Sam Webb DetNews article on DE Washington/WR Stanford

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Sam Webb article in DetNews talking about UM's chances with the Adolphus Washington/Dwayne Stanford duo

UM or MSu could land top-10 Ohio stars in 'package deal'

Michigan is looking to capitalize on a few "ins" of its own. The first is Stanford's boyhood affinity for the Maize and Blue. The second is Stanford and Washington's relationship with recent Michigan commitment, Cincinnati Sycamore tight end A.J. Williams.
"(Williams) called me all excited and said he committed to Michigan and told me that me and Aldophus need to get with the program and head on up to Ann Arbor with him and they wouldn't be able to stop us," Stanford recalled. "I'm loving Michigan right now. I have nothing but positive energy and thoughts on my mind about them. Coach (Mark) Smith and A.J. stay on me too. Especially with him committing there, that really helps me. We're just going to see how everything plays out. "Even though I'm here in Ohio, I've always liked Michigan. They have had great receivers like (Mario) Manningham and (Braylon) Edwards, and it's just the tradition they have that really turned me on about them."
Washington is less familiar with the Wolverines, but he is no less interested thanks to how relentlessly they've pursued him to this point."I call Michigan at least one time a week, then they come back to the school every couple weeks to check in on me," he said. "They're writing hand-written letters — Coach Smith, Coach Mattison and Coach Hoke. They tell me that I need to bring a spark back to the program to get it back going with the defensive presence that I have and rushing the quarterback and all the stuff I like."

I am really liking our chances here and how Hoke & Co. have been recruiting players that are all in and turn into recruiters themselves

wlubd

May 12th, 2011 at 12:39 PM ^

Washington might need to get on board soon if he wants a spot. Not sure we would take 3 SDE's, assuming you still think Wormley will be part of the class.

BrownJuggernaut

May 12th, 2011 at 1:16 PM ^

To be honest, if Washington will bring us Stanford, I'd take him over Wormley. I know it would suck to not get a Michigan fan to play for us, but if we can get two for one out of those two, it's worth it. I'd love to see us get back to being the Wide Receiver University in the mid-late Carr years.

I hope we can still address all our needs.

wlubd

May 12th, 2011 at 1:09 PM ^

True, it would just create an interesting discussion for the coaches. Assuming we got both Washington and Wormley, you'd be looking at 5 DE's in a class of 18-22, with a need for DT's. That's a lot of d-linemen when there are other needs to be addressed.

My guess would be that Godin would be ticketed for 3-tech as opposed to 5-tech and 1 more DT would finish off DL recruiting.

Also worth noting that as far as problems go, this isn't a bad one to have...

Erik_in_Dayton

May 12th, 2011 at 2:00 PM ^

Wormley might be a guy who can play tackle, at least on passing downs.   I think you're right too that Godin is probably headed for the 3-tech. 

As you say, if Michigan runs into the "problem" of having to choose between Wormley and Washington, that will be a good day. 

UMdad

May 12th, 2011 at 2:26 PM ^

More of the "education is first" stuff.  That drives me crazy.  They say education is their first priority, but if that were true would they really be debating OSU, Alabama, Florida State, LSU, or Michigan State? Notre Dame is comparable to UofM but the rest are a clear step below (and a couple are a few steps below).  I am not sure why recruits say that stuff when everyone knows it isn't true. What they should say is, "I am looking for a team that will get me lots of press, an invite to the NFL draft, and it would be nice if they were accredited just in case I get hurt and have to fall back on a degree."  I can't even fault that logic, I just wish they would be honest about it. 

Captain

May 12th, 2011 at 5:03 PM ^

I am not sure why recruits say that stuff [about prioritizing education] when everyone knows it isn't true.

Most of these kids have very proud mothers who are reading what is said about them. 

These quotes tell me that somewhere along the line, somebody instilled the notion that education should be more important than athletics. 

Whether recruits truly believe it or not, it says something positive about their upbringing when they mention education.

illinoisblue

May 12th, 2011 at 2:00 PM ^

I think it was always assumed that Godin has a great chance at sliding to DT eventually so I see no problem with taking Washington and Wormley in this class, Wormley is far better than his ranking show him to be I would hate him slipping away to someone else and by no means do we know what will happen with attrition or other recruits.

Blue_in_Cleveland

May 12th, 2011 at 10:50 PM ^

I agree that I would still like Wormley too, but if we bring in Wormley and Washington like you say that gives us 4 DEs with Brown and Ojemudia. That's counting Godin at DT. All this after taking Beyer and Heitzman at DE last year. Then there is Rock. I never heard officially, do we think Rock is indeed sliding to DT in Mattison's defense?

