Chris Clark to Announce on NSD on ESPNU
Well after this morning's mlive story that Clark wanted to make a decision after the UCLA trip but before Feb 4, he now is going to do it on NSD on ESPNU.
Not going to throw this kid under a bus but I get the idea he does like attention. Balas tweeted he really liked UM chances - if he comes back from UCLA and wants to go blue I dont see the reason to wait until Feb 4th. Especially because it would help your coach decide on how many spots are truly available. Hopefully he can let Harbaugh know a few days in advance so coach knows that he does or does not have another spot to offer someone else and is not left scrambling with hours to go. Anyhow, I'll get back off my own lawn.
4-star TE Chris Clark announcing on ESPNU on Signing Day. Like Michigan's chances here. A lot.
— Chris Balas (@Balas_Wolverine) January 19, 2015January 19th, 2015 at 1:26 PM ^
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January 19th, 2015 at 1:48 PM ^
I was hoping he would just re-commit to us now and be done with it already.
January 19th, 2015 at 2:04 PM ^
Is most of the fanbase just being impatient? Or is it that this kid is perceived as an attention whore?
Quite frankly, I have no problem with him doing what he is. When else in life will he get to experience something like this?
January 19th, 2015 at 2:28 PM ^
I would think they want firm commitments, just so they are not scrambling to fill a spot. Maybe the HC knows the outcome and says: “OK, now go do your hat dance. Looking forward to having you on the team.”
From a fans perspective, I want guys that openly want to come to Michigan and show it by verbally committing before NSD. I’m not a fan of the hat dance.
January 19th, 2015 at 9:46 PM ^
January 19th, 2015 at 2:42 PM ^
"When else in life will he get to experience something like this?"
So that makes it okay? I really hate it when people say it's cool if a kid wants to milk the attention he's getting. Here's a thought: how about some fucking humility? Yeah, you're a highly rated football stud, but you go out and shatter your femur, muck up your knee, etc., nobody will want anything to do with you. Don't feed the beast that makes it that way.
If he's genuinely torn, that's different. If he really wants to wait and make his decision after a few weeks of careful thought, I'm cool with that. But to say it's cool for him or anyone to be a primma donna is not something I partcularly dig unless they come to Michigan and back it up in a big way. So in general I'm only cool with it after the fact, not before.
January 19th, 2015 at 3:01 PM ^
I get what you're saying. Even as a teenager once, I never felt the need to be in the spotlight because humility was something that was valued in my little world....so it's hard to put myself in someone like his situation. Some people thrive on it (him), while others didn't (me).
I get why kids do it and I know you do too. Chances of them making the NFL are pretty hit and miss so this is their one time to be the center of attention. Factor in all of the what ifs that is crawling through their minds.
With that said, I am NOT okay with him or any recruit keeping all of the schools who was courting them in the complete dark up through the moment of "choice" on signing day. That is just dirty and I blame the HS coaches and the recruits parents for that one---they know better.
January 19th, 2015 at 7:40 PM ^
January 19th, 2015 at 11:52 PM ^
If the staff want him, they'll wait it out. If they don't, they won't. It's his prerogrative to choose how to end his recruitment. He's earned it.
January 19th, 2015 at 7:08 PM ^
One more time sweetness!!!!
January 19th, 2015 at 1:28 PM ^
Awesome! When was the last time Michigan had a hat on a table on NSD? Pryor?
January 19th, 2015 at 1:29 PM ^
Has it been that long???
January 19th, 2015 at 1:39 PM ^
January 19th, 2015 at 2:01 PM ^
January 19th, 2015 at 2:40 PM ^
January 19th, 2015 at 3:36 PM ^
January 19th, 2015 at 3:39 PM ^
January 19th, 2015 at 2:36 PM ^
I don't think Pryor actually commited until March. A player doesn't have to commit on NSD.
January 19th, 2015 at 1:28 PM ^
He could always commit to the coaches and then hold off with announcing publicly until NSD. I probably would have kept a lower profile myself, but before we criticize these kids too much, let's remember that they're young and this is a fun, one-time opportunity for them to do this stuff. I definitely didn't have cable news networks asking me to announce my college decision live on one of their broadcasts.
January 19th, 2015 at 1:35 PM ^
I hope that is what happens. As a coach I would never want to be in a postion with multiple "last day" hat dances. All your targets are not going to sit around for you waiting for "ABC star player" to announce to see if they have their own spot. Yeah yeah "it is Michigan fergodsakes" but we are already scrambling to find high quality players and having conversations such as "well if Clark picks our hat we won't have a spot for you, otherwise we will - just sit on your hands for another week and don't commit anywhere until the last day" are not ones anyone really enjoys. That can work with a 2 star or low rated 3 star but even a typical 3 star now is getting multiple offers from P5 teams.
