We're On Newsome Watch This Weekend

By Brian — July 11th, 2008 at 12:56 PM — 31 comments
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And by "we" I mean "I", except I wouldn't say "I're on Newsome watch."

Hey, you: want to fret about a kid who won't play for Michigan for more than a year? Sure you do. VA QB commitment -- sorta -- Kevin Newsome has a choice this weekend. Virginia Tech is having its final summer camp. They'd like Newsome to show up:

But the big question is whether Kevin Newsome will attend the camp.

The former Western Branch star, headed to Hargrave Military Academy for his senior season, has committed to Michigan. But his former coach, Lew Johnston, said recently that Tech coaches are still hotly pursuing Newsome and were hoping he'd come to this weekend's camp.

Kevin Newsome Sr. said this week that his younger son, 2010 defensive end Keevon, plans to make the camp. He said didn't know about Kevin.

"Didn't know about Kevin" is about as reassuring as the "no comment" provided earlier. You're probably a slightly normal person and won't be on your computer Sunday night trying to figure out if Newsome actually showed up at this accursed thing; Monday Recruitin' will inform as appropriate.

Also: Josh Helmholdt's suddenly prolific column at the Free Press notes that IN OL Zach Martin an VA DE Will Hill will be in this weekend. Both have offers; Martin is a four-star OT with offers from Notre Dame and most of the Big Ten; Hill is a three-star strongside defensive end.

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Posted on: July 12th, 2008 at 4:48 PM #1
Only Michigan Fans
Think that if Michigan commits one way, they lose every player that would maybe benefit more from another style. Seriously, if Michigan is that fucking tenuous, then they are never gonna be any good, and certainly not any better than the last forty years of "Almost". Come on you chickenshits. Quit your goddamm worrying about everything. You rfucking icnessant whining is boring me to tears. Fucking dumbest fan base in all of college football.

Winning breeds confidence. Losing breeds reality.

Posted on: July 12th, 2008 at 3:22 PM #2
As for the Newsome vs.
As for the Newsome vs. Forcier...i've heard the comparison that Newsome is Tebow and Forcier is Troy Smith. Obviously both Heisman winners, so both good players. Personally, based on this comparison, I would like to have Forcier. With Forcier (Smith), you get downfield passing and can still attract top-notch WRs. With Newsome (Tebow), you get the tough runner who can shot put the ball a little. I was watching the replay of the 1992 Rose Bowl of UM vs. Wash and Grbac was winging the ball downfield to D. Alexander and A. Toomer...and that was awesome and I don't want to give that up.

Heart. Brains. Balls.

Posted on: July 12th, 2008 at 3:42 PM #3
dude
you don't think florida is still attracting top-notch receivers with tim tebow? we're gonna pass the ball downfield, RR wouldn't be going after these QBs and WRs if we weren't going to pass the ball.

http://cnbsports.com

Posted on: July 12th, 2008 at 11:21 AM #4
Hey Barking
You get a bit stuck in the anal stage or what buddy? Barking Sphincter? Walter the Farting Dog? Relax a bit. You are always all up in arms over something.
Posted on: July 12th, 2008 at 11:04 AM #5
Thanks!
I scrolled down hoping for just such news - thanks for keeping us posted. (By the way, Brian, I think this new commenting theme is working out well, since I knew right where to look to find a comment on this story without having to dig for hours.) The Hokie poster above had a good point - if they were so concerned about whether he might even attend camp, then he's far from joining the Hokies. Not that it couldnt' happen, and not that he still might be a bit concerned with Michigan's apparent pursuit of other QBs, but it's a good sign.
Posted on: July 12th, 2008 at 10:15 AM #6
Morning Follies
Looks like the boyz at Scout have Newsome NOT at VaTech's camp this fine morning, nor are his parents there. Just his brother Keevon. All seems well. Newsome seems locked in.

Winning breeds confidence. Losing breeds reality.

Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 11:49 PM #7
Oy Veh
I think I'm off to the Wolverine...Nevermind!!! This blog has become pathetic. you know, I never used to be into the whole "I'm underground because it's cool to sleep in a cardboard box under a bridge and recite poetry to drunk black chicks" routine, but now that I'm older, and considering the fact that I used to be RADLIBERAL, FUCK YEAH!!! I'm MORE INTO THAT SHIT!!! This board is no longer "of the people". I realize we all have to evolve at some point, and evolve to some point, but all this colorful glitz, and all this hubub, and all these dum fucks who post shit like "I hope we get defensive ends duhhhh, yah, defensive ends duhhhhh and I hope the coaches are know what they are for to do duhhhh". And the spirit of Mgoblog, and haloscan, are dead. It's like this blog has bought into China raping Africa like the British did long ago in The Heart of Darkness. People, the age of affordable commodities is over. Duuhhhhh, I hope the coaches are for to know how to recroot offensive linemans duuhhhh I know what I are talk about duhhhhh

Winning breeds confidence. Losing breeds reality.

Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 9:37 PM #8
McNeal is a 4 star and top
McNeal is a 4 star and top 100 player on Rivals http://michigan.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?sport=1&pr_key=69184 3* may have been initial ranking but it's changed since
Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 4:31 PM #9
why do we think...
...that Newsome wouldn't play for us for more than a year? What if Feagin turns out to be ho-hum and Threet is just big and slow. Why couldn't we expect him to be a 2 or 3 year starter (at least)?
Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 4:25 PM #10
"This guy named his kids
"This guy named his kids Kevin and Keevon? He should have just gone for the full Foreman and named them both Kevin if he's going to do that. Let me guess, he has a daughter named Kayvonne?" Dammit, I'd like to do a Roger Clemens alias post right now.
Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 4:10 PM #11
MGoBlog Linked to by Wall Street Journal
Just wanted to give Brian a congrats on getting linked to by one of the worlds most influential papers. The link comes from WSJ's "Daily Fix" sports blog: http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2008/07/11/why-cristiano-ronaldo-isnt-a-sl... ($) Quote: "In the interest of equal time, here’s a reasonable rebuttal from Mgoblog’s Brian Cook to a column the Fix linked to yesterday about Rich Rodriguez and his lawsuit against the University of West Virginia."
Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 3:28 PM #12
Tits Forcier
Make no mistake: If Newsome decommits, we've got Tits in the bag. We may even have Tits WITH Newsome (though I doubt it). I expect a Martin committ this weekedn or soon after, Ninja. Beaver's info is usually dead on, and he doesn't really get optimistic unless it's warranted

Winning breeds confidence. Losing breeds reality.

Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 5:20 PM #13
Mmmmmmmmmmm.
Tits in the bag.

M'Dog

Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 2:44 PM #14
Don't worry about DEs
Faller, Things look really good with Roh- turns out he had a little ore contact than expected a few weeks ago. As for defensive recruiting in general, late commits in this class (and we're not even talking late here, there's still SEVEN MONTHS until signing day) should be expected. Shafer is pretty much an unknown quantity, as is Rod when it comes to defense. QBs and Ninjabacks know how they'll be used, thus the tremendous influx of those guys and the Newsome/Forcier/Beav interest. You're also seeing the same effect with outside WR's as you are at DE. We signed McNeal, who was a 3* at the time, and Peace, who may play DB and had 2 offers, but don't be surprised if we pass more this season and that lands us a bigtime WR who's also decided to wait and see what we do on the field. ps- I started typing this an hour ago and got caught up with a client, so if this has already been discussed ignore it.

WE ARE GOING TO BE A MACHINE.

Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 5:47 PM #15
McNeal
I'm pretty excited about him, why was he only 3*?  His video looks great.
Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 2:12 PM #16
newsome
Newsome didnt even have a QB coach at Western Branch. I'd expect him to be less polished as passer at this point and not as good passing wise at camps compared to other kids. Newsome has unlimited potential and with some good coaching in college, he will become a stud at Umich
Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 2:01 PM #17
I think if newsome decommits
I think if newsome decommits Tate will be here in a heart beat. Plus the beav is coming (that sounds good huh)so that could be good. Anyone think Feagin will be good. He seems to be like the diamond in the rough! tate looks superb as well, plus I heard Newsome has not had some good camps...

