know more about DB recruiting than Nick Saban.
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