DB Target Ifeatu Melifonwu Update
A couple days ago I did some sleuthing and posted about a new DB target on Michigan's radar. His name is Ifeatu Melifonwu, and he's a 2 star athlete currently committed to Syracuse. Here's a link to the post:
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/possible-new-db-target
Twitter provided some updates tonight. First, Coach Harbaugh went to his basketball game tonight. Here's the tweet showing their meeting after the game:
Mark Snyder from the Free Press is reporting that he will visit:
The article has a video of him in his basketball game with a steal and a dunk along with this from his football coach:
"Grafton coach Chris McMahon told the paper that Melifonwu can play either spot in the secondary or a skill position on offense."
Also, Tom VanHaaren reported that Don Brown already has a connection since he recruited his brother Obi to UConn.
BTW - Obi is an NFL Draft prospect this year at the same position his brother is being recruited for. An NFL executive had this to say about him when asked by NFL.com to name a prospect with the most upside in the draft:
UConn safety Obi Melifonwu"The UConn safety is really intriguing. He's freaky athletic and he's going to put up big-time testing numbers. He'll run low 4.4s (in the 40-yard dash) and jump over 40 inches. He can play in the slot as well. Huge upside." Link
January 22nd, 2017 at 4:17 AM ^
Cool thanks for the update! He looks interesting as a safety or Evans/McDoom type. The coaches obviously saw something they liked. BTW how did this kid miss the top 1000? His hudl is below:
Dunk without visting DFP:
@GraftonAthleti1 @tgsports @Ifeatu_Mel with the steal and the dunk! pic.twitter.com/5G3vynPggT
— Chris Rogers (@chrisrogers09) January 21, 2017
January 22nd, 2017 at 8:59 AM ^
His film looks like he's playing against middle schoolers.
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January 22nd, 2017 at 10:13 AM ^
Honestly I'd say he looks like a slightly more athletic Stribling
January 22nd, 2017 at 10:39 AM ^
I'd be all for another Stribling as long as he can help in run support
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January 22nd, 2017 at 10:54 AM ^
Well Stribling looked like he was pushing about 153 out of high school and this kid looks like a solid 180 at least so that should help
January 22nd, 2017 at 2:52 PM ^
He does look fairly solid for a 6'3 high school senior.
After watching his HUDL video, NO WAY is this kid a 2 star recruit. I don't care about the competition, just watch him move and react. If he was at a big time high school, he would be at least 3* and maybe a 4* recruit.
The fact that his brother (who has a similar build) will likely get drafted and play in the NFL next season just adds to the case that he's way underrated.
Hope they land him next weekend.
January 22nd, 2017 at 10:46 AM ^
Stribling has been a good player for us. If thats what this kid is Id take him without hesitation.
January 22nd, 2017 at 11:55 AM ^
Highlights are so offense-heavy. Safety/CB highlights lacking...but still want!
January 22nd, 2017 at 11:58 AM ^
Wonder if Coach Brown has him ranked as a "Dude"
January 22nd, 2017 at 3:49 AM ^
It'd be fascinating to know how our coaches grade kids relative to how the 4 recruiting sites do.
January 22nd, 2017 at 7:45 AM ^
I'd like to see those grades, too.
Also, there are nine posts here as of this entry and still no whining about this guy's low ranking and how we'll NEVER catch up to Ohio State. Impressive. Things may be improving.
January 22nd, 2017 at 7:54 AM ^
I've been curious about that as well, the grading systems, and it would interesting to compare it across a few teams just to get a taste for differences in style and preference.
As for less-heralded recruits when it comes to site rankings, I trust Harbaugh and the staff to know what they are looking at and estimate what they could do to develop a kid. Hopefully, no one is afraid of what amounts to a weird recruiting version of "Moneyball" once in a while.
January 22nd, 2017 at 8:50 AM ^
I think there's a difference between a targeted prospect with athleticism and good bloodlines at an area of need and the entire class filling up with camp offerees as was happening during the first satellite camp tours
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January 22nd, 2017 at 11:43 AM ^
As sophisticated consumers of recruiting information, we are aware that classes are ranked according to the top 20 players in the class. With 32 projected commitments this individual won't lower our ranking.
January 22nd, 2017 at 3:17 PM ^
http://michigan.247sports.com/Season/2017-Football/Commits/Preview
They count everyone in our class.
January 22nd, 2017 at 3:38 PM ^
from a semi-sophisticated consumer of recruiting information.
January 22nd, 2017 at 12:23 PM ^
I think when a player like this ends up with 2* it simply means that the recruiting sites havent gotten around to actually evaluating the kid.
