Friday Recruitin' Goes On Commit Watch Comment Count

Ace

Today's recruiting roundup discusses E.J. Levenberry's impending announcement, the status of Su'a Cravens, a big-time new 2014 offer, and much more.

Levenberry Announcement Set for Tuesday

VA LB E.J. Levenberry has long been one of the top targets on Michigan's board, with the coaching staff holding open a spot for him despite turning away several top-flight linebackers recently. Come Tuesday at 3 pm, we'll find out if he's using that spot, as Levenberry will make his choice between Michigan and Florida State. The tea leaves are difficult to read on this one. Rivals national analyst Mike Farrell has long maintained that the Seminoles held the lead, but after Levenberry's visit for the Spring Game weekend, he's backing off a bit from that stance. Scout's Kristen Kenney caught up this week with E.J.'s father ($), who says it's currently "dead even" between the two schools. The latest Michigan visit did make a big impact, however:

"Brady Hoke is building something special at Michigan. The coaching staff there is like regular people. It's a family place, and that stood out to us. Put it this way, we were at the spring game and 400 or more guys who used to play for the school came back to the game. That speaks volumes as to what that program means to people."

By all accounts, this will be a toss-up. We'll find out next week if Michigan can add another four-star linebacker to the fold.

Another blue-chip defender also set an announcement date this week, though Michigan's chances look less strong in this case. CA S Su'a Cravens posted on Twitter that he'll make his choice on June 6th, his mom's birthday (awww). After entire minutes of fretting that Cravens has yet to visit Michigan, the five-star safety also posted that he'll take unofficial visits before his decision; though he's declined to name the schools he'll visit, the Wolverines presumably would get a trip. Still, given that he's already got a date in mind, it's logical to think that he's also got a school in mind; the general consensus is that school is USC. Cravens recently told Scout's Brandon Huffman($) about interest in Alabama and intended trips to Michigan, Nebraska, and Ohio State, so those schools appear to comprise his final group along with the Trojans and UCLA. Unless he has a game-changing visit to Ann Arbor—not out of the question with this staff—I'd presume Cravens will stay in-state.

Xxplosive/West Coast... Er, Receiver

Sam Webb's latest DetNews profile is on CA WR Sebastian Larue, who's emerged as one of the team's top targets at wideout. Larue states in the article that he currently has no favorites, but would "definitely" like to visit Michigan; he also has family from Flint, which gives the Wolverines a nice in. Brandon Huffman also provides a scouting report:

"He very well could be the most explosive pass catcher in the region," said Scout.com West regional manager Brandon Huffman. "He's a true game-breaker at receiver and kick and punt returns, and is electric in the open field. He's the kind of athlete capable of catching a little 5-yard hitch, making five or six guys miss, and taking it to the house. He has strong hands and is not just a deep threat; he's a polished and smooth route runner who knows how to get open."

Yes, please.

Speaking of receivers, IL WR Laquon Treadwell spoke with Webb about his Spring Game visit ($), and while most presumed this was the case, it's always nice to get confirmation:

To date Treadwell hasn’t settled on a list of favorites nor has he determined which schools he plans to officially with possible exception.  Will Ann Arbor be one of his destinations?

“Yeah, I think so,” he replied.

Meanwhile, five-star MD CB Kendall Fuller told Scout's Kristen Kenney($) that Michigan "felt like a second home," in large part because of his relationship with former Good Counsel teammate Blake Countess. It's still an uphill battle for Fuller with his two older brothers having played at Virginia Tech, but it looks like the Wolverines have a realistic shot, which I wouldn't have said two weeks ago.

247's Steve Wiltfong tweeted that IL RB Ty Isaac will not visit any more schools this spring. I'd take that as a positive, since Isaac has visited Michigan multiple times and seems to be growing weary of the recruiting process. If he were to decide without taking any more visits, the Wolverines would be the prohibitive favorites.

In 2014 news, Michigan offered 6'2", 225-pound SC ATH K.C. Crosby, who already holds over 20 BCS offers and projects to be one of the top recruits in his class. Crosby projects to either linebacker or tight end, and 247's Clint Brewster reports that Michigan hasn't stated which position they're recruiting Crosby to play ($).

Shane Morris Feature and MOAR Four-Stars

ESPN released this Elite11 video feature on Shane Morris:

Yes, Shane can dunk (a football in this case, though he says he can dunk a basketball as well); we also get some good insight from the Elite11 coaches, who love Morris's arm strength but want to see him dial it back a bit on the shorter routes.

ESPN wasn't the only recruiting service to update their rankings recently, as both Scout and 247 did a little reshuffling of their top lists. The Scout 300 barely changed, as you can see on TTB, though three players—Jourdan Lewis, Gareon Conley, and Jaron Dukes—got bumped up to four stars.

247 made some changes to their Top247, and while most were relatively minor, five Ohio prospects entered the list. Three of those five are Michigan commits: Ben Gedeon (#171), DeVeon Smith (#230), and Conley (#236). Smith and Conley both seem to be rising in the eyes of scouts, especially Conley, who's picked up four-star ratings from the last three services to update (Scout, ESPN, and now 247, with Rivals being the lone holdout).

After those updates, 15 of Michigan's 17 commits now are four-star or higher on at least three of the four recruiting services. Khalid Hill is now the only commit you can justifiably categorize as a sleeper now that Dukes is a four-star on two sites.

