A 2011 Recruiting Primer Comment Count

Tim

With the 2010 class is mostly full, so it's time to take a look at some prospects of interest for next year's recruiting class. Several references are made to user likwid's diary on the top 75 instate prospects, which has a 2011 (and 2012!) watchlist for the truly obsessed. 

QB

Braxton_Miller_1Braxton Miller, 6-2 190 4.45, Huber Heights OH Wayne. Miller (seen at right) is guaranteed to be one of the top 2 or 3 players in Ohio for the 2011 class, but he's long been considered an Ohio State lock. Though his dad has said that Braxton won't play in an offense where the quarterback has to run around all the time, Miller attended Michigan's summer camp, so there's still a chance he might be interested in the Wolverines.

Christian LeMay, 6-3 200 4.49, Charlotte NC Butler. LeMay was also in attendance at Michigan's summer camp, with a number of his high school teammates. Butler is the alma mater of Michigan alum (and current Seattle Seahawk) Jamar Adams.

RB

Demetrius Hart, 5-9 175 4.35, Orlando FL Dr. Phillips. Hart is a lightning-quick running back who reminds many of a smoother Jeremy Gallon (video). He should be one of the top prospects in Florida, and already has an established relationship with Ricardo Miller. Hart has stated that he may commit to Michigan as soon as he receives an official offer. Michigan can extend one on September 1st.

Justice Hayes, 5-11 190 4.55, Grand Blanc MI Grand Blanc. Hayes is the top running back in the state of Michigan for the 2011 class. He's a bigger back than Hart, but Michigan has taken several backs in the past two classes, and may not need another. The teammate of 2010 Northwestern commit Tony Jones is on likwid’s 2011 Watchlist.

WR

DeAnthony Arnett, 6-0 170, Saginaw MI Saginaw. Arnett is a combo inside/outside receiver much akin to current Wolverine Je'Ron Stokes. He has quickness and top-end speed to go along with his solid hands. He already holds Michigan, Michigan State, and Eastern Michigan offers. He picked up a camp MVP award this fall; Allen Trieu on that:

"It is tough for underclassmen to take home that honor, but Arnett had an impressive day all-around," said Scout.com Midwest analyst Allen Trieu. "It all started with his 40-yard dash. He had sprained his ankle earlier in the week and even looked a little gimpy running his 40, yet his 4.51 was one of the top times on the day. He then followed that up with a 4.23 shuttle, which tied for tops on the day. In footwork drills the coaches consistently remarked at how smooth and quick out of his breaks he was. However, during one route, he let out a scream and said he felt something pop. After a few minutes and against the advice of his family members, he returned to the field saying he wanted MVP.

"In one-on-ones, his route running was impressive and his quickness allowed him to get off the line against some of the more physical defenders. He made a couple of great leaping grabs and drew some oohs and aahhs on several double moves where he left his man."

He will be one of the top 2011 players in-state; early rumors have him leaning to Michigan.

AJ Jordan, 6-3 190 4.41, Trotwood OH Trotwood-Madison. Jordan is the top wideout in Ohio, and a true split end. He's the former teammate of Michigan's Roundtree, Shaw, Moore combo, so the Wolverines have a good selling point. As with most Ohio prospects, he'll probably favor the Buckeyes if offered.

Tacoi Sumler, 5-8 160, Miami FL Gulliver Prep. Sumler is a tiny guy with great speed and moves. He'd be a perfect fit at the slot position in the Michigan offense.

TE

Kelvin Benjamin, 6-6 210, Belle Glade FL Glades Central. Benjamin is a tall wide receiver who might end up at tight end in college. He's from the muck, where Rich Rodriguez has recruited well in the past (think Pahokee). Michigan might be on the hunt for a tight end in 2011, and Benjamin's one of the best.

Taiwan Jones, 6-3 210, Anchor Bay, MI Anchor Bay. Jones is an athlete who could play a number of positions in college, but his skill set might be most dangerous at tight end. If the Wolverines land him, it could also be as a linebacker or defensive end.

OL

Tyler Moore, 6-5 280, Clearwater FL Countryside. Moore was one of the first 2011 prospects offered by Michigan. He is also expected to be one of the top tackle prospects in the nation:

According to Countryside coach John Davis, Florida offensive line coach Steve Addazio said Saturday that Moore could end up being the top offensive line prospect in the state for the Class of 2011 — perhaps even the best in the country.

"Coach Addazio told me (Saturday) that Tyler is probably the best 16-year-old offensive lineman he's ever seen," Davis said.

Unfortunately, he is a Nebraska legacy and has no real connection to Michigan.

