Dee Decommitted?

Submitted by TomVH on

[Ed-M: Well, f.

In case you went to bed last night thinking that Michigan will be playing in a bowl game, a competent CEO-type athletic director is in charge of the program, and a 5-star-ish recruit perfect for our offensive system will be enrolling in January, you seem to have been 2/3rds correct.

Rivals reported last night that HB Demetrius Hart intends to decommit from Michigan in favor of Alabama. Tom VH spoke to someone close to Hart and confirmed...that it may be true.:

Regarding Dee Hart, I talked to someone close to him and it looks like the rumors may have legs. Not sure specifics yet.

The news inspired a 500-response thread and at least one user getting caved. As an attempt to restore sanity, and because I trust Tom, I am bumping Tom's diary on the subject (and on other RB options Michigan is in good shape with) to the front page.

At the moment, this seems to be rumor, but believeable. It becomes fact when Dee Hart says it is; until then we have a source close to Dee who says it's fact. For those of you who remember getting burned by Will Campbell only for a "just joking" thing after, this doesn't feel like that.

If you stick a gun to my head and say "okay Misopogon, you tell me why Hart decommitted right this second or I'll blow your brains all over your precious internet," I would say that Dee wants to get his college football career underway at the beginning of January, and Michigan wants to make a decision on who will be his head coach after that. This opinion is entirely conjecture, conflicts with a previous statement made by Hart, and should be taken as no more than that. Expect something more informative and concrete from Brian or Tim later today. Here's Tom: [/Misopogon]

TomVH: Dee Hart Alternatives

Hopefully everyone's calmed down from the Demetrius Hart news. For those of you that follow me on Twitter, I did talk to someone close to him and it looks like he will be decommitting. He's shut down contact, so I wasn't able to get a hold of him or his family. They don't like to disappoint people, so I'm not sure how much contact they'll have. The Michigan coaches will be making a visit out to try to do damage control with Dee. We'll see what ultimately happens with it, things can change.

Moving on from that, Justice Hayes is committed, Michigan is hoping Thomas Rawls makes grades, and there's two more options out there. Tre Mason (5'10", 190 lbs, 4 Star) and Devondrick Nealy (5'10", 175 lbs, 3 Star). Michigan is in great position with Nealy, and we most likely lead.

Mason is one to watch, and I talked to him tonight. He was interested and intrigued with the news of Demetrius Hart. I asked him about Michigan, and he had this to say.

I like Michigan, but Coach Dews has been talking to me about defense lately, and I do not want to play defense. I like Auburn a lot too, but if Michigan wanted me back as a running back then they'd have a good shot at me. I'm looking at depth charts and everything, so we'll see. 

You have to think that Michigan had been talking defense with Tre because they had Demetrius Hart and Justice Hayes committed. They didn't have room for a third running back of the same kind. If Demetrius does in fact decommit then I would assume Michigan would tell Tre that they want him on offense again. Just something to keep an eye on if everything goes down as it seems like it will. 

Comments

Seth9

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:06 AM ^

The record, if I remember correctly, came on the Michigan-Miami hockey open thread in which we were treated to yet another exhibition in exciting ways to cheat the Michigan hockey team out of a victory, courtesy of the referees of the Hockey East conference.

Dolokhov

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:49 AM ^

Agreed, the last meltdown didn't reflect real well on us. That said, I do wonder if there is any chance Dave Brandon changes his existent timeline and comes through with a decision one way or another? He's stated that he will stick to his plan/process and evaluate the program, coach, staff and team after the bowl game, but I wonder if there are factors that might force his hand to some degree (for example: Rich Rodriguez himself, current players, recruiting considerations, corners of the "melting down" fan base, etc.)? I'm not suggesting this will happen, and recognize my relegation/resignation to "wait and see" mode, but just wondering out loud here...

Captain Obvious

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:13 AM ^

This is a strawman to the extreme.   Link me to anyone on this site saying anything even remotely resembling what you are railing against.

Most people are upset at a perceived downgrade at the RB position.  Everyone recognizes there are other options, but they are almost certainly going to be less good than the #1 RB in the nation.  Some also feel this outcome could have been avoided with a little more certainty from our AD.

bryemye

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:08 AM ^

It would be shocking for this not to happen with this kid. He's pretty much the anti-Gerhart. I don't blame him one bit.

Thanks for the news about alternatives Tom.

