Tuesday Recruitin' Rocks Stunner Shades
Today's recruiting roundup recaps Shane Morris's Elite11 regional camp appearance, talks Ty Isaac (what else is new?), and goes over past and future visits.
Shane's Bad Day > Your Bad Day
Shane Morris attended the Dallas Elite11 regional camp last weekend, getting tips from guys like Trent Dilfer and Tony Romo while hoping to lock up one of the coveted invitations to the Elite11 finals. Review of Morris were mixed but mostly positive, and this clearly wasn't good enough for Michigan's quarterback commit, who told ESPN he needs to work on "everything" (also, any idea why Morris is randomly wearing stunner shades for the second throw in this clip?):
While Morris was disappointed to not earn the finals invitation (more quotes in a free ESPN article here), he'll get another crack in Columbus on May 4th, and he still flashed the ability that has made him a potential five-star. Rivals.com's Brian Perroni listed Morris at #5 among his top performers, noting arm strength as his biggest positive ($):
The Michigan pledge made his presence known early by coming in decked out in Wolverine gear. There was a lot of anticipation as people wanted to see the nation's No. 16 overall prospect in person after he traveled a long way to compete. A lefty, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound Morris had the best velocity on his ball of any quarterback in attendance and made some very good deep throws as well. His accuracy was a bit off at times but nothing too concerning.
Scout's Greg Powers had a similar take, saying Morris had some great throws and not-so-great throws but "definitely [had] his wow moments," in turning in a "very solid showing" ($). Morris was disappointed, yes, but he also has very high standards for himself. That's by no means a bad thing.
Morris didn't provide the only recruiting action of the weekend, as Michigan hosted several prospects for unofficial visits. The top 2013 target on campus was Washington (DC) Gonzaga CB Devin Butler, who's in the midst of a long string of Midwest visits but took the time to tell 247 that Michigan "seemed like a great place to be as a football player, as a student and a young man" ($). Several Cass Tech targets spanning three classes also made the trip. '13 DT Kenton Gibbs caught up with Will Campbell and also said that Michigan's coaches want to see him at their summer camp before extending an offer ($). '14 LB William White was impressed by what he saw from the linebackers in spring drills ($), while '14 RB/DB Johnny Miggins and '15 QB Jayru Campbell also enjoyed the visit ($). '14 WR Damon Webb was also on campus along with several other Cass Tech players.
Isaac Watch, Future Visits, Etc.
Ty Isaac has returned from his trip to USC, the school that poses perhaps the biggest threat to Michigan in his recruitment, so it's time to read far too much into some post-trip quotes. They are... meh ($):
"There were really no set expectations, it was just a good visit," Isaac said. "It was nothing that I wasn't expecting. I got to see things and talk to coaches."
"I got to see things," is my new favorite non-answer from a recruit. It certainly doesn't sound like Isaac, who was accompanied by his father, was blown away by the trip. He says he's now going to "chill for awhile" before making any kind of decision about his future, and he's not tipping his hand, though he said his top schools "know who they are."
Phoenix (AZ) Brophy Prep WR Devon Allen is one of the top receivers on the board for Michigan, and his recent athletic exploits reveal a major reason why that is the case: Allen just broke a 32-year-old Arizona state record in the 110-meter hurdles, running a 13.62 to edge out the old mark by .07 seconds. He was also just three-hundreths of a second from breaking the 300-meter hurdles state record, as well. Allen starts his spring break next week, and he plans on taking a trip to the Midwest, where Michigan is one of several schools in the running for a visit ($).
One player taking a visit this weekend is Solon (OH) CB Darian Hicks, who already holds 11 offers but is hoping to add Michigan to the list when he comes to campus on Friday ($). Brookfield (WI) Central DE Chikwe Obasih will swing by Ann Arbor between April 12th and 14th—he'll also visit MSU and Illinois during those days, and hasn't set the order yet ($).
Two players have stated their intention to take one of their official visits to Ann Arbor. Petaluma (CA) Casa Grande ATH Elijah Qualls—at 6'5", 265 lbs., likely a DT/SDE recruit for Michigan—is one, having built a strong relationship with coach Dan Ferrigno ($). The other is Dadeville (AL) DT Rod Crayton, whose coach says Michigan "might be recruiting Rod the hardest out of anyone" ($). Crayton plans to take a second unofficial visit for a game this fall, then use an official visit after his season.
