QB Maty Mauk Talks About His Michigan Offer

Submitted by TomVH on

After Tate Forcier left the program the new Michigan coaches were left scrambling to find a late addition to the 2011 class. They found a diamond in the rough with Texas QB Russell Bellomy, and patched the hole. While they picked up Bellomy, the Michigan coaches look for a quarter back in every class. Maty Mauk (6'2", 185 lbs/Kenton, Ohio) was the latest to receive an offer from the Wolverines. Here's what he had to say.

TOM: I guess the main question right now is if Michigan has offered you yet?

MATY: Yes, they offered me yesterday (Thursday). The offensive line coach has been the one recruiting me from Michigan.

TOM: So is that five offers now? 

MATY: Six, Illinois just offered too. [Mauk's offers: Bowling Green, Michigan, Notre Dame, Cincinnati, and Missouri]

TOM: I know your brother was at Cincinnati when Brian Kelly was there, so you almost have two separate connections now with Cincinnati and Notre Dame. Are they the two that are at the top right now?

MATY: I'm wide open right now, so everyone (including Michigan) has a good chance.

TOM: Spring ball is going to start to pick up soon and you're not too far from Ann Arbor, are you going to make it up to Michigan any time soon?

MATY: Yeah, I'm going to go up to Michigan sometime in the next couple weeks. 

TOM: What do you want to experience on the visit, or what about Michigan is interesting to you?

MATY: The stadium and the tradition they have is great. The offense is going to be a force, and just to meet the coaches.

TOM: Taking visits this early, is this the start of the process for you or do you want to get things done pretty quickly?

MATY: No, I'll probably take my time with everything; I think I'm going to wait. I'm hearing from the schools that have offered and Arkansas, Auburn, Louisville, Penn State, Kentucky, Iowa, LSU, and a few others nationally. 

Comments

umhero

February 12th, 2011 at 1:52 AM ^

He's fun to watch but I worry that he's a little bit of a product of the system.  

They run a passing spread with no RB.  It makes me think of Andre Ware and I wonder what will happen when you put him under center.

Don't get me wrong, he's got a great arm and he looks like a great athlete; I worry a little that he might have trouble adapting to a traditional offense.

PIJER

February 12th, 2011 at 4:14 AM ^

He's obviously talented, but I'm not sure how good his competition is. He was a little too comfortable with spinning around in the pocket for my taste, but most of the opposing teams looked lost and very much so undermanned. (Maybe a good reason for his confidence)

APBlue

February 12th, 2011 at 8:58 AM ^

I thought Tate ran more of a read-option in HS, but he does kind of have that Tate look, doesn't he?  I'll give the kid credit too; he keeps his eyes down-field as he's scrambling.  Seemed like he was always looking for the open receiver. 

cbishop

February 12th, 2011 at 10:40 AM ^

I can forever say i picked Maty off in high school...now granted he was only a freshman and i was only a sophomore...but hey i'll take it!



But this kid is the real deal. Let me tell you, this kid is damn near impossible to sack. and he is very elusive and has a very strong arm. This year (my senior year) they totally smashed us and I think most of it has to do with Maty. They run a 5-wide formation EVERY play, which litterally means every play is on Maty's shoulders. He is pretty athletic as well. He'd be a great addition and hopefully he hops on board so i can say in the future when hes on the field in the winged helmet that I intercepted him back in the day!

cincywolverine88

February 12th, 2011 at 10:45 AM ^

way that we can pluck this kid from Kelly and Notre Dame. His brother was the start of success with BK and Cincinnati and he eventually tried to be a coach under him as well. Their whole family loves BK and this will be a tough recruting battle between the two. He does has a little Tate in him, as him brother did, but Maty is def the better player.

cbishop

February 12th, 2011 at 10:53 AM ^

Although i do agree with you, I think Michigan does have a very good chance of landing him. His Whole family are all Michigan fans, which definitely cant hurt any. Maty also runs track, so here in a month or so i am going to talk to him and see whats the latest with him.

umhero

February 12th, 2011 at 11:59 AM ^

You can't say that there's "no way", considering they are also recruiting Gunner Kiel (a Notre Dame legacy).  They are both elite QBs and it's unlikely they get them both.  If you visit the Gunner Kiel thread you'll find posters who are equally convinced that he is destined for Notre Dame.

I would be happy with either of this guys or Zeke Pike (who is my preference), and I suspect we have a good chance to end up with one of them.

robb0226

February 12th, 2011 at 10:51 AM ^

... to his back shoulder.  But I don't think I'm sold based on his video, looks like the type of competition I played in highschool, which was not good.  But I'll put my trust in the coaching staff to go out and recruit the right guys for us to win.

cbishop

February 12th, 2011 at 11:01 AM ^

Yesss he does...everyone knew he was going to do that move, yet everytime he still got everyone with it. As for our league, it isnt to bad at all..full of future D2 players and addition to some D1 players. As much as i hate to say it....Kenton was just thatttt good this year..It was damn near impossible to stop their offense...and they made nearly everyone just look so stupid because you just didnt know what they were going to do next.

