Monday Recruitin' Prepares For Early Arrival
From Darrin Kirkland's junior highlights, which you should watch.
Four-star IN ILB Darrin Kirkland Jr. became Michigan's seventh 2015 commit, and second in the last week, when he made his pledge while visiting campus yesterday. You can find his Hello post here, and Brandon caught up with him for an interview posted this morning. A pleasant bit of news that didn't make either post appeared in a short piece in the Indy Star—Kirkland plans to enroll early:
"I feel good and my family is extremely proud," Kirkland said. "I can't wait to graduate and head over there in the winter time."
Kirkland plans to graduate in December and take part in Michigan's spring practice in 2015. Kirkland had 71 solo tackles, 40 assisted tackles and three sacks last season.
Even though there are plenty of inside linebackers on the roster in the classes ahead of him, making early PT something of a longshot, it never hurts to get a head start on navigating both the playbook and college life in general.
Trending Poorly
When we left off last week, Shaun Crawford had told the coaches of his plans to visit Notre Dame and Ohio State. Now we can add another school to that list:
DB Shaun Crawford says he will also be visiting Miami in June. Hasn't talked to Hoke yet
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) May 17, 2014
Oy.
Possibly Related
Right on the heels of that Crawford news comes word that Michigan has offered another 2015 cornerback:
2015 DB Cameron Ordway (Pulaski, Tenn.) says Michigan offered.
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) May 19, 2014
Ordway is a four-star and the #21-ranked cornerback in the class according to the 247 Composite, and his offer sheet—which includes Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, FSU, LSU, Notre Dame, OSU, Ole Miss, PSU, and Tennessee—is quite impressive.
Tennessee and Ole Miss are currently favored on the Crystal Ball. Given that list of interested parties, I'll believe Ordway has serious interest if, and only if, he makes it to campus.
Speaking of offers to highly sought prospects that probably won't come here, Michigan offered the nation's #10 WDE, Georgia prospect Arden Key, according to 247's Kipp Adams. Key's already named a powerhouse-laden top five:
Last week Key named a top 5, in order, of Oregon, Miami, LSU, Ole Miss and South Carolina.
There's time for U-M to get involved, as Key plans to decide at the Army AA Bowl, but I'd put him in the same category as Ordway—until there's word of a visit, I wouldn't get too optimistic.
Rivals100 Updated
The 2015 Rivals100 got an update today, and it features a lone Michigan commit: Garrett Taylor, who took a slight dip from #41 to #48 overall, though he remains the #6 corner in their position rankings. A few of U-M's top targets were among the biggest movers, both good and bad:
- FL RB Jacques Patrick jumped 26 spots to #18 overall and picked up a fifth star. He's now the second-ranked running back on the list, behind only Damien Harris (#4 overall).
- FL WR George Campbell lost his fifth star and tumbled 26 spots to #42 overall; Rivals cited continued concerns about his catching ability.
- CA WDE Keisean Lucier-South moved up 40 spots to #35 overall after being "virtually unstoppable" at multiple camps this spring.
- NC SDE Darien Roseboro, who recently named U-M to his top ten and may very well have the Wolverines out in front, moved down from #45 to #79. With Roseboro now weighing 283 pounds, Rivals pegs him as a tweener who may have to move inside.
Other prospects of interest include IL DT Terry Beckner Jr. (#32), OH OLB Justin Hilliard (#49), UT OLB Osa Masina (#58), MN DE Jashon Cornell (#76), and VA DE Clelin Ferrell (#77).
Etc.
Rivals named Tyree Kinnel as the #10 performer among defensive backs who participated in one of their camps, citing his ability to cover like a cornerback ($):
The 6-foot, 190-pound Kinnel is a safety prospect, but he was able to show off the coverage skills of a cornerback en route to winning MVP honors at RCS Columbus. Not surprising considering he is a safety, Kinnel was physical at the line of scrimmage and bumped wide receivers off their routes. He was also able to open his hips and run with them down the field. Kinnel is headed to Michigan, making a commitment to the Wolverines last summer.
IL DT Terry Beckner Jr. has been quiet on the recruiting trail—so far, the only visit he's made was to nearly Mizzou—but he told Tim Sullivan that he plans to visit a couple familiar schools ($):
"I'll go to camp June 1 at Ohio State," Beckner explained. I'm excited to get there.
"I haven't made it up to Michigan yet. I'm going to try to go there. Their coach was just at the school, I think coach Hecklinski. I really haven't had a chance to talk to him yet though."
We'll see here—the fact that the OSU date is set and the Michigan one isn't is of some concern.
Tip o' the cap to Rice for winning the recruiting game. Shut it down. We can all go home now.
