Future Blue Originals 2012: In-State Primer
Future Blue Originals return this fall—holy crap, return in less than two weeks—as I'll once again be driving around the Midwest to scout Michigan's commits and targets. I'll be enlisting the help of Heiko and Eric to improve the quality of the video and photos, which should also allow for more detailed scouting reports, and I'm hoping to cover even more games than last year.
Below you'll find the schedules for Michigan's in-state commits as well as one high-profile 2014 target. Unlike last year, when the Wolverines had a couple of Toledo-area commits, I'll probably focus entirely on these prospects unless something changes; luckily, there are plenty of intriguing games to check out. If you have any corrections—or, even better, plan on scouting one of these games yourself—please let me know in the comments or shoot me an email.
Cass Technical School
Detroit, MI
Detroit Cass Tech 2012 | ||
---|---|---|
Date | Time | Opponent |
8-25 | 7:30 PM | Birm. Brother Rice (@Wayne State) |
8-31 | 4 PM | Detroit Northwestern |
9-7 | 7 PM | Detroit Renaissance |
9-14 | 4 PM | @ Detroit Cody |
9-21 | 7 PM | @ Orchard Lake St. Mary's |
9-28 | 4 PM | Detroit Ford |
10-5 | 4 PM | @ Detroit Mumford |
David Dawson (2013 commit)
HS Position: Offensive tackle
Projects as: Offensive guard
Jourdan Lewis (2013 commit)
HS Position: Wide Receiver/Cornerback
Projects as: Cornerback
Damon Webb (2014 Prospect)
HS Position: Wide Receiver/Cornerback
Projects as: Cornerback
Deon Drake (2014 Prospect)
HS Position: Running Back/Outside Linebacker
Projects as: Outside Linebacker
Gary Hosey (2014 Prospect)
HS Position: Running Back/Middle Linebacker
Projects as: Running Back
Last season Cass Tech, led by Michigan commits Royce Jenkins-Stone and Terry Richardson, rebounded from an ugly opening-week loss to Farmington Hills Harrison to capture the Division 1 state title over Detroit Catholic Central. Michigan's favorite pipeline school has the ability to repeat that success this season, boasting another pair of Wolverine commits—OL David Dawson and WR/CB Jourdan Lewis—and several other BCS-level prospects.
One of the up-and-coming prospects to already hit Michigan's radar is junior corner Damon Webb, who had a breakout summer on the camp circuit and appears to be the next in line in Cass Tech's four-star cornerback parade. Classmate Deon Drake has already attracted attention from several Big Ten schools at linebacker, and Michigan is recruiting fellow RB/LB Gary Hosey as a big running back. Sophomore quarterback Jayru Campbell already has offers from Alabama and Notre Dame and will look to add Michigan to the mix this fall.
I'll probably attend at least two Cass Tech games this fall, and I'll definitely be at their opener against last year's Division 2 champ, Birmingham Brother Rice. Given Cass Tech's near-guaranteed presence in the state playoffs, I might save my second or third trip for then, though the MHSAA is notoriously stingy about filming at those games.
Detroit Catholic Central
Novi, MI
Detroit Catholic Central 2012 | ||
---|---|---|
Date | Time | Opponent |
8-24 | 7 PM | Detroit Cody |
8-31 | 7 PM | @ Toledo Whitmer |
9-8 | 2 PM | Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller |
9-23 | 1 PM | De La Salle |
9-29 | 1 PM | @ U-D Jesuit |
10-6 | 7 PM | Brother Rice (@Berkley, MI) |
10-12 | 7PM | @ Orchard Lake St. Mary's |
Wyatt Shallman (2013 Commit)
HS Position: Running Back/Defensive End
Projects as: Running Back
The Shamrocks fell just short of the state title last season, and this year they'll have to replace the production and leadership of incoming Michigan freshman Matt Godin, who starred on both lines. They'll navigate one of the tougher schedules in the state, both in non-conference—Whitmer and Moeller are two powerhouse Ohio programs—and conference play.
Wyatt Shallman will be the main focus from my end, of course. Shallman performed admirably as a junior while struggling with a hamstring injury, so I'm very curious to see how much that affected him—especially running the football—now that he's healthy. Michigan is bringing him in as a running back, but I'll also get to see him at defensive end; he could wind up there in college if running back doesn't work out.
