dallas crawford

A lot has changed since last week, some for good some for bad. I will try to keep you up to date the best I can, and here's a look at what we know so far. Remember if you ever have any recruiting tips or questions you can always email me at tomvh@mgoblog.com. You can also follow me on Twitter to get more recruiting updates as they come through.

Decommits

We might as well start with the ugly bits and talk about the recent decommitments. K Matt Goudis recently took a visit to Miami and decided to commit to the Hurricanes. Al Golden has some weird obsession with Michigan recruits. He's pursuing Goudis, Dallas Crawford, Kellen Jones, and Kris Frost. 

DB Dallas Crawford officially decommitted from Michigan, and it's looking like it's over. Who Brady Hoke hires as his defensive coordinator could still make an impact on Crawford. We'll have to wait to see who the new DC is to know, but it's looking very grim.

OL Jake Fisher decommitted yesterday, and has decided to open everything up after visiting Michigan State this past weekend. He's saying everyone is even and could end up taking visits to Oregon, Florida, and Notre Dame. It's not looking good for Michigan to get him back.

Those three are officially decommited and a few more are on the fence. OL Tony Posada took a visit to Mississippi State this past weekend, and there's a rumor that he loved it. Posada is supposed to visit Michigan this coming weekend. We'll see how Tony feels after that. DB Blake Countess also took a visit to Penn State, but has been vocal about his love for Michigan so there may not be much to worry about there. LB Kellen Jones recently took a visit to Colorado and may end up taking a visit to Miami as well. We'll see if that materializes.

Kicker Replacements?

Now that Matt Goudis has decommitted, Michigan would still like to land a kicker in this class.

There were rumors of former high school kicker Derrick Mitchell potentially walking on at Michigan. I spoke with his father to see what the situation was, and he had this to say.

(Former Michigan kicker) Mike Gillette knew about Derrick and connected him with Coach Rodriguez. They said they needed a kicker and had a spot for him if he wanted it. The problem is that Derrick is in the minor leagues right now with the Phillies. He had a pretty good season last year, so I don't know if he wants to give that up just to be a kicker.

The strange part is that the Phillies would pay for part of Mitchell's tuition if he were to come to Michigan. He's getting paid 5th round money right now and is moving up to AA ball so it's not likely he'll come to Michigan this year. 

Matt Wile

6'2", 210 lbs.

Kicker

San Diego, California

Wile received an offer from Michigan, which makes sense because he also had an offer from San Diego State. Wile was an Army All American, and would help fill the void Goudis' decommitment left. 

Connor Loftus could still an option since he already had a Michigan offer, but the recent offer to Wile probably means the new coaches want him instead. Michigan will have to compete with Air Force and Nebraska. Wile will be in Ann Arbor this weekend.

New Offers and New Contact

The new Michigan coaches have started to reach out to recruits and extend new offers as well. Besides WIle here's a look at some new recruits that Michigan is now targeting. There will be plenty more of these as the coaching staff fills out and we get closer to signing day.

• DT Travarris Saulsberry (6'4", 252 lbs, Florida) - He's reporting he has an offer, but it's an odd offer because Saulsberry is committed to Tennessee, and has been since August. He told me he's 100% committed to the Vols and isn't considering Michigan.
• DE Jordan Williams (6'4", 240 lbs, Florida) - Williams is a teammate of Saulsberry and also committed to Tennessee. He also told me he's 100% with the Vols.
• DB Stefan McClure (5'11", 170 lbs, 4 Star, California) - McClure was just offered and plans on visiting Michigan this weekend. I spoke with McClure recently and I got the feel that he was genuinely open in his recruitment. If Michigan can impress him they'll have a shot.
• OL Pat Flavin (6'7", 260 lbs, 3 Star, Illinois) - Flavin has not been offered yet, but he did receive a call on Sunday from Michigan's OL coach Darrell Funk. He missed the call initially but called Coach Funk back and was told the situation is fluid right now. No offer was extended, but Funk wanted an update on where he was at. Probably means the coaches are waiting to see who decommits, and stays committed.

