Thursday Recruitin' Adds New Threat
Today's recruiting roundup covers the latest developments with the remaining 2013 prospects, the final Top247, Drake Harris opening up his recruitment, new 2014 offers, and more.
Done At O-Line, Unless You Count High School Freshman Derrick Green
After IN OL Dan Samuelson committed last weekend, it was unclear whether Michigan would continue recruiting offensive lineman or if they were set at six in the 2013 class. Now we have our answer:
#FoxSportsNext's @gregbiggins reports #Michigan informed Corona, CA OL, Cameron Hunt today that they're now done OL recruiting for 2013.
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) January 16, 2013
That leaves Michigan seemingly down to two options for the last two spots in the class. The first is VA RB Derrick Green, one of many prospects (mostly 2014 recruits at this point) to receive an in-school visit from Michigan this week—in his case, Brady Hoke and Fred Jackson ($). Scout's Michael Clark penned a lengthy (and free) profile on Green, focusing on his rise from 268-pound freshman to nation's top running back [emphasis mine]:
Hermitage head coach Patrick Kane admitted he initially had his doubts about Green, who recently named Michigan as his leader, but is also still considering Auburn, Florida State, Miami,and Tennessee.
“The first time we saw him, he was eighth-grader and we were doing 7-on-7 (drills) and he came out and watched,” said Kane. “He was a little chunky at the time. He said what a lot of kids say -- I want to be a running back. We said OK, that’s fine. But in your mind, you’re thinking he’d probably be a good looking offensive guard.”
You know the story by now: Green cut down to 220 pounds and by his sophomore year was starting for Hermitage. Work ethic should not be an issue here.
Michigan's other main target is TX TE Durham Smythe, who also received a visit this week. 247's Jason Sapp caught up with Smythe to run down his five finalists—Michigan, Oregon, and Stanford lead the pack, with Nebraska and Notre Dame under consideration—and here's what he had to say about the Wolverines ($):
Michigan – “The biology/medial program at Michigan is among the best in the nation, and since that is what I want to study, that was something that draws me in about them. Also, the fact that they are making the switch to a two tight end, pro-style offense is attractive as well.”
Smythe says a decision will come on signing day or "a few days prior," and he's got visits lined up to Oregon and Michigan, with Nebraska and Notre Dame in the running for his final official.
[Hit THE JUMP for a rundown of the final 2013 Top247, the latest on Drake Harris, and much more.]
Final Top247: Morris Drops, Again
247Sports released their final 2013 Top247, and while a couple Michigan commits made big rises, the most noticeable change is Shane Morris falling from five-star territory down to #81. Here's a full list of the movement of Wolverine commits:
- David Dawson rose from #109 to #65
- Dymonte Thomas fell from #67 to #80
- Shane Morris fell from #19 to #81
- Patrick Kugler rose from #157 to #97
- Henry Poggi fell from #118 to #120
- Logan Tuley-Tillman fell from #107 to #129
- Chris Fox fell from #114 to #137
- Maurice Hurst, Jr. rose from outside the Top247 to #190
- Mike McCray fell from #181 to #194
- Ben Gedeon fell from #179 to #199
- DeVeon Smith stayed at #218
247 explained Morris's drop as a product of his accuracy issues, which culminated in a 2-for-10 performance in the Under Armour All-American Game:
For the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Morris, he continues to struggle with the accuracy aspect of being a passer, and this was especially evident the week of the Under Armour All-America game. With that being said, Morris still has plenty of potential and will likely start making gains in the accuracy department as he works to get more compact in his motion.
It's tough to argue here; Morris has had uneven performances dating back to before he got mono. His potential, with that arm strength, is sky high, but he's still got a ways to go; Devin Gardner getting his redshirt is huge not just for the team as a whole, but also Morris's development.
While Morris's stock has taken a hit on the national level, he's still very highly regarded in-state, of course; the Detroit News released their Blue Chip list of the top 2013 recruits, and Morris takes the top spot. The full list is littered with Michigan commits: Morris (#1), David Dawson (#2), Jourdan Lewis (#4), Wyatt Shallman (#6), Delano Hill (#9), Khalid Hill (#10), Da'Mario Jones (#11), and Csont'e York (#13).
