ha'sean clinton-dix

[Ed-M: bumped from diary - MGoBlog's recruiting editor updates the status of defensive recruitment]

Since Justice Hayes just committed, and there were still people looking around to see if it was ok to ask if he plays defense, I thought I would help them out. Here's a look at who's left on the defensive front for Michigan recruiting.

First, who's committed so far:

2011 Commitments
Name Position Height/Weight Star Ranking
Brennen Beyer DE 6'4", 225 lbs. 4 Star
Demetrius Hart RB 5'8", 190 lbs. 4 Star
Justice Hayes RB/Slot 5'10", 175 lbs. 4 Star
Dallas Crawford DB 5'10", 185 lbs. 3 Star
Shawn Conway WR 6'4", 183 lbs. 3 Star
Greg Brown DB 5'10", 180 lbs. 3 Star
Jake Fisher OL 6'7", 260 lbs. 3 Star
Delonte Hollowell DB 5'8", 162 lbs. 3 Star
Kellen Jones LB 6'1", 209 lbs. 3 Star
Jack Miller OL 6'4", 270 lbs. 3 Star
Tony Posada OL 6'5", 315 lbs. 3 Star
Chris Rock DE/DT 6'5", 250 lbs. 3 Star
Kevin Sousa QB 6'2", 220 lbs. 3 Star

For those counting at home, that's six commitments out of thirteen that are on the defensive side of the ball. There are around 9 spots left, give or take, for Michigan to fill up this class with. These are the current defensive recruits that Michigan has a shot with. 

 

2011 Defensive End Prospects
Photo Name Vitals Hometown Stars Film
Anthony Zettel

6'4", 255 lbs.

West Branch, MI

4 Stars  Junior Highlights
Zettel is waiting until after the season is over to make his announcement. He has already taken his official to Iowa (Nov. 20th), he's visiting Penn State this weekend, and will be at Michigan on December 10th for the Big Chill.
Deion Barnes Deion Barnes

6'5", 230 lbs.

Philadelphia, PA 4 star Deion Runs Fast
Barnes has Michigan in his top five along with Georgia, Penn State, Pitt, and South Carolina. He has mentioned several times he plans on visiting after the season. He may visit for December 10th as well.

 

2011 Defensive Tackle Prospects

Photo Name Vitals Hometown Stars Film
Timmy Jernigan Timmy Jernigan

6'2", 275 lbs.

Lake City, FL

4 Star Junior Highlights
Jernigan has Michigan in his top group with LSU, Alabama, and Florida State. He has made some recent trips to Florida, so I wouldn't count them out. I've been hearing a lot lately about Timmy, and a recruit actually told me that Jernigan really likes Michigan. He's concerned with our defensive scheme, however, so we'll see what happens.
Darian Cooper Darian Cooper

6'3", 275 lbs.

Hyattsville, MD 4 Star Junior Highlights
Cooper is planning a winter visit to Michigan, and outside of Jernigan, is probably Michigan's best option at defensive tackle. His season ended in the WCAC championship game this weekend, so he's now focusing on recruiting.
Mickey Johnson Mickey Johnson

6'1", 310 lbs.

Covington, LA

4 Star Junior Highlights
While Johnson continues to list Michigan in his top group, I don't think he'll end up choosing the Wolverines. His name is still on the radar, but not likely.

 

2011 Linebacker Prospects
Photo Name Vitals Hometown Stars Film
Kris Frost Kris Frost

6'3", 210 lbs.

Matthews, NC

4 Star  Junior Highlights
As everyone knows, Frost just got back from his official visit to Michigan. This visit came at the perfect time for Frost, and for Michigan. He will take officials to LSU and Cal, and is going to try to make it back up to Michigan again before deciding at the US Army game. Frost will be an early enrollee. I included him here for argument sake, since he is also being recruited for receiver.
Desmond Morgan Desmond Morgan

6'1", 225 lbs.

Holland, MI 3 Star Senior Highlights
Morgan is a lifelong Michigan fan, and was beyond excited to receive his offer. He took an unofficial visit with his dad to the Illinois game, and will be back for an official visit on December 10th. He's taking his time, but I expect him to be in this class. If Michigan grabs Morgan and Frost, that will be a nice linebacker haul for the 2011 class with Kellen Jones already on board.

 

2011 Cornerback Prospects 
Photo Name Vitals Hometown Stars Film
Blake Countess Blake Countess

5'10", 170 lbs.