DCC's schedule provides some difficulties because several of their games—including marquee matchups against Moeller and Brother Rice—fall on Saturdays. A Sunday tilt against Shane Morris and De La Salle, however, beckons.
De La Salle Collegiate
Warren, MI
De La Salle 2012 | ||
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Date | Time | Opponent |
8-24 | 7 PM | @ Ann Arbor Pioneer |
9-1 | 3 PM | @ Cleveland St. Ignatius |
9-8 | 7 PM | Dearborn Fordson (@Lake Shore) |
9-15 | 7 PM | Brother Rice (@South Lake) |
9-23 | 1 PM | @ Catholic Central |
9-29 | 1 PM | Niagara (WI) |
10-6 | 7 PM | Orchard Lake St. Mary's |
10-12 | 7 PM | @ U-D Jesuit |
Shane Morris (2013 Commit)
HS Position: Quarterback
Projects as: Quarterback
Morris led De La Salle to a 9-3 record last season, with their final loss coming against Cass Tech in the state playoffs. Last year Morris was something of a one-man show for the Pilots; he'll get some help this year with the addition of wide receiver Jack Wangler—son of John—who's one of his favorite targets on the 7-on-7 circuit.
After attending just about every camp imaginable this summer, not to mention being heavily scouted for over a year, Morris is a relatively known commodity; as a result, he probably won't be my top priority when I'm picking games to scout. That said, his opening game is just down the road at Pioneer, a game I'll almost certainly check out. I'm also planning to see the Catholic Central game, giving me a couple chances to check up on Morris before the playoffs.
East English Village Prep
Detroit, MI
East English Village Prep 2012 | ||
---|---|---|
Date | Time | Opponent |
8-25 | 11 AM | Oak Park (@Wayne State) |
8-31 | 7 PM | @ Detroit Martin Luther King |
9-7 | 4 PM | Detroit Douglass |
9-14 | 4 PM | @ Detroit Denby |
9-21 | 4 PM | @ Detroit Southeastern |
9-28 | 7 PM | Detroit Central |
10-5 | 4 PM | Detroit Pershing |
Khalid Hill (2013 Commit)
HS Position: Tight End
Projects to: Tight End
Detroit Crockett and Detroit Finney have closed their doors and combined to form East English Village Prep—also known as "The Ville"—which plays its first season in the PSL this year. They'll feature Khalid Hill at tight end; given that Hill hasn't hit many camps and is one of the few commits not regarded as a solid four-star, I'll be curious to check him out in game action.
The Ville will play their first ever game at the Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State, an event I'll be covering closely. They play a number of games on Friday afternoons, as well, so I'll probably head to one other game for a doubleheader. If you have a preference of oppoenents between Douglass, Central, and Pershing, let me know in the comments.
Chandler Park Academy
Harper Woods, MI
Chander Park Academy 2012 | ||
---|---|---|
Date | Time | Opponent |
8-24 | 7 PM | @ New Philadelphia (OH) |
8-31 | 7 PM | @ Summit Academy |
9-14 | 7 PM | Old Redford Academy |
9-21 | 7 PM | Bradford Academy |
9-28 | 7 PM | Detroit University Prep |
10-5 | 7 PM | Detroit PEC Prep |
10-13 | 7 PM | @ Michigan Collegiate |
Csont'e York (2013 Commit)
HS Position: Wide Receiver
Projects to: Wide Receiver
Csont'e York is one of the biggest mysteries of this 2013 class, in no small part because he plays in one of Michigan's smaller divisions at Chandler Park Academy. The Eagles finished 9-3 last year, losing to Detroit Crockett in the opening round of the state playoffs.
York is a player I'd like to see twice given the lack of available information about him; he'll likely be the second half of a doubleheader after I go to see Hill. It looks like September 14th will be the day to do that. A return for the October 5th tilt against PEC Prep may also be in the cards.
