New football offers
Just an update in this slow period of the year. Football gave out two new offers recently that are of interest.
One is LT Ryan Hayes out of Traverse City (West). He's an athletic but raw LT prospect that many have wondered about recently. He is listed at 6'7 250lbs and is transitioning to the LT position from TE. He shot up 247's rankings recently. He could be a great tackle one day but he is definitely a guy who needs refinement.
The other is QB Joe Milton out of Orlando, FL (Olympia). Like Hayes, Milton is very raw but very athletic. He has a strong arm but would need some coaching. He's an athletic guy, runs in the 4.6 range and is listed at 6'5 220lbs. Stature is a lot like Terrell Pryor, but he is probably less athletic, but better in the pocket at this point in their development. He is a 3-star right now but is racking up a ton of offers now and will probably shoot up the rankings soon. He's got offers from Michigan, Tennessee, Miami (FL), Louisville, Arizona (who cares except RichRod wants him which tells you how athletic he is). He's getting attention from Florida State and Clemson too. This offer is probably telling as to where things stand with Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Brevin Jordan (DTR's teammate) recently stated that Dorian knows where he is going, and DTR has long maintained UCLA as his leader, even before they hired Jedd Fisch. Fisch's addition at UCLA also makes their offense much more attractive for a TE like Jordan. If UCLA can put together a winning season, it looks like we will strike out with all of our Bishop Gorman targets this cycle.
February 23rd, 2017 at 11:56 AM ^
People looked at me askance recently when I put Hayes in my top 5 in-state, but the kid can play.
Michigan also offered Florida CB Sammy Faustin.
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:02 PM ^
I certainly don't think it's crazy to put him in the top 5 in the state in this down year. I think you have a clear top 3 of McCall, Hutchinson and Gervin, in some order, and then you can make an argument for many kids. Hayes is 6'7, can block, and is from a successful program. He doesn't face top competition and he needs a college strength program. In terms of ceilings he might have the highest in the state this year, but there's some 'what-ifs'.
February 23rd, 2017 at 2:23 PM ^
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:18 PM ^
as a long-time TTB reader, I might look at you quizzically, or maybe doubtfully, but never askance
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:29 PM ^
Although this does give me an idea for a Word Of The Day thread for the portion of the OT period where we give people a word like that and then ask them to use it in foul and salacious sentences. I think we could even get enough for a "Best Of" in August.
February 23rd, 2017 at 2:22 PM ^
February 23rd, 2017 at 1:09 PM ^
Prior to going to IMG he was in pretty good standing as a well thought of 4* OT. I know it did not not him long to return to Muskegon. Is there something out there for public consumption that explains why he went to very recruitable to an after thought?
February 23rd, 2017 at 1:16 PM ^
I don't know the exact answer to that, but he's added some bad weight, IMO, and his junior film was not very impressive. I'm not exactly sure what happened at IMG, but maybe he just started skating a bit, resting on his laurels. I don't know. I think he's always been most intriguing because of his size, but his play on the field is somewhat lackluster.
February 23rd, 2017 at 1:26 PM ^
That qb intrigues me a bit as well. I think he'll make some coach in the MAC happy. Has a good combination of power, and above average passer and speed both.
February 23rd, 2017 at 1:44 PM ^
Did people really look at you with askance, or is that a word you've been waiting to use on the unsuspecting public? I like it. BTW, don't know if you have a monitoring system that shows that you sent out new passwords requests, etc. I really wasn't sure anything had changed, but perhaps I did sign up for your site while in Mexico. Regardless, I was informed I would receive a new password or link for same a few days ago and it has not arrived. No hurry, but if you find the time, would appreciate it. Thanks.
February 23rd, 2017 at 2:03 PM ^
They looked at me askance. Askance, I tell you!
FYI: I think you signed up for TTB with two different e-mail accounts and usernames. One is Wolfman, and the other is Wolfman64. You had been posting under "Wolfman" only, so maybe you've been trying to log into the wrong account.
February 23rd, 2017 at 3:27 PM ^
Any askance I might have hinted at when viewing your post is completely absent now. Thanks
February 23rd, 2017 at 3:57 PM ^
ass gas not askance.
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:08 PM ^
Good thing we just snagged back an OL coach who is known for turning dudes like Hayes into monsters!!
EDIT: Also curious that we're going after more dual-threat style QB's in 2018. I know Harbaugh likes QB's that can run if needed, but these guys are another level up on the athletic scale in terms of running than Peters and McCaffrey. I wonder if this indicates we're definitely going for 49'ers with Kap style Harbauffense.
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:37 PM ^
Sam Webb also mentioned that Greg Frey was one of the first coaches to take notice of Jake Fisher when he was at Traverse West.
