Michigan offers Darius Taylor, '23 RB out of Walled Lake Western
Linky.
Current Minnesota commit. Listed at 5'10, 180. Ran for almost 2200 yards this year. 247 profile.
If it's not obvious enough, Benjamin Hall is not going to be in the '23 class when all is said and done.
November 8th, 2022 at 12:55 PM ^
Taylor visited for the MSU game as well
His tape is definitely impressive. His running style reminds me of Donovan Edwards in that he's more of a one cut, then turn on the jets runner
I do still find it a little puzzling that we aren't trying to or can't flip a higher rated running back this cycle. This has been 2 years of straight domination on the ground
November 8th, 2022 at 1:41 PM ^
maybe just a roster composition thing? Corum will more than likely leave before* next year, leaving behind Edwards as RB1 who could be a (likely) 1 or (less likely) 2 year guy. They seem to like what they have in Stokes, and Cole Cabana is already in this class as well, whose stock has risen since he committed. Combined with a slew of tier 2 backs on the roster, maybe they're content to stick with Cabana as their main back in the class and focus on '24
*edited for corum clarity
November 8th, 2022 at 2:02 PM ^
Corum will likely leave after this (2022) season, no? My apologies if that's what you meant. RB's should leave ASAP because they depreciate earlier and faster than other positions.
November 8th, 2022 at 2:48 PM ^
Yeah 100% he'll be gone next year, not after next year.
November 8th, 2022 at 5:56 PM ^
I would be very surprised if Edwards does not turn pro after next year.
Every 5* RB in the country should have Harbaugh and Hart in speed dial with this offense and this line play. It’s a built to make Heisman winners.
November 9th, 2022 at 3:58 PM ^
The level of statistical dominance it takes for a RB to get Heisman love is really outlandish nowadays, and nobody wants to put the miles on a guy it would take to achieve that.
Its better for the team for Edwards to get ~10+/- carries a game, but thats killer to Corum's Heisman hopes. Ibrahim has 100 fewer yards and 1 fewer TD with 1 fewer game played; thats just not enough separation for voters who dont watch enough football.
November 8th, 2022 at 2:30 PM ^
Kaytron Allen and nick singleton are two 4.5 star RB’s in the Same class for PSU. Recruiting is down this cycle.
November 8th, 2022 at 3:30 PM ^
I wondered why we didn't offer this kid. He is lightning in a bottle! Hope we get him!
November 8th, 2022 at 1:09 PM ^
What’s the buzz about Hall? Has there been some talk that I missed?
November 8th, 2022 at 1:12 PM ^
he is basically third string on his HS team.
I think he is physically capable of playing CFB, but he's probably not a P5 starting RB.
November 8th, 2022 at 1:13 PM ^
And I assume he doesn't play for IMG, right?
EDIT: I didn't see Paps' message below. He's on a good HS team, but definitely not one of the national private powerhouses.
November 8th, 2022 at 1:33 PM ^
Correct, yeah, they are really good, definitely a top 10 overall team in the state, probably top 4 or 5. They lost by just 7 to Buford, who is the #2 team in the nation (I think 4 straight state titles) and has a top RB committed to bama and the #2 overall player in the composite in '24 KJ Bolden. I think North Cobb would be in that 40-60 range nationally.
November 8th, 2022 at 1:13 PM ^
I haven't heard anything outright about his status at Michigan, but I did see/hear he is having a less than stellar senior season at North Cobb. They are a very good HS team (undefeated in region, lost to Buford by only 7!) and it seems like Hall is splitting/not getting the lions share of carries.
Reading between the lines it would seem that M is looking to flip someone, and if they can, give Hall the firm handshake, good luck at Georgia Tech. *this of course is assuming that M is only taking 2 RBs this year, which would make sense.
November 8th, 2022 at 1:44 PM ^
I'm all for this...might sound callous, but we have seen the past two years what a special RB / RB tandem can do for an offense. I like getting back to Michigan having a stellar RB starting each and every year.
November 8th, 2022 at 2:35 PM ^
successful programs must take that approach. if staff notice that certain recruits havent improved enough or initial evals proved incorrect or whatever its time to move on.
some may find it cruel but coaches owe it to the rest of the roster to do their absolute best to stack impact players, and to do it every single class
November 8th, 2022 at 8:46 PM ^
He's already looking at other schools.
That said, this would be a GREAT pickup.
November 8th, 2022 at 2:40 PM ^
I have no inside information but from what I know about the ebb and flow of recruiting it appeared that he got an offer not an “offer” which was contigent on continued growth and development. His HS season has been up and down. Had heard Jayden Limar might be a candidate to flip from ND. The staff has been offered a bunch of Wr’s after the HC visited Harbor which would tell me they don’t like his timeline or don’t think they’re going to land him. LB offers have been non existent which is weird given that position group could use some bodies, (maybe somone like Keon Sabb sees a position switch) And the CB offer to the oHIO kid committed to Cincy player is curious. Peal stayed south Love went to ND, the Florida commit they’ve been after doesn’t seem to be budging and then Illinois is a threat for Jyaire Hill.
