Anthony Standifer

Anthony Standifer (right) goes in for a tackle [photo credit: Debra Edwards | The Commercial-News]

2012 defensive back commit Anthony Standifer is regarded as one of the hidden gems of Brady Hoke's current recruiting class. The Crete-Monee (IL) product is coming off an eight-tackle performance in the Warriors's 32-8 season-opening victory over Thornton Fractional South. Standifer leads a talented team that includes highly touted junior receiver Laquon Treadwell, and as he says in the following interview, he hopes to take home a state title for the Warriors after they bowed out in the third round of the playoffs last season. Here's what Anthony had to say about his goals, recruitment, and his teammate Treadwell when I caught up with him:

ACE: What have you been doing to prepare for this season? Anything different from past years now that you're a senior and you know you'll be playing in college?

ANTHONY: I've been watching game film, working out with the team and on my own, and I've been studying the other team more.

ACE: You went from being an under-the-radar recruit to choosing between Michigan and Notre Dame pretty quickly. What was that experience like for you?

ANTHONY: It was a good experience. Sometimes I liked the attention, some of the time I didn't, but i just took it day by day and made the best decision.

ACE: Your teammate Laquon Treadwell is getting a lot of attention, including from Michigan, for the class of 2013. How has he looked this fall, and have you been trying to recruit him to Ann Arbor at all? Are there any other players you've been in contact with?

ANTHONY: He has been doing real good. He keeps progressing and he knows just as much as I do about Michigan, and I'm not pressuring him to make a decision.

ACE: What are your goals for your senior season, both for yourself and for Crete-Monee?

ANTHONY: Win [the state championship], and get more interceptions and tackles than I did last year [44 tackles and nine interceptions].

Thanks to Anthony for taking the time to answer my questions. You can follow him on Twitter, username Freakyy_Chewyy (your guess is as good as mine on that one).

As everyone knows by now there are several Michigan commitments and targets at the Nike event, The Opening, in Oregon. You can watch some of the events tonight on ESPNU at 9pm. The first part of the week was spent with the prospects running combine drills to figure out their Sparq training score.

The Sparq score is determined by using an equation that combines the prospect's forty yard dash, shuttle, powerball* (measured in feet), and vertical leap. Here are a look at the scores for the Michigan commitments and targets, and you can also see the rest of the scores here. The finals video is here.

Commitments:

Targets:

Top Three Scores:

As you can see this testing isn't necessarily set up for the bigger prospects to score high. The forty times were, I believe, laser timed also. That's at least what people were tweeting that were at the event. Take from this what you will, just interesting to see how they all stack up if nothing else.

Derrick Henry is also a 6'4", 222 lb running back. He's in the 2013 class and took second in the preliminary ratings.

Ohio RB Bri'onte Dunn only had a 40 time recorded, it was a 4.77. 

*The powerball is throwing a weighted ball from their knees as far as they can.

**I believe Daje' Johnson's score is a record

It was an important weekend for offensive line recruiting with a total of six linemen on campus: Jordan Diamond, Andrus Peat, Chris Muller, Blake Bars, Trey Keenan, and Steven Elmer. New offers were also extended and camp has begun. Here's a look at some of the recent happenings and what a few recruits had to say about Michigan.

Trey Keenan

6'5", 270 lbs.

Offensive Lineman

Argyle, Texas

Michigan was always high on Keenan's list since his family is originally from Michigan. A summer visit had always been in the works for him and he finally got to take in Ann Arbor this past weekend.

All the places I've been to are southern schools and I've never really been to a place like Michigan. It's flattering to be here and see all the tradition and history in the buildings. They have national championships and all americans so it's pretty cool to be here. 

This visit gave Keenan a better look at what Michigan really has to offer, and it also gave him a chance to meet face to face with the coaches.

We got to talk to everybody, Coach Hoke, the Athletic Director, Coach Funk. We took a tour of everything and you could definitely tell that the whole thing was a well thought out process. Every place has nice stuff and nice facilities but Michigan has so much tradition. I really felt welcomed, too, and I felt wanted and needed.

Feeling like he was wanted was something that really stuck out to Trey while he was on campus.

They only have something like eight scholarship linemen. We've been to places that have said they need linemen, but with Michigan it was major here. There's a chance to play early here and that is something really cool at a place like Michigan. I also really liked the strength coach and how he put everything. He talked about everything and how they individualize certain aspects.

So what's next for Keenan?