BBB3

February 13th, 2011 at 2:00 PM ^

Kenton plays in the Western Buckeye League and over the years the WBL has been very good to Michigan. Just off the top of my head...

Jim Young, Larry Smith and Mark Smith all got their start coaching in the WBL before eventually ending up at Michigan.

Mike and Mark Hammerstein, TJ Osbun, Mike Elston, Dennis Richardson, Jerry Burgei, Troy Neinberg, BJ Dickey all came out of schools in the WBL and played at Michigan. I am sure there are a few more.

Fresh Meat

February 12th, 2011 at 11:41 AM ^

Tom, where do some of these kids rank?  Meaning, where do you expect someone like Mauk to rank for QBs?  Top 15, 10, 5 etc.  What about some of the other QB's Michigan is after?  Thanks

TomVH

February 12th, 2011 at 12:00 PM ^

Rivals has around 22 quarterbacks in their top 250 to watch list for 2012. It's too early to tell where they'll rank those kids because camp/combine performances will sway that. Of those 22 quarterbacks Michigan have offered or could target:

- Zeke Pike (6'5", 220 lbs, Kentucky): Pike is probably going to be one of the top QB's overall in the country. He likes Michigan, and will probably visit sometime soon.

- Maty Mauk (6'2", 185 lbs, Ohio) 

- Wes Lunt (6'6", 185 lbs, Illinois) 

- Gunner Kiel (6'4", 220 lbs, Indiana): Kiel will be up there with Pike in terms of how many schools will be after him.

- Jeff Lindquist (6'3", 225 lbs, Washington)

- Tyler Cameron (6'3", 210 lbs, Florida)

- Bennie Coney (6'2", 205 lbs, Florida): We'll see if this staff recruits him. He was offered by the old regime.

I also talk to a few kids that are hoping for Michigan offers right now, outside of that Rivals initial watch list:

- Tyler O'Connor (6'3", 200 lbs, Ohio): Tyler has been in contact with Michigan, and they might be close to offering. I like what he brings to the table, and he could be a good option if they miss on some of the bigger name kids.

- Austin Appleby (6'5", 210 lbs, Ohio): Austin is hoping to get a Michigan offer, he really likes Michigan and the Big Ten in general. He also has a 3.897 GPA. 

- Cole Gautsche (6'3", 196 lbs, New Mexico): Originally from Michigan, grew up a Michigan fan. He hopes to hear from Brady Hoke.

 

NateVolk

February 12th, 2011 at 12:21 PM ^

Man. Check out the block one of his teammates levels when he is scrambling. 3:43.

The ball jumps out of this kid's hand. He don't look 6-2, but Brees is likely not a hair over 6 foot at best.

J.Swift

February 12th, 2011 at 12:31 PM ^

Tom, you recently posted a great article, "How Michigan Recruiting Compares," that shows  we have been harvesting a lower percentage of offerees than our conference competitors. 

You went on to note that "If Brady Hoke wants to get Michigan back to where they were, he needs to have an exact recruiting plan in place. Not only do they need to identify the needs position wise, but they need to fully evaluate each prospect before an offer is given out."  If I read you right, you're suggesting that Hoke's offers should reflect not only our position needs but the the prospect's liklihood  of accepting an offer.   By analogy to college admissions policy, I think you're suggesting that we should improve the overall class yield.

Toward that end, I think it would be informative to include the number of offers (best estimate by your count) we have made YTD when you post the weekly recruting rankings.   What do you think?  I know it would be at best a rough measure, but I'd like to know how many offers we've put out.

Thanks for all you do!

JJB2

February 12th, 2011 at 12:42 PM ^

can definitely scramble. Seems like he was scrambling 75% of the time. Is that a problem picking up his first couple reads, happy feet, or is a front line issue? Like what I see, though.

foreverbluemaize

February 13th, 2011 at 10:37 PM ^

I don't think it was happy feet as much as the D just knew what he was going to do so they were ready for him. I don't know a lot about QB mechanics but it looked like he was throwing a sidearm ball. Little bit loose in the delvery but that will clean up with good coaching. I liked the fact that he was constanltly trying to find the open man. Looked like he is a passer that can run as opposed to the other way around.

BBB3

February 13th, 2011 at 2:02 PM ^

I coach (not football) at O'Connors school and my sons play(ed) at a league rival of Mauk's Kenton teams so I perhaps have unique insight into these two players.

Mauk has gaudy numbers in part becase the only ruuning plays the Wildcats have are a QB draw and when Maty scrambles. They also utilized the on-side kick probably 90% of the time. Maty is mobile and very strong physically at this point. His brother worked with him this past season and I don't think it is coincidence that Maty really made some strides as a QB. This kid just makes plays. A concern is that Mauk is never under center and has not been his entire high school career. Scored his 1000th career point in basketball this weekend. A plus for Michigan is having former Wolverine TJ Osbun on staff at Kenton.

