TVH Weekly: Kellen Jones Visit, DeAnthony Thomas Interest, Florida Keys
Sorry this is late, I had a lot going on today. Here's the weekly update.
Kellen Jones
6'1", 210 lbs.
Linebacker
Houston, Texas
Jones is coming up to Ann Arbor with his father this weekend. This could be a huge visit for Michigan, as Kellen appears to moving towards a decision. I asked him about the visit and if an announcement might soon follow:
I can't wait for the trip. As far as a decision, I'm going to let God make it for me. If he tells me it's the right place, then it's right. I plan on making my decision in early August before my season.
I wouldn't expect a commitment on the spot, but I wouldn't rule it out either. A visit to his dad's favorite school could seal the deal for Michigan.
DeAnthony Thomas
5'9", 160 lbs.
All Purpose Back/Cornerback
Los Angeles, California
While most of the recruiting sites list Thomas as an all purpose back, a lot of people think he'll move to corner in college. Currently committed to USC, Thomas has been open about possibly taking visits to other schools. Michigan was among that list of possible destinations.
I'm not decommitting from USC, I'm just looking around. I haven't planned anything yet, but Michigan is a school I'd like to see. If I do come out there it will be on an official.
I asked him where his interest came from, and what Michigan might have to do to get his attention:
They have great facilities and history with their defensive backs. They don't really have to do anything. I don't have an offer yet, but I want to see the facilities and everything.
He doesn't yet have an offer from Michigan, but if he tells the coaches he'll visit if they offer, they'll offer. This isn't a strong indicator yet if he's going to visit, so we'll have to see how this plays out. USC isn't doing themselves any favors right now.
Karlos Williams
6'2", 210 lbs.
Safety
Davenport, Florida
I said this in another thread, but I'll say it here again: I spoke with Karlos Williams a few weeks ago about Michigan. For those that don't know, Karlos is currently committed to Florida State. He' also one of the top safeties in the country. I told Karlos that what we spoke about was off the record, so I didn't report anything, but now he's given some interviews at the Gridiron Kings that had the same information, so it's time to spill the beans.
Karlos said that he has interest in Michigan, and is looking at coming up for an official visit to the Iowa or MSU game. If he does come up he won't be by himself. He has been talking to a group of Florida kids, one of them being TE Brandon Fulse, about visiting Ann Arbor. If Michigan gets off to a good start, there's a real possibility this trip could happen.
At Gridiron Kings Karlos played on the Southeast team, which was the winning team and it also happened to be the same team as Demetrius Hart and Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix. I asked him if anyone was talking to him about any schools:
Dee (Hart) and Ha Ha (Clinton-Dix) are tremendous talents. We all actually talked about schools the entire time we were there. Everybody has their school and they're going to make their decisions. We've talked about playing together, and it's just one of those things where we can all play together, or go our own ways.
So… they could play together, or they could not play together. I then asked him if any Michigan talk down there had maybe helped their chances, or made him think a little more.
Of course it's always positive, but I am thinking of taking the official.
It sounds like some things said are helping him make his travel plans. A little side note: there has been a lot of scuttlebutt from around the Florida area about Michigan and growing interest from athletes down there. If Michigan starts off the season right, then we could see a big shift in the recruiting picture.
Extra:
- OL Tony Posada will be making his announcement within the next couple weeks. I've heard it could be later this week, or it could be the middle of August. It seems to get moved every day, but it should be coming soon. As long as Florida doesn't offer Michigan is in front. Posada has publicly stated his decision has been made for a while.
- OL Chris Bryant just took a visit with his parents, and everyone loved it. He's going to talk things over with his parents before making any decisions. In my opinion Michigan is a clear leader, and will probably be hearing from him soon.
- RB Justice Hayes is announcing his decision on July 30th at 11am. Most people believe his choice to be Notre Dame. I am one of those most people. If he picks Notre Dame, it doesn't mean it's completely over. He is a similar case to DeAnthony Arnett. in that they are both Michigan fans. Again, if Michigan comes out hot it could pique his interest.
- As MGoShoe noted, RB Dee Hart had a great GK tournament himself.
So it seems like both Thomas and Williams' commitment is fairly soft. Do you think they're just looking around for fun (get some free visits) or if it's genuine?
By the way, a minor nitpick: it's "pique his interest" not "peak".
Great stuff as always. I guess I'm in the skeptical camp when it comes to Karlos Williams, but I guess you never know with recruiting. I like our chances with Posada and Bryant, and I love their size. I've said it before, but RR and staff do a tremendous job of selling Michigan, considering the anchors they have to drag around with them. They must be relentlessly positive and upbeat people who are at the same time real and genuine with the recruits. If we can start the season well, I can see the floodgates opening.
What I really like about the guys who are committing now, or seem to be close to committing, is that they're obviously as attracted to the institution as they are the football program; they're not front-runners who only want to play with a hot team that's winning right now. They want to be part of building something, and you win with guys like that in the long run.
Great update as always, Tom. You mention "scuttlebutt" from the Florida kids. What would you attribute this surge of interest to? Is the dynamo recruiting duo of Ricardo and Dee Hart having an influence?
Hey Tom, since a lot is riding on the first part of the season in terms of recruiting (oh, and everything else), I'm interested to know what your prediction is. What do you think our record will be at the midway point? I'm guessing 5-1, with a loss at ND.