January 19th, 2015 at 1:41 PM ^
January 19th, 2015 at 1:49 PM ^
I agree. If I were a coach, I think I'd ask my recruits to tell me as soon as they're sure - and promise me that they're really sure - but then have fun with the process. "Fun" could be an ESPN hat dance, a celebratory dinner with mom and dad, or whatever. As long as I knew the deal and could plan accordingly, I'd be fine with kids doing the silly NSD hats on ESPN thing.
January 19th, 2015 at 2:42 PM ^
I want to cut the youngster some slack but this does pose a problem for the Michigan coaching staff if they are not privy to the decision prior to signing day. JH surely knows this and will most likely press Clark for a confidential answer prior to the 4th. We should be able to identify Clarks answer by JH's actions on the recruiting trail.
January 19th, 2015 at 2:32 PM ^
until NSD to find out about any prospect. But, this year is what it is. I think the staff just has to do the best they can with the time they have and fill the class out with the best prospects they can find. I hope there is another TE out there and they don't have to go all in on the Chris Clark Sweepstakes.
Going forward, I'm sure the staff will stick to the usual Michigan formula of trying to fill up the class as early as possible. Otherwise we end up like the SEC schools and not care about picking up guys at the last second - then pully sleazy games with kids already committed or even enrolled and saying they no longer have a scholarship.
January 19th, 2015 at 1:30 PM ^
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January 19th, 2015 at 2:25 PM ^
If I were a coach, a silent commit would make me far more nervous than a kid who isn't yet committed. Silent implies significant degrees of uncertainty and deception, and I'd constantly be wondering if I'm being played. With silent commits, you're holding places for them. With players who haven't committed, at least you can keep recruiting other players at that position and not be left holding the bag on NSD. I do wonder re the percentage of silent commits who end up backing out. But I guess we'll never know.
January 19th, 2015 at 1:30 PM ^
ESPN is offering a national TV platform to a 17 year-old. It would be really difficult to say no. How many of those who criticize Clark would say no?
January 19th, 2015 at 1:43 PM ^
As long as you're asking, my parents would have taken turns hitting me upside my head if I'd even breathed a desire to engage in that kind of public spectacle. I'd have notified the coaching staff privately and that'd be the end of it.
January 19th, 2015 at 2:41 PM ^
Same here, and I'm still in my 20's. It's not some old thinking. I think my parents would be very prooud and woudl support me going on ESPN on NSD. That is until they found out that I haven't told any of the schools of what my decision was. They would be pretty disappointed if I didn't keep the schools informed on what my decisions were. I think this is probably the case for most kids too. They still get the spectacle, the fans get to lay in mystery for a while logner than the schools, and the kids get their ESPN debut!
January 19th, 2015 at 3:03 PM ^
I would be sort of in the same boat - my parents would be very supportive, and then when they asked me who I had chosen and the answer was "I will do that at the show", I am pretty sure both my mom and dad would work to make certain whatever announcement I made was on public access in the wee hours, right after the video replay of the Zoning Board Of Appeals meeting from last March. Never let it be said that they couldn't find creative ways to set us straight.
January 19th, 2015 at 1:45 PM ^
I don't know if it's really criticizing if it is just a statement of fact. Clark appears to have a pretty long track record of loving the attention and limelight, and might be a bit of a diva. I still want him, but it's definitely something to keep in mind.
January 19th, 2015 at 3:00 PM ^
January 19th, 2015 at 7:40 PM ^
All I can think of is that jackass Jimmy Clausen showing up to the HOF in a limo on his signing day. What an embarrassment. You wouldn't catch me within a mile of a camera or microphone. Leaders eat last!!! I'd rather see a kid shut his mouth and get down to business. The fact Clark hasn't made up his mind yet is a red flag. The fact he is even interested in UCLA without taking an official visit yet is a red flag. The fact he was committed with UNC and decommitted and then did the same thing with Michigan, while understandable with the UofM decommit, it is still a red flag. The fact UCLA doesn't feature a TE is a red flag. The fact he needs all of this attention is a red flag. How much thought has the kid put into his future? (red flag) How serious can I take someone who has all of the physical tools to be successful but doesn't have the mindset of someone who knows what he wants and which route to take to get it? I can tell you this. If I had a chance to play football for a legendary university, obtain an elite education and go to an elite school that will be once again producing elite NFL talent, it really isn't much to think about. If its me I am already in Ann Arbor hitting weights and reading playbooks saying, "Coach, what can I do to help the team?"
January 19th, 2015 at 1:33 PM ^
Fellas...it's only a couple weeks away. Does it really matter?
