BBrown: Da'Shawn Hand Close-To-Empty Update

Submitted by Brandon Brown on

I'm definitely not trying to get anyone's hopes up but I talked with Da'Shawn's position coach today and I am more than optimistic that young Mr. Hand will be Blue on November 14.

As one would expect his coach didn't give me anything concrete or definite, but just the way he answered me and the things he said gave me a vibe. Couple that with how Da'Shawn spoke to me and everyone else about Michigan.....it's gonna happen.

Da'Shawn will visit Alabama this weekend for the Tennessee game after having to reschedule his intial plan for the LSU game due to his SAT test a few weeks ago. I told his coach that a lot of the pundits are now giving Michigan a healthy lead over the Crimson Tide and Florida and he just laughed and said "Is that right? Less than a month now."

Coach Harris talked to me about how much of a beast Jabrill Peppers is. He also asked me if I thought McDowell will sign with Michigan, to which I replied, "I think so." He and Da'Shawn met Malik in Chicago (5-star challenge I believe) and said they really enjoyed meeting him.

I decided to straight up ask him for a "nugget" about Da'Shawn that I could give to the Michigan faithful and he responded how you think he'd respond.

So Coach...what ya got?!?!

(Laughs) Not much to be honest. All I can say is that the kid did all of his research and is basically trying to see where he fits best and where he wants to live now. He enjoyed Ann Arbor. He just wants to compare it to the other two places before his decision.

Ok here are my thoughts...

1. Coach Harris is playing everything close to the vest as you'd expect.

2. Da'Shawn is keeping very quiet right now also like you'd expect as his decision nears.

3. Da'Shawn has always exploded with excitement about Michigan more than the other schools. Especially about the academic angles, including the legendary professor.

4. The fact that his coach was interested in McDowell's decision and the potential of being a teammate of Peppers has to be a good thing.

5. The way Coach Harris said, "The kid did all of his research..." before he's actually visited Bama and Florida makes it sound like his mind could be made up already.

6. Back when I spoke to Da'Shawn he spoke about the professor and the academics as if he had already decided that's where he'll be for school.

7. There have been reports that Da'Shawn already talked with other commits about potential roommates and what number he could wear if he were at Michigan.

My conclusion: November 14th could/should be a great day for Michigan fans in regards to Da'Shawn Hand's commitment.

An Angelo's Addict

October 23rd, 2013 at 11:05 PM ^

We can absolutely use studs on the defensive side of the ball, these last few commits could be huge for us. I think the last few drawn out prospects that seemed blue but went elsewhere have made me cautious. Really looking forward to this hopeful commitment!

Don

October 23rd, 2013 at 11:41 PM ^

it ain't over yet. Let's see what happens when Deshawn sees the national championship trophies in Saban's office—that'll be a true test of his interest in academics at Michigan.

WolvinLA2

October 23rd, 2013 at 11:59 PM ^

Oh come on.  These guys with unorthodox names can be hard to spell.  I had to look at the thread title when I was typing my post.  I have a similar problem with Jabrill and Jabreel (Peppers and Black).  Hell, even guys like Derick Green can be tough because there are a handful of ways people spell Derick.  Not a huge deal, IMO.

WolvinLA2

October 24th, 2013 at 12:16 AM ^

OK, it seems I inadvertently made my own point.  

If you're Brandon or Ace or any of the writers here, you need to spell them right.  If you're posting a comment, misspelling the harders one isn't a huge deal.  If someone's first or last name is the completely obvious spelling though (like Ty Isaac), you don't really have an excuse.  

ND Sux

October 24th, 2013 at 8:01 AM ^

past, present, and future who may read this board:  we humbly apologize for any and all misspelled names.  It's not personal...sometimes we're just not sure and don't take the time to look it up.  Pathetic maybe, but we've got your backs regardless. 

Sincerely,

MGoFans.

GO BLUE!

Spunky

October 24th, 2013 at 9:18 AM ^

Not to pile on, but it's Jibreel Black. I agree that it isn't a big deal, though.

Anyway, I sure hope Da'Shawn picks Michigan. I feel strangely invested in his recruiting decision after watching so many episodes of First and 17.

And Brown, talk to Coach Dede! Let him know that he can't have his star player at Bama or Florida making wins harder for his alma mater Auburn. Just kiddin'.

Spunky

October 24th, 2013 at 11:37 AM ^

Hey, I wasn't piling on. I like all of WolvinLA2's comments.

[Drafts a thread/invite for WolvinLA2 to join me in singing "The Victors" and "Kumbaya" while holding hands, and skipping through the meadow or golf course]

Edit: Naked Bootlegger, you're invited, too. Please wear a bathrobe, at least. 

WolvinLA2

October 24th, 2013 at 1:40 PM ^

I'll make love to you

Like you want me to

And I'll hold you tight

Baby, all through the night

(Not really.  I don't swing that way, NTTAWWT, unless you're a chick.  But I'm married, so you'd have to be my wife with a secret MGoBlog account.  In which case stop bitching at me for being on MGoBlog so much).  

Spunky

October 24th, 2013 at 2:54 PM ^

That is too funny! I don't even know how to respond to Boyz II Men... "Although we've come to the end of the road. Still, I can't let you go..."

And I am a girl, but your loved ones don't have to worry about our duets since I'm saving myself for Luke Perry or Shoelace. Speaking of DXR, I need to head over to the MGoAuction and make sure no one has outbid me on that 1 oz. jar of Denard's sweat.

Hail-Storm

October 24th, 2013 at 1:31 PM ^

My name is Dylan (before it was popular) so I grew up with it always pronounced Die-lan (even though Bob Dylan had been around for forever). Even 90210 couldn't help me. I also get spellings of Dillon, Dilion, Dillan. Trust me, not a big deal. 

EastCoast Esq.

October 24th, 2013 at 12:00 AM ^

The fact that he is rescheduling his Alabama-LSU visit instead of his date to take the SATs speaks to this, I think. A guy who is planning to "play football, not school" (to paraphrase the OSU guy) would not pass up the opportunity to be lavished with attention during the biggest game of the year. I'm sure there are other dates to take the SATs -- coming from somebody who vaguely remembers having a choice of dates a few years ago.

He clearly values education to a decent extent.

Danwillhor

October 24th, 2013 at 4:52 PM ^

forever, it seems. The kid had yet to have himself and his group "bamafied". Well he get the "I dint NEED you but I WANT you" speech? Well he get wow'd by the ESS EE SEE dominance as he watches the game and sees a door shut by the mere push of a button!?! I hear his office smells of rich mahogany and crystal, guys. /kidding aside teenage boys tend to like their bama/uf visits.

aiglick

October 24th, 2013 at 12:10 AM ^

If we get some of these guys to finish out the class our defense is going to be nasty very shortly. Hand (maybe), McDowell (maybe), Mone, Lawrence. That is an upper tier SEC D Line which many people believe is the main position group responsible for the league's dominance. If things close for this class like they could I really think the ceiling could be pretty high. This program has the history, facilities, talent, town, academics, and coaching (for the most part), and also a kick-butt basketball program. I'm still excited for the future as long as we can get at least 8 this year (hopefully much more).