Lorenz Comments on Radio Show Yesterday
For those who follow recruiting but haven't listened to the front page replay here is a summary of comments ahead of a big recruiting weekend.
First most imporant - UM has confirmed to Lorenz 27 is the size of the class. Subtraction and addition will get UM there. (Most of us expected 28).
EDIT 4 PM - Lorenz and Ace just put in crystal ballz for Elliott to UM.
Mecole Hardman
- If it was today it would be GA or TN. Delaying to NSD only helps Michigan which is a dark horse. Peppers utilization is a draw - not quite the player Peppers is but not too far away.
Terrance Davis
- Long time leader with UM. Went to dinner with Drevno and entire family incl Drevno mom. Loves UM. With 2 guards already in class, UM would prefer another tackle aka Jean Delance. If UM gave green light to Davis Lorenz think he would commit but trying for Delance for now. (Delance rescheduled this weekend's official due to his team advancing in playoffs). Bottom line: If UM wants him, he is coming. Of course risk is slow ball and get neither at end.
Dontavious Jackson + Chris Brown (HS teammates)
- Both had come up here for a 4 day unofficial in spring. Brown not as highly rated but UM likes his game - could play CB or S. With Brown it's UM or Texas.
- Jackson's recruitment is more national of a battle but Texas vs Michigan might be the battle here too. Texas struggles have helped UM with these 2 kids as well as others.
Pie Young, Velus Jones, Dylan Crawford
- Lorenz expects wr recruiting to play out over time as UM wants Crawford. (Oregon heavy in mix as Crawford's "dream offer") Pie Young would commit if green lighted. Still a tiny chance for Corley but most think MSU. (announces Dec 8th). McDoom is sort of a backup plan and is basically a Kentucky guy at this point. All indications are Velus Jones won't sign with USC.
- If they feel Crawford is not coming, Pie Young would appear to be the guy but that was my take because Lorenz didnt talk much about McDoom or Jones other than their status with other teams.
- Crawford is the domino.
[Edit - per jack daniels below "Sam Webb thinks McDoom is at the top of Michigan's board with Crawford, but that they won't wait on those two if it meant turning away Young or Jones."]
Lavert Hill
- Hill has been to UM 5x this season, hasnt been to PSU once (?). "A matter of time...but how much time?" when he picks Michigan. Lots of head scratching my analysts why it hasn't happened yet. No idea when.
Keyshon Camp
- A flip is "very possible". Not expecting it this weekend. Lorenz is close to flipping him in crystal ball to UM. Reuben Jones has been in his ear constantly about how great atmosphere up here.
2017s
- Terrance Davis teammate Anthony McFarland is an elite elite elite (did I mention elite?) 5 star running back who will be here this weekend; Georgia leads but obviously one UM wants. This guy would be the "missing piece" for UM - crazy speed AND vision.
- DT Fred Hansard continues the pipeline of great DTs out of NJ; Lorenz says NJ has 5 legit DTs in 2017 (4 stars). Pretty wide open - PSU, OSU, UCLA... UM in mix.
- LB Drew Singleton - Paramus Catholic pipeline, top 150 LB - UM has a "significant" lead.
- CB Ambry Thomas out of King. Most "Jourdan Lewis" type player Lorenz has seen of late - Lorenz loves this kid. UM in "decent shape" because OSU has already taken 4 2017 DBs. MSU heavy in mix.
Misc
- Peters, Bredeson, Mitchell are your 3 main "recruiters" in this class to fellow 2016ers.
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Jordan Elliott, Bush Jr, Delance will now be here Dec 11th for official due to playoff games for their HS. Slight disappointment for staff as obviously being in this environment would be great. as staff wants these32. - UM's top 3 DL targets are: Gary, Camp, Elliott.
- Expects a committment this weekend but just saying that because so many players out there who like UM will be here. He has no inside info with any names - just a probability thing.
Kingston Davis talk
- Lorenz still thinks he ends up at UM. Michigan loves him much more than scouting services and wants him bad. He is a Harbaugh type back through and through.
November 24th, 2015 at 2:19 PM ^
Yes Houston and Baylor.
http://www.burntorangenation.com/2015/9/8/9278747/jordan-elliott-texas-…
On the positive side, he is running out of time to decommit so if he commits to UM he will only have a few months left to decommit!
November 24th, 2015 at 2:54 PM ^
My positive side is that the staff knows him better than we do and they want him. Lorenz seemed to think he was their favorite among the non-Gary DTs even with that history.
