Kareem Walker Open Thread
Kareem Walker makes his announcement today at approx 12:15 pm EST.
Watch via this Link:
http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/6100878273128989281/watch-l…
247 Profile:
http://247sports.com/Player/Kareem-Walker-37417
According to the twitterverse, if Kareem joins our class we go to #1 on Rivals and Scout - at least for the moment. This would be a huge addition regardless, but that's an extra feather in the cap.
Let's hope for the best! But remember if things don't go our way, please be civil.
Go Blue!
December 17th, 2015 at 9:42 AM ^
I hope we canz have nice thingz!
December 17th, 2015 at 9:42 AM ^
12:15??? What happened to 12:30? Shit, now I have to do my numerological prediction all over again...
December 17th, 2015 at 9:49 AM ^
Well, I don't think I need to explain to this board the significance of the announcement being fifteen minutes earlier than expected.
Pretty obvious, isn't it?
December 17th, 2015 at 10:10 AM ^
Well, no, of course not. But does this young man have any idea how long it takes to draw absurd conclusions with fake analysis? I am personally offended...
December 17th, 2015 at 10:27 AM ^
If you add the single digits in 12:15, you get 9. If you add the single digits in 12:30, you get 6.
Both 9 and 6 are divisible by 3. And 9 minus 6 is 3.
I can't make it any clearer than that.
December 17th, 2015 at 10:42 AM ^
Well, let's not be silly about this. If you take those 15 minutes, cube them, and divide by 2 ((15^3)/2), you get 1688 - which was, of course, the start of the Glorious Revolution in the UK. And since Walker plans to be part of his own Glorious Revolution at UM leading to the utter decimation of OSU, this makes perfect sense!
December 17th, 2015 at 11:33 AM ^
To break it down further, 15 minutes is 900 seconds (again, both divisible by 3). If you rework your calculation (900^3)/2, you get 364,500,000, which - taking into account the gradual deceleration of the Earth's rotation - is a very significant number. Count those as days, and it equals exactly 1,000,000 years.
So we're looking at a once in a million years event here.
December 17th, 2015 at 10:53 AM ^
At one point yesterday, Michigan had the 3rd ranked recruiting class before Ole Miss decided to pay another recruit. I see where you're going with this.
December 17th, 2015 at 12:18 PM ^
but Ole Miss is hilarious. Right there at #1 ahead of M, OSU, Bama, ND, Fla, LSU etc.... Can't figure how they do it!
December 17th, 2015 at 12:12 PM ^
No need to worry. Just read on the live stream that he will probably not be in the room to announce until 12:30. Your prediction still holds water.
December 17th, 2015 at 9:42 AM ^
I won't mention what was said, but:
0 Crystal Ball changes so far this AM
1 new Crystall Ball entry for Michigan this AM from Hank South, a staff writer at Bama Online
December 17th, 2015 at 9:49 AM ^
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December 17th, 2015 at 9:51 AM ^
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December 17th, 2015 at 9:53 AM ^
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December 17th, 2015 at 10:13 AM ^
I would definetly say Clint Brewster is plugged in at FSU. His father, Tim Brewster is FSU's Recruiting Cordinator/TE coach.
December 17th, 2015 at 10:19 AM ^
He may be plugged in, but Clint Brewster had Bush to FSU until the very last day. So, how plugged in is Brewster really? His dad, TE coach and recruiting coordinator at FSU thought Bush was going to FSU until the last minute obvsiously.
December 17th, 2015 at 11:54 AM ^
And then he changed it when he got info telling him Bush was going to UM. Bush said he told Harbaugh the night before, so presumably he told FSU around that same time. If FSU wouldve known before then, i'm sure there wouldve been less drama yesterday. FSU knows late tuesday night, Brewster knows soon after.
December 17th, 2015 at 10:12 AM ^
IT GOT UPVOTED BY FSU FANS. OMG.
December 17th, 2015 at 9:54 AM ^
FSU and Michigan are close. Nobody on either side is terribly confident, and most recruiting guys are cautiously optimistic about Michigan.
December 17th, 2015 at 9:56 AM ^
But that could still change.
December 17th, 2015 at 9:44 AM ^
Kareem did start following Josh Metellus and Cesar Ruiz on twitter. That's good right?
December 17th, 2015 at 9:52 AM ^
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December 17th, 2015 at 9:56 AM ^
He's been following Cook. Those other guys he started following last night.
December 17th, 2015 at 9:44 AM ^
I just want to see the "Oh boy" gif.
December 17th, 2015 at 9:46 AM ^
What does everyone think of Kareem's running abilities?
I think he is a really solid back, but when watching his highlights he just doesn't scream #1 running back in the nation to me.
Now, I could be totally off base here, as I am no expert. It just doesn't seem like he has the power or top speed to be truly elite in college. Like I said though, I'm no expert and that is why I am asking you guys to give me your thoughts on him.. Maybe throw out a comparison to who you think he reminds you of in college.
Thanks and GO BLUE!!
December 17th, 2015 at 9:48 AM ^
His strength is vision, and that should be about the only thing Michigan fans care about when it comes to running back ability at this point.
