Monday Recruitin' Shuts It Down Comment Count

Ace

More On Jordan Elliott's Commitment

Sam Webb caught up with four-star TX DT Jordan Elliott in the wake of his commitment to Michigan; the former Baylor and Houston pledge assured Webb that Ann Arbor is his final destination ($):

That’s yet another reason why he insists his commitment to Michigan is firm. So firm that he answered the question what other schools he’d be visiting before it was done being asked.

“None at all,” he said. “I’m done. No more.”

And how will he respond when other schools persist in recruiting him?

“I won’t respond,” said Elliott.

Elliott mentioned that the coaches plan to play him "all over the line," but initially he'll get the most snaps at defensive end. He's enrolling for the spring semester in April, which means he won't make it in time for spring practice but he'll get a jump start on academics and conditioning.

For more on Elliott, read his commitment post here.

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

Hill Finally Decommits

Not much reading between the lines necessary here:

This was one of the worst-kept secrets in the recruiting world, so it comes as little surprise Hill would decommit after visiting for The Game. He plans to announce at the Army game; while he'll probably take more visits, it'd be a shock if he didn't wind up at Michigan—he's been a constant presence on campus this fall.

Intriguingly, Hill wasn't the only Detroit King prospect to get an in-home visit from the coaches yesterday; Scout's Allen Trieu was the first to report that Jim Harbaugh dropped by to see Donnie Corley ($). Michigan State is still the favorite there, but based on how much the coaches continue to pursue him, they don't think they're out of it.

Georgia Fires Richt

This year's wild coaching carousel was inevitably going to impact recruiting, and Michigan caught a break yesterday when Georgia fired Mark Richt. That affects the recruitments of a couple five-stars. Michigan didn't take long to get on five-star GA TE Isaac Nauta, who got an in-home visit today from Jay Harbaugh, per 247's Steve Lorenz:

Michigan tight ends coach Jay Harbaugh will be out to the IMG Academy on Monday to check in on 2016 five-star tight end Isaac Nauta, Nauta informed Wolverine247 on Monday morning.

Nauta hasn't publicly commented on Richt's firing; it's hard to imagine it does anything but help Michigan.

As for five-star GA ATH Mecole Hardman, let's start with his reaction to last weekend's official visit, via Scout's Chad Simmons:

"I can see myself at Michigan now after the visit and I think I fit in just right there," said Mecole Hardman Jr from the airport in Michigan as he prepared to fly back home Sunday afternoon.

...

"I like how they use Jabrill Peppers on both sides of the ball and just seeing Michigan in person made the visit stand out.  I cannot put a number on it, but Michigan is high on my list now."

Michigan is selling Hardman on the possibility he can be used in similar fashion to Peppers. Unfortunately for the Wolverines, Hardman doesn't seem too broken up about Richt leaving Georgia, but the door could open if another Georgia staffer isn't retained, per Rivals' Woody Wommack ($):

"I hope they keep everybody on the staff, especially Coach Pruitt" Hardman said. "I think it would be wrong to get rid of him. I think they should give him the head coaching job. If they get rid of Coach Pruitt I think that's really going to hurt them. I can deal with Coach Richt, but if they get rid of Pruitt, I don't know what will happen."

The AJC reports that while Georgia's players really want Pruitt retained, his relationship with the athletic administration is strained. It looks like Hardman wants to go to Georgia as long as Pruitt is there, but if he isn't—a very real possibility—then Michigan may be the next choice, albeit with plenty of competition.

More Visit Reactions

Reactions are still trickling in from last weekend, but it's clear the result didn't have a major impact on most of the recruits in attendance. Three-star FL WR Pie Young's reaction was short and sweet, per 247's Ryan Bartow:

Wide receiver Keyshawn Young (Miami/Senior) said Michigan "stands on top" following his weekend official visit.

"What I love is the people, the players and it made me feel like home to be there," Young said.

