Their high school coaches and AAU coaches have probably a better appreciation of Michigan than maybe they had before," Beilein said. "It's a tough balance right now. Tim Hardaway and Trey Burke weren't really high-profile players, nor was Darius Morris, and all were high-profile players. "We're still looking at 'who is the best fit.' "
A twin-bill of commitments started on Friday, as KY S Jeremy Clarkcommitted to a greyshirt offer. The Hello: Jeremy Clark post may have been a shade on the pessimistic side (at the time, Rivals's database was apparently broken, so I wasn't aware he had Illinois and Cincinnati offers, which makes him significantly more attractive as an offer candidate), and that definitely changes my guess that other, more-immediate, offers might change his decision to accept a greyshirt. Still, other reports aren't exactly glowing. Magnus on Touch the Banner:
There's a very good chance that his body has matured throughout the offseason, and if he's done some work on his own in the film room, he might have improved some of his weaknesses, too. But from what I see here, he's slow to read plays, slow to react at times, takes questionable pursuit angles, doesn't have the greatest of playmaking abilities, doesn't hit hard with consistency (although there are a couple nice blows), and doesn't wrap up when he tackles.
College coaches have had a chance to see him in camp since then, so it's likely he's improved a lot if they were willing to offer. As a greyshirt, Clark is currently considered a 2013 commit, but could move into the class of 2012 pending the decision of OH S Jarrod Wilson.
He is an outstanding run blocker, one who can physically dominate his opponent. He shows the quick feet and flexibility to be solid in pass protection. Notice on the film his short, choppy, but controlled steps that sometimes (sometimes not) have a low base and good balance.
He’s great at finishing blocks, working relentlessly to pile the poor sap lined up across from him into the ground, at least until the whistle blows. He has some of the niftiest footwork I’ve seen in a lineman Michigan’s recruited this year, outside of maybe Kyle Kalis. His feet are always in motion and allow him to move laterally, a great asset for any lineman at the next level.
For more on Bars, check out the Hello: Blake Bars post. I also managed to miss that Michigan picked up a preferred walk-on for the 2012 class in IL WR Bo Dever ($, info in header). If I can find enough info on him in the coming days, he may get the Hello post treatment.
Other Commits
Local fluff on MI OL commit Ben Braden and several of his high school teammates/coaches attenting Michigan's camp. Allen Trieu pegged him as a riser in the state of Michigan:
He dedicated himself in the weight room this offseason, adding good weight and getting up to 319-lbs. Even at that size, he was moving well enough to be considered a left tackle prospect. He's strong, technique is improving and he's more athletic than previously thought.
It's a good sign that Brady Hoke's staff has an eye for identifying talent earlier than most.
CA OL Erik Magnuson talked to the local news about why he picked Michigan:
Pharaoh Brown is listed as a defensive end but #Michigan ought to consider him as a wide receiver...he is very smooth.
There's video, so check it out for yourself. He certainly has good hands (and an ability to get up for the ball), but his athleticism - exceptional for a defensive end - may not be quite what you'd expect out of a bigtime wide receiver. There's also the small fact that he hasn't played wideout in high school yet, playing mostly QB last year.
Bob Lichtenfels gave 2013 QB Commit Shane Morrissome love at the IMG 87-on-7 in Florida:
Share [sic] Morris is a winner, love the kids moxie at IMG Madden 7on7. Michigan is getting a good one...
Michigan is CBS/Maxpreps's #2 recruiting class at this point (they were #1 last night, but a kicker pickup boosted Texas ahead), and 24/7 Sports's #2 linebacker recruiting class (not including Ojemudia, considered a defensive end) behind Alabama. The linebackers also get some love from ESPN.
Coming Soon?
OH S Jarrod Wilson has set his decision date: Next Friday at 2:30 PM. Michigan, Notre Dame, and Penn State are his final three schools, and many analysts think the Wolverines are the favorite to land him.
OH OL Kyle Kalis thinks OH DE Chris Wormley is going to commit to Michigan, and the two were on campus together last weekend. Wormley has been talking about moving toward a decision for a long time, so a visit to campus could have helped push things forward.
Tom said not to expect a commitment from Kalis last weekend, so the lack of a pledge from the big man came as no surprise. He wants to visit Alabama and Miami (YTM) before making a decision. However, his decision could move up after a visit or two.
