Wednesday Recruitin' Pays Its Way Back
Gary Return A Distinct Possibility
It's been a good week on the Rashan Gary news front. Jennifer Coney, mother of the five-star defensive lineman, gave an extended interview to 247Sports that contains a couple significant developments. First off, they're leaning towards a return visit to Ann Arbor:
"It would definitely be in January right before Signing Day," she said. "We are leaning that way. I want him to go there one more time before he decides. His sister, my husband, all of us will be there."
A visit from Gary would be his fourth to Michigan's campus as a recruit. He's already been on his official visit for the game against BYU and was on campus twice during the off-season.
Paying their way to take the whole family to campus right before Signing Day when Gary's already seen it three times is hard to take as anything but a great sign. So, too, is this quote from Coney about Gary's official visit to Auburn, the program considered the top contender for him aside from Michigan:
"They showed us a video, the day in the life of a football player," Coney told the SEC Recruiting Buzz podcast. "At the end, I was so unimpressed, they said, 'Are you okay?' I said, 'This is not what I came down here for.' "
While Coney added that Auburn then had her meet with multiple academic advisors, which she found far more impressive than the presentation, but that still stands in stark contrast to her quotes about Michigan's academic presentation—and both Coney and Gary have maintained academics will be a significant factor when the time comes to make a decision.
Michigan also looks to be in great shape with one of the top overall prospects in the 2017 class. Five-star NY OT Isaiah Wilson has Michigan in his top eight with plans to narrow his list to four soon and make a decision this summer; given that timeline, the visit plans he gave Rivals' Adam Friedman are very encouraging ($):
"I haven't begun planning a lot of things yet," he said. "I know that I might go to the Penn State game against Michigan. It depends on the cars and who is driving. In February I plan on visiting Michigan for the basketball game against Michigan State. I know that's going to be crazy. In the spring I will take some visits but nothing is set in stone yet. I don't have a schedule or dates."
It's important to note that neither Penn State nor Michigan State are in his top eight.
[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]
Brandon Peters Is Probably Not The Worst
Brandon Peters' senior season ended in a dramatic double-overtime state semifinal loss; while that's unfortunate, it means we can now enjoy the full highlights from his senior season, and there are definitely some highlights.
I watched Peters in two full games—one live, one televised—this season and the above is representative; he can unleash the dragon when he wants while also showing an advanced ability to put touch on the ball and make life easy on his receivers. He's made a strong a case for being the best quarterback in the class; the Army All-American Bowl agrees, as Peters is one of only three QBs among the 16 semifinalists for their Player of the Year award.
Meanwhile, Michigan added another preferred walk-on last week, as Grand Rapids West Catholic DE Carl Myers announced his commitment on Twitter. Myers has a scholarship offer from Air Force. Michigan is going to end up with some legitimiate contributors from their greatly increased emphasis on landing PWOs.
2016 Updates: Three On Top For Bush
The race looks to be tightening for four-star FL ILB Devin Bush Jr., per Scout's Jason Caldwell ($):
Getting ready to visit Michigan in two weeks and having already visited Florida State, Bush said for him it’s a three-team race as he prepares to make a decision sometime in December.
“They are in the mix with all three,” Bush said of Auburn. “Some schools jump ahead and some don’t. Auburn is up there.
“It’s like a three-way tie right now.”
Insiders at all three programs seem to be optimistic about their respective chances; Michigan could have the edge with the all-important last visit before his decision.
Four-star FL DT and USC commit Keyshon Camp already took an official to Ann Arbor and he's now set to be back on an unofficial for The Game, per Lorenz.
Four-star TX OT Jean Delance will announce his decision at the Under Armour game on January 2nd, per Scout's Greg Powers. He'll officially visit Michigan for The Game and has another official set up to Alabama; Texas is also a major player.
Four-star AZ DE Connor Murphy told Rivals' Blair Angulo that Oregon, Arizona State, USC, and Michigan will receive official visits from him before he makes his choice. Alabama has also been in contact and could become a significant contender if they want him.