November 24th, 2015 at 3:37 PM ^
Jordan Elliott will be in the 2016 class. Mark my words. In addtion, this should excite Gary even more because with the addition of another solid DT, it helps ensure neither will see extended periods of double coverage. Let's just say Mattison knows how to sell the facts.
November 24th, 2015 at 5:11 PM ^
Do you know him or something? You have been confident about him in this thread.
November 24th, 2015 at 1:55 PM ^
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November 24th, 2015 at 2:01 PM ^
Might just be because he's short and has dreads, but holy damn Anthony McFarland reminds me a lot of Dee Hart.
November 24th, 2015 at 2:03 PM ^
I really like McFarland as an all-purpose back. If all we can get is bruisers in 2016, it would be nice to get him in the 2017 class to offer some speed to the equation. We're missing a gamebreaker RB.
November 24th, 2015 at 2:07 PM ^
What are your thoughts on Kareem Walkers game?
November 24th, 2015 at 2:14 PM ^
Will let Magnus give his own view - general consensus is very good vision, cuts, running ability. Only thing lacking is that breakaway sprinter speed. So in many ways its the profile of Melvin Gordon IF HE develops as most expect. Obviously that last point is the key.
He has also been compared to Saquon Barkley from PSU which we saw this week got caught from behind on that one 54 yard scamper. But won the starting job his 3rd game of his career and is ave 6.0+ a carry behind a LOL OL. UM rbs are doing 4.4 a carry.
November 24th, 2015 at 2:14 PM ^
I think Walker is a good all-around back. I don't think he is Leonard Fournette or Derrick Henry. He's not a physical freak, but he does everything well.
Right now we have guys who are slow, guys who don't have great vision, guys who can't run through tackles, etc. I don't think people will have a lot of complaints about Walker if he comes here, but he won't be a Heisman candidate, either.
November 24th, 2015 at 2:17 PM ^
Thank you!
November 24th, 2015 at 2:31 PM ^
November 24th, 2015 at 2:40 PM ^
Well, I hope so, but we've been saying that for a couple years now, and the run blocking still leaves a lot to be desired.
November 24th, 2015 at 3:32 PM ^
November 24th, 2015 at 3:47 PM ^
... is a little unfair IMO.
They recruited a bunch of offensive linemen who had great potential. This may be the hardest position group for which to make predictions as to their eventual development. These guys were highly recruited.
If Funk was the problem, why has Drevno not developed them into road graders with a consistently good running attack ... assuming you hold Drevno in much higher esteem?
Sometimes, things just don't work out as hoped for.
November 24th, 2015 at 2:04 PM ^
November 24th, 2015 at 2:11 PM ^
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November 24th, 2015 at 2:15 PM ^
You mean Rashad Weaver? I don't know of a Rashad Williams.
November 24th, 2015 at 2:24 PM ^
2019 prospect who apparently has interest from FSU.
November 24th, 2015 at 3:41 PM ^
November 24th, 2015 at 2:05 PM ^
For those who dont follow recruiting here is national composite rank for some of the top 200 guys mentioned in 2016
- #1 Gary
- #21 Hardman
- #34 Walker
- #37 Bredeson
- #62 Davis
- #78 Peters
- #90 Onwenu
- #92 Delance
- #94 Crawford
- #98 Elliott
- #118 Corley
- #119 Jackson
- #127 Mitchell
- #136 Hill
- #161 Daniels
- #188 Camp
November 24th, 2015 at 5:23 PM ^
I received the reply that they'd rather use a spot on an OT (Delance), and we're seemingly set at OG. I have a different view of how this class develops:
I think Onwenu is going to end up at NT, not OG. All these other DT are more like 3 & 5 techs, and many have suggested Gary would end up at SDE if he comes. A strong NT at the point of attack is crucial - view Indiana without R. Glasgow.
If we really need another OT, and Delance is the only one left on our board, I'd say take T. Davis & Delance if we can get him, or look within for versatile lineman that can play across the OL.
Onwenu is going to be too valuable on D to keep at OL. And his draft position / future earnings will be too much greater.
Now, I'm not an insider, and I don't have the expertise at breaking down tape as some others on this board - but I am the one who's said Peppers was going to end up too valuable on O to keep on D, and said it since we were still recruiting him.
Take T. Davis! And while we're at it, call Kiante - he's waiting!
November 24th, 2015 at 2:05 PM ^
We are in for a very interesting January and February
November 24th, 2015 at 2:14 PM ^
Sam Webb thinks McDoom is at the top of Michigan's board with Crawford, but that they won't wait on those two if it meant turning away Young or Jones. So that's different from what Lorenz said (going by your paraphrasing, I didn't listen to the show)
November 24th, 2015 at 2:16 PM ^
I like McDoom. He's a good all-around receiver, and he's pretty polished. I think he could come in and contribute next year, unlike project guys like Drake Harris, Brian Cole, etc., who need developmental time.