O'Connor already plays in a pro-style offense. He is a big kid with very good arm strength. A great kid with a great attitude and work ethic. Also a very good basketball player he helped his team to a state title last spring. He's a leader.His measurements are legit and at this point might be a bit understated.

Both kids have had their football teams in the state playoffs and made deep runs. Both are legit D1 prospects and would be great gets for Michigan. Because they play in drastically different systems it would not be fair to compare them to one another.

BBB3

February 13th, 2011 at 5:56 PM ^

Yes, Maty's father is the head coach.

Yes, 2 point conversions and on-side kicks are a regular occurance.

Do they run up the score?  I would say, no. They have a style they play and they play it for 4 quarters. I have seen them back off on the on-side kicks when they game is in hand. I have seen them attempt to kick PAT's as well.

gobluednicks

February 15th, 2011 at 4:29 AM ^

last year his team (#1) played my hometown team (#3) and yes they onside kicked it every single time they kicked off.  i honestly hope he decides to go somewhere else.  he is a product of an offense that was created with the focus on getting him as much attention as possible.  i have seen him play in person and i would be shocked if he really ever amounted to much at a big time college program.  watch his film, he doesn't even have to read the defense.  he drops back and throws it right away (predetermined) or he stands there until he's about to get sacked then scrambles, sometimes throwing on the run.  if he comes here and ever starts a game, it means our new coach's recruiting ability is horrifyingly bad.

x2k4x4

February 13th, 2011 at 1:57 PM ^

his numbers are off the charts. I dont know what you can really take away from the highlight tape...some of those moves will only work in high school and Madden. It was very entertaining however, he kinda side arms his delivery but it also kind of reminds of a Dan Marino style. It'll be interesting how our coaches plan to  use the QB in our offense...I wonder how the QB play will be if they move away from DR down the line or when he graduates. Heck, I'm just curious to see how they use DR!

UMAFA08

February 13th, 2011 at 7:28 PM ^

Those Mauk genes are at it again. Good pedigree of QB/athlete. His brother Ben was pretty dang good at Wake and Cincy. You can say what you'd like about the competition, but Ben was pretty successful in that high school league (WBL) and won a couple of state titles in '01 and '02 (and runner-up in '03), and was successful when given the opportunity outside of injury in college (see Cincy's 2007 10-3 season). From the looks of things, this kid can play and shows good mobility while keeping his eyes down field. And he can zip it in there pretty good. Coach Mauk looks like he knows what he's doing on the field and with his sons. If he wants to come to Michigan, I'm all for it.

jml969

February 13th, 2011 at 8:11 PM ^

The kid looks like he has a strong arm and moves well. Not a surprise he's getting a lot of offers and looks from around the nation. It'll be a long road but I hope Hoke can work some magic.

Troy Neinberg Fan

February 13th, 2011 at 10:38 PM ^

I was really hoping michigan would shy away from Mauk.  Dont get me wrong he is a good QB, but he is a hot head and very arrogant.  He is a selfish player and the only reason he has such high numbers is because everything in their offense is meant for him.  Kenton passes every play...if they dont then its a designed QB draw.  They dont use a RB at all.  His delivery is a little unorthodox but I guess it gets the job done.  Im not sure what to make of this offer.  I would much rather have Zeke Pike or Gunner Kiel. 

Magnus

February 13th, 2011 at 11:00 PM ^

Let's not pretend that any quarterback who runs a shotgun 5-wide spread would pile up 69 touchdowns.  His numbers aren't that gaudy simply because of the offense.  His numbers are that gaudy because of the offense AND the fact that he's a pretty good football player.

SanFrancisco_W…

February 13th, 2011 at 11:34 PM ^

I agree Magnus, however Troy Nienberg Fan has a legit point.  I know for a fact that Troy Nienberg Fan played against Mauk more than a couple times, as I was there to watch.  His gaudy stats are a combination of a few things.  First, he's a solid quarterback.  Second, the offense was designed for Maty and his older brother to succeed in putting up gaudy numbers to garner interest. Third, with a decent quarterback and a system designed to make them succeed, Coach Mauk ran up the score on anyone he could to make those stats look better.  Fourth, a lot of the competition in the WBL and surrounding area is subpar and not up to the standard of other Ohio leagues.  While there are always a couple of formidible schools, much of the league is a pushover including Kenton's out of conference schedule.

Just a few stats for you.  Kenton scored 670 points last season to their opponents 254.

Here's a link their schedule and results.

Now, all that being said....the kid can scramble and he can throw.  I get it.  I am neither for nor against him coming to Michigan, I'm just concerned he'll have a reality check when he takes his first game snap and isn't able to just run around in the backfield and toss the ball whereever he wants.  If he matures next season at Kenton and we see some more pocket passing (unlikely) I may change my tune a little bit.