Monday Recruitin' Knows, Won't Tell
Today's recruiting roundup covers last weekend's All-American games, high profile names emerging (or re-emerging) as targets, and a potentially wavering 2014 commit.
Spill The Beans, Green
Five-star linebacker Reuben Foster: visit on tap?
Michigan didn't land one of their remaining high-profile targets over the weekend when FL S Leon McQuay III committed to USC. They appear poised to get better news regarding VA RB Derrick Green, however—the nation's top running back has maintained Michigan as his leader in recent weeks and told Rivals($) after the Army All-American Game, "I know where I'm going." Green plans to announce sometime this month and it's safe to expect good news barring a sudden change of heart.
While USC snagged a Michigan target, it's possible the Wolverines return the favor after CA WR Sebastian LaRue decommitted from the Trojans; the four-star told 247's Clint Brewster that he plans to talk to Coach Ferrigno about a potential visit to Ann Arbor ($). LaRue currently has a visit to Notre Dame scheduled and is also looking at Miami, Arkansas, and Texas A&M.
The Wolverines may also have suddenly found themselves in the mix for the nation's top linebacker recruit, Alabama prospect Reuben Foster, after he connected with commit Henry Poggi at the Under Armour game. Poggi reportedly alerted Foster to Michigan's potential interest and convinced him to get in touch with the coaches, and Foster looks to be following through, per Sam Webb ($):
Once Foster and Michigan begin having more conversations, the 6'1, 240 pounder says it’s likely he'll get up to Ann Arbor for a visit at some point before signing day.
"I don't know but the odds are pretty darn good cause I'm cool with [Poggi's] dad that I just met this week --- very cool with him," said Foster.
With a month to go until signing day, it's very late in the game to enter into the recruitment of such a high-profile player, but the former Auburn commit seems to have genuine interest. It's early yet to harbor serious hopes of a commitment, but if a visit materializes it would obviously be fantastic news for Michigan.
A more likely candidate for one of the final few spots is CA OL Cameron Hunt, who spent time with Michigan's contingent of commitments at the UA game. Hunt will take his official to Michigan next weekend, followed by visits to Oregon and Cal, and he told Sam Webb that those three schools comprise his leading trio ($).
[After THE JUMP, video and evaluations of Michigan's All-Americans, the latest on Denzel Ward, and more.]
Well, We Know He Can Take A Hit
The All-American games have come and gone, and it was an up-and-down week for Michigan commits. For Shane Morris, it was mostly down—after an uneven week of practice, he finished just 2-for-10 with an interception in the Under Armour game, taking a highlight-reel hit on a scramble and landing squarely in the "Expected More" category in Rivals's post-week wrap ($):
Shane Morris, PQB, Warren (Mich.) De La Salle: It was a tough week for the five-star quarterback who never found his rhythm. Morris is coming off an upper respiratory illness that caused him to miss most of his senior season. His rust showed during practice and during the game. He completed a couple of passes to Treadwell, but he threw an interception and was never comfortable in the pocket. No one can discount his arm strength, but he needs to become more consistent on his progressions and taking what the defense gives him.
You can see his highlights above, as well as the entire game here, courtesy of MGoVideo. Morris did have a stellar throw to Treadwell that would've gone for a touchdown if not for a great breakup by game MVP Vernon Hargreaves III; he also forced passes and missed reads. Yes, All-American games leave little time for learning playbooks, and the results are generally ugly for quarterbacks across the board—it's also obvious, having seen Morris many times at this point, that he's still got a lot to work on.
Michigan's other participants in the UA game mostly fared better. Henry Poggi didn't have a huge game stat-wise, but was a disruptive force up front, registering a couple of QB hurries and holding the point of attack well while also recovering a fumble. Patrick Kugler had a great week of practice and was solid at guard. Logan Tuley-Tillman held his own on the edge against some of the nation's best pass rushers. David Dawson got beat a few times by the nation's #1 recruit, Robert Nkemdiche, but got his revenge with a pancake; Dawson did look lost when pulling from his guard spot, but keep in mind he played tackle for Cass Tech this season.
