Friday Recruitin' Hurdles a Guy
Today's recruiting roundup checks out Shane Morris's new highlight tape, goes over the laundry list of top prospects who took notice of last weekend's commitment extravaganza, and details Michigan's new offers and expected visitors.
What, No Punting Highlights?
Shane Morris unleashed his junior tape yesterday, and the first full minute features him... running. And hurdling a guy. I'm seriously, you guys:
Oh, there's also your standard fare of cannon-launched deep balls and precision touch passes, but SHANE MORRIS HURDLED A GUY AND HE'S TOTALLY DENARD 2.0. Also, he punts, though disappointingly that wasn't in the video:
Don’t underestimate Morris’ potential in the punting game. While a left-handed thrower, he kicks right-footed. According to De La Salle’s special teams coach, Morris averaged a shade under 40 yards a punt last season and had a 58 yarder in one game. Morris played soccer for seven years.
Next week we'll learn that Morris throws a 90-mph slider with either arm, turned down Red Berenson's overtures to be Shawn Hunwick's successor, and is the only person to defeat The World's Most Interesting Man in a game of jai-alai.
Morris, as you're well aware, is also pretty good at this whole recruiting thing—that Hoke guy isn't bad himself, I hear—and top prospects have taken notice of Michigan's dynamite start to the 2013 class. Joliet (IL) Catholic RB Ty Isaac is one of those prospects, though he's also trying to take his time with his decision ($, info in header):
“It’s hard not to notice (Michigan’s recruiting success), but I kind of told myself ‘don’t let that be a deciding factor,” said Isaac. “I know there are a few places that I really want to see. I know that being somewhere with a good class is a big deal, and to me it’s very important, but I didn’t really want to make a rash decision just because everyone else was doing it.”
Isaac will visit Ann Arbor on March 10th between trips to Notre Dame and USC, who appear to be the other schools in contention for the Midwest's top back, though he's yet to narrow down his list ($, info in header). One factor very much playing in Michigan's favor is their depth chart, something Isaac is keeping a close eye on, as he wants the opportunity to play early. Another top Illinois prospect, Crete (IL) Monee WR Laquon Treadwell, is also keeping a low profile, but he's willing to say that the Wolverines are among his leaders ($, info in header):
While he claims to have no top list, Treadwell will admit Michigan is one of his leaders. After this past weekend, when Michigan picked up eight commitments, there might not be much time before he will have to make a decision, something that Treadwell says won't deter him from his timeline.
"That won't change anything for me," he said. "It's not my time yet."
One player who has flat-out stated Michigan is on top is four-star linebacker E.J. Levenberry in a free ESPN article linked by Brian yesterday. The Wolverines are also in good shape with four-star linebackers Dorian O'Daniel and Mike McCray; with Michigan likely to take just one or two at the position they should be able to get a very high-quality haul there.
247 Sports updated their Top247, and for the most part the new rankings were kind to the Wolverines, though Jake Butt took a rather perpelxing tumble. Touch the Banner provided a summary of the movement:
- Shane Morris dropped from #12 to #14
- Dymonte Thomas dropped from #35 to #40
- Chris Fox dropped from #39 to #47
- Kyle Bosch jumped from #55 to #42
- Jake Butt dropped from #70 to outside the top 247
- Taco Charlton jumped from #115 to #99
- Wyatt Shallman dropped from #149 to #187
- Jourdan Lewis dropped from #218 to outside the top 247
- David Dawson jumped from outside the top 247 to #195
My only guess as to why Butt would drop so far is that 24/7 initially evaluated him as a DE, and when he committed to a school as a TE they adjusted accordingly; I still don't know why he fell all the way out, as most first-hand accounts have him as a better offensive prospect than defensive. C'est la vie. Click that TTB link to see where all of Michigan's targets landed in the new list, which provides further confirmation that the Wolverines are offering the cream of the crop this year.
New Offers, Scheduled Visits, Visit Reactions, Etc.
