rundown of Michigan's riser
Wednesday Recruitin' Welcomes Desmond Morgan
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Remember, all-time updates can be found on the 2011 Michigan Football Recruiting Board. If you have any recruiting tips or questions, you can e-mail them to me at t.w.sullivan1@gmail.com or tweet @varsityblue. For game updates on Wolverine commits, check out the Friday Night Lights series.
Desmond Morgan Goes Blue
Read the Hello: Desmond Morgan post for full details on the kid. He almost never smiles in pictures (at least ones on the internet), and more often looks ominous:
Fluff on Morgan's move to quarterback after only playing linebacker for his first three years. He's a well-rounded athlete, also playing hockey and lacrosse. The best part:
“Anything less than the playoffs would be very disappointing,” said Morgan, who has a 3.97 grade-point average. “There are a lot of great schools in the OK Red. I think the hard work in the offseason is going to pay off.”
Following the season, he was named to the All-Area First-Team defense, and captained it as Defensive Player of the Year:
“He knows where everybody is supposed to be. He makes the calls on defense and just his presence out there makes other guys around him better as well,” [West Ottawa Coach Jim] Caserta said. “… When you gameplan against us, you have to put at least a couple guys on him, and it makes the guys around him better.”
Opposing coaches were equally impressed:
“Desmond Morgan playing sideline to sideline, that kid can play at any college right now and I’ve admired that kid,” [Muskegon Coach Shane] Fairfield said after his team won 28-14. “That kid has inspired our defense, just watching him on film. He comes out here and runs like he’s Ironman. I’m glad our linebackers had a chance to play against him, because he made us grow up and realize how to play linebacker.”
Congratulations and welcome, Desmond.
Big... Thawed
Elsewhere in last weekend's visitors...
OH WR Darius Patton was "impressed" ($, info in header).
Though he visited last weekend, don't expect PA DT Rob Trudo to decommit from Syracuse ($, info in header).
MI DE/OL Anthony Zettel is ready to start thinking about a decision ($, info in header). Expect him to make his choice in early January.
LA CB James Richardson enjoyed himself at the "beyond amazing" event ($, info in header). He's currently an SMU commit, but he'll now consider Michigan.
Tom's Weekly Update has full reactions from OH WR Darius Patton, IL OL Chris Bryant, and LA CB James Richardson.
Prince Holloway, Come on Down?
FL Slot WR Prince Holloway is receiving an in-home visit from OL Coach Greg Frey later this month (the contact period ends next Monday), at which time his commitment status will be clarified. To recap, Holloway has said he's ready to commit to Michigan, joining his cousin, FL CB Commit Dallas Crawford, in the class.
Howeva, with MI RB/Slot Justice Hayes already in the class, I'm not sure if Holloway holds a committable offer at this time. Though MI WR Shawn Conway won't be a Wolverine next fall, Holloway, at 5-9, isn't really the prototype to fill the outside receiver position. He also has yet to achieve a qualifying score, and though it's possible for him to keep working toward that, Michigan's staff is probably leery of the risks after cases like Adrian Witty, Demar Dorsey, and Davion Rogers.
Within a week, we should have a much better idea of where Holloway stands with this coaching staff. Sam says on WTKA that he would already be committed to Michigan is not for a bit of a "slow-play."
Coaching Carousel Reopens Doors
PA CB Kyshoen Jarrett says he'll see who Pitt hires as a replacement before making any sudden decisions. If the new coach brings along a whole new, staff, it's more likely he'll decommit ($, info in header). However, he wants other coaches to know that he's available if they just wanna, you know, have a chat.
PA DE Desimon Green decommits from Pitt. He's heard from Michigan, as well.
MI CB Valdez Showers remains committed to Florida for now. Now that the Gators have hired Will Muschamp, he'll likely come to a decision on his commitment soon.
FL DT Tim Jernigan eliminated Michigan and USC last week (HT: Dreisbach1817), but with Meyer resigning at Florida and the Wolverines playing in a bowl game just an hour away from his hometown of Lake City, Florida, might MIchigan have a chance to change his mind?
