Justin Meram didn't just score
Hello: Anthony Standifer
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On a visit to campus today, IL CB/S Anthony Standifer has committed to Michigan. The Wolverines were his first big offer, and though he picked more up afterwards, he decided that Ann Arbor is the place for him.
GURU RATINGS
| Scout | Rivals | ESPN | 24/7 Sports |
| 3*, #26 CB | NR DB | NR CB | 3*, 87, NR CB |
Anthony is a bit under-the-radar at this point, but he's a tall corner with excellent ball skills. Scout, Rivals, and 24/7 Sports all say he's 6-1, while ESPN puts him down at 6-0. He's also a skinny dude, with the consensus weight just under 180 pounds. That sounds like a guy who can either play corner or put on some weight and project to free safety if needed.
On top of the size, the recruiting services also make it obvious that he's a generic 3-star prospect. If he can truly play corner, expect those rankings to go up, because he has excellent size for the position.
Tom talked to Anthony about his game:
I have good size, I'm fast for my size, good at finding the ball, I have good enough hands to be a receiver if I wanted to be, but I still have a lot of room for improvement.
"Good enough hands to play receiver" is a huge asset for a defensive back as long as all the other skills are present as well. A Rivals article starts out by stating that Standifer's hips are good, despite the fact that tall corners usually have trouble ($, info in header):
Tall cornerbacks are a rarity in college football because, in general, the taller a player, the less "swivel" they have in their hips. Crete (Ill.) Monee's Anthony Standifer is one of those rare athletes over 6-feet who plays the cornerback position, and Michigan is starting to show interest.
He impressed Scout's Allen Trieu at the Core6 combine last month ($):
A long, athletic 6'1 cornerback, he has picked up offer after offer of late. This was my first time seeing him in person, and it's easy to see why he has those offers. In addition to his size, he has legitimate speed and athleticism. He's not a 4.3 guy, but he can run with just about anyone, and his ball skills are top notch. He has some technical work to do still, but his anticipation and awareness is good. He did a good job of recognizing and jumping routes.
To me, that reads like "maybe not the best athlete, but certainly good enough." At his height, having good anticipation and ball skills are just as important as speed, and as long as he's able to run with most wideouts, that speed shouldn't be a liability at all. Considering most of his offers have come following in-person evaluations by college coaching staffs, I wouldn't be too worried.
It's clear that Brady Hoke and staff want at least one taller corner in this class, and Anthony has the ability to play there. He's also big enough to be a potential safety down the road, so versatility is definitely in his favor, as far as getting on the field down the road.
OFFERS
As mentioned above, Michigan was the first big offer for Standifer (he had previously held Northern Illinois and Western Michigan). However, after Michigan stepped up, several schools - depending on your definition of bigtime - entered the fray. Boise State, Cincinnati, Iowa, Kansas, and Notre Dame are some of the schools that have recently played in BCS bowls that consider Anthony worthy of an offer.
He has a few other lesser offers, including some mid-level BCS teams and MAC-type schools, and definitely has the profile of a riser with some of the recent entrants. Michigan State, Miami (YTM), and Oregon were some of the schools showing interest that hadn't yet offered.
STATS
Standifer had 44 tackles, nine interceptions and one forced fumble as a junior.
Yay. Nine interceptions in a high school season speaks to his ball-hawking ability, especially since a lot of high school teams are very wary of throwing when they know the other team has good DB talent.
FAKE 40 TIME
None of the premium sites have listed 40 times. Default five FAKEs out of five. Allen Trieu said above he's "not a 4.3 guy," which duh, because almost nobody is.
VIDEO
Standifer's Junior Highlight:
PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE
Michigan has picked up tons of DBs in the classes of 2011 and 2012, and it's super-tough to project a player at that position when the guys a year ahead of him have yet to even hit campus, much less play in a game.
If you held a gun to my head and made me choose, I would say that Michigan's newfound DB depth(!) will allow him to redshirt, and in that year, it'll be much easier to determine if he'll grow into a free safety or remain the size of a corner. My assumption is that safety is in his future, but it all depends on way too many factors to know right now.
He seems like the type who will never be a huge star, but could be a solid starter during the course of his career, and as long as he develops as expected, could be a late round NFL-type.
UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS
This commitment REALLY starts the slowdown process on defensive backs for the 2012 class. Standifer is the third DB, and with the possible addition of Morgan tomorrow (pending a discussion with his family, apparently) and a big DB class last year, OL, DT, and WR remain the primary needs, with QB and RB also needed.
June 1st, 2011 at 7:39 PM | 
Hmm..
Hmm..
June 1st, 2011 at 8:03 PM |
Well, considering in the Wednesday Recruiting post
Well, considering in the Wednesday Recruiting post
He said he didn't expect a commitment today, I think this caught everyone off-guard.
