This list is completely arbitrary and not a genuine analysis of the relative merits of state fossils.
Hello: Kellen Jones
Filed under:
Houston linebacker Kellen Jones has just committed to Michigan. Tim's taken to writing up Hello posts before the kids even commit—dangerous!—so I'll let him get online to give you the rundown, but in brief: Jones is a 6'2", 230-pound middle linebacker, a four star ranked #195 overall by Scout. ESPN has him as a 79 and Rivals a generic three-star.
Sorry for the delay, I'm out of town for a cousin's wedding. -
GURU RATINGS
| Scout | Rivals | ESPN |
|---|---|---|
| 4*, #11 MLB, #47 Texas | 3*, 5.6, #32 ILB, #80 Texas | 3*, 79, #33 OLB |
First things first, the measureables: All three sites are in agreement on his height and weight, at 6-1, 210 (ok, Rivals says 209). Rivals and Scout call him a middle linebacker, but ESPN says he's more of an outside guy. Let's see why:
Flashes "shoot the gap", downhill ability vs. the inside run but not the big tough inside linebacker type who consistently stacks at the point.
That's something that can certainly be improved upon, and Scout also lists "size" as one of his areas to improve. The other is "pass coverage skills," though his strengths of "athleticism" and "speed" mean that, once he earns a bit of technique and play-recognition, he should be OK in that department. Let's finish up with the Scout profile:
Amazing on the blitz, he is as instinctual as you can find. He has a feel for getting through blocking and getting in to attack the quarterback, also good at blocking kicks. His size is okay but it is not above average. Good speed he uses it to his advantage on blitzes and coverage. Does a great job of working through blocks... Jones says he can bench 315-pounds and squat 515, earning him the nickname “Superman.”
Jones: “I’m able to read the play and can react fast. I’m a great blitzer and run stopper. I can also tackle and don’t let the guy get away.
“I’m working on my change of direction speed. I want to improve my hip flexibility and get better at pass coverage.”
Instincts and athleticism are at a premium for defenses under Rich Rodriguez, even if it means giving up a little size. He'll fit right in as that goes. Back to the ESPN profile for a more comprehensive breakdown of his game:
Note: although Rivals ranks him #80 in Texas, AggieYell.com pegs him all the way up at #35 in the Lone Star State.
OFFERS
Jones had tons of offers, and was as high-profile as any 3-star prospect (Rivals and ESPN) can be. Hometown Houston, Wyoming, and Boise State were his only non-BCS conference offers, but he also had 15 from auto-qualifying schools. From the PAC-10, Arizona, Stanford, and future member Colorado offered, SEC schools Arkansas and Vanderbilt offered, Virginia was the lone ACC offeree, and Illinois, and Purdue joined Michigan as Big Ten offers. In his home turf the Big 12, Baylor, departing Colorado, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, and Texas A&M all sent him offers.
The Michigan offer was the Big One, and as soon as he got on campus, he was convinced that Ann Arbor was the place for him.
STATS
His Scout profile gives an idea of 2009 stats:
Last season Kellen Jones finished with 75 tackles in nine games played. He also had 22 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles, 3 fumbles recovered, an interception, a safety, and six sacks. Also getting the attention of college coaches are his six blocked kicks, four punts and two field goals.
Junior Honors: First Team All-District; First Team All-State
Very nice stats, especially considering "OMG TEXAS FOOTBAW." The ability to force action with turnovers and sacks is especially encouraging.
FAKE 40 TIME
Rivals says 4.6, which is reasonable, all things considered. He plays fast on film, but as for laser-timed, verified times, that's still pretty fast. I'll say two FAKEs out of five.
VIDEO
Junior highlights:
PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE
Jones is a little below optimal size, but Obi Ezeh exits after 2010, and no other middle linebacker has proven himself yet. He'll have a chance to contribute early, especially if JB Fitzgerald and Kenny Demens don't displace Ezeh this year.
I don't see a redshirt for Jones, as he'll spend his freshman year on special teams and in some backup situations. Hopefully, he'll be physically prepared to contribute right off the bat (an early enrollment would be excellent, though I haven't seen indications that he's planning to do so). Within a couple years, Jones should challenge for a starting role at inside linebacker, even if he starts on the outside to get acclimated to the college game. If he can stay healthy, All-conference honors are a possibility...
