TVH Weekly: Trey Keenan, Will Hines, Wyatt Shallman, and More
Michigan kept the commitment train rolling by landing Matt Godin and 2013 QB Shane Morris last week. With 11 commitments already in the 2012 class it doesn't look like things will slow down just yet. Here's a look at some recent happenings, and where Michigan is at with a few new prospects.
Trey Keenan
6'5", 270 lbs.
Offensive Lineman
Argyle, Texas
Keenan is a versatile lineman that has racked up around 15 offers from Arizona, Arkansas, Michigan, Mississippi State, and Tennessee, amongst others. Despite the fact that Trey lives in Texas he has some roots in Michigan.
Michigan came by the other day, Coach Funk did. We plan on making it up this summer because my grandma still lives in St. Clare Shores, that's where my dad's from. He played at Northwood and he's a big Michigan guy. He grew up with the 70's and 80's teams when Michigan was cranking out good teams. He always cheered for Michigan.
Trey has been to Ann Arbor before, just not for a football game.
Before I was a football player I was a big hockey player. We went to Ann Arbor for a hockey game once. I played hockey until I was 15, and I was actually drafted by the Seattle Thunderbirds in the Western league.
Michigan already has one former hockey player turned offensive lineman in Ben Braden. It would be pretty unique to have two in one class. The Wolverines seem to be high on Keenan's list for a number of reason.
Coach Funk said they're in a real shortage of offensive linemen, they only have eleven. They want to try to get six out of our class. I think he likes how athletic I am, and I'm strong enough to be in lifting meets.
It seems as though the Michigan coaches are positioning themselves to make Keenan's final list as well.
I want to figure out my list by the schools that I feel like have invested time in me, coming by my school, and making the extra effort with handwritten letters like Michigan has. If football didn't happen that I'd still love going to school there. I also want to go to a place that could push me football wise and if everything worked out right, get me to the next level. I think Michigan fits those points.
He plans on having his narrowed down list out by the end of this school year. As he said he'll make it up to Michigan sometime in the summer. Ultimately he would like to have his final decision made before his senior year starts up at the end of summer.
Will Hines
6'1", 175 lbs.
Cornerback
Waco, Texas
Michigan is in great shape with a few defensive backs that already hold offers. The coaches, however, are still offering defensive back prospects that they think fit their system. Glenville DB De'von Bogard is the most recent recipient, and Will Hines could potentially be on that list as well. I have been in contact with Hines for some time now, but he believes that things are starting to pick up.
I have eight offers so far and I think Texas A&M and Michigan might be close to offering. Michigan came by the school the other day. Coach Funk said he liked my updated highlight film and the defensive coordinator just needed to look at it. He's going to look at it in the next few weeks I guess.
I believe the coaches will be out recruiting these next couple weeks, so Mattison will probably watch his film after that. Hines said that he does have a top list right now, but that could change if some schools jump in the mix.
Right now it's Arkansas, Baylor, Missouri, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma State. Those are the top five that have offered. If Michigan offers then they'll probably take Notre Dame's spot.
Hines doesn't know too much about Michigan yet, but is definitely hoping for an offer.
They have a great history, a great program, and they make a lot of great players. It's going to be tough to get up there, but I am going to try to get up there for a visit. I'd like to make my decision towards the end of summer after I get some visits in.
Like I said Michigan is in great shape with a few other defensive backs, so we'll see in the near future how many spots are left.
Wyatt Shallman
6'3", 235 lbs.
Athlete
Novi, Michigan
Michigan has already extended a few offers to 2013 prospects. Commit Shane Morris, and Ohio super Dymonte Thomas were the first two. The third is Detroit Catholic Central ATH Wyatt Shallman.
[Michigan] offered me in person. Me, my dad, my mom, and sister all met the coaches. We went in and talked to Coach Hoke and he offered. We were just kind of small talking and then he said, by the way you have a full scholarship to go here that will pay for your education. We just kind of looked at each other, and my mom cried. It didn't really sink in to me until I was driving away from the stadium and I could see it in the rear view, as cliche as that sounds.
Cincinnati has also offered Shallman, and he's hearing from MSU as well. The interesting part of the Michigan offer is that the coaching staff has told him they want him as a tailback, not a fullback.
I was offered as a tailback at Michigan. There's a common misconception that I'm big and will play fullback. I believe that I could be a different type of tailback. I had a long talk with Fred Jackson. They were telling me how the offensive coordinator came from Auburn with Ronnie Brown. Everyone said Ronnie was a fullback, but they noticed his speed and used him as a tailback. I feel like there's some parallels with him, and they told me I'd be dotting the i.
Even though Michigan was his first offer, Penn State was where his recruitment started. That seems to have left an impression on him as well.