These guys aren't just decommitting, they have written off going to OSU... Word going around at both St. Eds and GlenOak are that the Buckeyes have "no chance" at landing either of them.
He goes on to say that Dunn's decommitment is a long time coming, but Kalis not ending up in Columbus after his long, (excited, commit-y) commitment is a big change. As a counterpoint, Bill Greene now thinks Bri'onte Dunn will stick with Ohio State unless (until) the Buckeyes get hammered by the NCAA.
Etc.
Local fluff of epic proportions on IN QB Gunner Kiel. A lot of it is of the "hey, person who doesn't follow recruiting, the recruiting industry sucks" variety (with plenty of one sentence paragraphs), but there are some useful pieces of information included:
"(The decision) will probably be some time this month. I don't know a date. Whenever I feel it in my gut, I'm probably going to make that decision. I'll let my teammates, family and friends know. By then, I'm sure it will get out."
There are mentions of Alabama, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Indiana, but no Michigan. It seems like the Wolverines' ship has probably sailed for Kiel, though Tom Lemming is far higher on the Wolverines' chances, putting them in a top 3 with Alabama and Oklahoma.
MaxPreps picks up on the "Greg Garmon beat cancer" story (a couple months late, it would seem). The PA RB has narrowed his list to Michigan, Illinois, North Carolina, Iowa, and Pitt, according to the article. He recently picked up an Ohio State offer, so we'll see if that affects his recruitment.
OH RB/FB Alden Hillreceived a Michigan offer. He talked to Tom about which position the coaches want him to play:
They want me as an all purpose back, a full back and running back. Someone they don't have to change personnel if they switch plays out of the two back system. I'm definitely good with that role, it's good for competition.
That sounds to me like their first thought is FB, but he can also play tailback. Landing a combo back like Hill would give the coaching staff much more flexibility about taking another ball-carrier in the class, but it sounds like Michigan isn't in great position with Hill.
IL OL Jordan Diamond will play in a new All-Star game, the US Marine Bowl.
AZ OL Andrus Peat will probably include Notre Dame and Nebraska in his final five, meaning Michigan is fighting it out with a few other schools for one of the remaining three spots.
WA OL Josh Garnett is down to 11 schools, including Michigan. The Wolverines join Notre Dame, OKlahoma, Auburn, and Nebraska as the non-Pac-12 schools on his list.
Michigan is in the top six for MI DT Danny O'Brien ($, info in header). It'll be interesting to see how Michigan's DL recruiting plays out over the rest of the summer, with only a couple spots left.
Free Rivals article on OH S Bam Bradley, who doesn't mention Michigan. With the Wolverines' current DB and LB hauls, it's tough to see Bam ending up in this class.
Happy Trails
A lot of recruits with Michigan interest and/or offers that hadn't been mentioned much from a Michigan perspective lately made commitments to other schools:
In other Happy Trails news, MN OL Jonah Pirsigis deciding soon, and Michigan doesn't seem to be in the mix. With Michigan's recruiting class filling up fast, we should see a lot of recruits cutting the Wolverines from their lists in the near future.
We have to have a great school first and foremost. He has a 4.3 GPA so we have to find him a good school, could be Ivy league, could be a place like Michigan. When he decides what he wants to study he'll look into that.
That certainly helps Michigan's case against presumed childhood favorite Michigan State (but not so much over Notre Dame, which has now offered him).
PA TE Adam Breneman, who holds a Michigan offer, is Notre Dame's #1 priority at the position in the 2013 class ($, info in header).
Michigan leads for OH RB/S Dymonte Thomas, the subject of Sam Webb's latest Detroit News column. His coach on how he plays:
"I see him as a safety at the next level, but he could do about anything really. (During the spring) he ran a 4.57 electronic 40-yard dash at the Nike Combine in Pittsburgh, so that tells you about his speed. He is a very physical player and a leader on this team."
He also drops some hints that his cousin Bri'Onte Dunn (mentioned above) might be interested in Michigan if the Buckeyes are hit with a bowl ban.
Rivals had a paywalled article on Peat; that being said it was by Texas and indicated Texas would make his top group. Also, not to put too much in, but he said similar things about both UofM and Notre Dame (academics, tradition, etc.): that they impressed him. Tim's link is the ChuckSheen update on Peat where he mentions the ESPN article where Peat says ND will be til the end, but doesn't mention Michigan. It seems he downplays certain details depending on who he is talking to in the media.
