TomVH: Weekly Update: Mario Ojemudia, Tyler O'Connor, Ken Ekanem and More

Submitted by TomVH on

Recent announcements from QB Zeke Pike and TE's AJ WIlliams and Devin Funchess have given thought about where Michigan will go from here with regards to each position and certain players. Here's a look at what could potentially happen in the future, and how the recent announcements may affect other players.

Mario OjemudiaMario Ojemudia

6'3", 215 lbs.

Defensive End

Farmington Hills, Michigan

Devin Funchess is the teammate of Ojemudia and the two have been making trips to Michigan together. Recently Mario told me that Michigan was in his top three with Michigan State and Stanford. It seems natural to wonder if Devin Funchess committing to Michigan will have any affect on Mario. 

It depends on what [Devin] says to me. We've talked about playing together, but that's not the main reason I would choose to go to a college. I pretty much knew [Devin] was going to Michigan, I just didn't know when he was going to commit.

Mario has been up to Michigan a few times and has openly said that they have been impressive every time. He was in East Lansing this last Tuesday, and he plans on taking another trip out to Ann Arbor in the next few weeks. This time he'll bring someone other than Devin along.

I'm going back up there probably in a few weeks. We're just going to hang out, the coaches want me to finally bring my parents up there. [My parents] don't have a preference between Michigan or Michigan State. 

That's a good next step in the process for Michigan to get his parents on campus. He wants to make his decision before the season starts. 

Tyler O'Connor

6'3", 202 lbs.

Quarterback

Lima, Ohio

Now that Zeke Pike is off the board Michigan will have to look to their other options. They have current offers out to other quarterbacks, but outside of Bennie Coney they aren't in favorable position with many. The Michigan coaching staff may have to extend a few new offers and Tyler O'Connor might be a candidate.

I have been hearing a lot more from [Michigan] lately. They will be here at my school on Wednesday. I think they'll eventually offer especially with them not getting Zeke Pike. They haven't said that, but I think they will. I want to get up there to be around the coaches and see how they are.

O'Connor said that if Michigan were to offer it would be a big one for him and that he really likes the Wolverines. He wants to get to know them though and still go through the process.

If they offered I think they would be one of my leaders. I want to still take my time with everything though. I want to have my decision made by the first week of my football season. I'm looking to see how well I like the coaches, the opportunity for things after school and football, how good the team is, and how well I fit.

O'Connor has already been on the radar for the Michigan coaches but could very well see an offer soon. Austin Appleby has also been told by the coaches that they are interested, but they want to see him at camp first. 

Ken EkanemKen Ekanem

6'3", 225 lbs.

Defensive End

Clifton, Virginia

Ekanem just recently received an offer from Michigan to go along with Boston College, MSU, Pitt, Rutgers, and Virginia Tech among others. He already has a nice offer list, but is trying to take everything in for now.

I'm trying to stay open minded about everything so far. I will start narrowing it down before my football season starts. I plan on taking all five of my official visits and deciding after my football season. 

Coach Mallory was the Michigan coach that extended the offer to Ken and he's excited to continue to build that relationship.

I was surprised that [Michigan] offered, I didn't know they were that interested in me. When I was younger that was my team, and I love the stadium, I can say that. I don't know much about them though, and I don't have a favorite team now. I'm really looking for academics, good coaches, a good recruiting class for 2012, and a place that feels like home.

Ekanem said he might do an unofficial visit to Michigan over the summer, but nothing has been planned. 

Extra:

  • The most popular question lately has been if Michigan still has room for Ron Thompson now that they have two tight end commitments. With the recent attrition I think there is still an opportunity for him to be a part of this class. AJ Williams and Devin Funchess are versatile enough that they could both project to different positions.
  • Ohio DE Pharaoh Brown says that he will be making another visit to Michigan soon. This time his mom will come up with him to check out the place. MIchigan has been in the lead for some time and Brown has been picking up a good amount of offers recently. He still wants to make his decision by June or July.
  • Illinois DB Anthony Standifer is probably very close to a Michigan offer. There was some confusion about whether he did or didn't and he's gotten that straightened out.
  • Pennsylvania OL Tyler Alt (6'3", 275 lbs) was getting a visit to his school tomorrow by Coach Mallory. Alt is out of town though, so he'll be speaking with Mallory over the phone tomorrow instead.
  • Instate DE Matt Godin is announcing his final decision on May 12th.
Football
Ron Thompson
Tyler O'Connor
AJ Williams
Devin Funchess
Mario Ojemudia
Anthony Standifer
Ken Ekanem

Comments

ChuckWood

April 25th, 2011 at 2:18 AM ^

Thanks, Tom.  I know Aaron Burbridge is an MSU lean, but are we even attempting to push for more interest?  I used to hear about the three together all the time and now it's just the two.  

 

Joined: 04/15/2011

MGoPoints: 2124

ryebreadboy

April 25th, 2011 at 4:35 AM ^

I echo this.  I haven't heard much about Burbridge anywhere lately, but I'd think we'd be trying to get him on campus.  Maybe Mario and his family can pick him up on their way out to AA?  I know there's talk that he won't qualify academically (as AnthonyThomas says), but in the event that he does, I'd like to see us well-positioned for him.  He's supposed to be a tremendous talent and I'd way rather see us lock him up than Sparty.  I demand that all of the top in-state talent go Blue.  Any knowledge about whether he's been talking with coaches at the very least, while he tries to get his grades up?