We're going to the morning session of camp tomorrow [Monday]. I'm going to work out with Coach Funk to get a feel for him and how he interacts with his players. We do have a short list right now and Michigan is on that short list. I don't want to say how many are on it yet. We're going to take the next week then talk about everything with my coaches and family. All my planned summer visits are done with so we'll figure out what's going to happen next. This visit did nothing but up Michigan's status though.

Like he said he plans on meeting with his coaches and family within the next week to discuss what's next. If I had to guess it would seem like he's getting close to a decision, and it seems like Michigan could be in good shape.

Ondre Pipkins

6'3", 325 lbs.

Defensive Tackle

Kansas City, Missouri

Pipkins recently released his top seven of Michigan, Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Florida. It's no secret that Ondre has ties to Michigan, especially with his father still living there. He has planned on taking a summer visit to Michigan all along and it looks like he has an idea of when it will take place.

I'll be up there in late July or the beginning of August. I just can't wait to see the Big House, somewhere that I can possibly live out my dreams.

I know that Pipkins has wavered on when he would like to make his final decision, but it seems like there's a chance that it could be sooner than originally planned. 

Steven Elmer

6'6", 297 lbs.

Offensive Lineman

Midland, Michigan

Elmer was on campus today with his father and was extended an offer from the Michigan coaches. He's a 2013 offensive line prospect that now holds offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Wisconsin, and Mississippi State. It's safe to say he'll be one of the better prospects in the country come next year. His father told me a little about how the visit went today.

It was great, we took an unofficial visit before camp today. We got to meet with the coaches, Coach Hoke, Borges, Funk, and the fact that it was the busiest day for them and they got us in there says a lot. I told Steven that this will probably be as good as or better than anything he's ever seen so far, and we were very impressed.

Academics will be a big factor in Steven's recruitment and Michigan always seems to impress in that department with Shari Acho.

The academics was the best part of the trip. Shari gave the part that I wanted to hear the most and it was fantastic. She explained that when you go to the University of Michigan you are part of a select group of people and you don't really understand that until you hear it in person. She was trying to talk fast and squeeze it all in but I told her we can see everything else any time. If I could go back and talk more about the academics with her I would.

This is all happening very early, especially for an offensive lineman, so the family is still taking everything in.

Steven did really well at the Sound Mind Sound Body camp. We really like the message that camp sends so we went out there for that and he did really well. There's obviously been a good amount of interest from what he did there and people have been watching the videos all over the place, too. My wife is actually going with him out to Notre Dame later this week. She hasn't seen Notre Dame. She needs to see that stuff too, and the academic pitch from places like Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Michigan. 

The family plans on sitting back and watching everything play out. They plan on trying to get out to a few games during the season as well. I spoke more with the elder Elmer and will post more on Steven later in the week.

Shaquille Wiggins

5'7", 151 lbs.

Cornerback

Tyrone, Georgia

Wiggins was another 2013 prospect who had an outstanding performance at the Sound Mind Sound Body camp. Following the event he was notified that he had received an offer from Michigan. He also reports holding offers from Cincinnati and Ohio State. He told me that he was very surprised to see Michigan jump in the mix.

My coach in Atlanta always talks about Ohio and Michigan players are real ballers. So I wanted to come up north and show my southern skills. I wasn't trying to impress anybody, just go out there and play. I really wasn't expecting the offers at all. I never really heard anything from them so I guess when they watched me in the one on one drills they liked me.

An early offer is definitely a good indicator of how interested they are. Wiggins also talked about his process and who he grew up watching.

My dream school was Florida State, but after Cincinnati offered me I had a long conversation with their staff. They made me really comfortable. I like how FSU uses their cornerbacks, and I know that Michigan is known for great talent at corner. Guys like Charles Woodson, I can't remember some of the other names but they're good for cornerbacks. From how I feel now I'll probably wait until after my junior year or during my junior year. I think I'll make my decision pretty early so I get my recruitment over with.

Wiggins told me that he plans on making it back up to Michigan very soon. I have a feeling that Michigan has made a very good impression on him and he wants to explore that further. There's a good chance Michigan is one of his top schools.

Extra:

Arizona OL Andrus Peat discussed his visit to Michigan. I think this trip helped Michigan tremendously with Peat. He didn't know much about the city or university so this gave him a good look at what they have to offer.

2012 Georgia WR Jason Croom recently received a Michigan offer. His mother happened to be in Michigan and stopped by campus this past weekend. Jason will make it back up to Ann Arbor in August.

Here's a list of some of the visitors expected in for camp this week.

2013 Ohio DB Cameron Burrows could be hearing from Michigan soon. He hails from Trotwood Madison which is the home of Roy Roundtree, Mike Shaw, and Brandon Moore. He is friends with Roy and talks to him on occasion. Keep an eye on his name.

