Hello: Desmond Morgan
Instate linebacker burst onto the scene near the end of October, receiving an official offer from the Wolverines. Just a couple months later, he's committed to wearing the winged helmet next fall. Tom has some commitment quotes from the kid.
INFORMATIVE PORTION
GURU RATINGS
Scout | Rivals | ESPN |
---|---|---|
3*, #43 MLB | 3*, 5.5, NR ILB | 3*, 78, #24 ILB |
The three sites are unanimous in Morgan's 6-1, 225-pound size, and his mid-level ranking as an overall prospect. ESPN is the outlier, ranking him in the top 25 of inside linebackers, whereas he's outside the top 40 on the other two sites (Rivals stops ranking them at #45). For a breakdown of his game, let's start with ESPN's evaluation:
Morgan is a very tough run stopper; displays dominant playing strength at the point of attack. Has the size and athleticism for the inside linebacker position at the major level of competition... We like his hand use, showing the physical playing strength to take on and defeat blockers at the point; demonstrates the ability to play low and keep his feet free when moving laterally vs. the outside run.
So, excellent run-stopper, something that Michigan has lacked since David Harris left town (though, in fairness, Kenny Demens seems to be performing well in that role).
Flashes good underneath screen recognition ability however all area of coverage will need refinement; man coverage assignments must be carefully evaluated. This guy plays with the intensity and motor we look for when evaluating the ILB position... Morgan may need some time to polish coverage skills. If a red shirt year is not deemed necessary he could see early playing time on special teams.
A little weak in coverage, as you'd expect from most linebackers at the high school level. Tom interviewed him shortly after he received the Michigan offer, and Desmond divulged what the coaches like about his game:
They said they're looking for kids that knew how to hit, and that aren't afraid to get after it. They want guys that have a nose for the ball, and smart kids. I learn from my coaches, and I give 110% no matter what. Even if I'm doing something wrong, I'm going to go 100 MPH doing it.
That sounds like an "effort guy" - and the last part sounds so much like Jonas Mouton that it's not even funny.
One thing that's important to note - especially given that ESPN questions his physical ability to play in coverage at an elite level - is that he's a high school quarterback, in addition to his responsibilities on the other side of the ball. That may help his instincts and reads in pass coverage, helping cover for any physical limitations.
The Holland Sentinel says he's "fast enough to help the U-M defense now," though that should obviously be taken with a grain of salt. An opposing coach says he's "a great football player," but that's not terribly descriptive.
OFFERS
As mentioned above, Morgan's recruitment really took off a bit later in the fall, unsurprising for a guy whose primary job in high school is as a Tebow-style (or Chris Relf-style, if you require a more timely reference) Rhinoback. Only a host of MAC schools had offered him in the summer.
Northwestern and Michigan were his final two.
STATS
Scout's very brief blurb:
Recorded 120 tackles as a junior.
That earned him 1st-team All-Area and All-State Honorable Mention. I couldn't find exact senior-season stats on the internet. I'll scour the tubes once more, and hopefully have more detail for tomorrow's Friday Night Lights post.
FAKE 40 TIME
Rivals: 4.7. Scout: 4.65. Those are pretty darn good times for a middle linebacker, especially one that ESPN basically calls "slow." I'll give it three FAKES out of five.
VIDEO
Here's his junior year:
Lovin' the 4.0 GPA listed as a key stat. The first 3 games of his senior year. His full senior highlight starts out with "Put On" by Young Jeezy, which I'll admit is a guilty pleasure of mine.
PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE
Part of ESPN's breakdown says that he looks like a spectacular special teamer, as he loves to hit and has good athleticism. That ability may help Desmond get onto the field as a true freshman. However, with kenny Demens and Mike Jones seemingly solid at linebacker spots for the next couple years (assuming a full recovery from Jones's broken leg), Michigan will more likely try to redshirt him, then give him that redshirt freshman year on special teams before being thrown strongly into the mix.
He probably wouldn't become a full-time starter until redshirt junior or redshirt senior seasons, and with Kellen Jones also in the class, there's some flexibility as to where each of them will play. If you held a gun to my head, I'd say Jones is more able to play inside and outside, whereas Morgan is more of a true inside 'backer.
