TomVH: Weekly Update: Stefan McClure, Leilon Willingham, Frank Clark and More
This weekend was a huge success for Michigan, not only with the three commitments from K Matt Wile, DB Raymon Taylor, and DE Keith Heitzman, but with the other visitors as well. Here's what some of them had to say.
Stefan McClure
5'11", 170 lbs.
Defensive Back
Vista, California
The interest from McClure came from his relationship with Brady Hoke at San Diego State. Now that Hoke was at a bigger program like Michigan, McClure was interested.
It was a great time. We met with all the coaches, saw the stadium, and hung out with the players. My host was Denard Robinson, which was pretty cool. He's like a celebrity there. Walking through the Big House was pretty cool, too.
Michigan's new defensive coordinator, Greg Mattison, has only been on campus for one weekend, but he's already polished off his recruiting tricks.
I talked with the defensive coordinator quite a bit. We talked scheme, and he knows his x's and o's. It was pretty cool to be able to talk with him. I also talked to coach Hoke about the school, tradition, and the opportunity to play early there.
Stefan has said he will decide and announce sometime this week. I would imagine distance might be a factor with him, and I wouldn't get too excited. While I think he had a good time, it's hard to pull kids out of California. I would guess he'll stay home and go with someone like Cal.
Leilon Willingham
6'2", 240 lbs
Linebacker
Denver, Colorado
Willingham is a four star that had been committed to Texas A&M, and decided recently to take a trip out to Michigan. Coincidentally, or not so coincidentally, he took a recent visit to Colorado the same weekend as current Michigan commit Kellen Jones. Kellen had an opportunity to tell Leilon why he chose Michigan, and what he liked about it. This weekend he got to see it for himself.
We got a chance to talk to all the coaches, and it was pretty cool to sit down with the defensive coordinator. Ray Lewis is my idol, so that was like a dream. They were just telling me how they would use me up there, ether inside or outside. I really liked it up there. I mean, the Big House speaks for itself, everything was great. We hung out with all the other recruits, and everybody was just having a good time.
Willingham does have one more visit scheduled to UCF, and says that he will announce on signing day.
The (Michigan) coaches know I'm going out to Central Florida, so that's fine. I'm decommitted from Texas A&M, too, so I'm not with them anymore.
However, don't be surprised if he decides to "come public" with his choice earlier than that. This visit put Michigan in the driver's seat, and then some.
Frank Clark
6'2", 210 lbs.
Linebacker
Cleveland, Ohio
Although he's from Glenville, Clark has always maintained that Michigan is high on his list. Before this visit Michigan was in his top three with MSU and UNC. I spoke to him briefly after his visit, and Michigan has definitely helped themselves with Clark.
He described the visit as, "excellent" and said that he will be announcing his decision on Friday the 28th. Clark is in the same category as Willingham right now. He will make his choice public soon, but Michigan has put themselves in the driver's seat with this visit.
What's Next?
- OL Chris Bryant is announcing on Friday. Likely between Michigan, Arizona, and Pitt. I like Michigan's chances.
- TE/LB Frank Clark is announcing Friday. Between Michigan, UNC, and MSU. I like Michigan's chances.
- LB Leilon Willingham may announce this week, but could wait until signing day. I like Michigan's chances.
- 4 Star TE Chris Barnett is visiting this weekend, the 28th.
- 4 Star DB Floyd Raven may visit Alabama this weekend instead of Michigan. We'll see what happens.
- RB Thomas Rawls may visit this weekend, and is announcing on the 31st. If he's qualified, I like Michigan's chances.
- DB Blake Countess may come back up for an unofficial visit to meet the new DC, and potentially the new DB coach if they have one in place.
Extra:
- OL commit Tony Posada was in Ann Arbor this weekend, and the visit reassured him of his commitment to Michigan. Nothing to worry about there.
- DT Darian Cooper just got done with an official to Iowa. He tweeted that Michigan's new DC Greg Mattison promptly called him, and said he was, "very interesting." That could be something to watch if they go after him hard.
January 23rd, 2011 at 6:40 PM ^
I think it will be somewhere between 20-25 when all is said and done.
January 23rd, 2011 at 6:44 PM ^
January 23rd, 2011 at 6:47 PM ^
Yeah, the teams in the 20-25 range mostly have 22-28 commits, and Michigan only has 14. If we can get up to 20 or 21, then I think we can move up another 15 spots or so (we're currently #37 to Rivals).
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:24 PM ^
...looking forward to the recruiting battle for the 2012 class...once our staff is established and networking properly.