KY LB Lamar Dawson isn't sure what to think about Florida now that Urban Meyer has retired. He no longer plans to visit this weekend ($, info in header). He's visiting Michigan in January.
Happy Trails
LA DT/OL Gregory Robinson commits to Auburn.
MD DT Darian Cooper has eliminated Michigan from consideration.
PA DE Myles Jackson committed to Rutgers.
OH LB Steven Daniels committed to Boston College.
GA S Avery Walls committed to Cal in the only painful recruiting loss in this week's update. Walls was actively recruiting for Michigan in the summer, but coaching uncertainty made it tough for him to pick the Wolverines, as he wants to enroll in January. (I'm not sure how it makes more sense to pick a school that went 5-7 and will be looking for a new coach soon, but whateva).
OH CB/Ath Tyler Williams committed to Akron.
Etc.
MI RB Thomas Rawls is serious with his recruitment.
He’ll take an official visit to Central Michigan — the school that first expressed interest — next weekend. Then it’s off to the University of Michigan the following week, with a stop due in Toledo sometime in January. Cincinnati is in the process of setting up a date as well, said Rawls.
When he reaches a decision, he'll hold a low-key press conference at his school. And should he receive a qualifying test score, don't be surprised if that choice is Michigan. More local fluff.
OH QB Cardale Jones and his teammate, OH WR Shane Wynn, didn't make it to Ann Arbor for the Big Chill. Jones, at least, will try to reschedule for later this winter.
NJ TE/QB Tanner McEvoy has a final four ($, info in header). Spoiler alert: Michigan is in it.
Michigan has offered OH TE/Ath Frank Clark, and they're now a co-favorite for the Cleveland Glenville prospect ($, info in headers). Perhaps his recruitment will have an effect on his teammate Cardale Jones.
NC WR/LB Kris Frost still wants to start out at wide receiver at whichever school he chooses. His coach says he'll be excellent at either:
[Butler Coach Mike] Newsome said, "He's great on both sides of the ball. He thinks he's a better receiver than linebacker. I think he's a better linebacker than receiver, but the thing that makes him so much better a football player is he's just got 'it.' He's got the other factor to him that I can't coach into him, and that factor that takes his game to a whole 'nother level. He's just got an intensity level that helps him be better than folks he faces."
That intensity and his physical gifts - Frost has a 35-inch vertical leap and has been timed at slightly less than 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash, for example - are what led more than 30 Division I colleges to offer him a scholarship.
Opposing coaches give the same level of praise:
South Mecklenburg coach James Martin said, "From a defensive standpoint, he completely understands the game. He understands formations. I've seen him make so many checks. He's one of the best linebackers I've seen since I've been coaching in Charlotte. On offense, when he gets out on the open with his hands and speed, he's a true threat."
Michigan can probably offer him much more opportunity at the wideout position, since Shawn Conway won't be in the class.
FL S Roderick Ryles, a teammate of FL RB Commit Dee Hart, will not attend Arkansas, because they don't need safeties. Michigan may be interested, though they didn't offer Ryles prior to his commitment to the Razorbacks.
JC defensive back Anthony Baskin visited Michigan last week.
The Wolverines are looking at Indiana decommit MI CB Raymon Taylor. He's a lifelong Wolverines fan, but Michigan has not yet offered.
PA LB/FB Nicholas Klass may walk on at Michigan ($, info in header).
MD CB Blake Countess is close to a decision ($, info in header).
Local fluff on an offer to CA K Connor Loftus.
2012
IL QB Robert Gregory was named First-Team All-State as an athlete.
Michigan is in the top five for MI RB Juwan Lewis.
MI CB Terry Richardson was named an Under Armour All-American.
Sam Webb's recruiting column last week covered a junior combine that took place over the weekend. Once the 2011 class is wrapped up, the Wolverines will start to show serious interest in some of these guys.
December 15th, 2010 at 12:34 PM | 
Here's a counterintuitvely
Here's a counterintuitvely
December 15th, 2010 at 12:48 PM |
In all of this, I assume we
In all of this, I assume we
In all of this, I assume we will lose some recruits if RR is fired but we will gain some if Harbaugh is hired, so maybe that's a wash.