With Dylan Crawford taking a hard look at Oregon, Young is a good bet to end up in the class sooner or later.

One of M's top 2017 targets, four-star NJ C Cesar Ruiz—who's now playing at IMG Academy—told Scout's Corey Bender he felt wanted in Ann Arbor:

"It was great," Ruiz said when asked about his time at Michigan Saturday afternoon. "I love the fans. When I walked through the tunnel, all I heard were fans yelling my name. The thing that interests me the most is the academics."

Ruiz mentioned he's spent more time at Michigan than any other school; the Wolverines look like early favorites.

Coaches, Including Durkin, Hitting The Road

The coaching staff has already spread across the country for in-homes with various top targets. Given the rumors about Maryland, one in particular stands out—DJ Durkin will see four-star FL LB Jonathan Jones on Wednesday—two days after one particular report had him accepting the Maryland job—according to Lorenz.

Lorenz has reported a couple other in-home visits. Mike Zordich and John Baxter will head to Los Angeles on Wednesday to see top-100 CB and Stanford commit David Long, who seems more likely to end up in Ann Arbor than Palo Alto. Tim Drevno, meanwhile, will be in Texas tomorrow to check in on top-100 OT Jean Delance.

According to Scout's Corey Bender, Jay Harbaugh already had an in-home with four-star FL TE Jacob Mathis yesterday. Mathis is a solid Plan B if the Wolverines can't land Nauta.

Attrition Watch: Reese and Weaver

Three-star LB commit David Reese continued his visit tour with an official to Florida last weekend. He told 247's Luke Stampini he had "a great time," and it certainly doesn't sound like he'll stick in this class unless Michigan finds an mid-year enrollment spot for him:

Up next for Reese is official visits to TCU and Texas the next two weekends. His pledge to Michigan still remains, but his desire to enroll in the school of his choice this January could change that pledge.

“I’m committed, but I wasn’t granted early enrollment and that’s what I want to do. I’m looking at other places that will allow it.”

Meanwhile, three-star FL DT Rashad Weaver has set up an official visit to Temple, per 247's Matt Vender:

2016 defensive end/tight end Rashad Weaver (Cooper City/Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Michigan commit) is planning to take an official visit to Temple on the weekend of January 16th, he told Owls247.

Temple has made a recent strong push for Weaver with newly-appointed director of player personnel and fellow Florida native Evan Cooper. Weaver has also heard from head coach Matt Rhule.

This could be a situation where the coaches don't make a strong push to hold onto him.

Etc.

Michigan received some great news for the 2017 class heading into the weekend. Five-star NY OT Isaiah Wilson couldn't hold it in any longer and publicly declared a leader:

He gave some details to The Wolverine's Brandon Brown ($):

"That program is about to become a dynasty," Wilson said. "With the recruiting they have been doing and the coaching staff that's there, the Wolverines are destined for greatness.

"The fan base is also crazy about their players and recruits and I love that about Michigan."

Wilson already boasts a five-star-level offer sheet; being on top of it this early is a great sign.

Finally, Michigan offered five-star 2018 TE Zack Kuntz, whose interest could be high given he's teammates and close friends with 2016 preferred walk-on commit Michael Shuster.

Comments

Gr1mlock

November 30th, 2015 at 4:10 PM ^

Well that's just a pile of good news. Glad to see the fans and atmosphere still impressed recruits, despite the outcome. If the chips fall right and all these elite guys come, I am very confident the next few years' Games will end very differently.



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btn

November 30th, 2015 at 4:11 PM ^

A couple of weeks ago when the first Richt rumors got started, local Atlanta media was buzzing about Pruitt being a big troublemaker among the football coaches. Talk of verbal altercations between staff, some insinuated even more than that. Very unlikely UGA keeps him on.

Right now talk of Smart as HC at UGA then bringing in Muschamp as DC. Both former UGA players. Smart may get the Hermann treatment and take the job while seeing the team through the SEC Champ game and playoffs with Bama.



