Thursday Recruitin' Converts From The Line
On Bush and Walker
Both my lil Bros committed back2back!! Mood: pic.twitter.com/jyAYuH8DeA
— PeppyPep (@JabrillPeppers) December 17, 2015
So those went well. Michigan withstood a push from Florida State on both players and with Walker's commitment they flipped the #1 tailback recruit in the country from Ohio State. The latter has a negligible impact on Ohio State's fortunes going forward—when Walker started wavering they flipped a touted Wisconsin commit in a week—but is an eye-catcher.
Steve Lorenz of 247 has a good take on the difference here:
The Michigan program recruited very well under Brady Hoke, with two top five-ish classes. However, these are the types of recruitments that would slip away from them late when we're talking about nationally-recruited prospects out of power areas (California, Texas, Florida, etc.). Jim Harbaugh and Michigan have now beaten both Florida State and Notre Dame twice for out-of-region prospects since he took the job, and may be in a strong position for a third on Thursday with Kareem Walker.
Check. Michigan's class is now #1 or #2 in the country, depending on who you talk to. It won't finish like that since southern schools will add a ton of five star types late, but "Harbaugh hates recruiting" was about as accurate as everything else NFL reporter types said about him a year ago.
Those commits also catch the eye of certain compatriots.
1. RB in the country to Ann Arbor Ⓜ️
— Jean Delance ® (@JeanDelance74) December 17, 2015
Toot toot, all aboard the Harbaugh Express.
BONUS: More dreadlocks. Always more dreadlocks.
New tight end offer
It's only mostly sunshine and recruits, though.
Yeah, you should probably read into this one: Michigan has offered three star MO TE Chase Allen. This is probably a bad sign about FL TEs Isaac Nauta and Jacob Mathis. Richt got fired, the whole nine yards, and Michigan probably has a read on how that recruitment is going to go. Really would have helped if WA QB Jacob Eason had flipped to another school, but that didn't happen and opinion from Georgia mod types is now very sunny there. Mathis seems ticketed to Florida. So Allen feels like a next-man-up kind of offer.
But not entirely. Michigan already has a commit from MA TE Sean McKeon and a lot of depth on the roster. They have a lot of guys chasing a few spots, so offering a guy like Allen is an indicator they value him pretty highly. Meanwhile Allen's Michigan offer was quickly followed by one from Florida State, so this might be a situation similar to that of TN WR Nate Johnson where a kid rises late after his senior film gets out. Allen picked up Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, and Minnesota offers over the last couple weeks. Allen played a ton of high school basketball, including offseason AAU stuff, as a 6'7" power forward. That explains his late rise and lack of profile. If he ends up anything like Maxxxxx Williams I'd be okay with that.
Allen is in the Bunting mold wherein he is mostly a hilariously oversized high school wide receiver, but he did do some inline blocking a year ago. At 225 he's a guy Michigan would put on the shelf for a couple years and bring out of the oven.They've got the depth and time to do that.
Bad news, though?
@Dr_ChaseAllen all these offers don't change the fact that you're a ginger
— Dyl (@dylanxmills) December 17, 2015
Allen apparently has a 4.0 and a 33(!) on his ACT, so Michigan is a place that would appeal for reasons other than football. Also he wants to be an engineer. My man.
Allen plans an official to Ann Arbor in January. The Gophers were widely regarded as Allen's leader before the Michigan offer; in the aftermath three different Gopher analyst ballz'd him to Michigan. This appears to be based on nothing other than "Minnesota-Michigan recruiting battles generally go one way," but… yeah.
Rashan Gary things
This article got sold as an Ohio State comin'(!) kind of thing on the message boards, giving any Michigan fan's adrenaline up. On review it's really not a thing. Ohio State is recruiting Gary. They hired Greg Schiano, who knows NJ DE Rashan Gary from way back. Get a little further and it's clear that Ms. Coney was just describing the various things happening in Gary's recruitment, including Michigan activity…
"Michigan had coach Partridge and coach Mattison come by yesterday," Gary said ."Michigan was on point because Chris Partridge knows us from the transfer from Scotch Plains to Paramus Catholic. He was going to be a great football player, but I wanted to make sure he was going to continue to be a great student."