December 17th, 2015 at 9:53 AM ^
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December 17th, 2015 at 11:25 AM ^
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December 17th, 2015 at 10:05 AM ^
December 17th, 2015 at 9:51 AM ^
Eh, he's the number 1 back, but he's still in the 30's overall. Seems like a down year for RBs. His film is defintely not a Fournette, can't miss level, but overall it looks good. Haven't seen full year senior highlights, but he displays good vision quick cutting ability. Maybe not a track star, but he housed a 98 yarder in his highlights by burning the defense; doesn't seem to get caught from behind when he hits the open field in the secondary. Also, he had a great run in his sophomore? film I believe where I think he put Peppers on his butt and house a 75 yarder. Could be wrong. Has good size, but seems a little skinny in the lower body. Not a bruiser like Smith, but doesn't go down as easy as even Green did in his high school film.
December 17th, 2015 at 9:56 AM ^
Yes, I was thinking that also. It looks like he needs to hit the squat rack harder. He doesn't go down AS easy as Green, but I think if he was stronger in the lower body he would break more tackles and churn out a bunch more yards.
Hopefully, if we land him, he will be able to enroll early and get started in the strength and conditioning program. Then having him through spring practices would be HUGE considering our situation at running back.
December 17th, 2015 at 9:56 AM ^
To my knowledge, there's not really a Leonard Fournette type back in this class. I think that's why the #1 RB is a borderline 4/5* running back and not a unanimous 5*. I believe he is only the #1 RB to one or two sites... but I'm not for sure on that.
FWIW, 247 has him as the #2 RB at #116 in the nation overall, so that is just further evidence of a lack of elite backs this year. I think it's pretty evident that where our current running back slate is weak (vision), Kareem has vision as one of his biggest strengths. This will be a fantastic pick-up even if he's not an Ezekiel Elliot or Leonard Fournette.
However, I think it's important that he will be the first eliteish back that has four years of NFL level coaching. I really think that will make a difference with his progression compared to our other running backs on the roster.
December 17th, 2015 at 9:59 AM ^
If he is within 10% of Saquon Barkley who is not a top 5 back in country or anything but able to get 6.1 ypc beind PSU's terrible line I will be happy. Barkley won the starting gig in game 3 of his freshman yr.
Our 2 guys ave 4.2 and 4.4 ypc. Only 3 teams in B10 had guys who ave under 5.0 as their feature back.
Barkley was #123 overall and #14 rb last year.
Is he Chubb or Cook or Elliott - doesnt seem so.... but its all relative vs our current backs.
December 17th, 2015 at 10:09 AM ^
I mean, recruiting ranking wise, Walker is closer to Chubb than Elliott. Elliott was also not ranked as a 'can't miss' prospect. He was composite 70 over all and the 5th overall APB. I don't think he faced great competition in high school as part of it.
December 17th, 2015 at 10:42 AM ^
I think once you get past the 1st 7-10 guys in a class no one is a sure thing. #39 vs #93 is all subjective. So much variance in hs opponents - look at Ahmir Mitchell tape - it looked like he was playing 14 yrold kids in much of his tape - how does that project next level when matched up against real athletes day in and out? Who knows - we just know he is a good hs athlete - does that mean one of the best wrs in the class or is he just a middle of pack B10 receiver?
Walker is a quality high end hs player who needs to show up to college and improve or get left in the dust like plenty over the years. Isaac was 56th overall and 3rd APB and has been lost in the wind for 3 yrs.
December 17th, 2015 at 10:04 AM ^
a helluva jump cut and hits the hole hard. If he can pick up blitzes well, he will be at least number 2 on the depth chart by the season opener.
December 17th, 2015 at 10:13 AM ^
Depends on if he commits to Michigan or not.
December 17th, 2015 at 10:17 AM ^
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December 17th, 2015 at 10:21 AM ^
We're living in the Youtube era where everything for recruiting is all about who has the best highlight mix or hudl video.
He has great stats, has pretty good friendships with Jabrill, Partridge and a few other recruits, and his behind-the-scenes video describes how he grew up in a rough area of NJ with football being his outlet.
I hope we get him because he could develop into the kind of player you're eluding to. I also hope others don't get him and do the same.
December 17th, 2015 at 10:47 AM ^
I agree with the poster above that said his vision is his strength. I also feel that he does a great job of setting up his blocks. He kind of jukes and stutters in a way that puts defenders on their heels and makes it easier for his blockers to engage them. That hesitancy gives him an angle to beat that defender too. No, he doesn't have elite speed, but he has good senses for a running back.
December 17th, 2015 at 9:47 AM ^
Hope he chooses UM. Missing on Walker will definitely make the sting of losing Weber at the last second hurt more. Need bodies at RB so hopefully one or two can meet or excced expectations. Surprised in the lack of development at RB in the last few years even considering Hoke.
December 17th, 2015 at 9:47 AM ^
He was tweeting at Nauta and Bush yesterday. What does it all mean?!?!
It'll be great if we get him, but we'll be fine either way. HARBAUGH!
December 17th, 2015 at 9:53 AM ^
December 17th, 2015 at 9:48 AM ^
December 17th, 2015 at 9:52 AM ^
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December 17th, 2015 at 11:15 AM ^
But Sam still feels Michigan leads. Based on what he said, my opinion is that it would be a disappointment if he chose FSU. If he chooses Michigan, FSU won't feel like they lost one they had.
Adding it all up, I expect good news in about an hour.
December 17th, 2015 at 9:56 AM ^
He posted a paywalled update this morning. I don't subscribe but from the twitter reactions it seemed not very encouraging. From a similar VIP post on 247, the reactions seem to be that he might be getting pushed toward a non-UM school (i assume FSU) by someone close to him (felt like mom from some comments). Others have mentioned both schools are seriously still battling for this one. So, sounds like he really is having a hard time making the decision. I'd guess 50-50 at this point with no intel from any sources.