I don't know if people fully undestand how many of our current players will leave if Harbaugh is hired. I mean we are young (heartache to heartache, etc.) and that means it wouldn't hurt our players to leave and sit out a year someplace else... the reason we didn't see more attrition when RR was hired (and we saw a lot) is because our defense was a veteran unit. They quit on RR, sure, but they didn't transfer. If Harbaugh is hired I think we see a devastating amount of transfers, causing another 2008... just my epinion.
or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing.
December 15th, 2010 at 1:08 PM |
First of all, a Simon and
First of all, a Simon and
First of all, a Simon and Garfunkel and a Pat Benatar reference in one day? I think you and I could hang out.
Second, w/r/t your concern about massive attrition of the current class and our current roster, I kind of agree, or at least I am very concerned about this too. When I said "maybe that's a wash," I should have added the <unreasonably optimistic> HTML tag.
December 15th, 2010 at 3:01 PM |
For my money, there's just
For my money, there's just
For my money, there's just nothing better than Love is a Battlefield.
Anyway, count me in for the group who doesn't think bringing in Harbaugh would have much attrition. There would be some, but there is some attrition in off-seasons where we don't have a coaching change. Many of these guys have the opportunity to play or start for multiple years, and I don't think they'd throw that away.
Also, I think the attrition would be very different on O and D. If JH comes, especially if he brings his DC, why would the players on D bail? The D would almost certainly get better, plus they'll likely get a new DC even if RR stays. The offensive side might be different, but I don't see our RBs who are getting carries taking off (maybe VS, if anyone) and I don't see our outside receivers taking off since their spot would get more appealing. OL is OL, it would be a bit different, but not enough to drive anyone away. Slot receivers would be the most likely to take off, Roundtree excluded.
Lastly, any very good players would likely cherish the opportunity to play for a guy with the NFL ties that Harbaugh has. For all these reasons, I think attrition would be low.
December 15th, 2010 at 12:35 PM |
Happy trails, Greg Robinson
Happy trails, Greg Robinson
Happy trails, Greg Robinson (NTGR)
Sorry, had to do it...
For my privacy, my new username is "non-Oriental non-Andrew"
December 15th, 2010 at 1:48 PM |
My first thought was, "damn,
My first thought was, "damn,
My first thought was, "damn, do we really need another one???"
Sorry, Gregory. No offense to you. Enjoy your time at Auburn.
December 15th, 2010 at 12:55 PM |
Frost and Conway
Frost and Conway
So with Conway now out, are the coaches really willing to let Frost play WR, especially if we now have Morgan in the class as a legit LB prospect? I'm thinking LB isn't as big a crisis as it was early in the season with the emergence of Demens as a respectable starter.
"So I come out of Ohio Stadium after we beat the Buckeyes, and right there on the hood of my friend's car, some one took a dump, in the shape of an 'O'. no shit. Oh, sorry, bad pun."
December 15th, 2010 at 1:10 PM |
And with guys like Kellen
And with guys like Kellen
And with guys like Kellen Jones and sleeper Desmond Morgan in the fold....If we get Lamar Dawson, I don't care if Frost plays receiver.
All hail Hoke!
December 15th, 2010 at 1:31 PM |
Don't get your hopes up for
Don't get your hopes up for
Don't get your hopes up for Dawson
Twitter // Recruiting Work// Email
December 15th, 2010 at 1:38 PM |
And with chances of landing
And with chances of landing
And with chances of landing RJS and James Ross in the '12 class.........linebacker might actually become a position of strength for us.......
"I want to be the face of Michigan"
December 15th, 2010 at 2:00 PM |
Trey DePriest
Trey DePriest
Conjecture about who is coming in the 2012 class is extremely premature.