Penn State is really the first school to start recruiting me. I went down to a camp after freshman year and they started talking to me after that. With them being my first influence in recruiting really intrigued me. I would love to get an offer from them because of all the tradition they bring to the table.
Penn State may have been the early bird, but Shallman's family will also factor in to his decision.
It's a great thing for my family to have this offer, because they're a football family. I was never a football fan growing up until about 8th grade. My mom is a crazy Michigan fan, she has bumper stickers that say Oh How I Hate Ohio State and everything. It will probably take me awhile to make my final decision, too. It involves my whole family, they're my rock and this is a family decision. I'm going to take my time with everything.
Wyatt is lucky to have a good foundation to support him, and he also has a good friend that recently went through the recruiting process as well.
Me and Matt [Godin] are really good friends. He was kind of my mentor this season, and he was a sophomore on varsity also. We've talked a little bit about recruiting and Michigan but we haven't had a lot of time to sit down and talk about it. Once you commit you're kind of a recruiter for that school so I'm sure he'll try to do that with me.
Shallman is nowhere near a decision, obviously, and plans to let everything take its course.
Extra:
Ohio DE Chris Wormley recently said Michigan was his leader in a Toledo Blade article. Wormley told me last week that he thinks he's inching closer to a decision. Once track is over in June is when he'll start to focus on his recruitment.
Instate DB Terry Richardson will most likely be making his announcement this week. It will probably be Tuesday or Thursday, according to his coach. I'll let you know once I have the official word. An early decision is good for Michigan. [Ed: The announcement is set for Tuesday at 11:45am]
Ohio DE Adolphus Washington told me that he will be making a trip to Michigan soon. It's safe to assume that he will bring his teammate WR Dwayne Stanford with him as well. Look for that to happen in the next two weeks.
There's been a rumor running around that Michigan may be getting a visit from QB Gunner Kiel. I haven't confirmed that yet, but there's been a lot of smoke around Kiel's name lately, so keep an eye on that. [Ed: Source of the smoke seems to be Facebook stalkers noting a Kiel wall post from Borges asking if he's coming in this weekend. If he does end up on campus that's a very good sign since he was just in Ann Arbor. Rapid-fire visits like that usually mean the school being visited is the leader.]
Georgia DT Jordan Watkins is expecting a visit from the Michigan coaches this week, or next. Watkins has a ton of offers, has a 3.7 GPA, and even plays the cello.
A couple quick notes on a few questions that keep coming up. It looks as though the Michigan coaches have cooled on TE Ron Thompson for now. His coach is planning on calling the Michigan coaches this week to find out what's going on. Please try not to speculate too much here.
Illinois DB Anthony Standifer had to reschedule his visit this past week because his father couldn't make it. He plans on rescheduling it in roughly two weeks, once the coaches are back from recruiting trips. Michigan is still in good shape with him. The new offers from the likes of Notre Dame may cause him to slow things down, but when he visits a commitment is possible.
I was told and reported awhile ago that Michigan and Rutgers were probably the top two schools for New York DB Wayne Morgan. I was told recently that Michigan may have taken over the top spot for Morgan by his coach. Both Morgan and his coaches have been impressed with the Wolverine coaching staff.
Tom, if you had to guess, do you think Richardson will be making his decision on WTKA?
Tom in regards to Gunner Kiel. What is some of the smoke that you are hearing other than the visit possibility. Are we a leader or just a contender for his services?
It seems that this Kiel speculation may just be increased hype relating to his visit plans, then. Given what I read in the "no commitments...": thread, about Borges Facebooking Kiel, that could've easily been a "we expect to hear from him soon" re: a visit date/time. Not diminishing this at all; two visits from the number 1 QB is two more than I would've dared to hope for, but it's possible the rumors of him committing soon are over-inflated. Tough to know though, since apparently he doesn't talk to the media (probably a really smart move on his part, though).
Then again, maybe this second visit is so he can commit in person. We can dream, right?
It's interesting to see so many new names pop up while the number of open spots is quickly dropping. Does it seem that the coaches are focusing on players who will decide early?
Pure gold Tom as pure as the nuggets dropping from Hoke's arse.... Thank you! I can finally sleep.
Has a weird offer list.
Is there a reason he doesn't have more/better offers?
AFAIK, we just got in on him early. His old HS wasn't a football factory (and he's since transferred). He's backed off his commitment tango given the influx of new offers. I assume they'll keep rolling in for him.
From the way I read his post, I believe TomVH asked us not to speculate about Ron too much in this thread.
True, but that's like asking someone not to look at the blinking red light.
That's why TomVH should have threatened us with physical violence.
Where are the Internet Tough Guys when we finally need them?