For comparison, Michigan State has three prospects on the list—Jon Reschke (#5), Gerald Holmes (#8), and Dennis Finley (#12). Yes, Michigan is dominating the in-state recruiting scene. No, your joke about State's intergalactic recruiting still isn't funny.
Drake Harris: Days As A Spartan Numbered?
2014 Grand Rapids Christian WR Drake Harris, in the conversation for top in-state rising senior with Malik McDowell and Damon Webb, committed to Michigan State in June with thoughts of being a two-sport athlete. Now Harris is dropping one of those sports, and that has major ramifications for his recruitment:
"I'm committed (to MSU)," [Harris] said Wednesday. "When I committed to Michigan State it was initially to play both football and basketball. But I've decided to just play football. I talked to my parents about it. They said it was my choice. Before the state playoffs I thought football would be the sport for me, but I wanted to wait and see what happens. I like basketball a lot. I've been playing AAU since the third grade (but) it's getting old. I feel football is best for me."
Ohio State dropped by an offered Harris this week, and now he's planning unofficial visits to Ohio State and Florida next month, with Michigan, Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, and Notre Dame also under consideration. The good news for Michigan is two-fold: Michigan State appears likely to lose their top 2014 commit, and the Wolverines should be in the mix to land him.
In other 2014 news, Michigan sent out a few offers this week. Per 247's Clint Brewster, IL TE Daniel Helm picked up an offer from Jeff Hecklinski($); the 6'2", 220-pound prospect also holds an offer from Illinois.
Sam Webb relayed on Twitter that Michigan offered four-star NC RB Elijah Hood, who already holds offers from the likes of Notre Dame, Ohio State, South Carolina, Stanford, and Virginia Tech.
Cleveland St. Ignatius linebacker Kyle Berger received offers from Michigan and Penn State within a matter of hours on Tuesday, per Scout's Bill Greene ($). Berger camped at Michigan last summer and could look to follow in the footsteps of a former St. Ignatius standout 'backer: Jake Ryan.
Etc.
ESPN's Chantel Jennings caught up with the Cass Tech commit trio of David Dawson, Delano Hill, and Jourdan Lewis for the entertaining video above, as well as a free article on the motivation provided by coach Thomas Wilcher:
"I keep it real with them -- this is what you have to do; this is what your game lacks," Wilcher said. "We fuss at them, scream at them, we yell at them. We're trying to keep them accountable."
Jennings also wrote about the process of enrolling early—Michigan pairs off their early enrollees with an upperclassman player to help ease the transition from high school to college.
Never underestimate The Threat's ability to make an impact on or off the field. MLive's Kyle Meinke talked to Dan Samuelson, who credited Drew Dileo as a major reason he committed to Michigan:
Sameulson made an official visit on Saturday, and felt comfortable in Ann Arbor, which he said compares to his hometown of Plymouth. He was hosted by senior receiver Drew Dileo.
"He was absolutely awesome," Samuelson said. "We're from different areas, play different positions and all that stuff, but I related to him so well. He took time out of his whole weekend to be with me, and said 'Whatever you want to do, Dan, we can do it. It's up to you.'
"He was just awesome. I would say he was a huge factor in me committing there, with how cool he was."
I'll repeat: Never, ever, underestimate The Threat.
January 17th, 2013 at 2:11 PM ^
Where is Dawson's tooth? A toothless O-linemen is just scary awesome!
January 18th, 2013 at 9:54 AM ^
I heard it broke off when he was biting into a pancake...he forgot to remove its helmet first.
January 17th, 2013 at 2:12 PM ^
If they only told Hunt yesterday that they were full, maybe they feel confident in another guy they want, one that didn't fit into the equasion when Samuelson first committed.
January 17th, 2013 at 2:24 PM ^
Very doubtful, in my opinion. Hunt and Dan Skipper both had high interest when Samuelson committed, but neither were on the verge of a commitment; I don't believe that's changed, nor do I think the coaches would tell Hunt one thing and Skipper another.
January 17th, 2013 at 2:15 PM ^
funnyman.
January 17th, 2013 at 2:25 PM ^
Two points:
First - I thought Green's visit with Hoke and Jackson was an in-home visit?