But there are past injury issues, including concussions. When it comes to an issue of "kid's future" v. "football team's success," everyone should side with the kid.
UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS
Sadly, I can no longer copy and paste the "hey we still need offensive linemen and linebackers" portion from previous Hello: X posts. Jones looks like a good fit at middle linebacker, and Michigan has nabbed a couple OL recently as well. Those are still the main positions of need in the class, but no longer the top priorities.
Michigan can stand to wait on a few kids they want (Zettel, Hart, and hopefully a few big-timers down the road), while accepting commitments that seem to be in the near future (Posada). The class is at or around half-full now, so the coaches can hold off and hope a good season generates interest from some top guys.
July 30th, 2010 at 2:13 AM | 
It takes 8 to get through the Victors...
It takes 8 to get through the Victors...
July 30th, 2010 at 9:40 AM |
10 if you count the "Go Blue"
10 if you count the "Go Blue"
10 if you count the "Go Blue" at the end
July 29th, 2010 at 8:27 PM |
class
class
This is shaping up to be a very good class. Last years class filled a lot of holes with quantity. This class looks to make up the rest with quality. As far as Jones is concerned, it's always great to get a kid that's as good in the classroom as he is out of it. Congratulations to him for the opportunity.
July 29th, 2010 at 8:29 PM |
St Thomas High School (the
St Thomas High School (the
St Thomas High School (the red team in the highlight video) isn't very good at blocking.
July 29th, 2010 at 11:32 PM |
Look, part way through the
Look, part way through the
Look, part way through the second quarter and it's 35-0. wow.
yeah...I'm annoying
UofM COE Class of 2014
July 29th, 2010 at 8:40 PM |
Fills the need
Fills the need
We needed a LB, and this guy is above avg. Good list of schools were interested, and though not elite, he is exactly what we needed in the class; a guy who can compete, and be here for 5 years possibly starting the last 2 years, and bringing depth before then.
Bleeding Maize and Blue from the AZ
July 29th, 2010 at 8:44 PM |
Rivals lists him at 6'0" and
Rivals lists him at 6'0" and
Rivals lists him at 6'0" and 209 lbs whereas his Hello post puts him at 6'2" and 230 lbs. Wonder which is more accurate, but that might also take into account the discrepancy as to why he's only a 3* listed there.
July 29th, 2010 at 8:49 PM |
I don't know about his
I don't know about his
I don't know about his height, but he sure looks bigger than 209
"I think you are my favorite poster. The polar bear avatar definitely helps." - ShockFX
July 29th, 2010 at 10:44 PM |
I'll believe both
I'll believe both
so he must be 12'2'' and weigh 439 pounds!
Follow me on Twitter @gfraley05
July 29th, 2010 at 10:50 PM |
Oh, so he's gonna kick field
Oh, so he's gonna kick field
Oh, so he's gonna kick field goals for the Raiders, then
"I think you are my favorite poster. The polar bear avatar definitely helps." - ShockFX
July 29th, 2010 at 8:46 PM |
more d-fence
more d-fence
kellen will look good in the maise and blue.
July 29th, 2010 at 8:54 PM |
Welcome Kellen!
Welcome Kellen!
Your mom's cookies must be delicious...
"If this was an isocracy, you'd be in charge just like me." AIFM
July 29th, 2010 at 8:55 PM |
Oh hell yeah. Not just Middle
Oh hell yeah. Not just Middle
Oh hell yeah. Not just Middle Linebacker Competency, but Middle Linebacker Excellence!
July 29th, 2010 at 9:24 PM |
I love Michigan pulling kids
I love Michigan pulling kids
I love Michigan pulling kids out of Texas! Great high school programs produce great college players. Welcome Mr. Jones!
July 29th, 2010 at 9:25 PM |
Excellent News!
Excellent News!
Welcome to Michigan, Mr. Jones! I hope you have a great career and can become a key player in developing a top notch Michigan defense!!!!
expect the best
July 29th, 2010 at 9:26 PM |
He looks pissed. Surely he
He looks pissed. Surely he
He looks pissed. Surely he will hate Ohio State.