Happy trails to two offensive linemen, Colin McGovern and Hunter Bivin, who both committed to Notre Dame over the weekend. Both held Michigan offers but were told, like all uncommitted OL, that the Wolverines are full along the O-line.
Quickly: Taco Charlton's Pickerington Central squad defeated Chris Wormley and Toledo Whitmer, 45-40, in the Ohio Division I basketball state title game. Chantel Jennings gives a progress report on the 2013 class, including quotes from current commits on what the coaches like about them ($).
Morris was taking tips from Romo? Well, there goes what could have been a talented QB.
/s, kinda
Per Sam Webb, and TomVH, UM is no longer recruiting Crayton.
I've seen those rumors too, but someone needs to tell his coach. That article by Brewster went up four hours ago.
I understand, Ace. But Tom and Sam also knew that UM was no longer recruiting Yuri Wright too before Yuri or his coaches did as well.
Never said what Tom and Sam are saying isn't true. If anyone would know, it's those two. Just passed along in the post what was actually published in an article today. It's entirely possible the interview with the coach was conducted before the staff made any sort of decision about Crayton.
No longer recruiting Crayton or wouldn't accept a commitment from him today? It's possible that they'd still like to have him but want to see what happens with Poggi and/or others first.
The guy looks like he'd be a handful for opposing linemen.
There's a worry that a pretty serious childhood foot injury could prove problematic down the road. I think that's the reason the coaches may be backing off a bit. When Tom and Sam have said "stop recruiting," they mean stop recruiting entirely.
That's unfortunate for the kid. Hopefully at least one school that he likes isn't as bothered by the injury.
Or it could just be that they finally got their guy... *cough*Poggi*cough*
For anyone that cares, I found this on Vol Nation. The post was dated 3/21.
Has it been brought up that Crayton is missing part of his foot?
Michigan stopped recruiting him because of it |
Of course this is an unsubstantiated rumor, so take it with a grain of salt.
He tweeted that a 2013 prospect is visiting Michigan today. The link was to subscriber material. Anyone have a name?
Thanks, Ace. I'm not sure how much I'd read into Isaac's quotes. He generally doesn't seem very talkative or excitable with the media, which makes him difficult to read. I think he might be one of those recruits whom no one really knows what he's going to do until he does it.
It does kind of seem that Isaac likes to keep everything pretty close to the vest. I don't want to read too much into the quotes, but it sounds like it could be a good thing for Michigan as he didn't sound too enthusiastic about the visit.
Im not sure about the stunner shades, maybe they act as blinders, simulating a helmet. Maybe They want to see how the quarterbacks throw without having much peripheral vision or they just want to see how cool they look wearing shades.
Like he said, it just looked like shane was trying to throw way too hard on every toss. I think having proved himself early on has made the young man a bit anxious. I'd rather see those cross field passes too far ahead than at the receiver's back shoulder.
From every report I read they said the same things. He needs to add the 70-80% throws to his game instead of throwing fast balls all the time.
The reports also said that his arm strength is the real deal.
His 7-on-7 film shows some great strength and touch with those intermediate to deep balls. He's gotta realize that 70-80% is plenty fast to beat the secondary from 20-30 yards away. When he's relaxed in the pocket he looks very much like tom brady IMO.
Would be great to land Devon Allen, if only to hear the mainstream media struggle to make comparisons that fit their archetype.
"Allen reminds me a lot of Kevin Curtis."
"He's got a lot of Jeremy Bloom's game in him."
"I think he can develop into a Jordy Nelson type."
Whenever I think of speedy white receivers, the first one that comes to mind is Tim Dwight.
Golden Richards, No. 83 back in the Dallas Cowboys heyday? Anyone? Anyone? No?
OK then, I'm going with former Texas Longhorn Jordan Shipley. Speedy.
I ran hurdles back in high school, and those times absolutely amazing. The best runners I ran against in 110 were maybe in the low 14's, with a guy once in regionals running a 13.9. I actually think his 300 time is more impressive (mostly because 300 was my favorite anyway), I never ran against anyone who had a time below 40, and 37.04s is just really fricken fast (that's 12.34 seconds per 100 meters, with hurdles).
