4* Cinci De-Commit Alex Smith Liking Michigan
I enjoyed this article in the Detroit News:
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090813/OPINION03/908130430/1131/rss17
"(Michigan) really never stopped recruiting me," Smith said. "
A little snake oil for Brian Kelly!!
And a little eee!
" I was also really impressed with their strength coach. When you hear that guy talk, you can just tell he knows what he is talking about."
August 13th, 2009 at 9:30 AM ^
Sounds like if we can show him that Koger and Webb will be involved this year, we've got a good chance to get this guy.
August 13th, 2009 at 9:44 AM ^
RR's really been won over by what you can do offensively with a big, athletic tight end and wants to keep that going.
I really don't think that WVU saw the final incarnation of what the RR offense can/will be.
August 13th, 2009 at 9:54 AM ^
To me, that's the most exciting part of having RR at Michigan. He's shown over his past coaching jobs that he has the ability to evolve his offense and improve on it with each iteration. Now that he has access to many of the top recruits in the nation (or he will, once he starts winning), I think we'll find that the best is yet to come.
August 13th, 2009 at 9:34 AM ^
It strikes me TE is not a huge position of need and with the dwindling number of scholarships, shouldn't we be focusing on the positions where we're light in the depth chart, especially DT & DB???
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August 13th, 2009 at 9:40 AM ^
Looks like we just gained 2 more scholarships. He'd be a nice get.
August 13th, 2009 at 9:41 AM ^
I agree with you on TE not being a huge position of need, especially with Koger only being a sophomore and RR not historically using TE's that much. That being said, RR has been rumored to want to play a TE more and we have 2 additional scholarships that just opened up with the departures of Helmuth and Evans. So, its not as big of a deal, but I agree that we need more defensive commits to even out the class and provide depth.
August 13th, 2009 at 9:42 AM ^
It's not a huge priority but Smith appears to be an elite level TE. You can afford to grab that guy. This is especially true if this class grows towards the full 25 man number.
August 13th, 2009 at 9:46 AM ^
I think that we are going to see RR use the tight end more this year than ever in his carreer. That being said I would like to see one come in in this class. Is that one J. Jackson? If it is we are done! If we are really going to use him at reciever then bring in Smith. I think that the big boys at TE are about done. They will be strong but cut on to more the Koger mold rather than Mike Massey for obvious reasons.
August 13th, 2009 at 10:23 AM ^
ok. Massey blew out his shoulder (on a pass thrown behind him) and knee (blocking for hart). he never, ever played at 100% in his last 3 seasons b/c of those. If the same happened to Koger or Webb i'm sure they wouldn't be the same player.
August 13th, 2009 at 10:29 AM ^
I think Massey was a good football player but you cannot put him, even when healthy, in the same boat as Koger athleticly.
August 13th, 2009 at 10:31 AM ^
well i guess not. but what really makes Koger sweet is the fact that when he talks he sounds like The Ladies Man.
August 13th, 2009 at 10:35 AM ^
I can't agree more. Smooth on and off the field.
August 13th, 2009 at 3:26 PM ^
to show off what Webb and Koger can do in his offense.
August 13th, 2009 at 10:03 AM ^
Reading this article and hearing what Alex Smith had to say about our program i think this guy will commit Id be suprised if he doesnt
August 13th, 2009 at 10:19 AM ^
From the looks of it. It sounds like we are in a very good position. However, we still need to prove that we are going to use the TE more in our offense. So hopefully Koger and Webb both have a productive year.
Otherwise, the kid may go back to cinci or wisconsin.
August 13th, 2009 at 10:16 AM ^
I know that we just got 2 more scholarships but if Jackson is really going to move to tight end with our other needs we don't need another one. I would certainly like to have Smith at tight end over than Jackson though so maybe if we get him we can move Jackson back to wide receiver.
August 13th, 2009 at 11:00 AM ^
Since my experience with EA Sport's NCAA Football qualifies me as an expert in both recruiting for a spread offense and as an offensive and defensive play caller, I feel an athletic TE out in the slot gives you a lot of opportunities for miss matches. Either they put a nickel on him, and he crushes them with his strength, or you take a LB out of the box to cover him, and you open up the run game even more. Also, putting a TE out there is great on screens.
