LONG OVERDUE
Exit: David Dawson
Filed under:
According to TomVH($)—and confirmed by Sam Webb and Josh Helmholdt($)—Michigan and 2013 Cass Tech OL David Dawson have parted ways. Dawson had wavered in his commitment back in July, when he mentioned at The Opening that he wanted to camp at Florida, and it appears that there's still serious interest in visiting Gainesville and potentially a couple other SEC schools. Given the visit policy of Brady Hoke's staff, if Dawson wanted to follow through on a visit he would no longer be considered a commit; my guess is that's what caused the mutual break.
While the Wolverines still have four blue-chip offensive line commits in Kyle Bosch, Chris Fox, Patrick Kugler, and Logan Tuley-Tillman, it's likely that they'll look to add one more to replace Dawson. While all of the current offerees on offensive line are committed to other schools, it's possible the staff looks to reconnect with IL OL Ethan Pocic, a current LSU commit who had very high interest before the available spots filled up, and IL OL Colin McGovern, a Notre Dame commit. If the staff decides to go after an unoffered prospect, the likely top target is Dawson's high school teammate, MSU commit Dennis Finley, who impressed at the Sound Mind Sound Body camp this summer.
UPDATE: 247's Steve Wiltfong reports that Dawson will take an official visit to Florida this weekend ($).
Also, Dawson sent out this tweet just a few minutes ago. I expect Michigan fans to show the same level of class:
Would like to wish the university of Michigan the best of luck ..nothing against anybody associated with that program
— David Dawson (@D3_FutureLegend) October 14, 2012
October 14th, 2012 at 1:45 PM | 
Well shucks. Wish him the
Well shucks. Wish him the
October 14th, 2012 at 1:48 PM |
So is this just him wanting
So is this just him wanting
So is this just him wanting to visit other schools, or is he no longer considering Mich at all?
October 14th, 2012 at 1:52 PM |
Judging by how the staff has
Judging by how the staff has
October 14th, 2012 at 1:59 PM |
As it should be. I want
As it should be. I want
As it should be. I want Michigan Men that are true blue
ALL ABOARD THE A-TRAIN!!!!!
" ~ Herm "
October 14th, 2012 at 2:48 PM |
What does that even mean
What does that even mean
What does that even mean really?
Hot dogs are the devil.
October 14th, 2012 at 2:51 PM |
Not sure if you can answer
Not sure if you can answer
Not sure if you can answer this (perhaps naive on my part), but is it Dawson saying "thanks but no thanks" or the coaches effectively saying "no harm, no foul . . . but we can no longer deal with/wait on your vacillation and/or decision timeline"?
If that makes any sense . . .
The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right.
October 14th, 2012 at 1:52 PM |
I presume this means his
I presume this means his
I presume this means his offer is no longer on the table, and that Dawson agreed to be released from the non-binding verbal he had with UM. I'm guessing he could come back if both sides came back around, but this feels like a full break.
October 14th, 2012 at 2:19 PM |
We haven't seen it before
We haven't seen it before
Pharoah went behind the coaches back. Assuming Dawson called the coaches and "de-commiting" before scheduling his official, is it fair to assume his scholarship OFFER has been revoked?
Personally I think he's probably just not a commit and may have a spot available if we don't fill it asap.
Moral: Act like LaQuon. Keep your options open until you are 100% sure.
Twin Cities
October 14th, 2012 at 1:59 PM |
While depth is an
While depth is an
While depth is an issue right now, we should be fine for depth even without a talent like Dawson's by the time the 2013 linemen are ready to play. With Kalis, Bryant, Bars, and Bosch we're in great shape until the 2014 class starts filling up. If we're close with prospects like Green, McQuay, and Treadwell then maybe we don't need to pursue another Guard.
"that's why you don't go to Ohio State, Lawrence"
October 14th, 2012 at 2:01 PM |
Shifting to 2014
Shifting to 2014
Not that several hours ago anybody would have wanted to lose Dawson, but Michigan probably was not going to take 5 OL every class going forward. If Michigan can get somebody at or above Dawson's level in 2014 (and every indication is that Hoke can recruit highly ranked OL), the team probably will not notice the difference over the long term.
