Giles Jackson will be Blue
Holy Moly, this is a big surprise. Sam just gave his "Gut feeling" on WTKA that Giles Jackson will be blue when he announces at 3:00 today.
September 10th, 2018 at 10:48 AM ^
You have this one nailed. I hope that they are just rumors - but when you have Ole Miss and Tennessee pursuing a terrific RB in Memphis, the Eric Gray recruitment is probably far from over. Hope he stays Blue - but getting Giles Jackson would soften the blow if it doesn't pan out by Signing Day.
September 10th, 2018 at 11:13 AM ^
I would be more concerned if it were 'Bama and Georgia still chasing him. We won't get TreadwelIed. I don't think Ole Miss is giving out (as much) money and co-eds to recruits anymore.
September 10th, 2018 at 9:23 AM ^
And Gray. Jackson is more like Gray. Not Charbonnet.
September 10th, 2018 at 9:25 AM ^
Jackson & Gray would be a closer comparison. He was outstanding at The Opening, he'll be a good weapon.
Edit: apparently it's obvious... I guess Wandale Robinson will not be a priority.
September 10th, 2018 at 9:44 AM ^
Would seem to be the case. Elite LT, WR and TE is all that is left to consider for the offense.
September 10th, 2018 at 10:26 AM ^
I'd take an NFL ready LT otherwise while I agree it's a need there won't be an immediate fix.
September 10th, 2018 at 8:50 AM ^
no dream shake, no care
September 10th, 2018 at 9:10 AM ^
Great news for Michigan; bad news for Seth's fingers.
September 10th, 2018 at 9:45 AM ^
This wr recruiting class is very confusing, but not necessarily bad. While I like Jackson, Johnson, and Kent (now that Bill Greene has personally scouted Kent and says he deserves a bump) they are all best as slot receivers, a position that we don't usually utilize in our offense as much as others. For those with knowledge, what does this indicate as far as a scheme change?
September 10th, 2018 at 10:00 AM ^
and Kent (now that Bill Greene has personally scouted Kent and says he deserves a bump)
So you didn't like Kent before, but because Bill Greene says he is now good you do? Do you also use Bill Greene for all of your restaurant and movie recommendations as well?
September 10th, 2018 at 10:46 AM ^
Isn't this true on all recruits? You look at their star ranking (others opinions) to decide if he is worthy. Don't be a dick.
September 10th, 2018 at 10:55 AM ^
No, I am not a star gazer. I understand the data, I know more stars means more wins. But I also realize classes are built based on need, evaluation & fit. I also realize stars mean more to some coaching staffs than others.
Also, what is up with " decide if he is worthy". What a horrible term to use. You have no idea why the coaches offer some kids and not others. Don't be a dick.
September 10th, 2018 at 11:13 AM ^
Bill Greene explicitly stated that Kent was a much improved player from last year. The reason my opinion changed was that Kent improved, Bill Greene is just an educated source who stated that information.
September 10th, 2018 at 11:29 AM ^
Let me say that better. Kent's tape and offer list did not indicate that he was an underrated prospect. And Greene's in person eval also indicated a player who was properly rated. Therefore I was not thrilled with Greene's commitment. However, this year Kent has put up excellent stats and was scouted and it was shown Kent was a different player than he was a year ago, hence my feeling about him changed. I just use Greene as a source because I figure his opinion are worth a whole lot more than mine are.
TLDR; Kent is a different player than he was when he was last scouted, hence my feeling on him is different as well.
September 10th, 2018 at 2:44 PM ^
Dude I think you missed my point entirely. My point is no one on this board scout players, our opinions are based wholly on what scouts tell us. Looking at a kids highlight reel will hardly tell you if he is worthy of a D1 scholarship. He obviously respects Bill's opinion of a kid no one had scouted much, and thus has changed his opinion on whether this kid is worthy of a scholarship to UM. Whether you like it or not, worthy is not a horrible term.
September 10th, 2018 at 3:08 PM ^
What makes you think Kent is a slot?
September 10th, 2018 at 9:55 AM ^
I think Gray still has some SEC visits planned. He seems solid to UM for now.
September 10th, 2018 at 9:57 AM ^
He's not super solid...
September 10th, 2018 at 9:59 AM ^
Jackson probably means the staff has moved on from Wandale Robinson.
September 10th, 2018 at 10:22 AM ^
I wish he'd stay committed to UofM, but I'd rather he bail now to another program than risk him accepting a late offer from tOSU.
Here's hoping he doesn't find a better fit, tho.
September 10th, 2018 at 10:58 AM ^
Isn't Gray the kid who said he's waiting for an OSU offer? That doesn't sound too solid to me. I can see Urbz offering at the last minute if OSU has room
September 10th, 2018 at 11:42 AM ^
IMO, if he wants an OSU offer then the coaches should wish him the best and move on. Perhaps, this is why I'm a degenerate fan and not a successful coach.
September 10th, 2018 at 10:12 AM ^
Is it really a big surprise? A few days ago someone made a post that balls were dropping in our favor. Last night a poster commented an expert was suggesting another committment would occur today, followed by hypothesis it was Giles.
