Recruiting Mailbag: The Neal Thing, TE/DE Types, Life Without Messiah Comment Count

Ace

We're a week away from Signing Day and a bizarre recruiting controversy just arose, so it's time for a mailbag. Let's get this one out of the way...

The Daishon Neal Thing

If you missed it, Michigan appeared on the verge of flipping SDE Daishon Neal from his Nebraska commitment until Greg Mattison's in-home visit went awry:

"Michigan was a powerhouse, they came in and they stormed us, they made one bad statement and it was over," [Neal's father] told 1620 on air. "They said without football, Daishon wouldn't be able to go to Michigan. Like we couldn't afford to send him there, or that we couldn't get him in academically.

"Once he said that, we pretty much escorted him out of the house."

Neal continued by stating: "(They) basically tried to call me stupid in front of my face."

There are a few issues at work here. First of all, Michigan can't comment on an unsigned recruit without breaking NCAA rules, so there's no way for Mattison to tell his side of the story; in all likelihood, this won't ever be addressed specifically.

Second, what Mattison reportedly said, in so many words, is often true—one of Michigan's most reliable recruiting pitches is that being a football player allows prospects the opportunity at a first-rate education that wouldn't necessarily be available otherwise. This isn't meant as an insult; plenty of smart people with strong academic resumes don't get into Michigan. I think it's great that Michigan presents this opportunity to those who may not have a 3.8 and a 30 on their ACT; football players have a huge impact on campus life and come away with well-earned degrees.

Finally, Mattison is a seasoned recruiter. I have a difficult time believing he presented this information in any way close to calling Neal "stupid." That's not a particularly effective way to convince a student-athlete to come to your school. A football scholarship pretty much guarantees admittance as long as the recipient clears NCAA academic requirements, which are far less stringent than Michigan's usual admission standards—coaches almost always check with admissions before offering a scholarship.*

Even if Neal has an excellent academic record, that doesn't offer the same guarantee he'd get in. Perhaps Mattison didn't put this in terms Neal and his family appreciated, but it seems far more likely this was an unfortunate miscommunication than a deliberate slight by Mattison. So it goes.

*Demar Dorsey stands as the exception to the rule, and that didn't work out so well.

[Hit THE JUMP for M's chances with Iman Marshall, the proclivity of TE/DE types, and how Harbaugh will look to replace Messiah deWeaver.]

Hope for Marshall?

Does Michigan have any chance of landing Iman [Marshall]? Or does USC have it locked up?

The common theme throughout Marshall's recruitment has been recruiting writers suggesting he's a near-lock to USC—he grew up a fan, his dad's a huge fan, he's been on campus several times, and when in doubt, the five-star California prospect usually ends up there—and Marshall denying he's a lock to anywhere.

It'd still surprise me if he didn't pick USC, but it seems like Michigan made as much of an impact with their official visit as they could reasonably expect—there's a decent chance M is the second most likely choice. They got the Dad Seal of Approval after their in-home visit this week, per 247's Steve Lorenz ($):

"The visit with Michigan went great," the elder Marshall said. "It was very informative and enlightening. I do feel comfortable with them as a staff now. You can tell they're first class coaches, but more importantly they're first class men and fathers. I would have no issues sending my son to Michigan and attending that program because I know they have his best interest both on and off the field."

That's significant since Marshall's father wasn't able to accompany him on his official visit. While USC is the favorite, and for good reason, I wouldn't rule out Michigan.

Jumbo Athletes

So far this year, it's pretty clear the staff has a high interest in TE/DE type athletes. Do you think this is primarily driven by need (We could use both TE and DE), likelihood of commitment (These guys are mostly 3 star tweener types who are likely to jump at a Michigan offer), or do you think this is going to be the norm going forward? 

I ask because it would seem to reflect Harbaugh's general attitude regarding development and these are the type of athletes who could grow in a variety of valuable roles (TE, DE, LB, even OT).