"Listen up, you little spazoids. I know where you live and I've seen where you sleep. I swear to everything holy that your mothers will cry when they see what I've done to you."

Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 5:34 PM #18
Based on the (very limited) highlight video's I've seen so far,
Tate Forcier looks the most impressive right now (good mobile, elusive, accurate passer), followed by Feagin (shifty, fast little devil, OK short passer), then Newsome (bizzare long water-balloon passes that some how drop in where they're supposed to, 25 seconds after release). Newsome is a beast though, and has the most upside potential if it can be realized.  He is not going to be our savior in '09 though.    

M'Dog

Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 5:35 PM #19
Damn!
I forgot the Beav.

M'Dog

Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 1:42 PM #20
Can we ink a DE, pretty fucking please?
I'm much more worried about DEs than I am about QBs. It seems like RichRod has the ability to woo QBs, or at least keep their interest enough to be in the running. DEs? Not.so.much. Coffee is for closers, Rich. None for you until you sign a beefy 6'6 boy with a motor. Please.

The Wolverine Liberation Army- saving Michigan fans one dick joke at a time.

Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 4:23 PM #21
cfaller,  plus 1000 points
cfaller,  plus 1000 points for using 'coffee is for closers'. good work. 

i only respect other superfans

Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 1:51 PM #22
Things are good with Roh so far
Keenan Graham appears to be relatively interested as well.

Wolverine Liberation Army

Give me piss troughs or give me death.

Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 2:23 PM #23
If you're right and we get Hill this weekend, then
in a few years we'll have Craig "Ruh" Roh and Will "the Thrill" Hill as our bookends.  Sweeeeeet.  When it comes to recruiting, funny/interesting names are just as important to me as the number of *s.

The Wolverine Liberation Army- saving Michigan fans one dick joke at a time.

Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 5:13 PM #24
Don't get your hopes up guys.
Don't get your hopes up guys. In the end, every single defensive end in the '09 class w/ college eligibility will commit to USC. The '12 Rose Bowl will pit a Michigan offense featuring 5 QBs and 6 WRs against USC's vaunted 11 DE defense.
Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 1:26 PM #25
If he decommits,
the best case scenario for us would be if he does that immediately. internets has been buzzing with reports that Tate Forcier wants us bad, but commitment of Beaver/Newsome is deterring that. If Newsome decommits, we could be in the Tate's sweepstakes.
Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 1:25 PM #26
I guess this means
Brian will be doing a lot of Hokie message board lurking this weekend... I'm friends with three brothers who all graduated from Michigan. I overlapped with 2 of them. From oldest to youngest, their names are Will, Leson, and Wilson. Go figure.
Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 1:01 PM #27
I will be shocked
if Kevin Newsome ever puts on a Michigan uniform. Waaaaaaay too much smoke to not be a fire.

Pizza Bob Here = Andy there

Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 1:52 PM #28
methinks
that pizza bob will be shocked. the only people saying he's not coming here are VT and WVU fans.

http://cnbsports.com

Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 2:27 PM #29
Don't worry, he's not coming
Don't worry, he's not coming to Tech. Even we know that. If he does, it'll be a massive turn from what he was saying just one month ago. I'm not saying it can't happen ... just that no informed person at Tech is expecting it. When you're waiting to see if someone shows up to a camp, then your odds of getting him aren't that good. I'd like to be pleasantly surprised, though.
Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 1:00 PM #30
Seriously?
This guy named his kids Kevin and Keevon? He should have just gone for the full Foreman and named them both Kevin if he's going to do that. Let me guess, he has a daughter named Kayvonne?
Posted on: July 11th, 2008 at 1:17 PM #31
The Gradys
There's also Kevin and Kelvin Grady.  What's up with that?  I shouldn't have disbanded the Kevin Newsome Mafia so soon.  My slogan was not jumping to conclusions, and I thought it was a done deal when we got his verbal commit.  Remain optimistic.  Do not doubt Kevin's word.  Think about it: he committed to Michigan for a reason, and that reason was most likely because he liked it there.  It's been a while since he's been there, and his coach hates RR, so he could just be giving VT a last look to satisfy his coach.

So we can finally fly off into NASA

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