October 14th, 2012 at 2:08 PM |
Yes, I don't think guard is a
Yes, I don't think guard is a
Yes, I don't think guard is a major issue for M. I think the two walkons who played guard yesterday can at a minimum be servicable BIG OL. I'm referring to Joey Burzynski: RS Soph and Graham Glasgow: RS Fresh. Those two combined with the 8 OL recruits in the last two classes, plus Chris Bryant and Jack Miller, make this departure relatively minor even if Hoke doesn't pick up another OL to replace Dawson.
October 14th, 2012 at 3:16 PM |
Burzynski and Miller.
Burzynski and Miller.
Given our OLdepth chart next year, I've been watching closely when Burzynski comes in whenever an OL goes down. To me, he's looked at least as good as the guys he's replacing. May not be a beast that will pancake his man, but he executes his responsibility on each play I've seen. I though the same of Miller in his snaps yesterday.
If Lewan comes back, our OL next year should be about as good as this years.
October 14th, 2012 at 3:48 PM |
Depth or not
Depth or not
This is a major bummer. He was my favorite of the O-line commits this year. Seemed to possess good consistency and a well focused mean streak, which has obviously garnered him a lot of attention elsewhere. Michigan may well be okay without him, but they would be better with him.
Ah well, best of luck to you David Dawson.
A repeat national championship in 2017…what better way to celebrate the bicentennial?
October 14th, 2012 at 5:14 PM |
Correction: Michigan may well
Correction: Michigan may well
Correction: Michigan may well have been better with him, but they WILL be ok without him.
"Michigan Defense" is dominating everything, in every aspect of life. That's a rough definition.
-Craig Roh 10/29/2011
October 15th, 2012 at 11:42 PM |
" Michigan may well be okay
" Michigan may well be okay
" Michigan may well be okay without him, but they would be better with him."
Perfectly said. Loved the mean streak and motor.
And when we play as a team, when the old season is over, you and I know.. it's gonna be Michigan again. Michigan.
October 14th, 2012 at 5:21 PM |
No this one hurts...
No this one hurts...
We need interior linemen.
Are we devistated? No. Does this mean we're done as we know it? No.
This is Michigan - we'll be fine. But this DOES hurt this class, we need interior guys on the OLine and Dawson was an EXCELLENT OG/C prospect.
Hopefully we can find someone equally as good (or better) to replace him on the interior.
“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise — the other, loyalty.”
October 14th, 2012 at 1:57 PM |
Wish him the best of luck but
Wish him the best of luck but
Wish him the best of luck but would have been truly amazing to get him in with our other elite OL commits, is one of our current commits projected as a center? We needs that
"What" ain't no country I ever heard of. They speak English in What?
October 14th, 2012 at 1:58 PM |
Too Bad
Too Bad
Hope this guy the best, I can't fault him for wanting to look around. Of course, if he wasn't sure he shouldn't have made that commitment. Hopefully he will be regretting it when we start winning championships.
Coach Hoke once told me that a moral victory is still a (expletive deleted) loss.
October 14th, 2012 at 2:00 PM |
Sometimes kids just need to
Sometimes kids just need to
Sometimes kids just need to get out, go somewhere different. I grew up in Michigan then went to college in southern California, even though I love it in MI.
Best of luck to him where ever he ends up at. Hopefully we can fill the spot with the same caliber of player.
October 14th, 2012 at 2:01 PM |
sec
sec
I always suspect shadiness with sec schools. sorry.
HAIL!
October 14th, 2012 at 3:23 PM |
Honestly, why is UF even
Honestly, why is UF even
Honestly, why is UF even recruiting David? SEC slappies say we are all slow, unathletic football players up here.
October 14th, 2012 at 2:01 PM |
texas
texas
texas has filled classes early for years without really hearing of many decommitments from them. Is it just that they have/had a different policy as the current staff? Not saying that the policy is right or wrong just wondering.
October 14th, 2012 at 2:31 PM |
It happens.
It happens.
You just don't pay attention because it's Texas.
http://espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/story/_/id/8014189...
