Earnest Thomas decommits from UCLA.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:41 PM ^
really hyped about Michigan a year or so ago but never quite got much interest back the coaches?
January 6th, 2010 at 10:04 PM ^
Michigan? or Ohio? I've never really heard about him before. I may just be out of the 'loop'
January 6th, 2010 at 10:09 PM ^
He's from Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep in Oakland County, same school as Robert Bolden (and past prospects like Taurian Washington, Dionte Allen, and Morgan Trent).
January 6th, 2010 at 11:29 PM ^
The most impressive player on the field was a LB named James Ross. If I remember right he is an underclassman. He has great instincts and fills well. Rod should have a look at this youngster.
January 15th, 2010 at 9:36 AM ^
I agree this kind of player comes around once and a while.Ross is a sophomore. His Film is in two parts
PART 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUfvh67c6ZU
Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOjEs6voYfQ
January 6th, 2010 at 11:39 PM ^
And other past recruits like DiAllo Johnson, David Bowens, Jermaine Gonzales and Grant Mason.
Also, their basketball program produced Maurice Seawright and Kalin Lucas.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:42 PM ^
was RR recruiting him before he commited to UCLA?
January 6th, 2010 at 9:43 PM ^
Dantonio dominates in-state recruiting--didn't you know?
January 6th, 2010 at 9:49 PM ^
I had never really heard his name in regards to Michigan's recruiting this year, either from Michigan's end or any interest on his part. He had some Big Ten offers (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Penn State, although that last one probably isn't on the table anymore), but he had always been viewed as more of a "workout warrior" instead of someone who actually showed up on the field during a game.
Like I said, I don't know if this has anything to do with Michigan at all, just thought it was intriguing and wanted to pass it along.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:51 PM ^
obviously Rivals and Scout aren't always up to date, but they don't show offers from Michigan. Does have some good offers...PSU, Wisc., Stanford, WVU. If he had a good season though seems like we've got more spots to fill than we initially thought.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:07 PM ^
Does Tom have any info on this?
January 6th, 2010 at 10:10 PM ^
I tipped him off, he may be in the process of gathering info right now.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:07 PM ^
drake is gone, so that leaves 5 or 6 spots. witty might not get here to, so...
maybe this: grimes, parker, wilson, a DT, and maybe jibreel black. or we could save a couple schollies for 2011
January 6th, 2010 at 10:23 PM ^
Regardless of whether it's currently commitable an LB offer from Penn State means a lot.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:48 PM ^
He'd be an okay linebacker prospect, probably start off at the spinner. That is, if Michigan is interested.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:46 PM ^
He's not really a Michigan-level prospect, to be honest. I'll be surprised if he hears from M.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:51 PM ^
im not in the know, but looking at his offers i dont see how we're "better" than him. no disrespect to ray vinopal, but we took him and he didnt have any other big time offers.
just curious why you think that
January 6th, 2010 at 10:56 PM ^
What IS a "Michigan level prospect"? I mean, I am NOT trying to be snarky here--but that is kind of a funny statement to make when you look at this class.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:34 PM ^
First of all, whenever I read something from you, you're always "snarky." I'm never surprised to read something like this from you with your holier than thou attitude.
Secondly, what's wrong with the current group of commits...? Other than the fact that you decide to get your information from a bunch of "gurus" who time and time again get it wrong. Nothing is guaranteed in the recruiting game. 4 years ago did you look at Iowa's class and say they were going to win the Big 10? When Toby Gerhart committed to Stanford did you say he'd have a chance to win the Heisman? Did you see that TCU would have an undefeated season and be mentioned up there with Alabama and Texas? I'm thinking not...
January 6th, 2010 at 11:54 PM ^
...as are you. But, unlike you, he's funny in the process.
January 7th, 2010 at 8:36 PM ^
I wasn't being "snarky" I was simply stating facts of the current college football season compared to the "guru" rankings. My apologies if you can't distinguish between the two.
January 7th, 2010 at 12:08 AM ^
My source for everything recruiting is Scout. You can get bogged down in the minutae of all the recruiting services, and who is better, who gives more starzz, and who does a better job. I choose Scout because well, one is enough, and these things are a crapshoot.
Earnest Thomas is the #37 ranked safety in the country, as well as the nation. He is listed as 6'2, 195. He has offers from UCLA, Penn State, Illinois, Stanford, West virginia. For Rivals guys, he has been given a rating of 5.7, and listed as a 4.6 40 yard runner. They have him at #47 safety prospect.
Carvin Johnson: Rivals has him at #33--but the next most "impressive" offer is from Minnesota or Utah (you take your pick). Scout has Carvin at #77 ranked safety prospect, with the same offer sheet. And Rivals has Carvin's rating at 5.7 (same as Thomas). Neither site lists a 40 time on their profile page.
Ray Vinopal: Well, he fast, right?. But Scout has him as the #103 safety, with a 4.42 forty-yard dash time. And we beat out Bowling Green and Kent State for his services (whew!). AND, Rivals rates Vinopal at 5.3--with a 4.56 forty-yard dash time. And Vinopal is all of 5'10 or 5'11 and about 180 lbs.
So again, I ask: What distinguishes Earnest Thomas as "not a Michigan-level prospect"?
Many here have pointed to Vinopal's lack of melanin--but could it be that he is just-------average?
January 12th, 2010 at 2:48 PM ^
Earnest Thomas is the #37 ranked safety in the country, as well as the nation.
Well hawt damn! We need to sign him up! I mean, you got country, and nation there... can't lose!