All of their posts are set to auto-cave.
I heard someone needs my services. You guys need someone taken care of?
I'm a team player, just say the word........
Bird.
very cute and poetic I might add. BTW I like the work you do on recruiting Magnus, here and Maize n Brew, thanks for your efforts.
You're welcome, and thanks for the compliments.
Looks like we are in a strong position for quite a few DB's
Morgan/ Richardson/ Standifer and yet offering more scholarships in these positions. Will we take all of them - if they accept?
Offering another Glenville kid. I like this.
I would say there is a possibility of taking all three depending on who commits when... Wayne Morgan can play safety/cornerback and the other two (Standifer/Richardson will probably be strictly CB's... T-Rich for sure.. I would have to say it may also depend on attrition though.
Standifer I think is right there with Morgan in terms of being able to play both. I could definitely see the staff taking all 3, but Im not sure if they will. We are in on a loooot of prospects and scholarships are getting tight. Plus, I think they want a pure safety a la Jarrod Wilson instead of someone who "could" play it.
I know he's supposed to announce soon. Does anyone have a date on that? He's someone I would really like to have.
Outide of Terry Richardson, Jarrod Wilson is the DB I want a commit from the most. Above guys like Reeves, Morgan and Standifer.
a tune in next time tagline to Rocky and Bullwinkle
Jim Stefani, who runs a big time recruiting service and is also a big Michigan fan, said he has been given every indication that Hoke and staff are recruiting for a class of 25. Said that they expect more attrition, and they want to load up with a full class to start patching holes on the roster ASAP. So I don't see taking 3 DB's being too much if that is true, especially if two of them were Morgan and Standifer, who can also play safety.
So I gave you a +1 for your insightful information, but then noticed your username. I wish I knew a way to rescind it (if points were still working, which they are not).
Not Wal-verine. He's a marine. Or so I assume.
Thanks Tom Was there anymore news on Brionte Dunn or Sheldon Day? I haven't heard any Day news that I know of for a while unless I missed it... Which is highly possible
Day has started getting more and more attention from around the country, which is supposedly delaying his recruitment a little bit.
I know there is not a lot of info on him right now but last I knew we were still in a good position with him. He is friends with Terry and I would not be shocked to see him commit aroound the same time as Terry. Don't know for sure just throwing it out there.
If Armani goes to a school because of a friend, odds are it will be PSU with Carmen Williams then with TR. Dont get me wrong I'd LOVE it if he did, but I just dont see it happening,
The reason I said this is because today after visiting Michigan this weekend. Terry facebooked Armani and said inbox me your number because we need to talk ASAP bro. With Tom saying Terry may be commiting to someone this week, I think he is telling Armani that there is one slot less whereever he is going. If it happens to be Michigan the slots are going to fill up quick. They also have had a lot of contact thru there 7 on 7 team.
I did not know that Richardson fb'd Reeves, and that is good to here if you believe TR is leaning towards M. That could be TR trying to recruit him, or it could be about a girl. You never know man.
I'm pretty sure that Terry Richardson is not on Armani Reeves's 7 on 7 team. TR plays with Shane Morris and RJS. Armani Reeves plays with Zeke Pike and Desean Rippy.
I adore everything under "extras", but especially that Washington / Stanford update. Landing both of them would be incredible. Also, if Kiel visits again, that would put us equal with Oklahoma in terms of visits (I think he's been there twice), which can only be good.
I wish we had forty scholarships to give (well, not really, given the state the team would be in... but you know what I mean).
...is Coach Funk basically everywhere at all times, recruiting everyone? The man must never sleep! COACH FUNK!
Is that legal?
that the two recruits in Tom's post who mentioned Funk visiting their respective schools are both in Texas.
This makes entirely too much sense to me to be true.
I was actually thinking the exact same thing. And not just in this post (as I see the comment down thread that both mentions of Funk are for Texas kids, so likely the same trip), but over this early 2012 recruiting season, it seems as if Funk is the name mentioned most by the kids. He seems to be making a real impact.
Exactly. He gets a mention in what seems like 80% of recruiting posts.
Any chance they are a package deal?
If yes, we should really really use the Blake Countess connection and land them both. Good Counsel could turn out to be a very good pipeline if this works out.
On the same lines Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, NJ has like three 4+ stars prospects we have offered. I hope that group works out too
Even if they're a package deal, the package would probably go elsewhere.
Our best (and perhaps only) shot with a Good Counsel player seems to be with RB Wes Brown.
is that the case with the Don Bosco, NJ trio too?
Probably. I wouldn't get my hopes up too much for the Don Bosco Prep kids.
Appreciated.
Aren't Brown and Diggs trying to be a package deal?
That was the rumor, but those package deals almost never work out.
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