January 21st Visits

This weekend will be the first visit weekend hosted by Brady Hoke and company. Here's a list of visitors so far. This list will continue to change:

• TE/LB Frank Clark (6'2", 210 lbs, 3 Star, Ohio) The Glenville prospect has showed genuine interest in Michigan, and there is an even greater need for his services with the switch in offensive philosophy.
• ATH Raymon Taylor (5'10", 165 lbs, 4 Star, Michigan) The former Indiana commit has always been a fan of Michigan. He does like the new Indiana staff, so we'll see what happens.
• DB Stefan McClure (5'11", 170 lbs, 4 Star, California). As mentioned.
• OL Tony Posada (6'6", 315 lbs, 3 Star, Florida) Fresh off a visit to Mississippi State, we'll see if he makes the trip.
• K Matt Wile (6'2", 210 lbs, 2 Star, California) Just offered two days ago, will be visiting Ann Arbor.

Extra:

• WR Hakeem Flowers had a phone call scheduled with the new Michigan coaches on Sunday. He is announcing on the 23rd and it's down to Oregon, Michigan, and LSU. Michigan is still in great position with Flowers.
• WR Devin Lucien is announcing on the 30th. Brady Hoke hasn't contacted him yet, so the interest is starting to fall.
• WR/LB Kris Frost is still waiting to hear back from Auburn on whether his commitment will be honored. He's not graduating early anymore, so he might end up taking more visits. Miami is coming after him, but if the Michigan coaches get in contact with him and push they will still have a good chance.
• OL Chris Bryant took an official visit to Pitt, where former Michigan coaches Calvin Magee, Tony Gibson, and Tony Dews are now coaching. He swung by Michigan on the way home to meet with Brady Hoke. The meeting lasted long enough to require Bryant and his dad to have to get a hotel for the night. I'll try to catch up with Bryant on Monday to talk about the visit. 

There's been a lot of questions and concern over Dallas Crawford today. The rumor is that Dallas has decided to decommit and move on from Michigan. I spoke with Dallas' head coach Grant Redhead to find out what was going on.

TOM: Has Dallas dropped Michigan completely?

COACH REDHEAD: I talked to Dallas about everything this morning. I asked him now that Michigan has a head coach what does he think. He said coach I think I've moved on. It upsets me because I'm a Michigan fan, I always have been. Not having a defensive staff in place hurts Michigan because he doesn't know who's going to be there.

TOM: With the defensive staff, if they bring someone in within the next few days is there still a chance with Dallas?

COACH REDHEAD: The main thing is that they need to talk to him. The concern with these kids is that they don't want to just be a number for the new coaches. They want to make sure they're actually wanted, and these guys have recruited players like him before. Florida tried to get back in with Sammy Watkins and I asked them about Dallas. They told me he's too short, they like taller guys. Some coaches don't like shorter safeties or corners. We want to make sure he's in a place that actually wants him. If the new coach feels he fits then they'll have a chance.

TOM: I know Dallas is going to Miami this weekend, do you think he'll make a decision to commmit?

COACH REDHEAD: I don't think he will. He's supposed to go out to North Carolina and USC, too. The Miami visit is the only one set in stone, but I don't think he'll make a decision this weekend. The Miami coaches have been after him the second they took over, so they've been coming after him pretty hard. No matter what happens we just want to make sure he's in the right place for him. I'll always root for Michigan, and I answer everybody's calls.

I dont know if anyone saw Dallas Crawford's facebook page, but it is not good for Michigan fans. Some kid went on his status and had some ugly things to say about his talent and loyalty to Michigan. Some people are just unbelievable.

This Weekly Update is going to be a little tough because so much can change within a matter of days. Here's what's potentially happening in the near future. With Demetrius Hart decommitting to Alabama that leaves Michigan with roughly seven spots to fill. 

January 7th Visitors

As of right now most, if not all, of the visitors plan on making it in this weekend. I have received two texts from prospects asking if they should reschedule their visit, though. I'm going to make sure that everyone understands that anything can change at any time. That even goes for the comment I made the other day about current commitments sticking with Michigan. Tony Posada and Dallas Crawford both said they will "most likely" stick with Michigan. That most likely is their way out, so it's not 100%. Dallas is being actively recruited, so that's something to watch. [Ed. He did say he was "solid" on Facebook today, FWIW.]