"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
June 1st, 2011 at 8:44 PM |
Once he got into pointing range...
Once he got into pointing range...
...No other schools stood a chance.
Witty comment pending further thought.
June 2nd, 2011 at 12:53 AM |
This kid is a CB fo sho!
This kid is a CB fo sho!
The way he back pedals and keeps his eyes on the ball. Intercepts with one hand often and jumps at the right time.
Not afraid to find the ball carrier and lay the wood while lowering his shoulder. Great techniques.
Wait till he gets in the U-M training room, he probably could play WR, can you say Sir Charles Woodson? There's no way he's only a 3 star, that's laughable!
Man I'M geeked for the future of this program!
June 2nd, 2011 at 12:54 AM |
This kid is a CB fo sho!
This kid is a CB fo sho!
The way he back pedals and keeps his eyes on the ball. Intercepts with one hand often and jumps at the right time.
Not afraid to find the ball carrier and lay the wood while lowering his shoulder. Great techniques.
Wait till he gets in the U-M training room, he probably could play WR, can you say Sir Charles Woodson? There's no way he's only a 3 star, that's laughable!
Man I'M geeked for the future of this program!
June 2nd, 2011 at 12:56 AM |
This kid is a CB fo sho!
This kid is a CB fo sho!
The way he back pedals and keeps his eyes on the ball. Intercepts with one hand often and jumps at the right time.
Not afraid to find the ball carrier and lay the wood while lowering his shoulder. Great techniques.
Wait till he gets in the U-M training room, he probably could play WR, can you say Sir Charles Woodson? There's no way he's only a 3 star, that's laughable!
Man I'M geeked for the future of this program!
June 1st, 2011 at 7:40 PM |
Two by Twos...
Two by Twos...
Let the pairs continue!
Welcome Anthony.
5 4 3 2 1 Touchdown!
Touchdown Billy Taylor!
Touchdown Billy Taylor!
June 1st, 2011 at 7:47 PM |
Actually, Allen Gant was
Actually, Allen Gant was
Actually, Allen Gant was paired with Terry Richardson, so now we need to get a DB pair for Mr Standifer.
I'm looking eastward...and tapping my foot.
June 1st, 2011 at 11:29 PM |
All DB's
All DB's
They can be the Trifecta.
"We alway's did feel the same, we just saw it from a different point of view"
June 1st, 2011 at 7:42 PM |
Late afternoon
Late afternoon
Late afternoon treat...delightful!
He must have liked his trip (who can blame him?)
June 1st, 2011 at 7:50 PM |
What a stunner! Holy F this
What a stunner! Holy F this
What a stunner! Holy F this staff does a good job on the recruiting trail. This kid is a huge get, a big corner with hips on a swivel. I disagree with you, Tim. This kid's film shows that he can be a star. He's no generic 3 star.
A hearty welcome to the Michigan family.
June 1st, 2011 at 8:16 PM |
Allen on Scout has said that
Allen on Scout has said that
Allen on Scout has said that Anthony will be moving up the rankings. This is no generic 3 star by any means. This is a player to definitely get excited about. Welcome aboard, Anthony!
Omnia mutantur nos et mutamur in illis.
June 1st, 2011 at 11:25 PM |
agreed. I guess I expect his
agreed. I guess I expect his
agreed. I guess I expect his ranking to move up after watching that film. It's relatively easy to look good as as a DB in HS b/c the passing game is so poor for most high school teams. But in this video, many of his interceptions were self created, not the fault of a QB (video @ 1:37). He looked very good to me and hopefully will provide some flexibility b/c of his size. Welcome Anthony.
Streaming UM games early Sunday morning from Korea, since 2007
June 2nd, 2011 at 12:01 AM |
Yeah those first couple picks
Yeah those first couple picks
Yeah those first couple picks were a great example of how to "become the receiver." Once the ball was in the air, he went after it like it was his.
June 1st, 2011 at 7:50 PM |
I think he stays at corner,
I think he stays at corner,
I think he stays at corner, he doesnt look to be that good of a tackler and seems to have the potential to stick with top-flight reciever. Armani Reeves is a smaller corner but he is better at tackling than Standifer and I'd rather have him back deep there because of that alone, not that I think he'll play safety wherever he goes
June 2nd, 2011 at 1:11 PM |
makes sense
makes sense
He might not be done growing, though. If he grows another inch or two he would likely have to move to safety.
June 2nd, 2011 at 2:55 PM |
I'm not saying your wrong...
I'm not saying your wrong...
I'm no Magnus when it comes to evaluating recruits, but he like pretty good tackling to me, especially for a corner. Again though, I am not a coach or anything.
June 1st, 2011 at 7:52 PM |
tick tock
tick tock
I think at this point Wayne Morgan had better go to his coaches/advisors and in his best Cartman voice say "Screw you guys I'm going to Michigan" before there's no more room at the inn.
