Hello: Royce Jenkins-Stone Comment Count

Tim

Michigan has a 2012 commitment from MI LB Royce Jenkins-Stone.

royce.jpeg

GURU RATINGS

Scout Rivals ESPN 24/7
4*, #7 OLB NR LB NR OLB 4*, 93, #18 OLB#174 Overall

The recruiting sites are in near-complete agreement: Royce is 6-2, 215 pounds. When I saw him play early last season, I thought he looked pretty skinny, so either that's an overestimate of his weight, or he has the frame to get up to 230 or 240 pounds pretty easily. I think both are true to a degree.

Since it's so early in the process, there's very little out there on him. Scout's Allen Trieu:

He just might have as much upside as any other prospect in the state. He has a great frame at 6'2, 215-lbs, and has athleticism and speed to go with it. As a junior, he really stepped it up one more notch by adding discipline and the ability to make reads and attack to his game.

He plays as much fullback for Cass Tech as he does linebacker, and he's a punishing inside runner in their spread-type attack. The criticism on Royce has been that he needs to play with equal violence on defense as he does on O.

Once he learns to play with a nasty attitude, he seems like an excellent prospect. His frame and athleticism are both near-perfect, and he has a lot of upside if he lives up to his potential.

OFFERS

Cincinnati, Michigan State, Iowa, Pittsburgh, and Toledo were Royce's early non-Michigan offers. However, he blew up over the past month or so, earning offers from the likes of Alabama, Oklahoma, and Florida. This kid is a Big Deal.

STATS

ESPN has his junior stats:

Registered 90 tackles, five sacks and three interceptions. Rushed for 10 touchdowns..

Not bad, but keep in mind that Detroit Public Schools often inflate player stats. Adjust accordingly.

FAKE 40 TIME

None of the sites have listed 40 times. I'll shame them by saying five FAKEs out of five.

VIDEO

Youtube highlights:

You might be able to catch a few glimpses of him (#10) from last year's Friday Night Lights video on Delonte Hollowell.

PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE

Royce has excellent physical skills and potential. He could eventually slot in at any of the linebacker positions, though I think strongside seems the most likely at this point.

With Michigan's huge haul of linebackers in 2011, Royce won't have to play right away, and should be able to spend his freshman year redshirting. The new depth in front of him should allow him to spend another year learning the system and playing special teams, before he works into a bigger role as a redshirt sophomore.

As an upperclassman, Royce should be a heavy member of the rotation, taking control of a starting position by the end of his redshirt junior year, and potentially earning All-Conference honors as a senior.

UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS

Royce is Michigan's second linebacker commit in 2 days. Since Michigan took several linebackers last year (though maybe not any who are naturals at strongside 'backer), they don't need more than a couple in this class. One more (probably the first of MI LB James Ross and OH LB Joe Bolden to commit) should close out the recruiting class at the position.

Basically every position other than linebacker is a remaining need in the class. Offensive and defensive lines in particular are needs, because Michigan's depth is light there.

Comments

Bodogblog

April 16th, 2011 at 4:16 PM ^

Welcome Royce!!! Cannot wait to see another Cass Tech kid out there tearing it up for Michigan!!! Great news on a great football Saturday for Michigan defense

Maize n Blue

April 16th, 2011 at 4:21 PM ^

Great news... I'm glad we've kept the Cass Tech pipeline open, hopefully more to follow.

Turning away talents such as Bolden or Ross seems crazy to me, but hopefully the coaching staff will get the one they want most.

Moe Greene

April 16th, 2011 at 4:24 PM ^

Spring Ball?  Check

Wings over Yotes? Check

Big time recruit goes blue? Check

Sofia Vergara comes by the apartment?  Hmmmm...I like where this is going...

BrownJuggernaut

April 16th, 2011 at 4:25 PM ^

Back to back Hello posts make me happy in the pants. Very excited and hope that this weekend will help spur the Super Class. Someone really needs to photoshop these kids faces on the Super Best Friends.

Hannibal.

April 16th, 2011 at 4:26 PM ^

Are we really going to turn away Ross?  Judging by his offer list, the kid is a borderline 5* candidate.  Offers from OSU, Nebraska, ND, Penn State, USC, and Michigan State.  We've got to make room for him somehow. 

Ziff72

April 16th, 2011 at 4:34 PM ^

I think they take both if both want to come, but I wonder if RJS felt the pressure of a numbers crunch and moved up his commitment?

LB looks to be in good shape.  Remember that ST is usually populated with Lb's and safeties, we should have great coverage units in for the next few years.

 

ErikS

April 16th, 2011 at 4:56 PM ^

I was one of the guys freaking out about the BH hire, and now find myself very excited.  He is starting to assemble a top-notch recruiting class, didn't lose any players, hired a good staff, and isn't going anywhere!  Go Blue.

nc-blue

April 16th, 2011 at 5:01 PM ^

Great news!.  Welcome RJS!  Recruiting is like a football game- momentum means a lot!.  This recruiting class has got lots of momentum.  Think we'll see it start to expand beyond MI and Ohio?

  

Catahoulajak

April 16th, 2011 at 6:07 PM ^

 Now I can't vote or start a topic. On a side note, that Charlie Sheen song that I posted last week that everyone on here disliked and asked to let die is getting national airtime and my friend is actually making money off of it, Apparently the kids nowadays love it.

UMMAN83

April 16th, 2011 at 5:52 PM ^

commit fast.  No holding any slots this year.  You snooze you lose.  You may end up in-state or worse.

brendandavis22

April 16th, 2011 at 6:26 PM ^

Royce will be a stud.  You have to think with Royce and his dad being "blue" James Ross is going to be AA bound.  I know RJS said he is going to respect whatever James (and Terry) do but it has to play a part (in a positive way) that RJS is now committed. 

 

Anybody know what Cass juniors to be made it to the big house today?  Their 2013 class has the Finley brothers and David Dawson.  Were they there today?

 

EDIT... Juniors to be... RJS is actually still a JR.

UMICH1606

April 17th, 2011 at 7:48 AM ^

Terry, Royce, and Laron Taylor was there from the 2012 class. It's too bad that Laron is coming up with such a a huge LB class with Michigan interest. He would probably get an offer most years.

As far as 2013-David Dawson, Dennis Finley, and Kenton Gibbs were there.

bing24

April 16th, 2011 at 6:26 PM ^

Welcome aboard RJS. I am really excited about this kid and think he has potential to be a beast. Now it's time to recruit his buddies Richardson & Ross. Good start to the weekend after working a Saturday!

GO BLUE

kman23

April 16th, 2011 at 6:41 PM ^

Did anyone know this commit was going to happen or was this completely unexpected? Was RJS "cornered" into committing due to the numbers games with linebackers are thus sped up his commitment?

Everyone knew Ringer was coming on Friday but I haven't heard one word about RJS.