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:40 PM ^
given what has happened in AA between the OSU game and the bowl game. Mattison's hire is already paying dividends on the D side.
January 23rd, 2011 at 10:14 PM ^
I've heard conflicting information that we have 21 available and then I heard it was only 20 including Tate's vacated spot beacuse we're giving Kovacs one . Anyone know what the real number is?
January 23rd, 2011 at 10:44 PM ^
Kovacs has been on scholarship. Nobody knows for sure, but I think it's 21 now that Tate is gone.
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:27 PM ^
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:49 PM ^
No, all it means is that guys like Chris Bryant, Jake Fisher, Leilon Willingham, Frank Clark, Thomas Rawls, etc. might end up as Wolverines and bump up our recruiting ranking.
January 23rd, 2011 at 6:44 PM ^
Anyone else hear that Clark texted Willingham after the visit "Aw man, we're gonna be roomates next year" or something close to that?
January 23rd, 2011 at 6:56 PM ^
If that is true, it bodes well for us. Where did you hear that info?
January 23rd, 2011 at 11:43 PM ^
I'm calling BS on this one. If you (or whoever you heard it from) are close enough to either of those guys to find out about particular texts being sent between them, you should be close enough to ask them "Are you going to Michigan?".
It would be one thing if he tweeted it or posted it on his facebook wall, but knowing about private texts is not something that floats around.
January 23rd, 2011 at 11:48 PM ^
I hung out with Justice Hayes, Stefan McClure and Frank Clark,” recalled Willingham. “Frank just texted me and said “aww man, we’re going to be roommates next year! (Laughter)”
January 23rd, 2011 at 6:46 PM ^
Keeping the class very respectable ... Good work Michigan
January 23rd, 2011 at 6:48 PM ^
Keep the good news coming. These guys would be great pickups.
January 23rd, 2011 at 6:49 PM ^
Great update thanks. LIke McClure a lot but I agree, everything I have been reading points to either Ucla or Cal, we will see. Get Willingham on board, we could use another LB.
January 23rd, 2011 at 6:54 PM ^
Grest stuff. I am super excited for Willingham, hope he goes Blue.
January 23rd, 2011 at 6:55 PM ^
Keeping my fingers crossed for Fisher, Countess or McLure, Willingham and a surprise DL. That would be a pretty damn good class, especially under the circumstances.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:10 PM ^
great update! hoke and company have sure been putting in a ton of work to get this class up to par, hopefully they can continue their success with the time they have left.
January 23rd, 2011 at 10:17 PM ^
So what's the story on this guy. Rivals doesn't show him on our commit list but Scouts has him as a soft verbal. Is he in our out or on the fence still? Has Anyone from the coaching staff met with him recently?
January 23rd, 2011 at 10:45 PM ^
He "officially" decommitted and is considering all of his options. The coaching staff has been in contact and is trying to get him to re-commit.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:18 PM ^
Great update. Thanks!
It sounds like Shannon will be in McClure's living room this week, representing UCLA.
Hopefully, distance will not decide it. Donovan Warren seemed to do all right.
I don't think anyone could/should have hoped for a better weekend for Michigan recruiting.
I think there will be quite a few surprises between now and signing day, on the pleasant side.
Go Coach Hoke!
Go Blue!
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:18 PM ^
Wait to see what these guys do with a full year on the recruitung trail. Our next class should be amazing
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:25 PM ^
Couldn't have said it better myself.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:27 PM ^
I like Michigan's chances.
I like that you used that multiple times!
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:28 PM ^
The fact that Tom lists Bryant, Willingham, and Clark as having the same interest level as Rawls should probably tell everyone quite a bit.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:29 PM ^
I like what I hear with Leilon! Looks like he's blue! Hopefully we can get McClure. If not, it wouldn't be a big "loss" seeing as we have a ton of DBs. I think we'll get:
LB Leilon Willingham
LB Frank Clark
RB Thomas Rawls
OL Chris Bryant
DT Darian Cooper
Probably missing a few but I think we'll finish with a very solid class with all things considered.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:43 PM ^
Cooper is the only one I think you might be wrong on. I don't think he has made a decision on whether he is visiting or not. He may be the top target since we don't have a DT yet.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:47 PM ^
Yeah, that's probably just wishful thinking but if he comes up for a visit then it will get interesting.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:54 PM ^
I am hoping you are right. I want him too but the other guys you point out seem to be almost sure bets.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:31 PM ^
Tom any updates on Brandon Alexander?
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:32 PM ^
how we're hearing new names over the past few weeks, especially on D..........I'll take a herd of 4 star players for this recruiting class, that would be great news.