Second - Smythe isn't taking an official visit to Oregon anymore. He has replaced Oregon with Notre Dame who he will visit the weekend of February 1.
Shamone, recruiting ninja.
January 17th, 2013 at 3:53 PM ^
January 17th, 2013 at 2:25 PM ^
Are jokes about MSU's temporal multiverse recruting funny yet?
January 17th, 2013 at 2:42 PM ^
In order to recruit on the level of a temporal multiverse, would that require Dantonio to embrace M-Theory? Because if so, that's ROFLMAO. Otherwise, not so much.
January 17th, 2013 at 2:26 PM ^
Hoke is "small" and "round." hahaha
January 17th, 2013 at 2:28 PM ^
Smythe has a pretty impressive offer list that seems a pretty stark contrast to his recruit rankings at rivals (although he is a 4* on espn/scout). Notably, ND, stanford, florida, georgia, oregon, texas, texas a&m, and nebraska. Perhaps he will rise in the latest rankings at rivals too...not that it matters to me - seems like a great prospect.
As an aside, has rivals released when their final rankings come out?
January 17th, 2013 at 2:49 PM ^
I'm not sure why, but it seems like the recruiting services are usually pretty stingy with star ratings for tight ends. In a given year you might see 0-2 TEs get five stars and maybe 3-6 more get four. So if a TE prospect has 4-stars and a good offer sheet, to me that suggests he's one of the top TE prospects in the nation.
January 17th, 2013 at 7:04 PM ^
WIth the NFL emphasizing TE's of late- I wouldn't be surprised to see that emphasis shift more in NCAA soon too. That would mean in the future TE will get mroe recruiting love.
I agree with your analysis though- a good offer sheet is just as telling or more than star rankings- and he has it! I'd love to get him in this class
January 17th, 2013 at 2:30 PM ^
'Whatever you want to do, Dan, we can do it. It's up to you.'
[Note: this is all in good fun. Found the pic on Google search and couldn't resist. I fuckin' love The Threat]
January 17th, 2013 at 2:33 PM ^
I'm pretty sure wearing those colors is a violation of team rules.
January 17th, 2013 at 2:47 PM ^
It almost looks like a Shredder original MS Paint on his wall.
January 17th, 2013 at 3:03 PM ^
Almost looks like a Te'o.
January 17th, 2013 at 10:12 PM ^
I let my attention wander for a few years there between say 1998 and 2009. So they made it farther in the tourney with Big Baby Davis and Tyrus Thomas (and a coach who didn't last another two seasons) than they did with Shaq. Weird.
January 17th, 2013 at 2:31 PM ^
still need a TE in the 2014 class? It seems that Williams, Hill, Funchess, Butt, and Smythe would be enough for now. The roster surprisingly lists 7 more TE's who are walk-ons and not seniors. Granted, those guys will probably never see much if any action.
January 17th, 2013 at 2:56 PM ^
If Hoke is going to run a 2-TE set, then having Williams, Hill, Funchess, Butt and Smythe would not preclude taking another in 2014.
That's only 5 players for 2 starting spots. (You can't really count the walk-ons, as, like you noted, they will probably never see any real action.) Once we rebuild our depth across the board, we will get back to a place where we can redshirt most of our incoming classes. So, in 2014, we would have Juniors in Funchess and Williams, Sophs in Hill, Butt and Smythe (some of whom will be RS Freshman) and enough depth for the 2014 TE to redshirt. In 2015, with seniors Funchess and Williams (and who knows if both will work out, remain injury free or even stay at the position), juniors / RS Sophs in Hill, Butt and Smythe, you would expect that this 2014 TE would work his way onto the field for a few plays, as an injury replacement, in special teams, or if he is so good, perhaps more action. By 2016, as a RS soph, he would work his way into regular action along side Hill, Butt and Smythe (also assuming that all three of those workout, don't get injured and stick at the position.
January 17th, 2013 at 4:39 PM ^
it also puts MORE emphasis on high quality WR recruits.
First, shifting a couple scholarships to TE reduces the WR pool (especially as we need to add OL depth).
Second, the 1-2 WRs on the field have to stretch the field and get open with single routes. Guys like Marquise Lee and Amari Cooper are invaluable in pro sets.
January 17th, 2013 at 7:02 PM ^
I agree we obviously need high quality WR recruits- not sure that they NEED to be stretch the field guys.