August 13th, 2009 at 11:18 AM ^
At first glance, I read "...a lot of opportunities for miss matches" as "...a lot of opportunities for missed catches."
August 13th, 2009 at 11:39 AM ^
I liked the two comments about the likelihood of RR further evolving his offense at UM. I think RR could line up the TE's in the slot for blocking and recieving mismatches from time to time, too. I believe this would technically be more of a TE/FB hybrid called an "H-back," and might be a really nice part of the evolution of RR's offense, but I'll leave it to the coaches here, who do a great job of explaining to the rest of us.
August 13th, 2009 at 11:42 AM ^
I have heard from multiple sources that if Michigan's coaches want him to play TE, he will take his talents elsewhere. He was/is recruited to Michigan to play WR.
August 13th, 2009 at 11:51 AM ^
Jeremy apparently posted on his book of face that he is switching to a new HS position. Besides, if you look at how Cosby as Texas, Gresham at OU, and Coffman at Mizzou were used, (and consider the blocking our WRs do anyway), JJ would be playing a similar role anyway unless he becomes faster over the next year.
I'd be willing to bet that they envision JJ in the same role Hemingway is going to be used in.
August 13th, 2009 at 11:57 AM ^
There is a difference between changing high school positions when you're already on the team...
...and going to a university at which you will be spending four years playing a different position, significantly changing your body to play said position, and potentially ruining your chances to play WR beyond college by becoming a 240-pound college TE.
I know he posted that on his Facebook, but one of his best friends reported this and TomVH confirmed it on another post.
Also, Quan Cosby was a small, quick WR at Texas. I think you must be confusing him with someone else.
August 13th, 2009 at 12:29 PM ^
You're right on all points.
Who was the Texas TE?
August 13th, 2009 at 12:35 PM ^
Jermichael Finley?
August 13th, 2009 at 12:23 PM ^
Since this seems to be the case do you think he has the speed to be a WR at UM? When I saw the HS position change I figured that maybe that was being driven by and outside source. AKA his dad getting him prepaired for the next level. Also do you really think that he would go elseware even though he has been basicly part of UM football since he was born.
August 13th, 2009 at 12:27 PM ^
I do not think he has the speed to be a great college WR. I'm actually not a big fan of Jackson's ability, but obviously it's not up to me.
I would think it would be hard for him to go elsewhere, but from what I heard about the recruiting process, he wasn't "Blue" all the way. He was seriously considering other options.
August 13th, 2009 at 12:32 PM ^
I just went and watched tape of him and I just don't see it. With looking at the other recruits that are coming in I don't see the impact at reciever that is why the TE thing made sense. He seem it have good hands and enough of a frame to be Koger size and effective. I guess we will see where he ends up. IMO he has more upside as a TE than WR.
August 13th, 2009 at 12:10 PM ^
about the scholarship numbers. If my numbers are correct, we have 9 to offer for the rest of this class WITHOUT further attrition. This number can increase if Witty doesn't qualify and if Wright, Cone, ect. are not brought back on a 5th year of scholarship. I assume they won't be. This gives us at least 11 more.
August 13th, 2009 at 12:34 PM ^
does this include helmuth leaving? We have 2 other players looking to transfer
August 13th, 2009 at 12:41 PM ^
Helmuth and Evans as already transfered. It is possible I mis-counted, but we should have somewhere around 9 to 11 spots still.
August 13th, 2009 at 12:25 PM ^
Miss Matches sounds kinda hot. Just say "Hey Miss Matches, I'm haven't been feeling well lately so I didn't get to finish my history homework assignment" to yourself. Hot right?
I digress.... I agree the TE can be really good. Playing as Oklahoma in what I think is now a defunct Xbox 360 NCAA online dynasty, I can tell you firsthand that having Gresham is pretty awesome. He's a big dude, fast, runs around in the middle of the field and is a great outlet when the pressure is on (like against Florida which seemed to have QB hurries every series).
August 13th, 2009 at 3:14 PM ^
Who wouldnt want an Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez catching from the TE position? Just another area the defense has to concern themself with, allowing more opportunities for the QB/WR/RB.
August 17th, 2009 at 6:35 PM ^
I love that even the backup Kicker is worried about barwis being unhappy.