Expectations of the 2013 WR Class

Submitted by alum96 on

TL;DR version - what are your expectactions for the 2013 WRs who seem (as best as we can tell with limited info and youth) on pace to be crowded out by the 2012s and Canteen (maybe Harris) in the 2014s.

Long version below:

Prefacing this by saying (a) we get almost no information out of Fort Schembechler and (b) these are still babies in football terms and (c) their rankings are 3 star-ish but you do expect some decent contribution from 3 stars  - what should our expectations be for the 3 WRs in the 2013 class?  I hear very little talk about them.

Assuming Funchess doesn't go to the NFL after this year, there appears to be a squeeze for playing time with

  • Funchess
  • Darboh (2012) presumably the starter across from Gallon pre-injury
  • Chesson (2012) a player who was probably thrown to the wolves a year early last year due to need but should take a decent step up now that he has his feet wet
  • "All Spring Team" (2014) Freddy Canteen
  • Much heralded (2014) Drake Harris who may be served best by redshirting, getting that hamstring settled and putting on 20 lbs to his lanky 6'4 frame ... or not.

I am assuming at this point Ways RS this year, but above you either have 4 WRs who seem to be above any of the 2013 class as best as we can tell (or 5 if Harris does not RS).  Eventually Funchess moves on either in a year or two and in will come Harris and Ways.

At this point are these going to be role players who are the 4th/5th type WRs in their JR and SR years or do we have upside hopes for them?  Jones seems to be the one you hear a little talk about and he did not his RS lifted so maybe he was the most ready of the 3 to contribute.

To refresh - I am using MGoBlog Hello posts, along with Magnus.  (EDIT - I used starz from Magnus site which was at time of committment)   This was the class that UM went hard at Laquon Treadwell only to be rejected late.

[1]  Da'Mario Jones

Ratings:
ESPN: 3-star WR, 78, #77 WR
Rivals: Unranked
Scout: 3-star WR, #77 WR
247: 3-star WR, #152 WR

MGo Projection:

Jones is the only receiver in this class who looks like he could find a home in the slot. Since the only other slot receivers slated to be on the roster next year—Jeremy Gallon and The Threat—will both be seniors, Jones could find himself with a role early on in his career. With Gallon and Dileo around in 2013 and Jones needing a fair amount of development, I expect him to take a redshirt year, but after that he should have a shot to see the field.

Magnus - rating 81:

Jones seems to be a quality addition to the team, and while he doesn't look like a superstar, he looks like a very adequate addition to the receiver class.  He has more big-play ability than the other two receivers currently committed, Jaron Dukes and Csont'e York.  He reminds me a bit of Darryl Stonum, although lacking the same top-end speed.

 

[2]  Csont'e York

Ratings:
ESPN: Unranked WR
Rivals: Unranked WR
Scout: 3-star WR, #67 WR
247 Sports: 3-star WR, 88 grade, #69 WR

MGo Projection:

The evidence is flimsy indeed, but York appears to fall into the same general category as Dukes: solid floor given his good size and hands, limited star potential due to a lack of top-end speed. Like Dukes, York will have every opportunity to see the field when he steps on campus thanks to Michigan's depth.... Given York's current under-the-radar status, it's foolish to attempt to project beyond him having a shot to see the field.

Magnus - rating 79:

York is tall, long, lean, and can jump.  He has good straight-line speed and gets on top of corners pretty quickly, which makes them panic a little bit.  This will not only help him threaten deep, but it should also be an asset for setting up corners for shorter routes; he'll get them to flip their hips, he can throttle down, and then come back for a dig, hitch, or comeback.  York goes up and gets the ball well, which should make him a very tough red zone threat.  I am also impressed with York's routes.  On the negative side, York does not seem to be a threat to run much after the catch.  While he accelerates well and can threaten deep when unimpeded, he doesn't seem to have an extra gear.

 

[3]  Jaron Dukes

Ratings:
ESPN: Unranked WR
Rivals: Unranked WR
Scout: Unranked WR
247 Sports: 3-star WR, 87 grade

MGo Projection:

The evidence is flimsy indeed, but Dukes—like every receiver from the 2012 and 2013 class—is going to have every opportunity to compete for playing time right away. When Dukes arrives on campus, the Wolverines will have just six returning wideouts....and the only players with even comparable size are Jackson and Chesson, who both stand at 6'3".

