Thursday Recruitin' Gets Orca'd
Just When You Thought It Was Safe...
Jabrill Peppers reaffirmed his commitment this week. So did Shaun Crawford. Michigan had successfully weathered the storm caused by their on-field woes. And then...
GEORGE CAMPBELL OUTTA NOWHERE.
According to multiple outlets, Campbell actually decided to decommit last week, but waited until this week to inform the coaches of his decision. Steve Lorenz relays the news that Florida, Florida State, and Clemson (ugh) are involved in Campbell's recruitment, and while Michigan isn't out of the picture, they're losing perhaps their biggest edge ($):
Yesterday, I tweeted out that Michigan was still in it for Campbell after his decommitment. I still believe this, but after doing some digging while on the road today, I'm not sure how high the Wolverines are on his list at this point. If you forced me to choose, I believe he ends up somewhere else. Where that is, I don't know. Mason Cole leaving for Michigan within the next two weeks is about the worst thing that could happen in this regard because their friendship was a big part of getting Campbell committed in the first place. Without Cole in his ear and Michigan being a ways away, the excitement about the Wolverines could fade over time.
The Wolverines will continue to pursue Campbell and in-state athlete Brian Cole as their top priorities for receiver in the 2015 class; after being in great shape for both just a few months ago, however, there's a distinct possibility that both end up elsewhere—there's a very good chance Campbell stays in the South, while Cole may be a Michigan State lean and also has interest in Ohio State. Michigan's very strong group of 2014 receivers mitigates some of the hurt from this, but there's no sugarcoating the loss of one of the nation's top prospects, especially when it seems directly tied to uncertainty (real or perceived) regarding the program.
It might not end with Campbell, either. Shortly after that decommitent went public, fellow 2015 blue chip commit Damien Harris tweeted "Here comes the tough decision.." which, well, obviously raised some red flags given the timing. That could very well be nothing, however, as Harris—unlike Campbell, a childhood fan of Florida—grew up rooting for Michigan; he also subsequently retweeted fellow recruit Justin Hilliard questioning why anyone would commit to a school without "110%" certainty, as well as today's news about Michigan scheduling the game against Florida in Dallas in 2017, when he'd be a junior. Since Harris' first tweet has garnered a lot of attention, I figured I'd add some context—for now, at least, it seems early to panic.
This entire sports year post-Final Four can still die in a fire, though.
[Hit THE JUMP for updated Scout rankings, the latest on Vic Enwere and Josh Rosen, and more.]
The Dead Period
Before I go any further, it's worth noting that as of Monday we're in a recruiting dead period until January 15th. Brandon has a board post detailing what that means; in short, coaches can contact recruits via mail or phone but no in-person contact is allowed. Recruiting news may be a bit sparse for the next few weeks until the pre-NSD flurry of activity.
Scout Updates 2014, 2015 Rankings
As usual, Touch The Banner has the full rundown on the updated 2014 Scout300, which saw Freddy Canteen leap all the way from outside the list to #171 overall (#32 WR). Other movement for Michigan commits was either relatively minor (Peppers moved up to #4 from #6) or expected (Drake Harris, who missed this season with a hamstring injury, dropped from #30 to #54).
Scout also revised their 2015 rankings, featuring Shaun Crawford making a healthy 20-spot jump to #65 overall. Damien Harris is the second-ranked running back at #32 overall, while Tyree Kinnel makes the list at #220. Also of potential interest: after previously being unranked, Brother Rice QB Alex Malzone earned his fourth star and the #252 overall spot in the rankings, one place ahead of CA QB Kevin Dillman. With Josh Rosen and David Sills, the two 2015 quarterbacks with Michigan offers, currently regarded as probable longshots, Malzone is certainly one to keep an eye on. Frankly, I'm much more impressed with his film than I am with Sills'.
Etc.
If you missed it, Brandon provided updates on 2014 TX RB Vic Enwere and 2015 CA QB Josh Rosen.
2015 commit Jon Runyan Jr.'s St. Joseph's Prep squad captured the program's first Pennsylvania Class AAAA state title last week.
Notre Dame's coaches really want Nyles Morgan. One intrepid Notre Dame fan is really unclear about who TomVH is.
I'll take that as a 'yes'. The saga of Denzel Ward continues. Bobby Petrino locks down the nation's #1 class (NOTY category).
December 19th, 2013 at 2:09 PM ^
Why can't Mason Cole still be an asset in his recruiting? Is there really a rule against friends taking to recruits that are younger than them if one is playing in college and the other in highschool?
December 19th, 2013 at 2:14 PM ^
And Campbell will be in Florida
December 19th, 2013 at 2:22 PM ^
I understand that much, and, if the friend (I'm not using names because I think this is the case regardless of the person) is having a great experience wouldn't he be texting/calling/emailing/writing/telegramming his friend still in high school and telling him about it?
December 19th, 2013 at 2:33 PM ^
Cole can still contact him as much as he wants, because they have an established pre-existing relationship.
December 20th, 2013 at 1:58 AM ^
I know for sure that Jake Hudson, his QB, will be visiting Mason in Ann Arbor during the spring. I'm not 100% sure if George will be with him but I don't see why he wouldn't go.
December 20th, 2013 at 6:14 AM ^
"I'm not 100% sure if George will be with him but I don't see why he wouldn't go."
Airfare can be pretty expensive.
December 19th, 2013 at 8:48 PM ^
December 19th, 2013 at 2:13 PM ^
Recruits today are celebrities and feel they have the whole collegiate football world in front of them. Decision making become more problematic.
We really need a terrific outing in next week's Bowl game. Should we fall flat on our face I fear more defections.
December 19th, 2013 at 2:50 PM ^
Yeah, if the team puts up a good performance in the bowl game I think it could be the start of an upward trend.