September 10th, 2018 at 10:14 AM ^
WATCH: Running back Giles Jackson highlights from The Opening
"In the video above you can see Jackson doing some of his testing on the first day of the camp. Jackson measured in at 5-foot-8, 181 pounds and ran a very impressive 4.43-second forty and 3.85-second short shuttle."
The 247Sports analyst Brandon Huffman had this to say about Jackson after The Opening:
"We've been saying it for months, that there hasn't been a more explosive player in the West than Jackson and there hasn't been a better off-season performer than him. And he backed it up at The Opening Finals. Jackson is a lock to move in to the Top247 and is among the top ten all-purpose backs in the country. He finished with the third highest Nike Football rating at the event and had a sub 4.0 shuttle. In the 7v7 tournament, he was probably the top slot receiver in the event and can be used in a number of ways."
September 10th, 2018 at 11:35 AM ^
A zero-fakes 4.43 forty is what I was looking for. If you're 5'8" you need to be lights out fast.
September 10th, 2018 at 10:15 AM ^
Love that it worked out with him.
Hopefully, this sets up the Dominos for Foskey & Ford, a few west coast boys around so the transition to college life is easier ;)
September 10th, 2018 at 10:29 AM ^
So Jackson would make 22 hard commits per 247. Can someone remind me what the rough projection was for this class in terms of numbers?
Let's say we hang on to 18-19 of those guys because 'cruitin...It will be an interesting finish to see who takes those few remaining slots with a shot at 4-5 top guys still (probably wont land most but 1-2 maybe of Harrison/Hill/Crouch/Ford/Cine?) and some other high 4 stars still showing interest. Would be great to have a couple of those go to Benhart & Keegan. Decent OT commits already but feels like we need all the 6'6"+, 300 lb+ OT shaped things we can get.
September 10th, 2018 at 2:56 PM ^
It seems it's down to Alabama and Michigan for Danielson Ike. I like him a lot. I think he's going it slowly in his decision. He has grown a lot in the short time he's played football.
“I’m going to wait until the end of my senior year,” Ike said. “I’m going to take the process slow.... I don’t want to redshirt as a freshman, I want to go somewhere I can play right away,” Ike said. “And I want good communication with the coaches.”
September 10th, 2018 at 3:04 PM ^
The remainder of the focus needs to be on exceptional players (ie Hill, Harrison) and the OT/DT spots. Seems like we might get up to 23/24 with this class.
September 10th, 2018 at 11:05 AM ^
Little surprising considering we already have two very good RBs in this class and Higdon is the only guaranteed RB walking out the door after this season.
Don't get me wrong: you can't have too much talent, and I'm sure Harbaugh knows what he's doing with his depth chart. It's just going to be a very crowded RB room next year. Evans, Wilson, Samuels, Taylor, Turner, Gray, Charbonnet, and now possibly Jackson. I know with Higdon leaving, a lot of carries will open up. But Harbaugh will still undoubtedly want a #1 guy to rely on, and Evans is still going to get his carries.
Wouldn't surprise me to ultimately see a transfer or two out of this group.
September 10th, 2018 at 11:15 AM ^
But Evans is a senior next year, and we don't have any proven RBs behind him. Plus Giles Jackson is being recruited as a APB/Slot Wr. He's not really the 20 carry/game kind of guy.
September 10th, 2018 at 3:03 PM ^
Jackson is a slot. RB is fully-loaded with Charbonnet and Gray.
September 10th, 2018 at 11:23 AM ^
Some more positional flexibility with Gray. Like them going after some extra weapons on the offensive side.
September 10th, 2018 at 1:23 PM ^
?? either slot (Jeremy Gallon) or 3rd down back (vincent smith), slot is more likely.
September 10th, 2018 at 3:02 PM ^
Eh, I think Gray is pretty much a Chris Evans type RB. Folks are calling him "lightning" to Charbonnet's "thunder," but Gray is a workhorse RB for his HS team and has plenty of strength to play RB. Doubt he ends-up a full-time slot.
September 10th, 2018 at 12:51 PM ^
JH is shifting his football philosophy?
September 10th, 2018 at 1:22 PM ^
Perhaps. Charbonnet as the lone back, Collins and Jackson both slotted left with DPJ split wide left...Black split wide right...McCaffery/Milton in the shotgun...Jackson comes in motion: defend it-good luck.
September 10th, 2018 at 3:00 PM ^
Yes. No doubt about it--Michael Barrett was the beginning, and George Johnson III and Giles Jackson are true slots. This year's offense is the beginning of the evolution; we tried and failed last year.
September 10th, 2018 at 1:31 PM ^
For all the rumbling about WR recruiting, the 2019 class looks to be restocking the cupboard in a big way. Kent is blowing up and has the potential to be a #1 outside WR, and Jackson and GJIII add a skillset we don't currently have on the roster. Even if we don't get another WR, this would be a great class.
In 2019 we'll still have DPJ, Black, Collins, Martin, and Bell to go with these three. This doesn't include Schoenle or McCurry, who might be able to help. In 2020, we'll almost certainly have at least two of the 2017 class, Bell, Kent, Jackson, and Johnson plus that classes recruits.
For a team that is also loaded at TE, we have plenty of receiving options for the foreseeable future.
September 10th, 2018 at 3:06 PM ^
He just committed to Michigan!
Go Blue!