…and that it's probably going to take a bit more than that to shake up Gary's recruitment. I'm sure everyone is having a fight or flight response anyway.
Still open to wide receivers, apparently
There's been no indication that Michigan is about to stop recruiting receivers despite the Nate Johnson commitment and dwindling numbers. Michigan still has FL WR Pie Young on the hook, which would take them to four in this class despite losing nobody. (To graduation, anyway.) Theory: one of their commits might be ticketed for safety. Both NJ WRs Brad Hawkins and Ahmir Mitchell have the right size.
In any case, the Rutgers 247 site offhandedly reported something of interest to Michigan: NJ WR Donald Stewart has official to Michigan set for January 22nd. A lot of people projected Stewart, who attends Paramus Catholic, into Michigan's class over the summer but that never came to fruition. Things have been cool there for a long time, but they're apparently not dead… as long as he actually gets to that visit uncommitted. Stanford, the presumed leader after Michigan ceased being that, gets a visit the week prior.
On… wuz… urike?
I think I just figured out how to spell that without looking it up. TX DE Levi Onwuzurike has been a "true ninja" of the recruiting process according to Steve Lorenz, but now that it's coming down to decision time there is at least the faint outline of a leading group. According to Steve:
He's set to announce a top four in the near future, and while Baylor, Washington and Michigan are safe bets to make that group, there isn't a great feel for who the fourth school would be. It may be local TCU. Either way, that fourth school is currently on the outside looking in (in our opinion) regardless of who it is. One source closer to the Michigan side of things was blunt when asked if there was any feel for what he was going to do: "None".
Michigan appears to really want Onwuzurike, who is flying under the radar somewhat because he loathes attention.
Don't you dare be sour
In the aftermath of Devin Bush Jr's commitment to Michigan comes a parable about grapes. Shot:
Yup. A bit surprising how optimistic they are about him. https://t.co/Ydb8SG5QcK
— Jason Staples (@DocStaples) December 15, 2015
Chaser:
TBH, I think Bush made the right decision here. He’ll be in line for early PT at Michigan. Don’t think he’d have ever started at #FSU
— Jason Staples (@DocStaples) December 16, 2015
That second tweet has a bunch of replies from FSU fans asking who on earth is going to play over him since FSU's LB depth chart looks pretty similar to Michigan's after this year: one contributor back and then a herd of question marks.
This one probably won't go our way
Michigan kinda maybe led for TX DT Chris Daniels for a minute, but after an Oklahoma visit that was immediately followed by a commitment date things have been trending the Sooners' way. Daniels will decide Friday at 7. Sort of, anyway: Daniels plans visits in January.
Michigan's in his top three along with Alabama and OU; the Sooners are the favorite. Maybe there's a chance though:
Michigan: "Well, Michigan was always a school I wanted to go to since I was little. I'm not going to say they were my dream school, but they were the school I was really looking up to when I was younger. I felt like their defensive line coach has a lot of history in the NFL and college and he can develop me also."
Michigan has a January visit set up with AZ DE Connor Murphy in the event Michigan does not lock Daniels down.
Etc.: 2017 GA QB Bailey Hockman decommits from the Bulldogs. Michigan will give him a poke, says Tim Sullivan. IN QB commit Brandon Peters is an Army Bowl POY candidate.
In basketball, UMHoops talks with Zach Fleer about Ibi Watson's development.
December 17th, 2015 at 3:17 PM ^
"All these offers don't change the fact that you're a ginger"
Did you mean to keep that reply in there? Haha
December 17th, 2015 at 3:26 PM ^
Pretty sure that Brian's referring to his being a ginger when Brian mentions bad news. Anyway, if we get him and Connor Murphy we have the beginning of a 6'7 ginger army.