December 19th, 2013 at 3:22 PM ^
How many of these recruiting celebrities have a sense of entitlement. Defect all they want what we need is players who are committed to Michigan and Coaches who can develop B1G championship caliber players regardless of their recruiting pedigree.
December 19th, 2013 at 2:14 PM ^
Harris's coach and mother both refuted the notion that Harris is wavering, according to Sam, who has evidently been in touch with both.
December 19th, 2013 at 2:19 PM ^
but what is it that you are objecting to? Do you have other information about Harris?
December 19th, 2013 at 2:26 PM ^
just have point envy.
20K pts...rabble rabble...
December 19th, 2013 at 2:27 PM ^
Im going to take a wild guess and say source/link/reference.
I appreciate the insight though. Good to hear Sam is on top of it per usual.
December 19th, 2013 at 2:31 PM ^
should know that Webb covers recruiting each morning at 7:30, and the podcasts of the show are available soon thereafter on WTKA's website. Plus there's all the stuff Sam posts on Scout and the Detroit News. It ain't a secret.
I doubt it's point envy. Points don't mean shit.
December 19th, 2013 at 2:42 PM ^
Spread the wealth to those who are less fortunate?
December 19th, 2013 at 2:45 PM ^
Socialist.
December 19th, 2013 at 2:49 PM ^
FWIW, I laughed.
December 19th, 2013 at 2:57 PM ^
And I wasn't discussing it, I was just labeling you. :-)
December 19th, 2013 at 3:25 PM ^
I think you meant Democrat...
December 19th, 2013 at 3:28 PM ^
I did consider that. At the time though, my first response seemed funnier.
December 19th, 2013 at 5:08 PM ^
December 19th, 2013 at 7:14 PM ^
December 19th, 2013 at 8:29 PM ^
December 19th, 2013 at 11:42 PM ^
As long as those fascists don't fuck up my health insurance.
But seriously guys, no politics.
December 19th, 2013 at 3:00 PM ^
Haters gonna hate...
December 19th, 2013 at 6:24 PM ^
Maybe you have a internet stalker?
December 19th, 2013 at 2:14 PM ^
LOL, I'm glad the orca got fed, but I still feel badly for that seal every time I watch the gif.
December 19th, 2013 at 2:23 PM ^
Yeah, man. Brutal gif. He's just mindin' his own...
December 19th, 2013 at 2:52 PM ^
How do you not see that thing coming?!
December 20th, 2013 at 1:26 PM ^
That teams were starting to blitz us every down and we needed some effective counters?
Oh . . . you mean the killer whale. Never mind.
December 19th, 2013 at 2:47 PM ^
Sometimes I feel bad for cows when I eat a hamburger, but they taste so damn good.
December 19th, 2013 at 2:21 PM ^
I know Michigan stopped recuiting him, but that one still stings for some reason. I thought he would've been a great fit.
December 19th, 2013 at 2:24 PM ^
oh well. I hope he enjoys playing for a different coordinator than the one who recruited him.....
December 19th, 2013 at 2:44 PM ^
The risk of a coach leaving is evident at every school in the country. I would imagine these kids are committing to much more than just one or two coaches.
December 19th, 2013 at 3:26 PM ^
Why does the board have an obsession with Narduzzi leaving? I for one want to see Michigan get the best of him a few more times before he moves on. No TDs in 8 quarters is ridiculous.
December 19th, 2013 at 2:24 PM ^
WIN THE BOWL GAME and this will lessen any waivering. This bowl game is the effing SUPER BOWL for MICH.
Strap on Jock Straps and PLAY TO WIN! GO BLUE!
No excuses.
And you better win in Texas in 2017.
Never seen such lilly-livered pussies...
THIS IS MICHIGAN.
December 19th, 2013 at 3:05 PM ^
Your ideas intrigue me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
EDIT: looks like the comment I originally replied to got caved. I'd post a picture of a kitten to make up for it but I don't know how.
December 19th, 2013 at 3:15 PM ^
I originally negged you; however, I see what you mean now.
+1 now.
December 19th, 2013 at 2:32 PM ^
Honestly, I'd be more crushed to lose Harris than Campbell. They both seem fantastic. But if we're really going the manball route I feel the need for a quality RB really makes more of a difference.
December 19th, 2013 at 2:45 PM ^
I'm sad to see any recruit decommit. It's never a good feeling to know you're being dumped for someone else.
December 19th, 2013 at 2:50 PM ^
is the exact reason recruits like Hand and Campbell are leaving for schools that have a real chance to win (*Bama is the exception here, not the rule, unless you want to argue Standford, but they are just now back on the national scene)
December 19th, 2013 at 3:02 PM ^
For a JD/MBA you're making a lot of grammatical/spelling errors lately
/s
December 19th, 2013 at 3:13 PM ^
good spell check, I need to get back on top of spelling otherwise I'm going to start losing clients...i up-voted you FYI
December 19th, 2013 at 3:07 PM ^
losing games is why we are losing out on top end recruits...
When Campbell commited I am sure our coaches were selling manball et. al.
December 19th, 2013 at 3:12 PM ^
i agree with that as well...failing to adjust to the lack of manball = losses
December 19th, 2013 at 2:52 PM ^
demand by all the major programs in college football. It's a position with cutthroat competition for the top players. It's always going to be very tough for Michigan to pull kids like Campbell out of the south for obvious reasons. It doesn't mean we won't get him back. But, I don't like the odds based on everything I've read. Oh well. I agree with the poster who said Harris is a much more important player to our future offense at this point with all the WR's we already have in the fold.
December 19th, 2013 at 5:43 PM ^
December 19th, 2013 at 8:32 PM ^
December 19th, 2013 at 9:03 PM ^
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