Thanks for all the great info you provide.
I don't think we lose to ND, they are changing their system right now, it will be tough for their offense to truly click, and their defense is still going to be bad. (Another philosophy coming in) Combined with our offense being more efficient and our defense being servicable, we should be celebrating in front of touchdown Jesus! So I guess that means 6-0!
I personally think the worst part of the story is that they plan on rebuilding the statue (valued at $300,000) rather than investing in the community around them and bringing real hope to their community: http://www.solidrockchurch.org/ (check around the center of the page).
I think that's the worst part of the story for non-Christians, too.
just didn't want to see an unnecessary religious slap fight so I thought I'd clarify the position I was coming from on this.
Judging from the title, I clicked on this link expecting to read something about a hot new recruit from Key West.
has incited some serious interest out there. Just shows you how good he was to get who he did at WVU. I honestly believe a 9-10 win season could score us a top 3 class for the following recruiting year.
Yeah - to me the most interesting part is the side note:
A little side note: there has been a lot of scuttlebutt from around the Florida area about Michigan and growing interest from athletes down there. If Michigan starts off the season right, then we could see a big shift in the recruiting picture.
This is a great development. If Rich get's 'er done this season, there is reason to believe Michigan is on its way to be (don't kill me for saying this) another Florida in these kids eyes.
If we get Dee, Ha Ha, Karlos and Fulse I might pass out in sheer happiness.
I love that alot of kids decide early with recruiting, but don't most of you think its getting rediculous with all of these kids "committing" and then switching schools last minute. Whats the point of committing if you are still looking around? You don't date after getting engaged...right..
Some of these kids are committing to their dream schools, but a lot of kids commit early just to stop the flood of phone calls and privacy intrusions. One of the best examples on the tip of my tongue right now is Derek David, a 2012 TX LB who committed to Texas Tech, basically saying in the interview that his commitment was pretty soft, but he wanted to stop all the calls for interviews, but also wanted to see what coaches kept coming after him even after his commitment. It seems kind of weird, but I think it's more about stopping the annoying phone calls, e-mails, etc. than anything.
older brother logan(JuCo) committed to TTech as well. could help keep david committed to tech. but god, i hope not. he was one of our top targets on the defensive side next year
he was one of our top targets on the defensive side next year
Who is "our"? The burnt orange part or the lil maize part?
texas
Eh you guys got Steve Edmond this year, let the Red Raiders have their day in the recruiting limelight.
If we got Karlos Williams and HaSean Clinton Dix in our secondary, with already Cullen, J.T., Marvin, Carvin, Cam Gordon it would be sick!
Well, I hope God's a Michigan fan.
since he is the leader and the best
Great update as always Tom
Also props for using "scuttlebutt" in your update. I just find that a fun word.
has Patrick Duffy's head for a leg right?
Or is that Scuzzlebutt? Hard to keep those two straight.
This is great news, if for no other reason than it means many of the top players in Florida are hyping UM. Combine this with Avery Walls' comments about UM and there is a lot positive coming out of the mouths of the top players in the country about the Maize and Blue. Even if things don't work out with Karlos or HaHa, all of these scuttlebutts can only help us for the future.
RR seems like he's working Florida hard. The fruits of these labors might not happen this year, but I'd like to think that if RR sticks around we'll start seeing this hard work pay off.
Anyone who hasn't seen KJ's highlights, note Tom's June 25 update http://mgoblog.com/diaries/tomvh-weekly-update-625. I don't always see the benefit of these, but like Roh's, this kid's reel shows a pure playmaker
Re. scuttle: these kids aren't talking about Iowa or Wisconsin. I'll take it every time
any word on Kris Frost? Haven't heard anything on him in a long while.
Probably won't hear anything more until he takes visits during the season.
Tom or anyone else - things sound good for Kellen Jones, and Kris Frost will be a mostly unknown for a while now. Assuming those are our top two LB's in terms of likelihood to commit, who comes next? I know Ed Davis is in the discussion. Anyone else that people know about?
These are guys that are on the radar. I'm not sure the likelihood of Michigan landing them, but we're in the conversation.
Curtis Grant (Virginia) I think he'll end up at Florida or possibly Bama, but we're in his top five.
Armstead Williams (PA) We're in his top group as well, but I'm not sure about our chances.
Lamar Dawson (Kentucky) Until he comes to visit, I won't take him that seriously, but we're always mentioned in his top group.
James Adeyanju (Illinois) He's more of a hybrid DE/LB, but he's taken visits to Michigan and continues to talk about us.
Sean Duggan (Ohio) I know he really likes MIchigan, and his visits to Ann Arbor have helped, but I think he ends up at Boston College or Wisconsin.
Travis Hughes (Virginia) He keeps talking about Michigan, but I doubt we'll land him. I think we're outside of his top group, and I don't see him leaving the south.
If Kent Turene can prove he'll be qualified then Michigan might show him more interest. He's not 100% solid to USC, so depending on how his grades and test scores end up MIchigan could get back in it.
to start referring to Thomas as the D.A.-Train?
Thought removed. Progress.
Not sure if HaShem will speak to Dee Hart through a burning bush but I can hear Ufer's voice coming down from Football's Vahalla......."MEEECHIGAN!"
August 16th, 2010 at 9:01 AM ^
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