Mike McCray sat out the game with a torn labrum, an injury he tells Sam Webb is from his junior year of high school—he says he'll be back and ready to train come April ($).
The two Wolverines to participate in the Army All-American game—Dymonte Thomas and Jourdan Lewis—didn't get much pub in the postgame write-ups and I've yet to get a chance to watch the film; both reportedly had solid weeks in practice, though it took Thomas a day or two to warm up. One guy who did stand out in the game: Derrick Green, who earned the nod from Rivals as the East's top performer ($):
Coming to San Antonio with a target on his back didn't seem to bother Green. The running backs on the East and West team tried to dethrone the nation's No. 1 back but were unsuccessful. In practices and in the game, Green ran with toughness and speed, cut very well and showed he has the vision to make an early impact at the next level. His signature moment was a 23-yard run in the game during which he broke at least two tackles.
Mike Farrell lauded Green's work ethic in his awards post:
Green came in to break down his practice film after yet another nightly workout despite a full day of practice. He never stops working.
This is probably not a surprise if you've ever seen a picture of Derrick Green.
Maurice Hurst Jr. was one of the standouts of the Semper Fi Bowl, showing surprising quickness for a player of his size; again, thanks to MGoVideo for putting together highlights:
You can find the full game and video of Ross Douglas over at MGoVideo.
Ward Looking Around
We've already seen how the unprecedented number of early commits in the 2013 class has led to a similarly high amount of players decommitting across the country. That trend looks likely to continue—and grow—in the class of 2014, and could be hitting close to home; OL commit Denzel Ward has expressed interest in opening back up, and then visited Florida on Sunday, per 247 ($):
“I’m committed to Michigan at the moment but me and my family have talked about opening things back up. I’m seeing whats going to happen going into the spring camp season because a lot of other schools have started to show interest. I’m starting to get interest from Florida and some other schools.”
That quote came from before the visit, and Ward also told 247 that if he opened things back up his leaders would be Florida and Michigan, with Ohio State and "a few others" also in the mix ($). We'll see how this visit affects his commitment status; Ward has been in touch of the coaches, so they're aware of the situation. It seems inevitable that he'll re-open his recruitment, either of his own volition or because of Michigan's nebulous policy, though it also looks like the Wolverines could easily regain a commitment down the road.
Etc.
Michigan makes the top five for two 2014 quarterbacks, neither of whom hold offers as of yet. OK QB David Cornwell has Michigan in the mix with Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, and UCLA, per ESPN's Bob Pryzbylo ($). VA WB Caleb Henderson places the Wolverines alongside Michigan State, North Carolina, Ohio State, and Oregon, per Scout's Don Callahan ($).
2015 KY RB Damien Harris turned heads at the Army Combine last weekend, running a hand-timed 4.35 40-yard dash while checking in at 5'10", 197 pounds. He also told Sam Webb that Michigan's lead in his recruitment could be hard to overcome ($):
“Michigan still has got the edge by a small margin,” Harris reported. “I honestly don’t know what Ohio State would have to do to take the #1 spot. It would be tough honestly. Just growing up being a Michigan fan, not liking Ohio State… the odds are kind of against them. It’ll hard for them.”
Speaking of running backs, Tremendous has a two-part primer on 2014 recruiting at the position.
January 7th, 2013 at 1:48 PM ^
I'm starting to like Damien Harris already, "Just growing up being a Michigan fan, not liking Ohio State… the odds are kind of against them. It’ll hard for them.”
January 7th, 2013 at 2:26 PM ^
Let me guess, "Don't care, do no want."
January 7th, 2013 at 3:12 PM ^
That is what they said about Derrick Green.
January 7th, 2013 at 3:10 PM ^
Q: What's long and hard on a Buckeye?
A: Second Grade.
January 7th, 2013 at 1:50 PM ^
It's not exactly a nebulous policy. Brian has stated it in the past.