December 17th, 2015 at 3:58 PM ^
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December 17th, 2015 at 3:59 PM ^
December 17th, 2015 at 8:44 PM ^
December 17th, 2015 at 4:00 PM ^
I thought he meant the fact that FSU offered, and maybe the "#PackageDeal" thing
December 17th, 2015 at 4:02 PM ^
Might be right, I missed that as I was too busy laughing at the reply below.
December 17th, 2015 at 5:40 PM ^
from the movie Pitch Perfect 2...meant to be funny.
December 17th, 2015 at 5:48 PM ^
Every team needs a fiery ginger or two on the squad. This should be common knowledge by now.
December 17th, 2015 at 5:48 PM ^
Every team needs a fiery ginger or two on the squad. This should be common knowledge by now.
December 17th, 2015 at 3:21 PM ^
December 17th, 2015 at 4:22 PM ^
I was going to say the same thing! I appreciate the power of positivity!
December 17th, 2015 at 3:24 PM ^
Any idea who the third commit this week Amir Mitchell keeps talking about it?
December 17th, 2015 at 3:24 PM ^
If you look at the January visit docket, you have a good idea of the prospects that Michigan is keeping on the backburner. This is something Lorenz has alluded to, as well.
December 17th, 2015 at 3:26 PM ^
December 17th, 2015 at 7:42 PM ^
They forgot this one from before he committed:
https://twitter.com/DocStaples/status/677145024174379008
I've been consistent from the beginning that he wasn't a great scheme fit at FSU. Great pickup for UM who fits better in that defensive system. It was never about how good the kid is, because he's a dang good football player. It's all about fit, and I'm happy that the kid made the right choice for him.
It's still a significant loss for FSU, as they were counting on him as quality depth for the next few years. Not every kid in a recruiting class projects as a starter at that particular place, but you still need to get quality players for depth and special teams who could potentially wind up starting if they outperform or the projected starters get hurt.
Michigan got a lot better with this commitment; I think Bush will be very good in UM's defense.
December 17th, 2015 at 8:41 PM ^
... You almost had me there for a minute, RollDamnTide/WolverineInABag!
NIce analysis, though.
December 17th, 2015 at 3:29 PM ^
re: wrs - someone praised Mitchell's new hudl film's defensive plays (had a lot of defensive highlights) and asked if he plans to play both ways and Mitchell responded "That's the plan" so 6'3 safety maybe? Until your comment here I chalked it up to harbaugh just being a guy known to play guys 2 ways.
Usually I dont look at hs kids tweets but since he has been this week's recruiting coordinator and I was trying to figure out who the secret commitment will be I was stalking a bit... so that could be a guy who moves to D.
With so few defensive commits in 2015 class we will need to steal offensive guys to make up for 5 players (incl Cole) in an entire years class.
also - chase allen, damn impressive academics. Good luck balancing engineering and football at once!
December 17th, 2015 at 3:32 PM ^
Jordan Morgan did it with basketabll. Can't remember any football players who did it. Does football demand much more time than basketball?
December 17th, 2015 at 3:51 PM ^
I think Adam Finley was an engineer.
December 17th, 2015 at 4:40 PM ^
I remember talking to him in one of my classes (I was a grad assistant) and discussing summer plans. He was like, well, I will try to get an internship or maybe go to the NFL... A few months later he was getting a Pick Six in his first game as a NY Giant!
Unfortunate career, ACL in game #9, then ACL in his first game back on the same knee...
December 17th, 2015 at 3:52 PM ^
OL did naval engineering-maybe Mark Huyge?
December 17th, 2015 at 4:01 PM ^
I think Huyge was Naval Architecture (I bet he knows what color the boathouse at Hereford is)... I think Patrick Omameh was Naval Engineering if I remember correctly.
December 17th, 2015 at 4:28 PM ^
Mark Huyge was an engineering major.
December 17th, 2015 at 7:22 PM ^
IIRC Stefan Humphries was a Biomedical Engineering major ('84) at Michigan AND was pulling down a 3.9 at MICHIGAN!!! For those of you who are Engineering alums and current students please chime in, but from what I recall a 3.9 in that major is fucking off the charts AND to be a stud football player at the same time is without words!