January 7th, 2010 at 8:06 AM ^
I agree with the general sentiment of your reply. Nothing is guaranteed in recruiting, but as Brian has demonstrated time and time again through actual facts, recruiting rankings are worthwhile indicators and should be paid attention. They correlate quite nicely with team success, but guarantee nothing. End of factual statement, and now an opinion: TCU would get destroyed by Alabama, (who BTW, is full of highly ranked players). And I mean, not even close.
January 7th, 2010 at 8:38 PM ^
Yep, my apologies, I got a little ahead of myself. OSU won the Big 10, but Iowa still made it to a BCS bowl.
January 7th, 2010 at 11:18 AM ^
Moi? I think you have me mixed up with someone elts.
Anyway: Where do YOU get your recruiting info? We ALL go to the "gurus"--whether here, Scout, or Rivals. Unless, of course, you (and I'm not doubting--it could happen) jet-set around the country watching hundreds if not thousands of high school games per year.
What I'm asking is what makes one a "Michigan-level prospect"--and a quick check of our ratings shows UM at #10 on Scout--but really. Check out some commits and their position rankings. The numbers that come up are 151, 77, 77, 88, 74, 85,55, 97, 104,107, 77, 103, 50, 55.
And all I'm asking is in that context--what makes Earnest Thomas stand out as "not a Michigan-level prospect"
We all use the same stuff and we all watch the same grainy Zapruder Recruiting Films. I know nothing about hips, pad level, explosion, first step, whatever. In fact, unless someone is really intriguing, I don't watch filums at all.
But I did watch Vinopal's nine-minute compilation that someone put here or somewhere elts, and in fact he looks pretty good. I will say that. He covers a lot of ground and hits hard and IS fast. Motherfucker was in on EVERY play for the whole nine minutes.
EDIT: Come to think of it, I DO know something about "pad level"--you are supposed to keep your pad level LOW. In fact, here is an interesting quote from coachbt of Scout regarding pad level: "Mfurn. Thiwig is, kerping, arms extension and knock block off!"
I've heard others say that you want a guy to keep his pads so low he could limbo under a rug.
As far as hips go, I'd say if a guy can "hula-hoop" he has good hips. He might be better suited to audition for Broadway musicals, but at least he has good hips.
January 7th, 2010 at 8:43 PM ^
Everytime I read one of your posts you're either ripping on Michigan, or it's fans. If you have that much hatred in you, I feel sorry for you. No offense, but it gets tiresome to read time and time again.
I also never claimed to base my recruiting information off anything. If you would actually read my post, I made my comparisons off this college football season to so called "guru" rankings of the past. Point being, you cannot say any class is great or horrible until 4 years from now.
January 7th, 2010 at 12:52 PM ^
A "Michigan Level prospect" lol
I know you've seen the sad sack of players that have been thrown out there the past 2 seasons.
Kovacs, Heininger, Leach.....are they Michigan Level?
January 6th, 2010 at 11:00 PM ^
People around OLSM were surprised he got any D-1 offers. Vastly overrated, they say.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:21 PM ^
So what you are really saying is he is an MSU lock then.
January 12th, 2010 at 2:45 PM ^
Which would set him apart from Vinopal and Carvin since both of them were very highly regarded by opposing coaches and local/state honors. Not to mention being considered top notch players and leaders on teams that went to state championship games
edit: disregard the last point, just realized OLSM went to state championship also. don't get much info on hs sports from out of state
January 6th, 2010 at 11:32 PM ^
I'm starting to agree with Tim. I watched a couple of his highlights films and to be honest, they really weren't that impressive.
In regards to being a DB - his backpedal was pretty poor, hips weren't great, and he didn't really make any amazing plays other than being in the right place most of the time.
When he played linebacker, he was decent, with okay closing speed and decent tackling. But nothing real spectacular.
January 6th, 2010 at 11:44 PM ^
Decent tackling and being in the right place most of the time? Sounds like he could help. Sign him up!
January 6th, 2010 at 11:49 PM ^
Haha well you know what I mean. Highlight tape is exactly what is - highlights! Most of the time he wouldn't make great reads, he'd just flow with the ball carrier and end up tackling him in the mess.
January 7th, 2010 at 8:09 AM ^
I'd like to hear more. But seriously, how to people evaluate them? Hips are a close second to pad level in comments around here.
January 7th, 2010 at 1:06 PM ^
If you have a rivals/scout account or can youtube his highlights, just watch his backpedal. Doesn't keep his chin over his toes, and does not use his arm to break with the receivers. Overall it's just rather sloppy, which convinces me he won't play safety at the next level.
When people refer to "Hips" it's the players ability to switch directions and break with the wide receiver, and also to keep the play inside. Watch a guy like Latwan Anderson and you'll see what I mean.
January 7th, 2010 at 1:29 AM ^
this is exactly why i come to mgoblog because they have so many paid top college athlete evaluators that i no longer need to trust in RR and his staff or any of the others. mgoblog people are the best.
January 7th, 2010 at 2:36 AM ^
You're Welcome!
January 7th, 2010 at 6:11 AM ^
From the film I have seen, I am not impressed with Earnest Thomas AT ALL. To answer someone's question from above, the Michigan coaches had been in contact with Thomas before he committed to UCLA, but an offer was never extended. Furthermore, if he does/did get an offer from Michigan, I wouldn't expect him to play the SAM because he's too stiff. I'd guess he's more of a WILL prospect.
Either way, if he wants to stay closer to home, I'm guessing he'll end up at MSU or Illinois.
January 7th, 2010 at 6:42 PM ^
"hula hoops" must be added to the Barwis workout. Barwis to player "son take that hula hoop and go join Big Will over there, you need more fluid in those hips."