December 15th, 2010 at 2:43 PM |
Trey Depriest? We're not
Trey Depriest? We're not
Trey Depriest? We're not getting Trey Depriest
Twitter // Recruiting Work// Email
December 15th, 2010 at 2:49 PM |
Most rational Michigan fans
Most rational Michigan fans
Most rational Michigan fans didn't expect DePriest to come to Michigan. We had a shot with him, but it was a bit of a pipe dream.
We have much better chances with Ross and Jenkins-Stone than Trey.
December 15th, 2010 at 2:57 PM |
Hmmm
Hmmm
DePriest was described as a lifelong Michigan fan and treated by many as if he was the savior at LB (kind of like OBrien is now at DT). Rational fans maybe didn't EXPECT him, but there was a lot of optimism.
Hope you're right on Ross and Jenkins-Stone, but I wouldn't pencil them into the 2013 depth chart yet.
December 15th, 2010 at 12:59 PM |
making sense
making sense
I'm not sure how it makes more sense to pick a school that went 5-7 and will be looking for a new coach soon
It makes sense because kids make selections based on a wide range of criteria. I mean, you can say "I'm not sure how it makes sense to pick a school that went 3-5 in conferrence play and is openly stating it is unsure if it will retain their coach past the next 3 weeks." Yet no one on this board would say Morgan's decision failed to make sense.
Cal is in a good school. The bay area is very appealing to many. Maybe he met some professors he likes. Maybe he met some teammates he likes. etc.
Sorry to rant, but this kind of reasoning bugs me. Recruits don't always have to think like football fans or make decisions like NFL free agents.
Furthermore, its one thing if a kid chooses a school like Bowling Green (no offense) over Michigan, but Cal? A school that has at least as much, if not more, academic prestige than Michigan? Good weather. Etc.
December 15th, 2010 at 2:28 PM |
I think Tim's point wasn't
I think Tim's point wasn't
I think Tim's point wasn't that there aren't many other reasons to like Cal over Michigan, but to say that the reason why you didn't pick M was because of the coaching situation when Cal may likely be on their way to a coaching change, that alone doesn't make sense.
If there were other reasons to not pick M, that would make sense, but the coaching situation wouldn't be one of them since this factor is the same at both schools. (FTR: I don't know a lot about the Cal situation I'm just going off Tim's report).
December 15th, 2010 at 2:51 PM |
Fair point
Fair point
I haven't read any quotes that say "I chose Cal over Michigan because of the coaching uncertainty.", but if such quotes exist, I stand corrected.
December 15th, 2010 at 10:10 PM |
He's been pretty open that
He's been pretty open that
He's been pretty open that coaching uncertainty is the reason he cooled on Michigan.
December 16th, 2010 at 1:50 AM |
Bay Area
Bay Area
Took me all of one minute off the plane in San Francisco ( visiting my UM Grad school roommate ) to start scheming how to move here from The Great White North. I had to wait 2 more years. This kid can go to Cal ( academically the best public university in the US whereas we are arguably 2nd ) in a few months. Hard to beat that if there is life after football.
Upholding maize and blue honor in a warm climate
December 15th, 2010 at 1:15 PM |
With Prince Holloway
With Prince Holloway
you never know. Odoms is smaller in height than him, but he's a pretty good outside receiver, with his downfield blocking and stuff. Maybe this guy will be the same kinda deal.
December 15th, 2010 at 2:52 PM |
Odoms still isn't a
Odoms still isn't a
Odoms still isn't a prototypical outside receiver. He didn't move outside because the coaches thought he would be better out there. He moved to WR because Roundtree came in at SR and dominated. He was simply displaced for a better player, but the coaches still wanted to get Odoms on the field.
I don't think the coaches are going to go after very many 5'9" kids to play WR.
December 15th, 2010 at 2:33 PM |
DUUUDE
DUUUDE
Anthony Baskin was a teammate of mine in high school at wayne before he transferred to south lyon...kid fell off the map after that thats so crazy the wolverines are taking a look at him
Formerly known as PahokeePahokee
December 15th, 2010 at 3:00 PM |
There's Something About Desmond
There's Something About Desmond
That I like and it's not just the classic Michigan first name. All of the evaluations seem to stress his football instincts. Wasn't that one of the big criticisms of our linebackers and safeties this year? Without picking on individual players who tried their best, it seemed that some of them were out of position so often due to poor reaction.
