Tony Jefferson Update
California DB Tony Jefferson recently announced his intention to take an official visit to Michigan, although committed to UCLA. Jefferson is a four star safety with a fake [ed: !!!] 4.5 40 time. As I mentioned in a different thread, my computer broke again, so this will be somewhat brief, and in a different format. I spoke with him about the change in his recruitment, and here are some bullet points about what he said:
- Wherever he goes, he will be enrolling early, which means he will be deciding soon.
- His visit will be November 7th for the Purdue game.
- "The coaches (from Michigan) have been talking to me for awhile now, and they've really turned up the intensity. That's part of why I'm taking a visit. I've been talking to coach Singletary and Rich Rodriguez. They've basically been telling me that I'm a priority for them, and they really want me."
- "I've been watching their games, and I really like the way they've been playing defense. I know at Michigan I could get a really good education, and always be fighting to play in a bowl game; I like that."
- "I have a really strong feeling towards Michigan. I get along really well with their staff, and Tate Forcier has been talking to me alot. He's a San Diego boy, and he's been telling me about how much he loves it."
- He said that UCLA hasn't done anything wrong, he just doesn't want to second guess himself.
- His final list is UCLA, Florida, Michigan, and Miami.
- An interesting side note: He has a lot of family in Florida, and confirmed that if he committed to Florida, his family might move there.
It seems like Florida has the best shot, but he seemed sincere when he said he has a strong feeling towards Michigan. Since he's never been on campus, you never know. The coaches have definitely shown him they want him, and he mentioned that it means a lot that they're showing so much interest. He'll visit Florida on November 28th and will decide shortly after.
PLEASE COME TO MICHIGAN!!!!
Usually it is a position coach. Seeing RR's direct involvement shows some urgency here (for obvious reasons).
Man would it be nice to have a functional safety next year.
http://www.takkle.com/people/7457628/-/profile
Shows very good instincts at least from the highlights.
And good tackling - he doesn't have the common affliction that many elite HS players have of going for the kill shot every single time. Will serve him well in college.
Come on, GERG - convince this kid to take us out of the barren desert of safeties. (With Vlad and Isaiah Bell, of course)
are falling on deaf ears my friend. We need something to be happy about and right now that is the possibility of one Tony Jefferson suiting up in Maize and Blue!
no poke intended, I try not to with recruits
Warning: A =) is a sarcastic or joke filled post. (Its pretty much the happiest smiley out there, I have been told) Despite being a ND fan I do have a sense of humor
I know ESPN isn't the greatest recruiting site but Tony Jefferson is rated as the #1 athlete. But, it's ESPN so take it FWIW
All I want for Christmas is Jefferson, Christian, Grimes, Knight, Olanyian, and Thornton. Is that too much to ask? Of course it is but I'm asking anyways.
would be a HUGE steal at a position of dire need. Michigan is the odd one out of the bunch being the only cold weather school. But UCLA is the only rival of the four when it comes to academic rankings.
I'm gonna take two weeks off, and then quit.
well.. if the temp doesn't drop too much between now and Nov 7.. I think we got a shot..
however.. something tells me a San Diego kid won't like early
November slush...
Thats impressive that they got him interested enough to visit. When he talked about visiting UF there was some hope ND would get a look but it didn't turn into anything, and to be honest only looked like UF was getting a look.
Also be aware that he can't be second guessing because he is on his 3rd "verbal commitment" I believe, committed to both Stanford and USC previously.
Warning: A =) is a sarcastic or joke filled post. (Its pretty much the happiest smiley out there, I have been told) Despite being a ND fan I do have a sense of humor
Thanks for the info as always Tom. Hopefully he'll enjoy his visit here and decide to commit. Jefferson would be a HUGE get, we need safeties (and elite ones at that) badly.
Twitter / The Fifth Quarter
A trip to Ann Arbor on November 28th should be just the trick to get the San Diego native to commit... Nothing says "come live in Michigan" more than 34 degree weather, grey skies, and a bit of rain.
/ejinxed
Jefferson is visiting A2 on November 7th (Purdue game). November 28th is the day he's visiting Florida, where I'm sure it will be another beautiful day in paradise.
"I hope if dogs ever take over the world, and they choose a king, they don't just go by size, because I bet there are some Chihuahuas with some good ideas."
- Jack Handey
Let's hope it's "fighting to play in a [BCS] bowl game."
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This kid is yet another reason we really need to beat the living hell out of Purdue!
"And he we are in Columbus in front of a sellout crowd of 10,000 alumni and 74,000 truck drivers." --Bob Ufer
If I'm not mistaken, Florida already has 6 committed safety/cornerback prospects in their class.
***** Matt Elam (projected S)
**** Demar Dorsey (projected S)
**** Jordan Haden (projected S)
**** Jalen Watkins (projected CB)
**** Jon Dowling (not sure)
**** Travon Van (not sure)
That is quite a bit of depth.
Florida is dangerously (if not already) close to recruiting with the same ease as USC. Let's hope he does make strong connections with the players and staff during his visit and that he doesn't mind the cold.
If we can land Jefferson, Olaniyan, Christian and Grimes, I'll be a happy fan.
"In desperation there's that shred of hope; people who are down and not desperate are resigned." - Brian Cook
Most computers don't hold up too well when subjected to the "Throw it against the wall" test. Treat 'em nice!!
;)
"I hope if dogs ever take over the world, and they choose a king, they don't just go by size, because I bet there are some Chihuahuas with some good ideas."
- Jack Handey
the latest info on Jefferson. It's become very apparent that, in the remainder of this recruiting class, M needs to get as many people on campus as possible on the defensive side of the ball. If a recruit makes a visit, anything can happen. I firmly believe that when Greg Robinson gets all the players he needs, the M defense will be very tough. I like how the M coaches are not afraid to go after any recruit in the country.
AJ Bluefan
Nice post. Sounds like UM is riding shotgun to Florida, but who knows. At UM he'd nab early playing time; at Florida he'd probably be deeper down the depth chart.
So by him saying he likes the way M plays defense does he mean he could play right away due to the lack of talent?
I have a Fandom Endurance III merit badge
I see you've been negged for it, but that's kind of how I read it too. Though of course he could also legitimately like the defensive scheme.
Sounds like a good kid. We need Barwis on full tilt and hope he makes a connection with him. Bust out those Super Bowl rings GERG and shine em up.
that our coaching staff is going hard after defensive talent. Fingers crossed.
The [Michigan] secondary has played like part of the hospital burn unit - Chris Martin BTN
Going after the talent is just part of the deal. We actually have to land some of these guys. Hopefully, by breaking out a new bottle of snake oil, and by showing him our depth chart, we can convince him to go blue.
Tony Jefferson, come on down!
Awespme info Tom. Thanks as always.