Scouting Report: Joey Bosa
This week's scouting report is on Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas defensive lineman Joey Bosa, who is scheduled to visit Ann Arbor for Michigan's spring game. He looks like a very good player in many respects, but he shows some shades of a young Taylor Lewan - he has a bit of a nasty streak that may or may not get him some penalties at some point.
This guys is a beast, but sounds like we aren't in his top 5. Maybe the visit will help, but I would be shocked if he doesn't end up at Bama, or remain instate.
As always, thanks for the info Magnus.
Yeah, I don't think he'll be wearing the winged helmet. But you never know, I guess...
Rivals lists Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, and Wisconsin as his favorites, is that accurate? If so, maybe we can "Joe Mathis" him once he gets here.
Last I heard Florida State was in that top group, too. I don't think he'll end up at Wisconsin, either. My guess is that it will be FSU, Florida, or Alabama.
April 12th, 2012 at 10:27 AM ^
He was really abusing linemen in his highlight film.
Very solid offer list.
What do you think our chances for Levenberry are, relative to FSU's? Given what's he's said about his perception of the greater fan enthusiasm in the south (and the importance he's apparently placing it) I'll be surprised if he comes north to the supposedly unenthusiastic north.
I have always been skeptical of Levenberry coming to Michigan. I think Michigan has a good chance, but ultimately, I think he'll end up elsewhere. It took Michigan a lot of work to get to the top of his list, and it's going to take a lot to stay there throughout the process.
April 12th, 2012 at 10:22 AM ^
I'm not a recruiting expert so help me out, Magnus. Doesn't the fact we have most of our 2013 class wrapped up allow us the flexibility to put the press on Levenberry? Does he seem like the kind of kid that would look at the team's performance this season and factor that into his decision? If so, a win or even strong showing against Alabama will help. Having a coach that teaches strong personal values is supposedly important to him and his dad. I don't know much about Jimbo Fisher, but I'd have a hard time believing you'd find a better coach in that respect than Coach Hoke.
April 12th, 2012 at 11:26 AM ^
I think it allows Michigan to put some pressure on Levenberry, but that doesn't necessarily mean he will be susceptible to it. Some kids give in to that pressure. Some don't. It really depends on the kid and/or his parents, and I'm not in a position to say which type of kid he is.
I do think that Hoke has a solid track record, and my feeling is that the atmosphere at FSU is and has been much more lenient. However, Tallahasee seems to be a little cleaner under Fisher than it was during Bowden's later years.
April 12th, 2012 at 12:20 PM ^
Interesting. I didn't mean put the press on from a "you'd better commit or your spot's gone" but more from a dedication of our resources to pursuing him standpoint.
April 12th, 2012 at 12:31 PM ^
Since we don't have to spend our 10 hours of phone calls on the hard committs, we can spend all 60 minutes on Levenberry.
When they're turning down other elite-level recruits and leaving him the lone remaining spot at the position, they're probably already writing him or talking to him as much as legally possible.
Has Levenberry even been on campus? During a game? Just curious, I may have missed it.
Yes, there's even a picture of him in a UM jersey from during his first visit.
I don't think Levenberry visited for a game, but he has visited campus.
April 12th, 2012 at 11:02 AM ^
He visited Ohio State and Michigan the same weekend, earlier this year. And then he named Michigan to his list of favorites and not OSU. Conclusions?
Urban doesn't really want him.
April 12th, 2012 at 11:09 AM ^
If Levenberry hasn't experience a game at the Big House, but still has us at the top of his list, that makes me optimistic. A game atmosphere at the Big House is one of the best recruiting tools we have, and it's yet to be revealed to him.
I like our chances.
April 12th, 2012 at 11:12 AM ^
Don't you know recruits pick schools based on the best academic centers?
April 12th, 2012 at 11:16 AM ^
That's right. And Florida State just had a Rhodes Scholar on their football team, so I guess we're fucked.
April 12th, 2012 at 12:32 PM ^
Urban has cooled on him and he really doesn't have a committable offer.
April 12th, 2012 at 10:17 AM ^
Impressive film but I hope we avoid this kid. Anyone who has a highlight film where he punches two people in the helmet and pulls some Tom Gholston is not a high character individual IMO.
April 12th, 2012 at 10:24 AM ^
Who in the hell is Tom Gholston?
April 12th, 2012 at 10:40 AM ^
April 12th, 2012 at 10:43 AM ^
April 12th, 2012 at 11:14 AM ^
I don't think you avoid a kid like this, if he's this good. The problem with Gholston isn't his mean streak, it's the fact that his coaches don't curb it before it happens, or do anything about it after it happens.