Anyhow, here's the list of recruits expected to be in this weekend.

• S Sheldon Royster - Royster will be a tough pull for Michigan. Considering Michigan, Rutgers, South Carolina, Miami, and North Carolina.
• ATH Raymon Taylor - Decommitted from Indiana because of a coaching change. He loves Michigan, but ya know, they might have a coaching change. 
• WR Devin Lucien - Devin was just offered by Miami today. He really likes Michigan though. He'll be making his announcement on January 30th at his school. He could be making his final decision soon though. Decision is different than announcement. He's said Michigan's standing does not depend on their coach.
• DT Darian Cooper - I spoke with Darian last night, and he said "he thinks" he's still coming this weekend. We'll see if that changes.
• WR Shane Wynn - Glenville product, potentially coming this weekend.
• QB Cardale Jones - Same situation as Wynn. The visit might not happen.
• TE Frank Clark - Same as the two above.
• DE Deion Barnes - This visit looks like it's leaning towards not happening, but I haven't confirmed it yet. I'll still include him here, just not expecting him to be there.
• TE Tanner McEvoy

Army Game Decisions

There are 13 total prospects making their decision public at the Army All American Game on Saturday January 8th. The two that apply to Michigan are LB Kris Frost, and DB Wayne Lyons.

Kris Frost: 

Kris has been consistent with his public stance, and who he names in his top group. I have been in very close contact with Kris the entire time, and it's my understanding that he had his final decision made up around 3 weeks or a month ago. Frost is an early enrollee, and has told me he's comfortable with his decision. 

Wayne Lyons:

Wayne has kept a lot of his recruitment close to the vest, but the rumor is that it may be between Michigan and Stanford, with potentially Nebraska in there as well. This provides an interesting scenario with Michigan and Stanford's current situation. I don't think anyone can predict the outcome of this one, so we'll have to wait and see what hat Wayne picks up on Saturday.

Chris Bryant

Offensive Line

6'5", 330 lbs.

Chicago, Illinois

I put this on the board a few days ago, but Chris Bryant has decided to hold a press conference to announce his decision on January 21st. 

Chris has always been very high on Michigan, and has been out to Ann Arbor a few times. The interesting scenario here is that Bryant is likely down to Michigan, Arizona, and Ohio State (if they offer). Stanford was also a school that Chris was very interested in, and he's aware of the potential coaching changes that could take place at Michigan. All of this could obviously change from now until January 21st, but I think Michigan is in strong position right now.

Extra:

• The silent commits that I've alluded to are still intact. I know of two for now, and potentially a third soon. Some of them could decide to go elsewhere. They're still in place for now.
• If Michigan makes a coaching change, and makes it fast, there could be opportunity for that coach to bring in some of their recruits. Specifically Jim Harbaugh with his current commitments. I've spoken to a few Stanford commitments that are going to wait to see what happens, and make a decision from there. I've spoken to four, and only one has said he will stay with Stanford 100%. 
• Early enrollee Greg Brown is in Ann Arbor, and ready to go.
• Again, all of this information could easily change in the next few days, so don't take it as 100%.

I spoke with a family member of commit DB Dallas Crawford after the game, and he told me Dallas is likely to stick with Michigan. Crawford still sees the opportunity to play early, and likes Michigan as a school. That's essentially what his coach told me a few weeks ago.

I was also told by Crawford's family member that WR Sammy Watkins step father thinks Sammy might back out on his Clemson commitment. I don't know if he would still consider Michigan if Rich Rodriguez is fired, so we'll have to wait and see. I don't believe that Sammy is qualified yet either, so he'll need to figure that out too.

Sorry if this is old news, please be gentle as my first blog post as well, but I didnt see anything on this yet and might have another casualty of the CC mess. Dallas Crawford is getting the HARD push from Miami, his childhood dream school, and he has scheduled a Jan visit according to sources on a few Canes sites. I'll link the article, but im sure it'ts behind a pay wall....its my GF who is the live and die Canes fan. Let's hope that we can keep a few south Florida recruits throughout this turmoil!! GO BLUE!!

http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=13&f=2926&t=6947878