TVH Weekly: Illinois Visitors, Will Mahone

Submitted by TomVH on

This weekly update will be a little sparse. Since there was a bye then an away game, there wasn't much that happened that I haven't reported already. This weekend should be a good one, however, with the Dr. Phillips clan coming to town.

If you ever have any tips you would like to pass along, please email me at [email protected]. As always you can get more updates from me on Twitter, as well.

Illinois Visitors

As usual I will post this in a separate diary since the names will change as we get closer to the date. This is the only thing I'm going to say as far as everyone asking about a potential "secret recruit' visiting this weekend. I have confirmed he's coming, and I will let you know who it is when they give me the OK to tell you.

  • Safety Roderick Ryles (6'1", 185 lbs, 3 Star): Currently committed to Arkansas, but he has said numerous times that anything can happen. If he likes this visit, I would expect Michigan to be a heavy contender.
  • Linebacker Darryl Monore (6'1", 215 lbs, 3 Star): Darryl has not been offered by Michigan, but will be making the trip up this weekend. Currently committed to Washington State, he has said that basically means nothing and it's as soft a commit as you can be.
  • Running Back Demetrius Hart (5'8", 190 lbs, 4 Star, Commit): You already know.
  • Safety Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix (6'2", 190 lbs, 5 Star): Alabama commit coming up for the second time. I was a little optimistic until I spoke with someone in Florida that I trust. They said Ha'Sean is definitely committed to Alabama, and it would be hard to get him away from that. We'll see what happens.
  • Wide Receiver Chris Gallon (6'5", 205 lbs, 3 Star): Chris does not have an offer, although the coaches have told him they're reviewing his film. It seems as though Chris may be a back up plan for Michigan at wide receiver.
  • Quarterback Nick Patti (5'10", 180 lbs, 2012 Recruit): Nick has consistently said that Michigan is one of his favorites.

WWilliam Mahoneill Mahone

5'11", 205 lbs.

Running Back

Austintown, Ohio


Will Mahone was in Ann Arbor this year to watch a Michigan game already, and this week traveled to Pennsylvania to see the Penn State game. He got a two for one, as he got to check out both the Lions and Wolverines offense.

It's great to have a quarterback like Denard, we have a versatile quarterback, too, so that's good. (Michigan's) running back (Vincent) Smith looks like he's good too. They had a rough game, but they made a little comeback too.

Mahone plays in a spread offense now that uses a lot of read options, much like Michigan. The new recruiting rules have slowed down offers, but Will is still hearing from a good amount of big time schools.

Alabama, Penn State, Oregon, Virginia, Wisconsin, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Michigan and Notre Dame are all still sending letters. I have an offer from Cincinnati, too.

While running back may not be a big priority for Michigan in the 2012 class, Mahone would be a good option.

Extra:

Comments

joeyb

November 1st, 2010 at 3:28 PM ^

Tom, I know this question is on everyone's minds. How have the last 3 losses, particularly PSU, affected the recruits perceptions of the program? It's hard to imagine that it hasn't turned some of our recruits away.

Zvornik Bosna

November 1st, 2010 at 5:43 PM ^

The fan base looks at losses to two top ranked teams and goes nuts. A college football fan looks at it and shrugs because it was kind of expected to happen. I can't say anything about the Penn State game because we were favored and that team was full of injuries. 

Don

November 2nd, 2010 at 11:31 AM ^

The solution to that?

UM Victory Viagra® (sold only by prescription after scoring more points than opponent. Any enthusiasm lasting more than four hours should be welcomed. Side effects may include giddiness, laughing uncontrollably, spontaneous renditions of fight song, endless Sportscenter watching, hugging total strangers, and obscene gestures to that asshat Sparty in your office.)

Dr.Jay

November 1st, 2010 at 3:37 PM ^

Ryles and Moore are both @ positions of need and seem like they can be swayed for their commitments, if we can somehow beat Illinois I think we may see a commitment or at the very least move to the top for both of them and have them decommit.

Logan88

November 1st, 2010 at 5:02 PM ^

...if we can somehow beat Illinois...

This is without a doubt the most depression inspiring statement I have read on this board in a long time. This is what we have sunk to: hoping against hope that we can beat a mediocre Illinois team (in the Big House, no less) coached by a guy who is widely regarded as a terrible HC.

Is there really any greater indictment of this coaching staff than that little statement?

Dr.Jay

November 1st, 2010 at 5:24 PM ^

Sorry man I am really a positive person but I cannot see this D stopping anyone, I absolutely hope they do, I love Rodriguez as a coach. If our D held every opponent to half of what they scored we would be 8-0, our offense is exciting and I think if Rich is here next year it MUST be a 1 maybe 2 loss year or he is a goner. 

WolvinLA2

November 1st, 2010 at 4:10 PM ^

So, this might be a stupid question, but have you asked any of them what they would think playing for Harbaugh?  I don't want to be that guy, because I always hated that guy, but last weekend was a huge blow.

myrtlebeachmai…

November 1st, 2010 at 4:43 PM ^

WolvinLA2, I've always thought your posts worhtwhile, but this is just stupid.  The LAST thing we need is for anyone (even though not officially related to UM in any way), who is consistently out there feeling up kids (ohh, that sounds creepy) for info/opinions on their college intersts, to ask if they've thought about playing for a different coach at UM. 

IF it happens, then he can go ask if it makes a difference to them.  Asking now can only infer that their thoughts (of kids not even yet part of our program) would have/make some kind of difference to DB or anyone else.

(no neg)

acnumber1

November 1st, 2010 at 8:47 PM ^

Lack of negging has to do with past history I imagine.  12,000+ Mgopoints and a history of quality, reasonable posts would give pause to most would-be neggers.  Had your comment come from a 121 pointer with the screen name "WolvinINthe(rawk)haouse" the result may have been different. 

In these tough times we have to watch what we say, but also watch who is saying it...and consider that nothing is black/white.  I know that after the first drive of the second half I was saying things to myself that I firmly believed when I said/thought them...but as Saturday folded in Sunday which blended in Monday which will soon feather into Tuesday...in due time it'll be a Fire Up It's Saturday! and I don't care who is coaching the kicker or DCing the D, it's Maize and Blue and Let's Go Blue.

There are only 12 football Saturdays guaranteed...enjoy them.  If there are changes in the staff sooner or later or never, next year will bring another 12 football Saturdays.  Whoever is calling the plays in any aspect of the game, they will still be football Saturdays and they are meant to be celebrated.

StraightDave

November 1st, 2010 at 10:32 PM ^

this weekend is big for the current players and the future players.  If the game goes down the toilet and the crowd throws out the boo birds then it will be a long day for everyone.

the one that that concerns me is the lack of elite recruits on the defense.  RR needs impact players that can step in and contribute now!  Hard to do at this level but "projects" will not get it done.

Princetonwolverine

November 2nd, 2010 at 12:05 AM ^

Is there a limit to how many "official visits" a school is allowed to pay for? If there is, then why would we waste one on someone that is a strong commit to another school or someone we haven't offered?

Wolverine0056

November 2nd, 2010 at 10:30 AM ^

All I have to say is, see ya. Mahone looks to be a pretty fast and shifty guy.

I'm not going to lie, I am pretty down from the PSU game. But I love this team and will support them and RR until the end. Let's just turn this around and keep improving and we will see some of these guys in Maize and Blue one day.

dakotapalm

November 2nd, 2010 at 10:39 AM ^

Tom, or others, it appears Phillip Dukes (Manning, SC) is no longer considering us, but nothing recent is on the 2011 board. Does anyone know if Michigan is still in the running for him?

His Rivals page no longer mentions Michigan.