TomVH: Weekly Update: Stefan McClure, Leilon Willingham, Frank Clark and More

Submitted by TomVH on

This weekend was a huge success for Michigan, not only with the three commitments from K Matt Wile, DB Raymon Taylor, and DE Keith Heitzman, but with the other visitors as well. Here's what some of them had to say.

Stefan McClureStefan McClure

5'11", 170 lbs.

Defensive Back

Vista, California


The interest from McClure came from his relationship with Brady Hoke at San Diego State. Now that Hoke was at a bigger program like Michigan, McClure was interested.

It was a great time. We met with all the coaches, saw the stadium, and hung out with the players. My host was Denard Robinson, which was pretty cool. He's like a celebrity there. Walking through the Big House was pretty cool, too.

Michigan's new defensive coordinator, Greg Mattison, has only been on campus for one weekend, but he's already polished off his recruiting tricks.

I talked with the defensive coordinator quite a bit. We talked scheme, and he knows his x's and o's. It was pretty cool to be able to talk with him. I also talked to coach Hoke about the school, tradition, and the opportunity to play early there.

Stefan has said he will decide and announce sometime this week. I would imagine distance might be a factor with him, and I wouldn't get too excited. While I think he had a good time, it's hard to pull kids out of California. I would guess he'll stay home and go with someone like Cal.

Leilon WillinghamLeilon Willingham

6'2", 240 lbs

Linebacker

Denver, Colorado


Willingham is a four star that had been committed to Texas A&M, and decided recently to take a trip out to Michigan. Coincidentally, or not so coincidentally, he took a recent visit to Colorado the same weekend as current Michigan commit Kellen Jones. Kellen had an opportunity to tell Leilon why he chose Michigan, and what he liked about it. This weekend he got to see it for himself.

We got a chance to talk to all the coaches, and it was pretty cool to sit down with the defensive coordinator. Ray Lewis is my idol, so that was like a dream. They were just telling me how they would use me up there, ether inside or outside. I really liked it up there. I mean, the Big House speaks for itself, everything was great. We hung out with all the other recruits, and everybody was just having a good time.

Willingham does have one more visit scheduled to UCF, and says that he will announce on signing day.

The (Michigan) coaches know I'm going out to Central Florida, so that's fine. I'm decommitted from Texas A&M, too, so I'm not with them anymore.

However, don't be surprised if he decides to "come public" with his choice earlier than that. This visit put Michigan in the driver's seat, and then some. 

Frank ClarkFrank Clark

6'2", 210 lbs.

Linebacker

Cleveland, Ohio


Although he's from Glenville, Clark has always maintained that Michigan is high on his list. Before this visit Michigan was in his top three with MSU and UNC. I spoke to him briefly after his visit, and Michigan has definitely helped themselves with Clark.

He described the visit as, "excellent" and said that he will be announcing his decision on Friday the 28th. Clark is in the same category as Willingham right now. He will make his choice public soon, but Michigan has put themselves in the driver's seat with this visit. 

What's Next?

  • OL Chris Bryant is announcing on Friday. Likely between Michigan, Arizona, and Pitt. I like Michigan's chances.
  • TE/LB Frank Clark is announcing Friday. Between Michigan, UNC, and MSU. I like Michigan's chances.
  • LB Leilon Willingham may announce this week, but could wait until signing day. I like Michigan's chances.
  • 4 Star TE Chris Barnett is visiting this weekend, the 28th.
  • 4 Star DB Floyd Raven may visit Alabama this weekend instead of Michigan. We'll see what happens.
  • RB Thomas Rawls may visit this weekend, and is announcing on the 31st. If he's qualified, I like Michigan's chances.
  • DB Blake Countess may come back up for an unofficial visit to meet the new DC, and potentially the new DB coach if they have one in place.

Extra:

  • OL commit Tony Posada was in Ann Arbor this weekend, and the visit reassured him of his commitment to Michigan. Nothing to worry about there.
  • DT Darian Cooper just got done with an official to Iowa. He tweeted that Michigan's new DC Greg Mattison promptly called him, and said he was, "very interesting." That could be something to watch if they go after him hard.

Comments

WolvinLA2

January 23rd, 2011 at 11:43 PM ^

I'm calling BS on this one.  If you (or whoever you heard it from) are close enough to either of those guys to find out about particular texts being sent between them, you should be close enough to ask them "Are you going to Michigan?". 

It would be one thing if he tweeted it or posted it on his facebook wall, but knowing about private texts is not something that floats around.

shoelaces

January 23rd, 2011 at 6:49 PM ^

Great update thanks. LIke McClure a lot but I agree, everything I have been reading points to either Ucla or Cal, we will see.  Get Willingham on board, we could use another LB.

AlwaysBlue

January 23rd, 2011 at 6:55 PM ^

Keeping my fingers crossed for Fisher, Countess or McLure, Willingham and a surprise DL.  That would be a pretty damn good class, especially under the circumstances.

BlueMarrow

January 23rd, 2011 at 7:18 PM ^

Great update. Thanks!

It sounds like Shannon will be in McClure's living room this week, representing UCLA.