If you're committed you don't take official visits.
If you are committed and you are honest that you're taking visits, you're not committed, Michigan is recruiting your spot, and it may still recruit you.
If you are committed and Tweet a picture of your plane ticket while en route to Eugene, Oregon, GTFO.
January 7th, 2013 at 1:57 PM ^
For me personally, I'm most excited about the upside of Maurice Hurst Jr. Having seen his film with the long touchdown run, I knew he had wheels, but he was quicker than I expected in this game. Looking forward to seeing him develop into a force on the D-Line.
January 7th, 2013 at 2:13 PM ^
January 7th, 2013 at 2:16 PM ^
Yes, he is. He'll probably be a 5-star or a high 4-star.
January 7th, 2013 at 2:47 PM ^
January 7th, 2013 at 3:21 PM ^
That rumor has been going around. I don't think Harris has come out and said anything yet. Whoever said that was just guessing that he could reconsider based on the attention he has been getting for football after his junior season.
Tommy Doles is his teammate and I hear we might have a slight lead right now.
January 7th, 2013 at 4:15 PM ^
Not sure why it would matter...we have the better football AND basketball team.
January 7th, 2013 at 5:47 PM ^
I do think Michigan has a shot at Harris. He committed early, and I don't think it was necessarily a great decision. He supposedly has a higher upside in football (which I'm not great at judging, since I don't know a ton about basketball), and he doesn't have great size for a basketball future. There are lots of 6'4" - or taller - shooting guards out there.
This might be more like when Ohio State thought they had a chance at Gareon Conley.
January 7th, 2013 at 2:44 PM ^
Surprised to see him left off the primer on Tremendous. I thought he was a big name, and with Michigan as an early leader (according to this update) I was hoping to read a little more on him.
January 7th, 2013 at 3:22 PM ^
Their primer was for 2014 recrutis. Harris is 2015.
January 7th, 2013 at 3:28 PM ^
OK that makes sense
January 7th, 2013 at 3:23 PM ^
If I remember correctly, the Tremendous primer was for 2014 RB recruits.
January 7th, 2013 at 2:28 PM ^
I think we should take 2 qbs in the 2014 class, not that I am panicking looking at Morris' tape, but we should have 4 scholarship qbs at all times.
January 7th, 2013 at 2:32 PM ^
We should have taken one in 2012 . . . and we should be taking another in 2013.
It seems the coaches are happy with going three-deep at quarterback, even though they go three- or four-deep at each of the defensive line and linebacker positions, too. I really think we're under-recruiting the quarterback position, and it already may have bitten us in 2012 when we had the Robinson/Gardner/Bellomy issues late in the season. Another QB or two might have surpassed Bellomy or at least pushed him to get better, and perhaps that Nebraska game would have been winnable.
January 7th, 2013 at 3:08 PM ^
particularly so given DG's uncertain redshirt status, Bellamy's struggles and Moris's rawness.
January 7th, 2013 at 3:38 PM ^
In all seriousness, it is an uneasy feeling only having one somewhat proven option at qb next year with 4 freshmen o-linemen protecting him...
January 7th, 2013 at 2:29 PM ^
Bo would love a kid like Derrick Green and his work ethic. Every story I read about him highlights the way he works at making himself better. He'd be perfect in Borges' offense. I can't wait for a potential Hello post on him.
January 7th, 2013 at 2:33 PM ^
Would that stop people from saying that Hoke can't land an "elite" skill player?
January 7th, 2013 at 2:46 PM ^
Let's get one of the two, first.
January 7th, 2013 at 3:00 PM ^
It'd change to elite WR. OMG THE NUMBER 1 JERSEY WILL BE VACANT FOREVER! /ennui.
January 7th, 2013 at 2:37 PM ^
It'll be very interesting to see how the rest of the class fills out, especially after so little happening for so long. Won't get my hopes up about Foster, but we have a realistic chance with him this late in the game. Most of his top offers fell off because he committed so soon, already have 4-5 linebackers committed, and have full classes. Seems like Clemson, USC, Michigan, and the two schools he decommitted from are the ones with room to take him, and a need at his position. Wonder how he, and the two alabama schools feel about each other.
