Zarniwoop

January 28th, 2015 at 12:18 PM ^

I have no idea what his quality of competition is, but...

1. His balance is tremendous. His upper body never moved from directly above his hips once in that entire video (except in the case of actual hits or having his feet seriously tangled/wrapped).

2. He sets people up really well.  Essentially, every run there was someone in place and he got them going the wrong way.

3. He looks fast, but its hard to tell without a sense of his competition.

I have to say that his tape surprised me. We'll have to see how he does when he takes a hit in the hole (assuming we get him).

His safety tape wasn't quite as pleasing, mostly because there was so little of it.

Joined: 09/10/2013

MGoPoints: 10498

chicagowolverine02

January 28th, 2015 at 1:09 PM ^

There is talent at the schools like Carmel Catholic (two studs in particular, both near the top of the state, Drevno was in to see them the other day) Kids at Stevenson High, Lake Zurich, Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest High School.. but Grayslake North doesn't play any of those schools, their conference is weak. One of the worst in Illinois.

Joined: 02/12/2013

MGoPoints: 121

FatGuyTouchdown

January 28th, 2015 at 4:11 PM ^

is a top 3 conference in Illinois, and this year due to conference reallignment GLN played most of the Fox in crossover. Yea, there were some weak teams, but Its still a quality schedule. But dont compare the catholics to the publics. In Illinois, most Catholic schools near Chicago recruit without shame. And I dont think its a bad thing either. 

Joined: 09/07/2014

MGoPoints: 14102

chatster

January 28th, 2015 at 12:27 PM ^

Questions For Coaches Like Magnus
 
I realize that this Michigan coaching staff might be hamstrung by the circumstances surrounding the timing of their hiring. But I’m somewhat skeptical of the motivation of a high school football player who takes a last-minute visit to a school that only recently showed any interest in him, especially when that student has been committed to an equally prestigious school for a long time and already has established bonds with the coaches, players and incoming recruits at the school to which he’s committed.
 
Would you suspect that most, if not all, of those recruits who are long-time commits at other Power Five Conference schools will be taking the all-expenses-paid trip to Ann Arbor mainly for the experience, and not because they have any true interest in attending Michigan?
 
How many of these recent offerees jump at the chance to be wined and dined by Jim Harbaugh and his staff and visit The Big House and Schembechler Hall, even if they have no interest in attending Michigan, but just want that photo with Jim Harbaugh to add to their Instagram page?
 
Just to test the student’s interest, before extending the last-minute offer, does any coach ever say, “We’d like to offer you a scholarship, but I’m sorry that we won’t be able to pay for your trip here this weekend.  Would you still be interested in visiting us?”  Or do the coaches just accept the fact that last-minute flips might be rare, but they’re worth the effort and the expense to try to get them?

Joined: 09/14/2010

MGoPoints: 26926

Zarniwoop

January 28th, 2015 at 12:33 PM ^

Interesting point.

But, from the average recruit's perpective, if you aren't willing to pay for my official visit like you do for other recruits, I guess you're not that serious about me.

Just saying, these are kids used a certain standard of treatment in general. I agree its a rare thing, but it does happen. And their head coach did just leave.

We have 3 recent recruits that seem to say that it is worth the effort, and probably required in most cases to even have a chance this late in the show.

Joined: 09/10/2013

MGoPoints: 10498

chatster

January 28th, 2015 at 1:20 PM ^

Thanks for your response.

No; I wouldn't expect the coach to say he can't afford to pay for the trip; and I believe that these last-minute invites are just part of the cost of doing the recruiting business, even if they won't lead to any new commits.

Just considering this coming weekend, when there are no men's basketball or hockey home games at Crisler or Yost, I thought that the new visitors will not have a chance to experience a home sporting event other than perhaps the lacrosse exhibitions at Oosterbaan Field House against Marquette and Denison on Saturday or the wrestling meet against four-time defending NCAA champion Penn State on Friday.

Maybe this is the time when the other members of the recruiting class of 2015 who are on campus, Alex Malzone and Brian Cole, will have to do most of the selling.