November 24th, 2015 at 2:33 PM ^
Just looked over his profile
He is 18.5 yrs old which is old for a kid in HS. I wonder if he had a late bday or was held back a year. Might be contributing to his polish in HS as he has some extra maturity.
He has a very extensive offer list which is interesting for a guy outside the top 300. I wonder if he was more highly thought of earlier than had an injury or something as a lot of top end P5 schools were in on him at earlier points.
November 24th, 2015 at 2:36 PM ^
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November 24th, 2015 at 7:46 PM ^
I thought I heard Sam say this morning on wtka that McDoom was a backup plan. I didn't get any indication that he was #1`on the board. Could be wrong but that is what I thought he said.
November 24th, 2015 at 2:16 PM ^
agree on ambry thomas - i think hes states best DB prospect over last few years and has a chance to be really good.
love to see the staff prioritizing guys according to their board, willing to play the string out a little and confident theyll land a great player however it falls.
id love to see mcfarland end up in next years class. hes got potential to be game breaker at college level and they desperately need guys who can house it (especially at RB)
November 24th, 2015 at 2:19 PM ^
With Thomas on defense and McFarland on offense, that would be some serious speed added to the team.
November 24th, 2015 at 2:33 PM ^
November 24th, 2015 at 2:40 PM ^
November 24th, 2015 at 3:06 PM ^
November 24th, 2015 at 3:15 PM ^
I think the only change will be Newsome or Kugler in. If Newsome is in he goes to tackle and Cole goes to center. If Kugler goes in he goes to C.
In that second scenario maybe Newsome pushes 5th year senior Magnuson for a job I suppose. Or if they feel Magnuson is a better guard than Braden he could displace Braden at G and Newsome wins tackle.
November 24th, 2015 at 4:41 PM ^
Harbaugh say Dawson would be next in at G or C right now.
November 24th, 2015 at 2:43 PM ^
Zero.
Who's going to replace them? Juwann Bushell-Beatty? David Dawson is well behind Kalis/Braden. Kugler might fill Glasgow's spot. Cole might move inside, so Grant Newsome could conceivably fill Glasgow's spot as a starter.
November 24th, 2015 at 3:12 PM ^
November 24th, 2015 at 3:55 PM ^
I think the chances are slim that any true freshman beats out three fifth year seniors or a junior who's been a two-year starter already.
November 24th, 2015 at 5:41 PM ^
November 24th, 2015 at 2:38 PM ^
November 24th, 2015 at 2:42 PM ^
Not sure I agree with Lorenz on the class number. I believe they will take 28 total and I think they want Daniels more than they want Camp. Also Michigan has been slow playing Hill the whole season waiting on other kids. I think there is a couple Cali kids that the staff would much rather have than him. To be honest he tests well but doesn't perform all that great on the field especially when you consider how poor High School Football is in the state of Michigan.
November 24th, 2015 at 2:44 PM ^
I mean, I didn't listen to it, but it says that U of M confirmed with Lorenz that they plan on taking 27. So unless you have other evidence, I don't really see how you can "disagree" with something like that.
November 24th, 2015 at 3:18 PM ^
It wasn't an order - he just said those are the 3 DL they want the most.
And he said 27 is the number and they "had been waiting a long time to hear what it would be".
November 24th, 2015 at 2:48 PM ^
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November 24th, 2015 at 3:01 PM ^
Looks like you can post to this board.
November 24th, 2015 at 2:49 PM ^
November 24th, 2015 at 3:17 PM ^
Bush covered in OP
Kelly wasn't discussed. Depending who you believe:
- (a) significant OK lean
- (b) OK lean but UM has a good chance to change his mind
- (c) UM is not as high on him as scouting boards which may either be true or if cynical might be some UM peeps trying to save face for not landing him
With reese likely not to be in this class if you get Jackson and Bush Jr I think that is the LB class along with our other guy from Bama, esp with the # of DT we want in this class.
November 24th, 2015 at 3:45 PM ^
and still like him quite a bit. My guess is that meant they like Jackson better. I agree with your assessment. Bush and Jackson would finish the LB class. If they miss out, they'll make a push for Kelly. Armani Posey would not be a bad backup plan.
November 24th, 2015 at 2:53 PM ^
November 24th, 2015 at 2:57 PM ^