TVH Weekly: Henry Poggi, Ben Gedeon, Cameron Dillard, and More
Recruiting has slowed down now that camp has started and the season is approaching. With a limited number of spots left you would expect that anyway. Here's a look at what happened this week and what might be happening in the future. As always you can follow me on Twitter @TomVH, or email me with any tips or questions at [email protected].
Henry Poggi
6'3", 240 lbs.
Defensive Tackle
Baltimore, Maryland
Poggi is a 2013 lineman who is already blowing up with offers. Michigan, Alabama, Auburn, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Tennessee are among his bigger names to offer already. He made his way in to Ann Arbor this past week and told me about how that went.
I visited there [Monday], and really enjoyed it. I hung out with the coaches and talked to them about what position I'd be playing there. They want me to work as a five tech [DE] which is what I play now.
The visit gave Poggi a chance to sit down and talk face to face with the Michigan coaches.
I talked to Coach Mattison, he's great, he coached one of the players from my high school at Notre Dame and my dad has known him for awhile. Coach Hoke told me that they really care about the defensive line there, and I thought Coach Montgomery was really impressive. Coach Montgomery is a great guy, he knows what he's talking about.
The timing of this visit was good for Michigan because he's already been out to a few other schools and plans to really focus on his season.
I've taken a few visits down south and decided to go to Ann Arbor before camp starts for us. They've always been interesting to me, their tradition, and I hear Coach Hoke is doing a lot of good things. It was my first time up there so it was good. I would say Michigan is up there, I really like the people down there and the education they have.
Despite the fact that he hasn't started his junior season yet Poggi has somewhat of an idea of when he'd like to decide.
I would rather not prolong my commitment. I don't know the exact date, but I'd like to take a couple official visits. If I know before I can take visits then I would just commit, I don't really have to take the officials.
Poggi is already a huge prospect for the 2013 class, and Michigan has helped themselves tremendously by making an early impression.
Ben Gedeon
6'3", 215 lbs.
Linebacker
Hudson, Ohio
Gedeon is another 2013 prospect that recently made it up to Ann Arbor. He also holds a Michigan offer and will be a big part of Michigan's recruiting plans for the 2013 class.
I went to Michigan's camp and Coach Mattison had mentioned that they were having a BBQ. My parents and I went to the BBQ and it went great. That was my first time visiting besides the camps. I've camped at Ohio State, Penn State, and Northwestern too. I definitely want to make it to Penn State, Ohio State, Northwestern, and probably Tennessee for a visit too.
Both the BBQ and Michigan's camp made a lasting impression on Gedeon.
Michigan was my first camp and I got an offer afterwards, so that was my first offer too. Usually you're pretty excited about your first offer so that was pretty sweet. The coaches told me that I'd fit in with the place they have there. I think they have a pretty sweet recruiting class right now and they're starting on my class.
Gedeon said that it helps to know that Michigan is recruiting well, but it's not the only reason he's interested.
It helps to have a good class, they'll probably be top five so that's definitely a plus. Michigan has the most wins, and I've always followed Michigan throughout my childhood, so I've always been a fan.
He plans on using this year to work on his game and leadership skills as well.
I've definitely been trying to become more of a leader. Last year I was just a sophomore so this year I'm trying to be more of a vocal leader. I think I blitz pretty well, I'm trying to work on my leverage, get my pad level down, and I also think I'm really good at getting to the ball.
Ben plans on making it up for a Michigan game this season, but isn't positive yet on which one.
I might visit for the night game against Notre Dame. I'm just going to let my recruitment play out and see what happens. I might make an early decision but we'll see what happens.
I think right now for Gedeon some of the bigger schools like Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State are a few that stick out for him.
Cameron Dillard
6'3", 285 lbs.
Offensive Lineman
Canton, Michigan
Dillard is another 2013 prospect that could end up with a Michigan offer. He's not originally from Michigan, but is hoping to learn more about the program.
Most of my family is from North Carolina. It's been six years since we moved to Michigan. I've heard a ton about Michigan's tradition from some of my teachers.