That would make 6 DEs in 2 years with 2 guys that are DE/DT.

We are also still looking good with Day, Pipkens, and Johnson at DT for this year.

I am glad that we have lots of options, but we need to be careful about overloading 1 position so we don't run into the kind of troubles we have had at DB over the last couple years (although I do admit that unusually high attrition levels were partly to blame for that). We are also reaching a critically low level of OL (only 12 on scholarship for next year) and need to make sure we save room for at a bare minimum 2 more so we don't run into problems 2-3 years down the road.

Dreisbach1817

May 12th, 2011 at 12:44 PM ^

McMullen, Wormley, Strobel, Pittman, Odeningo, and Washington all from Ohio -- OSU can't fit all of them.  I like how we're focusing on Wormley and Washington.  Wormley is a bit different in that he might already be leaning UM's way.  But Washington would be a steal.  Allow AJ Williams' commitment and Stanford's strong interest to bring in all three.  

UMaD

May 12th, 2011 at 3:11 PM ^

UM and OSU aren't the only choices.  Odeningo would go to Stanford. McMullen to Nebraska. Strobel to Notre Dame.  Washington to an SEC school.  OSU would then have plenty of room for Wormley and Pittman.

Not saying thats going to happen, just that OSU not having a ton of room might not really impact Michigan.  Particularly since even kids who grew up die-hard OSU have to at least consider looking around a little more with the Tressel/sanction uncertainity.

troublet1969

May 12th, 2011 at 1:27 PM ^

I knew they were interested but not to that level!  Stanford's wording leads me to think that they are excited about the possibitly of wearing the Maize and Blue!  Steal would be an understatement...it would be, in recent words of Sam Webb, "abuse"!

FreddieMercuryHayes

May 12th, 2011 at 1:29 PM ^

I'm just not sure if we get them considering other recruits that will probably commit sooner.  Both are highly recruited, and have lots of options, which means that they will probably wait longer to commit (didn't they say they were waiting till the all-american game to announce?).  I just think that by the time they are ready, Burbridge and Wormly could commit, taking their spots.  But then again, if they want to come, they're the type of players you make room for.  Good position to be in.

WolvinLA2

May 12th, 2011 at 1:19 PM ^

This would be the biggest OSU steal since - Prescott Burgess? So like 10 years. This might be bigger than that one even, since it's 2 guys. What an amazing grab that would be.

Pasadena_Blue

May 12th, 2011 at 1:48 PM ^

"They're writing hand-written letters — Coach Smith, Coach Mattison and Coach Hoke."  This comment really was interesting to me.  The coaches are doing everything they can to show how excited they are for these players.  I mean come one, and handwritten note!!?  That's just fricken awesome of them to do.  If I were a recruit that got a hand written note from a coach, it would really feel like i was part of a family.  HOKEMANIA is amazing!

ontarioblue

May 12th, 2011 at 1:53 PM ^

Wants to "own its backyard".  Tressell has used this approach for years.  Once the backyard is constantly sending you the best, you can again venture outside the area and target key recruits nationally.

In The Shadow …

May 12th, 2011 at 2:24 PM ^

We are in a hell of a position with all these top rated kids high on Michigan.  It is great to see so much interest from this type of kids.  The way things are going we could easily have a top 10 if not top 5 class when all is said and done.

ChuckWood

May 12th, 2011 at 2:45 PM ^

I would gladly except both with open arms.  Washington is a beast.  I still do have faith in Wormly regardless of his Rivals star rankings.  He's a freak athlete and size for a DE his age.  All he needs is a little kick in the pants and to get in gear.  I think Mattison is completely capable of bringing out the best in an underrated recruit.  Washington and Wormly playing ends would create a sandwich I would want no part of as an offense.  

And of course, I would consider this a great class of WRs with Stanford and Burbridge.

TrppWlbrnID

May 12th, 2011 at 3:10 PM ^

Adolphus and Dwayne.

current UM commit Joe Bolden is also from the Cinci neck of the woods.  Williams is east side, Bolden is west side, these two are right in the middle.

true blue thou…

May 12th, 2011 at 3:59 PM ^

That big cloud in CBus might pay some big dividens with  these 2.... Who could then help with Brionte Dunn.

Wish we had last years number of schollys with all the interest from big time recruits 

dennisblundon

May 12th, 2011 at 4:46 PM ^

When their feet hit our campus, we will have a legitamate shot. It's really hard not to believe in our coaching staffs recruiting abilities. Hoke has been working Washington hard from day one and it may pay off in the end. Regardless of the out come, you can't fault lack of effort.