TVH Weekly: Andrus Peat, James Ross, and More
The theme of 2012 recruiting for Michigan so far has been wide receivers and linemen. Forty of the (approximately) sixty-seven offers have gone to wide receivers, defensive, and offensive linemen. MGoUser umhero has been gracious enough to update the offer list here. If you'd like to go even more in depth, Rescue_Dawn has used his free time to create a recruiting map. As always, if you would like more updates from me you can head over to Twitter and folllow me @TomVH. If you have any recruiting tips or questions please email me at [email protected].
Andrus Peat
6'6", 270 lbs.
Offensive Tackle
Tempe, Arizona
Another recruit out in my neck of the woods, Peat has racked up offers from almost everywhere. Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Notre Dame, Texas... you name the school they've offered Andrus. That offer list includes the Wolverines. Andrus returns some early interest, and wants to find out more about the program.
I definitely have interest in Michigan. Their program's prestige and just how they have consistently won over the years is definitely a plus for me. The fact that they produce great offensive linemen, and NFL guys is great too. Michigan is definitely a school I would like to get out and see. I'm going wait until all my offers come in and then go from there. I'll take some spring and summer visits then cut my list towards the end of the summer.
Peat's father played in the NFL and his brother was a Nebraska signee for the 2011 class so he has some familiarity with the process. The fact that his brother chose a team to the north says distance may not be a factor. It's too early to tell if Michigan will make the cut. They have their work cut out for them since they're competing against the world.
James Ross
6'0", 209 lbs.
Linebacker
Orchard Lake, Michigan
Ross is probably the top prospect in the state of Michigan for the 2012 class. He has been racking up the offers lately, and recently received a verbal one from Ohio State. James and his father recently visited Ann Arbor before the Best of the Midwest combine so they could get a better feel for the new coaches. His father (also named James) told me about how that trip went.
We've been up there quite a few times, but I wanted him to meet the new staff. The staff was actually trying to get him up there as much as I was. Everything was smooth, everything they said was what he was looking for.
I'm not sure I even need to say this any more, but Greg Mattison has again left his mark on a recruit.
He fell in love with coach Mattison. I never paid attention early on to coordinators that much, but that guy was great. He was kinda funny too. He and coach Hoke broke it all open for him. We were there close to three hours just talking about football with Mattison, and more conversation with Hoke. Hoke's like a good ole boy, it was refreshing.
Besides gaining comfortability with the new coaches there were a few questions that were answered on the visit as well.
I know I read what type of defense they were going to run, and they told us it's going to be a 4-3. We run a 3-4 at Orchard Lake St. Mary's. What they want out of him is probably better for James, though. They said they want him to play WILL linebacker to emphasize his speed and have him free, a lot of blitzing, and basically let him play his game. James and the coaches saw eye to eye on that, I disagreed, but James thought that was good.
This visit did a lot for Michigan for both Mr. Ross and his son. It gave them a clear picture of how James would be used, and the people that would be coaching him as well. Mr. Ross is a Michigan fan, but has made sure he lets James make his own decision. Mr. Ross thinks that James will likely make his decision once he finds the place he feels is right.
Kyle Dodson
6'6", 315 lbs.
Offensive Tackle
Cleveland, Ohio
As I mentioned last night, Dodson received a Michigan offer yesterday. He's a monster offensive lineman reporting other offers from Illinois, Michigan State, NC State, and West Virginia.
[Michigan] was definitely a school I wanted an offer from. Coach Funk was the one that offered me. He said they enjoyed watching my film and I look like a player they want at Michigan. They have a lot of tradition, and even though they haven't been playing that well lately I still have a lot of interest in them. I'm definitely going to try to make it up there for the Junior Day.
Growing up in Ohio typically means there are some ties to Ohio State, and that's true for Kyle.
How I was raised, I grew up a Buckeye fan and not liking Michigan. Now that I'm more mature and I'm looking at schools it's completely different. This is my decision, and it's going to be my choice so all that stuff goes out the window. I'm first looking at academics, because I want to major in criminal justice, second a family based football team, and third the environment and surroundings.
Dodson is planning on taking a trip to Ohio State soon, and could see an offer soon from the Buckeyes. He's also getting attention from Auburn, Oregon, Wisconsin, and North Carolina.
A Few Names to Watch:
Illinois DT Jaleel Johnson (6'2", 277 lbs) is expecting a Michigan offer in the next two weeks, and told me he will definitely be at the Junior Day.
Georgia DT Jordan Watkins (6'5", 260 lbs) is hoping to hear from Michigan. Watkins has a 3.66 GPA and offers from Auburn, Georgia Tech, and Miami to name a few. His film is here.
New York DB Wayne Morgan (5'11", 188 lbs) just received an offer from Alabama. His high school DB coach told me has interest in Michigan. Here are his sophomore highlights, junior film should be done this week.
Cali DT Ellis McCarthy (6'4", 310 lbs) his coach tells me Michigan is interested and has his film. He's extremely athletic for his size, quick, and goes whistle to whistle. Junior film is here.
Texas DE Mario Edwards (6'4", 260 lbs) already has big time offers and has had contact with Michigan, according to his coach. His coach also told me they've produced NFL talent before and Mario might be better than all of them. Mario's dad also played for the Dallas Cowboys. Junior Film.