Long story short, the kid is fast. Really fast. If he can harness this on the football field, there are almost no defenders out there who could keep up with him on deep routes. I could see Shane throwing long balls to him all day.
As an ex-track guy myself, I can confirm that that guy is really fucking fast. No other way to put it.
And these times, are at the very beginning of his track season (when guys always run slower times) of his junior year. It's not very often that a kid goes out in one of the first meets of the season in his junior year and breaks state records.
Those glasses allow Shane to see the field in dazzling 3-D.
I figured that the Jerry World scoreboard is so blinding that when it's on, people in that building have no choice but to wear stunner shades.
Maybe his future's so bright, etc. etc.
On the couple of passes where the camera followed them downfield, you could see that they hit the recievers in the hands, but the recievers just weren't up to hauling them in.
Get those candy-asses out of there and get some real men who aren't afraid of a 90 mph fastball! /s
Had the same impression. Wonder if there was any criticism of those WRs not being able to handle some high velocity passes?
I'm pretty sure the sunglasses were equipped with video cameras/scanner and such so they could see where Shane was looking.
above all else, that was my takeaway from the video, and rankings teeth-gnashing aside, that seems a hell of a lot more important than anything else.
His calves are still skinny, no doubt, but Tom Brady didn't look much different in that department by the time he actually saw the field for Michigan, and Shane has plenty of time left in HS.
But to see him putting on what looks like good weight in his upper body is very encouraging. I expected him to mature physically, but that was one of my only possible concerns wrt him. Physical evidence that he's growing into his frame is a big-time positive, imo.
I was thinking that the glasses were a modern day virtual game thingy, like this:
He looked really pissed about his day. Next time out I'm betting he's ready to roll.
I think that is the first time I haven't seen Shane smile in an interview. He seemed really bummed. No worries young gun, show them what you are capable of in Columbus.
"show them what you are capable of in Columbus."
....for many years to come...
I logged in just to Pos this.
WR Devon Allen ran a 13.62 110M hurdles is very impressive. 2 time MHSAA State champ and Michigan freshman to be running back Drake Johnson posts a personal best of 13.73.
http://mi.milesplit.com/athletes/771521-drake-johnson
Interestingly enough Drake won the State Title with a 13.73 and says in this interview he was cautious coming out of the blocks for fear of fouling. He's fast.
http://www.runmichigan.com/results/full.php/2011/06/04/mhsaa-division-track-field-championships.html
I was just going to post this as well. I'd like to see those two run side by side. I bet if Drake ran his meets in Arizona, his times would be lower.
"I bet if Drake ran his meets in Arizona, his times would be lower."
Why do you say that?
Warm, dry air is ideal conditions for track meets. Running in cold air or in muggy weather slows you down. Running track in Michigan, weather conditions play a big role in track times. The state meet where Drake set his PR was on a very hot and humid day. That doesn't mean he'd have been a second faster or anything, but that sort of thing can swing times by one or two tenths, for sure.
Plus, and this wasn't what I was implying before, outdoor training conditions are just so much better in the offseason. Especially for someone like a hurdler, being able to practice on your track all year round is certainly an advantage.
March 27th, 2012 at 10:07 PM ^
Is it normal to be sweating that much after running 110 meters? It must have been extremely hot.
March 28th, 2012 at 12:50 AM ^
looks like a young Dwayne Johnson. Check 'the Rock' out in his early days in the WWE
Although some Germans appear to have infiltrated your picture uploading process, there's a picture of Shane doing this on the WN main page. I noticed he also has a little MJ goin on with his tongue sticking out. Good thing he's wearing a mouth guard in games or he'd get hit in the back and bite that thing off.
different taste in eyewear--my grandmother has a pair of those and they're terrifying on her, too. But my hunch is that he was wearing them to keep out glare.
If you've ever been to JerryWorld the sun shines in through the glass entrance ways in the end zone. Somebody get Romo those things!
Am I the only one catching the bi-ligual "big house" reference there?
SHANE NEEDS GLASSES
!!!Darryl Stonum and someone else (can't remember who) were diagnosed with needing glasses while at M. I think this is where Shane must be. Certainly explains why he didn't throw the ball well; HE COULDN'T SEE THE RECEIVERS!!!
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