TVHWeekly: Jack Tabb & Kris Frost Visits, More

Submitted by TomVH on

Michigan's loss this weekend was tough for fans, but it didn't seem to affect how the visiting recruits perceived Michigan's program. Here's their reaction with a few extras as usual.

Jack TabbJack Tabb

6'4", 230 lbs.

Tight End

Red Bank, New Jersey

Michigan has been trying to land a tight end in this class for some time now. They missed on a few, and have now targeted Tabb as their guy. This was Jack's second time to Michigan, but first for an actual game.

It was a great visit. The game was as good as you could dream of. 110,000 people, it was absolutely wild. It was a real cool environment, besides the loss, but I felt really comfortable with everyone there.

Tabb's mom was with him on his visit, and she seemed to have the same feelings as her son about the overall experience at Michigan.

Mom really liked it. She liked everything, how it was the total package. I talked to the coaches, and Rich Rodriguez told us how he really me, needs me at tight end, and that there's an opportunity to play early.

Tabb will visit North Carolina on December 3rd and may go to Arkansas after that. He's already been to Iowa. He is going to make his decision before Christmas, so this visit was big for Michigan. If I had to guess, I would say that this visit may have put Michigan in the lead.

Kris FrostKris Frost

6'3", 210 lbs.

Athlete

Matthews, North Carolina

Kris Frost has been open about his love for Michigan. I've been in close contact with Frost, and have a good picture of his recruitment, and how it will play out. This visit was instrumental for Michigan. Since Auburn is closer, he's been able to take more visits, and has allowed them to gain quit a bit of ground on Michigan lately. He said this before the visit this weekend.

I'm excited for the visit to Michigan, because I want to see what it's like up there for the game. Auburn is making it really hard for me. Every time I go down there they show me a great time, and they showed me how I would fit in. So this visit to Michigan is going to be big for me.

I didn't get to talk to Kris in depth last night after his visit since he was traveling. We have a phone call scheduled for later today, and I can get you the full details after that. He did have this to say so far, though.

The visit was great, it was basically what I was hoping for. I'm still planning on going to LSU and Cal, then making my decision at the Army game.

I'll have more quotes and better detail later today. He obviously didn't commit, but this visit was a big help for Michigan. He has told me that he is watching the NCAA situation at Auburn very closely.

Ryan PetroRyan Petro

6'3", 210 lbs.

Linebacker

Winter Springs, Florida

Petro was recently added to Michigan's radar but hasn't been offered yet. He took an unofficial trip up to Ann Arbor this weekend and was blown away by the experience.

It was my first trip to any college game. It was crazy going to the biggest stadium in the country. Even if I go anywhere else, I don't think anywhere can compare to that. It was a lot more than I expected. The noise from everyone, people cheering, it was amazing.

Ryan plans to come back to Michigan for an official visit in December. The visit isn't set in stone yet, but will most likely be December 10th, for the Big Chill.

I loved the visit. The coaches were great, Mike Barwis was amazing. Everyone was really laid back and easy to talk to. The facilities were amazing, too. If they were to offer me, I would probably commit after what I saw this weekend.

Petro may have to wait to receiver his offer depending on how other recruits Michigan is targeting make their decisions. Either way, the coaches do like his athleticism, and have told him he has the potential to play the hybrid linebacker/safety role.

Devin LucienDevin Lucien

6'1", 189 lbs.

Wide Receiver

Encino, California

Devin recently received an offer from Michigan, and was excited to receive the news. The four star receiver said that Michigan was one of his favorite programs, and was glad the offer came through.

I will be visiting Michigan for sure, it just depends on when my season ends. We're still in the playoffs, so I'm not too sure. Michigan is in my top five though. I'm not ready to say who's in the top five besides them, but they're in it.

Sammy Watkins committed to Clemson today, which was a surprise to me. I knew he was announcing soon, but didn't think it would be for Clemson. This offer to Lucien makes sense in that light, although I still think something happened with Watkins. Nonetheless the coaches are very high on Lucien and told him how they felt:

The coaches just told me that I was a great receiver, and they like the way I play the game. They think that Michigan is a great fit for me, and I do too.

