An Interview with Je'Ron Stokes
picture via Philly.com
This past weekend was huge for the final push in Michigan recruiting class. The next couple weekends could be equally big for the Wolverines. One of the big names taking a visit is PA WR Je'ron Stokes. Stokes is committed to Tennessee but looking around in the wake of the Vols coaching change. I spoke with Je'Ron Stokes about the upcoming visit, here's what he had to say...
TOM: What are the main reasons that made you decide to start taking visits?
JE’RON: My main reason was that I just wanted to be sure about the decision I make. I’ve been committed for so long, and so early. I’ve only gotten to see one place. Things changed, and this is a business decision. The quarterback situation, I thought was wrong, but the coach has a lot on his plate, and he wants to do what he feels is best for the team. It was kind of a 50/50 thing, after awhile it didn’t bother me how he handled it.
TOM: What is your official status with Tennessee?
JE’RON: I really don’t know. I’m still committed, I just want to take some visits and make sure I’m making the best decision.
TOM: Has Lane Kiffin done anything to try and keep you at Tennessee?
JE’RON: Oh yea, he’s spoken with my family. He’s making some good efforts; I’ve met a few of his staff and everything. It’s kind of like starting a new relationship
TOM: You’re visiting Michigan this weekend, what are you looking to get out of the visit? What other schools do you plan on visiting?
JE’RON: Everybody’s going to have good academics; this is the highest level of college football you could play in. So I’m looking for relationships with the people, players, and coaches. The town, just how the overall atmosphere. I’m going to visit Illinois, Penn State, and maybe Georgia. I probably will take a visit to Penn State; I’m not 100% on that yet.
TOM: Is there anything specifically that you’re excited to see, or that you want the coaches to focus on?
JE’RON: Not really, just want to see everything. Just kind of see the whole package.
TOM: Are there any other recruits that you’ve developed a friendship with recently?
JE’RON: I met some people at the All American Game, Jeremy Jackson, and a lot of people. Too many to name. Will Campbell too, he’s a funny guy.
TOM: Since you were concerned about Tennessee’s lack of a quarterback, have you spoken to any of the QB’s from the schools you’re visiting? Have you talked to Tate Forcier at all?
JE’RON: I haven’t. I know the new quarterback at Penn State, Kevin Newsome, but other than that no. We worked together a few times. I’m going to talk to the quarterbacks at the visit, and get a feel for them just as players and people.
TOM: The schools that are left rank them in order of who excites you the most, or who you are most curious about.
JE’RON: Honestly I don’t even know, I’m curious about all of them. I really can’t do that right now.
TOM: When do you think you’ll make your decision?
JE’RON: Most likely not until signing day.
TOM: If any of these visits blow you away, do you think you’ll commit on the spot?
JE’RON: No, I’m going to take my time. I’ll talk to my family about everything, and make sure it’s right.
TOM: With your recruiting, are you kind of blazing the trail for your brother Malik? Do you think he’ll follow, or do his own thing?
JE’RON: Where ever God leads him. He’s going to make the best decision for him, where ever he wants to go. We played together in high school so it’d be nice, but I want him to do what’s right for him.
Seems JStokes playin it close to the vest...on one hand he isn't going to do anything to inflame Tenn but,on the other hand,he's evaluating his position...accessing his options.
Wish more kids would take this approach when being recruited...
Maize & Blue...nothing better!
Why are these posts getting front page attention days after the fact?? I start reading the interview then saying to myself I already knew that wait how did I know that..oh yeah it was posted on the forum last week.
So, you're mad that you read them too fast??
Tom VanHaaren
TomVH on Twitter
U Recruit
He's just mad that Brian takes your content and reposts it later, much like Drew Sharp...
How legit is Malik Stokes? A Tennessee offer this early is impressive but he doesn't have very good size for a QB, and despite being in a high profile situation (with people coming out to see his brother) he hasn't been ranked yet by Scout or Rivals.
Malik Stokes is a 2010 prospect; that's why he isn't rated. Got to check the class year or you'll get thrown off sometimes.
http://michigan.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=77280&sport=1
Yeah, I knew he was 2010, but I thought I'd seen a fair number of 2010 players already ranked and figured if he were high profile he might've been too.
Maybe I'm imagining that about 2010 rankings though...I just looked up Darryl Baldwin and he wasn't ranked either.
Scout released their initial 2010 top 100 rankings, and they've put out star ratings for those 100, so that's where you might have seen them. Malik Stokes isn't in Scout's initial top 100 for 2010, so no stars for him yet.
Yeah, neither Ricardo Miller nor Jeremy Jackson are rated yet by Rivals. That won't come out for a bit.
This is just in general, but I wonder what these recruits do in preparation for their visits. I imagine they get materials in advance from the schools they see. But do these recruits visit the university's website? Do they google articles on the program, coaches, etc.? Do they have a general idea of what kind of town Ann Arbor is before they drive in from the airport?
