Michigan offers five star safety
It appears that Michigan has thrown its hat into the race for 2013 recruit Su 'a Cravens a 6'2 210 pound safety from out of Murrietta CA. Cravens, who is a five star prospect (according to rivals), runs a 4.5 40 and is considered an elite safety who could also project as an outside linebacker at the next level. Cravens scored 19 total touchdowns on offense and collected 96 tackles, 11 sacks and three interceptions on defense to earn a spot on both the ESPNHS All-American second team and the ESPNHS Underclass All-American team . Already he has offers from top programs all across the country including USC, Stanford, Arkansas, Notre Dame and Oklahoma. Florida, Nebraska and Michigan are the latest to offer.
Here is a link to an interview with Cravens by ESPN espn.go.com/blog/high-school/football/post/_/id/4465/get-familiar-top-2013-talent-sua-cravens
This is the only highlight tape I could find here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFyvqpfokR0&feature=youtube_gdata_player
This kid is a big deal and with USC and Oklahoma being the early front runners (according to 24/7sports), this will likely be a an uphill battle for Michigan but with Hoke's west coast recruiting pedigree and Greg Mattison's defensive resume, I would say Michigan has as good a chance as any in landing this top prospect.
January 22nd, 2012 at 9:49 AM ^
Don't miss the boat, Su'a. There is only one correct choice for college, despite what many well grounded people may tell you.
January 22nd, 2012 at 9:52 AM ^
Uphill battle is an understatement. It'll be a hard sell job, but maybe Hoke and Mattison can do it.
January 22nd, 2012 at 10:42 AM ^
Mattison walks into his home, says "Ed Reed."
Done deal.
January 22nd, 2012 at 10:55 AM ^
yea...
January 22nd, 2012 at 11:39 AM ^
So more like Dawan Landry, but yea...
January 22nd, 2012 at 12:23 PM ^
Didn't Mattison also coach Major Wright and Reggie Nelson?
January 22nd, 2012 at 9:55 AM ^
that Brady Hoke's recruiting style is to offer lots of 5 star and high 4 star prospects very early -- so many that it seems like he is giving all of them offers. I assume there are a lot of good reasons to do so, including the reciprocal reaction that these kids have in favoring the programs that show that they believe in them early on, even the highly touted recruits. Also get immediate feedback if there is interest. Maybe it is something coaches do and I hadn't noticed before Brady Hoke, but it sure seems effective.
January 22nd, 2012 at 10:06 AM ^
What you described sure beats the hell out of the "Wait until our biggest rival offers a kid then immediately show up on their doorstep" approach.
I don't think we fully appreciate the era that we are in. Our three biggest rivals all have complete douchebag coaches that make it easy to hate. What can they say about Hoke? The worst they've got is calling him Fred Flintstone. Dude is likeable. Urban is a douchebag that neglects his family. Dantonio is a douchebag that interrupts people and has a masters degree in scowling. Kelly is a purple douchebag. We've truly been blessed...
January 22nd, 2012 at 10:19 AM ^
I agree that our rival and little brother, respectively, have hatable coaches and that Michigan is blessed. I'm just not so sure how many recruits see it that way.
January 22nd, 2012 at 10:22 AM ^
Unfortunately 17 year olds can be pretty dumb, I know I was at that age. Charlie Weiss pulled in huge recruiting classes and he may be the one person in college football with literally no redeeming characteristics.
January 22nd, 2012 at 10:34 AM ^
Other than a Super Bowl ring?
January 22nd, 2012 at 10:41 AM ^
Well, if hardware is an indicator of social worth, then Terrelle Pryor must be a paragon to the OSU community. I mean, he owns a few pairs of gold pants and a BCS ring, right?
January 22nd, 2012 at 11:12 AM ^
Weis is supposedly well respected in the NFL ranks and has all kinds of contacts there. Weis was able to recruit because he could honestly tell kids "I can get you drafted". I mean the man found Brady Quinn and Jimmy Clausen work. Even if he didn't get a lot of wins in college, he was a legit pipeline in to the pros for those kids due to his contancts.
January 22nd, 2012 at 10:34 AM ^
Other than a Super Bowl ring?
January 22nd, 2012 at 10:39 AM ^
It would take a very dumb 17 year old to think that a Super Bowl ring has anything to do with success in college athletics.
January 22nd, 2012 at 12:33 PM ^
yea. people see coaches different. one highly touted recruit said he chose notre dame because of all the yelling he does on national tv. the kid said he liked the fire that coach kelly had in him to win ball games.
January 22nd, 2012 at 9:56 AM ^
I believe a read over at Rivals where he has a great relationship with the coaches who were recruiting him at San Diego St. He said that Michigan would get on of his official visits. As long as I have the right kid this info is 100% correct. If I don't, well then just know that some where out there we have a great shot at another 5 star, which is nice.
January 22nd, 2012 at 10:16 AM ^
i read same article...hes high on blue and said we wld def b one of his 5 officials
January 22nd, 2012 at 11:33 AM ^
Someone stole your vowels?
January 22nd, 2012 at 11:59 AM ^
No vowels are allowed on Sunday. New MGoBlog rule.
N vwls r llwd n Snd. I feel like I just tweeted something important.
January 22nd, 2012 at 1:53 PM ^
They can't afford to buy a vowel.
Well, Ohio state players can. In fact, go to the right tattoo parlor and they get their vowels for free
January 22nd, 2012 at 10:00 AM ^
If anyone can pull off an uphill battle it's Hoke and Mattison, see Defense Team 132.
January 22nd, 2012 at 10:17 AM ^
It's like the lottery....if you don't offer a 5 star you can't "win"them.
January 22nd, 2012 at 10:27 AM ^
Sort of like the numbers game with women. Hit up all the hot women and eventually one of them will be stupid enough to see something in you.
January 22nd, 2012 at 12:36 PM ^
Isn't that the truth
January 22nd, 2012 at 10:52 AM ^
Offer all the five stars. What do we lose by offering? Can't get 'em if we don't go after them.
January 22nd, 2012 at 10:21 AM ^
In the world of college football, Greg Mattison is a rock star based on what he did with the 2011 team. If he continues the trend into 2012, then Michigan starts to be more and more a magnet for talent like this. I'm not saying it's lock we'll get that kid. But our chances are better with Mattison than without.
January 22nd, 2012 at 12:08 PM ^
Cravens got a Michigan offer a while ago.
January 22nd, 2012 at 12:41 PM ^
I can't wait to see what Mattison can do once he starts stocking the pantry with elite athletes across the board.
January 22nd, 2012 at 1:17 PM ^
So I have a recruiting question. How long does nd have to suck it up for us to stop listing them with the top offers in the country?
<br>/semiserious
January 22nd, 2012 at 1:26 PM ^
It's been close to 20 years of ND sucking balls, so probably the rest our lifetime.
January 22nd, 2012 at 1:21 PM ^
Get him in the Big House.
January 22nd, 2012 at 1:53 PM ^
Get him away from those sandy beaches and girls in bikinis
January 22nd, 2012 at 2:15 PM ^
Forget those California blondes Su'a! Michigan has the best brunette girls!
January 22nd, 2012 at 3:07 PM ^
is better for your lungs. Think about it.
January 22nd, 2012 at 4:00 PM ^
Cravens will likely cause nightmares for opposing offenses.
January 22nd, 2012 at 4:16 PM ^
I am drooling at the thought of Dymonte and Su'a roaming the backfield. RBs will be sliding QB style to avoid them.