Wednesday Recruitin' Fires Up the Grill
Since this week in Michigan recruiting revolves around the BBQ at the Big House, Wednesday Recruitin' will follow suit. Since I don't want to shortchange new commit Sione Houma (or the visit of IA WR Amara Darboh), expect full coverage in next week's update.
The Commits
Since there's unlikely to be a lot of action surrounding these guys (duh, they're already committed), a simple list will suffice:
- MI TE Devin Funchess. He plans to bring along his teammate, WR Aaron Burbridge (see below).
- OH OL Caleb Stacey
- OH OL Kyle Kalis. He's solid in his Michigan commitment.
- MI OL Ben Braden
- MI DE Matt Godin
- OH DE Tom Strobel
-
MI DE/LB Mario Ojemudia. Speaking of Mario, he looked impressive at the Rivals Elite Big Man Camp, as highlights just appeared on Youtube:
I'm not sure how many (if any) of the guys he was facing are D-1 or BCS prospects - though I'm guessing not many - but he dominated most every rep shown. Ojemudia is a watchlist member for the Butkus Award. - OH LB Joe Bolden. He's a on the watchlist for the high school Butkus Award, along with...
- OH LB Kaleb Ringer, and also...
- MI LB Royce Jenkins-Stone, and...
- MI LB James Ross. Five Michigan commits means a whole 10% of the watchlist is headed to Ann Arbor.
- OH S Allen Gant
- MI CB Terry Richardson. We should know after this visit if Michigan's coaches are OK with him taking trips to other schools.
- IL CB Anthony Standifer. Attending, and bringing his 2013 teammate LaQuon Treadwell.
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2013 MI QB Shane Morris. Shane, as you may have heard (or even seen) impressed at the Gridiron Kings 7on7 tournament in Florida last weekend. He came in for some fluff from ESPN.
I'm sure video will surface soon enough, as the event itself appeared on ESPNU."I have a strong arm," Morris said. "I have an accurate arm as well. I can move in the pocket although I am more of a pro-style quarterback that can run a little bit, too. I bring leadership to Michigan and I want to be the best we can be and bring championships to Michigan."
Morris is also active on the recruiting front. He is working social media and other outlets hard. "I am already working my tail off for [the] 2012 class," Morris said. "I am trying to get the top players in [the] nation to help us win championships. I am hitting up kids every day on Facebook, linemen all across [the] nation. I am looking for the best players and people to come to Michigan."
As you may note, that's the majority of Michigan's 2012 commits (plus a bonus from the 2013 class). The only committed players not confirmed to make it are:
- UT FB Sione Houma
- OH TE AJ Williams. "Not sure" if he's coming.
- TN OL Blake Bars
- CA OL Erik Magnuson
- OH DE Pharaoh Brown
- OH S Jarrod Wilson
- 2012/13 KY S Jeremy Clark. He will try to make it up.
A couple of those guys are maybes who haven't firmly committed one way or the other yet. The rest likely have football two-a-days, other commitments, or no transportation.
Uncommitted 2012s
That brings us to the category where there may be a bit of action: uncommitted rising seniors.
- OH DE Chris Wormley. He's been maintaining Michigan as his leader and inching toward a decision lately. Might he finally be ready to make a move?
- MI WR Aaron Burbridge. Tom confirmed with commit Devin Funchess that Burbridge is joining him at the event.
- IN DT Sheldon Day. According to Sam Webb this morning, he'll be in attendance.
- MI DT Danny O'Brien
- MO DT Ondre Pipkins
- MO WR Jehu Chesson
- OH WR Monty Madaris
- OH RB Bri'Onte Dunn
There are also a maybe in this group:
- IL OL Jordan Diamond. He's one of the candidates for the final OL spot.
Aside from Wormley, defensive tackle seems to be the most likely position to pick up a new commit, though there's no indication yet that Pipkins or O'Brien is quite ready.
OH DE Adolphus Washington and WR Dwayne Stanford will be playing AAU hoops in Florida, and unable to make it. Last week, their coach told Tom that they probably won't be able to take any more visits until the season rolls around.