I'm curious to learn "what they know" prior to the visit. I suspect the level of preparation varies for each recruit and for their parents, etc.
as a student visiting back when i was 16-17, i knew nada about any of the schools i was checking out. i doubt these guys would take the time to research school websites. i know i didn't. my knowledge was like 'yeah i heard UofM is a good school and theyre pretty good at football'.
You'd be surprised as to how little they really know. Especially what they know about the schools outside of their home state.
Tom VanHaaren
TomVH on Twitter
U Recruit
Thanks again for the interview.
Not really crazy high on this kid from that interview. There's something to be said for getting kids who actually WANT to come to Michigan. We'll have to see once he takes a visit, but I don't recall seeing one positive thing in the interview that Stokes felt for or had to say about Michigan.
And it sounds like someone's been in his ear about "all college academics are equal". Hard to imagine his parents caring about his degree when you hear stuff like that. It's all about his best chance to play in the NFL and he's not even in college yet...
"It's the real deal, Roc. Evil men, dead men."
If we get Stokes, I want to see my snake oil banner up on this site.
Tom---nice interview. Is there a general consensus about who we'd rather get between Stallworth and Stokes?
I miss Keith Jackson.
They're different kind of players. Both would be nice.
Tom VanHaaren
TomVH on Twitter
U Recruit
"You, Brian and The Other Brian make coming to mgoblog worth it."
What he said.
I too want to applaud you for your efforts Tom. You seem to keep our minds at ease with all that is going on. I am always impressed with the knowledge you have about the recruits and a respect for said recruits as well. You, Brian and The Other Brian make coming to mgoblog worth it. Thanks to all you guys.
If you have to ask twice it means that you didn't get it the first time.
I think we at least got a few things out of the interview.
1. He's likely not going to Tennessee.
2. Academics don't mean shit to him. He said he thinks all the academics are basically the same so he will not bother to differentiate between the schools. This is wrong on a number of levels but he should feel free to select his school however he wants. I hope we don't spend too much time playing this angle in recruiting him.
3. He seems to have moderate interest in Michigan but is very tight-lipped. I guess I'd have to hear his inflection to see if he was hiding more Michigan love behind those words.
The position being taken is not to be mistaken for attempted education or righteous accusation, only a description, just an observation of the pitiful condition of our degeneration.
Actually, if he's not as interested in Tennessee, the academics at his others (Illinois, Penn State, and maybe UGA) are all quite good. Not as good as Michigan, but not garbage either. Particularly Illinois. He has three of top 5 Big Ten schools for academics (the others being N'western and Wisconsin), and one of the two non-Vandy SEC schools worth a damn (the other is *gulp* Florida).
But yeah, his comment does make it seem like we don't have to play it up to him all that much.
I thought it was kind of nice reading an article where the kid doesn't pay a bunch of BS lip service to how important academics are to him. I'll wager that 95% of the kids who are good enough to get multiple Div 1-A BCS scholarships are not the least bit concerned about school as they are all convinced that they are going to get PAID in the NFL.
On what grounds do you say that?
I disagree.
I may be wrong, but I don't think he meant that he isn't concerned about academics at all, but that all the schools he is looking at are up to his standards with academics.
A lot of people think that recruits see UM's academics as a big deal. The fact is, few of these kids are going to be doctors or investment bankers, so Tennessee and Michigan are essentially equal when it comes to academics. What they look at more is how well these schools handle the academics of the athletes who may have no business getting in without football. I'm not saying Michigan does a poor job here (I don't have a clue), but that a school like Tennessee might do a better job of getting a quality education for a kid who got a 2.8 in high school.
With what I have read about the way Coach Rodriguez and his staff have approached recruiting. Admittedly, we only get bits and pieces, but it seems that when we have lost recruits it is often after an honest discussion with the recruit about positioning, or playing time or whatever. That hardly seems like "snake oil" salesmen - which of course implies deception. Moreover, we are hearing more and more about a family atmosphere, about a tight-knit team, and about fun.
Tom, I also appreciated your approach to interviews with recruits - always wanting the kids to find out what is best for them rather than getting them to go to Ann Arbor at all costs. We seem to get lost sometimes in the rush for stars (Rival or otherwise) and I appreciate your coolheaded and supportive approach for these young guys.
Please keep up the good work and keep reminding us of the correct priorities. I predict we'll end up with a top class and sincerely hope we do it the right way. Go Blue.
Keep Going
He was being very quiet, and wasn't revealing very much. I realize you can't know by reading this, but I gathered a lot from how he answered the questions. He was being polite to Tennessee, IMO. It seems like he didn't want to say anything rash, just in case.
Tom VanHaaren
TomVH on Twitter
U Recruit
It seems that too many high school recruits are unable to do this. Or, I suppose, choose not to.
Yeah, quiet murmur behind the scenes is that Tennessee is very much on the outside looking in with Stokes.
Seems like THE candidate to perpetuate the "snake oil" concept.
http://genuinelysarcastic.blogspot.com (UPDATED: 3/8)
Tom, excellent work sir.