"The unexamined life is not worth living." Socrates.
True, and I have no doubt Michigan sites do, but just to clarify this was the Texas Rivals guys and the article was crosslisted on Michigan's Rivals. My main point is that we have a shot at him (less than Nebraska, Texas, and maybe his other favorites), but it is going to require an official visit. I know the chucksheen post made a lot of people felt we had no chance at all (we probably don't have a very good chance though).
"The unexamined life is not worth living." Socrates.
I disagree, thought ND was the reason he visited the midwest at all, UM seemed to be a side visit from the start and his post visit interviews further confirmed those thoughts.
I haven't been following much on him and haven't really followed much of his recent interviews following his visit. I don't really think UofM has much of a chance, and from the article (obviously slanted towards Texas' chance of landing him) it seemed like UofM and ND were both equally impressive. Regardless it seems he is probably staying in the Southwestish area, but we won't know more til he trims his list to 5.
"The unexamined life is not worth living." Socrates.
You know it is a slow day on mgoblog when you actually work for more than 10 min at a time.
Greetings from Bolivia.
"It's special how the real true people hang together. And if you don't support the program you're not a true Michigan guy. It's that simple." - Gary Moeller
Tim, Tom, or anyone else, is there any new word on Appleby and if he got his offer after camping? I know he was supposed to be there, but haven't heard a word about him since camp.
Like a blind man at an orgy, I was going to have to feel my way through
Did not get an offer after camp. Yet to be seen if he will. Word out of camp is that he didn't do too well and it sounds like the staff`s waiting on Kiel and Mauk's decisions anyway.
That's not the case, however. He has accepted a greyshirt offer at this time, and has not been offered as a member of the 2012 class. Framing it your way is inaccurate.
"The Michigan coaches explained to him that he can take the greyshirt and if Jarrod Wilson were to commit elsewhere then Clark would take that spot for the 2012 class." - TomVH
Assuming the above is true we know the following:
Either Clark or Wilson will be in the 2012 class.
Clark has committed to Michigan.
Clarks offer is conditional for either the 2012 or 2013 class
Clark's status only changes when Wilson decides (July 8)
Clark will not be part of the 2012 class only in the event of Wilson commiting to Michigan.
Wilson has not commited to Michigan.
Since Wilson has not committed, its perfectly accurate to include Clark in a class that, if you want to get technical about it, has no official members. Verbals are non-binding and coaches can't send official offers,so everything is tentative and based on verbal commitments/offers.
His status depends on an announcement next Friday, but how you choose to view it (as him taking Wilson's spot, or Wilson taking his) is pretty irrelevant, and perfectly within reasonable framing.
Just as Tom's quote says: He can join the 2012 class IF Wilson picks elsewhere. Not "he's in the 2012 class, but will become a greyshirt if Wilson picks Michigan."
At this time, he's a member of the 2013 class, with the chance to move into 2012.
'"At this time" is the key distinction in your argument, yet NO ONE is a member of any class that hasn't had a signing day yet.
We are all projecting to the future based on available evidence and reasonable expectations. We expect that one of two people will be in the 2012 class. It not "inaccurate" to expect the committed guy rather than the announcing guy.
Its MGoBlog policy to be courteous to the guys who make a living writing that information and not to steal all of their information. People wouldn't buy premium subscriptions if all of the information was immediately taken by a few subscribers and posted all over internet blogs.
"The unexamined life is not worth living." Socrates.
Earlier today a thread got pulled because it was too specific about paywalled content. A slightly vaguer thread popped up and will stand even though it relates the gist in about four different replies. (Gist: w00t Dee Hart, something that was apparent from Tom's interview Saturday.) So what's the policy around here?
Hell if I know, really. Pulling the first thread was pointless. A new one popped up instantly and provided basically the same information. I think it's actually worse for us legally to pull certain threads for counterintuitive DMCA reasons. In any case you can't copyright a fact, only its expression, legalattempts to revive "hot news doctrine" aside. Strict policing is a waste of time for little benefit, done on behalf of a site that nukes links to mgoblog on sight.
The information will spread whether or not we deploy the iron fist. The net impact of strict policing of premium content will be to obscure the source of the information. Instead of something coming from Rivals it will be a step removed or just asserted with no backing. A recent example: a premium post was replicated verbatim on HailVictors.com and then linked here pointing to HailVictors, not Scout.
