Monday Recruitin' Fights Over Pie Comment Count

Ace

Mitchell Deciding Soon, Will Be Back For BBQ

Four-star NJ WR Ahmir Mitchell visited Ohio State for their Friday Night Lights camp and Michigan on Saturday. Buckeye insiders on both Rivals (Marc Givler) and Scout (Bill Greene) sounded the commitment alarm Saturday afternoon, expecting Mitchell to wind up in Michigan's class as soon as... well, Saturday, and while it didn't happen that quickly things still look very good. Mitchell told The Wolverine's Tim Sullivan the two rivals are running even atop his list ($):

"I love Ohio State; it is a great place," he said. "Them and Michigan are neck-and-neck at one. I am going to compare [the two visits] and sit down with my mom. These two visits are mainly mom visits. I already have a good (feel) for both of them, so after I sit down with my mom afterwards that is what's going to be the big difference-maker between the two."

That said, Michigan looks to have the edge. Mitchell has already set a return trip. He wants to make a decision in August after talking things over with his mom, who accompanied him on both visits. Ohio State is rumored to have a couple receivers—Donnie Corley and Binjimen Victor—above Mitchell on their board with limited spots remaining. Unless the Buckeyes make a serious late push, which still might not be enough to overcome the Jersey-to-Michigan draw, Mitchell should wind up in the class relatively soon.

[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]

Michigan Vies For Pie

I was on vacation in late June when Michigan offered three-star FL WR Keyshawn "Pie" Young and I don't believe his offer was noted here, so allow me to correct the oversight: Michigan offered PIE YOUNG. As a considerable bonus, Young told Scout's Corey Bender the Wolverines have vaulted into his top two:

"As of right now, (Alabama is) on top and it's between them and Michigan," Young said. "Official (visits) will be when the season starts and I'm still planning that out. I can't wait to visit both"

Young's offer list could easily be confused for that of a top-100 prospect. He plans to take officials, so his decision could come down to which program has room for him; Michigan's spots are dwindling while Bama has one receiver committed and multiple four-stars showing high interest.

Detroit King Targets: Renewed Interest?


Soup Campbell watches Donnie Corley at SMSB. [Rapai]

Multiple reports over the last couple weeks have confirmed Detroit King four-stars Lavert Hill and Donnie Corley will be at the BBQ in the Big House on August 2nd. A couple new reports today have added some intrigue. First, 247's Steve Wiltfong relayed word from a source to "watch out for Michigan" in Hill's recruitment ($). Wiltfong appears to put a lot of stock in this source; he added a Crystal Ball pick for Michigan this morning.

Mentioned in the same Wiltfong article and a board post($) by The Wolverine's Brandon Brown is the potential that Corley not only visits for the BBQ, but also may swing by Ann Arbor this Wednesday to see the academic side of the school. Michigan has significant ground to make up on Michigan State, but if Corley visits twice in a little more than a week, it's a great sign that he'll at least give the Wolverines a shot to do so.

More Visit Developments

Four-star AL ILB Erroll Thompson was supposed to visit for the BBQ, but that looks to be in serious question after he tweeted that he'll make his commitment on Friday. The Crystal Ball heavily favors Mississippi State; unless Thompson is willing to commit without seeing M's campus first, that should be the pick.

The focus at defensive tackle has been almost entirely on Rashan Gary (understandable), but Michigan is also in on a couple four-star Texas tackles, including Chris Daniels, who told 247's Steve Lorenz he'll be on campus August 12th ($). Daniels lived in Michigan growing up and camped twice in Ann Arbor when Hoke was in charge; the interest here looks pretty serious.

Houston (TX) Alief Elsik teammates four-star ILB Dontavious Jackson and three-star S Chris Brown will officially visit Michigan for the Ohio State game, per Lorenz. Michigan is firmly in the mix for both, which probably isn't the case when it comes to top-50 GA ATH Mecole Hardman, who Lorenz reports will also take an official for that game.

Etc.

Commit Brandon Peters will participate in the Semper Fi All-American Game.

Michigan made the top five for five-star 2017 dual-threat QB Tate Martell.

Michigan is one of the ten schools currently standing out to five-star 2017 NY OT Isaiah Wilson.

Comments

M-Dog2020

July 27th, 2015 at 9:56 PM ^

Mitchell says ... "I love Ohio State; it is a great place," he said. "Them and Michigan are neck-and-neck at one. I am going to compare [the two visits] and sit down with my mom. These two visits are mainly mom visits. I already have a good (feel) for both of them, so after I sit down with my mom afterwards that is what's going to be the big difference-maker between the two." Sorry, but I am trending down on Mitchell. Either he is full of stuff or just not too bright ... either way we need 4-star athletes who understand the Rivalry. I mean we want to beat the crap out of OSU at every game we play. No Michigan recruit should EVER profess love for the enemy, not even when they are pups. That attitude breeds a soft approach to THE GAME ... I want a guy who is a killer. Mitchell, I am afraid, sealed his fate with Harbaugh with that attitude. Opens the door to Corley. He for sure understands the war which is the B1G, especially that last Saturday every November.

RationalBuckeye

July 27th, 2015 at 4:10 PM ^

Of note, apparently a source at FNL intimated that Corley's two favorites were OSU and Tennessee, but this was met with understandable skepticism. Just thought I'd pass that along.

unWavering

July 27th, 2015 at 4:10 PM ^

It is very odd to me that very soon we will be/already are recruiting guys who were born after the 90s. BORN AFTER THE YEAR 1999! Anyway. I have no valuable insight, just thought I'd make myself feel old.

