2013 RB Wilkins Visited by Michigan
Without revealing too much of the paywalled article on 247sports, Coach Heck visited Jordan Wilkins (4* RB from TN) school Monday. I thought this brought up some interesting discussion points...
1. Michigan is still looking for a RB for 2013. Do we really need one?
2. Even though we haven't heard much about him, Wilkins sounds to be the next top choice at RB after Isaac (coaches told him they're looking for one more RB and they want him "to be the guy.").
3. This brings up timing questions... if Coach Heck visited and talked to him on Monday, but Isaac announced on Tuesday?... hmmmm
4. How does he look / how would he fit in? (I'll leave that to the gurus on the board)
5. What does he eat for breakfast? (but seriously, I hesitated posting this, because I thought the board got a little obsessed with Isaac, but maybe we've learned our lesson?)
Link($): http://247sports.com/Article/The-Wolverines-recently-visited-Top247-RB-Jordan-Wilkins-73939
"Great backs will always keep Michigan in mind." Here, let me fix that for you...what it should say is, "Michigan is an afterthought for great backs."
We have enough RB's in Shallman and Thomas.. Need to turn our focus on DT, WR's, and a shutdown CB..
"We" dont??. Its a blog tool box..
He has Big Ten level power and size but his running style concerns me. He's anything but compact in his motion and ball security could be an issue as well. In terms of athleticism he's not even close to Isaac, but at 6'1" 200 he could fill out and become a 220lb back that we use to complement Smith.
Since we already have Shallman and Smith wrapped up I'm hoping we don't find another back in this class and instead offer it to the best available at another position of need. At this point if the 3rd back isn't someone with elite athleticism they're not worth taking.
I don't know much but if I were in Derrick's shoes, I'd pick Clemson. It's been rumored to be his #1. Bellamy just checked out. He would be able to compete for playing time immediately. He'd be the only power back on the roster. He would probably be looking at a redshirt in Ann Arbor.
It looks like Hoke is recruiting the RB position the same way he has been recruiting LBs: load up on an ass-load of recruits. This way Hoke will have options at the position and not be forced to settle with average players like Ezeh because it's all he has on the roster.
than the other backs we have committed. Sure he may be a big back but he also is much more explosive and agile than the other two. Not trying to rip on the other two, but Wilkins does bring a different skill set to the table. Not all big backs come in the same package.
They're not carbon copies of each other but they're close enough to warrant doubt about offering Wilkins. Would you rather sign an extra DL/DB or have three power backs in one class? I'm not in the "get as many as we can" boat.
Is easy to root for. The rest are JV quality.
Also how do you know if they will all pan out like their recruiting rankings portray or what if the football gods become angry one day and take it out on our running backs like they have done to our secondary before. It's always better to have an insurance policy, than get screwed later.
With that said., my order would be Green, Wilkins, and then Davis. I'm sure we will catch one.
Edit: Take that back, I might have to put Davis ahead of Green. Saw another video of him now.
Not sure if this is posted above, but Wilkins was recently offered by Auburn. The competition for his services was notably weak before that offer. I also remember him saying he has "lots" of family in Michigan when he was interviewed by aqua. Interest from him hasn't seemed too high up to this point, though.
To me, he seems to lack top level speed, similar to Deveon Smith. The difference being Deveon is a tougher runner in those first ten yards. I like Derrick Green much more than Wilkins.
Is one Wilkins on the roster enough?
All I have to say is SPEED, SPEED, AND SPEED!!! That is all. There is a kid from Ensworth H.S. here in TN(I live in TN) and he is an absolute burner. I do not think we should take another RB unless they have outstanding SPEED! Green is the only back I see that should be considered. Otherwise we should focus on WR,DT, and CB. IMO. Either it is Green or another back that has SIZE AND SPEED. If we are truly going to be competing on a national level we need SPEED AND SIZE. I cannot emphasize it enough as you can see. The SEC owns the NC and if we want to compete we need comprible talent. Big guys are no longer enough, we need BIG AND FAST.(sorry had to do it one more time) Our NC drought has went on far too long and it is time to smack those ignorant SEC fans in the mouth and show them what we are about. Wisky still keep the huge and 3 yards and a cloud of dust mentality but I want 6-8 yards and a cloud of dust followed by a 40 yard TD. That is all, thank you for reading my extensive post.
I heard coach Hoke say some where in one of his pressers that you want to recruit as many RB's that you can (within reason) because of their athletic abilities. I do not know any of the past few recruits ability carrying the ball and I am not saying that they will play another position once they get a year or two under their belts. It is a possibility that they get switched to defense DB if needed though because of their nose for the ball and endzone. So I wish him luck on getting more kids at the tailback/RB spot, who knows we might get one that can have a better career than Isaac. Go Blue!!!!!!
a certain 3 star running back who lacked elite speed or explosiveness by the name of mike hart and that turned out alright.
You are clearly the only one who remembers him.
If Hoke wants to build a national title contender, he needs to start landing elite offensive talent, which so far, he has not been able to do.