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robpollard

November 30th, 2015 at 4:13 PM ^

Since that position is as a high a need as you literally could ever have, the fact that Reese seems to be moving on is a bit perplexing? Who are they replacing him with?

It seem recruiting is going great, overall, but even the (likely) best case scenarios I've seen do not have us bringing in an LB who seems ready from Day 1. Or am I missing something?

robpollard

November 30th, 2015 at 4:22 PM ^

I've only seen Reese as an LB, but I haven't followed it closely -- I'm just going by what he is listed as.

In any case, If we pull Rashan Gary, Kareem Walker, etc along with the other good-to-great players already signed up, I'll be happy. But I'm just surprised that some LB, who is a top 100 overall recruit, wouldn't see the chance for immediate (and I mean, Day 1 immediate) playing time and say "Sign Me Up."

I know there's not many of those types; probably 10 in the whole country. May just be how things fell out (in terms of relationships, where the recruits are located, etc) this year -- I haven't followed closely. Again, just a bit surprising.

EGD

November 30th, 2015 at 4:31 PM ^

I think Reese is saying that.  He committed to M and then evidently he and his dad had a sit-down with Harbaugh at which it was decided that Reese would "start out" at LB--not fullback, as the staff had wanted.  Then it came out that Reese wants to enroll early, and the staff has been telling him to wait on that.  

Given our need for LBs, I would think the staff would drive over to Farmington in a U-Haul and move Reese to A2 themselves if they thought he could fill that need next season.  Since they have pretty much done the opposite, I can only surmise they don't see Reese as a viable solution.

Magnus

November 30th, 2015 at 5:09 PM ^

I've lost track of everyone who is enrolling early, because a couple of guys have said they were and then backed off of that. But I think it's more about the recruits that Michigan is trying to woo, not necessarily the recruits that are already on board. Michigan is trying to reel in a couple kids who want to enroll early, and they don't want Reese blocking those other players.

bronxblue

November 30th, 2015 at 5:08 PM ^

Yeah, I don't follow recruiting all that much, but this was my understanding as well.  For whatever reason, it seems like the coaches view him as an offensive player and he wants to play defense, and without the chance for early enrollment this feels like a commitment not long for this world.

alum96

November 30th, 2015 at 5:52 PM ^

Caleb Kelly is the only top 100 LB we are serious in for.  Dontavious Jackson is about 120ish. Guy like Bush is 200s.  Doesnt mean we cannot have them in line to push for a job - Darrin Kirkland Jr is a contributor at TN and he was 163 composite.

Harbaugh set up a Fresno camp just for Kelly.  Not much more that man could do.  Kelly loves OU and OU just so happens to be having a fantastic season. Still not out of it I suppose.

GoBlue

November 30th, 2015 at 4:32 PM ^

In order for the position to be as high a need as you literally could ever have I'd think there would need to be no returning LBs on the roster, no one capable/willing to give it a try, and no current commits who might fit the bill.

I'm no recruiting expert, but it seems that many think that Viramontes is an LB rather than QB, and potentially a very good one.  There are also a number of OLB/ILB prospects still on the board. (Bush Jr, Jones, Kelly, Jackson...)

robpollard

November 30th, 2015 at 4:48 PM ^

- We have no returning starting LBs.

- The main backup, Gideon, is going to be a senior and (for various reasons) has not gotten much playing time and when he did, couldn't displace any of the starters on the weakest unit on the defense.

- Everyone other backup has barely played, switched positions, or was injured.

So seeing as there never has been a circumstance in the history of Power 5 Conf football -- I just looked it up ;) -- where a team had zero non-senior LBs on their roster, I'm going to go with "literally as high a need as you could ever have." If a top 100 recruit came here, why wouldn't he start? He would, because there is a tremendous need.

