Michigan Makes Cut for James Graham
Just saw this article pop up on MLive. And I had not yet heard of James Graham. He's listed as a 3* dual-threat QB out of Georgia, but his offer list - if real - suggests at least a mid 4* type. Anyone got more information on him? Could Harbaugh be thinking about sprinkling in more running QB in the future (he certainly has done so in the past), or is this kid just a great versatile athlete?
Enjoy the article, discuss, be free...
http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2017/05/michigan_makes_cut_fo…
As the article reads: "Michigan is recruiting Graham as an offensive athlete that could be deployed at running back, slot receiver or wildcat quarterback."
The coaching staff is building toward a hybrid offense. Harbaugh wants players like James Graham and Michael Barrett.
Athlete. Similar to Michael Barrett, whom I prefer to Graham if they're being recruited at the same position, he's a system QB who happens to be athletic enough to play slot or RB in college. The staff definitely wants Barrett as a running back but Graham might be a slot offer, or even a DB. He is also from GA (like Barrett), as you stated, which makes him of extra interest to the staff. The coaches really want to make UGA hurt for a long time.
After watching Graham's highlights, check out Michael Barrett if you haven't already. Kid can really run.
can play. The 2019-2020 cycles in GA are supposed to be super loaded, so we are trying to get more momentum going into those classes.
Yep. Last year 4 of the top 7 kids in Georgia left the state and 5 of the top 9 (Aubrey Solomon and Davis Mills left the region entirely). The state is vulnerable as long as Georgia isn't winning the division/conference regularly.
There are some big dawgs in the next few classes. 2019 has DL Chris Hinton Jr, LB Owen Pappoe, WR Jashawn Sheffield, TE Ryland Goede, RB Steele Chambers. 2020 has QB Harrison Bailey, OT Myles Hinton, RB Tank Bigsby to name a few. We are looking good down here.
is LSU and there soon to be fired coach Ed Orgeron.. Because of scaring the team that Michigan wanted to satelitte camp with to bow out of that camp and have one with LSU instead.leaving Michigan locked out of the state of Louisiana
Don't think I'd want to try to tackle Steele Chambers, Yikes!
from 'орех-пекан'?
I grew up on pecan pie, so maybe I'm worn out on it, but I definitely prefer Apple or Peach.
I love James Graham as an athlete. He would have been a QB for Rich Rodriguez, IMO. He reminds me of a right-handed Pat White. He's probably a slot receiver at the next level, at least for Michigan.
I would take both Graham and Michael Barrett - Graham as a slot receiver, Barrett as a running back. Both are excellent athletes, and I like taking quarterbacks to play other positions.
I watched each player's tapes and was very impressed with both players. Barrett, in particular, reminds me of 5 star Cam Akers from Mississippi who signed with FSU so I did some research. Like Barrett, Akers was a QB for his HS but projects to RB at the next level.
Barrett Passing (junior): 13 games, 132/213, 62.0 %, 2753 yards, 27 TDs, 6 INTs
Akers Passing (junior): 11 games, 141/250, 56.4 %, 2331 yards, 20 TDs, 8 INT
Barrett Rushing (junior): 13 games, 168 carries, 1283 yards, 7.6 ypc, 21 TDs
Akers Rushing (junior): 11 games, 19 carries, 1418 yards, 8.4 ypc, 16 TDs.
If Barrett has anything close to the absurd senior season Akers did, Barrett won't be rated as a lowly 3 star on NSD. I hope we can secure a commitment from Barrett before his senior season. I'm bullish on him as a talent.
Akers was the very first thing I thought of when I first saw Barrett, looks exactly like him on that second play of his highlights. Great minds, Frank Chuck, great minds.
Meh just a 3 star athlete. Not gonna get too hyped over every 3 star that includes us in his list
Kind of disgusted that I just read our top 2018 TE target Mustapha Muhammad says he wants to play in the SEC.
After missing out on DTR, Mallory, and Jordan I need some good recruiting news. This has been a rough couple months to start off our recruiting
I suggest you watch Graham's tape.
Khaleke Hudson was "just a 3 star athlete" but anyone that watched his tape knew immediately he was very underrated.
Yeah I know his tape looks good but so does practically every single 3 star and ups tapes. I trust that if Harbaugh offered him then he has a plan for how to use his skills.
I just mean like.......we made his top 10. Ill reserve excitement for if we make his top 5. Im sure were in dozens and dozens of kids top 10s right now
MichiganStan... nice avatar/picture. Is that a stargazing background behind the split M?
Yeah I get it. Some low ranked players can develop to be great, but overall in college the teams with the most 5 stars and 4 stars win championships and divisions. This isnt speculation its FACT. Its the reason Alabama is always in the championship. Its the reason OSU has kicked our ass. If we want to win division titles and championships were going to have to start bringing in the high ranked ranked 4 and 5 star talent the other top teams are bringing in.
Which is why Im not going to get hyped up for the 750th ranked player in the nation including us in his Top 10.
#WhiteStarsMatter
Our last 2 classes were ranked #6 and #4. You don't think that's championship caliber recruiting?
Not going to argue there. Even got two 5* players last year, plus lots of 4* players, but to play devils advocate we did sign huge classes which bumped up the ranking a lot.
I don't think it's worthwhile getting hyped about recruiting in general, even though I follow it religiously.
But there are 3-star slot receivers who litter college teams who play well. You really don't see a ton of 5-star and 4-star guys who are destined for slot receiver, probably because they don't put up the numbers to be All-Americans and they don't fit the size preference of the NFL. It's an important position, but I don't think the rankings reflect that. Jeremy Gallon, Roy Roundtree, Grant Perry, etc. were all good slot receivers at Michigan, but they're not in the NFL (obviously, Perry is too young...and has other issues...but he's probably not an NFL talent, anyway).
Long story short: I think slot receiver is a position where a 3-star kid can be exciting, even if he doesn't have the same ceiling as a Donovan Peoples-Jones.
stars matter. Our 2014 and 2015 classes were devoid of a lot of 4/5 star guys and that's hurting us now that we can't rely on upperclassmen to start for us. However, I trust Harbaugh as long as we land our top targets like Friday, Muhammad, Ruckert etc. and get like 14/15 four star guys we'll be ok.
pan out. Right now a ton of offers and "interest." Long way to go. This season will also help keep the momentum in recruiting going. Can't wai for Florida.
GO BLUE!!
And pee-con everywhere else I've lived.