November 18th, 2015 at 2:37 PM ^
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November 18th, 2015 at 2:47 PM ^
By no means am I saying Gary won't play as a freshmen but the dline is going to be stocked with returning players next year.
November 18th, 2015 at 2:57 PM ^
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November 18th, 2015 at 3:12 PM ^
I'm not saying he isn't going to play, but the interior of the dline is one of the deepest positions on the team with regards to players returning next year.
November 18th, 2015 at 4:00 PM ^
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November 18th, 2015 at 4:02 PM ^
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November 18th, 2015 at 11:38 PM ^
In our system DE and DT are virtually the same. Basically we play three big guys plus a Buck which is similar to your typical rush DE.
November 18th, 2015 at 3:13 PM ^
Willie Henry might leave early according to Michael Spath.
November 18th, 2015 at 3:34 PM ^
That's pretty interesting. Not currently mocked anywhere I looked as a top 3 round DT or DE. Dont see him as a 310 DE at next level so its DT.
Butt meanwhile is getting tons of buzz and looks like he could be a 2nd rounder if he goes this year. Lewis Wormley and Henry are not really high on any boards.
November 19th, 2015 at 1:48 PM ^
A 310 DE in a 3-4 is not unreasonable.
November 18th, 2015 at 2:42 PM ^
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November 18th, 2015 at 2:43 PM ^
Are there any back-up plans if we miss out on Bush and Caleb Kelly goes elsewhere? The LB depth chart for 2017 and beyond is SCARY.
If Reese flips to another school we are left with a single undersized OLB in this class, and little in the way of impact players in the last two classes.
November 18th, 2015 at 2:54 PM ^
I don't know what our chances are with Dontavious Jackson, 4 star linebacker out of Texas, but he's high up there on my wish list. I think his official visit is scheduled for The Game.
November 18th, 2015 at 3:23 PM ^
Same. I really like Jackson. He is a "play as a freshman" typ eof cat.
I really like Kelly too, but he would have to sit a year, but the kid is a freak.
November 18th, 2015 at 3:07 PM ^
Viramontes? I know him playing at LB has been mentioned. I know he plays there in HS, but is this a legit possibility or just people speaking to his toughness?
November 18th, 2015 at 11:49 PM ^
But I'd love to see him play both ways...
LB full time and have a select short yardage package at QB.
November 19th, 2015 at 6:16 AM ^
He's a two-way player, and Harbaugh LOVES two-way players.
But probably not at QB. More like, this is a nice hedge. The QB position is now a survival game, but even if Viramontes doesn't finish that gauntlet standing atop a pile of other defeated QBs, he has experience at LB where our depth is thin. The more things you can do, the better your chances of getting playing time.
November 18th, 2015 at 5:50 PM ^
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November 18th, 2015 at 11:51 PM ^
But he's the perfect candidate for us to finish #2 with like we've done with so many other guys in the past (especially from the south).
That said, any news on the Jonathan Jones kid? I believe that's his name. LB from Orlando.
November 18th, 2015 at 6:13 PM ^
Or some of the extra QB's! Yikes.
November 18th, 2015 at 2:44 PM ^
This was also posted today by ESPN on Dylan McCaffrey, now the #1 QB for the 2017 class and #25 player overall. Dad says decision coming by the end of the school year and the author thinks Michigan might be the favorite.
http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/ncfrecruiting/on-the-trail/insider/post?id=73504
November 18th, 2015 at 3:38 PM ^
That would be a great get considering Stanford plays the same offense and his brother goes there. Just have to think having Harbaugh as your QB coach has to be a monster help.
Author just says "Michigan could be in a good spot" because he visited. It's not any insider information type of talk. This looks like a Stanford vs UM battle.
November 18th, 2015 at 4:52 PM ^
and they seem to have prioritized Davis Mills from Georgia as their top QB recruit for the class(and are expected to get him), at this point it looks really good for Michigan ending up with McCaffrey, which is nice because he looks to be another great prospect.