2013s
You can bet your ass that MI QB Shane Morris wants to convince a healthy group of juniors to join his class (along with 2012 greyshirt Jeremy Clark). A few prospects of interest:
- MI OL Steven Elmer. Morris's main competition for tops in state next year.
-
MI RB/DL Wyatt Shallman. He was the subject of Sam Webb's most recent recruiting column in the Detroit News, and it sounds like Michigan is in strong position:
"My parents are both crazy Michigan fans," Shallman reported. "It is like a dream come true for them. My mom cried (when Brady Hoke extended a scholarship offer back in May). She's loved Michigan for so long. My mom is crazy fanatical. She loves Bo (Schembechler). She loves everything about Michigan. On our outdoor fridge she has an 'Oh, how I hate Ohio State' sign. My dad went to one of the first Michigan camps back with Bo. His whole claim to fame at the camp was he ran a good route and made a one-handed catch. Bo came up to him and said, 'Good catch son!'"
He also has existing relationships with a couple Michigan commits in Shane Morris and Matt Godin:
"They are both (recruiting for Michigan) little bit, but not too hard because they are getting ready for the season, too."
I wouldn't expect a commitment at the BBQ, as it's explicitly stated that Wyatt's parents want to ensure that he gets a chance to see what other colleges have to offer. On the other hand, if the visit blows him away, who knows? He seems to be taking an open approach to a decision.
- MI LB Jon Reschke
- IL WR LaQuon Treadwell. Tagging along with his teammate, 2012 CB Commit Anthony Standifer.
I would be stunned if any commitment-like substanced happened from any of these guys but Shallman, and even that would be unexpected.
GREAT post Tim...you must have been homeschooled!
Looking forward to a Hello: post in the near future. I would love to see any of the guys listed above commit.
reported that Michigan was holding off on Ron Thompson, but couldn't help but notice him in the Shane Morris article. Is the TE glut too big or does UM really not want him?
My guess is that we don't want anymore TEs and we wont take him at WR. It seems like the staff really wants WR who can stretch the field vertically and Thompson is not that kind of receiver.
That Chris Wormley will commit (not that bold but still) and that Danny O'Brien and Ondre Pipkins will commit. And for the 2013 class i think that Shallman will commit and so wont Laquan if he gets his offer.
Impressed with Mario more and more, once he gains more muscle look out. Especially keeping that explosive step of his. Good to see amount of recruits attending the BBQ. Thanks Tim for the info. Great read!
With the unfortunate K. Jones situation, I can finally talk myself into Mario being the 5th LB in this class (which according to his measurements he should be) instead of a really undersized DE. I have no idea how the coaches will use him since he plays with a hand-down in high school but I feel a lot better about his "tweener" status...although losing Jones sucks.
MO just wrecking those kids in that video.
Amen.
The list of Uncommitted 2012's reads like a list of "all the guys available to take our 6 scholarships available".
WRs - Burbridge, Chesson, Madaris (Darboh if you count this week)
DTs - Pipkins, Day, O'Brien
Others - Wormley, Dunn
I find it interesting that Diamond isn't on this list, but he's already been to AA a couple of times.
If I am on the staff (unfortunately I am not), I take Wormley and Dunn if they want to come. Out of the four remaining, I probably punt on a 6th OL and take the best 2 WRs and best 2 DTs I can. But I know there are rumors out there that we'll only take 1 WR or only take 1 DT. Will be interesting to see how it plays out.
Beavis, I am with you. As much as I would like to see Diamond commit, I would rather have 2 WRs, 2 DTs (Pipkins and O'Brien please), Wormley and Dunn. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the class fills out.
What's the media presence at the BBQ? Will beat writers be there? Will you Tim? Am I gonna have to wait to read TomVH Cryptic Tweets until after the BBQ?
Thanks in advance
I believe the BBQ is invite only
in that case, were any media members invited?
I know the invites were sent out to only certain recruits, just wondering what kind of coverage to expect
It would be an NCAA violation for media to be present.
Didn't know that. Thanks Tim.
I guess TomVH's cryptic twitter posts it is
on Longhorn Network, though /s
...link to a stream? Thanks in advance.
