Exit: David Dawson
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 8:52 PM ^
Yes, Pocic was very interested in Michigan. He's a tackle, but there's room for reshuffling. For example, Chris Fox is expected to play right tackle, but he could also play guard.
October 14th, 2012 at 7:58 PM ^
Good luck Mr. Dawson. That is all.
October 14th, 2012 at 8:36 PM ^
Well, I wish him the best of luck and I have no doubt we will be fine withouth him, but I can't help but wonder what could have been. He seems like the highest rated O-line prospect we've had yet with Hoke, and we've signed a lot of O-line talent. II was very impressed with his physical strength in all the camp videos I saw of him last summer. t just makes me wonder why a local kid with a track record of his teammates from Cass would de-commit from a tradition rich school with a great recruiting class like Michigan to go all the way across the country? What is the deciding factor that would make a kid jump ship like that? I know how hard it is for us to get top recruits from those states.
October 15th, 2012 at 12:00 AM ^
October 14th, 2012 at 9:06 PM ^
From a Florida poster on the 247 board
"GibbonsGator said...
FWIW here is the story from our end
He has called our staff and said he wanted to set up a visit to UF, he has done this 3 times this year, first for FNL's and then for the UK game and the LSU game. He set up the visit throughout the week and then come time to visit he no showed. After he did for LSU again one of our coaches who is still close to Mattison decided to give him a call and fill him in on what the kid was doing. This was a week ago(the day or 2 after the LSU game) and a week later Michigan drops him
draw your own conclusions. Kid was trying to play the game with both staffs"
October 14th, 2012 at 10:17 PM ^
Interesting. Thanks for posting. Do we know if the poster is credible?
October 15th, 2012 at 10:24 AM ^
Link?
October 14th, 2012 at 9:21 PM ^
If true that seems really rotten on his part...but so goes recruiting, if you're dead set on taking other visits should have just decommitted a few months ago.
October 15th, 2012 at 1:05 AM ^
Good thing about this sad state of affairs is that well have two solid guards (perhaps more highly touted pending on who you ask) in the fold for 4-5 more years (Not counting Bars and Burzynski's potential (sp?) developement).
Always look on the bright side of life.
October 15th, 2012 at 9:15 AM ^
Was really looking forward to cheering for this kid. I thought he wanted to show the SEC crowd that midwestern kids could ball as well? I guess taking it down there would do so, but family is up here. We all get to make our own choices, and I wish him the best with his.
October 15th, 2012 at 11:03 AM ^
...absolutely tremendous that Coach Hoke and his staff believe that a verbal commitment by a recruit means the plain understanding of the term. No nuance required.
October 15th, 2012 at 11:10 AM ^
Good luck to him
October 15th, 2012 at 1:43 PM ^
Shitty....I think it's Pocic or nothing on another O-line offer. At least we know we have spots for McQuay, Treadwell AND Green if they want to come
October 15th, 2012 at 3:30 PM ^
about "what if EVERYONE wants to come here?!?!?" look kinda silly now. Things happen, and that was never our biggest worry.
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