Thursday Recruitin' Dines And Dashes Comment Count

Ace

Today's (brief) recruiting roundup covers an intruiging new 2013 offer, this weekend's visitors, and more.

Delano Hill Offered

The onslaught of offers to committed 2013 prospects continues unabated; this time, Michigan offered Cass Tech safety Delano Hill, a longtime Iowa commit, per Allen Trieu ($, info in header). CT defensive coordinator Jermain Crowell told Trieu that Hill is likely to visit Michigan and has been talking to David Dawson about playing together in college—Dawson will take his official visit this weekend, and it's possible Hill joins him. Crowell also speaks highly of Hill's athleticism and ability:

The Wolverines have two corners, Delonte Hollowell and Terry Richardson, from Cass Tech on their roster, and a third, Jourdan Lewis committed. Hill may get a look at corner from the Wolverines and Crowell believes his size and speed will give him a real chance to compete.

"Delano's faster than all of them. He's a difference maker, that's why I didn't understand why they didn't recruit him."

I've seen Hill play several times now and like the offer. He's got good size (6'1", 190), very good closing speed, and he isn't afraid to come up and hit—Hill is very active against the run from his safety spot. While Hill doesn't always make eye-popping plays, he's usually around the football and always seems to end up with more than a handful of tackles. If he visits this weekend, that would be a very good sign for Michigan.

[For this weekend's visitors and more, hit THE JUMP.]

Weekend Visitors

Tremendous has the list of this weekend's visitors, which is mostly comprised of current commits. The Wolverines could be in line to fill their last spot on the offensive line, however, as David Dawson will take his official, as will a new target: 6'10", 295-pound Tennessee commit Dan Skipper. Sam Webb reported Skipper's visit, revealing that Michigan contacted him and eventually offered in the aftermath of Derek Dooley's firing ($). Skipper, who hails from Arvada, Colorado, and has bumped into commit and fellow Colorado native Chris Fox a few times, is a three-star on all four recruiting sites.

Of the two, Dawson seems more likely to make a commitment over the weekend, though he's also got an Ohio State visit lined up for January 18th; Skipper is planning to visit Ole Miss later in the month and he's still largely unfamiliar with Michigan's program. Unfortunately, UCLA OL commit Kenny Lacy, who'd previously been slated to be in Ann Arbor this weekend, won't be able to make the trip; neither will Cal OL commit Cameron Hunt, whose team's playoff run forced him to reschedule for January.

One more potential visitor is OH CB Reon Dawson, an Illinois commit and recent Michigan offer, according to Sam Webb. There's conflicting info out there about whether or not Dawson will be on campus this weekend, so we'll see how that plays out. Sam Webb's also been hinting that there will be a weekend visitor who's currently committed to another school (not Hill), but since those situations tend to get complicated the name hasn't been revealed.

Etc.

Another name to keep an eye on is four-star VA S Tim Harris, who's committed to Virginia but apparently looking around. Tremendous reports that Michigan has been in touch with Harris and could be in line for a visit; Harris has held a Wolverine offer since before his initial commitment.

Mike Farrell's latest Mind of Mike post is headlined by Derrick Green, and Farrell believes Michigan is "squarely in the driver's seat," though they will have to hold off interest from a new suitor (FREE link):

However, keep an eye on new schools, especially USC. USC? Why USC with running back commitments from Ty Isaac and Justin Davis already? Green and fellow POY candidate Su'a Cravens bonded during the three-day tour and Cravens put a bug in the ear of USC running backs coach Kennedy Polamalu. Polamalu has since reached out to Green to gauge interest in a visit.

Green is certainly interested and is not concerned about competition, but we will see if this is just a fleeting notion or has some legs soon enough.

I'm skeptical that USC is a serious player given that they have only 18 scholarships to work with; taking three running backs, even with one as versatile as Ty Isaac in the fold, seems unlikley. Tennessee and Miami are bigger threats, in my opinion—the Hurricanes especially, as Green hasn't yet had the chance to visit there yet.

Michael Ferns released junior highlights on his Hudl page, with plenty of action on both sides of the ball. He looks like a man among boys, in no small part because of his small-school competition. He shows impressive instincts at linebacker and his blitzing ability makes him a very good fit for strongside linebacker.