Sam Webb's latest DetNews article focuses on one of the many high-profile offensive linemen to come out of Illinois in 2013, New Lenox Lincoln-Way West's Colin McGovern, who could vie for that last offensive line spot in the class:
"I spoke with Coach Funk over the weekend and (Wednesday), and he let me know there is one spot left (for an offensive lineman)," McGovern reported. "I'm just glad that I'm going to be visiting really soon there so I can sort of get a look at things and maybe compare it to schools that I've visited in the past. But I'm not looking to commit right now. I'm going to let it play out and whatever happens, happens. If they stay available that'd be nice because that's an extra choice for me. I know Michigan is a great school and a powerhouse football team, but I'm not going to rush into a decision that I might regret."
McGovern will visit on March 10th, and he's also got visits scheduled for Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Northwestern, and possibly Washington over the next couple months. He's not in a rush to make his decision, but he also doesn't have a set timetable; when he feels like he's ready to make a choice, he'll go ahead and do just that. He doesn't claim any favorites right now, though he says Michigan would be near the top of his list if he had one (he doesn't).
The top-ranked lineman in Illinois, Ethan Pocic, was the only Saturday visitor to not commit last week, but that doesn't mean he wasn't impressed with Michigan. Pocic released a top ten and the Wolverines are included ($, info in header). As of right now, he hasn't set up any other visits. Michigan also impressed a pair of Monday visitors in TE Jacob Matuska, who talked to Tremendous—it looks like the Wolverines will take a third TE in the class—and DT Donovan Munger, who still doesn't have a Wolverine offer ($).
Your semi-weekly list of new offers:
- Four-star Reading (MA) Wyomissing Area OLB Alex Anzalone, who told 247 he's planning March visits to both Michigan and Notre Dame ($, info in header).
- Bastrop (TX) three-star CB Antwuan Davis received his offer from Coach Funk last week ($, info in header). He hasn't set up visits but mentioned Michigan among the schools he'd like to check out.
- Upland (CA) DE/OLB Joe Mathis grabbed an offer last week and is looking at taking one of his official visits to Ann Arbor ($, info in header).
- 2014 Bishop (MD) McNamara OT/DT Damian Prince received offers from Michigan, Florida State, Iowa, and North Carolina last week, bringing his total to 11 already ($, info in header).
- 2014 Grand Rapids Christian ATH Drake Harris is primarily a basketball recruit—he's been in heavy contact with John Beilein—but he also says he's received an offer to play football for the Wolverines ($, info in header). He's the rare player who could be a legit scholarship player at two sports.
- 2014 Washington (DC) Friendship Academy CB Jalen Tabor was offered on Sunday ($, info in header). He already holds offers from schools like Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, and Virginia Tech, and he's looking to visit Ann Arbor this summer.
As you can see, the coaching staff has been able to turn some of their focus to the sophomore class—identifying 2014's top targets—with half of the junior class already wrapped up.
There's a short list of weekend visitors after last weekend's junior day atmosphere (though it wasn't an official junior day): four-star OL Patrick Kugler, who holds an offer; Barrington (IL) OL Jack Keeler ($, not offered); Logan Tuley-Tillman (yes, again); and 2014 QB Chandler Kincade, who's an early Pitt commit.
Several other players are planning future trips to Ann Arbor. Pittsburgh (PA) TE Scott Orndoff, Wisconsin's lone commit in the class of 2013, told Tremendous that he'll take a visit to Michigan after being offered recently—further evidence that the Wolverines want a third TE in the class. PA OT Mike McGlinchey is looking to take a spring trip to check out the Wolverines ($, info in header). Erial (NJ) Timber Creek teammates DT Greg Webb and DE Dajuan Drennon might be a package deal, according to Webb, and plan on visiting Ann Arbor in the future ($, info in header).
A quick note: Despite a recent MaxPreps article saying Michigan had renewed interest in Midland OT Steven Elmer, Sam Webb has confirmed with Elmer's father that he's not interested and is solidly committed to Notre Dame. End of discussion.
Quickly: SBNation editors pick their favorite tales from the recruiting trail, and it's a hilarious read (I must agree with Andrew Sharp—Willie Williams is tough to top). MnB's Zach Travis answers questions about recruiting and the renewed fervor of the Michigan-Ohio State battles for SBNation's main recruiting page. Chantel Jennings goes over the remaining needs in the class ($). TomVH focuses in on the top remaining targets along the offensive line ($).