Its easy to envision how a kid that plays for a school that does not have a history of producing D1 talent, agaisnt mediocre competition and who does not attend any of the national camps simply gets overlooked regardless of his actual talent level.
Its really a different story than a player who has gotten heavily evaluated and winds up rated 2 or low 3 stars because of specific flaws in his game.
January 22nd, 2017 at 2:00 PM ^
That's how the coaches grade compared to anything.
January 22nd, 2017 at 6:15 AM ^
Nice. He looks like the kind of guy who was a threat to go all the way on every play. Again, with the caveat that those Northeastern players are probably not playing against the best talent...
January 22nd, 2017 at 1:02 PM ^
I'm so sick of you guys who think they know what they are talking about when it comes to a kids talent. The people he plays against has nothing to do with the fact that he can dunk and has a good 40 time. Look at it like this stud man. Would Jim and Don even be looking at this kid if that mattered? NO!! Don't forget it either.
January 22nd, 2017 at 7:18 AM ^
Can he play basketball here too?
January 22nd, 2017 at 7:25 AM ^
for this useful update!
January 22nd, 2017 at 7:26 AM ^
Non-hyphenated name? Do not want
/s
January 22nd, 2017 at 9:23 AM ^
Think Biakabutuka.
January 22nd, 2017 at 10:59 AM ^
His full name is Ifeatu Constantine Melifonwu-Saltalamacchia, but his dad's last name wouldn't fit on the jersey.
January 22nd, 2017 at 12:07 PM ^
Alright you've convinced me. Do want.
January 22nd, 2017 at 12:23 PM ^
We need to create a special multi row name jersey for him. This is a special opportunity.
January 22nd, 2017 at 12:53 PM ^
They'd need a semi-circle name plate just for the last part of his surname.
January 22nd, 2017 at 7:26 AM ^
I would take this kid.
Diamond in the rough.
Fantastic athlete regardless of who he's playing against.
January 22nd, 2017 at 9:42 AM ^
Honestly I want to see us grab one or two low star players every cycle just so they can turn into studs and we can add developing 2 star players to the list of things we are better at than State.
January 22nd, 2017 at 7:42 AM ^
Want
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January 22nd, 2017 at 8:07 AM ^
All the talk about how Nico is still coming, and Martin 2. How we will just convert Hawkins to db.. I think the Tea Leaves are clear. Nico not coming, Martin (when he announces) and Hawkins staying at wr, so we therefore need another db. They pushed for Hicks, and Sebestain albeit for 2 mins. Have long said to have wanted 1 more db in this class. The part that I like about this kid and our recruitment for him is he's not one of these top 100 kids that we have to fight multiple schools on. I'm sure if offered he commits on the spot. Having more freakish athletes on the field is always a good problem to have. You see this a lot with OSU, Bama, and Clemson. (sorry but it's true)
Melifonwu
Solomon
Gay
Martin
Becton
Look forward to seeing all you fine young gentelmen at Signing with the Stars. Go Blue
January 22nd, 2017 at 8:17 AM ^
Who lately has been saying Nico is still coming? Also, let me know when you wake up from that dream that has Willie Gay coming here as well.
January 22nd, 2017 at 8:30 AM ^
Only question that remains is who does Harbs Flip or surprise the Country with this year?
Thorpe?
Austin Jackson?
Slaton?
Tufele?
Pola-Mao?
Falo?
January 22nd, 2017 at 9:20 AM ^
Don't count out a flip of Isaiah Wilson. They're pushing for him hard. If he doesn't flip, however, the aftermath may be nearly as enjoyable to follow. I'd still rather get Wilson than watch Georgia get burned at the stake though. Maybe both can still happen.
January 22nd, 2017 at 10:57 AM ^
What in hell are you babbling about? Are you saying that Wilson is a pyromaniac?
January 22nd, 2017 at 11:26 AM ^
Maybe I'm listening to umbig11 too much, but it sounds like Georgia could have reached to Ole Miss level improprieties, and someone may be on board to drop the bombshell on them if said improprieties end up working out for them. Sounded like there was a mole or something. He's made many cryptic comments about Michigan's potential reactions to what's going on down there.
January 22nd, 2017 at 11:47 AM ^
The NCAA is on it.
January 22nd, 2017 at 12:22 PM ^
...I'm relieved to hear that. I'll sleep much better tonight.
January 22nd, 2017 at 1:09 PM ^
I have no doubt that a wide number of programs across the country, especially those in the south, have been engaging in blatantly illegal recruiting practices for decades. To believe otherwise requires Happy Valley levels of gullible denial.
