Royce Jenkins-Stone

Andrew interviewed incoming linebacker Royce Jenkins-Stone.  He talks about his current size, future position, nicknames, and more.

Cass Tech linebacker Royce Jenkins-Stone was just the fourth player to commit to Brady Hoke's class of 2012, doing so last April. The consensus four-star recruit has since won a state championship with the Technicians and played in the Army All-American Game, and he's looking to continue that run of success at Michigan. I got the chance to chat with Royce over the weekend—via text, hence the short-ish answers—and we discussed his goals for his freshman year and career along with a few other topics:

ACE: How was the Army Game for you? It had to be fun being there with James [Ross, Royce's childhood friend] and your future teammates.

ROYCE: Yeah, it was a great experience. Everyone competed and had fun.

ACE: What are your goals for your freshman year?

ROYCE: Get my weight to 235 [Royce is currently listed at 215 on Rivals, though he looked bigger in person this fall], learn the defense, and see if I can at least get in the rotation.

ACE: You and the whole 2012 class come in with some big expectations. Do you ever feel pressure from that, or more just excitement?

ROYCE: Just excitement because everyone in this class is all about getting better and getting on that field.

ACE: What's it like to know you'll be playing for Greg Mattison as your defensive coordinator next year?

ROYCE: It's good to know you have a coach that knows what he's doing and not leaving when you get there.

ACE: When your Michigan career is over, what do you want to look back on and say you've accomplished.

ROYCE: [I want to say I've been an] All-American and All-Big Ten in my sophomore, junior, and senior year.

ACE: Do you expect to go out on top at Michigan like you did at Cass Tech?

ROYCE: Yeah. I plan on getting a national championship when I get there and before I leave.

MaizeNBlueJ did a video for each of the Michigan recruits/targets:

http://mgovideo.com/2012-us-army-all-american-bowl/

A little mental distraction from the impending Lions game. UM obviously has 4 stud linebackers in this class. Anyone know where specifically these guys project? I know Ross was told he will play weakside. It looks like Bolden and RJS are more of the MLB type (Or maybe weakside in the 4-3 under). Then what about Ringer? Does anyone project to Sam? 

Go Lions.

Thursday Recruitin' was getting a little lengthy, but I wanted to get this information somewhere for people who are interested in watching Michigan recruits in this weekend's All-American games.

Under Armour All-American Game
Tonight, 8 pm, ESPN
Full Rosters

Michigan commits and targets (with jersey numbers):

Black ("Highlight") Team:
#1 CB Terry Richardson
#27 LB Joe Bolden

White ("Blur") Team:
#78 OL Josh Garnett

Army All-American Game
Saturday, 1 pm, NBC
Full Rosters

Michigan commits and targets (with jersey numbers):

East Team:
#12 CB Yuri Wright
#66 OL Kyle Dodson
#67 OL Kyle Kalis

West Team:
#6 LB James Ross
#10 LB Royce Jenkins-Stone
#53 DT Ondre Pipkins
#77 OL Erik Magnuson

A heads-up to anyone who is in the Ann Arbor area and wants to check out a lot of 2012 commits at once:

Farmington Hills Harrison takes on Cass Tech tonight at 8pm at Eastern Michigan University's Rynearson Stadium. Notable players include:

Farmington Hills Harrison: Mario Ojemudia (UM), Devin Funchess (UM), Aaron Burbridge (MSU, consensus 4*)

Cass Tech: Royce Jenkins-Stone (UM), Terry Richardson (UM), Laron Taylor (Iowa, 2* rivals, 3* scout, 3* 247sports), Ruben Lile (uncommitted, consensus 3*)

It should be a good game, as Cass Tech was unbeaten until it lost to Lake Orion last year in the Division 1 semifinals, while Harrison is the defending Division 2 state champion following a 14-0 season.