February 24th, 2012 at 2:53 PM ^
If we get less than 4 commitments this weekend I will be disappointed.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:06 PM ^
Six out of 9 dropping in the rankings is tab bit concerning. Granted, moves that small this early don't mean much, but would rather see them rising. Did Jake Butt's TE rank change? He's currently listed by 247 as the 9th ranked TE in the class. If that rank didn't change, then I agree that his drop is simply a matter of position change.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:07 PM ^
Agreed its concerning, but if you really want to get hung up on numbers, wait for the final class ranking numbers in 9 or 10 months. This isn't even a bump in the road...its like...a pebble.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:12 PM ^
He wasn't ranked as a TE previously. He was ranked as a DE.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:22 PM ^
But I'm pretty sure I remember seeing him listed in 247's TE-specific rankings before today, which is why I was asking. Moot point really.
Is Shallman's drop a result of position change too? Now that he's being recruited as a FB/RB?
February 24th, 2012 at 3:23 PM ^
Um...er...uh...I dunno about Shallman. Frankly, I just don't think he's the 149th-best player in the country, so I would attribute it more to that.
February 24th, 2012 at 7:28 PM ^
OH NOES!! You're being mean to our recruits!!
February 24th, 2012 at 3:40 PM ^
True, but 3 of the 6 that dropped, dropped less than 10 spots, including a 2-, 5- and 8-spot drop. That's basically a non-movement. Of the ones that moved double-digits, it was an even 3 to 3. Nobody lost any stars.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:08 PM ^
No no no. we don't want to find this out. Nothing can end a promising football career quicker than something like this.
Next week we'll learn that Morris throws a 90-mph slider with either arm
February 24th, 2012 at 3:09 PM ^
Personally, I'd be more concerned about the jai-alai.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:17 PM ^
Stay thirsty, my friends.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:11 PM ^
Hey, Ace...unless I missed it, there's no actual link to follow over to TTB.
Thanks!
February 24th, 2012 at 3:13 PM ^
My bad, Magnus, lost track of the links. Fixed. Thanks, as always, for doing the grunt work that I'd otherwise feel compelled to do.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:22 PM ^
No biggie.
I just didn't want to have to kill you.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:27 PM ^
I admire your nobility in giving a heads up before plotting murder. That's all one can ask for, really.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:29 PM ^
You should be thankful.
I didn't give Whitney the same chance.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:22 PM ^
Michigan won't need Shane Morris to punt for a while because Joe Bolden has that spot locked up--just like he did at Colerain.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:25 PM ^
I don't want a guy to commit to Michigan just b/c he gets swept up in some short-term excitement.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:28 PM ^
Yep, that's a bad idea. I got married to Britney Spears for that reason, and it was a total circus.
February 26th, 2012 at 1:51 PM ^
All this time, who would've ever guessed that 'Magnus' was really Kevin Fetterline.
February 24th, 2012 at 3:47 PM ^
Got another west sider(Zeeland West) named Jordan Van Dort that I believe will be showing up on the radar soon. He's a 6'6" 260lb tight end/D end that is a great athlete and has room in his frame to grow yet.
In 2011 his team won the division 4 state championship and he was on TV so some of you might have caught a glimpse if you watched any of that game. I would project him as an OT for college but this kid has great balance, soft hands(standout hoops player) and seems strong way beyond his youth. Also I understand he's got great grades and is a real strong character kid as well as a lifelong UM fan. I think we'll see his name appear on Michigans radar soon enough so watch for it then let me do the "I told you so" thing.
February 24th, 2012 at 4:12 PM ^
That sounds like pretty solid measurables for a sophomore. The fact that he's a standout basketball player is nice because it usually means he has solid footwork, athleticism and endurance. It also helps with hand-eye coordination. It will be interesting to see where his recruitment goes, but I love getting the west-siders on the squad. If he has good quickness, he could play on the d-line too.