Owings Mills, MD

4 Star Senior Highlights
Countess has a top four of Georgia Tech, Maryland, NC State and Michigan. It's been rumored that Michigan is in the lead, but Georgia Tech might be right there with them. Countess plans on visiting December 3rd, and will also be playing in the US Army game.
Daren Kitchen Daren Kitchen

6'1", 170 lbs.

Houma, LA 3 Star N/A
If Michigan missed on Countess, they may finally offer Kitchen. Kitchen has said he's a big fan of Michigan, and would most likely commit if offered. 

 

2011 Safety Prospects
Photo Name Vitals Hometown Stars Film
Avery Walls Avery Walls

5'11", 185 lbs.

McDonough, GA

4 Star Junior Highlights
Walls has already been to Michigan several times, including an official visit for the U Conn game. He has since taken visits to Oregon and Cal. I still think Michigan is in a good position, but I think Oregon has made a good impression on him. Due to an illness in his family he had put recruiting on the back burner. He still plans on taking a few more visits before he announces.
Wayne Lyons Wayne Lyons

6'0", 190 lbs.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 4 Star Senior Highlights
Lyons recently announced that Michigan will get one of his official visits. That was huge news for the Wolverines, as they seem to be climbing up his list. Wayne plans on being up at Michigan on December 3rd, and then out to Nebraska on December 10th. He has already taken visits to Notre Dame, Stanford, and UCLA. Michigan is making a move with the talented safety.
Karlos Williams Karlos Williams

6'2", 210 lbs.

Davenport, FL

5 Star 2010 Spring Game
I'm including Karlos on this list because he still maintains that he will visit Michigan. The visit will probably take place in January. I've heard that it's not likely he will switch from FSU, but there's at least a small chance. He has been recruiting hard for FSU, so don't get your hopes up, but who knows what could happen with a visit.
Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix

6'2", 190 lbs.

Orlando, FL

5 Star Junior Highlights

I'm including Ha'Sean for the same reason that I'm including Karlos, he still plans on visiting Michigan. I have heard that there's a small chance that he changes his mind from Alabama. Don't get your hopes up here either, but with his teammates selling Michigan and his visit you never know.

Michigan obviously doesn't have enough room to take everyone, and they're still looking for a few more offensive positions like tight end and offensive line. Most of the decision time tables for these recruits are after the season, or during the Army All American game. That should give Michigan plenty of time for visits, and a little extra push with coaching visits too.

This weekly update will be a little sparse. Since there was a bye then an away game, there wasn't much that happened that I haven't reported already. This weekend should be a good one, however, with the Dr. Phillips clan coming to town.

If you ever have any tips you would like to pass along, please email me at [email protected]. As always you can get more updates from me on Twitter, as well.

Illinois Visitors

As usual I will post this in a separate diary since the names will change as we get closer to the date. This is the only thing I'm going to say as far as everyone asking about a potential "secret recruit' visiting this weekend. I have confirmed he's coming, and I will let you know who it is when they give me the OK to tell you.

  • Safety Roderick Ryles (6'1", 185 lbs, 3 Star): Currently committed to Arkansas, but he has said numerous times that anything can happen. If he likes this visit, I would expect Michigan to be a heavy contender.
  • Linebacker Darryl Monore (6'1", 215 lbs, 3 Star): Darryl has not been offered by Michigan, but will be making the trip up this weekend. Currently committed to Washington State, he has said that basically means nothing and it's as soft a commit as you can be.
  • Running Back Demetrius Hart (5'8", 190 lbs, 4 Star, Commit): You already know.
  • Safety Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix (6'2", 190 lbs, 5 Star): Alabama commit coming up for the second time. I was a little optimistic until I spoke with someone in Florida that I trust. They said Ha'Sean is definitely committed to Alabama, and it would be hard to get him away from that. We'll see what happens.
  • Wide Receiver Chris Gallon (6'5", 205 lbs, 3 Star): Chris does not have an offer, although the coaches have told him they're reviewing his film. It seems as though Chris may be a back up plan for Michigan at wide receiver.
  • Quarterback Nick Patti (5'10", 180 lbs, 2012 Recruit): Nick has consistently said that Michigan is one of his favorites.

WWilliam Mahoneill Mahone

5'11", 205 lbs.

Running Back

Austintown, Ohio


Will Mahone was in Ann Arbor this year to watch a Michigan game already, and this week traveled to Pennsylvania to see the Penn State game. He got a two for one, as he got to check out both the Lions and Wolverines offense.