June 1st, 2011 at 7:53 PM |
This may have
This may have
Made Morgan's decision for him, mathematically speaking anyway.
I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word that I'm saying. -Oscar Wilde
June 1st, 2011 at 7:55 PM |
So, we now know that this
So, we now know that this
So, we now know that this staff are members of the Mack Brown School of Recruiting--although Mack probably has the Class of 2015 already sown up...
It's got to be a significant advantage to be able to focus almost exclusively on game planning during the season instead of spending a ton of time recruiting--as long as you get the right guys to start with, which we appear to be doing.
June 1st, 2011 at 7:59 PM |
Outstanding!
Outstanding!
It is amazing how this class has been filled so quickly with kids that meet with Coach Hoke and our coaches...see the facilities and BAM committ spot on. That says a lot about the future of the program. These kids really seem to like Coach Hoke, the coordinators and his staff and feel very comfortable and at home and know it is the place for them. Hoke is It. Go Blue.
PS: 9 INT is pretty special for any HS corner to have in one season. Watching his film, he appears to have great ball skills, hand - eye coordination and the ability to pick up the ball in flight and adjust to it while also adjusting to covering the wide out....those things cant really be taught...i mean, they can be "taught" but the really good corners do it inately.
no easy way to be free
June 1st, 2011 at 7:59 PM |
I have a feeling that Anthony
I have a feeling that Anthony
I have a feeling that Anthony will be very good. The 9 interceptions and how he got them impress me the most along with his size.
Stay thirsty my friends.
June 1st, 2011 at 8:04 PM |
so are we done with DBs?
so are we done with DBs?
With Morgan - "if he picks Michigan, that is" - that will give Michigan four DBs. Is there room for another, or this now locked up like the LBs? I assume we're taking 25 commits?
Can anyone confirm on how many we're taking?
June 1st, 2011 at 8:03 PM |
i kinda feel like that
i kinda feel like that
by taking 4 DBs in back to back classes that raymon taylor may end up at reciever or at both thats why we didnt take one last year
But sir, but sir, BUT NOTHING
June 1st, 2011 at 8:04 PM |
Pleasant Surprise
Pleasant Surprise
I did not expect that at 8:00 in the evening.
Welcome Anthony.
All right Lemmings. Bring the heat.
June 1st, 2011 at 8:04 PM |
I used to be more of a doubter
I used to be more of a doubter
but the more I look at this kid, the more I like him. I don't know how he stayed under the radar, but as long as we got him, it's fine with me. After all, it isn't like Boise State and ND have no idea about DBs either. He looks like a great coverage guy that is really going to help us out. Welcome, Anthony! (South Bend is NOT where you want to spend 4 years, anyway!)
"Underwear Wearing Basement Dweller"
June 1st, 2011 at 8:11 PM |
Indeed
Indeed
(I haz a sad)
June 1st, 2011 at 8:57 PM |
Its not great but it isn't
Its not great but it isn't
Its not great but it isn't awful. I wouldnt want to go to ND no matter where it was
June 1st, 2011 at 10:32 PM |
You grew up in Lansing,
You grew up in Lansing,
You grew up in Lansing, didn't you?
June 2nd, 2011 at 4:12 AM |
The even funnier part
The even funnier part
The even funnier part about ND is that as soon as he became a Michigan commit..... "We didn't want him... He's not a good athlete" Kind of figures... Oh well we will take him with open arms and let him prove to you differently for the next 5 years!
June 1st, 2011 at 8:05 PM |
I wonder if wearing the pink
I wonder if wearing the pink
I wonder if wearing the pink under shirts helps being noticed by recruiters.
"im saying to myself should i do it should i not. I crossed the goaline and hey...fuck it" Desmond Howard on his Heisman pose
June 1st, 2011 at 8:06 PM |
Mario says...
Mario says...
ITZA COMMITAPALOOZA!!!
I always think Ricky is gonna run into an alley, or just dodge the bullet, the man was on scholarship to USC fergodsakes.
June 1st, 2011 at 8:06 PM |
posted from iPhone
posted from iPhone
Welcome aboard Anthony!
Chaos is found in greatest abundance wherever order is being sought. It always defeats order because it is better organized.
June 1st, 2011 at 8:10 PM |
Another fine recruit!
Another fine recruit!
Somebody get the staff another box of Romeo y Julieta's. The first one has to be almost empty by now
June 1st, 2011 at 8:10 PM |
Cheers to the first non
Cheers to the first non
Cheers to the first non Mich/Ohio recruit! And many more to come!
June 1st, 2011 at 8:14 PM |
We know...
We know...
that Hoke wants 4 DB's in this class. I think he wants to re-establish depth. So first to pull the trigger, Morgan or Reeves, is in.