Tommy Tuberville gives a whole new meaning to the term "dine and dash."

Comments

EastUGoBlue

December 13th, 2012 at 12:02 PM ^

What's with all of this interest in Ole' Miss amongst alot of different recruits? This doesn't make sense to me. Other than Eli Manning what leg does that school have to stand on in the past 15 years football wise? Not to mention current and historical racial issues (see 30 for 30 and the riots after the November election).

jg2112

December 13th, 2012 at 12:16 PM ^

The leg they stand on is probably that they play football in the SEC, and it's easier to get accepted at Ole Miss than it is at many private high schools.

Go have a look at Ole Miss's entrance requirements for ALL students, not just athletes. Their entry requirements are non-existent at best.

Willhouse

December 13th, 2012 at 12:21 PM ^

Couldn't agree more. Aside from the nice weather, beautiful campus and hot co-eds, I don't see the draw for all these highly touted recruits to end up at Ole Miss. Playing in the SEC and getting pwned by the Bamas and Floridas and LSUs, etc doesn't seem like a recipe for success at the next level, or even for a very positive college experience.

It's akin to Minnesota or Purdue being in play for multiple 5-star and 4-star guys (aside from the postive attributes above).

oriental andrew

December 13th, 2012 at 12:22 PM ^

the ol' dine and dash.  First time I ever heard that phrase was an episode of Silver Spoons when Ricky and Freddy went out with two girls who used that technique.  Of course, poor Freddy left his glasses on the table and was caught when he snuck back in to retrieve them. 

Todd Plate's n…

December 13th, 2012 at 1:57 PM ^

"Here we are, face to face...a couple of silver spoons..."  Seriously?  Eddie Toys? The little train in the house they rode on?  Erin fing Gray?  Also, Alfonso Riberio (sp?) aka Carlton from Fresh Prince was on it (learned he had Dyslexia in a "special" episode starring Bruce Jenner), as was Jason Bateman.   Classic 80's sitcom, back when in the glory days of TV sitcom theme songs. 

jerseyblue

December 13th, 2012 at 8:09 PM ^

Best episode was when they brought a bunch of midgets with telekenetic powers on board. They used their powers to make Wilma's belt pop off and started to unzip her top. Then Buck can in and broke it up. As a 6 year old that was like porn to me.

Naked Bootlegger

December 14th, 2012 at 9:13 AM ^

I incredibly don't remember this episode, even though I watched them all as a slightly older child than you.  I must've passed out when the unzipping commenced.   The script writer who conjured up this incredible plot line should be enshrined in the small screen hall of fame.  

biakabutoucan_sam

December 13th, 2012 at 12:41 PM ^

Ace-

Do you think that Tim Harris or Delano Hill is the new name that Sam Webb was alluding to on Twitter earlier this week or last weekend? He mentioned there was a new player on the defensive side of the ball that was rolling but didn't want to muddy things up by naming said player.

If not, any guesses to who he's talking about?

StephenRKass

December 13th, 2012 at 12:44 PM ^

So, in Farrell's article, he says Dawson will hold off on a commitment date until after an official to Ohio and Alabama. But I've heard lots of chatter here that Dawson will re-commit this weekend. Obviously, no one really knows when (well, other than Dawson and maybe a couple close to him.) But can you help me understand the discrepancy between those who predict a re-commitment this weekend, as compared to waiting until after official visits in January?

biakabutoucan_sam

December 13th, 2012 at 12:48 PM ^

I'd assume the re-committment chatter has been on since Hoke brought him back in the fold-the fact that Dawson himself  made the effort to get re-offered is probably the single biggest reason.

That said, if he has officials he's probably planning on using them or he would've re-committed as soon as the second offer came across. I'm not recruiting expert by any means, but that's my common-sense take on it.  

WolvinLA2

December 13th, 2012 at 1:17 PM ^

I like our odds on all of those guys, except Sayers - it sounds like he's dead to us. I like our new running back prospects though: The coaches say they'll take a stab at OJ Simpson, or maybe they'll give Maurice Clarett a shot. They're trying to set up an in-home visit with Reggie Bush; he just needs to decide which home.