"I love him, he's a great coach, he's a great mentor, he's a great friend. He's every single thing you want a college coach to be, and he does it flawlessly." -David Molk
October 14th, 2012 at 2:32 PM |
A Texas offer was your gold
A Texas offer was your gold
A Texas offer was your gold ticket, they often do not send very many out so when you finally get that offer you take it and hold onto it plus they are bred to bleed orange down there and while the maize and blue does wonders with instate kids, its just not comparable to what Texas does.
Blue is Faster
October 14th, 2012 at 2:39 PM |
They've had their regular
They've had their regular
They've had their regular share of commit attrition, we just don't hear about Texas recruit news much. Texas recruits also have a general habit of staying in Texas, Mack Brown has a similar way of recruiting to Hoke and co, too. He basically avoids top Texas recruits with agents and third party representatives.
"that's why you don't go to Ohio State, Lawrence"
October 14th, 2012 at 4:01 PM |
thanks for the insight.
thanks for the insight.
thanks for the insight.
October 14th, 2012 at 2:03 PM |
silver lining
silver lining
I hate to see him go but it's probably best for all parties. He's been a bit of a drama queen the entire time we've been courting him and it's better that we cut our losses now rather than later. I wish Dawson the best wherever he goes.
October 14th, 2012 at 2:42 PM |
Not enough Negs for this
Not enough Negs for this
Not enough Negs for this post. Drama queen? Are you familiar with what this kid has gone through in the last few months on top of all the pressure to make one of the most important choices in his life? Show some class like Ace said and keep the name calling off thee board please. Thanks.
I poop excellence
October 14th, 2012 at 4:38 PM |
I can't upvote you past five
I can't upvote you past five
Suxors.
If the haters don't hate you then you're doing something wrong. - David Cone
October 14th, 2012 at 2:07 PM |
Personally, I would like to
Personally, I would like to
Personally, I would like to see them go after a committed prospect before they offer Finely. Not only because Pocic, McGovern, Montelus are higher ranked, but because Finley's sister is at State and I actually think he would be less likely to make the switch. In general though, I'm not very optimistic that they'll be able to swing anyone else and I'm fine with 4 linemen.
October 14th, 2012 at 2:10 PM |
If I remember correctly
If I remember correctly
If I remember correctly Dawson didn't get on with our commits at The Opening and was hanging out with Florida guys instead. With that, his penchant for tweeting BREAKING NEWS MAYBE and doing lots of interviews I'd long suspected he enjoyed the spectacle more than other Michigan commits. Maybe despite his ability he wasn't the best fit for this class.
Galileo was also chastised.
October 14th, 2012 at 2:10 PM |
DD
DD
This is why you never want to have a "favorite commit". That sucks. Big loss. Love the ratioanlization that we go through - big loss.
Hope his parents like the flights down to FL rather than the 45 minutre drive to his games.
One a commit stats chirping about other visits it usually ends up this way - just a matter of how fast. Hope we get someone good to replace him.
bob_ufer
October 14th, 2012 at 4:56 PM |
Pocket it
Pocket it
Personally, I would rather the coaches keep this scholarship for a "best of the best" type deal. Maybe this opens up the spot for McQuay. If not, I think we will be fine using that scholarship next year. My only concern would be if this signals a change in the pipeline that has been Cass Tech.
Flying the Maize and Blue in the heart of Dixie
October 14th, 2012 at 2:12 PM |
Wow, too bad for him.He is
Wow, too bad for him.He is
Wow, too bad for him.He is really going to miss out on some damn good football teams in the future. I'm sure as time goes on, we'll know the true meaning why he left.
October 14th, 2012 at 9:48 PM |
He won't...
He won't...
...miss out on being on good football teams if his new list is any indication.
October 14th, 2012 at 2:13 PM |
Bummer
Bummer
Any time someone poaches someone from Michigan's Cass Tech pipeline its hurts a little more than normal.
"Relax you panic monger" -Megatron
October 14th, 2012 at 2:51 PM |
Was our best OL commit too
Was our best OL commit too
Guy looked very solid at the camps this summer. This loss hurts. Would have been a solid OL contributor.