Lt. Pete Mitchell

July 27th, 2015 at 4:28 PM ^

Can anyone shed some light on why we seem to be prioritizing Mitchell over Corley and OSU has the opposite on their board?  Schematic fit?

Do any of our resident football minds have an opinion on the matter?

MLaw06

July 27th, 2015 at 4:34 PM ^

I think we're actually trying to take two more WRs (in addition to Hawkins).  Mitchell and Stewart were the two we were trying to get with Hawkins, but I think Stewart is leaning towards Stanford (his dream school).  Therefore, we are prioritizing Mitchell, and instead of Stewart, we are looking at Corley, Pie Young, etc. 

Champeen

July 27th, 2015 at 4:36 PM ^

I have seen quite a bit of Mitchell and really like what he offers.  Very high on him.  However, i have not seen much of Corely at all.  I also would not mind an opinion on Mitchell vs Corley from someone that has seen quite a bit of both (strengths/weaknesses/differences)

Ill have to research Corely this weekend IF i have time :( 

LSA Superstar

July 27th, 2015 at 4:48 PM ^

After having watched the tapes on both, I think that they're both A- grade recruits of comparable overall skill.  I think their skillsets are pretty different, however.  Mitchell's athleticism is a notch above Corley's, especially when it comes to vertical speed.  I think that Corley's top end speed could be a limitation for him.  Both receivers are tall, but Mitchell is a little taller, has a much more highly developed body, and just seems "rangier" overall.  I think both receivers run comparable routes.  The biggest difference reflected on the tape is in Corley's hands, which are a couple notches above Mitchell's.  Corley looks very fluid in catching the ball to me, but Mitchell does a lot of arm freakouts and sometimes catches with the body.

I think Mitchell has the higher ceiling.  I do not see Donnie Corley as a potential All American, and I think Mitchell could be someday.  But I also see Mitchell's floor as being much lower than Corley's.

If we're taking two, I'd love to have both.  If we could only have one, I'd prefer adding athleticism and exposiveness at the position so Mitchell would be my preference on this team.  I also don't think I'd mind if we ended up with Mitchell and Young as opposed to Mitchell and Corley just because Young also looks very explosive and powerful.

Lt. Pete Mitchell

July 27th, 2015 at 4:57 PM ^

Thanks.  I think Michtell has a few inches on Corley and a heavier frame of the two.  On very little basis, he was my preference.  But if they are tight its tough to imagine that we are closing the door on an in state Top 100 kid from a school thats putting out a lot of talent.  Would be nice to get another foot in the door and mend some fences with King staff.

This roundup was my first view of Pie Young's film.  Where does he stack up? My amateur review...very impressive for a three star (probably why he has big offers).  Very fast, deadly with the ball and made some very impressive catches over the top & in traffic.

alum96

July 27th, 2015 at 5:34 PM ^

You realize it is a 2 way street right?

Corley has been cool to UM for a long time.  So you don't have as much of a "decision" as you  are making it sound to be.  Mitchell is basically OSU v UM battle and OSU has some higher priorities apparently so UM has a good chance.  Corley is OSU v MSU v TN with UM basically on the outside looking in. 

So part of "prioritizing" is going after who wants you to go after them.  Doesnt mean you dont try for both but butting your head against a wall repeatedly surely gets old after a while.  For all we know Corley could be #1 on the UM board but his interest has been lukewarm.  Or he could be #3 or #5 - we'll never know.

If the scouting analysis above is accurate there is some danger in taking a guy whose hands are not the best but he is the "better" athlete.  You roll the dice - he could be better or much worse.  Ability to catch is sort of a big deal when it comes to WR no matter what your top end speed.  That was the issue with George Campbell - freak athlete ... main issue was the dropsies.   So yes his ceiling was uber high but that sort of guy can be a total bust at WR if he never fixes his hands.

It is a lot like guys who fall in love with measurables on a QB but his accuracy and decision making lack but you say "well his ceiling is super high if he can only fix those things."  UM fans should be familiar with that...

 

 

alum96

July 27th, 2015 at 10:01 PM ^

No I was not.  I think Campbell fell 50+ spots his senior year as his issues became more clear.   But I'd take a sure handed receiver who is a 7 on athleticism over a 9 who has a lot of drops.  People tend to fall in love with measurables - even NFL people, over guys who can just play.

I say this as a guy dying for UM to have a speed Wr.

2manylincs

July 27th, 2015 at 5:11 PM ^

In my viewing, i see corley as a slot option and mitchell as an outside receiver only, of comparable skill. Im wondering if this comes down to harbaugh preferring to play an extra te, fb, rb.. or flex another te into the slot as opposed to the slot reciever position that corley would occupy.

Magnus

July 27th, 2015 at 11:08 PM ^

Corley is a player. I would rather get him than Ahmir Mitchell. I do still like Mitchell, but Corley runs pretty good routes, has really good hands, etc. Corley is a "sure thing" in the sense that he can play at this level and succeed, IMO. Mitchell is a guy who might end up being too big to play WR and end up as a tweener like Ricardo Miller, or maybe he'll grow into an outside linebacker.

Esterhaus

July 27th, 2015 at 5:23 PM ^

 

I will appreciate explanation regarding this relatively new "M" icon/logo displayed by Ahmir_SoDevoted's tweet, above, and by myriad others online. The icon resembles a series of ascending and descending curves rendered in maize with the last segment on a proportionately long DOWNWARD trajectory. Where did it originate and why do folks display it vice Block M?
 
I must be in possession of this information by 8:30p EST on September 3. Thank you in advance for the anticipated free education.

I like pie BTW, recruiting pie and now apparently humble pie too.