Hopefully, distance will not decide it. Donovan Warren seemed to do all right.

I don't think anyone could/should have hoped for a better weekend for Michigan recruiting.

I think there will be quite a few surprises between now and signing day, on the pleasant side.

Go Coach Hoke!

Go Blue!

gObLuE1992

January 23rd, 2011 at 7:29 PM ^

I like what I hear with Leilon! Looks like he's blue! Hopefully we can get McClure. If not, it wouldn't be a big "loss" seeing as we have a ton of DBs. I think we'll get:

LB Leilon Willingham

LB Frank Clark

RB Thomas Rawls

OL Chris Bryant

DT Darian Cooper

Probably missing a few but I think we'll finish with a very solid class with all things considered.

jlcoleman71

January 23rd, 2011 at 7:32 PM ^

how we're hearing new names over the past few weeks, especially on D..........I'll take a herd of 4 star players for this recruiting class, that would be great news.

81.93

January 23rd, 2011 at 7:46 PM ^

...is paying dividends. We are fortunate to have a guy direct from coaching All Pros in the NFL who can legitimately tell a recruit that he can teach him everything he needs to know to play on Sundays. That sells.

adamum5

January 23rd, 2011 at 8:03 PM ^

Tom, what did McClure say that makes you think he'll stay closer to home? Or did you just get a vibe that he wants to stay close? Great update as usual, I'm surprised Clark is so high on us only bc hes from Glenville. What do u think is going to happen btwn Clark and Barnett? If Barnett commits on his official, before Clark's announcement then what

MH20

January 23rd, 2011 at 7:49 PM ^

http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1180003

Article by Balas (yeah, not my favorite guy, either) has some nice hints in it.  A few quick hits:

"It was nice visit. I had a good time," said Willingham. "It's a really good place up there, and the people are great. I'm just going to wait until Signing Day to announce."



But things look good for the Wolverines.

. . .

Mattison talked about playing Willingham inside rather than outside, a discussion for another day, the standout said, indicating he might have plans to return to Ann Arbor in the near future - perhaps for four years.



But that's not a decision he's ready to reveal despite plenty of buzz that he's leaning heavily that way.

 

Tom's update coupled with this positive article makes it sound like things are really good with Willingham. 

MH20

January 24th, 2011 at 10:43 AM ^

I considered this as well, but decided to keep it when my renewal came up a few weeks ago, mostly because Helmholdt does a really good job on the recruiting trail.  I know that TomVH does just as good of a job (or better), but I also like the extended coverage of other sports and the overall analysis from guys like Borton and Spath.

Basically, while I find Balas to be pretty underwhelming, the other guys make for him, IMO.  Also you can often find some good nuggets of info on the Fort (I rarely post but read quite often).

michzilla

January 23rd, 2011 at 7:53 PM ^

For those who have closely followed recruiting in the past: which coaching staff--Hoke or Rodriguez--do you think better handled recruiting during the transition year? I seem to remember a similar level of excitement for RR's recruiting in 2008 during his first go-around.

MH20

January 23rd, 2011 at 9:29 PM ^

While it's true that the class RR came into was a good one to begin with, he also pulled quite a few 4* recruits himself to round out a class that ended up #10.  Going so hard after TP was obviously a mistake, but I don't see how you can say that Hoke "easily" is doing a better job.

J. Lichty

January 24th, 2011 at 1:48 AM ^

in what universe was going after the highest rated dual threat qb -- qb who RR had a prior relationship with from WVU -- who didnt want to go to WVU, but who was interested in visiting Ann Arbor -- with a cousin on the team -- a bad idea?

While it certainly was not well received that he contacted Pryor before he told his WVU team - the first in a quiver of arrows slung at RR, why in god's green earch wouldnt RR try to sign that guy?

What were his other options - pay for play BJ Daniels (cripes can you imagine the jihad)?  RR knew that he would need a dual threat QB to run his system and didnt have one on the roster - Mallett or no Mallett - who BTW, was not going to stay in A2 regardless after Mustain left Ark.

RR did many things wrong, but recruiting in 2008, he did a pretty good job of hanging onto Lloyd's recruits and gaining some of his own that have contributed greatly in just their third years (RS sophs some of them) 

MH20

January 24th, 2011 at 11:41 AM ^

I guess I shouldn't have said it was "obviously a mistake" because I really wanted TP to come to Michigan (after some of his antics, not so much).  It was a shitty situation for RR, having no DQB on the roster, and I completely agree with your sentiments about Mallett -- I've been trumpeting the same thing for as long as you probably have to anyone who tries to bring that up.

His backup was Feagin which unfortunately also did not work out, but again, RR did not know that Justin was going to try and be Mr. Drug Dealer Extraordinaire.  Anyway, yeah, you're right it is not fair to say "obviously a mistake."  But the central theme we both agree on is that RR did a very good job of holding onto previous recruits and brought in many very good recruits himself.

ND Sux

January 23rd, 2011 at 8:46 PM ^

but after the bowl game, I didn't think I'd be excited about next season until fall camp or so.  It's way early, but it feels like things are moving in the right direction.  GO BLUE!