Musket Rebellion

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:15 AM ^

Stepfan Taylor has over 1,000 yards rushing this year for Stanford and he is 5'11" 209 lbs. He also has 26 receptions out of the backfield at 10 yards per reception. Sure, he isn't putting up the eye popping numbers that Gerhart (who is over 230 lbs.) had, but I don't think Harbaugh's system (if my understanding is correct and this is what you are implying) is predicated on having a tailback in beastmode at all times. 

Dolokhov

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:11 AM ^

Thanks, Tom, much appreciated (as always).

As an FYI, I did notice that Rivals took away Dee Hart's commitment to UM and has him as a "high" interest to Alabama. Not sure what exactly this means, but I suppose we'll find out tomorrow and in the days and weeks to come.

Still breathing in, and breathing out...

Dolokhov

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:07 PM ^

Of course, it may very well mean that he will commit to Alabama, or that he's giving serious thought to doing so. That said, I don't know if it's "safe to say" much of anything right now, particularly with the UM Staff visiting Dee today and, additionally, the 2 months that currently exist between today and national signing day. It doesn't look good right now, but everything is fluid around the UM program and recruiting right now (not attempting to argue here, just trying to clarify where no clarity really exists). 

bsgriffin1

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:15 AM ^

No kid is a Michigan Man until they sign. Kids now and days dont know what it means to be committed, the word has no significant meaning anymore.

 

YOU DONT "COMMITT" UNTIL YOUR REALLY READY AND ARE GOING TO STICK WITH YOUR COMMITTMENT.

SC Wolverine

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:20 AM ^

When Dee "committed" to UM, didn't he say that a coaching change wouldn't affect the outcome, since it was the university that attracted him?  If so, I hope he starts thinking big picture like that again.  I understand the importance of the coach to these young men, and I realize that as an early enrollee, Dee has to decided before DB is planning to give information.  But what about he UM diploma and the UM business school, etc.  What does Alabama have to offer other than the football team?  Twenty years from now, it will have been worth it to Dee to have been a Michigan man  I just hope he remembers that.  If not, we will look for another running back.  Thanks, Tom VH.

Michigan4Life

December 3rd, 2010 at 8:10 AM ^

from a newspaper or internet or magazine article doesn't mean that it's true.  Dee Hart was being put on the spot with the question about his committment regarding RR's future.  What would he say?  "I'll decommit if there's any hint of RR being gone or there's any uncertainity surrounding the program"  That wouldn't sit well with Michigan fans when they read the article.  He's going to give a politically correct answer which he did.

Jivas

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:20 AM ^

Just wondering - not that a 17-year old owes any of us an explanation for a change of heart, but do you have any insight into why he's changed his mind?  Is it as simple as the uncertainty of the coaching situation and the timing of it all (since he's going to early enroll)?

Thanks again.

bluenyc

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:32 AM ^

Good luck Dee in life whether it's in Ann Arbor or somewhere else. 

I will be really disappointed if Dee decommits tomorrow, but maybe it's time to not read every thread about coaching changes or recruiting updates.  Nothing I can do about it.   Time for some sleep and get ready for work at 6AM.  Tomorrow is another day.

Mr. Robot

December 3rd, 2010 at 1:47 AM ^

I don't know what to think about Dee anymore. He was back and forth in recruiting, then he commits proclaiming that he wanted to come to Michigan even if RR was fired, and now all of a sudden he appears to be going another direction again? Even if he does announce he's decomitting, I'm not so sure at this point he doesn't pull a Roundtree at the rate he's going.

thebus2011

December 3rd, 2010 at 2:08 AM ^

if someone doesn't want to come here, I wish them the best of luck.  There's not a better place in the world.  

Ps I just got done grinding my ass off at ricks.  

GBOD79

December 3rd, 2010 at 2:09 AM ^

This loss hurts. No offense to Nealy, Rawls, or Mason but they are a slight to major downgrade at the rb position. I guess the silver lining is we pulled a shocker and got Hayes committed. We can now take Rawls, and one of Mason or Nealy.

It stings and I have said my peace about DB being at fault for this. But I hope we rebound well and beat the hell out of Alabama in 2012. Dee it would have been fun having you here at Michigan, but it will also be fun watching you get pummeled by our defense.

Maize and Blue…

December 3rd, 2010 at 8:48 AM ^

IMO, because we won't need slots and he's not a true RB.  Rawls hasn't qualified yet and a current score of 15 on the ACT doesn't give me a lot of hope.  I doubt if Mason comes here if RR is gone either and the same for Nealy.

