Tuesday Recruitin' Goes The Extra Mile Comment Count

Ace

Today's recruiting roundup revels in the wake of Derrick Green's commitment and has the latest updates on Denzel Ward, Henry Poggi, and more.

Hello: Derrick Green

In case the rock you live under still isn't wi-fi capable, I have good news: Derrick Green, the nation's top-ranked running back, committed to Michigan on Saturday. He gets the full "Hello" treatment here, and below is local news coverage featuring video of his announcement:

Green's remarkable physical transformation—he entered high school at 268 pounds—is recounted in Sam Webb's latest DetNews article, which also gives a look into Green's recruitment. Green calls Fred Jackson "a father figure," and Brady Hoke managed to have a huge impact before ever meeting him in person [emphasis mine]:

With those bonds fortified there was one important connection left to be made — the one with Hoke. Even in his absence Michigan's head coach managed to begin that process with a gesture that resonates with his prized recruit to this day.

Said [Green's mother, Fran] Knight, "When we went (on the March 18 visit), he wasn't there. His dad had just passed, but I was amazed how even though he was going through the situation with his father passing, he still took the time out to call Derrick and let him know that he really wanted him there, he really wanted to be there, (and) he was looking forward to meeting him. That spoke volumes to me about the type of person he was."

If you'd like to see more scouting on Green, the DetNews also has blurbs from several Scout analysts.

In other current commit news, 247 named David Dawson and Patrick Kugler to their All-American first team for the class of 2013. Kyle Bosch and Henry Poggi earned second-team nods.

Speaking of Poggi, multiple outlets have confirmed that he did visit Alabama last weekend, and the Tide are actively recruiting him. While the exact nature of the visit is unclear—some say it was a visit to a friend on the team while others say that he took an official, and the Poggis are staying quiet—the general sense from insiders is that he'll still end up at Michigan in the end.

Ward: Dropped

After a move to Florida—one that reportedly came as a surprise to the coaches—a parting of the ways between Michigan and 2014 commit Denzel Ward seemed inevitable. Today, it came to pass:

According to Sam Webb, the split was Michigan's call, and it's unlikely that they will continue recruiting Ward. So it goes.

Michigan Leads For Doles

In-state 2014 OL Tommy Doles was on campus again last weekend, this time to check out the academic side of things, and per GBW's Kyle Bogenshutz the trip cemented Michigan at the top of his list ($):

“It helped a lot,” said Doles. “I can say Michigan is the frontrunner now. I wasn’t ready to make a commitment or anything – I think I still want to see what the options are. I think I’m just not quite ready to make a decision yet, but Michigan is a good option at this point."

Doles may take his time and check out some other options, but at this point it's tough to see him winding up anywhere but Michigan.

Per multiple sources, including 247's Clint Brewster($), Michigan offered 2014 five-star GA DE Lorenzo Carter. Carter holds one of the most impressive offer sheets in the country—pulling a five-star deep out of SEC country is a tall task, so until further notice don't get expectations too high for him.

The Best Kind Of Touchdowns

Are Fat Guy Touchdowns.

Comments

GotBlueOnMyMind

January 29th, 2013 at 5:02 PM ^

They claim this was Scott Kennedy from Scout: Green has a "similar style to Ray Rice, in a bigger package"...

Fred Jackson is one tricky bastard, convincing them he is Scott Kennedy and all.

 

Maison Bleue

January 29th, 2013 at 6:17 PM ^

Anyone know if ][V][ was at all involved with tOSU new commit 4 star WR Corey Smith? He is a JUCO transfer from Grand Rapids. With our lack of "elite" WR in this class, seems like that would have been an option. But this is the first I'm hearing of the kid, so maybe I'm way off base.

WolvinLA2

January 29th, 2013 at 6:50 PM ^

He went to Jarrod Wilson's HS, IIRC, and he was a Tennessee commit who never qualified.  Those aren't typically the types of kids we recruit, but OSU has in the past (Cardale Jones was the latest, I believe, and we all know how that turned out).  

Corey Smith is a good WR, but I wouldn't say he's elite.

74polSKA

January 30th, 2013 at 9:48 AM ^

Urban's boyish good looks (I just threw up in my mouth a little) may make him popular with the soccer moms, but Brady's character makes him popular with the football moms.  I'll take that every time.  Keep up the good work, Coach.