He seems like an instinctual player, even if his physical attributes aren't the greatest. That's the sort of guy that Iowa and Wisconsin regularly turn into All-conference performers, and I think that's also the ceiling for Desmond.
UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS
What is... defensive... recruit?
Michigan is starting to fill in the defensive side of the ball a little bit. There's still a need for more bodies there (safeties and defensive tackles, please), but Morgan shores up a big area of need in linebacker.
I hesitate to predict too far into the future of this recruiting class, as several commits and interested prospects are likely to look elsewhere should Rich Rodriguez be dismissed as Michigan's head coach. That said, another offensive lineman, a wide receiver or two, possibly a quarterback, and a host of defensive linemen and safeties will fill out the class.
December 13th, 2010 at 7:19 PM ^
The Tony Soprano of the 3 Star Mafia.
December 13th, 2010 at 7:22 PM ^
Please bring on the host of defensive linemen.
December 13th, 2010 at 7:53 PM ^
Hola!... bienvenido!
He'll be an excellent addition to our 2011 class!
December 13th, 2010 at 7:24 PM ^
Desmond is definitely a first-teamer on the Reggie Cleveland All-Stars
December 13th, 2010 at 7:25 PM ^
is not a wasted offer. Welcome Des Morgan. And Go Blue.
December 13th, 2010 at 8:29 PM ^
like your comment in the TomVH thread better. You should repeat it here
December 13th, 2010 at 9:42 PM ^
Sounds less than ringing.
Des Morgan will be a helluva good LB for Michigan. Guys, he's a seriously underrated prospect. This kid has nothing but upside. I've watched him play, have talked to a bunch of mutual acquaintances - he is going to be a major contributor.
Welcome Des. Make West Ottawa proud.
December 13th, 2010 at 10:30 PM ^
East Ottawa, North Ottawa, South Ottawa and Central Ottawa as well!
December 14th, 2010 at 9:28 AM ^
nope there is only one West Ottawa..
December 13th, 2010 at 7:27 PM ^
It's about damn time we get a true middle linebacker recruit. Don't get me wrong, Kellen Jones could play MLB . . . but Morgan's actually the prototypical MLB body type.
December 13th, 2010 at 7:29 PM ^
This kid either reads his keys well (coachable - watches game film / listens to coaches in practice) or just has an amazing response time on his first step or both. With all of the misdirection option reads, his first step is usually right on. Love how he gets to the ball with bad intentions. Seems like a pretty good tackler as well. Thanks Tim!
December 13th, 2010 at 7:30 PM ^
I think this is a great pickup. He seems to tackle well in space and has an excellent nose for the ball.
December 13th, 2010 at 7:31 PM ^
Heck no. This is the type of players that great college defenses are built around.
Welcome, Desmond.
December 14th, 2010 at 8:45 AM ^
I'd like to agree with you but until I see OSU accepting commits from kids with this kind of offer sheet at this stage of recruiting, it's hard to believe.
December 14th, 2010 at 9:20 AM ^
How about Iowa and Wisconsin, who do it every single year, and then a couple years later the kid's All-Conference or even All-American?
December 13th, 2010 at 7:31 PM ^
When reading this post, I couldn't help but think of the Trinity Killer (Jon Lithgow) saying: "Hello, Desmond Morgan". Perhaps some sort of nickname for Des could be had from it...the "Dark Passenger" ?
December 13th, 2010 at 7:38 PM ^
The Constant.
December 14th, 2010 at 1:49 PM ^
I miss that show so much
December 13th, 2010 at 8:49 PM ^
to see Des Morgan M-99 QB's for the next few years!
December 13th, 2010 at 10:20 PM ^
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVAa1JBNP7Y ....... this guys highlights look like he might have a "dark passenger"
December 13th, 2010 at 7:34 PM ^
December 13th, 2010 at 7:33 PM ^
Welcome Desmond! Your going to love AA and this team
December 13th, 2010 at 7:35 PM ^
I would think he is a lock to redshirt with Demens and Jones as you mentioned, as well as Bell, Ryan, and Fitzgerald capable of playing an inside LB spot.
December 13th, 2010 at 7:37 PM ^
Penny!
December 13th, 2010 at 8:38 PM ^
I'll see ya in another life, brotha.
