TomVH: WR Amara Darboh Visit Reaction

Submitted by TomVH on

Four star wide receiver Amara Darboh (6'2", 190 lbs, 4 Star) took in Ann Arbor the past few days with his basketball coach. The Iowa prospect wanted to get a better feel for what Ann Arbor had to offer, and also try to gain a level of comfort with the Michigan coaching staff. He's on his way back from his visit now and updated me on how the visit went. I couldn't find much film online, so here's a nice play from him and what he had to say about the trip.

TOM: So tell me how the trip was overall, was it better than you expected?

AMARA: Yeah. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was a great visit. I had a great time. We got to meet all the coaches and got a chance to sit down with the AD. Just being in the Big House and the feeling in Ann Arbor, it was great.

TOM: I know you got there Monday and left today [Wednesday], but when did the visit actually start? Did you and your coach see anything on Monday?

AMARA: Yeah, we got there Monday and went over to the Big House. We looked at the new scoreboards and everything. We got a chance to talk to Coach Mallory for a little bit, too. Tuesday we watched some players finish their workout, met some more coaches, and met some players in the locker room. After that we talked to Coach Hoke and I got to hang out with some of the players like Roy Roundtree and [Devin] Gardner. 

TOM: You told me your basketball coach is a Michigan fan, too. Was he having fun on the trip?

AMARA: My coach was having a blast. He just kept thanking me for having him come with me, but I kept thanking him. We were in the Big House together and we just kept on saying how small we felt. We were on the field just looking at everything.

TOM: I know you said before the trip that you would probably have some questions once you got up there. Did the coaches answer any of your questions and what were they mainly talking to you about?

AMARA: Yeah, the coaches were telling me how I would fit in to the offense they were bringing in. They answered all my questions really with what they told me. They told me how the offense works and how everything is run there. 

TOM: Now that you've gotten a chance to sit down and meet the coaches do you feel comfortable with them? 

AMARA: I feel a lot better with them. They all seem like really nice guys and they have a great staff there. This visit helped Michigan a lot, and it also helped with my comfort level, so yeah.

TOM: Since you say it helped Michigan do you think this will help speed along the process at all? Last time you said you would probably take a few official visits and then decide, is that still the case?

AMARA: I think this is going to help speed up the process a little. I still want to take official visits, but there's certain schools now that I know that I fit in with, so it helped that part. 

Comments

TomVH

July 27th, 2011 at 1:45 PM ^

I really think this visit helped out Michigan a lot. He has some top schools that he has in his head, but he's going to talk to his football coach about everything and come out with that very soon.

Volverine

July 27th, 2011 at 1:50 PM ^

Tom, when you say, "come out with that very soon," are you referring to a top group? Also, do you have any idea how big a group that might be and who else he's strongly considering?

ForeverBlue

July 27th, 2011 at 1:54 PM ^

Thanks for the update Tom. Good to hear that he feels like he can fit in with the plan at Michigan. This should secure us a spot in his top schools, however many he announces.

74polSKA

July 27th, 2011 at 1:59 PM ^

This is exactly what I was looking for yesterday.  I knew you wouldn't let us down.  Sounds like he and his coach both really enjoyed the visit.  I still wish he could have stayed for the BBQ.  I'd like to see a WR commit over the weekend.

Mr Mxyzptlk

July 27th, 2011 at 3:42 PM ^

Wow, that sounds great.  He really seemed to enjoy the visit and I love hearing from recruits about how nice the town, facilities and coaching staff were.  I noticed here on MGO he is referred to as a 4-star WR.  Which recruiting service is that from?  I looked at ESPN to see their rankings and he only gets 3 stars and the number 78 whatever that means.  Is ESPN the outlier here or do they just assign stars differently?

I also noticed on ESPN he already has a top 5 list....Iowas St., Iowa, ND, Wisc and U of M.  So it looks like we were already in his top five, which means we must've moved up on that list to some degree.

 

ken725

July 27th, 2011 at 3:54 PM ^

I haven't heard much of anything from him about his top schools.  I'm guessing schools like Iowa and Nebraska should get looks.  It seemed like for one time that ND was pretty confident in their chances to land him.