The LB situation for 2016 is dire. Our only hope is everything breaks right (e.g., Gideon turns out to be a player; McCray is not only healthy, but also pretty good; a couple of freshman are able to play significant minutes right away, etc). That's what I'm saying.

robpollard

November 30th, 2015 at 6:01 PM ^

You seem fixated on this, so I'll respond: I can't think of any remotely reasonable situation, for a Power 5 conference team, that would be worse. You haven't given any actual example, so I'm going to say you can't either.

So yes, Inigo -- that word "literally" means what I think it does. I can't reasonably imagine a scenario where a top LB recruit could find a situation with less competition for an immediate starting job.

EGD

November 30th, 2015 at 5:09 PM ^

Our LB situtation isn't quire as dire IMO as last year when we all looked at the QB depth chart and were like, "shit, what are we gonna do?!"

Gedeon is certainly going to be one of the starters; I don't see 2016 Gedeon being any worse than 2015 Bolden so at least there is a push at one of the spots.  Hopefully he can have a big senior year.

Then we need to find a second ILB and hopefully a backup or two from among McCray, Furbush, Wangler, Gant, Winovich, Liesman, and any true freshmen we come up with.  That doesn't seem impossible.

There's also a possibility of a graduate transfer to help out, though that seems like a long shot. 

BuckNekked

November 30th, 2015 at 7:23 PM ^

And lets not write off the guys still on the roster. Just because they didnt play ahead of 2 seniors doesnt mean they are trash. OSU and Indiana exposed our current guys as a little too slow and unathletic to play the zone read game but otherwise they were good enough to play big parts in a season with 3 straight shutouts. Im hoping Marshall, for one, will be more physically ready next season then he was this year.

Your entire premise is reactionary based on one game.

93Grad

November 30th, 2015 at 6:02 PM ^

our dire need for LB's, our lack of strong standing with other LB targets and the fact that Reese has a ton of good offers.  Maybe he just doesn't fit the type of LB the staff thinks we need most?  I know he wants to EE and that we are saving those spots for others, but really, what spots are more immediately important than LB?

MGoBoz

November 30th, 2015 at 4:19 PM ^

Love the positive reaction from recruits after the L Saturday. Looks like UM is well on its way to becoming TE U, as expected. 

"That program is about to become a dynasty," Wilson said. "With the recruiting they have been doing and the coaching staff that's there, the Wolverines are destined for greatness.

Well said, Wilson!

kevin holt

November 30th, 2015 at 4:23 PM ^

Georgia sites seem pretty confident that Nauta and Hardman won't let Richt's firing affect them much. Hardman seems more concerned about Pruitt, and Nauta has made a few comments that Georgia will reload and be really good if they hire the right guy (i.e. he'll wait to see who that is). Cautious optimism on both fronts until their coaching situation shakes out. Question: would any school hire Pruitt as HC?

leftrare

November 30th, 2015 at 4:25 PM ^

Sorry, Ace, but I'm old.  Since when does UM have a spring semester starting in April?  And would Elliot not be the first football enrollee to start then?

 

 

DairyQueen

November 30th, 2015 at 6:05 PM ^

Yea it's super confusing.

For some reason what UM calls "Winter Semester" (January-May) nearly every other univesity on the planet calls "Spring Semester", and thus what UM calls "Spring Semester" (May-September) everyone else calls "Summer Semester".

It's like the "Michigan Time" thing for class start-times. Instead of working, and everyone being on the same page, it just turns into a vague, stop-start, some-people-missing-the-beginning of class clusterfvck.

Mr Miggle

November 30th, 2015 at 10:06 PM ^

half length semesters. I see that's still the case. A typical four credit class met eight hours a week. Spring classes started in May, springtime. Summer classes started in June and ended in August, summer. Not confusing terminology at all. Our winter semester ends in April. 3/4 of it is in winter. It would be confusing to call that a spring term, especially when there was one that was entirely in spring.