November 8th, 2022 at 1:13 PM ^
Not related to the late 90’s early 2000’s bball player by the same name at Michigan?
November 8th, 2022 at 1:15 PM ^
Not directly, no. That Darius Taylor is currently hanging around College Station looking for a new job
November 8th, 2022 at 1:21 PM ^
Been committed to the Geaufers since April.
November 8th, 2022 at 1:28 PM ^
One of his recruiters at Minnesota is Greg Harbaugh Jr.
But on the Minnesota website it shows Harbaugh being pronounced as Harbo so I assume no relationship.
Weird coincidence.
November 8th, 2022 at 1:38 PM ^
Wow. Great tape. While it's a bit perplexing that we're not dominating RB recruiting nationally, Taylor and Cabana give us even more speed at the position. They both need to add weight, but should have time to do so.
But it's worth pointing out that Cabana is the #6 RB in the country, and by far the highest ranked RB not from the south. It's not like we aren't recruiting great players.
November 8th, 2022 at 1:43 PM ^
5'10, 180 is similar to Cabana
Benjamin Hall is 5'10, 225.
I'm sure I'm missing something here....
November 8th, 2022 at 1:53 PM ^
Perhaps the coaches look at Corum this year and realize they don't need the stereotypical bruiser to pick up tough yards.
November 8th, 2022 at 2:00 PM ^
Corum is 5'8", 210.
Cabana is 6', and about 170.
Taylor seems to fall in between.
November 8th, 2022 at 2:13 PM ^
Corum isn't Henry sized, but he's not small. He's short and has tree trunks for legs. A 6'0" 180lbs guy (like the 2 recruits) is not going to move piles like Corum who again, is built like a little muscle hamster.
November 8th, 2022 at 2:35 PM ^
Honestly being a shorter RB myself when I played (10 years playing) is an advantage esp for someone like Corum who is also over 200lbs. A taller RB is far easier to see for the defenders where a shorter one can get lost in the mix. Big lineman are super nice to hide behind and changing direction is harder for them to see. Just look for who is good short or tall at RB. Barry Sanders ... 5'8, Emmit Smith 5'9 ... Lionel James 5'6 .... Maurice Jones-Drew ... 5'8. If they can play go get em.
November 8th, 2022 at 2:39 PM ^
Surprised they're not looking for more of a power back to complement Cabana and the cadre of smaller speed backs we already have. I miss having some form of Ben Mason/Hammering Panda/even Hassan Haskins-ish back who can grind out that last yard.
November 8th, 2022 at 6:13 PM ^
I also wonder if Cabana is a candidate to play slot.
November 8th, 2022 at 1:56 PM ^
I wouldn't mind sniffing around the portal this year for a running back. I'd take a look at both of the PSU running backs that were highly rated guys: Devyn Ford and Keyvon Lee. Seems like a stretch that CJ Stokes should default into the RB2 role that in the last two years has had highly rated underclassmen in Corum and Edwards in that role.
November 8th, 2022 at 2:09 PM ^
If we're gonna go after a RB in the portal, I'm seeing if Braelon Allen wants to cross divisions
November 8th, 2022 at 2:09 PM ^
I think Stokes is really similar to Karan Higdon. I think he will be fine in that role. He looks like he has a burst and is a tough runner.
Dunlop is also intriguing. He’s a big back and looks good when he gets a chance but doesn’t get in there often.
November 8th, 2022 at 2:35 PM ^
I think a few walk and they go portal. See if they can snag a Walker type. Gotta be someone out there looking to play into the first 3 rounds in 2024.
November 8th, 2022 at 2:35 PM ^
Between Stokes (Higdon but fast), Dunlap, Cabana, and whoever else we recruit we should be totally fine.
November 8th, 2022 at 2:55 PM ^
I don't want to be fine, I want to be great.
November 8th, 2022 at 2:28 PM ^
Was wondering when this was going to happen. My girls have friends that go there so I have managed to see a couple of his games this year. The first game he scored 6 TDs. Very electric with the ball.
November 8th, 2022 at 2:52 PM ^
I feel like a RB Minn recruit is getting close to a Wis OL recruit in trust level.
November 8th, 2022 at 3:18 PM ^
I'm thinking that Orji gets moved to TB this spring
November 8th, 2022 at 3:35 PM ^
November 8th, 2022 at 6:02 PM ^
Wrestling background. I like it!
November 8th, 2022 at 9:58 PM ^
My alma mater, pretty cool. Also I think his current QB is committed to Minnesota as well, so not sure how/if that affects his recruitment
November 9th, 2022 at 8:42 AM ^
Michigan is the premier University football program that still puts running the ball first. They should be able to go into any 5 stars living room and make a compelling case. Mike Hart should NOT be settling for low ranked “projects” at this point. Benjamin Hall should not come to Michigan. Put bluntly, Michigan can do better.