It's certainly true that Michigan has a huge need for both tight ends and defensive ends in this class, and that's driving a lot of these offers. A look at Harbaugh's recruiting at Stanford indicates this isn't a one-year anomaly, however; in the 2009 and 2010 classes at Stanford, he took 13 combined TEs or DEs. While some of these guys—like 6'8" four-star TE Levine Toilolo—were clearly ticketed for one side of the ball, many of them were in the height/weight range where they could contribute at a number of spots.

2009 three-star DE Geoff Meinken found a home as a helmet-popping short-yardage back before knee injuries forced him to retire from football. 2009 three-star TE Ryan Hewitt ended up as a standout fullback after playing both FB and TE as a redshirt freshman. 2010 three-star DE Eddie Plantaric played DE, FB, and TE during his college career. There was even some flexibility with Harbaugh's O-line recruits; 2010 four-star OL Dillon Bonnell switched from #75 to #96 as a junior so he could be an eligible receiver in Stanford's "Ogre" U-back role—while he never caught a pass, he saw action in every game that year.

While there didn't seem to be too much position-flipping once players got on campus, it looks like Harbaugh isn't afraid to take bigger athletes many would consider tweeners and sort them out when they start practicing. Wyatt Shallman seems like an in-state prospect he would've been all over; I get the feeling he'll have a significant role in the offense now that Harbaugh's here.

Replacing Messiah

For those that missed it, 2016 four-star QB Messiah deWeaver opened up his recruitment late last night. I'd be surprised if Michigan's didn't find a more than suitable replacement, though. Harbaugh has already been in contact with a couple of the nation's top QB prospects. CA four-star KJ Costello, the #4 pro-style QB in the country, has shown interest in visiting; the high interest shown by his friend, top-50 CA WR Dylan Crawford, should help Michigan's chances.

Harbaugh and Jedd Fisch also went all the way up to Washington to watch the #1-ranked QB, Jacob Eason, who's currently a Georgia commit. While it's unclear how much interest Eason has in Michigan, I doubt Harbaugh will stop there, especially since he usually took two QB recruits per class at Stanford. Given his track record with QBs—hi, I'd like to introduce you to Andrew Luck—and the amount of hype surrounding his move to Michigan, he should be able to land at least one top-flight QB prospect.

This, admittedly, is a concern.

Comments

turtleboy

January 28th, 2015 at 5:43 PM ^

Evey time a Mattison interview is posted I watch it immediately and hang on just about every word. He's such a well spoken coach, and he comes off as charming and wise sounding. Nearly everything he says, even technical detail and subtleties of a play or formation, just sounds interesting the way he speaks. Everybody talks about him as a person of real quality they're blessed to have in their life. Urban Meyer also called him the best recruiter in America. I highly highly doubt the veracity of the father's statement against him.

Acedpar3

January 28th, 2015 at 5:47 PM ^

matison called it like it is. they just did not want the truth. should go to neb. their standards of admission are about twice as easy as michigan. get son get dad.. mich lucked out on this one.

joby1only

January 28th, 2015 at 6:08 PM ^

Jango Glackin 3* OLB probably 4* next year

He is from my hometown of Lebanon, Ohio. He just transferered to IMG Academy in Florida. IMG is amazing, like Army All-American team next year. http://www.imgacademy.com/sports/football I will attend the game in Cleveland next year when they play the defending big school champs, St. Eds. Their collection of talent and facilities are sick.

Harbaugh has visted IMG and Jango loves him. I am friends with his dad and will keep everyone posted as things develop offer-wise, but I will not steal his moment of committing if he does. Maybe a "buckle up," maybe. Saw this on Bucknuts but still cool, "Release the Glackin."

FrankMurphy

January 28th, 2015 at 6:22 PM ^

I'm not going to question Mattison's recruiting strategy, nor am I going to question Neal's sincerity. It's best to chalk this episode up to a misunderstanding. He's not coming, so it doesn't matter anyway. Best of luck to him.

Rusty Knuckles

January 28th, 2015 at 8:56 PM ^

GMatt: "Great Education"

Neal: "He basically said I was so stupid I need to study for 4 straight years."

