Tuesday Recruitin' Blocks Through Whistle, Fence

Todays' recruiting roundup covers Laquon Treadwell's top five, new highlight tapes for Denzel Ward and Taco Charlton, new 2013 and 2014 offers, and more.

Reschke Offered, Treadwell's Top Five

Michigan's coaching staff raised some eyebrows over the weekend after finally offering 2013 Birmingham Brother Rice linebacker and MSU commit Jon Reschke, a Spartan legacy who hasn't shown much interest in the Wolverines. Since Michigan had previously turned away linebacker recruits like Alex Anzalone and E.J. Levenberry, saying they were full at the position, the offer caused concern that a current commit was looking around. That doesn't appear to be the case, according to Tremendous, with rumors that Mike McCray was considering Ohio State debunked.

So, why the offer? For one, Brother Rice is a very strong in-state program, and Reschke was reportedly none too pleased with the lack of an offer (or serious interest) from Michigan. More importantly, however, Reschke is a heck of a player—I thought he was deserving of an offer last year, and he's stepped up his game even more this season—and with the fluid nature of recruiting, it's entirely possible that the scholarship situation at linebacker has changed. While I'd be surprised if Reschke flipped from MSU, he's close friends with Shane Morris, and he'd be a worthy addition to the class.

Matters aren't looking up on the Laquon Treadwell front, unfortunately, as he named an ordered top five to Scout's Beth Long after Crete-Monee's state semifinal victory last weekend ($). That top five, in order: Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, Michigan, Michigan State. Treadwell hasn't even visited the two Oklahoma schools yet, though officials are planned to both, but he has been to Oxford; barring a late turnaround—and in recruiting, that's not exactly unusual—this won't end well.

As for a backup plan, scratch MD WR Paul Harris off the list, as he reaffirmed his commitment to Tennessee despite the news of Derek Dooley's ouster, per Rivals's Adam Friedman ($). While Harris leaves some room to look around, it doesn't sound like he'll consider Michigan. Michigan did host a committed 2013 prospect last weekend in Trotwood-Madison CB Reon Dawson, an Illinois commit, according to 247's Clint Brewster. The three-star could be another option if/when Gareon Conley starts taking visits.

Michigan also handed out a 2014 offer last weekend, to FL WR Artavis Scott, high school teammate of offered OL Mason Cole, per multiple outlets. Scott is a four-star on all three sites that have released early rankings and is also on the ESPN150 Watch List, so he's universally regarded as a top prospect. The Wolverines have established themselves as one of Cole's early leaders, which should help them with Scott; both visited for the Michigan State game.

[For the rest of the recruiting roundup, including Denzel Ward's junior highlights, hit THE JUMP.]

Blind Sided

2014 commit Denzel Ward just finished his first year of football. You'll be forgiven for forgetting that fact while watching his junior highlights; the first play, in which he blocks his man into a fence, was his first play of organized football. Yup, pretty down with that offer, you guys.

Also releasing season highlights is 2013 commit Taco Charlton:

Despite a significant amount of added bulk, Charlton is still able to dominate with his athleticism, and he's added a solid repertoire of pass-rush moves. He also looks much more disciplined and formidable against the run, something I noticed when watching him earlier this fall. This coaching staff appears especially adept at identifying raw talent early, as evidenced above and also in the cases of players like Conley, Logan Tuley-Tillman, and Channing Stribling.

Commit Playoff Roundup

This year's Michigan Division I state title game will be a rematch between Cass Tech and Catholic Central, and once again it'll prominently feature Michigan commits. The Technicians earned their title game berth with a 34-27 triumph over Lake Orian; Jourdan Lewis caught a 30-yard go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Shamrocks crushed Rockford, 35-6, in the other semifinal; Wyatt Shallman rushed for a one-yard touchdown while also adding seven tackles, three TFLs, two sacks, and two batted passes, according to his father.

I'll be in Columbus for The Game, but you can catch the state title game (or DVR it, most likely) Saturday at 1 pm on Fox Sports Detroit. Catholic Central will look to avenge a 49-13 title game loss to Cass Tech last year, while the Technicians are going for back-to-back state championships.

Other recruits in action over the weekend included:

• Jake Butt had a fumble recovery and a 26-yard catch to set up Pickerington North's opening score in a 21-0 regional championship victory over Hilliard Davidson.
• Mike McCray had six solo tackles and an interception to lead Trotwood-Madison to a 42-14 win over Turpin for the regional title.
• Michael Ferns caught a 12-yard touchdown pass to help St. Clairsville win their regional title game, 37-29, over Johnstown.
• Channing Stribling's Matthews Butler squad advanced to their regional final with a 25-15 win over East Forsyth.
• Henry Poggi and Baltimore Gilman triumphed in a 34-32 double overtime classic against Calvert Hall to take home their conference championship.
• Gareon Conley caught two touchdown passes, but it wasn't enough to push Massillon Washington past Toledo Whitmer in a 49-16 loss.
• Toledo Central Catholic, featuring 2014 QB Deshone Kizer and 2013 OSU commit Jayme Thompson, defeated Ross Douglas and Avon, 42-14; Douglas finished with 69 yards on 14 carries.
• Jaron Dukes and Marion-Franklin lost a heartbreaker to New Albany, 32-30, for the regional title.
• Chris Fox's Ponderosa squad came up just short in their effort to come back from a 19-0 deficit against Mesa Ridge, as their running back fumbled on the goal line with under a minute left and the score at 19-14.

Channing Stribling was profiled in the Charlotte Observer, and his coach had nothing but good things to say about him:

“It’s his athleticism,” Hales said. “He’s so athletic. There’s so much he can do. He’s not just an offensive player or just a defensive player. He’s a football player. Throw him the ball and he’ll do something with it. He’s not really obvious with his moves. He’s real slick and you can’t even tell what he’s doing and he makes people miss. And he’s got this competitiveness about him. He gets these kids going. He just doesn’t want to go home right now.”

Finally, the Baltimore Sun featured Biff Poggi, Henry's father and coach, in an article about the balance he strikes between football and family.