Hoke and co. seem to be going after tall WR to be TD targets, and going two-TE and MANBALL suggests our future offense will be a possession offense- with the ability to put togehter consistent long drives and wear down defenses.
Sure stretch the field guys would be great- but that type of offense is very prone to high turnover offenses- I am prefectly content with a lot of TE action and possession routes with a MANBALL running game.
January 17th, 2013 at 2:39 PM ^
January 17th, 2013 at 3:19 PM ^
January 17th, 2013 at 3:42 PM ^
I had to look twice. His name is Patrick Kane.
January 17th, 2013 at 3:47 PM ^
Who of us hasn't gotten a little too tipsy and then punched out a cabby?
January 17th, 2013 at 7:09 PM ^
and called a cab. Now he must learn not to punch the cabbie. One step at a time I think.
January 17th, 2013 at 2:46 PM ^
Two of the 24/7 guys were on Bill King this morning and stated they think Smythe is a better athlete than Jake Butt. They also said that if can get enrolled at Stanford then that is probably the place he ends up. :(
January 17th, 2013 at 3:08 PM ^
Derrick Green: Auburn, Michigan, Tennessee
Reuben Foster: Alabama, Auburn, Washington, Georgia, etc...
Henry Poggi: Alabama, Auburn, Michigan, Tennessee, etc...
David Dawson: Alabama, Michigan, Tennessee
Dawson is known to have helped Green with his decision.
Poggi is known to have tried to help Foster with his decision.
Both Green and Foster visited Auburn on the same day, 9/1/2012
Bold Prediction: The day after Green commits, Foster, out of nowhere, commits to Michigan.
*One can dream*
January 17th, 2013 at 3:27 PM ^
That makes sense to me.
January 17th, 2013 at 3:33 PM ^
Oh, please god yes.
January 17th, 2013 at 3:42 PM ^
Not to be a killjoy, but unless Foster visits campus at some point—which seems doubtful—there's about a 0% chance of that happening.
January 17th, 2013 at 4:00 PM ^
Oh ok, thanks.
January 17th, 2013 at 4:14 PM ^
Like a kid actually needs to visit a campus before he commits. Ever heard of this thing called the "Internet"?
January 17th, 2013 at 7:58 PM ^
January 17th, 2013 at 4:37 PM ^
I keeed, I keeed.
January 17th, 2013 at 5:19 PM ^
Manti Te'o says there is no reason to see the campus in person. Just spend hours on the phone with someone who says he or she is there.
January 17th, 2013 at 3:22 PM ^
I think it was 1975 - Running Back Russell Davis.
Curious that both Davis and Green are Virginia products. Davis from Alexandria area. Green from Richmond area.
Russell Davis chose Michigan over USC. 1975 would have been John McKay's final season at USC.
January 17th, 2013 at 3:58 PM ^
Yes, Justin Fargas in 97 or 98 (Henson's class).
January 17th, 2013 at 9:03 PM ^
1998, he broke his leg Freshman year on a cold day in November against Wisconsin. The snap heard round the Stadium.
January 17th, 2013 at 3:24 PM ^
January 17th, 2013 at 5:34 PM ^
The Green Machine?
January 17th, 2013 at 3:25 PM ^
I think I saw implied somewhere that Oregon was out for Smythe, though it was not because of the coaching change.
January 17th, 2013 at 3:50 PM ^
after several days that Skipper and Hunt were still mulling a spot.
I suspect there is a silent commit or potential NSD surprise (Treadwell, Foster, Smythe) that the coaches promised a spot in addition to Green.
January 17th, 2013 at 4:07 PM ^
Yes, the suprise is Treadwell. He is going to commit right after Alex Kozan transfers, along with Anthony Zettel.
January 17th, 2013 at 4:14 PM ^
and Sean Parker... and Garnett...
January 17th, 2013 at 4:22 PM ^
year of eligibility by the NCAA.
Back to reality, I'll take Smythe or Foster or LaRue over a 7th OL.
January 17th, 2013 at 4:29 PM ^
If we're not able to nab him, I'd much prefer he goes to MSU over OSU. Where's the threat?
January 17th, 2013 at 4:37 PM ^
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