TomVH: DE Noah Spence Update
It was made clear by Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon that he wanted the football team to be defensively focused. The new coaches have already exemplified that with how they finished up the 2011 class, and now with the offers that are being sent out for 2012.
One of the bigger name prospects on defense for 2012 will be Noah Spence (6'4", 245 lbs), a defensive end from Bishop McDevitt High School in Pennsylvania. Spence already has over 18 offers from the likes of Florida, Notre Dame, Penn State, and USC. These verbal offers have been extended before the McDevitt coaching staff was even able to send out his highlight tape. "We're having a little trouble with our system, but we'll try to get the hard copy DVD out in the next couple days, we'll email it to every program in the country probably next week," said Head Coach Jeff Weachter. "Michigan hasn't gotten it yet, but I'd imagine they will offer once they do, everyone else has. He's almost 6-foot-4 now, he runs a legitimate 4.5 forty, and his first two steps off the ball are the fastest I've ever seen from a high school kid."
The process has just started for Noah, but it's already become hectic for him and his family. They are already in the process of researching each school to find out more about what they have to offer. "He's wide open right now. He and his family are right now researching schools football wise, and academically. They're going to try to get out to everyone that offers in the spring and summer, then try to narrow it down in the summer," Coach Weachter said. "He comes from a great family, he's very respectful, he has a 3.6 GPA, and he does things the right way." With 18 offers now, and a high GPA it's safe to say there will be plenty of schools for Spence to choose from.
Coach Weachter said it was still too early to tell which schools have the upper hand, but again Michigan's hire of Greg Mattison may end up helping them. "(Noah's) dad has done a lot of research. I haven't talked to him about Greg (Mattison) yet, but I'm sure his dad knows. I know Greg from Notre Dame and when he was at Florida. He's definitely someone I trust. First, he's a good person and he does a great job recruiting. We enjoyed him when he came here to McDevitt," said Coach Weachter. While Michigan will have to battle it out with other top programs, it helps to have that first foot in the door.
February 10th, 2011 at 12:38 PM ^
Don't be surprised if you hear Mattison compare Spence to Terrell Suggs down the line with his exceptional first two steps, just like Suggs.
February 10th, 2011 at 12:44 PM ^
Suggs you say?
February 10th, 2011 at 12:40 PM ^
Thanks. For some reason I can't see any of the buttons in the text box to embed anything right now.
February 10th, 2011 at 12:49 PM ^
Yea and I can't embed either which is why I just posted the link. That video was posted in November for his 2009 highlights, here is another one that is more recent, posted in January which I believe should be his 2010 highlights.
February 10th, 2011 at 1:08 PM ^
Surely, you are better at embedding than I am.
February 11th, 2011 at 10:10 AM ^
I am better at embedding. And don't call me Shirley.
February 10th, 2011 at 12:44 PM ^
Hoke and Co. spare "No Espense" to land this kid for 2012
February 11th, 2011 at 9:52 AM ^
was that a Jurassic Park reference??
February 11th, 2011 at 11:34 AM ^
Noah Spence = No Espense. But excellent job on the Jurassic Park reference!
February 10th, 2011 at 12:44 PM ^
both him and wormley we may have one of the best defensive lines in college
February 10th, 2011 at 1:17 PM ^
ifs and buts were candy and nuts....well, you know the rest -
February 11th, 2011 at 10:11 AM ^
By the way this started, I wish I knew the rest. Its a bit OT, but what the hell... please don't leave me hanging too long!
February 10th, 2011 at 1:01 PM ^
February 10th, 2011 at 1:22 PM ^
Just a shame those poor kids were stuck in those awful uniforms all year.
February 10th, 2011 at 4:54 PM ^
And Jameel Poteat from the 2011 class. McDevitt is always loaded with talent.
February 10th, 2011 at 1:51 PM ^
Sure hope we can nab a big time recruit from Pennsylvania... that worked out so well for our last coach.
/Pryor
February 10th, 2011 at 2:18 PM ^
Your shtick was old about a month ago. We get it, your life is sad. Give it up.
On the other hand, landing Spence would be huge.