Hoke clearly is a 'shoot first, ask questions later' guy. I like that. I would rather have the firm commit than to second guess.
Standifer has been rising on many peoples lists, and is much better than the 3* that he is rate as.
Basically, after that, we are only talking about linemen..OL and DL Bring on the big uglies!!!
neoavatara.com/blog
June 1st, 2011 at 8:20 PM |
THE LINEMAN!!
THE LINEMAN!!
Yes, bring on the lineman!!
June 1st, 2011 at 8:19 PM |
Michigan's 14th commit...
Michigan's 14th commit...
...is their 1st commit from outside of MI or OH.
Welcome, Anthony.
LSA '89 - MBB Natl Champions, Big 10/Rose Bowl Champions | Maize Pages Wolverines on Twitter | @MGoShoe
June 1st, 2011 at 8:44 PM |
Yeah, Hoke has finally
Yeah, Hoke has finally
Yeah, Hoke has finally realized that he needs to start recruiting nationally!
June 1st, 2011 at 9:01 PM |
Can't believe Sparty didn't
Can't believe Sparty didn't
Can't believe Sparty didn't get him - we may have dodged a bullet there . . . .
"Underwear Wearing Basement Dweller"
June 1st, 2011 at 8:16 PM |
Cornerbacks must have the
Cornerbacks must have the
Cornerbacks must have the most narrowly defined "ideal" parameters of any position in football. If a CB is 5'9 or smaller (like T. Richardson) the scouts all say "his size will always be an issue", conversely, if a CB is 6' or taller scouts will comment on his "stiff hips" as a problem.
So, to be a "perfect" CB one must apparently be 5'10" or 5'11", with fluid hips and great footspeed.
Sidenote: Does anyone else get a creepy feeling in their stomach when they say or read the term "fluid hips" when talking about another guy? NTTAWWT.
We ARE Michigan....COME GET SOME!!!
June 1st, 2011 at 8:21 PM |
Nice! Welcome Anthony!
Nice! Welcome Anthony!
I love the tall corners, such an avantage in redzone defence. As posted above, this may make up Morgans mind for him. Sorry Reeves I really wanted ya, but looks like were out of room
June 1st, 2011 at 8:23 PM |
So what's left?
So what's left?
Are we basically down to Morgan or Reeves (first to commit), 3 OL, 2 DT, and then only "elite" players? This is assuming we have 20 scholarships total...I still feel weird about assuming we'll have room for more, but that's why Hoke is the coach and I'm not. If Morgan and Reeves both wanted to commit, would lower ranked prospects be told to look elsewhere?
June 1st, 2011 at 8:38 PM |
I have read that
I have read that
they're taking 25 - a full class?
I would love to know if this is true or not.
June 1st, 2011 at 8:57 PM |
posted from iPhone
posted from iPhone
If they take 3 more OL and 2 more DL and if Morgan commits, that's 20 spots with 18 currently available. I can see perhaps not offering T. Rob or Mike Cox 5th years based on how this year goes, but I feel icky even thinking about that,
Chaos is found in greatest abundance wherever order is being sought. It always defeats order because it is better organized.
June 1st, 2011 at 9:36 PM |
We d*mn well better take at
We d*mn well better take at
We d*mn well better take at least one WR in this class!
In addition to your listed numbers (1 DB, 3 OL and 2DT), it looks like UM wants at least one more DE (Wormley, Strobel, Washington,etc.) as well as possibly a QB and a RB, not to mention the fact that....we d*mn well better take at least one WR in this class.
Honestly, it looks like the staff is recruiting for a class of at least 23 commits and more likely 24 or 25. Going to be "interesting" to see how they get the available scholarships without going all Saban-ish.
We ARE Michigan....COME GET SOME!!!
June 1st, 2011 at 9:55 PM |
Well, the OSU news apparently
Well, the OSU news apparently
Well, the Tressel news apparently diminished Stanford's interest in OSU, so with luck we can land that duo of him and Washington.
Denard has spent the offseason working really hard and smiling at people.
June 1st, 2011 at 10:13 PM |
I was thinking the
I was thinking the
same thing.
It's tough being Blue in Columbus!!!
June 1st, 2011 at 8:24 PM |
Hoke hates OT season as much
Hoke hates OT season as much
Hoke hates OT season as much as us, so he gives us something to talk about.
June 1st, 2011 at 8:25 PM |
Hoke is Amazing
Hoke is Amazing
Hoke must have gotten so much tail in his day, it seems like he can get high school seniors to do whatever he wants.
But really this probably had a lot to do with Morgan's impending commitment.
-Eternal guardian of the Prevent (you from winning) Defense
This was up awfully quick. Was there any heads up on this? Or Tim, did you simply realize this would happen eventually.