It's great to have a quarterback like Denard, we have a versatile quarterback, too, so that's good. (Michigan's) running back (Vincent) Smith looks like he's good too. They had a rough game, but they made a little comeback too.

Mahone plays in a spread offense now that uses a lot of read options, much like Michigan. The new recruiting rules have slowed down offers, but Will is still hearing from a good amount of big time schools.

Alabama, Penn State, Oregon, Virginia, Wisconsin, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Michigan and Notre Dame are all still sending letters. I have an offer from Cincinnati, too.

While running back may not be a big priority for Michigan in the 2012 class, Mahone would be a good option.

Extra:

This weekly update is for everyone wondering about defensive recruiting after last week's update was all offense. As we get closer to the end of the season we will start to hear more about potential decisions and timeframes for those decisions as well. Right now it's visits and interest for the most part.

Avery Walls

5'11", 185 lbs.

Safety

McDonough, Georgia


Walls' grandma recently fell ill, so he is putting his future visits on hold. He told me earlier that he still plans on visiting MSU, South Carolina, Virginia, and UConn. His decision is a ways off:

I'm not going to make my decision until I've taken all my visits. I don't have a leader yet, I'm not ready to announce that because your mind changes with leaders all the time.

While he has postponed his visits, that didn't mean that Michigan couldn't come out and see him this past weekend.

Michigan sent a coach out to see me on Friday. Greg Robinson, the defensive coordinator, actually spent a good amount of time at my school talking with my coaches.

It was interesting to hear that Greg Robinson was the one that went out to see him since he doesn't make very many trips.

Kevin McReynolds

6'2", 281 lbs.

Defensive Tackle

Washington, DC


Kevin is a four star defensive tackle that has been hearing more from Michigan and a few other schools lately.

It's been on and off with Michigan, but I'm not upset about it or anything. I understand things change with schools, so it's not too late for them. I really like Michigan and Coach Dews, so we'll see. Florida has also been in contact with me lately, and I want to check them out too.

Tony Dews was out to see Kevin this weekend even though Kevin wasn't playing (injury). Dews also got a chance to see 2011 DB Blake Countess and 2012 WR Stefon Diggs since their team was playing Kevin's. Tony is always mentioned highly among recruits and it seems he's made a good impression with Kevin as well.

Coach Dews is supposed to call me this week, so we'll get to talk more. He's from this area so he understands how certain things are here. He's a good coach, and that program has been through a lot lately. He's a real personable guy. Michigan definitely has a shot because of him, and because they have great academics. I'm still trying to work out my schedule for official visits, so I'm not sure if I'll make it up there. My top list right now is probably UCLA, Oregon, Michigan, Arkansas, and Florida.

That list can definitely change, but Michigan is picking up some ground with Kevin. He's a recruit at a position of need, and has a lot of qualities the coaches really like. He would be a great pickup. Getting that visit set is key.

Wayne Lyons

6'0", 190 lbs.

Safety

Fort Lauderdale, Florida


As I said in a recent Weekly Update, Wayne Lyons has Michigan moving up his list. He wasn't sure then if he would make it up to Michigan for a visit, and while he's still not 100%, it's moving in a positive direction for the Wolverines:

I think I will end up taking a visit up there. I'm not sure yet, but I think I am going to visit.

While that's not written in stone, it's a step in the right direction. Without getting him on campus, Michigan probably has little shot to land him. His top school are Stanford, UCLA, Florida, Tennessee, Nebraska, and Michigan. Lyons is another Tony Dews recruit.

Extra:

  • OL Chris Bryant has scheduled his official visit to Michigan for the weekend of The Big Chill hockey game (December 11th). "I want to experience being around the players and interacting with them." He's not sure if his decision will come shortly after the visit, but there is a good possibility that it will. Michigan is still in great position.
  • LB Antonio Kinard should find out this week if he will be included in the 2011 class. Originally committed to the 2010 class, Kinard ended up at Hargrave Military Academy. He's waiting to find out if his SAT score is high enough, and if it is he will be enrolling in January.
  • WR DeAnthony Arnett received a visit this weekend from Fred Jackson. DeAnthony remains that Michigan is out of his top group, but I have a weird feeling that something's going on. I'm not saying to hold your breath, but Michigan is trying to let him know how much he's wanted.
  • S Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix still maintains that he will visit Michigan for the Illinois game and that the Wolverines still have a shot at landing him.