Joined: 09/14/2010

MGoPoints: 26926

Magnus

January 28th, 2015 at 1:11 PM ^

I get the sense that most high-level recruits are generally tired of the recruiting process and have seen enough big schools to not necessarily want to take every official visit unless they think it's a legitimate destination. If you're talking about a kid getting recruited to CMU/EMU who gets a chance to go see UCLA on an official, then he'll almost definitely take it. But if you've seen, say, Wisconsin/Ohio State/Texas/Florida, then spending yet another weekend packing up, hopping on a plane, and spending three days in an unfamiliar location is not their top priority.

There's a reason you get five officials (exploring your options), but there's also a reason that many kids don't take all five. The recruiting process is a grind. These kids have met stars at other schools (big-time coaches, Heisman candidates, etc.), so if you're not serious about a school by mid- to late January, I don't think most kids are going to waste their time.

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 166004

Och3517

January 28th, 2015 at 12:38 PM ^

Damien Harris Please come back!!!! I really wish we would give him a phone call at least. I know he loved Borges and after Mike Weber committed he basically gave up and so did we, but he waited till this month to go to Alabama. I had hoped Harbaugh would try to get him. Alabama is loaded at RB and maybe if Harbaugh or Wheatley can get him back up to meet the staff there would be a chance. Unless I missed something I don't remember hearing the new staff trying.

Joined: 08/09/2011

MGoPoints: 97

Murray on Sports

January 28th, 2015 at 12:48 PM ^

Booker is a freakish athlete who I have witnessed play on film a number of times.  The concern would be the competition he's playing against.  The conferences in the northern parts of IL are not top conferences.  Grayslake North has not had any success in the IHSA playoffs either.  

He's put up some ridiculous numbers though.

Joined: 01/28/2015

MGoPoints: 2

FatGuyTouchdown

January 28th, 2015 at 4:05 PM ^

In his senior season, Booker played against Cary Grove (a top 50 team nationally), and a number of other quality playoff teams. The FVC is a very tough conference and has had 4 representatives in the last 5 state titles. Including 3 teams that finished top 50 nationally according to MaxPreps.

Joined: 09/07/2014

MGoPoints: 14102

Acedpar3

January 28th, 2015 at 12:50 PM ^

we beed OF lineman. why get as a running back unless we know weber is staying at osu. i sure would not like to come in with the running backs we have now. cannot understand why we are not getting a bunch of lineman (OF)

Joined: 02/16/2012

MGoPoints: 763

Zarniwoop

January 28th, 2015 at 12:58 PM ^

If I were a highly ranked running back I would beg to come to Michigan.

Not a running back on the roster under sophomore.

By the time I'm a redshirt freshman the lowest real competition will be a Junior.

At worst, I've got 2 years as the most senior running back on the team. That's as good as it gets in terms of running back competition at major schools.

Joined: 09/10/2013

MGoPoints: 10498

FatGuyTouchdown

January 28th, 2015 at 3:53 PM ^

in High School. Man is he electric for Grayslake North, and is also a world class track athlete. I knew Indiana was getting a steal when they offered him. I remember one game he played, at the half he had a 75 yard touchdown run, a 68 yard touchdown run, a 56 yard touchdown run, and a 54 yard touchdown run. And he was playing a top 10 ranked team in class 6A. (That same team I believe was eliminated from the playoffs by Ian Bunting, but I could be wrong about that one). He was basically Damian Harris, except if Damian Harris played against bigger schools.

Joined: 09/07/2014

MGoPoints: 14102

Ryanonymous

January 28th, 2015 at 10:38 PM ^

On or before signing day, if his offer stands, we will be a Wolverine. This is only based on information I read on Scout (paywalled) with comments from his current coach. Sounds like the kid was blown away by the offer itself and I don't really want to say much more.
Ok one more thing -
Many Crystal Balls turned our way today for him (maybe that has been posted already).

Go Blue. Should be a fun weekend!

Joined: 05/02/2011

MGoPoints: 1018