I still get the impression with Crawford that he just wants to make sure he sees it all this time around. It's not really based on much, but typically with decommits (which Crawford is to a degree) I don't believe they'll be back in the class, but I just don't get that feeling with Crawford. I think he seriously like Michigan, but just felt he rushed his decision and wants to have one last look around in the early summer. Maybe that's just being optimistic, and completely unfounded, but there's just something about it that seems to be the case more than previous decommits.
Hopefully,he'll look around and realize M place to be.
Webb said on the recruting round-up that as of Saturday Crawford still hadn't talked to Hoke. The process is supposed to be: call your recruiting contact - in this case Mattison - and let him know, then call the head coach. Just like when you commit. I believe a visit was supposed to happen this weekend, and reading between the lines, if Crawford did go on that visit and didn't talk to Hoke first, that would be a big problem on M's end.
Agreed. If he didn't try to get in touch with Hoke prior to visiting, that's at least a bit of problem.
EDIT: Sam says he reached out to Hoke, but they didn't connect directly. At least he did that much.Hope you're right, but can't be a good sign that Wiltfong changed his prediction to ND today. Wiltfong is usually very very accurate with the Midwest prospects.
I actually have the opposite feeling as you. When it was just a little interest in ND, I felt that way you did, that he wanted to check out this other school, but in all likelihood we were still the frontrunner. But now he's looking at a few other schools which suggests less of "let me check out this one other place" and more of "I want out."
Hopefully I'm wrong, but this doesn't feel like a guy who comes back.
When I was 17 years old I had a job, was paying for all expenses related to my car, and working my ass off at school to get the grades to get into a top school. My parents raised me to understand that I was only as good as my word and I should be damn careful about how and when I gave it.
As far as we know, the Michigan staff made it very clear to Crawford that he should not give his commitment (his word) unless he was sure and that once he gave it visits were off the table.
So now he's not sure. Fine. His commitment is off the table and the coaches should look to fill that slot. If Mr. Crawford decides to honor his commitment before his slot is filled great, if that slot goes to someone else great as well.
Choices have consequences and at 17 he's old enough to understand that.
I agree with you, and I think that's exactly the way the coaches are handling it.
that they offered another CB right away, but he's someone that's a longshot who would not take Crawford's spot anytime soon.
A 'must' have.
Thank you, Rice.
I was under the impression that M wasn't really after any DT's in this class. With Wormley, Henry, Godin, Strobel, Glasgow, Hurst, Mone, and Palante all having 3 or more years of eligbility left, I thought the coaches were letting this position go for 2015. Yes that will fall to two years by the time Beckner hit campus, but that's still a lot of depth. Sam Webb has said this hasn't been a focus. If Hecklinkski was there, obviously they have interest, but maybe as a plan B.
A kid like Roseboro makes a lot of sense here. A 5T who may have positional flexibility to move inside would be a good match in this class. Though with the move to 4-3 over, I thought the WDE/SDE differences were less dramatic than in the under.
If you're loaded at DT you can look at other positions first, but you never, NEVER say no to a quality DT within reach. There are only so many guys in the world who can move well at 300+ pounds and many of them are frequently injured. So in a sense you're never really stocked.
Hope you're right, but can't be a good sign that Wiltfong changed his prediction to ND today. Wiltfong is usually very very accurate with the Midwest prospects.
Edit: Oops, this was supposed to be a reply to Space Coyote's first post.
These recrutin' articles are always best following a commit! Moar cruits plz!
He is a 2016 recruit that lives around Atlanta and he grew up a Michigan Fan. He is picking up big offers from SEC schools and says Michigan is high on his list. From what I read about him it sounds like he could be a big pick up for us if we decide to offer him.
Well...ummm...we offered E.J. Price back in January.
Maybe I'm old school, but if I'm 100% committed to a school, I wouldn't be taking calls from any coach, period. I hope we hold on to him, but it's dissapointing to see Harris, Campbell and Crawford do this after they were 100% committed. To me, if you even answer the phone when these coaches calls, you aren't 100% committed.
cheated on too, eh?
/s
/not s
That's why I made my wife sign a Letter Of Intent. None of this verbal committment stuff.
I'll be sure to "get it in writing" next time with my newly created "Early Signing Period".
We Jews have been putting that in writing for centuries
(Jewish Ketubah humor is awesome, am I right?)
Well, how believable is the "We're just friends" statement anyway?
but I'll be shocked if he ends up here.
Yeah, Sam Webb just tweeted that he's no longer considered a Michigan commit, but they are still recruiting him.
we need to win some fucking games next year...
that is what we need.
jdon
This and only this. UM went from the hot team on the recruiting trail to "meh", at least it sometimes feels that way.
We also went from a team with lots of scholarships, zero depth and lots of immediately available playing time to a team with few scholarships, building lots of depth and young 4/5* players becoming starters.
