Monday Recruitin' Crops The Top
Happy Trails, Definitely
ack (also, PROTIP: do NOT do a GIS for "happy trails")
After Michigan nabbed a top-100 receiver, Brian Cole, away from Michigan State the week before, the Spartans returned the favor on Friday when they landed 2016 four-star Cameron Chambers. Point, MSU. Several negative points, meanwhile, to these guys.
Unfortunately, the bad news doesn't end there. The Damien Harris saga appears to be over for Michigan, as the former Wolverine commit announced on Twitter that he'd narrowed his list to five finalists: Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio State, and Texas A&M. Michigan's made a big push for Cass Tech four-star RB Mike Weber in the last couple months, and their efforts to land him should only intensify with this news.
Happy Trails, Probably
Two major U-M targets will announce their commitments to Schools Other Than Michigan soon, though both will remain on the board thanks to their future visit plans.
The first is four-star FL WR Auden Tate, who'll choose between Clemson, Michigan, USF, Maryland, Florida State, Florida, and Georgia tomorrow; the decision is expected to go FSU's way, and since Tate hasn't been to Ann Arbor it won't be U-M. Despite the impending decision, however, Tate told 247's Josh Newberg that he has two official visits planned ($):
“I’m taking one to FSU and I’m taking one to Michigan. I don’t know if I’ll take the other three.”
While Tate will commit elsewhere tomorrow, Michigan isn't totally out of it, even if their ultimate chances of landing him probably aren't great.
The second is four-star MD OG Patrick Allen, who informed Wolverine247 yesterday that he'll officially visit Michigan for the Minnesota game on September 27th. Just hours ago, he told 247's Ryan Bartow that he'll make a decision "in a week or two," which bodes unwell since Allen, like Tate, hasn't yet made it to campus; he has, however, taken trips to the other two schools in his top three, Georgia and Oklahoma. Again, Michigan should get the chance to change his mind, as Allen said he'll still take his official visits.
New 2015 Offer
Michigan offered 2015 four-star CA OG Zach Robertson on Saturday, per 247's Clint Brewster. While Robertson holds a laundry list of offers from powerhouse programs, he plans to check out Ann Arbor on an official visit:
Robertson told Wolverine247 shortly after the Michigan offer went out, "It's a great school for sure. An official visit will be set up."
Pulling Robertson out of California will be difficult—UCLA has been a consistent presence among his top schools, and he also holds a USC offer—but getting him on campus would be a good start.
U-M Makes Top Five For HOLY HAIR
Michigan offered 2016 four-star MD WR Steven Smothers in May, and while he hasn't been able to visit yet, he still has Michigan is his top five, per GBW's Josh Newkirk ($):
“I would say my top-five schools are West Virginia, Alabama, Michigan, Florida and Ohio State,” said the four-star wide out.
“The Michigan offer is big,” Smothers said. “That’s a big time school. It’s a long time traditional powerhouse. That’s really big. Them and Ohio State, they are really a big deal to me, a powerhouse that’s been on top a long time. So I’m just ecstatic about the [Michigan] offer.” Smothers, who was offered by U-M back in May, says would like to possibly take a visit when Michigan plays host to Penn State on Oct. 11.
Importantly, Michigan is very much in the mix for one of the top receivers in the 2016 class. More importantly, this is Steven Smothers' hair (photo via above link):
Must-get recruit, obviously.
Etc.
Four-star 2016 OH TE Luke Farrell holds a Michigan offer and was on campus for last month's BBQ, but right now his home-state school tops his list, per Scout's Derek Young ($):
"I'd say Ohio State is out front right now," he admitted. "Overall, they're number one on my list so far. I'm not sure when I will make my decision, yet. I'll take care of it once I feel like I am ready."
While Ohio State is winning that battle, it's a more even race for four-star 2016 GA RB Elijah Holyfield, who holds both schools in very high regard after visiting Columbus for OSU's Friday Night Lights camp and Ann Arbor for the BBQ, per 247's Alex Gleitman ($):
After multiple trips to both programs, it is clear that both Ohio State and Michigan are high on Holyfield’s list. He spoke about where the two schools stand, as well as how they compare to each other with 247Sports.
“I don’t have any leaders right now, but those two are definitely in my top group,” he said. “There are others in there too, but I know when I make a top 10 or top 5, whatever, that both Ohio State and Michigan are going to be in there. I’ll definitely be back to each school this fall to see a game at both.
“The schools are definitely a little different though. Michigan is more laid back and chill. Ohio State is up-tempo and intense. They’re different, but I enjoy both coaches and both styles.
Finally, there's reason to keep an eye on Brother Rice this season beyond QB commit Alex Malzone and '15 WR Grant Perry, who's getting a close look from U-M as a potential late offer candidate. Senior DE Jack Dunaway came to the BBQ with his teammates and left holding a preferred walk-on offer, per GBW's Kyle Bogenschutz ($):
Holding offers from Davidson, Saginaw Valley State, Notre Dame College, Cornell, and Harvard, Dunaway is also receiving walk-on interest from Stanford and Notre Dame.
Michigan’s defensive coordinator is telling Dunaway to simply enjoy the process and see what happens.
“[Greg Mattison] said, for your senior year just have fun, you have us, don’t worry about us,” Dunaway said. “He said just get whatever else you can so what’s best for you but just know you have a preferred walk-on for Michigan.”