I reported last week that Ohio DB Jarrod Wilson will be meeting with his coaches again on Monday [the 20th] to discuss what's next for him. He's very quiet so they aren't sure if he plans on making a decision or waiting things out.

Ohio QB Maty Mauk told me via text that his decision should come in the next few weeks. He's been keeping everything close to the vest so I'm not sure where he's leaning, or who he's deciding between.

Illinois OL Jordan Diamond stopped by Michigan before he made it over to the Sound Mind Sound Body camp. He also made it back over to Ann Arbor Sunday morning for one more trip. 

Massachusetts OL Eric Olson told me that his decision will likely come before the 4th of July. I think Michigan has a good chance, but he keeps everything quiet so we'll see what happens.

Nike and ESPN are hosting an event called The Opening that takes place in Oregon on July 5th to the 9th. It is invitation only and you'll notice some familiar names on the list. Anthony Standifer told me that he will likely be going, as will Ron Thompson and Danny O'Brien.

Michigan's camp starts today and run's to the 23rd. I'm obviously not there, but here's who has told me they will be there at least one of the day. There is going to be a ton of kids at this camp, since it's back to being big and open to everyone. 

• RB Juwan Lewis (5'11", 208 lbs) 3 star from Muskegon
• QB Austin Appleby (6'5", 228 lbs) 3 star from Ohio. Hoping to earn an offer.
• OL Steven Elmer (6'6", 297 lbs) 2013 prospect from Midland, MI. Just received his Michigan offer today, they're on campus. Already has Michigan State, Mississippi State, and Wisconsin.
• QB Brian Blackburn (6'5", 197 lbs) from Detroit might be there.
• DT Danny O'Brien (6'2", 293 lbs) 4 star from Flint. This camp could help him and Michigan get back on the same page. He'll be there Monday or Tuesday.
• OL Daron Brown (6'5", 312 lbs) from Detroit. Just received an offer from Akron to go with Buffalo.
• RB Alden Hill (6'2", 220 lbs) 3 star from Ohio. Hoping for a Michigan offer.
• OL David Dawson (6'5", 305 lbs) 2013 kid from Cass Tech. I'd imagine there will be more Cass kids like Kenton Gibbs, who will be there 20th and 21st, coming with him.
• DT Vontrell Williams (6'2", 265 lbs) 3 star from Illinois. Trying to earn an offer. The 21st is when he'll be there.
• Maybe: Michigan commit Anthony Standifer and his 2013 teammate WR Laquon Treadwell.
• QB Robert Gregory (6'3", 181 lbs) 3 star, teammates with Jordan Diamond is supposed to be there.
• DB Cameron Burrows (6'1", 175 lbs) 2013 prospect from Trotwood, Ohio. He isn't sure if he's coming or not yet.
• DE Matt Miller (6'4", 240 lbs) 2013 prospect. He's '11 signee Jack Miller's younger brother. I confirmed with Jack that Matt will be there. He said the coaches are interested in Matt and they're excited to see him at camp.
• RB/FB Wyatt Shallman (6'3", 245 lbs) 2013 instate prospect will probably be up on Monday to hang out. He won't be participating.

This is just a small list of notable people I've confirmed. I'll post them as I hear of more.

Via TomVH:

Illinois DB Anthony Standifer sent me a text just now that said he is about to commit to #Michigan. Gave me the go ahead to report it.

Illinois DB Anthony Standifer is visiting Michigan today [Wednesday]. He's coming with his mom, dad, and teammate 2013 WR LaQuon Treadwell (6'3", 190 lbs). The sophomore receiver has been in contact with Michigan, and was also named to the 2010 Illinois All Area First Team.

We're all going up, and LaQuon [Treadwell] is coming too. The visit is really for all of us to see it. It's a new experience for us so we don't know what to expect. We'll ask some questions, but we don't really have any specific ones right now. I just want to see the whole campus and facilities, and especially the stadium. I'm excited to see the stadium. After this I'll think about everything and hopefully I can take visits to Notre Dame, Iowa, Wisconsin, MSU, and Illinois.

Standifer doesn't currently have offers from Illinois, Wisconsin, or MSU but he's been in contact with all of them. 

I'm not sure what will happen on this visit, but it sounds like he would like to wait a bit before making his decision. Visits can sometimes change feelings, emotions, and decisions but I don't think Anthony knows yet. I would guess he'll wait to take visits, but wouldn't be shocked if he pulled the trigger either.