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:56 PM ^
I think it's clear that Jim wants to make sure that his offenses have all the tools they need to succeed in 2017. Jim is great in that, yes he runs an offense in the mold of old-school, power programs with tight ends and fullbacks, but he knows that the game is always evolving and the title contenders of late have all had mobile quarterbacks. I think Jim will add some wrinkles, but I doubt the offense makes many whole-sale changes. He just wants guys that are a little more fleet-footed. He doesn't want to trade his 1960's muscle car in for a brand new foreign, he just wants to make sure the engine inside his old school is new and cutting edge.
February 23rd, 2017 at 1:35 PM ^
Jim is aware the different offenses are in play for a reason. As you say, as long as iit doesn't require tossng his preferred style of ball, why not add everything possible to the opposnig DC's job and there is no doubt the more diverse you can become without trading in efficiency for it, the more dangerous you become. Hell, even his doubleT E sets with the critical block being the down block on the DE requires some intricate, seldom seen backfield play. He's pretty damn clever that way
February 23rd, 2017 at 2:10 PM ^
February 23rd, 2017 at 3:08 PM ^
In terms of the guys who appear to be the biggest targets.
February 23rd, 2017 at 3:14 PM ^
I have 11 quarterbacks with offers, but that's counting James Graham, who could play corner or receiver. I'm not sure if you were counting him or not.
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:01 PM ^
In recent years, Rich Rod switched from a run spread to more of a passing spread. He's not recruiting just pure running QBs.
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:04 PM ^
The first 10-ish plays in Milton's highlights are all throws. He can throw the ball. Contrast it with Michael Johnson Jr. who has multiple runs at the beginning of his tape. Milton can really do both, he just needs some coaching, which is fine given our depth chart.
Rich Rod should try switching from losing nearly every game to winning more.
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:18 PM ^
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:40 PM ^
That is fair, but he is exactly .500 since leaving West Virginia, and his recruiting at Arizona wouldn't suggest that he has the program moving in a good direction. By most objective measures he has been a completely forgettable coach ever since he left Morgantown.
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:03 PM ^
Few will be chosen.
GO BLUE!!
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:11 PM ^
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:05 PM ^
Scout 100 prospect, Apopka (Fla.) 2018 offensive tackle William Barnes lands long awaited offer from #Michigan ($) https://t.co/pTIKtItPHw pic.twitter.com/etv3QzaIpI
— Brice Marich (@BriceMarich) February 23, 2017
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:20 PM ^
Psh. That's yesterday's news!
February 23rd, 2017 at 3:19 PM ^
Although it appears FL's lead is all but insurmountable, the offer wouldn't have gone out if the staff didn't feel it was doable. We've pulled some big surprises out of that state in the past, and I'd like him to be the next one. Apopka kids are definitely college ready.
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:21 PM ^
Milton might hold on to the ball too long...
February 23rd, 2017 at 12:55 PM ^
cool, only one year to go.
February 23rd, 2017 at 1:13 PM ^
Yeah except, as I'm sure you're aware, many of these recruitments will wrap up in the next 6 months.
Sorry for trying to bring the slightest football news to your offseason!
February 23rd, 2017 at 1:08 PM ^
along w/more OT and D line support
February 23rd, 2017 at 1:34 PM ^
If Jordan is destined for UCLA with DTR, then we need to get 2 of Ruckert, Epps, and Muhammed. Ruckert will probably be a battle with OSU and Bama and Epps and Muhammed are Texas kids, which is always tough.
For RBs, check out Tavion Thomas, who we recently offered. 6'2 230 back from Dunbar, OH with good speed for his size. Absolutely blown up the last few weeks with offers from us, OSU, Bama, etc. Won't be a 3 star for long. His recruitment will be interesting as an Ohio kid but maybe not high enough on OSU's board to get a spot.
EDIT: Also, Master Teague is a RB I really like as well. He's from Murfreesboro, TN, he's compact at 5'11 210 but he's very fast for how thick he is. I think he would be great in our offense but is mostly getting SEC interest right now.
February 23rd, 2017 at 2:25 PM ^
Will Mallory says hi
February 23rd, 2017 at 2:54 PM ^
Call me crazy (or Harbaugh), but I would like 3 TEs in the class and was taking Mallory as a given. 3 TEs every other year sounds fun. I realize the size of this class may prevent that from happening, but yes, Will Mallory is a safe bet for the class. I think he will be good I didn't leave him out of my comment to diss his talent.
February 23rd, 2017 at 2:29 PM ^
Any idea how big of a class osu will have this year?
If they already have Snead and if Gil is a lean to OSU will they have room for Tavion Thomas?
February 23rd, 2017 at 2:56 PM ^
Right that's what I was trying to get at. They already have a RB in Snead and most people think Gil is OSU bound as well. If Gil is a higher priority that might make Thomas a Michigan-Bama battle and dammit, if we can't beat Bama for an Ohio kid when their RB depth is overflowing (including the number 1 in the country last year) then idk man.
February 23rd, 2017 at 3:32 PM ^
for Miami (FL) is actually "Miami (YTM)." Otherwise thanks for the update, sir!
February 23rd, 2017 at 5:07 PM ^