Irish

July 27th, 2011 at 5:28 PM ^

If ND wants him I think they will go get him but there are 2 guys already committed who fill the same role as Darboh.  Slot is a bigger need right now, I am not sure if they would accept a commitment from him at this point.  Its better for ND if he takes his OVs at this point

Indiana Blue

July 27th, 2011 at 9:05 PM ^

you are probably a decent person, however your continued nd propaganda is much better suited on your regular nd blog, rather thanMGoBlog.  If I really wanted to read positive stories about nd football I would have someone kidnap me and drive me to South Bend  - then duct tape me to a chair, drug me and then force me to listen to everything you find orgasmic.

A true fan has one team, so don't give us any crap as if you like Michigan.  It is very disingenuis.  Since I live in Indiana, I am well aware of the "holy ground" in South Bend ... and how they can do no wrong ... however, your coach may have sold his soul for this job.  His risking the life of the student last year and failing to own up to it and his re-instatement of Floyd are not "Mr. Wonderful" characteristics.  Floyd doesn't need his senior season to go into the NFL ... that's a lock.  However, nd needs him (kinda like tressel and pryor?).

Seriously, why are you even on this board ... it is for the Maize and Blue.  

Go Blue!

 

dennisblundon

July 27th, 2011 at 9:39 PM ^

This is a very Red Cedarish post. ND is in what is thought to be his top group, so a little perspective from someone a little more familiar with ND's recruiting class is a welcome addition. Irish has been around awhile and usually disappears for a few months after we beat ND so you will get your wish in due time.

Aequitas

July 28th, 2011 at 11:51 AM ^

Dennis, I'm not above name-calling, but in this case it would defeat the purpose of my post.  You're ripping a fellow UM fan, which I assume you are by your avatar, for responding "harshly" to an ND poster who smugly posts on a UM recruiting visit thread that "if ND wants him, they'll get him".  Further, you claim that you welcome "perspective on ND recruiting" in said thread.

I'd strongly suggest that you check yourself and avoid calling other UM fans "Spartans" for not thinking exactly as you do.  If I want ND fan perspective, I ask one, or go to one of their sites.  I don't expect to find it, nor do I "welcome" it, in a UM recruiting thread.

 

Irish

July 28th, 2011 at 6:30 PM ^

 

#1 I don't pretend to be anything except a ND fan, see the screen name is "Irish".  ND is referred to as the "fighting IRISH" at times. (see that part in all caps there)  It that isn't obvious enough there is the avatar; I went with the 3 leaf clover which you can see on all sorts of ND garments, oh say a hat for instance.  Hopefully that has been cleared up for you

#2 If I cared at all about what you thought I would never have been here at all.  Despite yourself I still have a high opinion of many poster on this site although they do tend to get drowned out by noise like this.

#3 If you could actually comprehend what I posted you would be feeling good about your chances Darboh so put on your big boy pants and try again.

Indiana Blue

July 28th, 2011 at 8:02 PM ^

How did that Gunner Kiel recruiting go?  Thought nd could get anyone they wanted ... guess they didn't want that 5* QB ....   Too bad cause I would have enjoyed the Heisman-hype that both Quinn and Clausen got ... maybe even a limo arrival on campus!

A good number of your team's fans (and some players not too mention the Indiana media) are simply pompous asses ... which I do think at least you have not fallen to ...yet.

Go Blue!

bklein09

July 27th, 2011 at 10:08 PM ^

In the past, I have always thought you were a positive contributor to this blog despite being a domer.

However, almost every single post you make lately is oozing with arrogance as if you KNOW that ND is back to being the powerhouse they once were.

Sure, things are looking good for your program. But they were looking good early on in the Willingham and Weis eras. 

I would recommend that you pump the brakes a little bit becuase I could see the board really turning on you if you don't. 

With all the unbridled optimism surrounding the domers this year, there is going to be an epic meltdown if Michigan can win for the third time in a row.