Lucien isn't going to make his decision until signing day, so there's no hurry to get him on campus. I'm sure the staff would like to get him in for the Big Chill on December 10th.

Extra:

  • Michigan running back Justice Hayes has opened up his recruitment, and decommitted from Notre Dame. He says Michigan, Tennessee, and Notre Dame are in it, but I believe that Tennessee is the main school he's looking at. He and Demetrius Hart are similar runners.
  • Glenville teammates QB Cardale Jones and WR Shane Wynn are planning on visiting Michigan. Wynn said, "I'm definitely taking a visit there." 
  • Wide receiver Sammy Watkins committed to Clemson. I still think something happened to change his mind or that it was so close and ultimately decided for Clemson. I'm going to find out if this is over or if he still plans on visiting with Dallas after the playoffs.
Football
TomVH
Justice Hayes
Kris Frost
sammy watkins
Jack Tabb
Ryan Petro

Comments

jamiemac

November 22nd, 2010 at 5:02 PM ^

My house is the JCB, not the WLA. I dont have Uniscorn there. I do hang out there, yes. But so too do a lot of MGoUsers. A lot of them. I dont know how I am supposed to control that forum, or how its even relevant to my complaint about Tom's tweets. It's coming from me directly, MGoDiarist, loyal MGoServant and man behind the JCB. The WLA has nothing to do with me posting in this thread.

And it was obvious from the get go where I sit that Gallon was hurt right away. Cant somebody who purports to represent this blog and, by extension, the program (hey, he is one of the first MICH person most recruits meet/talk to after the coaches due to his Q/A's and other hard work getting recruiting info) wait like 10 fucking seconds before sending a tweet out trashing the guy?

And, I'm not trying to hang him. Just pointing out that maybe next time he should not be so rude via twitter. I stand by the comment.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 8446

Magnus

November 22nd, 2010 at 6:41 PM ^

For some perspective...

I was watching the game on TV.  I assume Tom was, too, since he lives in Arizona.  It was not immediately apparent that Jeremy Gallon was injured.  The TV did not show Gallon lying inert on the turf for several seconds.  I don't know how long it was between the fumble, the tweet, and then the visual of Gallon on the turf...

...but it's plausible that it was posted before TomVH was aware of Gallon's injury.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 165949

cfaller96

November 22nd, 2010 at 5:07 PM ^

Brian:

1.  Let's establish the fact that you have a dog in this fight.  Tom generates content for your site, of the news-ish variety, and thus you have a stake in defending his reputation.  You are not a neutral arbiter on what is and what is not acceptable behavior by Tom.

2.  What is or is not said in a memory-free zone (i.e. UniScorn) has to be taken with a grain of salt.  I'm pretty sure 90% of the things we say on the Scorn we would never say anywhere else because on the Scorn it's not permanent. It frees up (or uglies, if you will) our discourse.

3.  You don't see me talking shit about players on my twitter account, partially because I know that stuff is (at least partially) permanent and I shouldn't be putting things on my permanent record when I'm emotional. I'm pretty sure you don't do it either, for a similar reason.  Yet...you cannot say the same for Tom.  If you want to pretend that's a meaningless distinction between the behavior of me, you, most people and Tom, that's your right.  But, IME the fact that Tom is so loose with his words on something that has a bit of a permanent record is at the very least an indication of poor judgment.

4.  Say what you will about the WLA, but we're pretty consistent on being supportive of the kids, on the Scorn, on Twitter, on MGo, pretty much everywhere.  Occasionally one or more of us will stray but we police ourselves pretty well on supporting the kids.

...

