ethan burke
decommits
Google Image Search "Burke flips"

Exit: Ethan Burke Comment Count

Seth December 15th, 2021 at 9:59 AM

We hardly knew ye. Apparently seeing an Austin kid desired by Michigan was too much for Texas, who jumped in at the 11th hour to un-Hello Michigan’s most recent edge commit.

This one’s not tough to swallow: The guy got a chance to play for his hometown, which he didn’t have when he made his Michigan pledge.

Counting Kevonte Henry, whose place in the class is tenuous at best since Courtney Morgan left, Burke marks three edge prospects—with Mario Eugenio—who have decommitted from Michigan this cycle, four if you count Justice Finkley’s hardly silent silent commitment last summer. You would think the program that just produced Aidan Hutchinson, David Ojabo, Kwity Paye, Josh Uche, Chase Winovich, Rashan Gary, Mike Danna, and Taco Charlton would have these guys jumping in the boat.

Michigan does seem likelier to add top-100 DE/DT Derrick Moore, a recent Oklahoma decommit, now, though Moore may project inside or to Mike Morris’s tweener role. Since Burke projected to more of a Hutchinson, Moore does ameliorate this loss. Henry would be the less replaceable, since having him on board might have been a factor in losing their other favorite edge prospect, Joshua Josephs, to Tennessee. Michigan may now use the time before late signing day to check on some of the other pass rushers they targeted over the cycle. They do still have 3* edge/LB tweener Micah Pollard in the class, and LB prospect Deuce Spurlock could grow into an Uche-type down the line.

Comments

L'Carpetron Do…

December 15th, 2021 at 10:38 AM ^

This is a bummer. Would've like to land him to see if he could develop into an impressive edge rusher like those other dudes. But this is extra disappointing because he would've been a great pickup for the lacrosse program as well, a poach from the Terrapins. He would've been a nice addition. Good luck -and if it doesn't work in Texas come up to Michigan and be a two-sport athlete!

Joined: 03/15/2010

MGoPoints: 8572

ERdocLSA2004

December 15th, 2021 at 11:45 AM ^

I’m not sure you can be a legit DE body type and be successful while also splitting time in lacrosse.  I’m sure it could happen but after one year these guys usually have to pick one or the other if they are going to be truly elite football players. This isn’t like an elite WR also wanting to run track.  Holding onto the idea of playing both seems like it would have only hurt his potential as a football players.  We’ll see though.  

Joined: 01/08/2011

MGoPoints: 16057

Skidmark

December 15th, 2021 at 11:01 AM ^

Staying closer to home makes sense for family in terms of seeing their boy play.  Family travel to Ann Arbor from TX multiple weekends in the fall/winter can be logistically challenging not to mention expensive.  But who knows if that's even a consideration.  Maybe his dream was to be a Longhorn from day one.  Late offer.  Done deal. 

Joined: 12/19/2017

MGoPoints: 1092

STW P. Brabbs

December 15th, 2021 at 11:22 AM ^

That's too bad, though Burke is a quintessential low floor, high ceiling recruit. I thought he looked pretty slow off the snap in his highlights--he could really build speed after the first 2-3 steps, but backside pursuit alone isn't going to make him an impact player. I'm sure the explosiveness will improve with a college strength program, though, so it will be (mildly) interesting to see his development. 

We might look back to a lack of edge depth and rue the day Burke got away, but with Berry, Gentry, Sabb, and Walker all making the wisest possible choice of university, pretty hard to get too bummed.

Especially because we just steamrolled OSU 42-27. That helps too. Like Seth, I too am surprised no one is talking about this more. 

Joined: 08/27/2008

MGoPoints: 3867

CaliforniaNobody

December 15th, 2021 at 11:52 AM ^

I honestly had no idea who this kid was, but best of luck. Not super relevant here as I doubt they're bagging for a 3*, but I wonder at what point kids start to value coaching over a guaranteed pay day, if ever. Because personally I would not want my kid playing for a coach who last time he had this job was showing up to practices and games wasted, $50k or not. Not trashing him for choosing elsewhere, just for specifically choosing such a questionable program. Same question I had about Worthy, and that played out as expected.

Joined: 12/18/2014

MGoPoints: 14300

AC1997

December 15th, 2021 at 1:55 PM ^

I would love to find another Mike Danna in the transfer portal next year.  I think DE and possibly the role Dax played are the only two positions where I worry about depth and talent (assuming everyone leaves as expected for the NFL).  I like the guys we have.....but we need a "go get the QB" guy and I'm not sure I see him on our roster.

Joined: 09/19/2008

MGoPoints: 13818