Cyrus Kouandjio, 6-6 300, Hyattsville MD DeMatha. If the school sounds familiar, it's because Michigan offered several DeMatha prospects in the class of 2010, including Kouandjio's older brother, Arie. Cyrus is expected to be the better rospect.

Anthony Zettel, 6-3 260, West Branch MI Ogemaw Heights. An in-state guy who reportedly likes Michigan a lot. If he's good enough to earn an offer, he could end up in blue. He made likwid’s 2011 Watchlist. For more in-state prospects, check out the diary.

DT

Tim Jernigan, 6-3 270, Lake City FL Columbia. He's already been offered by a who's-who of bigtime football programs, including Michigan. Perhaps the top DT in 2011.

Jesse Hayes, 6-3 240, Cincinnati OH Moeller. A teammate of former Michigan target Marcus Rush (now an MSU commit). He's very light for a DT, but presumably still growing.

DE

Steve Miller, 6-4 230, Canton OH McKinley. One of the top 2-3 players in Ohio for the 2011 class. He's visited Michigan in the past, and the Wolverines are looking at his 2010 teammate Jewone Snow. If Michigan wants to return to the bigtime, they'll have to start beating Ohio State for good Ohio prospects.

Bryant Dubose, 6-4, 227, 4.91 Oakland Park FL Northeast. A strongside DE with a good frame, "BJ" is among Florida's top 2011 prospects. Michigan likes to recruit the sunshine state, and Dubose may be a beneficiary.

depriestLB

Trey DePriest, 6-2 225, Springfield OH South. Yet another top Ohio kid, but this one grew up a Michigan fan. Trey likes Michigan enough to wear a Wolverine shirt to Ohio State camp (seen at right), but the Buckeyes are on the top LB heavily, and there will be a battle for his services .

Lawrence Thomas, 6-3 210, Detroit MI Renaissance. Thomas is probably the top player in Michigan in the class of 2011. Unfortunately, he is leaning to Michigan State early. His recruitment will be a good chance to prove that Michigan does indeed recruit instate, however unlikely they are to actually land him. Remember, Renaissance's coach is the guy who said the way grad assistant Andre Criswell and punchy malcontent Carson Butler had been treated "hurt my heart."

Anthony Wallace, 6-2 210, Dallas TX Skyline. Tony Drake's teammate is one of the nation's top weakside linebackers in the class of 2011. He'll be hotly pursued by several national programs, and unless Michigan gets involved early, they may be out of luck.

S

Karlos Williams, 6-0 185 4.5, Davenport FL Ridge. Williams is an elite athlete who could play a number of positions in college, but his best upside is at safety. Michigan has already offered him, showing that he is of the highest priority to the coaching staff.

Sheroid Evans, 6-2 185 4.35, Sugarland TX Fort Bend Dulles. Evans is a super-speedy defensive back with good size. He plays at the alma mater of current Wolverines Troy Woolfolk, Brandon Herron, and Darryl Stonum.

CB

Greg Brown, 5-11 155 4.50, Fremont OH Ross. Brown has already been offered by Michigan, and favors the Wolverines. The multi-year summer camper is known for his physical play from the corner position. He hails from the alma mater of Charles Woodson, whose name you might recognize.

Doran Grant, 5-10 165 4.69, Akron OH St. Vincent-St. Mary. St. Vincent-St. Mary is a traditionally strong program (Maurice Clarett and LeBron James are notable alums), but Grant is still god enough that he was named the team's MVP as a freshman. He camped at Michigan in the summer of 2008.

Delonte Hollowell, 5-9 160, Detroit MI Cass Tech. Cass Tech is a Michigan pipeline, and Hollowell is the school's top 2011 player. He's a little corner in the mold of Boubacar Cissoko or Dior Mathis, so Michigan would probably want to take a taller guy to complement him. Hollowell (and many others not listed here, so check it out) is on likwid’s 2011 in-state watchlist.

Comments

Bleedin9Blue

August 10th, 2009 at 3:02 PM ^

Thanks for the info Tim. Hopefully Hart commits just because then we can all reuse our "Hart Attack" shirts.

Any chance that we might eventually get that recruiting wiki mentioned here? With everyone patrolling the intranets then it might make your job a little bit easier. Of course then we'd have to be very careful about people posting "Premium" information from the major recruiting services (*cough*TheDecommit.com*cough*). Just something to keep in mind.

Bleedin9Blue

August 10th, 2009 at 3:14 PM ^

I think that Hart has been "offered" in that he's been told he will be offered but NCAA rules mandate that you can't give out actual offers (like the letters that you can see on the T-Force website) until a certain date. Thus, Hart knows that he'll be getting a letter but he can't be given that letter yet.