Tom showed poor judgment in his tweeting, and in addition was ugly towards the kids.  Twice.  As a contributor to your site, that should concern you more than whatever is said on the Scorn.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 1298

Brian

November 22nd, 2010 at 11:50 PM ^

"What is or is not said in a memory-free zone (i.e. UniScorn) has to be taken with a grain of salt.  I'm pretty sure 90% of the things we say on the Scorn we would never say anywhere else because on the Scorn it's not permanent. It frees up (or uglies, if you will) our discourse."

No. That's bullshit. You construct the format of your message board and allow what is on there to be on there. There are many reprehensible things said there that come back on me, who has nothing to do with your site, and hiding behind the fact the reprehensible things expire is bullshit. Okay, so the things aren't about players on the football team. That only leaves six billion people the WLA has no compunction against being awful to.

Fine, that's the internet, but I draw the line at internet+rampant hypocrisy. I've fucked up, Tom fucked up, and you guys are 99% fuckup, but because you're too cool for school you think no one will call you on it.

Joined: 05/26/2008

MGoPoints: 118859

cfaller96

November 23rd, 2010 at 10:35 AM ^

Fine, you have a problem with UniScorn and the discourse there, and for some bizarre reason people complain to you about it.  I'm sorry that you receive complaints and I disagree with your assessment of our discourse there, but whatever.

I still fail to see how this makes somebody "unqualified" to criticize Tom's indefensible behavior.  Recall that's the origin of the argument here.  Jamie Mac called him out for it, and you responded by flaming UniScorn and the WLA.  I fail to see the logic.

You want to claim it's "hypocritical" of Jamie Mac (or me or chitown) to criticize Tom for being a dick to the kids?  Even you concede that we're supportive of the kids (even on the dreadful, awful, no good horrible UniScorn), so aren't we just being consistent?  How is it hypocritical to call someone out for being a dick to the kids when we're always supportive of the kids?

We're assholes to Tom (and Magnus and God knows how many other people), fine.  I don't think that makes it ok for Tom to be an asshole to Gallon and Gibbons, and I don't know how that prevents Jamie Mac or anyone else from pointing that out.  Wrong is wrong.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 1298

chitownblue2

November 22nd, 2010 at 4:09 PM ^

He insulted two people:

1. Jeremy Gallon, on a play on which Gallon was injured.

2. A second person I won't name, and alluded to reasons "we" may not know of to dislike him. If Tom truly "can't say", he probably shouldn't  I presume Tom agrees that he shouldn't have, because he removed the tweet where he wrote this.

I just wonder how much mileage you guys are going to get in the recruiting process when you insult the kids on twitter the second they step on the field?

Joined: 06/03/2009

MGoPoints: 7178

Huntington Wolverine

November 23rd, 2010 at 10:48 AM ^

Not denying the "twitter comments" but calling him out on here in the public sphere and expecting Brian to somewhat publicly to discipline him/own it aren't exactly classy moves either.  I'm pretty certain that Brian is a savvy enough employer and leader that he has dealt with it behind closed doors (as indicated by the deleted twitters) and he will publicly stick up for his employee even if he thinks you have merit in your comments.

This could have and should have been handled behind closed doors.

 

Joined: 10/26/2009

MGoPoints: 2588

WolvinLA2

November 22nd, 2010 at 7:28 PM ^

I don't Twitter, so I don't know what happened, but I think this thread actually exacerbated the problem since many of the people who read these comments (including potential recruits) didn't know about it until now.  So the people who are complaining about it (rightly so or not) are actually adding to the problem.

Since the tweets were deleted, so too should the comments about it.  Water under the bridge, yo.

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

cfaller96

November 23rd, 2010 at 4:17 PM ^

I find it fascinating that some people think deleting a tweet is the same as owning up to and apologizing for a mistake (or two mistakes, really).  Because if we're all interested in sending the right message to recruits, IME it's a much better/stronger message to say "we're humble and secure enough to admit when we fuck up, and we're sorry."

Nothing says "I'd rather duck the issue" more than deleting a tweet and pretending it didn't happen and hoping no one notices and then having your quasi-boss blow up at people who do notice and take exception to it.  But, that's just epinion.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 1298