I give ND a slight edge right now, but with that game in Ann Arbor in front of the largest crowd in history, I think we got a decent shot of taking you guys down.

 

Irish

July 28th, 2011 at 6:44 PM ^

I am not sure how a WR from iowa makes ND a powerhouse, going to need some help with this.  

I do have a lot of confidence after the way ND played last year, there are reasons for this, its not a blind opinion based on fandom.  Now lets compare that to a fan who expects 9-3 from a coach who has been employed for 8 months, gone through a whole 15 practices and showed very average in the spring game.

Just to be clear, ND could absolutely fall on their face this year in any or all the games they play.  There will be a meltdown whenever that first loss comes whether its the first game, last game or any game in between that I can guarantee.

tenerson

July 27th, 2011 at 4:03 PM ^

My guess on his top 4 would be ND,UM, ISU and Iowa in that order. He has been to ISU a lot and I think he really likes the coaches there and has some friends there. I do think UM will eventually jump ND though. I am kind of surprised he is looking around as hard as he is. Early on it seemed like a lock that he would go to ND and now he seems to really have opened up.

Mr Mackey

July 27th, 2011 at 4:03 PM ^

He looks like a great WR - wish there was film to watch on him, though. It'll be interesting to see WR recruiting play itself out, as we're looking good for a lot of them (Burbridge, Stanford - if that top 5 was not legit, Madaris, Chesson, Powe, Payton, and Darboh). Any two of those guys would be amazing, but it seems like this could be the position that takes a while to unfold.

northdakotamaizefan

July 27th, 2011 at 6:17 PM ^

were are in on a pretty talented group of WRS. My hope is that we land this kid he is big and that is the kind of reciever of old for michigan. In fact if i had my choice right now it would be Amara, Darius Powe i cant copy and paste cause i am on my phone but i read something on espn about the standouts at the GKS and according to tom luginbill Powe killed it. He said something to the fact of Powe being a physical reciever but also having more than enough ability to blow by just about any defensive back. Amara at 6'2 and Darius at 6'3 would be some great outside recievers. Than you add the slot guys we already are loaded on. Thanks tom for your post i was really anxious to here how this visit went.

sheepdog

July 27th, 2011 at 4:19 PM ^

I know this is a little off topic, but Ken725's post a few up got me thinking.  With Neb joining the Big10 how will this affect their recruiting?  They are kind of an outlier geographically and trying to pull kids that grew up in the midst of the big12 hoopla - watching  Texas, Ned, K State, Oklahoma.... seems like they will need to start recruiting big10 states to get kids that even care about the big10.

Thoughts?

Chi-Blue

July 27th, 2011 at 5:32 PM ^

With a couple more good to great seasons Nebraska is close to being a top team again. With that being said I do think that Big Red will be more active in places like Illinois, and Ohio, but still have a strong presence in Texas and other Big 12 places.

If they win they can recruit anywhere they want.

stmccoy

July 27th, 2011 at 7:55 PM ^

Folks here in Hawkeye country are petrified this ends up being Adrian Arrington all over again.  Not exactly the same situation but similar.  I hope they are right.  Go Blue buddy.  Thanks Tom. 

Look Up_See Blue

July 27th, 2011 at 9:34 PM ^

if this kids coach is a big Michigan fan I would find it hard to believe that Michigan isn't in his top 3 if not the leader at this point. H.S. coaches have a huge influence on where their players attend college. I would be pretty surprised if this kid didn't pick Michigan. Although, he seems pretty smart in that he won't be making any impulse decisions. At this point, every single recruit is just one of those, "we'll see if there's room in the class when they're ready to decide." It is good to see the coaching staff not putting all their eggs in one basket with Stanford/Madaris/Payton and realizing that there are other players out there. Only time will tell at this point.

JohnnyV123

July 28th, 2011 at 7:06 PM ^

Hey someoned needs to tell him to tuck in that ball and protect it a bit more after he catches it.

Glad he had a good visit it's tough to have a bad time in Ann Arbor especially if it's your first time seeing the Big House.