Don't get me wrong, I'm against twisting facemasks after the whistle. But if a DL has a meanstreak and occastionally picks up a penalty because of it, that's more of a positive than a negative in my opinion. A 15-yarder is less harmful on defense than on offense, and if it comes as collateral damage every now and then by a DL that's beating up his opponent, that's OK.
With the level of discipline we have with our coaches, I think we'd be able to corral him enough that it wouldn't be an issue.
April 12th, 2012 at 11:25 AM ^
I'm not sure I agree with you that a 15-yarder "is less harmful on defense than offense" considering a 15-yarder on defense also means an automatic first down, extending the offensive drive by at least an extra down, likely more.
That would actually be an interesting analysis to look back and see which side of ball gets hurt more by a 15-yarder.
April 12th, 2012 at 11:36 AM ^
Here's my thought process on that:
A 15-yarder on offense almost always kills the drive. It usually either turns a TD into a FG, a FG into a punt, or simply shortens a drive. It would be an interesting stat to look at, but I bet the percentage of teams who get a first down after a 15 yard penalty is very low.
On defense, it still hurts don't get me wrong, but it's less likely to have the same effect. The result is still 1st and 10, just at a closer spot on the field. The team still has to put the ball into the endzone to score.
Now, certain 15 yarders on defense are worse than others, such as those on third and long, on any fourth down, or one that moves a team from outside FG range to inside. Yes, a 3rd and goal stop that has a personal foul is devastating, but that's not the norm.
In short, an offensive 15-yarder makes the defenses job (forcing a fourth down) much easier (since it results in either first and 25 or second or third and very long), but the defensive penalty doesn't make the offenses job (scoring) that much easier, with few exceptions.
April 12th, 2012 at 11:37 AM ^
Curbing that kind of behavior isn't too difficult to me. If you play out of control, you come off the field. It's that simple.
This is the difference between Taylor Lewan and Nick Fairley. Lewan is nasty through the whistle, and then he walks away. His coaches, including Rodriguez, made it clear to him that nothing else was acceptable. Meanwhile, Fairley made all kinds of dirty plays at Auburn, and he was never disciplined for it or taken off the field. So he kept doing it.
April 12th, 2012 at 10:54 AM ^
The fact that our staff is even getting kids with this much talent, from that far away to come is trully amazing. There is blue chip kids coming in every weekend. Rich Rod had three stars every weekend.
April 12th, 2012 at 11:15 AM ^
Hey I'm from Bloomington so I can help!
I could list all the 4 + star kids Rich was in on and successfully recruited but I think by now you realize what you said was kinda dumb. Maybe sit the posting stuff out for a while and get a feel for the tone of the board. It's generally more about information based opinions rather than emotional hyperbole. Research/knowledge is your friend.
Its good to hear from you! Hows Tuscon?
April 12th, 2012 at 11:23 AM ^
Seriously. I wish RR would have brought in any 4-stars from far away. Instead, we're stuck with guys like Denard, Roh, Lewan, QWashington, Countess (Hoke signing, but RR commit), Ricky Barnum, Gallon, etc. You could even throw MRob, Ash and Tate in there if you want, who despite what they've done on field, were 4-star recruits from distance. And had RR stuck around, Dee Hart would be on that list too.
I'm not saying there aren't a hundred things Hoke does better than RR, but saying "Look how Hoke can bring in talent from Florida (or other distant states)" you're a little off-base, sir.
April 12th, 2012 at 11:14 AM ^
Any dude that big that can do a standing backflip I would like on the team. Seals the deal for me.
April 12th, 2012 at 11:26 AM ^
The backflip is solid, but the way he incorporates it with the rest of his floor routine left a bit to be desired. The degree of difficulty just isn't there.
April 12th, 2012 at 11:54 AM ^
Admit it, you're a Russian judge!
April 12th, 2012 at 12:15 PM ^
East German Judge
April 12th, 2012 at 12:22 PM ^
You're both wrong. I'm actually Bela Karolyi. I bet you didn't know I was a Michigan fan.
And trust me - Kerri Strug is a bitch.
Kerri Strug is a saint!
Obviously, this kid can play. While he's a long shot right now, we'll see what happens after this weekend when he is surrounded by the best recruiting class in the country.
He appears game ready to play SDE, but if he grows more, he could be an amazing 3-tech. His strength and athleticism are absurd. Definitely a freak.
I'm buyin that...my kind of baller!!!!
Three years later, this post gets a shoutout on Eleven Warriors...
http://www.elevenwarriors.com/college-football/2015/05/53724/love-and-a…