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:32 PM ^
Would be a huge get. Go Blue!!!!
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:46 PM ^
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:03 PM ^
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:16 PM ^
Agree!
Watching the Packers beat the Bears with the guy that recruited and coached Woodson must have been very special!
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:49 PM ^
http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1180003
Article by Balas (yeah, not my favorite guy, either) has some nice hints in it. A few quick hits:
"It was nice visit. I had a good time," said Willingham. "It's a really good place up there, and the people are great. I'm just going to wait until Signing Day to announce."
But things look good for the Wolverines.. . .
Mattison talked about playing Willingham inside rather than outside, a discussion for another day, the standout said, indicating he might have plans to return to Ann Arbor in the near future - perhaps for four years.
But that's not a decision he's ready to reveal despite plenty of buzz that he's leaning heavily that way.
Tom's update coupled with this positive article makes it sound like things are really good with Willingham.
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:19 PM ^
Chris Balas is a tool.
But it does sound positive for Willingham. He looks like an ILB to me. It would be nice to get him because I'm assuming Kellen Jones will be more of a weakside 'backer for Mattison.
January 24th, 2011 at 12:26 AM ^
I would second this notion. His coaching search coverage was an absolute joke and even that's an understatement. I really felt like I got better coverage from ESPN than his "insider info".
January 24th, 2011 at 6:47 AM ^
Exactly. He was useless. I'm considering discontinuing my Rivals account because of how useless their "inside info" actually was.
January 24th, 2011 at 10:43 AM ^
I considered this as well, but decided to keep it when my renewal came up a few weeks ago, mostly because Helmholdt does a really good job on the recruiting trail. I know that TomVH does just as good of a job (or better), but I also like the extended coverage of other sports and the overall analysis from guys like Borton and Spath.
Basically, while I find Balas to be pretty underwhelming, the other guys make for him, IMO. Also you can often find some good nuggets of info on the Fort (I rarely post but read quite often).
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:53 PM ^
For those who have closely followed recruiting in the past: which coaching staff--Hoke or Rodriguez--do you think better handled recruiting during the transition year? I seem to remember a similar level of excitement for RR's recruiting in 2008 during his first go-around.
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:40 PM ^
January 23rd, 2011 at 9:02 PM ^
Easy. Hoke.
RR lost TP, and had a lot more time.
Hoke may very well end up salvaging a top 25 class, doing even better than MSU coming off their best season in decades.
January 23rd, 2011 at 9:29 PM ^
While it's true that the class RR came into was a good one to begin with, he also pulled quite a few 4* recruits himself to round out a class that ended up #10. Going so hard after TP was obviously a mistake, but I don't see how you can say that Hoke "easily" is doing a better job.
January 24th, 2011 at 1:48 AM ^
in what universe was going after the highest rated dual threat qb -- qb who RR had a prior relationship with from WVU -- who didnt want to go to WVU, but who was interested in visiting Ann Arbor -- with a cousin on the team -- a bad idea?
While it certainly was not well received that he contacted Pryor before he told his WVU team - the first in a quiver of arrows slung at RR, why in god's green earch wouldnt RR try to sign that guy?
What were his other options - pay for play BJ Daniels (cripes can you imagine the jihad)? RR knew that he would need a dual threat QB to run his system and didnt have one on the roster - Mallett or no Mallett - who BTW, was not going to stay in A2 regardless after Mustain left Ark.
RR did many things wrong, but recruiting in 2008, he did a pretty good job of hanging onto Lloyd's recruits and gaining some of his own that have contributed greatly in just their third years (RS sophs some of them)
January 24th, 2011 at 11:41 AM ^
I guess I shouldn't have said it was "obviously a mistake" because I really wanted TP to come to Michigan (after some of his antics, not so much). It was a shitty situation for RR, having no DQB on the roster, and I completely agree with your sentiments about Mallett -- I've been trumpeting the same thing for as long as you probably have to anyone who tries to bring that up.
His backup was Feagin which unfortunately also did not work out, but again, RR did not know that Justin was going to try and be Mr. Drug Dealer Extraordinaire. Anyway, yeah, you're right it is not fair to say "obviously a mistake." But the central theme we both agree on is that RR did a very good job of holding onto previous recruits and brought in many very good recruits himself.
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:16 PM ^
has made me happy today.
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:30 PM ^
January 23rd, 2011 at 8:46 PM ^
but after the bowl game, I didn't think I'd be excited about next season until fall camp or so. It's way early, but it feels like things are moving in the right direction. GO BLUE!
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