That said, Dukes is a developmental prospect, and it seems likely he'll take a redshirt year as long as the Wolverines don't suffer attrition, especially if they can bring in a blue-chip prospect like Laquon Treadwell in the 2013 class. Dukes appears to be a late-bloomer—he told me his coaches said he "couldn't catch a cold" as a freshman—so there's a chance he makes a big leap up in the rankings and changes that opinion. With little film to go on, for now I see him as another Hemingway type; a big receiver who uses his body well and is a deep threat by virtue of his size and leaping ability, but not a burner who's going to be a steady possession receiver.

 

Magnus - rating 59:

I've said before that Dukes reminds me a bit of Ernest Wilford, the former Virginia Tech and Jacksonville Jaguars receiver.  He's not going to outrun anyone unless they try to tackle him and bounce harmlessly to the turf.  It's easy to outrun people when they're lying on the ground.  But hey, those kinds of skills turned into some big-time receptions for Junior Hemingway because Denard Robinson would just chuck the ball downfield and the 6'1", 225-ish Hemingway would outmuscle smaller and weaker defensive backs.  Dukes probably isn't in danger of becoming the next Calvin Johnson, but if Michigan gets some red zone touchdowns or Hail Mary receptions out of him, it will be worth it.

Comments

Pit2047

May 2nd, 2014 at 12:25 AM ^

no expectations.  I didn't love any of these guys when they sign and they have do nothing to change my opinion.  I liked the 2012 guys a heck of alot more and really wanted Treadwell to be a part of this class so that we could have a real looking reciever option.  The hauls in the 2014 class look better than these guys so if they get pass on the depth chart by all of them then it looks like we would be lucky do get any meaningful contributions from this class at WR.  If they have more than like 50 or 60 career catches between them I'd call that a win if we get the production out of Hoke's other classes like I expect we will.  

Also Dukes was a 4 star on ESPN and York was a 3 star when all was said and done.

getsome

May 2nd, 2014 at 9:46 AM ^

agreed, def some of those offers from hoke that make you wonder if he understands its supposed to be different level than ball state.  dukes made no sense especially since he was not a signing day settle type situation and i dont ever see him contributing (hopefully the jeremy jackson role has been officially retired).  the other 2 might surprise and develop into something.  but seems like hoke went so hard after treadwell and almost signed the other guys just hoping they can cover kicks and maybe catch few balls here and there.  if they do not get passed by 2014 and then 2015 kids (not to mention the 2012 duo)  then theres a serious problem and theyre not brining in enough elite talent.  not sure on their bodies but itd be more beneficial for both parties if dukes or maybe even york, depending on development, could put on 25-30 lbs and try to rep at TE in few yrs since theyre little thin there.  but i do not expect much out this class other than jones seeing some reps and contributing in 4-5 WR packages (barring injuries this yr of course)

BlueKoj

May 2nd, 2014 at 12:56 PM ^

There's almost nothing to go on. Dukes was rated the highest and Jones the lowest. Jones got the most signing day hype. Dukes RS, Jones on ST and York on ST, but got a position snap as well.

At this point, I expect Funch, Jehu, Darboh, Freddy, Fleet and Butts (if back for B1G) to catch 95% of the WR/TE balls.

I do think if anyone other than those above emerges for limited back up reps it will be a 2013 over Harris...but that is based on nothing specific either. 

Shakey Jake

May 3rd, 2014 at 10:11 AM ^

1. Stay healthy. NO KNEE INJURIES!

2. Catch the ball.

3. get YAC.

4. Block for your team when needed.

5.Make the Michigan QB look good.

Mr Mxyzptlk

May 16th, 2014 at 10:24 AM ^

Wow, so much negativity.  I bet at least one of these guys turns into a great receiver eventually.  And I bet at least one of them sees significant playing time this year, not just on special teams.  I know not every recruit is going to be a stud, but I would be very surprised if all three of them turned out to be busts.

As bluekoj said, there is almost nothing to go on at this point.  Lets give them a chance before we just write off the entire 2013 receiver class.