Initial Rivals 100 for 2014

Somewhere in the middle. No way he's a lock, but he has expressed interest. Don't get excited unless we can get him on campus.

He's both.

/Schroedinger's Recruit.

We are solidly in his top 5, but probably trailing VT and Bama. 

Positive assertions are based on the fact that we're in his top 5.

Negative assertions are based on the fact that we're trailing VT and Bama.

So I'll let you decide which you wanna believe. 

Along with Bama, South Carolina, Florida, and Va Tech. To say that he is likely to come to Michigan is obviously a stretch, but to say there is a legitimate chance is not. He's the #1 recruit, so it could definitely be undecided until signing day.

I'm also not sure why you're comparing those 2-Taco's a WDE, McDowell's either a 5-tech or a 3-tech. Compare him to Poggi and tell me he doesn't look more dominant. 

I'm not even sure what you're talking about.  At this point last year, Taco Charlton was a speed rusher who couldn't do anything against the run and wasn't even a full-time player for Pickerington Central on defense.  If he didn't beat you with his speed rush, then he didn't beat you, period.

How could anyone be "way behind" where Taco was at that time?  The only way that would be possible is if McDowell were tiny or slow, and he's neither.

I can attest to the fact that there are a lot of bars in Nashville. I kill me.

yes and yes.  he would love for him to come here and is trying to get him to

side note of how I know this: am friends with the family

Michigan is also high on the lists of Montae Nicholson and Drake Harris.

If things keep going his way, he may not have to worry about it much...

Urb.

I read a while back that Montae grew up a hugh ohio fan (same high school as dorian bell) and would likely commit there if they really go after them. I know they are in on some other safety prospects however. 

The only thing that worries me about Speight's lack of ranking visibility is it's impact on him as a recruiter.  I think Morris doesn't get enough credit for helping recruit the 2013 class.  Speight is in a similar position, but I kind of cringe when I imagine a potential recruit looking him up after getting a tweet from him and finding that he's a 3-star not even in the top 500 nationally (247), or not even rated (Rivals).  Hopefully that will change soon.

FWIW, Speight is the same age as our 2013 class. He re-classified after hurting his collarbone during his junior season. So this year, he's technically a fifth-year senior. 

I guess if you're expecting Morris to grow some more, you can expect the same from Speight? But I wouldn't. 

I'm fine with a 6'7" quarterback as long as he's not as douchey as Mallett.

I guarantee the Michigan coaches evaluated Speight/Cornwell closer than the ratings sites. A lot of times, the 'well I just trust the coaches' argument is silly, because the guy we landed is just because we missed out on someone else. In this case, they had their pick of literally every QB in the country and chose Speight. So whatever the reason, I wouldn't worry about it. 

Recruiting services don't take into account other factors.

Listen to Hoke's signing day interview with Sam Webb and his press conference.  They also look at off field factors that the recruiting services might not value.

Speight might be just as talented and the coaches might even think he has more long-term upside, but a definite YES had to give him a huge benefit as the coaches even told the QBs of the criteria.

I don't think our coaches were willing to gamble on a QB that might flip to Bama or LSU or OU down the road.

Greg Mattison visited him on 1/31.  I would say that we are still recruiting him. 

FWIW, on his 247sports profile, we are the only team listed as "warm."

http://247sports.com/Player/Parrker-Westphal-20546

You may not see his name as much because he's not as talented as Peppers, Nicholson, Adoree' Jackson, etc.

Marzia Prince is lovely.