GMatt: "We have a state of the art weight room."

Neal: "So he basically called me a pussy right to my face."

GMatt: "Lot's of pretty girls in Ann Arbor."

Neal: "So now I'm gay?"

GMatt: "Lots of beautiful lakes to swim in."

Neal: "Right to my face he tells me I can't walk on water."

ManGuyDudeian

January 28th, 2015 at 9:18 PM ^

Daishons father was quoted saying "even if he never played again, that degree could've taken him anywhere" referring to his son. So he said it himself and it disgusts me. He's going to let one statement, as TRUE as that statement may be, stand in the path of his sons future. He's depriving his son of this future, in which HE talked about, over something childish. I understand how you could be offended by what Mattison said a bit but for your sons sake step back and examine the situation instead of pushing the whole University of Michigan and all its opportunities out the door at the drop of a dime.

ghostofhoke

January 29th, 2015 at 2:07 AM ^

Stop pretending like the kid's other option is a community college. He'll get a degree from a really good school. Whatever the reason or event, they felt slighted and they acted as they felt appropriate. Sure it looks like an overreaction but despite the Maize colored glasses, not everybody values the Michigan experience over every other school in the country. I love my Alma Mater as much as anyone but the butt hurt of seeing someone choose another school over Michigan and acted as though they are crazy for doing so is really obnoxious.




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M-Dog

January 29th, 2015 at 9:36 AM ^

I have to be honest, I am worried about the direction Jim Harbaugh is taking this program.
 
I fear he is taking us backward.  Back to old-fashioned, boring, conservative . . . player's names.  
 
From trendy 2000's names like Messiah DeWeaver, to your father's 1950's names like Chris Clark.
 
Mike Weber.  Three syllables and a cloud of dust.  I just don't like this trend. 

imfastrnu2

January 29th, 2015 at 10:06 AM ^

we keep digressing under Brady Hoke or the likes of RR? Or would you rather go back to ground pounding and winning football games. Let's keep in mind here that Harbaugh, his staff and style, took a horrible Stanford program, turned them 180 and won a BCS bowl with a 12-1 record his last year there. Then he took a horrible 49ers team to the Superbowl. I'll take old school and winning ANY day over what we've lived through the last 8+ years. Besides, what I think your going to end up seeing is something more along the lines of what OSU has, tough defense and lethal offense. Have faith M-Dog...have faith.

Blue_Masshole

January 29th, 2015 at 10:10 AM ^

Does anyone out there think Mattison just said something along the lines of:

"Michigan is a heck of a school. You are being presented with a great opportunity because of your athletic skills to attend such a fine institution and play football there."

I was lucky enough to attend UM as an out of state student...and I know a 3.1 wasn't going to cut it. Nebraska is fine, but it's no Michigan. That family just loves the drama... We dined and dashed, and we left the huskers with the check.

Mo Better Blues

January 29th, 2015 at 10:28 AM ^

Nobody should be defending Neal and his dumbass dad. Even if Mattison did, (oy, what enormous babies people have become), "offend" this just-recently-turned-not-a-boy with some straight talk, it doesn't, in any way, justify that young man and his father going out and trying to purposely tarnish an upstanding coach's reputation and misrepresent him in the media--while he's on the recruiting trail, no less. People are so f*cking self-important, coddled, and arrogant these days. My God. And I don't wish him well. You can, feel free, but I'm sick of this namby-pamby nonsense. We need fewer people like him and his dad in this world. Sorry if that offends anybody. 

Wolverine20

February 6th, 2015 at 2:01 PM ^

IMG Academy is a football factory. This year they have recruited the best players from across the nation to win a National Championship. They have 5 five star recruits on their team. The team is better than any recruiting class anyone has had. Michigan needs to go down to Bradenton and check these kids out.One kid flying under the radar is Jango Glackin. He is a high 3 star with legit 4.5 speed at 6'2 210. Lots of good talent there at IMG Academy .

www.jango20.net