So:
You might as well relate the gist of some paywalled content. It'll come out anyway.
Do not C&P. Rephrase.
Don't relate every last detail. Leave the paywalled content some value. In this case, "it looks good for Dee Hart and we should be getting good news relatively soon" would probably work.
If you do so, provide a link. Don't just say "Site X says." The link will draw some traffic, may spur conversions, and will help the site with search engine rankings.
This is not a license to rephrase every rumble from an insider or the entire contents of an ITF. Sporadic and important are your watchwords.
What gets deleted. Copy and pastes of any premium content, even small sections that would be fair use of publicly available information. Posts that talk about premium content and do not link to the original source. Posts that relate every detail. And some posts that don't rise to the "this will be reposted in twelve seconds" standard.
Bob Lichtenfels gave 2013 QB Commit Shane Morris some love at the IMG 87-on-7 in Florida
Truth be told, I'd be a little concerned if our stud QB recruit couldn't tear a defense apart when playing 87-on-7 (though I did think he was especially effective in the 74-wide set).
The QB in the Pharaoh Brown video was beyond awful. He had the arm strength of a 4th grader. No wonder Pharaoh has to play QB during the season.
Near the end of the video it shows him hauling in a TD pass, and then woofing at the DB. Some guy by the camera, maybe a coach, yells out "hey, Michigan ain't going to tolerate that." I hope he wasn't referencing the TD.
Thanks Tim for the lengthy update. I hope we can pick up Kalis and Diamond and really solidify a great OL class. I also hope with Dymonte naming Michigan as his favorite, it helps to sway Bri'onte to Michigan. That would be a huge haul right there.
“What the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve and those who stay will be champions.” - Bo
I have no clue how he'll be ranked nationally. It's tough to say without knowing what position he's going to play. He said that Michigan was recruiting him as a tailback, but he's now up to 250 lbs. Scout has him as a DE, Rivals has him as an ATH, 247 has him as a FB/SDE, and I thought I saw him rated as a DT somewhere, but maybe I'm wrong.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that he gets 2 stars or more.
Why are we quoting Magnus. All he does is bash kids. I'll give you his next evaluation. Kid doesn't tackle very well, not very fast, and has character issues.
Because Magnus is an outstanding evaluator and knows an awful lot about football. He does give good reviews when they're deserved. I like Magnus' (Magnus's?) input in threads and quoted.
I knew I would get bashed by his groupies but he constantly talks bad about kids. He has no idea what this kid has to offer but he is willing to criticize him. A high school video of him when he was a lot smaller does not give enough to bash a kid. He always talks about kids having bad attitudes or bad character and I bet he does not know a single one of them. Some people make comments like his and they are called a troll but for some reason you all love it when he does it.
To back up your words. I don't think Magnus says anything about players personally. I am not sure how he makes a lot of his evaluations about some of the more minute details of a player's skills, but I am willing to accept that he has invested a whole helluva lot more time in this than I have, so I am good with it. And it's not like he is the only one quoted either, so quit yer bitchin about everyone idolizing magnus when we clearly only idolize brian (tomvh still has cult status).
2013 resolution - make it onto the 2014 favorite MGoPosters post, not ironically
I'm not going to spend that much time trying to find it but I think it was when he was having fun doing videos about choosing different schools. I know you guys think greatly of him but I just don't respect a guy who bashes a bunch of high school kids that he doesn't know.
Let's see. He said that the coaching staff had demonstrated that they weren't necessarily the best judge of character as evidenced by Demar Dorsey, Austin White, and Boubacar Cissoko. True. He then goes on to say that he is not in any way suggesting that Arnett is on par with said recruits. Safe there. As far as specific bashing, I refer you to the following direct quotes (because I know you'll say you're too lazy/busy to do the research despite the fact that you've been very prompt about responding to comments):
I, for one, am hoping DeAnthony Arnett "takes his talents" to a school other than the University of Michigan. I'd gladly take 100 humble Roy Roundtrees over attention-seekers like Arnett.
We're doing just fine with guys who aren't full of themselves and need to be the center of attention, thank you very much.
It is MY OPINION that I'm not a fan of DeAnthony Arnett. And as I said above, these Twitvid posts are not the only bits of information I know about Arnett. If they were, I might be out of line. They're not.