November 18th, 2015 at 4:56 PM ^
November 19th, 2015 at 12:12 AM ^
He's my #1 target...I think Harbaugh can turn him into a #1 NFL pick and I'm not exaggerating. Between he and Peters. I think we're going to be CRAZY good at QB in a few years. I'm talking one of those two could end up as the best in school history and if they don't, it's simply because we're finally in a position where neither doesn't have to start as a freshman.
We're a long ways a way, I'm way ahead of myself...but I see that type of talent mixed with elite level coaching. One of those two feels like a franchise NFL QB.
Dylan's film is unreal for a junior.
November 18th, 2015 at 2:44 PM ^
from a PR standpoint as well. Harbaugh pulling off the top recruit in the class and at a position of immediate impact.
That being said, and neg away, he didn't have the best motor when I watched him in a HS game that was on TV. I'm no expert and he was getting double teamed all game, and I'm sure with Harbaugh in his ear and conditioning and weight training will make him better. I think he could be a huge addition to the DL depth, just not sure he will be an every down guy year 1.
Still, if everybody wants him including Harbaugh and he's the #1 guy on the board, I'm sure his athletic ability is off the charts and we will be lucky to have him.
Question for the board....Besides Gary, Nuata (spelling?), Bush, Corley (spelling?) who are we still in on and how high can this class potentially finish.
November 18th, 2015 at 2:45 PM ^
HS kids don't need good motors to dominate the guys around them. That's what this coaching staff is for
November 18th, 2015 at 3:50 PM ^
November 18th, 2015 at 2:46 PM ^
here's a neg for you
November 19th, 2015 at 9:29 AM ^
Requesting negs tends to work out very well for people.
November 18th, 2015 at 2:47 PM ^
Gary is important cause he can play any position on the DL. DJ Durkin would be schemin' hard.
November 18th, 2015 at 2:51 PM ^
as well as Georgia in there for a few of the remaining top targets.
Has to be at least somewhat helpful there is coaching uncertainty at both of those schools. Strong bolting for Miami would probably be better for him and Michigan.
November 18th, 2015 at 2:56 PM ^
It's also helpful that Auburn is crashing and burning this year.
November 18th, 2015 at 2:56 PM ^
Any David Long news?
November 18th, 2015 at 3:19 PM ^
David Long Gone.
J/k. I haven't heard anything.
November 18th, 2015 at 3:22 PM ^
http://michigan.247sports.com/Article/Top-Target-Rundown-2016-Class-41166414
Steve Lorenz posted about him today along with the other top targets. It's VIP though so I'm not sure if you'll be able to see it without a membership. The gist is they feel Long's commitment to Stanford is not that strong and the staff is confident they will flip him. Washington is the other major player though.
November 18th, 2015 at 3:29 PM ^
Auburn f***** up that visit. Nice.
November 18th, 2015 at 3:44 PM ^
Yep...they did exactly what you'd expect from an SEC (or Sparty) school when it comes to academics.
November 18th, 2015 at 7:18 PM ^
Yup. Clearly mom is very involved. They should have changed plans when she became disinterested in their presentations. But on the bright side, thanks for blowing it Auburn!!!
November 18th, 2015 at 3:48 PM ^
There are no scholarships to service academies--because there is no tuition.
November 18th, 2015 at 4:10 PM ^
Ben Carson now agrees ;)
November 18th, 2015 at 4:35 PM ^
Very true they recruit on an offer of admission and don't pay tuition. Point is still in hand that the recruited players are being offered a similar deal to afootball scholarship. Difference is if they're cut, hurt, or quit then they are still cadets and still have the same benefits of being a cadet, not quite the same as being a scholarship athlete.
November 18th, 2015 at 3:54 PM ^
Is there a limit on the number of official visits that a school can extend during the year ? Does every sport go by the same rules ?
November 18th, 2015 at 5:03 PM ^
November 18th, 2015 at 5:04 PM ^
Want: Gary
Don't want: Gary's mom
November 18th, 2015 at 5:29 PM ^
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November 18th, 2015 at 5:35 PM ^
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November 18th, 2015 at 6:37 PM ^
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November 18th, 2015 at 9:00 PM ^
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