Funny. I have no doubt that a bunch of people on this site would actually watch a stream of recruits standing around eating meat. They would probably start a thread about true heights and weights when it was over.
...stealing my idea, Brick. WTH, buddy?
A stream of recruits standing around eating meat, I hope it's not for football.
I hope so.
With all them dudes branging people along with them to the BBQ, it makes me wonder if'n their invites was addressed to "[Potential Recruit] and date."
English?
what about Ron Thompson or Amara Darboh? Thompson has us in his top 3, and Darboh is practically spending the week in Ann Arbor.
is most likely headed to SU. Darboh is stopping by campus today again after being on campus all day yesturday and is headed back home today
I'm intrigued by huge Craig Heyward-style backs, and he says that the coaches are telling him he can play at RB like a Brandon Jacobs. Hopefully he'll get his recruitment over with at the BBQ, he's a potential beast, and I just love that style.
... what's on the menu and who is catering?
Besides him being the "Hulk" they say he's a grill master. I would suspect he will be the captain of one of the flamed meat pits. Besides what would someone say to him if he overcooks the hamburgers.
Would it not be awkward to be one of the uncommitted recruit position groups who are all essentially vying for one spot? I personally would think it would be an uncomfortable situation knowing that the guy next to me could take my spot at any moment.
though there is a simple solution: COMMIT NOW
Both Shallman's folks are crazy UM fans, and his Mom cried when he got his offer. But they're telling him to consider other schools?
...simply want for him to evauate his position,acess all his options before making a decision. I LOVE the upshot of having this kid....he's simply a BEAST!
What position would he play for us? He would be a jumbo RB if he sticks to that position.
Michigan is recruiting him as a pure tailback. I really hope he commits this weekend. His film is quite impressive.
More parents should be like that. Just becuase you are a fan of a school doesn't mean that your kid should have to play for that school if they get an offer. Hearking Kalis' step father call into a radio show to say that his step son was being manipulated by Hoke was infurraiting. And then I just read that Jon Reschke's father(MSU alum) was worried about his son not going to MSU because Shane Morris is good friends with his son and is trying to convince him to go to UofM over MSU.
Parents need to give their kids the advice they can and then let them make a choice for themselves. In general it's not a good idea to only look at one school, better to see what's out there so that when you make a decision you know it's the right one.
I think if we have one or two commitments the others will fall very rapidly into place in short order with only a spot or two held in reserve. I also would not be surprised to see a commitment or two from 2013. So, yes, speed will be of the essence.
When does 2014 start?
in the mario video. could you look more awkward doing basic drills?
He looks like a fish on a bike out there... not sure who that is but I don't see a scholarship in that young man's future.
when I watched those drills it looked like Mario was going to run over that guy. I have never seen a more uncoordinated person trying to run drills in my life. I honestly thought he was going to trip over his feet at any moment.
Ok, so he wasn't gifted with great coordination. Willing to bet most of us haven't either. He's working hard and trying - no reason to mock him.
I've read conflicting things. Some say he is doing very well with his summer classes and is starting to get back on track, but others say he still could be ineligible for his senior season.
I watched his highlights and the kid is incredible. I really hope he is a part of this class.
I'm hearing the later...that he isn't likely to qualify. In good news, seems that things look good with Darboh (who holds offers from Florida, Nebraska, ND and Wisc).
Where'd you hear that? It was pretty recently that someone (I forget who) gave an update saying he's on track
I don't recall the rules of info from paid services, but I'm not relaying anything verbatim...so I think it's kosher to say that the general thought was provided very recently.
I also heard that he did well in summer school and if he keeps at it he might be able to qualify. Someone said basically any school in the B1G except for maybe Northwestern will take him.
That was Valenti who said that
Love it!
"Any school" is Valenti talk for "MSU will take anyone, no matter what". It'd be nice for the kid to get it together, and play for Michigan, but I'm hearing that he won't qualify.
Searching for Mario's I saw that Shallman has a clip from this event too. Ok, so what is he? Looks good enough as a defensive prospect to me - is he an "athlete" offer ?
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