Donovan Peoples-Jones says UM "on the rise"

Submitted by olm_go_blue on

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/university-michigan/201…

basically praising Harbaugh:

“Michigan has a lot of tradition, a lot of history and coach Harbaugh has them on the rise right now."

But also said: "Michigan State’s a Big Ten power and has developed a lot of players into NFL draft prospects, and Ohio State is another great program and having former teammates there makes it easier for me to visit and hang around guys.”

A Iittle worried about the OSU part, but its always going to be a dog fight for a 5 star

Also mentions 42'' vertical with 4.4 speed - Man I want this guy!!

edit: corrected from 42 feet to 42 inches :)

olm_go_blue

February 25th, 2016 at 11:22 PM ^

well he will make one "when he feels comfortable" according to the article (I know, obvious statement states obvious, but at least he didn't say NSD). Granted, that could still be a while.

This is slow season for recruiting and he is a major target, so I felt it was threadworthy.

agree to disagree, though

Wolfman

February 26th, 2016 at 2:00 AM ^

than we have a year before NSD. Given that, however, with the caveat we can't make a post everytime he sneezes, etc., this kid does rate a little extra interest on my part, and quite possitbly I'm in the minority that feels that way.

I think he deserves special attention for no other reason that his tate of residence and the fact, obviously, OSU, not MSU has been able to make great strides in this state while still seeming to have paid good money for their border patrol agents.

Yes, we want to be a national recruiter, but we have been, are and always will be. However, there was a time that top MI high schoolers had UM as their favorite from the time they were 13. In a good year, that would mean like 6 to 7 kids we would have to do no more than extend an offer and concentrate on the other 18 to 23. I think it's important we get back to that spot.

When we control MI, even though we can land  their equals in other states, it send a message far more powerful. It says Michigan kids recognize and want to play for Michigan, and all others be damned. That, in itself, is a powerful statement basically telling all others, ""Go ahead, waste your time, but he will be ours in the end." Only when that is true again will we recognize the importance. And I believe that anyone that tries to downplay that importance does not really believe it but wants to somehow justify what they actually know not to be true, and by uttering those words, you are aware you are doing nothing more than talking to yourself, possibly as practice for debating members of other fan bases. But, let's be honest, controlling Michigan, regardless of how many players that produces annually is a very big deal. Let's not pretend otherwise.

 

Maize in Cincy

February 25th, 2016 at 11:27 PM ^

Obviously he would be a great get, but with Harbaugh and McCaffrey there will be top top WRs looking to come to Michigan from all over the country. Getting in state talent is not nearly as important as it was in the past. It would certainly be nice to keep him away from MSU though.

mh277907

February 26th, 2016 at 9:11 AM ^

I am not saying that Urban won't try his best but... OSU is more likely than not going to get Jaylen Harris and five star Trevon Grimes this year, they got Mack and Victor in this past recruiting class, and KJ Hill and Torrence Gibson are expected to play significant time this year as redshirt freshman. Noah Brown was supposed to start at WR as a redshirt freshman last year before breaking his leg in the fall. That is a lot of highly rated younger guys vying for playing time. I am sure that competition doesn't scare people as talented as DPJ but I am sure he will at least pay attention to the depth chart. Given all that, and the fact that I do not believe MSU will beat out UM for a player like him from Michigan, I would guess UM's chances are pretty high. 

MGoStrength

February 26th, 2016 at 4:44 AM ^

Gotta shut down Urban's success at CT ASAP!  Unacceptable to lose Webb & Weber in consecutive classes.

Avon Barksdale

February 26th, 2016 at 8:46 AM ^

Someone let this kid know that Michigan is not ever losing another football game with Jim Harbaugh as coach. I've done the roster/schedule analysis and I see nary a loss in sight until at least the year 2027.

I dumped the Dope

February 26th, 2016 at 9:17 AM ^

I think the pillars of Ohio State are going to crumble, slightly, this year.  While I never doubt they are loaded, I think a ton of starters have left from last years team.   Michigan should potentially be at its zenith as far as upperclass starters, I expect to take full advantage of this in those nerve wracking moments that define a season.

In pure statistics, we have basically let Ohio go on the recruiting trail.  So we should really view this is as a guy we don't want to let Meijer get his hands on, if only to take a player away from our own backyard.  The story of Weber is still to be written, if he goes on to great success or was a player lured from his home and locked in a pine dungeon.

lilpenny1316

February 26th, 2016 at 9:51 AM ^

I'm just thinking that Wilcher would encourage his guys to stick with the in-state program that's also his alma mater, if they can develop just as much as they would down there.  

Maybe I should be more worried about OSU, but I don't feel it yet.

Michigasling

February 26th, 2016 at 1:54 PM ^

All of whom are freshmen or sophomores, and when DPJ mentioned the lure of playing with his former teammates, it was right after mentioning OSU. 

Yes, he says M has moved up on his board since the star QB commitment, but that means it was not the leader and implies it hasn't [yet?] become his leader.  It'd be great if we moved up to the top, but until then...

Rashan Gary says he was torn until the very end, and playing with friends was also a lure to playing further from home (here).  RG also chose being part of a program on the rise rather than going to one that's currently on or near the top.  Sounds like DPL has similar choices, and he may choose differently.

Squeezebox

February 26th, 2016 at 10:51 AM ^

A comparison of Meyer's and Harbaugh's passing offenses in 2015 would make the decision a bit easier.

OSU  (Jones & Barret)   202 completions   2450 yds   ~62.7%   19 TDs

Leading receivers
Michael Thomas     56 rec   781 yds   9 TDs
Jalin Marshall          36 rec   477 yds   5 TDs
Braxton Miller          25 rec   340 yds   3 TDs

 

UM  (Rudock)    249 completions   3017 yds   64%   20 TDs

Leading receivers
Jehu Chesson     50 rec   764 yds        9 TDs
Amara Darboh     58 rec   727 yds        5 TDs
Jake Butt              51 rec   654 yds        3 TDs

OSU throws less and will have a ton of experience coming back at WR and will be breaking in a new QB. 

UM throws more, has 2 highly rated recruits at QB + O'Korn and the WR position is wide open in 2017.  Your choice, DPJ.