I also am very impressed with the intellectual capabilities. A 27 ACT? Yahoo buckaroo!
Come on down Desmond Morgan.
December 15th, 2010 at 3:45 PM |
posted from iPhone
posted from iPhone
27 isn't that impressive. esp since they recalibrated the scores several years ago. I'm not that smart and I had a 29 in 1982, before the scoring change.
Don't get me wrong, 27 is cool but it's not uber impressive.
December 15th, 2010 at 3:55 PM |
Well...I just looked and 27
Well...I just looked and 27
Well...I just looked and 27 is pretty damn good. My 29 was fantastic in 1982...friggin BS guidance counselors at my High School had me thinking I had average scores for all these years.
Bastards! Even so my UofM degree hangs proudly in my office...
http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d95/dtab130.asp
A 27 is in the 89th percentile. Not bad.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACT_(test)#ACT_Time_vs._SAT_Time
December 16th, 2010 at 12:08 PM |
The 27 isn't
The 27 isn't
that impressive, but it says his GPA isn't just a product of discipline. He actually has some real brains, too. At least that's what I get from it.
December 15th, 2010 at 5:07 PM |
What do we really have left for DT prospects?
What do we really have left for DT prospects?
Jernigan and now Cooper have dropped us. Would like to see one of those big body (270+) guys still on the board.
December 15th, 2010 at 5:44 PM |
Good question
Good question
All things considered, we're actually doing pretty well with DBs and LBs, but the lack of any good DT prospects showing serious interest in U-M at this point is worrisome.
December 16th, 2010 at 1:20 AM |
posted from iPhone
posted from iPhone
You don't know there would be a huge exodus of recruits. In fact, I'd expect an overall recruiting + with JH. His defense is much better than RR's. And he's already out-recruiting RR. At Stanford.
This always happens with coaching changes. Everybody worries. Then a fancy new sheriff comes to town and recruits get excited. Guaranteed JH would land some bigger fish than RR has/will. There's no way a lot of blue chip d recruits will sign with RR. (And, frankly, why would they?) JH won't have that problem.
December 16th, 2010 at 12:26 PM |
How is he out-recruiting RR?
How is he out-recruiting RR?
How is he out-recruiting RR? What measure are you using? Do the 3 agencies rate Stanford's class better the last 3 years?
December 16th, 2010 at 2:25 PM |
The good folks at mgoblog are misinformed
The good folks at mgoblog are misinformed
Cal fan here. The bloom is indeed off of Tedford's rose. However, he is under contract until 2015, in an overly-generous and hasty extension offered to him after he beat Miami in the Emerald Bowl. So Avery Walls assumes correctly that Tedford isn't going anywhere for at least 3 years. Other factors in Walls' committing: (1) the defensive recruiting is absolutely outstanding this year, led by Tosh Lupoi, Rivals' 2009 recruiter of the year, (2) new facilities for training, to be completed before the 2011 season, will replace the current dungeon that Cal athletes have suffered in for lo these many years, (3) the theory that Tedford deserves to recruit for at least 2 years with this shiny new facility in place, (4) the new defensive coordinator shows great signs of pulling it together; after being confused & unprepared at Nevada and Oregon State, he pulled together very effective game plans vs Oregon and Washington.
Anyway, I came here for a little Walls schadenfruede, and got it. Thanks. Hope Michigan signs harbaugh and gets him away from my team.
December 16th, 2010 at 2:25 PM |
The good folks at mgoblog are misinformed
The good folks at mgoblog are misinformed
Cal fan here. The bloom is indeed off of Tedford's rose. However, he is under contract until 2015, in an overly-generous and hasty extension offered to him after he beat Miami in the Emerald Bowl. So Avery Walls assumes correctly that Tedford isn't going anywhere for at least 3 years. Other factors in Walls' committing: (1) the defensive recruiting is absolutely outstanding this year, led by Tosh Lupoi, Rivals' 2009 recruiter of the year, (2) new facilities for training, to be completed before the 2011 season, will replace the current dungeon that Cal athletes have suffered in for lo these many years, (3) the theory that Tedford deserves to recruit for at least 2 years with this shiny new facility in place, (4) the new defensive coordinator shows great signs of pulling it together; after being confused & unprepared at Nevada and Oregon State, he pulled together very effective game plans vs Oregon and Washington.