That doesn't mean that he can't verbally commit, I think Tennessee got a commitment from a 10th grader (creepy Kiffin) since it's just words and not a binding contract like an LOI.

Blazefire

August 10th, 2009 at 3:18 PM ^

I'm confused. Kid wears Michigan to an OSU camp and there will be a battle?

To me, that's like a woman giving me the finger and threatening me with Mace and me saying, "Hey, I think she likes me."

phizzil

August 10th, 2009 at 3:55 PM ^

I went to the same high school as Trey, so I will apply "SHS" alumni peer pressure to seal the deal. Consider it done.

A couple of side notes:

1. Not that anyone probably cares other than Tim, but the school Trey attends is no longer called "South High School". The new name is "Springfield High School".

2. This is the same high school that Dee Miller attended (a receiver for OSU in the 90's). He was also considered a Michigan lean until the coaches told him they only wanted him to play safety. Fortunately he didn't burn us too bad during his 4 years with the enemy. I would hate to see Trey suffer a similar fate by falling into the hands of the dirty people in columbus.

scott91575

August 11th, 2009 at 8:40 AM ^

I am a little confused too. A kid wears a tshirt that has his high school colors, a Nike swoosh with the words football (mind you all the Michigan Nike gear I have seen either have "Michigan" and a swoosh or "Football" and a block M with a swoosh), and it's a Michigan shirt. Interesting.

scott91575

August 13th, 2009 at 2:14 AM ^

In case anyone was wondering, it was the Nike camp in Cincinnati. There happened to be an Ohio State symbol on the wall where the picture was taken (probably because it was done by Bucknuts).

Here is where the picture is from and the interview that preceded it.

Sorry people. Much ado about bad blog reporting.

http://www.jjhuddle.com/football/recruiting/recruit-detail.php?recruit_…

Cosmic Blue

August 10th, 2009 at 3:31 PM ^

Butler is the alma mater of Michigan alum (and current Seattle Seahawk) Jamar Adams.

this doesnt track for me...
isnt Michigan Jamar Adams' alma mater? and why are we mentioning Butler at all??

Evil Empire

August 10th, 2009 at 3:42 PM ^

"If Michigan wants to return to the bigtime, they'll have to start beating Ohio State for good Ohio prospects."

True. It has been a long time since this happened more than once a season. Crable and Burgess (thanks for the assist, Mo C) in 2003, Manningham in 2005, Boren (oy) in 2006, Koger in 2008, Turner in 2009...can't think of too many recent Wolverines from OH that got OSU offers.

And negative recruiting from both Tressel and Dantonio must be overcome.

But Rod has inked nine Ohio prospects in his two classes and has six more lined up so far in class #3. Maybe he's building momentum.

Lloyd was losing this battle. In 2002 he had 13 Ohioans on the roster. In his final five years it went 12-9-11-8-7, a rough trend.

From a low of seven Ohioans on the roster in 2007 (three of whom were gone by the time 2008 arrived), we are back up to 11.

marvel99

August 10th, 2009 at 4:29 PM ^

I want us to get the LB who wore a M shirt to a OSU camp. Wow, he can play for my team any day. Talk about bringing some "passion" back to the rivalry. Reminds me of D. Gardner and his flaming OSU offer.

plev72

August 10th, 2009 at 4:50 PM ^

Aren't we looking at a full signing class of 25 for 2010?

Somehow "mostly full" conjures up 23 out of 25 or 24 out of 25 ... as opposed to 16 out of 25 (even though I suppose technically 13 out of 25 is "mostly full")

I want more on 2010 prospects!

Tim

August 10th, 2009 at 5:24 PM ^

The class of 2010 currently has 17 scholarships available, it will probably be more like 20. Either way, that's "mostly full." Hell, anything more than half is "mostly full," and we're already a lot higher than that.

Big Boutros

August 10th, 2009 at 6:01 PM ^

Let's see...these guys will be college freshmen, who are generally around 18 years old, in September of 2011, meaning they were born in 1993. Good God that makes me feel old. I'm pretty sure DOOM came out in 1993.

Seth

August 11th, 2009 at 8:20 AM ^

Possibly related, but:

Tacoi Sumler, 5-8 160, Miami FL Gulliver Prep. Sumler is a tiny guy with great speed and moves. He'd be a perfect fit at the slot position in the Michigan offense.

5'8"? If they're brothers than Sumler is definitely the Danny DeVito of the twins.

SonoAzzurro

August 10th, 2009 at 10:03 PM ^

If the talk is about the picture that's shown in the post, I think those might be the colors of his high school team also. Did he actually wear a shirt that has "Wolverines" stamped on?