Loyola
Detroit, MI
Chander Park Academy 2012 | ||
---|---|---|
Date | Time | Opponent |
8-25 | 5 PM | Old Redford Academy |
8-31 | 6 PM | Cranbrook Kingswood |
9-8 | 1 PM | @ Allen Park Cabrini |
9-14 | 6 PM | Riverview Richard |
9-21 | TBA | Dearborn Divine Child |
9-28 | 7 PM | @ Bishop Foley (WI) |
10-5 | 6 PM | Our Lady of the Lakes (@U-D Jesuit) |
10-19 | 4 PM | @ DEPSA Early College |
Malik McDowell (2014 Prospect)
HS Position: Defensive End
Projects to: Defensive End
McDowell may very well be the state's top 2014 prospect and Michigan is right in the thick of his recruitment. Loyola suffered just one loss last season, falling to Hudson in the second round of the state playoffs, though like Chandler Park they have the advantage of playing against somewhat less than top-flight competition.
I'll certainly aim to see McDowell at least once this fall; depending on the time of the Dearborn Divine Child game, that's likely the one I'll end up scouting.
Make sure to check back Friday when I post the out of state schedules, and once again please email me if you plan on attending any games and submitting photos/video/scouting reports for the blog.
August 15th, 2012 at 4:38 PM ^
August 15th, 2012 at 4:46 PM ^
I live in the Baltimore/DC area and may or may not try to make it to one of Gilman's games to see Henry Poggi and others this year, probably away at Archbishop Spalding on October 5th if I do since it's closest to me and I'm free that weekend. If I do go I would be happy to write something up for everyone. I know they have some highly regarded 2014+ prospects as well. What do you look for and who should I keep an eye on if I go?
August 15th, 2012 at 4:53 PM ^
I'd be happy to go to a few games here in West Michigan. Chance Stewart is in the conference I coach softball in. Is there any other recruits this side of the state you are interested in?
August 15th, 2012 at 9:38 PM ^
August 16th, 2012 at 9:13 AM ^
August 16th, 2012 at 11:10 AM ^
No he shouldn't convince Harris to go to Michigan over Michigan State. That would be a recruiting violation.
August 15th, 2012 at 5:12 PM ^
When Shane Morris and De La Salle play Pioneer, there could be a lot of people rooting against the home team. The Pioneers might think they are playing Huron.
August 15th, 2012 at 6:03 PM ^
Meh, it is one thing to want to see Shane do well but another thing to actually cheer against your alma-mater, peers, kids, etc etc..
August 15th, 2012 at 8:38 PM ^
August 15th, 2012 at 8:13 PM ^
So, are the Creeper Van Originals being rebranded under a more PC title?
August 15th, 2012 at 8:19 PM ^
IIRC school administrators were not too thrilled with that title...and DO read the blog..
August 15th, 2012 at 8:19 PM ^
I plan on taking in Hermitage's matchup with Varina...hoping that Derrick Green ends up in the class I may be able to provide some insight on that?
August 15th, 2012 at 9:30 PM ^
from Wisconsin to Warren to play DeLaSalle?? Niagara/Goodman/Pembine (WI) is also playing at Peshtigo the night before so that could really put them at a disadvantage. Also, not sure who/what they are - MaxPreps calls them the Badgers, their school website has a picture of a badger
but the website calls their football team the Northern Elite Predators (some women's teams are Lady Badgers, though). Somebody's wires got crossed between Niagara and Warren DeLaSalle....
Could they instead be playing Spartans from Canada - http://www.niagaraspartans.com/?
Confirmed here.
Dang, wanted Shane to give some payback for the worst speed limits/speed traps in the Midwest.
August 15th, 2012 at 9:38 PM ^
Why have we not offered Deon Drake? Gotta keep ND, Sparty and those corn hole schools out of our pipeline..
August 15th, 2012 at 10:31 PM ^
Don't forget about Cass Tech 2015 QB Jayru Campbell.
August 15th, 2012 at 11:02 PM ^
August 15th, 2012 at 11:07 PM ^
Yes, he is staying in Peoria for his senior season.
August 16th, 2012 at 7:12 AM ^
August 16th, 2012 at 10:28 AM ^
August 17th, 2012 at 10:45 PM ^
I would consider watching Shane play at Cleveland St. Ignatius, but I fear the trip will be a very ugly one for Mr. Morris and Co.
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