However, the chances that anybody—connected to Michigan or not—is going to drop a meangingful bomb on Georgia or Ole Miss are extremely slim. Simply leveling accusations will have little practical lasting value. The NCAA has proven beyond the shadow of doubt that it’s fundamentally disinterested in pursuing financial and academic wrongdoing by major programs, and it’s clear to the entirety of the college athletic world that all a school has to do to escape damaging sanctions is to refuse to cooperate and not admit to any major infractions. Certainly you're never going to shame a southern program into playing by the rules; to them, if you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'.
The other problem in dropping an effective bomb is that doing so requires cooperation and evidence provided by those who’ve been offered and/or received impermissible inducements. There’s little or no benefit in doing so—these aren’t criminal justice proceedings where cooperation and testimony can result in reduced charges being filed—and the families of all recruits understand that testifying or giving evidence against a program would immediately subject them to unbelievable amounts of abuse in social media, up to and including death threats. Why would any recruit willingly put himself and his family in that situation, especially since they're not legally compelled to say squat to anybody?
The only exception would be if there were specifically criminal actions taking place on the part of the bagmen or recruits or university employees. What brought down Michigan’s basketball program wasn't merely the fact that Ed Martin was providing money to Michigan players—it was the fact that Martin was being investigated by the Feds for running an illegal gambling operation in Ford plants and laundering his proceeds by giving the money to young Detroit-area athletes. That criminal investigation gave the authorities the ability to subpeona Michigan players and compel their testimony, which is something the NCAA cannot do.
I've been reading assertions that the NCAA will be dropping the bomb on Ole Miss for quite a while now, but I'll believe it when it happens.
January 22nd, 2017 at 1:31 PM ^
See the Miami and North Carolina scandals for recent examples. The only big name teams to really get hit with anything were Ped State and USC. USC should demand their titles back and Reggie Bush's Heisman back after the Scam Newton wrist slap.
January 22nd, 2017 at 1:41 PM ^
Miami got away because NCAA investigators got overzealous and unprofessional. They tainted much of the evidence against Miami. A bad outcome, but not from looking the other way. They've ratcheted up the charges against UNC. They may have been willing to let them off at first, but it's looking quite the opposite now. If I were a UNC fan, I'd be plenty worried.
The example of Ole Miss from above is another I wouldn't yet draw conclusions from. A decision is expected in a couple of months.
January 22nd, 2017 at 9:28 AM ^
You just mentioned a ton of guys that absolutely aren't coming to Michigan...and Thorpe. So that's your answer since we're still working on him.
It's Puff Puff Pass...not Puff Puff Post, my friend.
January 22nd, 2017 at 11:04 AM ^
Nothing surpasses recruiting when it comes to willfully exuberant delusions. Thinking Wilson may flip = thinking Harris will now flip.
January 22nd, 2017 at 11:48 AM ^
So, you're saying there's a chance?
January 22nd, 2017 at 5:39 PM ^
What's wrong with Puff Puff Post? Don't knock it till you've tried it.
January 22nd, 2017 at 9:47 AM ^
What is clear is that the makeup of the class is going to be different than was expected a couple of months ago. Where at one point it was Collins or Martin, now it could be both. Not long ago we were looking at 3-4 RBs in this class. Now we are looking at 2, with an outside chance of 1. That frees up room for other skill position players. Let's not forget that the charges against Perry may be the impetus for renewing the pursuit of Martin. Or that Hamilton may be pushing for an extra weapon that Fisch wasn't.
None of us knows enough to confidently read the situation. My simple take is that Martin is too good to pass up. We have room, so take him and sort out the roster balance later. Too many good WRs is not a problem. Some players that don't see the field will get moved or leave.
If Ifeatu's trip takes place, that will show he's a take. In the meantime, he's an option depending on how other recruiting battles shake out. Showing him interest does equal knowing there will be room. I agree that he is a player I'd take a flyer on. There's a lot of size and athleticism for the coaches to work with. Even if he doesn't reach his ceiling, I could see him being valuable on special teams.
January 22nd, 2017 at 9:55 AM ^
So there is at least another school to fght for him.
And don't underestimate the power of the first love. Some recruits have loyalty and will keep their commitments because the first offer they get is the most meaningful.
I'm just saying, of course UM seems like a better school to play for, but we are a little biased....
January 22nd, 2017 at 10:54 AM ^
I lived in Syracuse for 19 years. I went to Syracuse University for 2 years. There is nothing at Syracuse or SU to compare with Michigan and Ann Arbor. If offered, he will come.