Hello: Phil Paea Comment Count

Ace


HAIR [Isaiah Hole/247]

As first reported by Sam Webb and confirmed by Steve Wiltfong, Michigan has picked up a commitment from 2017 Berrien Springs (MI) three-star DT Phil Paea, who visited Ann Arbor this weekend for the Spring Game. While Paea is ranked as the #13 in-state prospect on the 247 Composite, his offer sheet suggests he'll move up that list considerably; Paea chose the Wolverines over the likes of Notre Dame, Oregon, and USC. The Irish posed a particularly serious threat as Berrien Springs is only a half-hour away from South Bend.

Paea's commitment is an early feather in the cap for new director of player personnel Tony Tuioti:

A major factor in Paea's commitment to Michigan was director of player personnel Tony Tuioti, a Hawaii native who hit it off with the prospect on his first visit to campus last month.

"Coach Tuioti was a big factor in why my visit went so well," he told Wolverine247 at the time. "He really made me feel at home and showed me why Michigan could be a great place for me."

Paea is Michigan's tenth commit in the 2017 class and the first on the defensive line. He's also a cousin of current DT Bryan Mone; in addition to genes, they share similarly impressive hairstyles.

This post, along with Leonard Taylor's, will be updated in full on Monday, when there should be a good deal more scouting info available on both players.

Comments

Blue Sharpie

April 2nd, 2016 at 4:18 PM ^

I sat in front of Phil Paea yesterday, he was sitting with Dylan Mcaffrey, Carter Dunaway, Jaraymond Hall, and Chase Lasiter. I introduced myself and jokingly said we need your committment. Little did I know he would commit this weekend! Awesome!

Bo Lytle

April 2nd, 2016 at 4:20 PM ^

HUGE grab by Michigan!  Under the radar three star prospect with tons of big time offers.  His rankings will go up and he will also compliment Rashan because he can play multiple posistions.  

getsome

April 2nd, 2016 at 5:14 PM ^

another big body at DL is always nice.  but this kid also has the versatility to potentially play OL and thats huge.  similar to that dude named boss last cycle, just sign up big athletes and then sort out where they fit best as they develop.  specialization is great but harbaugh also likes his versatile athletes

ST3

April 2nd, 2016 at 4:41 PM ^

I will try to learn how to pronounce his last name, but I suspect I'll call him Phil Paella for the next four years.

Sopwith

April 2nd, 2016 at 5:22 PM ^

their rankings/stars and their offer sheets is mind-boggling sometimes. That is the offer sheet you'd expect with a consensus 4-star. I mean, damn, we beat out some blue-bloods for this one. Yay, more large persons on the DL! Keep 'em coming!

Sopwith

April 2nd, 2016 at 5:34 PM ^

in Fiji, Guam, Tonga, Am. Samoa, any other Pacific island nations we can next year.  j/k

But not really j/k. Seriously. Don't wait for families to migrate to Berrien Springs, go plant some recruiting seeds in the mother countries. 

WolvinLA2

April 2nd, 2016 at 5:48 PM ^

Do we know what side of the ball the staff likes him best?  I know we have a bigger need at DT than at OG, but watching his film he looks more impressive at guard than at DT to me.  

SoccerDancer

April 2nd, 2016 at 6:01 PM ^

Ok, we're rounding in on halfway full on this class.   When is the "2017 Recruiting Overview" board going to get filled out ?  I found that to be a massive information deal.

MChem83

April 2nd, 2016 at 8:07 PM ^

Low rated recruits so early? Did the coaching staff not learn a lesson last year? We're just going to end up ditching these guys when we find our recruiting class overloaded.

Coldwater

April 2nd, 2016 at 9:25 PM ^

I believe he's low rated because he hasn't done the camp and combine circuit like so many players from SE Michigan. Berrien Springs is way off the radar of most recruiters. They don't play a high level of competition. But he is a flat out beast at guard or defensive line. He's another in the long line of Pacific Islanders that are thick through the hips and very powerful. ,

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