July 29th, 2010 at 9:29 PM |
I haven't busted this one out in a while
I haven't busted this one out in a while
But the situation calls for it
July 29th, 2010 at 9:51 PM |
Absolutely love it
Absolutely love it
Love the combo of talent and character RR is bringing in. Just friggin love it.
July 29th, 2010 at 9:51 PM |
Informative portion time.
Informative portion time.
C'mon Tim. It's time for meds at the ol' methadone clinic.
Your friendly neighborhood contrarian.
July 30th, 2010 at 2:26 AM |
The Human Highlight Reel
The Human Highlight Reel
Our very own Kellen W. Jones. Just picture him in the Maize and Blue. This is what we can expect from our newest star.
Edit: I Posted this video before it was used in the official "Hello" post. I am happy to see that Brian used it.
Joined:2010-5-29
July 30th, 2010 at 7:27 AM |
Holy hell!!!
This kid is a
Holy hell!!!
This kid is a
Holy hell!!!
This kid is a stud.
Didn't know much about him before today, but man, I'm really, really excited about him!! True linebacker, and that highlight video....man, dude's a playmaker!!!
What I really like about him is he's not really reacting, but he's making things happen on D. Other than Graham, that's been by and large missing on our D. Also kid is all hussle...looks like he really finishes plays.
Love it. Can't wait to see him in Maize n' Blue
CJK5H
July 29th, 2010 at 11:30 PM |
Tim weddings are not viable
Tim weddings are not viable
Tim weddings are not viable excuses :) unless it's your own
July 29th, 2010 at 11:37 PM |
"First team, all-state"
"First team, all-state"
In Texas. Let that roll around in your head for a while. They've done everything to create the perfect football player down there except genetically engineer one in a petri dish, (or maybe they have). And some "expert" thinks he's only good for a 3-star rating? Horse feathers.
"If life is the road, then Ohio is simply a place to stop for gas." -- Scott Burgess, Detroit News, 9/16/2010
July 30th, 2010 at 7:32 AM |
very minor clarification...
very minor clarification...
...from someone who played h.s. ball in Houston. Jones goes to St. Pius X, which is a TAPPS school (Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools), and was first team all-state in TAPPS, not the public leagues (of which 5A is the biggie, or at least used to be when I was there). Unlike some states, the private schools in TX aren't anywhere near as competitive as the public leagues (or there's no way in Sam Hill I'd have been playing).
Howeva...look at that film and it's pretty clear that the kid is a 5A talent. Plus, his 3.43 GPA becomes that much more impressive because SPX is a rigorous academic place, and he'll have no problem handling the work at UM. But anyway, that's the explanation for the three-star ranking for a first-team all-state guy. He'll play like a 4-star, so don't even worry about it.
If that weren't good enough, check THIS out from Tom VH's post:
"We were in Coach Rodriguez' office, and my family was in there with me. I told Coach that I was committing, and my whole family broke into the Michigan fight song. My Dad, Uncle, me, everybody was singing the fight song. Coach Rodriguez laughed and said he had never seen that before. He was shocked."
Seriously, is he too good to be true or what?
"You know, for a bartender/bookie, you're pretty judgmental."
July 30th, 2010 at 12:49 PM |
Wow
Wow
I just got the chills and almost teared up reading that quote.
July 29th, 2010 at 11:38 PM |
Sweet!
Sweet!
Welcome Kellen!
He has the best highlight film I've seen. Not just his plays, which are awesome (finally, a REAL MLB), but the editing is amazing.
July 29th, 2010 at 11:48 PM |
The music sorta reminds me of
The music sorta reminds me of
The music sorta reminds me of NCAA 11. I'm just waiting for Herbie to say something startingly obvious about "the linebacker"
2011 Totals: 3 Cracker Jack, 1 Mike & Ike, 0 Candy Corn.
July 29th, 2010 at 11:52 PM |
Great signing
Great signing
Kellen Jones looks like a player.
Also appreciate the mention of the concussion issue, which should always be noted with football players. Hopefully it does not recur but put his future health first.
July 30th, 2010 at 12:16 AM |
other MLB
other MLB
Calling Ezeh "proven" makes me somewhat sad. He has proven a variety of things, not all of them necessarily super-duper positive.