Thus, Magnus had some sort of insider information / personal impression upon which he was basing his evaluation of Arnett's personality. Obviously he is not going to divulge said inside information because recruiting people don't do that (what good is a source once everyone knows he's your source?). I think we can be safe in saying that Magnus was not simply "bashing" Arnett's personality (you really like that phrase) just because he derives enjoyment from degrading eighteen-year-old kids. Also, he said that the kid was an "attention-seeker" and "full of [himself]". I think it's attention-seeking whenever you make a big production out of your college choice (press conferences, hat lotteries, whatever) and I'll stand by that statement. It's not like there aren't other ways to distribute the information. I don't know what you're so upset about, though. That didn't seem that bad to me. Also, the narrator in this video clearly says "Dick Rod", which would seem to suggest that they're not above that whole "bashing" thing either.
Whatever, that drained way too much of my time. I'm done with this.
Denard has spent the offseason working really hard and smiling at people.
I'm on my phone posting is why I didn't look it up. I don't know why this has turned into something about Arnett. It is just my example. What about this kid he just said is pretty much not any good at any part of football? He says stuff like this all the time and you guys act like it's great info. What about when these kids get on here and read this junk he posts. He has every right to speak his mind but I cant believe we are quoting stuff like this.
You mean when I criticized him for putting out, like, five videos of him committing to five different schools? And, if I remember correctly, he called Coach Rodriguez "Dick Rod" although I'm not 100% if that was him.
You're right. I didn't like that. I think a lot of people would agree with me. You obviously don't. And you have every right to criticize me...
...despite the fact that you "don't know me."
Seriously, when was the rule created that you have to know someone before you criticize them? I bet you've never met Barack Obama, George Bush, Terrelle Pryor, Plaxico Burress, Mark Dantonio, Jim Tressel, etc. but you've probably criticized one or more of those people at various times throughout your life. Is it because they're all legal adults? Should I have waited for Arnett's 18th birthday?
And if Joe Schmoe is allowed to say "Hey, I think this kid is going to be AWESOME because he's fast and hits hard and wheeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!", is a dissenting opinion not allowed? Are we just all supposed to be super-excited about every recruit and expect each one to be the next Tom Brady, Tyrone Wheatley, Desmond Howard, Jake Long, Lamarr Woodley, David Harris, and Charles Woodson?
By the way, the next time you see a commitment post that shows Recruit X is a "2-star" or maybe even an unranked "3-star", you should probably interject with, "Why are we quoting Scout/Rivals? All they do is talk smack about kids. They've probably never met Recruit X personally, but they're saying he won't be a good college player based on his highlight film." Try it out sometime.
Anyway, you're free to read, not read, agree with, or disagree with my opinions. But there's a little perspective for you.
Your right I don't like it when you bash high school kids. Your comment up there pretty much say that the kid is not good at any aspect of the game. I have never seen Rivals or Scout take it to the level that you do. It's not just Arnett he is just the one I can think of off the top of my head. I don't understand why people like reading your post when you are bashing high school kids. I would say that the coaches know a little more than you, Scout, and Rivals put together.
"I would say that the coaches know a little more than you, Scout, and Rivals put together."
I would agree with you 100%. That's why they get paid millions of dollars.
Since they know more than me, I guess I have no right to question them. Remember that the next time you question their decision to punt on 4th-and-1. And remember that President Obama knows more than you the next time you think about disagreeing with one of his policies. Matt Millen knows more than you, so you probably shouldn't question his decision to draft a bunch of sucky players.
Etc.
P.S. I've said what I have to say. I'm not going to argue the point anymore, so believe what you will. Have a good Thursday.
I rarely question kids' character. I can think of one class of 2012 kid, a couple class of 2011 kids, and a couple class of 2010 kids. Considering I follow recruiting closely and Michigan has offered approximately 550 kids in that time span, questioning character issues for a half dozen of them isn't some egregious crime. In fact, I would bet a lot more of those kids have character issues than what I've questioned. You can't randomly select 550 people from the general population and not find dozens or even hundreds who have character issues.
His evaluation of me was rarely gets to work on time, take days off, gets caught looking at clock and watching porn on internet, slow to get his work done consistently but shows flashes of speed, especially for free cake at birthday parties in the staff lounge.
I guess he got that from tape that I didn't even know existed. That or he works for HR and sees my Evaluations. He's dead on the money though.
Welcome Gentlemen!