February 24th, 2012 at 8:09 PM ^
February 24th, 2012 at 4:30 PM ^
Seriously, why would any top prospect consider them? I'm not being snarky I'm serious. Unless you are from the state, what possible allure can that school have any longer? Their coach is a joke with no resume, he won't let you transfer if things don't work out, and they haven't been relevant in football in 10 years. Yet they do well recruiting and I see top guys (McGovern and others) that have them on their lists. Perplexing.
February 24th, 2012 at 7:23 PM ^
Let me start off my saying it doesn't take being good at recruiting to show up on someone's offer list. Western Michigan could offer McGovern too, it doesn't mean he's going to go there. Also, it's not like Tennessee is signing a slew of 5-stars lately, so I'm not sure where your frustration is coming from.
That said...there is still come appeal. It's in the SEC, and a lot of kids are drawn to playing in the (current) top conference. They have a huge stadium with wild fans. It's not as big as the Big House, but it's bigger than almost every other stadium in the country. They have history. It's not that long ago that they were regularly playing in SEC Champ games and BCS bowls, and they've won the National Championship more recently than we have. They had Peyton Manning and Arian Foster (and plenty in between), names kids recognize.
They do have a coach who's an asshole/moron, but that can be overcome. Typically teams who have been great for periods of time will be great again, and I'm sure that's part of their pitch.
February 24th, 2012 at 7:27 PM ^
And Rocky Top is pretty cool.
Tennessee is also in the SEC, without being in the deep south, or other awful places like Arkansas.
February 24th, 2012 at 8:30 PM ^
There are some good reasons. One, Tennessee has top flight support and facilities; 2) an excellent campus filled with southern hot chicks; 3) Knoxville blows McAss, and but Tennessee is a beautiful campus; 4) its a little lazy to say that UT hasn't been relevant; they're program has been screwed so hard by the Lane Kiffen debacle on top of having the worst AD in the country for a while (Mike Hamilton). I would compare UT this year to the last year of Rich Rod... there is enough talent at UT that they should compete next year.
February 24th, 2012 at 8:31 PM ^
There are some good reasons. One, Tennessee has top flight support and facilities; 2) an excellent campus filled with southern hot chicks; 3) Knoxville blows McAss, and but Tennessee is a beautiful campus; 4) its a little lazy to say that UT hasn't been relevant; they're program has been screwed so hard by the Lane Kiffen debacle on top of having the worst AD in the country for a while (Mike Hamilton). I would compare UT this year to the last year of Rich Rod... there is enough talent at UT that they should compete next year.
February 25th, 2012 at 12:42 AM ^
February 24th, 2012 at 4:43 PM ^
February 24th, 2012 at 4:43 PM ^
February 24th, 2012 at 4:54 PM ^
That was a good read. I thought Gunner Kiel might make it to the list.
It would be interesting to go back and see whether the recruits with the most drama in the recruiting process had better/worse/average college careers.
February 24th, 2012 at 4:54 PM ^
But he needs to learn how to run at the college level. That propensity for launching himself into the air just before contact is going to get him murdered against D-1 defenders.
February 24th, 2012 at 5:11 PM ^
He's likely got 30 plus months to figure it out. I think he'll be ok.
February 24th, 2012 at 5:07 PM ^
R.I.P. Tacopants
I <3 footwork
February 24th, 2012 at 5:08 PM ^
I hope this kid is the 5th OL to commit.
February 24th, 2012 at 5:43 PM ^
Shane Morris sure does know how to hit a reciever in stride, holy moley.
February 24th, 2012 at 8:03 PM ^
I certainly see a few of those passes landing softly in the hands of some, I dunno....some 6'6" TE over the middle...
February 24th, 2012 at 8:18 PM ^
and think: OMG Fran Tarkenton?
February 25th, 2012 at 3:39 AM ^
Shane Morris would be a skinny goalie*.
*Not that I don't know any tall and skinny goalies.
February 25th, 2012 at 8:58 AM ^
Apparently, like in hockey, helmets used to be optional. Whoa.
February 25th, 2012 at 9:02 AM ^
Ok, so im new to this whole drinking every drop of recruiting kool aid, but if Morris has already given a verbal why does he roll out a new video. Why if you're trying to impress to you hire Patterson and Gimlin to shoot the film. Maybe my wife is right and i've become an HD snob.
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