Recruitin' Mailbag: '13 YMRMFSPA, Biggest '14 Needs, Shane Morris Stats Comment Count

Ace


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The recruiting news isn't coming as fast and furious as earlier this summer, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to discuss. This week's Recruitin' Mailbag covers the biggest needs in the 2014 class, the 2013 recruit with the best player comparison, potential switches in the 2012 class, and why Shane Morris's high school stats don't match the hype. If you'd like to ask a question for the next mailbag, email me or tag your question with #mgomailbag on Twitter.

What are the three biggest priorities for the 2014 class in terms of positions? — @browngalaga

Two position groups immediately stand out to me as top priorities for the 2014 class: quarterback and running back. While Michigan appears to have their quarterback of the future in Shane Morris, they didn't take a QB in 2012; if Devin Gardner doesn't get his medical redshirt, Morris and Russell Bellomy will be the only scholarship QBs on the roster in 2014. With Morris in the fold, it's not imperative that Michigan takes a top-100 type, but they'll need a solid prospect who's a good bet to start as an upperclassman.

At running back, Michigan isn't lacking in pure numbers—barring attrition, six scholarship RBs will be around in 2014, plus fullback Sione Houma—but they're still missing that workhorse, every-down back that Wolverine fans are accustomed to seeing. Instead, there's currently a variety of situational backs—Hayes and Norfleet as slot types, Rawls and Shallman as battering rams—plus DeVeon Smith and Drake Johnson. I don't see Johnson as a threat to crack the two-deep at running back, putting a lot of pressure on Smith to pan out. If Michigan whiffs on Derrick Green, they'll need a big-time prospect to come through in 2014.

As for the third position of need, that's a little tougher to pick, which says a lot about the job Hoke and Co. have done filling the holes in the roster. I'd go with nose tackle; unless Willie Henry and Maurice Hurst Jr. both land there and develop into rotation guys, there will be a huge need for depth behind Ondre Pipkins. At a position where you need a solid rotation of players to keep everyone fresh, getting at least one guy who can clog the middle certainly wouldn't hurt.

[HIT THE JUMP FOR DYMONTE THOMAS YMRMFSPA AND MORE]

What '13 recruit will be bestowed with the most impressive YMRMFSPA? — @MGoShoe

I'm of the mind that Dymonte Thomas is going to threaten for five-star status after his senior season, especially if he gets to show off more of his coverage skills this year. He's a dynamic athlete, a hard hitter, and a playmaker from the safety position, which means he must have an awesome Michigan comparable... oh, right. Pre-Kovacs safeties haven't exactly been a strong point, and grit-scrapper walk-on doesn't make much sense as a player comparison to universally lauded recruit.

Ready for some high praise? I can't do a Michigan comparable for Thomas, so I'm going with former Alabama safety Mark Barron, who went 7th overall to Tampa Bay in this year's NFL draft. Much like Thomas, Barron played running back and linebacker in high school, ending up as a five-star to Scout and the #55 overall prospect on Rivals. The Tide played him up in the box often to take advantage of his excellent run support; his athleticism was an asset in coverage, though he could use some technical improvements. That sounds exactly like Thomas to me, though it's obviously a little early to be predicting a top-10 overall pick in his future.

What positions changes do u foresee with the 2012 class? We need TE depth — @BehindDaSticks

The interesting thing about the 2012 class is that there doesn't appear to be many—if any—candidates for a major position change. The defensive linemen may switch between three- and five-tech or three-tech and nose, but that's not exactly a huge switch. The most obviously candidate is A.J. Williams, but Michigan needs him to stick at tight end, not bulk up and become an offensive tackle.

One guy who could swap position groups down the road is Mario Ojemudia, who's currently slated for weakside defensive end. He's an explosive pass-rusher who spent his high school career as a speed-rushing 215-pound defensive tackle; now he's up to 231 pounds, according to the Michigan roster, but there are concerns that if he continues to add bulk he'll lose the attributes that make him so effective. If Ojemudia can't keep his speed and quickness at 260 or so pounds, he could very well end up at strongside linebacker; in fact, the coaches have mentioned that he could play either spot at this point.

Why aren't Shane's passing numbers on par with other top-flight qbs? What do you expect for his senior season? — @chrissimonsays

According to MaxPreps, Morris completed 121-of-235 attempts (51.5%) for 1684 yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Those numbers aren't bad; they also don't scream "five-star" to most. Having seen Morris a few times last year, however, I can tell you that his coach isn't lying when he says that those numbers don't tell the whole story:

"His statistics are very deceiving," Verska said. "When we played Plymouth he had 28 completions out of 46 passes, but he had 11 drops. We had more touchdowns dropped than we had caught last year. His stats should skyrocket this year because we have some kids who have played and are better receivers."