January 7th, 2013 at 2:56 PM ^
Didn't most of his offers fall off because he has an Auburn tattoo on his forearm?
January 7th, 2013 at 2:48 PM ^
Prediction: if Reuben Foster visits, we get him. He's not escaping the clutches of Mattison.
January 7th, 2013 at 3:01 PM ^
That's a bold prediction my friend, but I hope you're right.
January 7th, 2013 at 3:05 PM ^
That guy is scary. Watching his highlight tape, when he chases a ballcarrier down and takles him, it reminds me of a lion taking down a small animal.
January 7th, 2013 at 3:29 PM ^
If we do get Foster:
504 Gateway Error
January 7th, 2013 at 4:12 PM ^
If we do get Foster, all of the interwebz will break.
January 7th, 2013 at 3:42 PM ^
January 7th, 2013 at 3:04 PM ^
The headline of 247's front page this morning was a Rebun Foster quote saying "I love Ellis Johnson". I would love to have the kid on our team, doesn't seem particularly bright though.
January 7th, 2013 at 3:38 PM ^
January 7th, 2013 at 3:42 PM ^
I don't even know who Ellis Johnson is. I guess I'm dumb.
January 7th, 2013 at 3:51 PM ^
Shamone. Does Google not work for you?
He is now the DC at Auburn.
January 7th, 2013 at 4:17 PM ^
What is this Googles you speak of? I just used Ask Jeeves to get my answer. I still don't understand why that quote makes him not bright.
January 7th, 2013 at 6:20 PM ^
Google's a little outdated. I usually use Alta Vista or AOL Keyword.
January 7th, 2013 at 4:20 PM ^
new DC at Auburn
January 7th, 2013 at 3:13 PM ^
I would like the time back that I wasted watching some of those all-star games. I learned that TV cameras can do wacky (and useless) angles; that USC and Alabama are super awesome; and that the QBs all look bad (except for the guy going to USC, who is awesome because Mark Sanchez is dreamy).
January 7th, 2013 at 5:33 PM ^
Sparty recruits nationally! (see, e.g. Caleb Henderson!!) Yay!
January 7th, 2013 at 6:23 PM ^
Any thoughts on the lack of QB offers at this point?
A week in the AA office since the bowl, some all-star skill data, and 6-8 weeks since HS seasons ended . . . but no offers. There are some very solid candidates if not superstars.
Meanwhile, we've offered 8 RBs, 7 CBs and 15 Tackles so the staff doesn't follow a scarcity doctrine.
January 7th, 2013 at 7:20 PM ^
We haven't offered 15 tackles.
We've offered 15 kids who want to play tackle because that's where the big money is, but half of those guys will end up at guard and one or two will probably play center.
January 7th, 2013 at 7:37 PM ^
January 7th, 2013 at 9:02 PM ^
January 7th, 2013 at 9:51 PM ^
January 7th, 2013 at 9:14 PM ^
Sometimes I get stuck between listing kids how they're listed on the recruiting sites and where they'll actually play in college.
For example, Tommy Doles isn't going to play tackle in college unless he hits a growth spurt. But that's where the recruiting sites list him. He's one of those guys who will be a guard or even a center. Jay Hayes is in the same boat, etc.
January 7th, 2013 at 9:23 PM ^
January 8th, 2013 at 7:53 AM ^
When it comes down to it, unless you're USC you're not going to be pulling in multiple 4/5 stars at the QB position in the same class. In addition, especially considering Michigan's current state at QB, this is one position where you miss a couple times it can really set the program back. Hoke and Borges have a number of candidates (Cornwell, Key, Stewart, Kizer, Henderson, etc.) but want to make sure they are offering the right guy in case of a commitment. Seems like a sound strategy to me.
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