TVH Weekly: Wayne Lyons & Lamar Dawson Visits, Kellen Jones

Submitted by TomVH on

These next few weeks will be crucial for the finish of Michigan's recruiting class. This weekend and next weekend will see Michigan hosting lots of talent. Here's a few updates on some of those recruits, a new visitor scheduled, and a current commitment.

Wayne LyonsWayne Lyons

6'0", 190 lbs.

Safety

Fort Lauderdale, Florida


Michigan was outside of Wayne's top list for a while, and they weren't sure if they would get an official visit from him. He decided that the Wolverines would be included in his top five, which will result in the official. He'll be in Ann Arbor this weekend with his mother to take in the campus.

I'm really just looking for comfort, and I want the coaches to make it clear to me how I'm going to fit into the system. I'm hoping to see a good environment and campus, and how the coaching staff works. I'll also be looking at depth charts, and I know Michigan needs defensive backs.

An important factor in this process will be Wayne's mother, who will be accompanying him on this visit.

My mom is really looking for a lot of the same things that I am. She wants to feel comfortable with the school, and feel comfortable enough to let me go there.

His mother has been on all his trips with him so far and will also be at his final visit to Nebraska. Lyons will be making his announcement at the Army All American game, and Michigan has been making some strides with him. Also visiting this weekend are four star Maryland DB Blake Countess, who Michigan is in good shape for, and current commit DB Delonte Hollowell. I'll update as I hear any more recruits that will be in town.

Lamar Dawson

6'2", 230 lbs.

Linebacker

Danville, Kentucky


Dawson had told me a few weeks back that he wasn't as interested in Michigan as some of the other schools in his top seven. He has always maintained that Michigan is in that top seven, but they needed some work to do. They will now get a chance to do that work, as he's decided to schedule a visit to Ann Arbor.

I'm coming up there on January 22nd. Michigan's in my top seven, and I didn't get to go there for a game so I thought I'd come and take a look. I don't really have any leaders right now, but I'm looking for a place that I feel comfortable. I haven't really seen as much of Michigan, so they're still a little behind some others.

As he noted Michigan is behind, but like Lyons a visit is a step in the right direction. Dawson won't be making his decision until signing day, so there's plenty of time to think about it, plenty of time for Michigan to let him know how much they want him. The other schools he lists in his top seven are Tennessee, USC, Florida, Louisville, Kentucky, and Oregon.

Kellen JonesKellen Jones

6'1", 210 lbs.

Linebacker

Houston, Texas


Kellen's family is as excited as anyone for him to join the Michigan family. His father is an MGoBlog reader, and wanted me to share a few things with his fellow fans. The pictures below are of Kellen with former Michigan linebacker Jarrett Irons at a family get together, and the second with Coach Rodriguez and former Michigan great Desmond Howard. Below that is a highlight tape from one of Kellen's games a few weeks ago against St. Thomas, where his team won 33-28 (ED: I'm having problems with uploading the video to YouTube. I'll post it when it goes up). Enjoy.

Extra:

  • New Jersey TE Jack Tabb is visiting North Carolina this weekend, and most likely Arkansas on the 10th. He's hoping to have his decision made by Christmas. Michigan has put themselves in good position with Tabb after his official visit. 

Comments

Dreisbach1817

November 30th, 2010 at 11:39 AM ^

Both enrolling early.  Does that mean they would have to decide BEFORE Brandon makes his decision?  Lets say Brandon announces something Jan 1 or 2.  When would these players have to enroll?

I'm really worried that the 'wait for the bowl' choice will hurt our chances with Walls.

Michigan Shirt

November 30th, 2010 at 12:07 PM ^

They can pull a Will Campbell and announce during the Army/Under Armour game and still enroll early. I don't know if they have to be enrolled in the school prior to the game or it the coaches and admissions can fast track them in a few days. However, they do need to at least apply to the school just like a regular student, which I believe was one of the problems with Demar Dorsey, IIRC, someone feel free to point out if I am wrong though, I am not 100% sure on the subject.

bluenyc

November 30th, 2010 at 12:37 PM ^

I am sure that they will wait as long as the can before having to make a decision one way or the other.  It would seem logical, but I am not positive about this. 

If you are Walls or Frost, and you want to enroll early somewhere, whether it's here or Auburn or Oregon, would you wait for Brandon.  Brandon has to do what's best for the school and those guys have to do what's best for them.  I think if they really like everything about Michigan, then I would think that they would enroll and not care about the coaching situation.  But If Michigan is neck and neck, Brandon's decision time table might decide for them. 

UM4ME

November 30th, 2010 at 11:56 AM ^

Hurray for actual football news that doesn't contain the words "Jim Harbaugh," "Stanford," "fire Rich Rodriguez," or "make a decision after the bowl game!" I'm rarely this happy to see recruiting news on the front page!

kw_hanna

November 30th, 2010 at 12:06 PM ^

How is it that he can be photographed with Jarret Irons, wearing a Chuck Wood jersey?

Isn't that what got recruits ineligible at Iowa for hanging out with Ashton Kutcher? Kutcher was an alum, right? Irons is an alumm, right?

I mean I think it's sweet, but I just don't know the NCAA rule....anyone with knowledge, please debunk my thinking...

RainbowSprings

November 30th, 2010 at 7:58 PM ^

Just noticed that Scout.com has removed the "soft verbal" qualifier for Kevin. Not sure how badly we need this guy, but the way our system wears down QBs, I can see why RR wants one coming in every year.