bronxblue

January 17th, 2015 at 1:39 PM ^

I don't think anyone is belittling Jackson's passion, only his penchant for hyperbole while producing little actual substance to back it up, at least toward the end of his run at UM.  Guy made millions as a college coach; I'm sure he can take some criticism.

True Blue Grit

January 17th, 2015 at 10:25 AM ^

Big.  Physical.  Tough.  Smart.  Blocks really well.  I like how active he is and how at LB he keeps his shoulders square to the line.  All Ohio player to boot.  Yes please.

alum96

January 17th, 2015 at 10:44 AM ^

I do love how these threads are all giggity goo on every offer as a future great player.  Ah, fresh love.

Quite a big discrepency between how 247 views him and Rivals.  I will take the downvotes and say his best offer outside of Stanford is Indiana/Purdue (and B.C.) - not great.  And that he visited MSU twice and they did not offer- they generally know how to evalute under the radar defensive talent.  I would have liked to see them offer if we are going to.   Teams like Iowa and Wisconsin who also are good at finding Midwest defensive gems did not offer.  (yes Stanford did offer)

Pretty large gulf between a prospect like this and the LB from GA.  Maybe he is the next Jake Ryan  - who knows.

UMaD

January 17th, 2015 at 12:53 PM ^

All recruits are good recruits.

Opportunity cost is something only hell-bound nerd-hipsters think about.

This kid is probably football Zack Novak or maybe the next Owen Marecic or Jordan Kovacs or Rudy, errr, I mean Spike Albrecht is going to steal Justin Verlander's girl.

gustave ferbert

January 17th, 2015 at 2:04 PM ^

but I believe this is the type of kid who is going to out think the competition.  His abilities remind me of a Jordan Kovacs.  

 

Looking at his tape, he had himself in great position to make plays.  And he sniffed out the wht the opposition was going to do and stuffed the play. 

and like a poster earlier in the thread said, he's a Harbaugh type player who is tough and smart. . . 

Don

January 17th, 2015 at 10:48 AM ^

Supposedly wanted Lance Anderson, but no go. Almost got Turley, but he stayed in Palo Alto. Kevin Hogan would have been a nice addition here, but he elected to stay with the Cardinal.

alum96

January 17th, 2015 at 10:57 AM ^

I think the strategy is to take so many kids from Stanford, Anderson will soon be forced to Michigan to coach them all since those were his commits ;)  Maybe in 2 years when Mattison retires.

What I am seeing on a more serious note is outside of the Durkin type offers is a lot of high IQ players with offer sheets full of Vanderbilts, Stanfords, Dukes, et al.  So we're going to have a smart team that's for sure.

This year they are obviously pressed for time - I will be curious how they approach 2016 in terms of this balance of 'high IQ' v 'off the chart measurables'.  Obviously you want both but there are a very limited amount who offer both.   This would be the Patriots strategy applied to CFB.  Obviously still need the speed component with the DB players, outside LBs and offensive skill positions not named TE/QB.

DonAZ

January 17th, 2015 at 12:10 PM ^

Also, inner-city and intelligent are not mutually exclusive.

I know you didn't say that directly ... or even necessarily imply it ... I'm just saying it's possible that what Harbaugh is after is players with a good head on their shoulders.  Football is a lot athletic, but also a lot intelligence.

I think he'll take those players wherever he finds them.  Does not matter if inner-city, suburb, exurb or country ...

Brandon_L

January 17th, 2015 at 10:49 AM ^

I feel as though Harbaugh is looking for foundational players in this class. He is targeting high IQ kids, with toughness as the main athletic intangible. These are the types of kids that will go to war for Harbaugh because he gave them a shot when others were not looking their way.