July 30th, 2010 at 1:20 AM |
Obi Ezeh...
Obi Ezeh...
Looked pretty good early in his career, let's not forget about that.
Changing D-Coordinators and schemes two years in a row didn't help Obi one bit, but this year will be different, you can bet on that. My avatar says so.
Flush twice - it's a long way to Columbus.
July 30th, 2010 at 12:39 AM |
What i
What i
RATINGS
Scout Rivals ESPN 4*, #11 MLB, #47 Texas 3*, 5.6, #32 ILB, #80 Texas 3*, 79, #33 OLB
What i get from these ratings? That Kellen is athletic enough to play ANY of the LB positions in the 3-3-5.
Any more thoughts to contribute?
Joined:2010-5-29
July 30th, 2010 at 2:57 AM |
HOT DANG!
HOT DANG!
Talk about a way to brighten up one's day! YES! Gotta love the commits from Texas. His papa is surely proud!
You're HIV-Aladeen.
July 30th, 2010 at 3:01 AM |
This is shaping up to be a
This is shaping up to be a
This is shaping up to be a great class, considering all of the crap associated with our program over the past few years. Hat off to the staff and to Mr. Jones. I wish you the utmost best whether in the class or on the field.
July 30th, 2010 at 5:16 AM |
WOOT!
WOOT!
WOOT!
not just "douchey" MGoBlog user, but now TRUSTED MGoBlog user
July 30th, 2010 at 7:12 AM |
Great center piece
Great center piece
Keep it going, bring on Frost, Showers, Zettel,Walls and a DT(dare I say Jernigan) to be named later.
As a guy who pines over Defense this really un-fucks my weekend.
Fuck it, Dude, let's go bowling.
July 30th, 2010 at 7:34 AM |
Someone earlier mentioned his
Someone earlier mentioned his
Someone earlier mentioned his initial burst as a positive, which I think is great. But watching the video you notice that every tackle he makes is a proper, wrap-up tackle. No launching, diving, jumping at ballcarriers or making arm tackles. He hits them solid, wraps them up and takes them down. Gotta love it.
July 30th, 2010 at 10:02 AM |
"all your line are backed by
"all your line are backed by
"all your line are backed by us!"
2013 resolution - make it onto the 2014 favorite MGoPosters post, not ironically
July 30th, 2010 at 10:25 AM |
Love the guys RR is bringing in
Love the guys RR is bringing in
Can't wait to silence the naysayers.
Christ in me arise and dispel all the darkness.
July 30th, 2010 at 10:27 AM |
OMG shirt
OMG shirt
Dude, you can see his abs through his shirt. What more do we need to say?
July 30th, 2010 at 10:30 AM |
Has the look of a pure football player
Has the look of a pure football player
He has the swagger and looks like a big boy that can move well.
Me likey!
Welcome Kellen
Hail
July 30th, 2010 at 11:37 AM |
Good Get
Good Get
He is strong, fast, athletic and very agressive. Has the kind of talent that can allow him to play the OLB position if needed. Michigan can always use top athletes.
The Original Voice of Reason
July 30th, 2010 at 2:12 PM |
2011 --- a season of destiny
2011 --- a season of destiny
As this recruiting class fills in, it's becoming increasingly evident that fall of 2011 will be M's breakout season. As more recruits from the past three classes --- such as Mr. Jones --- move into starting positions and the remainder give real meaning to the term "depth chart," I look for M to contend again.
Not saying M won't win a majority of its games this fall, but 2011 appears to be the year the program will re-emerge into national prominence.
A lifetime of happiness! No man alive could bear it; it would be hell on earth!
George Bernard Shaw
July 30th, 2010 at 5:07 PM |
Still hasn't
Still hasn't
Been changed to Mr. Blue on the recruiting board. This is trivial, but I look over that board pretty religiously. It's probably pointless, because of the Hello and Recruiting posts that give all the info (Happy Trailsing, news, fluff, etc) but still
Mike Martin told me he loves me. My life is quite possibly complete.
Join the bone marrow donor registry today: www.dkmsamericas.org (do it.)
ask Kellen.