OT: 2015 OT/OG Kyonta Stallworth (MSU Commit)
Sam Webb had a tweet about 2015 local OT/OG Kyonta Stallworth. Kyonta committed to Dantonio and MSU in Dec. 2013. He also has an offer from Alabama. Kyonta visited Michigan's practices for two times, most recently today for the Spring Game.
Detroit King OL Kyonta Stallworth at #Michigan's spring game. 2nd Michigan practice in about 3 weeks
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) April 5, 2014
Given some 2015 OL targets have drifted away (for example, Sterling Jenkins), it may be a good idea to check out our backyard, and obviously our coaches are doing just that. It will be interesting to see if M offers him, and if M can flip him from Sparty.
He claimed he was just hanging out with friends who were going to the game, but two visits in short succession is almost a trend and in recruiting when there's smoke there's often fire. Doesn't mean he's likely to flip but it's not out of the realm of possibility. Also, where is the Alamaba you speak of? Sounds like a magical place.
It's where talented offensive linemen actually block.
... is a sophomore.
red shirt sophomore meaning his third year in the program.
The thing that Hoke and Funk havent done yet is get an elite LT. Heck, even RR got Lewan. i dont see who the next great LT is.
How much have you seen of Cole to reach your conclusion?
Been here two years, played one, and still not an All-American. Not that we're impatient.
Troll on fella.
Seriously.
Supply of snake oil. Any Purdue commits visiting?
Here are his Hudl highlights as available on the more easily embedded YouTube....
But I thought MSU was the only program in this state anymore...
Especially given the fact that there are open questions about our OL coaching.
Michigan has produced significantly better offensive linemen over the years. Even in a down year, Michigan's Taylor Lewan is better than anyone MSU has had to offer in years and years. They haven't had anyone comparable since Flozell "The Hotel" Adams or Tony Mandarich.
/s
Over time we may have produced better offensive lineman but how has our blocking been lately. Where are our NFL running backs vs Sparty? Besides Shaw !!!!
But other than the fact we're a better school in a better city with a far more visable national program that has produced infinitely more OL for the pros than MSU we really don't have anything to offer him now do we?
I'd say it's hopeless.
The problem that I have with the more OL to the pros statement is that Michigan is generally starting with players who have a higher ceiling and are more athletically gifted than most other schools are getting. If a school has a bunch of 2* lineman and none go to the NFL, I'm not sure that you can say that school is developing their lineman worse than a school who has 5* lineman and puts some of them in the NFL. The lineman just have different ceilings, but both schools might be developing their players quite well and helping them reach their potential.
Sorry to rant, it is just something that bothers me, as I hear it towards Minnesota often. We don't put many players in the league, but give us some 4* and 5* players and that would likely change. Would that mean we are suddenly developing them better, or it is just easier to meet that specific metric of development with a "better" starting product?
Well, that argument certainly worked magic on McDowell, didn't it?
Stallworth is 17, and what he's seen since he was 11 years old is MSU beating Michigan 5 times in that span. In the most recent game he would have watched, MSU rushed for 142 yards while UM had a glorious -48 yards. The great success UM has had in churning out OLs is somewhat ancient history to this kid, who like any teenager, is going to be focused on what he's seen with his own eyes.
That's not to say that it's impossible he could decommit to UM, but there would have to be a solid reason to suspect that would happen, and merely visiting our campus a couple of times doesn't constitute evidence he's rethinking things.
And his tweets have effectively confirmed he's not moving from MSU anyhow.
He doesn't have a Michigan offer, so it's in his interest to say something along those lines. I can remember hearing of only one other player visiting us twice while committed elsewhere, Brionte Dunn. Anything's possible, but I'd bet on him wanting an offer.
Perhaps it was because he wanted to stay close to home and it didn't look like a UM offer was coming.
As a substantive comment, Stallworth is actually the one MSU committ I really feel we missed out on. This is great news.
@kjstallworth: I rode to UofM just to hang with my teammates I'm #Spartandawgs all day everyday! End of discussion
Well, he was on campus though so who knows. Anything can happen. I honestly think that if we have a good season this Fall and MSU falters a little that we'll go right back to dominating the state in recruiting.
Since Brady Hoke showed up exactly how *hasn't* he dominated in-state recruiting?
From Shane Morris to Devin Funchess to Drake Harris exactly how is Michigan not getting the best players in the state (typically, because you can't get/take them all)?
Xplain.
There are also several other red flags that jump out at me as far as recruiting. Academics have been an issue, as has his attitude during games. He had a handful of personal fouls this past season that were, at times, beyond ridiculous as far as personal conduct.
I've said it before and I will echo it again here. This guy is not someone I would want to pursue here at Michigan. Too many red flags for me. Attitude issues coupled with questionable grades (south lake, his previous HS, was a joke) and a less then stellar motor.
Usually I like to see Michigan recruit Michigan talent because I tend to think in state success (as well as recruiting ohio heavily) is usually a recipe for success. However, having had the opportunity to see a ton of the kid the past two seasons I really hope Michigan does not pursue him. Now that he is at King it will be interesting to see how much success he has against a bit better competition. Maybe he will prove me wrong, but in this instance I highly doubt it.