January 19th, 2015 at 1:49 PM ^
The concern is not for the fanbase. If he told Jim Jan 27th and wants to keep it a secret for face time on TV it's 1 situation. If it's a secret to everyone until Feb 4th it causes other issues.
Where it causes difficulty is in who else you take. Maybe another great commit who wants to come to Michigan is told "we have to wait until we see what Clark does on the last day." Well that commit has 3 other schools hot on his trail. And each of those schools will have a shrinking pool of open spots in the closing days. So those coaches may tell said recruit we cannot wait on you, so if you want to wait until the last day we are going to take another player who definitely wants to come.
So at that point said player who is waiting on Chris Clark decision sits there and has to decide whether he wants to take the risk of waiting for Clark to say yes which would then freeze him out at Michigan... and then his other 3 schools being all filled up before NSD, and then he is left out with no spot at any of this top choice schools.
There are a lot of interconnected events.
January 19th, 2015 at 2:19 PM ^
Why'd you have to go and make a good point? My hunch is that post-UCLA visit, Harbaugh will have a read on what Clark is going to do (if he isn't a silent verbal anyway). At that point, it would be the same level of "uncertainty" as if Clark planned on a signing day decision all along. That said, fair point.
January 19th, 2015 at 1:35 PM ^
Certainly likes the attention. I was always of the opinion that if you know then you should say out of courtesy to all involved. Who knows, maybe he needs every last minute to decide.
January 19th, 2015 at 1:41 PM ^
But if you needed every last minute that would sort of be an organic thing. i.e. you come back from Westwood, undecided, and want another 10 days to ponder. Or it might take you 3 days, or 7. You wouldn't preschedule an announcement 2 weeks in advance. For all you know everything will be crystal clear on Jan 24th.
Also for those above he is 19.5 not 17. Not that it means the world of difference but he is older than 99% of football recruits.
January 19th, 2015 at 1:46 PM ^
Chris Balas, 1/19/2015, 1:10 PM:
"I like Michigan's chances here. A lot."
January 19th, 2015 at 1:39 PM ^
and as a kid, why would you not want to have that opportunity? I was closely involved with Hand's recruitment, and I went to his announcement, and the entire school was involved. The seniors and the football team all got out of class to attend, and the administrators took an opportunity to speak as well. It isn't just about the player, but the school, coaches, teachers, and students who were a part of his high school career. As a high school football coach, wouldn't you want a nationally ranked recruit to announce publicly? Even as that kid's parents, it's exciting and fun, and I don't belive it necessarily makes him a diva.
January 19th, 2015 at 1:44 PM ^
He is doing it on ESPN campus, not at his school. I agree that it's ok to have fun and enjoy, but just come out and say so. Don't say you are struggling with the decision.
January 19th, 2015 at 1:53 PM ^
Do you think Nick Saban knew in advance or it was a surprise to him? Serious question - I don't know. I know we were shocked and dismayed here so I wonder if that was a surprise to Nick or he was told "yes" on the phone in advance. I presume yes but maybe not much lead time.
Also if Nick loses one 5 star there is another out there waiting. He has five Hands in this class alone (five 5 stars) ;) I dont think Nick is sweating it out much, Bama is in a unique situation where they are at the very top of the recruiting food chain the past half decade.
January 19th, 2015 at 1:57 PM ^
January 19th, 2015 at 1:40 PM ^
I have to admit to not following this as closely as some here, but is there a second choice for TE that would be impacted by him waiting?
January 19th, 2015 at 1:51 PM ^
Tyrone Wheatley Jr. is a TE and DE. I think Michigan is recruiting him as a DE, though?
January 19th, 2015 at 1:56 PM ^
He's being recruited regardless I think. Just wondering if there's someone we only take if Clark goes elsewhere. I assume not but really don't know.
January 19th, 2015 at 2:07 PM ^
Yes at 260 lbs and still a growing 18 year old I dont see Wheatley as a future TE unless we plan to do 280 lb TEs :) I think Magnus said he is higher rated as a DE and that's his future in college. Just getting into a professional S&C program and natural growth is going to put 15 lbs on him in the next few years and that's already 275.
January 19th, 2015 at 7:57 PM ^
I believe AJ Williams will be our last non-catching huge tight end for a long time. Didn't he come in weighing over 300 pounds?
January 19th, 2015 at 1:55 PM ^
None have surfaced as best as I can tell. Harbaugh did follow the kid who decommited from UCLA last week and immediately committed to ND but have not heard much smoke about him other than the twitter follow.
I think they are keeping that spot open for Clark if he wants it; otherwise that spot goes to another position altogether.