Extra:
- Illinois OL Jordan Diamond took in an unofficial visit to Ann Arbor, and told me how that went.
- Michigan DE Matt Godin was offered by Michigan and will be back up to Ann Arbor on Tuesday with his dad to talk to the coaches. He and Danny O'Brien give an update on where they're at here.
- Georgia DE Jordan Jenkins, Cali WR Jordan Payton and OL Jordan Simmons were all offered.
- Offensive linemen Kyle Murphy and Tyler Alt gave me an update on where they're at.
- Detroit OL Daron Brown (6'5", 310 lbs) took an unofficial visit to Michigan hoping for an offer. He told me he didn't get the offer, but the coaches told him they were definitely interested.
February 21st, 2011 at 10:31 AM ^
More so than any recruit we've shown interest in, that would be a HUGE coup...
February 21st, 2011 at 10:40 AM ^
Wow, he seems to have a sixth sense finding the ball carrier, really impressed. His tackling abilities seem really high too. What would it take to lure a guy like that out of Texas? He'd look good with a winged helmet.
February 21st, 2011 at 10:41 AM ^
Just like Keith Marshall....a looooooot. It's hard enough to get a kid out of Texas who has a UT offer. It's even harder when he has his pick of schools from around the country.
February 21st, 2011 at 10:56 AM ^
He looks better than Clowney. If we don't get him I hope we don't have to ever play him!
February 21st, 2011 at 11:38 AM ^
No way he is better. Clowney's highlight film makes every player he goes up against look like they are in the 8th grade. Edwards is good but no Clowney.
February 21st, 2011 at 11:52 AM ^
That's something I'll agree with. Clowney had the strength of a defensive tackle, incredible explosion off the snap, great pass rushing moves, and incredible speed/athleticism for a 6'6 260 kid.
February 21st, 2011 at 12:24 PM ^
and efforts on the field, he'll be a #1 overall pick in the NFL draft when all is said and done.
February 21st, 2011 at 12:35 PM ^
That's an area he needs to improve if he wants to stay eligible.
February 21st, 2011 at 11:16 AM ^
an FSU legacy. Everything that I have read says a FSU/Texas battle with FSU having an early lead.
February 21st, 2011 at 11:20 AM ^
I've read the same thing, but I still struggle to believe that Texas would let someone that good get out of their state. Weirder things have happened, though. Anyway, he's a top kid, so his recruitment is probably a long way away from being over.
February 21st, 2011 at 4:21 PM ^
February 21st, 2011 at 12:30 PM ^
Yeah I figured so much. As good as this kid is, I think there is enough attainable talent at this position where we can get those guys and be successful.
February 21st, 2011 at 10:31 AM ^
Good to here that Ross had a good visit. A commitment from him could trigger a couple other kids.
February 21st, 2011 at 10:33 AM ^
Help? Sure.
Trigger...ehhh
February 21st, 2011 at 10:33 AM ^
Coach Mattison is the man! It would be a great pickup to get Ross in the 2012 class.
February 21st, 2011 at 10:33 AM ^
hire would pay dividends, it's just great to see it acted out. Three hours just talking with Ross? That is impressive, I have such a great feeling when it comes to this staff's recruiting.
Peat would be such a get. It certainly helps that Lewan was from AZ. Hopefully Peat sees himself as the next Taylor Lewan, or Jake Long!
February 21st, 2011 at 10:36 AM ^
What's the over/under date for our first "Hello:" post for 2012?
February 21st, 2011 at 10:40 AM ^
I was expecting (which really means desperately hoping) that Ron Thompson would pull the trigger this weekend. He didn't but I still don't think expecting a commitment from him soon is unreasonable.
February 21st, 2011 at 11:13 AM ^
"[I'm looking at] a family based football team."
Good thing we have FAMILY VALUES now.
February 21st, 2011 at 12:08 PM ^
take away from Ewards obvious talent but. All of the Offensive tackles he played against were terrible. Each one of those LTs opened up as soon as the ball was snapped. Any half assed DE is going to eat that alive every play. I would need to see game film, see how many plays he took off, need to see game situations. Need to see who he had bad games against or individual battles he lost and then see him the next week if he improved and leraned or if he remained unchanged.
February 21st, 2011 at 12:18 PM ^
His highlight tape was, to me, impressive. It's not ther big hits or the speed, it's the insticts to see where the ball is going and the ability to sift through traffic to go get it. He's playing decent competition in there as well.
February 21st, 2011 at 12:20 PM ^
Thank you!
February 21st, 2011 at 12:37 PM ^
Ross shutting down EGR over and over again.
February 21st, 2011 at 12:18 PM ^
Kyle Dodson wants to major in Criminal Justice. The Ann Arbor campus doesn't offer any degrees in Criminal Justice.
With that, I submit for my first prediction for 2011: Kyle Dodson will not be attending the University of Michigan.
February 21st, 2011 at 12:51 PM ^
February 21st, 2011 at 1:58 PM ^
if we're recuirting James Biggs Ross for the will, does that mean we are recuirting RJS for the middle LB?
February 22nd, 2011 at 12:25 PM ^
How nice to hear is that?
Tom - did you talk to Jenkins-Stone at all?
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