...Though I'd trade it all for Green-Beckham (obviously).  Or Leonte Carroo (we haven't even offered him, I just love the name).

 

On a completely unrelated note: what's up with the Good Counsel group?  Countess working his magic on Diggs?  (Please say yes).

 

And of course, thanks for the fantastic work, Tom.

Joined: 12/02/2010

MGoPoints: 5946

Blue_in_Cleveland

April 25th, 2011 at 4:39 PM ^

I think we have offered Leonte Carroo (Rivals lists the offer). However, I haven't heard any hype linking him and Michigan so I have no expectations of actually landing him.

Honestly, I haven't really heard that much hype linking Michigan to any receiver other than the occasional "I hope we get Diggs or Burbridge" stuff. Anyone know if there are any wide receivers that we are in good shape with? With 4 of 12 WRs graduating after next year and potentially one of the rFr transferring, it may not be panic mode, but it wouldn't hurt to get 1 WR in this class.

Joined: 09/04/2010

MGoPoints: 306

Lancer

April 25th, 2011 at 2:23 AM ^

Tom, you're the man. I think we'll be able to pick up thompson. Do you guys know anything about jake rodriguez, the QB from cali? I know we offered but i couldnt find a highlight clip of the guy. I dont mind not pikcing up a big recruit like zeke at QB, cause it will help our chances with shane morris. 

Joined: 08/18/2010

MGoPoints: 3297

Sparty_Slayer

April 25th, 2011 at 9:28 AM ^

Absolutely not. The staff is on these kids very aggressively.  Their trying to get kids to commit early with a first come, first serve type of philosophy. Their maybe holding out a spot or two for a select few(if any really) and that includes only the very upper echelon players.

Joined: 09/21/2010

MGoPoints: 257

dRich

April 25th, 2011 at 8:55 AM ^

and Ross attended Bucknuts spring game over the weekend, andT-Rich is committing at the under armor all american game.

Joined: 04/01/2011

MGoPoints: 581

dinsdale613

April 25th, 2011 at 9:41 AM ^

Just curious, i know Ojemudia is often listed as a "tweener" athlete.  However he is about the same size as Ken Ekanem who is listed as a DE.  is there some requisite other than his size that makes him a tweener?

Joined: 05/20/2010

MGoPoints: 607

M_FAN

April 25th, 2011 at 11:03 AM ^

The main thing to remember is that these are merely projections.  So a lot of it has to do with body type/build, and being only juniors in high school, how they will continue to develop physichally.  If you look at their pictures, Oj has a lot slimmer build, it will be a much more dificult for him to put on the weight to make him a true DE, that is why he is more of a "tweener" opposed to Ekanem.

Joined: 04/02/2011

MGoPoints: 52

In The Shadow …

April 25th, 2011 at 10:19 AM ^

I would rather we didn't get any commitments from kids that might not qualify academically.  It just sets us up for a big disappointment (see Demar Dorsey) in the future.  If a kid really wants to play for M then he needs to put in the effort academically first because it won't get any easier once he gets on campus.  Just my two cents worth.

Joined: 04/17/2011

MGoPoints: 170

UM_lawful

April 25th, 2011 at 1:34 PM ^

Tom (or anyone else with knowledge) is there anything new in regards to Running Back recruiting? It seems to be one of the positions that hasn't garnered much discussion early on.

Joined: 03/17/2010

MGoPoints: 259

ken725

April 25th, 2011 at 2:24 PM ^

I haven't heard anything on Conway in some time.  I'm not even sure the process that he has to go through.  I'm thinking that he has to first qualify then earn another offer.

Not sure on Wormley, but I think Thompson decides pretty soon.  He was going to announce last week, but he pushed it back for whatever reason.

Joined: 10/26/2008

MGoPoints: 32866

Steve in PA

April 25th, 2011 at 2:30 PM ^

It's between Michigan and Sparty, but too close to call.

If he's 5*  Michigan 39.53%  Sparty  39.23%  Stanford  21.24%

If he's 4*  Michigan 40.78%  Sparty  40.4%  Stanford 18.82%

 

Someday I'll have to for 3* analysis.

Joined: 08/10/2009

MGoPoints: 6327

jerseyblue

April 25th, 2011 at 2:46 PM ^

Once all the * rankings are in I'd be very interested in seeing your spreadsheet. When Vince Biegel picked Wisconsin I thought "That guy on Mgoblog called that one with his spreadsheet." Granted it was only a 2 horse race with BYU but stll  a right call is a right call. Please post it when it's complete.

Joined: 12/20/2008

MGoPoints: 8295

Steve in PA

April 25th, 2011 at 3:58 PM ^

Was Waaaayyyyy off on Zeke Pike, so it's no infallible.  I don't know how to model Auburn's recruiting strategy and I'm not going to say anything negative in case he starts looking once the hammer comes down in Auburn.

Joined: 08/10/2009

MGoPoints: 6327

goblue_74

April 26th, 2011 at 10:24 AM ^

Great update Tom as always.  I was wondering if there was any news on the Dan O'Brian front.  All has been quiet it seems for the past several weeks on his end?  If Godin commits, does this affect O'Brian?

Joined: 02/02/2011

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