February 10th, 2011 at 4:27 PM ^
Yawn.
February 11th, 2011 at 1:38 PM ^
It worked out well for our coach before that a la Chad Henne
February 10th, 2011 at 2:03 PM ^
I really hope we start seeing some strong interest from some of these high profile recruits for this next class. It would be nice to get on a fast, strong start for the class of 2012.
February 10th, 2011 at 2:06 PM ^
Damn, seems like we've offered a ton of DEs...
February 10th, 2011 at 4:28 PM ^
I don't really understand the end game when it comes to DL recruiting. Does this mean that guys like Ifeadi Odengibo who are undersized (215 vs 240) are going to play OLB?
February 10th, 2011 at 4:55 PM ^
No, in a situation like Ifeadi, he runs track which is something that keeps him from keeping a lot of weight on. He has the frame that he could add on enough weight to play DE, he just hasn't ever been in a college style conditioning program so he weighs 215 right now.
He would probably play OLB/DE in a 3-4, but Michigan has told him they'll run a 4-3 and want him as a DE.
February 10th, 2011 at 6:29 PM ^
Thanks for the clarification. I'm guessing that as time passes the picture should start to get more clear. Right now there are just too many names out there.
February 10th, 2011 at 2:21 PM ^
He can sack and beat down Braxton Miller for the next 3-4 years it's all good !!! Suckeyes!
February 10th, 2011 at 2:23 PM ^
Once we close a few of these top defensive prospects.
February 10th, 2011 at 2:52 PM ^
February 10th, 2011 at 3:05 PM ^
...will be flooded....
......with Offers.
YYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
February 10th, 2011 at 6:18 PM ^
You should see the B.A. front line for David's mighty men...
(2 Samuel 23:8-22)
February 10th, 2011 at 3:52 PM ^
These are the kids Michigan has to start landing. I hate to be Mr. Obvious but unless we can fill our defense with more than one impact player at a time we will continue to struggle in the big games.
February 10th, 2011 at 6:13 PM ^
we need to get back to how we were, landing the "big name" recruits. however, i think that our new coaching staff can return us to our former glory.
February 10th, 2011 at 4:05 PM ^
he looks good in blue and gold
February 10th, 2011 at 5:07 PM ^
I think after this year you guys a full for a while.
February 11th, 2011 at 4:23 PM ^
don't count on it
February 10th, 2011 at 6:19 PM ^
I just ask for guys who can tackle in the open field....that's not much to ask is it. I dont ask for my usually..thought it is nice to finally be able to comment again. I missed all the recruiting day threads...
February 10th, 2011 at 9:13 PM ^
So often myself and other M fans I know assume M has no shot with 5 star guys unless they went to Pioneer and have a poster of the Big House on their ceiling. And yet, UM is often mentioned as a school many 5 star guys are at least interested in early on.
I don't always buy the hype about rankings, and guys like Kevin Grady, Will Campbell, and JT Turner have soured me on assuming huge success from 5 star players, but the fact is having a handful of them means you can strike out on one (or heaven forbid he's above average and plays the position fairly well instead of superb - we could have used plenty of above average on D the last few years) and still have outstanding talent on your team.
As a study, if you look at Rivals Depth Charts (yes, I know they're horribly flawed) and look at the stars earned by the listed starters as recruits, you will see a desparity that cannot be ignored.
Comparing UM to OSU, because that's the thing to do, not only was OSU far more experienced, which certainly helped them, and better coached, but their starters as incoming recruits had a collective 85 stars, compared to UM's 75. For comparison sake, that would mean if 20 of the 22 spots were equal, the difference was 2 five star guys for OSU lining up against walk-ons. But, in reality, it was 10 spots on the team where OSU had a definite qualitative advantage over UM. That's huge.
So UM needs to be not just in the coversation, but one of these teams that gets commits from at least 2 five star recruits every year, followed by no fewer than 10 four star recruits. Otherwise, the talent simply isn't there to be an elite team year after year, because at least 10 other teams are netting those recruiting classes.
February 11th, 2011 at 9:23 AM ^
Lol. Well fuck it then 90% of teams shouldnt even play.
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