Morris also dealt with a great deal of pressure last year, as his offensive line didn't hold up very well against the state's more talented defenses. He was often asked to do everything for the offense, and much of the time that involved running for his life or forcing passes to try and get something going.

This year, Morris should be helped greatly by the presence of senior wideout Jack Wangler, son of John, who's played with him in 7-on-7 and transferred to Warren De La Salle this year. If the Pilot offensive line can improve, his numbers should start to reflect his true talent and ability.

Comments

AC1997

August 23rd, 2012 at 1:18 PM ^

I think the best Michigan safety in my lifetime was Tripp Welbourne.  I was little at the time, but I have vague memories of his athleticism and NFL prospect status before injuring his knee.  Maybe some commenters who watched him play can comment, but he's the best safety I can come up with from Michigan past. 

EGD

August 23rd, 2012 at 2:12 PM ^

Ray also had the game-sealing pick against Ohio in the '96 game. 

Still, Ray was a good player, but I didn't really view him as a true impact player.  When I think of an impact player at the safety position, I think of guys like Sean Taylor or Troy Polamalu (I'm not very familiar with Barron).  I don't know if Thomas has that kind of potential, but when Ace is comparing him to top-10 draft picks...

xcrunner1617

August 23rd, 2012 at 1:33 PM ^

I'm a little confused.  If Mario bulks up and loses some of his speed, wouldn't it make sense for him to just stay on the defensive line than switch to linebacker?  I feel like a strongside linebacker would need more speed and quickness than a weakside defensive end.  

ken725

August 23rd, 2012 at 1:37 PM ^

I think DL especially the WDE and SDE will be a big priority for the 2014 class.

We don't know yet if Heitzman can be a solid rotation guy.  If Wormley moves inside to play 3-tech that only leaves Strobel at SDE.  

robbyt003

August 23rd, 2012 at 2:02 PM ^

1 QB, 1 RB, 2 WRs, 1 TE, 4 OL, 2 DEs, 1 DT , 2 LBs (With Ferns already in, only really need 1 more), 1 CB, 1 S 

This would help maintain depth, but I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn last night so what do I know.  

 

 

AC1997

August 23rd, 2012 at 2:29 PM ^

Marcus Ray is one I forgot and not a bad comparison.  But he played a little more like a SS if I remember correctly and not a ball-hawking FS.  (But I could be wrong.)  I remember Ray being very solid, but don't remember him being as good as his reputation and the accllaim he got for that one hit against OSU. 

I compared their stats (G-Tackles-INT-PBU) and they are very similar:

  • Welborne = 35-227-8-8
  • Ray = 41-229-10-14

Ray does look pretty good in that regard.

UMaD

August 23rd, 2012 at 2:48 PM ^

He's a local kid and an elite QB prospect - that should be enough. He doesn't have to win every camp or wow every evaluator or put up gaudy stats.  Even if he did all that - still no guarantees that translates to the next level....the recruiting world is strange sometimes.

UMaD

August 23rd, 2012 at 2:51 PM ^

I know there are a lot of LBs but there are also a ton of DBs being recruited in the '14 class.  Long-term,  I could see guys like Gant or Clark grow into SLBs.

Captain

August 23rd, 2012 at 3:02 PM ^

Another thing to consider about Shane Morris (or really another aspect of the same thing), is that he has well above average arm strength for a high school quarterback, and he didn't truly start developing his touch until this summer.  

Prior to that, most accounts have him throwing with nearly NFL-level velocity on pretty much every passing attempt.  While you can expect a division I, BCS-caliber wide receiver to catch those passes, you can also expect a high school, future accountant to struggle.  At the end of the day, his strength and velocity are very positive attributes even if they don't lend themselves well to the high school game.

m1jjb00

August 23rd, 2012 at 5:42 PM ^

You shouldn't get your hopes up that the Pilots' receivers are going to catch a lot of Shane's fastballs.  They didn't in the scrimmage they had.

OmarDontScare

August 23rd, 2012 at 7:25 PM ^

Marcus Ray and Shazor are my two all- time favorites. If Dymonte is anything like those two I'm extremely happy

Seth

August 24th, 2012 at 12:25 PM ^

I never realized this but I stumbled onto the 4-3 under while playing NCAA 2004. Every play I would shift the defensive line and the linebackers opposite each other, then split the WDE further out because I would typically play with him, and found this gave me a better chance to get into the backfield with him one-on-one with the OT.  I wracked up a ton of sacks this way, and because of the game mechanics the DTs would wrack up as many tackles as the linebackers whenever the comp ran up the middle. I started shifting the linebackers after I realized the TE out and anything to the slot would kill me, but that shifting the LBs to the strong side gave that SAM a great angle to break up those plays.