With huge recruiting weekends on tap the next two weeks it seems as if RR and staff are just wasting their time.  Who is going to verbal after your biggest commit to date just decomitted due to the coaching uncertainty.  Unless, DB already has ink on a contract from another coach this whole situation is going to screw this class and set the program back even farther.  With DB's time line he is leaving whoever the coach will be less than a month to bring a class in. 

Say goodbye to anyone who was planning on being an EE- Hart, Lyons, Avery Walls we would have loved to see all of you in a winged helmet but we understand your dilema.  Good luck to you at your next destination.  Is it time to send DB back to Dominos which was failing with him at the helm?  Does he understand the ramifications of his timeline for his evaluation?  Can we trust his evaluation as his results at Dominos were less then stellar?

Time to start wondering about those already here that may not have a position if a coaching change happens.  Are we still going to need slots? Smallish RBs? Hybrid D players that don't have a true position?  Can you say mass transfers especially with those that haven't RSed yet.

Blue In NC

December 3rd, 2010 at 9:54 AM ^

Get a handle on things Nancy.  You make some good points but you also sound like a third grader crying in the corner.  Michigan football still has a ton to offer a recruit regardless of the coaching uncertainty (although that is not helping things).  We don't know Dee's reason and he seems like a good guy so let's wish him the best, hope he re-commits and stay strong on our other commits and recruits.  No matter what, we will be in a good position next year - either with a rising team under RR or with a young but talented team under strong new leadership.

WolvinLA2

December 3rd, 2010 at 2:41 AM ^

That's a real bummer, we've been hyped about Dee for a long time now.  Another kid heads to the dark side.  This one is really confusing, since if he liked Alabama, why didn't he pick them in the first place?  This must be a coaching thing, but I still don't know why he wouldn't wait a little bit before making a decision.  It's not like December 2 is some sort of deadline.

seattleblue

December 3rd, 2010 at 2:42 AM ^

I vaguely remember a rumor that DB gave assurances to Dee Hart and other recruits re: Rich Rod's job security around the time he initially committed.  It could well have just been conjecture on the boards, but if that was the case this stinks even more and I can't help but wholeheartedly agree with the other DB rants on the board.  This is a huge decision for any high school senior and they need to be able to trust the program that they're committing to.  Dee Hart seems like a stand-up player who always wanted to play for Michigan and if something has changed to make him trust Saban's Alabama more... well that's pretty damning. 

I wish Dee Hart nothing but the best even if it means I won't get to cheer him on for the next four years in a winged helmet.  Maybe DB never gave assurances and maybe he is just following his usual process, but the uncertainty is definitely taking a toll on the current players, coaches, recruits and fans.

Erik_in_Dayton

December 3rd, 2010 at 3:31 AM ^

I could swear that Sam Webb said that a recruit said that DB told him that RR would be around for a long time...Now, that's me quoting someone who's quoting someone who's quoting someone (based on my two-month-old memory as I sit here at 2:30 AM in Guatemala), so nobody should put too much stock into it.

As DB said, there is no good time to be in this situation.  I wish that he would just come out and say that RR is staying but I have to allow for the fact that I just don't have the information that Brandon does. 

Obviously we all thought that Hart could be Steve Slaton to Denard's Pat White.  This sure sucks, but I guess we just have to take this one on the chin and move on. 

WolvinLA2

December 3rd, 2010 at 2:44 AM ^

You know what, eff it, take Rawls and a bunch of guys on defense.  We'll be fine.  It just makes me upset, he spent 2 years talking about how much he loved Michigan, but then ends up at Alabama.  I'm not upset with him, just upset at the situation.

Good luck Dee, but I hope we smoke you in 2012.

uminks

December 3rd, 2010 at 3:00 AM ^

I wish Dee will stick with UM but if decides to go elsewhere then best of luck to him.  His best chance to get early playing time will be at UM and not Alabama.  I'm sure Saban is scaring him about how a new coach is coming in and the offense will change, and everyone will be leaving.  This is one of the consequences of making your coaching decision in January.

john22

December 3rd, 2010 at 3:16 AM ^

is already gone acording to rivals.Well Dave Brandon might be the next one out after this job he has done at Michigan.I mean if Rich Rod is coming back then let everybody know that,if not then at least let everybody know that we are going in a new direction!!!