TomVH: An Interview with Desmond Morgan
Sleeper in-state linebacker Desmond Morgan (6'1", 225 lbs, three star) was offered by Michigan a few days ago. I got in touch to get his reaction to his first big offer and hear about his decision timeline, but first the film:
TOM: Congrats on the offer. Was it kind of unexpected for you?
DESMOND: Yeah, you could say it kind of came out of nowhere. I took a visit for the UMass game, gave my film to the recruiting coordinator, and then I hadn't heard from him in awhile. I got a call from Coach Magee, and he said someone wanted to talk to me. He handed the phone to Rich Rodriguez, and coach said I had an offer.
TOM: That had to have been exciting for you and your family.
DESMOND: Yeah, we're all Michigan fans, so it was definitely exciting. When I told my dad he gave me a big hug, and you could tell he was just really excited. Getting an offer from such a prestigious school, I think that's what shocked him. It was exciting.
TOM: You said this came as somewhat of a surprise. Are you expecting any other offers to come in, or are any schools like MSU talking to you?
DESMOND: There's nothing I'm counting on or expecting, if it happens it happens. Northwestern and Cincinnati have showed me some interest. MSU was early on, and I took a visit in February, but the communication kind of died off from there. That's really it for now though.
TOM: I think a lot of people have seen your film in the last two days. There's some good evidence there of why you were offered, but what did the coaches say they like about you?
DESMOND: They said they're looking for kids that knew how to hit, and that aren't afraid to get after it. They want guys that have a nose for the ball, and smart kids. I learn from my coaches, and I give 110% no matter what. Even if I'm doing something wrong, I'm going to go 100 MPH doing it.
TOM: You mentioned smart kids. You have a pretty high GPA yourself. Is it a 4.0?
DESMOND: Well, my unweighted GPA is a 3.97, and my weighted GPA with my honors courses is a 4.1.
DESMOND: No, before the recruiting process started my dad and I said that we were going to take our time with everything, and just let it play out. We still want to stick to that game plan, and just see how it goes. I don't have a specific date that I want to commit by, or anything.
TOM: What are your plans from here though? What does taking your time mean to you?
DESMOND: We want to go up to Michigan, probably after my season, and meet with the coaches, see the facilities, and everything that Michigan has to offer. I want to make sure I feel comfortable with everything, and not just make a rash decision. There's nothing in the nation that compares to the Big House, so it could just take one visit to know that I'm in love with it, or it could maybe take a couple. I'm not looking to prolong the matter, but I don't want to rush into anything. My decision will most likely be after the season.
October 27th, 2010 at 9:51 PM ^
Thank you Tom. I am kind of excited for this kid (assuming he commits). I know you might not be able to tell a lot about a player from a highlight film but man alive, that guy can hit.
October 27th, 2010 at 10:23 PM ^
Boy attacks the runner, and there are 45 reasons why that's a good thing.
October 28th, 2010 at 1:30 AM ^
that image with "oh! I see what you did there" is so damn tired....
October 28th, 2010 at 10:15 AM ^
Plus, when is the appropriate time to use it? Shouldn't it be used for puns or things like that? I feel like this image is not used right, unless I have some misunderstanding... please explain!
October 28th, 2010 at 10:33 AM ^
Who wears 45 on defense
October 28th, 2010 at 10:41 AM ^
That's my 2nd dumb question in as many days... then again... i'm constantly paranoid my boss is going to find me mgoblogging like the world is about to end. I'll neg myself for that one.
October 28th, 2010 at 10:39 AM ^
Pretty sure it is used correctly..."45 reasons" is probably referring to Ezeh. But still, this should be retired.
EDIT: Beaten to the punch.
October 27th, 2010 at 9:52 PM ^
Hello: Desmond Morgan
Can we start the first thread about lining up Desmond and Denard in the backfield simultaneously?
October 27th, 2010 at 9:58 PM ^
Holy truck-stick, Batman
October 27th, 2010 at 9:57 PM ^
...so I can consume less Captain Morgan during defensive series.
October 28th, 2010 at 5:50 AM ^
I'm not sure if that would be a good thing or a bad thing ..
October 27th, 2010 at 9:57 PM ^
From the looks of his timeline he doesn't seem to be an early enrollee candidate. But I'll ask anyway, is there any chance he'll be an EE?
October 27th, 2010 at 9:59 PM ^
UNACCEPTABLE
He'll never make it at Michigan getting an A- in one class!
October 28th, 2010 at 11:33 AM ^
That 3.97 is unweighted, he probably got that A- in a tough honors class or something. But yeah, definitely not up to Michigan standards!!
October 27th, 2010 at 10:00 PM ^
I can definitely see this young man becoming a member of the Reggie Cleveland All-Stars.
October 27th, 2010 at 10:05 PM ^
Tank.
EDIT: also a 25 on the ACT. BOOM QUALIFIED.
October 27th, 2010 at 11:55 PM ^
I thought I read that he had a 27 on the ACT
Either way it's a good score
October 27th, 2010 at 10:02 PM ^
Sounds like a sharp kid. Close to my areas as well. Thanks Tom!
October 27th, 2010 at 10:26 PM ^
Yeah man, I went to West Ottawa. Through the grape vine heard hes a good kid and will easily fit in at UM
October 27th, 2010 at 10:09 PM ^
Its obvious we need him on defense but did anyone else see a little Tebow in this kid?
October 28th, 2010 at 7:53 AM ^
If there is only "a little Tebow" in him, how much time would you have to spend around Desmond for your whole life to change? One hour?
October 27th, 2010 at 10:16 PM ^
This is Michigan arrogance but with those grades he should not be considering another university in this state or the midwest. Sign the deal and save mom and dad the $20,000 per year.