Dillard has gotten a head start on his recruitment, and is already starting to hear from some top programs.
Michigan State invited me to their practice, and I've heard from Indiana, Cincinnati, Stanford, Oregon, EMU, WMU, Michigan, Arkansas, and UCF. I work with Lomas Brown every Saturday and I also train with Mike Barwis at his facility five days a week.
He's heard from a good amount of schools and Michigan has already told Dillard a timeline for their evaluation on him.
Coach Funk told me he wants to watch my first three games of the season. All the [Michigan] coaches liked me at their camp and so they want to watch the first three games and then decide on an offer.
Dillard is an outstanding young man. He's only 16 years old and is already involved within his community. He has been involved with the Special Olympics, and Big House Big Heart Champions for Charity.
Extra:
With the commitment of DT Ondre Pipkins many fans were wondering where DT Danny O'Brien stood and if the Michigan coaches would still accept a commitment from O'Brien. Danny has a phone call scheduled with the Michigan coaches to talk on Monday [the 15th] about where he stands. He told me that he will still consider Michigan if there's a spot open. I will let you know how the phone call went as soon as he has it.
As I noted earlier in the week, Washington OL Joshua Garnett is now planning his visit for the Notre Dame night game. That's a big deal because he had been previously saying he would wait until the Ohio State game to visit. In the post I made it clear that Garnett and Michigan commit Erik Magnuson have become very close and that Michigan has a real chance of landing Garnett. I want to reiterate that now, he doesn't know where he's going yet but Michigan has a legitimate shot at landing him.
Since the season is almost here that also means official visits will be scheduled soon. The first game against Western Michigan won't be as big as the Notre Dame game visit-wise, obviously, but there are some notable prospects that are planning to make it in. So far commitments Allen Gant and Matt Godin have said they'll be there. There is also a good chance that receivers Amara Darboh and Darius Powe will be in for that weekend as well. Powe isn't sure what date he'll be in yet, but he told me he wants to make it in for a game earlier in the season.
2013 DB Shaquille Wiggins also said that he will be in for the Western game, but I'm going to double check to make sure he didn't mean the Notre Dame game. Most of these aren't set in stone anyway so just keep that in mind. Also these aren't all of the names necessarily, just who I've spoken with so far.
August 14th, 2011 at 7:33 PM ^
August 14th, 2011 at 8:10 PM ^
To add, by the looks of it he also has another brother at Duke for football.
August 14th, 2011 at 10:54 PM ^
Yeah, he's got a LB brother at Iowa and a DE brother at Duke. Their dad is the head coach at their high school (Gilman) in Baltimore.
August 14th, 2011 at 7:35 PM ^
Cam Dillard to be mentioned. He is a friend of mine (acquaintance) and was one of my training partners and I frequently would talk about Michigan with him ( more as of a joke than anything). Kid is pretty damn strong when he sticks with his work ethic and gets the right training. He has been training with Barwis a lot lately so I don't know the status of his strength these days, but the kid is still a beast and is still growing. Hope for big things for him.
August 14th, 2011 at 8:14 PM ^
When I glanced quickly at Poggi i almost thought we were recruiting Justin Bieber.
August 14th, 2011 at 9:51 PM ^
2 1/2 Men.
August 14th, 2011 at 7:43 PM ^
Tells you a lot about our current class when the three prospects highlighted are 2013 guys and we haven't even started the 2011 season.
August 14th, 2011 at 9:19 PM ^
this is Michigan, for God's sake.
August 14th, 2011 at 11:56 PM ^
God sakes
August 15th, 2011 at 7:33 AM ^
...being serious, but no. The proper construction is for God's sake.
August 15th, 2011 at 12:34 PM ^
Depending on circumstances, you can also use the more irreverent and grammatically inventive "fer Chrissakes."
August 15th, 2011 at 1:05 PM ^
I think he was implying that Brady Hoke's line from the introductory presser sounded more like "for God sakes"; I don't agree. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oja8RXz6wb8
August 14th, 2011 at 7:46 PM ^
Thanks Tom!
Really interested in the phone call with O'Brien Monday. I would think that he would be on the exception list and welcomed to be a part of this class.