Hot dogs are the devil.
October 14th, 2012 at 7:31 PM |
Best
Best
Best is highly debatable. All five of the commitments they've had are pretty similar.
October 14th, 2012 at 2:14 PM |
I'm not going to pretend like
I'm not going to pretend like
I'm not going to pretend like this doesn't piss me off...
I absolutely love Hoke's no-vist policy because that serves as an insurance when kids decide their word means nothing.
As a recruit, you're in a win/win situation when you 'commit' (or whatever you want to call it)...You can secure a spot in a class while exploring every other option..
I don't mind if kids want to be careful in making their decisions, because I would do the same... BUT DO NOT COMMIT UNLESS YOU WANT TO GO THERE
It's that simple, honestly.
October 14th, 2012 at 2:25 PM |
*sigh*
*sigh*
Some of the comments here are why I don't closely follow recruiting. You run into grown-ass men who bitch and moan about the choices of those who aren't even legal adults yet and likely have zero collegiate allegiance. The obsession with 16- and 17-year-old kids turns me off. Hats off to people like Ace and TomVH for dealing with this.
This is evidently what Dawson wants. Leave it at that.
No excuses. Play like a champion.
October 14th, 2012 at 2:26 PM |
Carrots
Carrots
Bottom line is this, we don't know what kind of carrots these people at Florida are dangling over this kids head. I honestly believe Michigan doesn't pay kids and I honestly believe other schools do. I'm done
GO BLUE!
October 14th, 2012 at 10:12 PM |
Don't forget about the
Don't forget about the
Don't forget about the hookers.
/s. Sort of.
M'Dog
October 14th, 2012 at 2:27 PM |
This sucks, but good luck to
This sucks, but good luck to
This sucks, but good luck to David!
October 14th, 2012 at 2:29 PM |
Well, hell.
Well, hell.
Well, hell.
October 14th, 2012 at 2:34 PM |
Very classy tweet by Dawson.
Very classy tweet by Dawson.
Very classy tweet by Dawson. Very disappointed by his decision, especially given the support his fellow commits gave him during a difficult time in his life, but I hope he makes the right decision for him.
In the meantime, it is being reported that Michigan has already been in touch with Pocic. If they can get him on campus he may be a likely candidate to flip.
October 14th, 2012 at 2:52 PM |
Was thinking, lots of linemen
Was thinking, lots of linemen
Was thinking, lots of linemen can move, but Pocic is a pretty clear Tackle at 6'7". LTT is 6'7" too, but Chris Fox is our best lineman at 6'6" but Pocic is right up there too. Do you think Fox move inside with Bosch and Kugler if Pocic switched to Michigan?
"that's why you don't go to Ohio State, Lawrence"
October 14th, 2012 at 3:03 PM |
You should probably look at
You should probably look at
You should probably look at the 2012 and 2013 classes in combination when thinking about future positions. It sounds like Kalis, Bosch, and Kugler are bound for the interior. Magnuson, Braden, and LTT are pretty sure to play tackle. From what I've heard, the other guys--Bars and Fox--could go either way.
We obviously don't know anything about these kids' ability to contribute at this point, but I think we have more sure things on the interior. Adding Pocic to fill a tackle spot would be a coup right now.
"There was a time I could have been mistaken for Burt Reynolds. I had a moustache and so did he. But he was the number one star in the world, so there wasn't really much confusion."
October 14th, 2012 at 2:56 PM |
I'd say there's a better
I'd say there's a better
I'd say there's a better chance at flipping Olinemen than usual because of the way their recruitment went. It was pretty clear we wanted Pocic but just ran out of room at the position over the course of about a week. No bridges burned there. It doesn't help that ND is pushing for the top 5 though.
"Michigan Defense" is dominating everything, in every aspect of life. That's a rough definition.
-Craig Roh 10/29/2011
October 14th, 2012 at 2:35 PM |
Well that sucks. So,
Well that sucks. So,
Well that sucks. So, Treadwell, Green, AND McQuay then?
Well shucks. Wish him the best.