Anyway, I came here for a little Walls schadenfruede, and got it. Thanks. Hope Michigan signs harbaugh and gets him away from my team.
December 16th, 2010 at 2:26 PM |
The good folks at mgoblog are misinformed
The good folks at mgoblog are misinformed
Cal fan here. The bloom is indeed off of Tedford's rose. However, he is under contract until 2015, in an overly-generous and hasty extension offered to him after he beat Miami in the Emerald Bowl. So Avery Walls assumes correctly that Tedford isn't going anywhere for at least 3 years. Other factors in Walls' committing: (1) the defensive recruiting is absolutely outstanding this year, led by Tosh Lupoi, Rivals' 2009 recruiter of the year, (2) new facilities for training, to be completed before the 2011 season, will replace the current dungeon that Cal athletes have suffered in for lo these many years, (3) the theory that Tedford deserves to recruit for at least 2 years with this shiny new facility in place, (4) the new defensive coordinator shows great signs of pulling it together; after being confused & unprepared at Nevada and Oregon State, he pulled together very effective game plans vs Oregon and Washington.
Anyway, I came here for a little Walls schadenfruede, and got it. Thanks. Hope Michigan signs harbaugh and gets him away from my team.
December 16th, 2010 at 2:37 PM |
The good folks at mgoblog are misinformed
The good folks at mgoblog are misinformed
Cal fan here. The bloom is indeed off of Tedford's rose. However, he is under contract until 2015, in an overly-generous and hasty extension offered to him after he beat Miami in the Emerald Bowl. So Avery Walls assumes correctly that Tedford isn't going anywhere for at least 3 years. Other factors in Walls' committing: (1) the defensive recruiting is absolutely outstanding this year, led by Tosh Lupoi, Rivals' 2009 recruiter of the year, (2) new facilities for training, to be completed before the 2011 season, will replace the current dungeon that Cal athletes have suffered in for lo these many years, (3) the theory that Tedford deserves to recruit for at least 2 years with this shiny new facility in place, (4) the new defensive coordinator shows great signs of pulling it together; after being confused & unprepared at Nevada and Oregon State, he pulled together very effective game plans vs Oregon and Washington.
Anyway, I came here for a little Walls schadenfruede, and got it. Thanks. Hope Michigan signs harbaugh and gets him away from my team.
December 16th, 2010 at 4:55 PM |
Have us good folks at mgoblog . . .
Have us good folks at mgoblog . . .
been sufficiently informed by now? We may be a bit slow, but we usually get things after only 2 or 3 iterations.
December 16th, 2010 at 6:15 PM |
sorry about the multiple posts
sorry about the multiple posts
My browser got hung up and I hit the save button too many times. there doesn't seem to be a delete button either. A clumsy debut to be sure.
Here's a counterintuitvely positive thought for this Recruitin' Wednesday: the closer it gets to January 2 (or 3), the less Brandon's, um, unorthodox approach to settling the HC question matters for the undecided recruits.
By that I mean if Zettel for instance makes his choice in "early January" then he'll know to whom he's committing and then Brandon's strategy will not matter retroactively at that point (unless recruits are put off by the strategy itself, i.e., it signals poor leadership or something).
Right now it seems like the strategy might have possibly hurt us with a few recruits, but the longer the remaining wait-and-seers stay on the board, the closer we get to January 2 (or 3).
In all of this, I assume we will lose some recruits if RR is fired but we will gain some if Harbaugh is hired, so maybe that's a wash.
(Insert usual disclaimer about how I think on balance it would be bad in the short term and unknown in the long term and therefore riskier if we changed HCs here: _________________).