Jeremy Clark

Mgoblue again has a fluff feature entitled "Get to Know the 2012 Freshmen."  (LINK:  http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080612aab.html.)

Highlighted today are Freshmen Jeremy Clark, Blake Bars, and Drake Johnson. Like last year, I assume they will continue this feature on a regular basis. There are snippets of personal interest attached to each of them, and a link to bio info.

On a completely different note, ESPN has up an article on Urban Meyer and a shift in his values, supposedly now balancing home and work (better than when at Florida.) (LINK:  http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/8239451/ohio-state-coach-urban-meyer-new-commitment-balancing-work-family-life.) Personally, this article hits home, because I too often have not spent enough time with my wife and children. A good reminder for moms and dads to keep priorities in place.

Andrew interviewed incoming freshman safety Jeremy Clark about his current measurables, future position, and more. http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/2012/06/jeremy-clark-answers-your-que...

Back in June, when safety recruit Jeremy Clark accepted a grayshirt to Michigan, the initial analysis was pretty meh, and there was spirited discussion about whether there was too much negativity in his "Hello!" post. Obviously, if someone only gets a grayshirt, mostly has offers from MAC level schools, and has a two star rating at best, there is some warrant for folks to think he won't amount to much.

So, I was happy to see today's header/teaser over at Rivals:

Michigan coaches knew Madisonville (Ky.) North Hopkins safety Jeremy Clark was a good one when they accepted his commitment as a greyshirt in late June. It's starting to appear, though, that they got one of the steals in the 2012 class. 

I don't know whether or not there is more info in the premium area. However, the header looks promising. I'd love to hear from anyone on the ground in KY about how Clark is doing, and projecting for his senior year and beyond.

Also, if the coaching staff really is doing a good job of identifying and snagging "sleepers," (similar to Beilein on the basketball front,) this is huge. To get "can't miss" prospects like Kalis and Wormley and Ross and Jenkins-Stone and Ringer and Wilson is great. We take all your 5 stars. But we have all seen how a five star rating doesn't automatically mean five star play on the field. If the class is good from top to bottom, and has two stars (Clark, Houma, etc.) who actually way out perform their rating, well, we then have a stronger opportunity to do incredible things on the field.

 

This will be the home of the BBQ visitor list. The event takes place on July 31st and looks like it's invite only. I'm still working on confirming visitors so I should have more names added as I get them. Be sure to continue to check back frequently. 

Here's who I've confirmed so far:

Yes

LB Royce Jenkins-Stone - Commit

DB Terry Richardson - Commit

LB James Ross - Commit

DE Matt Godin - Commit

DB Allen Gant - Commit

TE Devin Funchess - Commit

DE/LB Mario Ojemudia - Commit

DE Tom Strobel - Commit

OL Kyle Kalis - Commit, said he will for sure be there. He's going up with his head coach Finotti, because his coach wants to sit down with Mattison to talk defense.

OL Ben Braden - Commit

2013 QB Shane Morris - Commit

DT Danny O'Brien (6'2", 293 lbs, 4 Star)

WR Jehu Chesson (6'3", 182 lbs, 3 Star)

2013 OL Steven Elmer

2013 RB Wyatt Shallman

2013 LB Jonny Reschke

RB Bri'onte Dunn (6'2", 215 lbs, 4 Star) - His father told me yesterday that Bri'onte will likely be going up with his cousin Dymonte Thomas. Bri'onte's Dad might not make it up though.

DE Chris Wormley - Said via text he is coming to the event.

DT Ondre Pipkins (6'3", 325 lbs, 4 Star)

DB Anthony Standifer - commit

2013 WR Laquon Treadwell

2013 DB Dymonte Thomas

TE AJ Williams - Commit 

2013 RB Ty Isaac

Not Coming

OL Jordan Diamond (6'6", 290 lbs, 4 Star) 

DB Jeremy Clark - Commit, said he's going to try to make it up.

OL Caleb Stacey - Commit

WR Monty Madaris (6'2", 190 lbs, 3 Star)

LB Kaleb Ringer - Commit

LB Joe Bolden - Commit

Rivals has now released a new rating for our greyshirt commit S Jeremy Clark. I am sure this is just an initial rating and will go up. Glad to see Jeremy getting some love from a recruiting site.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/michigan/football/recruiting/player-Jeremy-Clark-126908

A name that has been popping up a lot since Michigan's camp is Kentucky safety Jeremy Clark. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound defensive back went up to Michigan to show the coaches what he has to offer. He now finds himself in a unique scenario, and I caught up with his coach today to talk about where Jeremy is at.

"He was offered a greyshirt today by the coaches, which could eventually lead to being a part of this class if the other safety they're in on doesn't commit," his coach said. The other safety he's talking about is likely Ohio defensive back Jarrod Wilson, who could be deciding as early as tomorrow. 

To those that aren't familiar, a greyshirt would mean Jeremy would commit to Michigan and pay his way through school, likely only for a semester. Once the semester is up he would then be able to earn a scholarship, the greyshirt preserves his eligibility while not counting towards the 2012 class numbers. 

"He's going to talk to his dad tonight and make a decision soon. He really fell in love with Michigan and the coaches," said his coach. "He said the facilities, the tradition, and the coaches just made him feel at home. He said it just felt right." Deciding to take the greyshirt from Michigan would show just how interested he is since he would be passing up full rides from North Carolina State, Akron, Ball State, CMU, Illinois, Ohio, and Toledo. 

"Jeremy is a great kid, kind of quiet, but very hard worker. As far as on the field, he's a head hunter. I coached a kid that went to Notre Dame as a safety, and I think Jeremy has potential to be better," said his coach. Jeremy is a big defensive back at 6-foot-4, but his coach reports he ran a 4.4 forty time at both Kentucky and Cincinnati's camp. "He'll come down hill and play hard nosed football, too. He's got size and speed, and he just grew three to four inches in the last year. He went from being undiscovered to blowing up." 

Clark's coach isn't sure when he'll decided but is supposed to speak with his father tonight to go over what exactly a greyshirt is. "I told Jeremy what [a greyshirt] is, so I'll tell his dad tonight," he said. "I don't know when he'll decide but I know he was as excited as I've ever seen him that Michigan still wanted him." It sounds like Clark could make his decision soon. The Michigan coaches explained to him that he can take the greyshirt and if Jarrod Wilson were to commit elsewhere then Clark would take that spot for the 2012 class.