Comments

AAB

April 20th, 2012 at 2:48 PM ^

on Levenberry.  Mike Farrell thinks it's FSU, and Michigan's Rivals guys do as well.  On the flip-side I haven't heard any Michigan insider-y person affirmatively say they think it's likely Michigan.  And the quotes from Levenberry's father ("they did everything they could" etc.) are the quotes people generally give in this situation when they're about to choose another school.

Smart money is on FSU on this one. 

Ace

April 20th, 2012 at 2:56 PM ^

Michigan's Rivals guys are almost certainly getting that info from Farrell, who works for Rivals; they're rarely out of lockstep. Meanwhile, Levenberry's own dad says it's dead even. I think it's very fair to call it a tossup, especially with the announcement coming on the heels of a great visit to Ann Arbor (and yes, I realize he visited FSU recently as well).

BiSB

April 20th, 2012 at 4:11 PM ^

But whatever he's getting has been run through the same filter that had him declaring "FSU leads for Levenberry" at the same time the kid himself was saying Michigan was leading.

I'm not saying he's a Michigan lock. I'm saying Farrell is already in for a penny. Being in for a pound is unsurprising.

samsoccer7

April 20th, 2012 at 3:03 PM ^

I just don't have a good feeling about this one. FSU also seems to be moving in the right direction and a week is a long time to spend at one place. He did visit us after, but maybe that reaffirmed his love for FSU? When I interviewed for residency (4-year binding agreement, no chance at redshirt) I compared really good places to my top choice and it just made me more comfortable with what I wanted. Hope he goes Blue but I'll be looking forward to the stud that takes his scholly if he doesn't.

Farnn

April 20th, 2012 at 3:02 PM ^

After Farrell's insistence that he is FSU bound, I want Levenberry to go to Michigan just to watch Farrell justify being wrong.

acnumber1

April 20th, 2012 at 3:01 PM ^

If it is dead even, meaning he really doesn't know which school to choose, why is he announcing 9+ months ahead of signing day?

 

I think I would take a little time to let the ground settle.

uncleFred

April 20th, 2012 at 3:30 PM ^

Our class is filling up, and the coaches are holding a slot open for him.  From the interviews I've read, E.J. seems like a very levelheaded and responsible young man.  We know that he and his father like and respect Hoke and the other coaches.  I think there is a good chance that E.J. wants to resolve this so that the coaches can react to his decision now instead of months from now.  Either way they don't have to hold his slot, and can adjust who they pursue. 

Of course that provides no insight into his decision. 

Magnus

April 20th, 2012 at 3:19 PM ^

I've got an idea:

Let's not fret about where Levenberry's committing to on Tuesday because it's still 10 months from National Signing Day and, well, we're going to know the answer in four days.

Jon06

April 20th, 2012 at 3:24 PM ^

the story seems to be that his dad wants FSU and he wants UM. if that's right, maybe he spent the week at FSU to appease his father before going blue. if all that were the case, it'd make sense for his dad to say it's a toss-up even if he's leaning blue out of denial if nothing else.

DT76

April 20th, 2012 at 3:26 PM ^

He'd be a nice get but with the '12 and '13 linebackers already in the pipeline and the '14 kids on the horizon, I can't see losing any sleep over it. Best wishes for him. It appears he has a good, solid dad in his corner and that has to be a big plus for him.

Blue boy johnson

April 20th, 2012 at 3:37 PM ^

I have no dog in this fight and have no preference for what school young Levenberry should choose. FSU or M both great choices.

As far as Eric Levenberry Sr. favoring FSU, it's probably a secondary issue. Remember Mitch McGary's father supposedly favoring Duke and Pointer's father supposedly favoring M over St. Johns, we know how those cases turned out.

As a father I have plenty of preferences for my child, but I'll be damned if that rapscallion doesn't have a strong will of her own. If Levenberry has his heart set on M, then M it will be.

BlueBadger

April 20th, 2012 at 4:32 PM ^

I cannot understand anyone picking vt over michigan. I guess having brothers there is something but...blacksburgh is boring! We had to drive to roanoke to do anything fun!

goblue1213

April 20th, 2012 at 4:54 PM ^

Non-Levenberry comment/question. Has anyone brought up the idea of Isaac as a receiver? Most people list speed, hands, and change of directions as strengths. Plus he's 6"2 and isn't really known as a pile mover as a RB with the size he has. Does anyone else think WR would be a good fit with the athleticism he seems to have?

StraightDave

April 20th, 2012 at 8:13 PM ^

Ace is usually pretty quiet when a recruit is blue and is waiting to go public.  If this is the last post about Leven, it's a good sign.  If another pops up then he is going south.

Perkis-Size Me

April 20th, 2012 at 8:19 PM ^

do you think we'll have room for isaac now that we already have a committed rb for the class, and a good one at that? its not like we have a shortage of backs to begin with..... also, who we we even lose after this year besides v. smith? we've got a pretty full stable already.

M-Dog

April 20th, 2012 at 8:49 PM ^

We must get Khalid Hill another star.  It's a moral imperative.  

Did you know that he can dunk a football?  And he can kick a basketball through the uprights at 40 yards.

 

ILOVEM27

April 21st, 2012 at 3:47 AM ^

I will not lose any sleep if EJ does not commit. We are LOADED  at the backer postion. Now if we do not get Treadwell or Issac I will be a little dissapointed but with the 2012 class and the way the 2013 class is turning out I am so pumped for the years to come because it will just keep getting better.