August 14th, 2011 at 7:47 PM ^
Hearing Gedeon talk about pad level brought back terrible memories of Rod Marinelli.
August 15th, 2011 at 2:45 AM ^
Or GBMW.
August 14th, 2011 at 7:48 PM ^
August 14th, 2011 at 7:56 PM ^
Lock the class down early, save a few spots for the real blue chippers who you don't necessarily need but would absolutely love to have all the while getting to work early on the next years class getting your foot in the door with those guys early and hard. Very happy with this strategy.
August 14th, 2011 at 8:07 PM ^
Seems like Tom reiterating that Garnett and Magnuson have become really close is really good news for Michigan. I hope the staff charms the pants off of him when he visits for the ND game!
August 14th, 2011 at 8:22 PM ^
Love hearing about 2013 kids already. We'll be the most well-informed fanbase in the country by signing day.
August 14th, 2011 at 8:24 PM ^
for all that you do for us.
August 14th, 2011 at 8:29 PM ^
obviously wants to win the line of scrimmage! Garnett, Magnuson, Poggi, Dillard.......just keep it coming.
August 14th, 2011 at 8:30 PM ^
forgot to say...thanks TomVH - I always enjoy your stuff.
August 14th, 2011 at 8:51 PM ^
try the edit button and you can correct your mistake and no one would every have known.
August 14th, 2011 at 8:49 PM ^
Is it just me or does it seem like one of out every three recruits out of California is named Shaquille?
August 14th, 2011 at 8:53 PM ^
August 14th, 2011 at 9:14 PM ^
Does Cameron Dillard play for the Canton...Plymouth...or Salem? I'd like to catch one of his games.
August 14th, 2011 at 9:26 PM ^
He goes to Canton. I know it is confusing since Plymouth, Canton, and Salem are 3 schools on one "campus", but It is very difficult to explain. I went to Canton, so it is very cool to hear about a recruit from your high school potentially coming to Michigan. Also, just FYI, Brennan Beyer was at the same "campus" but he went to Plymouth. If you want to understand what I mean by "campus", it is called the Park, and you can read about it below: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCEP
August 14th, 2011 at 10:15 PM ^
That's exactly right, I go to Canton right now and it's pretty cool to see kids like Dillard and Beyer around school.
August 14th, 2011 at 9:56 PM ^
they were rumors you were going elsewhere. Care to address? Sorry if this has been discussed previously.
August 14th, 2011 at 10:04 PM ^
He's not going to able to talk about it until/unless it's officially announced.
August 15th, 2011 at 12:28 AM ^
August 15th, 2011 at 1:22 AM ^
Since I don't think he's even visited, i'm guessing it's probably not us. But stranger things have happened, I suppose...
August 15th, 2011 at 7:43 AM ^
August 15th, 2011 at 8:51 AM ^
August 15th, 2011 at 11:11 AM ^
McNeil will choose Okie St.
August 15th, 2011 at 9:17 AM ^
Poggi is a 6' 3" 240 DL 2013 kid. He's smaller than a "rb" 2013 offer (shallman) who is same height and heavier? What is shallman really? Poggi looks great and is an outstanding player.
August 15th, 2011 at 9:40 AM ^
Shallman's been told many times that he's being recruited as a RB. Think Brandon Jacobs or some other big bruising monster
August 15th, 2011 at 9:44 AM ^
August 15th, 2011 at 9:56 AM ^
Went back and watched his film - something tells me he will be a big, good speed, brute of a RB or a psychotically quick DL guy. If he's 250 at 15 you have to think a school (in 2 years) could put on 20 at whatever he comes in at.
I'm happy any way with all of the 2013 guys and I guess it is even better to have several with the ability to truly play on both sides of the ball if need be.
August 15th, 2011 at 10:31 AM ^
Good reminder how young these guys still are. Poggi and Dillard look like they're 12...which actually isn't far from the truth.
August 15th, 2011 at 11:29 AM ^
August 16th, 2011 at 2:25 PM ^
on that Danny O'Brien call?
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