2016 QB Dwayne Haskins RT @dh_simba7: Received my 21st offer from michigan today. God is good #Wolverines #goblue pic.twitter.com/V2YDiPibQP
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) May 19, 2014
Based on his 247 profile we have catching up to do with a number of teams but primarily Ohio State. Link
Well, you can't say our staff isn't persistent. Looks like they just plain wore him down till he said yes.
Some info on Haskins - offers from a ton of schools since an Elite 11 regional camp on May 2: Clemson, Florida, Ohio State, Maryland, Florida State, Boston College, Rutgers, Mississippi State and Virginia Tech. Called OSU a "dream school" .., tweeted “received my 8th offer from my dream school #ohiostate #buckeyes.” Has already visited Penn State...grew up watching Rutgers and OSU, has a "soft spot" for both. Wants to visit Florida, will be camping at LSU, etc.
Looks like a long shot for the good guys.
Two things that should turn recruiting around for the year...
1) WIN WIN WIN
2) Jabrill Peppers getting playing time and excelling on the feld. This will make Michigan sexy again. Since Denard, we haven't really had a showcase player. Get some big names on campus and have Jabrill show them around and things should be gravy.
I do not think everyone understands the impact Jabril will have....HE IS THAT IMPORTANT!!!!
I think everyone knows, but some of us are afraid to admit it...
jdon
I'm not sure if it's volunteered or assigned but it isn't always by position. I'm sure the coaches plant certain players around so the visitors can spend time with them.
A lot of mention of Denard/Lewan from recruits over recent years.
Just being a 17 year old or is their a particular reason?
cause we spend half our time on this board talking about how hoke better win or else... and the other half talking about how we can't win more than 9 games next year...
jdon
I heard from a ND fan buddy that the Crawfords are upset with Hoke. I don't have any real detail because it was some quick texts and I think he got it from a pay site. ND coaches feel confident right now... per my friend who may have read it somewhere. Take it or leave it.
I'm anxious to hear more detail from the Michigan perspective.
roundup. Apparently Crawford really did view this as just checking out other places while being firmly committed to Michigan. Michigan is following through with what they tell every verbal. The position is yours but if you continue looking so will Michigan.
According to Webb. Crawford's father is upset they made another offer already.
I don't like when kid's decommit, but ultimately, I believe there is a reason for "signing day" and I do think it is more important for the kid to make the right decision for him. You don't automatically marry the girl you're dating. Now, you probably shouldn't pop the question before you know for sure, but things happen, especially at 17. I don't like it, but I can live with it.
And I think the coaches understand that. The fans, for the most part, act much more ridiculously than the coaches ever would about this sort of thing. Surely, the coaches don't like it either, but they move on, they still support the kid, and they do what they have to do to fill the spot. But for fans, college football is the male version of "Real Housewives" sometimes, it's not real reality. It's a place where there is no grey to be muttled in, everything is black and white and full emotion and drama and nothing else. But the coaches, the ones with their livelihood on the line, are much more rational and controlled, because to them, it is real life. That's good.
But that's why I don't understand Crawford's father being upset by Michigan already making another offer. More than likely, Crawford will still have the first shot to jump back into the fold, as he has a better relationship with the staff than any new guy they've offered. But Michigan stopped recruiting guys because Crawford committed. They can't wait to be spurned because Crawford wants to make visits, you can't take that risk with your job on the line. They likely still prefer Crawford, but Crawford's father has to understand that they need to protect themselves if that commitment is reciprocated.
I want Crawford in this class, and these things tend to blow over through communication as the heat of the day dies down. But it means starting over from square one for both sides. That's unfortunate and makes it less likely Crawford ends up a part of the class. I prefer kids to make a commitment and stick to it, but when they don't, alright, fine, that sucks, but you have to at least try to understand the point of view of the coaching staff also involved.
I'm sure there is some gamesmenship with the offer. Offer someone at that position that probably has zero interest in Michigan. Sends a message to the Crawford's and others. Might help resolve the situation quicker so they can put the press on a few more likely propects.
Great post. Although Crawford may plan to just look around, things happen. Nothing wrong with M coaches looking around in response to that. In fact, if they failed to do that, we would be on them for failing to have a backup plan. No (logical) reason for the Crawfords to get upset by that. Michigan likely prefers Crawford but they have to be prepared.
is for Crawford or his father to talk to Hoke and have the situation explained again. Hoke said yesterday on Webb's show that he understands him wanting to be sure and Michigan wants them to be sure. So go on your visits and make a quick decision if you want to look the scholarship up again. In the mean time, Michigan is going to do the due diligence to talk to others. My guess is everything will be cleared up when they talk and I see a post that they are supposed to talk today.
Some people were critical of the Michigan staff for appearing not to have a Plan B when Hand went to Alabama.
Especially the sophomore year version.
Here's a full rundown of Michigan's offerees on the Rivals 100:
http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/2014/05/rivals-100-updated-for-2015…
Comments