Dunaway, who's also getting some MAC interest, said his parents are willing to pay his way to Michigan if he wants to walk on there over taking a scholarship at a smaller school. With a very small number of available scholarships, adding a walk-on of Dunaway's caliber at a position of need would be a great way to add depth to the 2015 class.
we got a top 100 recruit many didn't actually expect us to get (Cole), lost out on Damien Harris like many (including Ace repeatedly) have thought was already gone just not officially, and missed out on a 2016 WR who has allll sorts of time to change his mind possibly.
I see that as 1 really good positive suprise. 1 expected negative. and 1 mildly negative surprise.
The other 2015 guys aren't that important really as Cole probably took Tate's spot anyway, and OL isn't a huge priority this year. They would probably like one, but it doesn't seem to be at the top.
i understand what youre saying but OL always important - in my opinion teams like UM, who do not even sniff JC kids, should take minimum 3 OL every year. only taking 2 OL, especially in back-to-back years, could prove devastating to roster depth if the team sustains any injuries/suspensions etc - as weve all obviously seen with rich rods last few classes and the current OL situation, it can take years to build up adequate OL depth/talent if JC's are not an option
I was a little confused on how Michigan was a leader for Chambers. I read these recruiting things pretty much every week and unlike say a Roseboro or Weber, I don't remember reading that much about Chambers - maybe I just skimmed over it since he was a 16 and not a 15.
Anyhow plenty of 16 receivers out there for us; the only thing I don't like is MSU's offensive recruiting is really picking up, that is a top 5 RB and a top 5 WR in back to back classes. Not cool.
As for us, I think we were never a leader for some of those names being mentioned in this piece outside of Harris, just sort of "hey top 5ish". So no major worries. Any class that includes Wheatley, Weber, Roseboro and 3 other dudes would be quite a nice class and we seem to be a heavy lean for 1 of those and slight lean for the 2 others.
I need a hug
That's an odd trend, making a commitment and then going on official visits.
I'm with you on the last bit there. For a little while it looked as if recruiting would come to a screeching halt but the coaches have managed to find some momentum lately. If this team can put together a decent season, I'd expect the recruiting scene to get pretty exciting.
There needs to be an early period where recruits can come on officials, and an early signing period. The reason these kids are committing is to hold their places. The reason they are committing and then taking visits isn't because that school isn't necessarily just a place holder though, it's likely their top school. But most kids and families can't afford to just take trips across the country to visit schools, that's what official visits are for. So to hold a spot but cross all their t's and dot all their i's, they need to commit and then take visits.
And that's why the current system is messed up, or, that's one of a thousand reasons the current system is messed up.
Official visits are entirely paid for by the school for the prospect and the prospect's parents/guardians. They pay for transportation from the prospect's city all the way to the hotel and during the visit (so they can pay for transportation from the airport to the hotel, and from the hotel to places the propsect will be visiting). They pay for up to three meals a day, and "reasonable" entertainment.
Unofficials are not paid for at all, and there are limits on communication before and after, during, and things of that nature. Such as the entire visit must remain on campus, etc.
Now. My next question is(OT)...do they only do this for athletes or does the university also take care of the nations brightest academic "prospects" this way as well?
August 4th, 2014 at 10:16 PM ^
yep officials are really fun ...17-18 yrs old and never really leaving your city/region much up until that point, its incredible to tour all these beautiful schools, stay for the weekend and chill with the team, and chat up coaches who are "playing the game" to recruit you. i went to a few summer camps and close visits here and there but officials really allowed me to make the most informed decision, and its a huge decision. there should def be an early period for official visits and it would make sense to have an accompanying early signing period - but no way should they implement early signing period without also offering certain # early officials
I could make a hat
I could make a brooch
Just too soon to sweat it.
Is he related to former M TE Craig Dunaway? Craig's wikipedia page lists a son named Jack, so it could be.
Yes, Jack is Craig Dunaway's son.
I'm gonna be that guy and say something passive aggressive about how Harris' top 5 consists of 4 $EC schools, and O$U.
So there. It has been said.
the dollar signs are superfluous.
I don't refute your suspicions, but ya know, the kid does live in SEC country...just sayin'
We need a DE, another DB, RB and an OL, right?
Oh I already forgot about the UF de-commit.
I'd say we are leaders for 1 DE and 1 DB (he has narrowed it down to 3 schools and really seemed to hit it off with Taylor at the BBQ)
Weber and Wheatley are more unknowns but we have a strong case.
So that's DE, DB, RB, TE/DE. We need an outside LB to add to that as Thompson seems to be a MSU commit from all indications. That's 5. I assume we only take 6-7 more. (I assume KLS is not coming) I think another OL would be surprising here - we have a ton of RS 2012s and 2013s plus two 14s an 15s I believe. It's a logjam here because they are all smushed together in age without any any seniors and 1 JR who have a chance to contribute. I expect a pretty heavy emphasis on 2016 OL.
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my co-worker's mother-in-law makes $79 an hour on the internet . She has been fired for 8 months but last month her pay was $13333 just working on the internet for a few hours. take a look at the site here >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> WWW.Jump62.Com
my co-worker's mother-in-law makes $79 an hour on the internet . She has been fired for 8 months but last month her pay was $13333 just working on the internet for a few hours. take a look at the site here >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> WWW.Jump62.Com
August 5th, 2014 at 12:06 PM ^
with the Taco Pants Legend's jersey.
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