October 28th, 2010 at 12:04 AM ^
...but why settle for Ryan Field when you can play in the Big House?
October 28th, 2010 at 8:36 AM ^
I'll bet Stanford could show some interest. But I don't see anyone else in the Big Ten spending much time on him if Michigan has already offered -- his grades are way too good for MSU -- maybe Northwestern, like you say.
A good question to ask him, if you're listening Tom, is what is he interested in academically?
October 28th, 2010 at 11:05 AM ^
Kirk Cousins had pretty damn good high school grades. Just because people are intelligent, it doesn't always mean they go to the most challenging university. Granted, I don't think we recruited Cousins, but he had the grades to get into UofM without football.
October 28th, 2010 at 11:51 AM ^
with grades like that, given the choice, he is not likely to pick MSU over Michigan, so MSU won't spend much time on him. Just like Cousins would not have been likely to choose MSU over Michigan if Michigan (i.e., Carr) had offered him.
October 28th, 2010 at 11:50 AM ^
Besides, there are plenty of Great Lakes-area schools that have quality programs, depending on your interest. And even so, more than a few incoming freshmen may prioritize other things than their major ... a great situation for football may be more important than a great situation for classes. (As noted before, in that case, pretty much any good defensive prospect should be coming to Michigan ...)
One advantage of a school like Michigan in that context is that it has enough good choices that you don't necessarily have to know in advance (as long as you make progress to keep yourself qualified) ...
October 27th, 2010 at 10:17 PM ^
The fact that he plays QB too suggests that he is a very capable player. He would be the perfect compliment to a guy like Furman who is a athletic freak but has little experience playing the position. I might be in the minority but if it is between him and Duggan I would go local always. How does he compare to Eric Gordon or Max Bullough from MSU or even David Harris coming out of high school?
October 27th, 2010 at 10:23 PM ^
Tom, thanks for this update. I think UM as a strong lean would be an understatement here. I also read that Tre Mason is hoping we offer him. What is our interest level there?
October 27th, 2010 at 10:25 PM ^
Obviously Desmond doesn't actually need this, but I thought this might be an okay place to post this.
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I think it would be great to pass this along to kids that would need it.
October 27th, 2010 at 10:25 PM ^
All of those opposing offensive lineman look like they weigh 180lbs. lulz
October 27th, 2010 at 10:26 PM ^
wow, that kid hits hard. Talk about playing at 100 mph
October 27th, 2010 at 10:30 PM ^
Will he be able to stop Aaron Green?
October 27th, 2010 at 10:35 PM ^
I would love to see in the class. Yeah, not a five star...but a real player.
October 27th, 2010 at 10:35 PM ^
I don't care how many "Stars" this kid has, he looks like a good football player that can help our defense right away.
Also, the whole "Rich Rod doesn't recruit Michigan kids" bullshit can die in a fire.
October 27th, 2010 at 10:42 PM ^
Even if I'm doing something wrong, I'm going to go 100 MPH doing it.
October 28th, 2010 at 9:48 AM ^
Is doing the wrong thing at 100mph (Desmond) better than doing the wrong thing at 50mph (Obi Ezeh)? I honestly do not know the answer.
October 28th, 2010 at 10:12 AM ^
In terms of dealing with a 300lb offensive lineman and the kinetic energy required to do so, it's precisely 4 times better.
With his grades, I bet Desmond knows this.
October 28th, 2010 at 10:38 AM ^
or he is farther away from the point where he needs to be
October 28th, 2010 at 11:39 AM ^
Remember Crable missing a tackle at one sideline and then making the tackle at the other sideline down near the end zone? Yeah, he messed up, but hustled to try to make up for it.
October 27th, 2010 at 10:53 PM ^
Kid plays QB like a LB.
/madden
October 27th, 2010 at 11:02 PM ^
The kid looks like he's a player. He has the LB instinct that we need so badly.
October 27th, 2010 at 11:55 PM ^
Dude!
It's great! To be! A Michigan Wolveriiiiiinnnnnneee!
I like what's in the water out in west Michigan.
October 27th, 2010 at 11:19 PM ^
I hope those scrimmages are against other teams. He hits so hard it would be a shame to hurt his own teammates. Not that I want anyone to get hurt.
October 27th, 2010 at 11:50 PM ^
He was born in the early 90's..his dad is a huge M fan..and his name is Desmond..hmmm, no chance he got his name from a certain wideout that won the heisman?
I don't know who I like more, this kid or his dad.
October 28th, 2010 at 12:20 AM ^
Reading between the lines of that interview, I get the sense that Morgan wants to sign with Michigan but first wants to make sure we finish this season strong so there are not lingering questions about Rich Rod's job security. I imagine that is a fairly common approach among our recruits this year.
October 28th, 2010 at 9:32 AM ^
I think that he's making the decision most of us made in terms of where we wanted to go to school. I grew up a Michigan Fan, and once I got in i didn't say I"M GOING THEREEEE!!!! right away. In general these kids (and most 17 year olds) need to figure out where they're going to spend the next 4 years. He's gotta make sure Ann Arbor seems like a fit, and that he can see himself there for 4/5 years.
I wanted to do Mechanical Engineering, and I visited U of M, Illinois, and Wash U, all three were great programs, but in terms of overall experience with the visit, U of M was right for me.
I think these kids are smart to take there time, and make sure that Ann Arbor is the place for them.
my $.02, you might be right too, it might be all about the coaches, who knows?
October 28th, 2010 at 9:45 AM ^
There is definitely something going on there. I got waitlisted at Michigan (my first choice) so had to look around at other schools. But when my acceptance letter finally came (like Desmond's offer) I jumped through the roof and "committeed" right then and there. If he's already all-in, I assume that would be his same reaction. But he seems very bright and it definitely makes sense to at least take an official visit first.
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