After playing in the pros for 5 years he did go to medical school and is a Doc, hats off to you Stefan!
December 18th, 2015 at 12:41 AM ^
A 3.9 in engineering was stellar. Most were thrilled to get a 2.9.
A friend had Stefan in one of his EE courses. He told me Stefan would have a notebook on the desk to take class notes with, and another on his knee in which he did his homework from the preceeding class that day. He also said he made the mistake of sitting behind him once and couldn't see the board past Humphries' expansive back.
Humphries had a condition that caused his eyelids to droop, so he walked around campus with his head tilted back and his eyes looked half-closed, like he was drugged-out or something. Certainly not the case, of course.
December 17th, 2015 at 3:28 PM ^
No mention of Dylan Crawford in the receiver section. Are we still going for him against Oregon or is it pretty much Pie or bust now?
December 17th, 2015 at 3:33 PM ^
he is as quiet as Levi so difficult to get any intel on either.
he posts a lot of UM stuff on twitter & Oregon was his dream school but hasnt jumped on their offer so thats a positive I suppose. Sounds like UM is pushing hard for him - Fisch was out there to see him last week.
p.s. Fisch is a relentless recruiter - see him mentioned a lot.
December 17th, 2015 at 4:42 PM ^
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December 17th, 2015 at 3:33 PM ^
MOAR DREADLOCKS!!!!
December 17th, 2015 at 6:00 PM ^
Single digit + dreadlocks = He good
December 17th, 2015 at 3:35 PM ^
December 17th, 2015 at 3:40 PM ^
Looking good. TBH I relly hope we land Murphy, I feel like he's the perfect "Harbaugh" type of player and would thrive be coached by him.
December 17th, 2015 at 3:45 PM ^
I see Ace gave a UM crystal ball prediction today for Chase Allen.
December 17th, 2015 at 3:48 PM ^
Brian can spell that (and has now taught me how to spell that,) but I predict he'll still be pointing at Ace during a podcast for the pronunciation.
December 17th, 2015 at 3:52 PM ^
One jump ball after another as he abuses the smaller defenders. He does do a great job of tracking and high-pointing the ball though.
December 17th, 2015 at 4:14 PM ^
Well, duh! You'd do the same thing if you had that ability! ha!
December 17th, 2015 at 4:27 PM ^
Seem pretty fabricated at this point.
I would really love to see Gary hop on the train asap!!
December 17th, 2015 at 4:34 PM ^
I didnt even know OSU-Gary was a thing. Last I heard Gary just wasnt into them.
Wiltfong thinks Ole Mi$$ is the main competiton now as Greg Little (#2 overall player in country) who just committed is great friends with him...and well $$$ I assume.
Someow I feel comfortable he is headed here. Its all just lining up as half of NJ will be playing football for UM next yr.
December 17th, 2015 at 5:16 PM ^
I cant see the bagman being any sort of factor in Garys recruitment if his mothers past comments are taken into account.
December 17th, 2015 at 8:51 PM ^
11W claimed it as a thing when they lost out on Antwuan Jackson. But even they don't really believe it. Kind of like the way everyone claims interest from Gruden when they need a coach.
December 17th, 2015 at 10:13 PM ^
If you have any PROOF that Hugh Frieze and Ole Miss are dirty, please share it with us. If not, please stop with this $$$/bagmen stuff.
December 17th, 2015 at 11:12 PM ^
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December 18th, 2015 at 1:32 PM ^
December 17th, 2015 at 11:16 PM ^
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December 18th, 2015 at 10:32 AM ^
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December 18th, 2015 at 12:27 PM ^
December 19th, 2015 at 11:50 PM ^
Safe to say we have a pipeline on the Jersey Shore (please no JWoww, Snooki, Pauly D, or Vinny or any of those tanned and ripped jack offs).
In the grand scheme of things I think us Michigan fans would want Gary in maize and blue. However, I'd rather him be a Rebel than a Buckeye any day. I hope Gary signs it would create some depth in an already good position group.
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