Hello: Craig Roh

Arizona DE Craig Roh has committed to Michigan. Informative update coming.

GURU RATINGS & CHATTER

Roh's guru ratings are, on average, slightly better than Anthony LaLota, who committed last week. Roh will be a weakside compliment to Lalota, who's already around 260 and will probably play at at least 270. Roh's around 225, more of an edge rusher. ESPN bot Tom Luginbill:

"He is a prospect who plays smart and displays good recognition skills and instincts for the game and puts himself into positions to be successful on the field. He can quickly get off the ball and be violent with his hands. He has good speed and can pressure the quarterback. He is also a well-rounded prospect who also excels in the classroom with a 4.3 GPA."

ESPN's scouting report($) is weirdly reserved for a guy who is in their top 100 and will play in their All Star game this winter:

Roh is a productive and sound player. As he physically develops he has the tools to be a good and accountable defensive player at the college level. He may not always be the most athletic kid lined up, but he knows how to play the game and get himself in situations to be successful.

WTF? That reads more like the scouting report for a guy they give a three-star-equivalent rating. They mention the need to "add bulk," FWIW.

And your weekly dose of eeeeeeee Barwis:

"He's out-of-this-world good," Roh said of Michigan's new conditioning guru. "He was the most impressive strength and conditioning coach I've seen. He's very outside the box. They don't just do ordinary lifting, and that really impressed me."

OFFERS

Roh's final five was impressive: Michigan, USC, UCLA, Nebraska, and Arizona State. Other suitors were numerous: 40+ offers including Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Miami, Arkansas, Tennessee, Missouri, LSU, Texas, and the entire Pac10.

STATS

99 tackles and 15.5 sacks as a junior, garnering all-state recognition.

FAKE 40 TIME

Roh's listed 40 is 4.72, which actually seems feasible given his stature.

VIDEO

Highlights from last year:

And there's also some free AMP video of Roh and a number of others doing one-on-one DE/OL drills at USC's camp, and an interview he did with Scout.

PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE

Well, the kid is a top 100 recruit with offers from just about everyone. That's good. The add-bulk thing might dictate a redshirt, but only if Brandon Graham sticks around for his senior year. Without that luxury we'll probably see Roh on the field as a slight but explosive pass-rushing DE that tantalizes with the occasional big play.

Think Tim Jamison, who flew up recruiting boards his senior year to be rated even slightly above where Roh is currently hanging out. It'll be interesting to see his development under Barwis as opposed to Gittleson; hopefully his big strong muscles are the things getting developed instead of his spare tire.

UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS

Michigan's severe need at defensive end has been met in under a week by two high-rated players with offers from a who's who of college football programs. Huzzah! Assuming Michigan re-acquires the commitment of five-star DT Will Campbell, Michigan will have a full defensive line of four-star-plus prospects. Score.

The only potential downer: Lalota, who just started playing last year, and Roh, who needs to add weight, might need a year or two before they're ready to go. With Michigan's tendency to rotate defensive ends and the lack of options in front of him they might not have that luxury.

As far the rest of the class goes: Michigan's still in the running for a variety of other guys, including a top-50 type in SC DE Sam Montgomery, and may take a third. The next guy on commitment watch is Cass Tech safety Thomas Gordon; past that Michigan needs a couple more guys in the secondary and another OL or two.

Etc.: Varsity Blue also has a Roh recap; Chaparral has an impressive official site for a high school; more photos.