December 13th, 2010 at 9:24 PM ^
"the rules don't apply to Desmond"
December 14th, 2010 at 1:40 AM ^
I'll upvote this simply because it's a Lost reference, but considering Desmond's name was Desmond David Hume, I can't fully endorse this recruit.
Althought it is rare you run into a white guy named Desmond.
December 13th, 2010 at 7:38 PM ^
I know this is high school ball, but the way he takes on blockers and just knocks them over is amazing. There's no engagement, he just knocks them over.
December 13th, 2010 at 7:49 PM ^
at West Michigan is subpar. I would take his highlight reel with a grain of salt. I do like the fact that he's a physical LB who is not afraid to take on blockers.
December 13th, 2010 at 8:09 PM ^
December 14th, 2010 at 11:05 AM ^
as whole are solid, but there are no one who would be playing at a BCS level.
December 14th, 2010 at 12:04 PM ^
December 14th, 2010 at 2:03 PM ^
in the East side of the state than on the Westside of the state. The difference? Coaching.
December 13th, 2010 at 10:49 PM ^
The OK Red is actually pretty tough - Rockford and Muskegon are state contenders most years.
December 14th, 2010 at 11:04 AM ^
the team. West Michigan has a lot of good teams, but the talents on the OL aren't great.
December 14th, 2010 at 12:19 PM ^
December 14th, 2010 at 2:02 PM ^
Jared Veldheer wasn't a stud in HS. He almost didn't get a scholarship offer by his own school, Hillsdale which is a D2 school.
Ruben Riley and Dann O'Niel are the only ones who got offered by a BCS teams which is Michigan, obviously.
As whole, the OL talent are subpar. Are there studs, sure, but we're talking about OL talent as whole. I've seen the competition West Michigan, I wouldn't go there to recruit OL in that area. Most of the time, they're not a real big OL with some exceptions.
December 15th, 2010 at 1:49 PM ^
you're talking out your ass.
Oh, and welcome Desmond Morgan!
December 13th, 2010 at 7:38 PM ^
Def. my favorite player of this class. Can't wait in a couple years when he's our starting ILB!
December 13th, 2010 at 7:47 PM ^
He is a lock for the Heisman, as 100% of previous UM players named Desmond have won it.
Seriously, this looks like a good pickup. He should be able to redshirt.
December 13th, 2010 at 7:48 PM ^
first, his name is Desmond. second, he is going to be wearing the greatest helmet and jerseys in college football. great pickup for the University of Michigan. best of luck to him. GO BLUE!
December 13th, 2010 at 8:03 PM ^
Linebacker! Now i need a safety! Mr. Walls it's your turn tomorrow.
December 13th, 2010 at 8:17 PM ^
December 13th, 2010 at 8:41 PM ^
AFAIK, Greg Brown is the only early enrollee.
December 13th, 2010 at 9:00 PM ^
I don't know for sure, but I doubt it. He was a bit of a late bloomer. And no offense to him, but not many guys are eager enough to enroll early if they think they might be headed to . . . Akron. Or Buffalo. Luckily for him and for us, Michigan got involved, but I would doubt that he's taken the requisite summer/night courses to enroll early.
December 13th, 2010 at 9:13 PM ^
December 14th, 2010 at 11:28 AM ^
I am pretty sure they have raised the credit requirement in Michigan since I graduated but back then you could graduate with 21 credits (42 classes) and you required to take 6 classes a semester. As long as all your requirements were done 7 semsesters was basically on time. At most schools you can take a 7th class during a regular school day.
December 14th, 2010 at 1:13 PM ^
His overall number of credits probably wouldn't be an issue. The bigger issue would likely be that you have to take four years of English, for example. And if he didn't plan to enroll early prior to the beginning of the school year, then he probably hasn't been taking any night classes, either. So if nothing else, he probably can't graduate until he finishes his English class in June (and potentially various other graduation requirements, like math or science classes).
Again, I don't know anything about his personal academic situation. I'm just taking a guess based on the arc of his recruitment.
December 13th, 2010 at 8:22 PM ^
Big Hitter - Hellloooo Desmond! Very welcome addition!
December 13th, 2010 at 10:02 PM ^
Thank you for picking the Wolverines! We're looking forward to watching you in the Big House!
(Edit: Really? Every post I make, even legit ones?)
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