Scouting Report: E.J. Levenberry
I wrote up a scouting report on E.J. Levenberry this week. After breaking down his film, it seems a slight bit odd that Michigan would put all/most of its linebacker eggs in the Levenberry basket. He's a good player, but I don't think he's a "can't miss" prospect. He's definitely going to need some good coaching to succeed at the next level.
B...b...but...
He's got, like four stars, man. He will probably get a fifth star.
Given his offer list, it looks like Michigan is not alone in expecting him to be an excellent player. The conclusion to your scouting report also acknowledges his upside, with coaching and improvement in technique. I think that's one of the luxuries of building depth at positions: you get to a point where you don't have to have the "can't miss" guy who might have to play right away.
I agree he is a bit raw. All of the physical tools are there which explains the offer list. He blitzes well and that seems to be his strong suit. Reading and reacting he does well at times and others not so much. His game currently has a sandlot feel to it but some coaching and 15lbs would make this kid a monster.
April 19th, 2012 at 12:21 PM ^
He will be deciding between Michigan and Florida State, and he may make a summer decision. I've heard August, but we'll see.
Reminds you of Obi Ezeh? You're talking about the same rugby-playing consensus 3 star recruit that picked up a late UM offer, and went on to be one of the most ineffective linebackers in recent UM history at diagnosing plays and filling holes, right? I certainly hope he pans out to be a little more productive than that.
The coaching changes killed Ezeh's career, and I'm dead set on that. Ezeh appeared to have more than adaquete instincts his first year, and while he was never going to be the greatest, he had potential, in my opinion, to be a late NFL pick up.
When thinking took over his head rather than making plays he struggled. It was clear to me that Ezeh stuggled with confidence, as once he started thinking instead of reacting, he started struggling more. Ezeh never got to the point of just going out and playing. He was still thinking about technique (the little of what was coached in his time at Michigan apparently) rather than it being second nature to him. If he would have continued to be coached in a single system and retained his confidence, I think he would have been a fine LB for Michigan.
As for the comparison, Levenberry has a higher ceiling than Ezeh, but they play quite similar at this point. I think Levenberry will be better, but they are definately the same type of player, and hopefully Levenberry will see better and more consistent coaching to become what Ezeh never could.
April 19th, 2012 at 10:58 AM ^
We may have to agree to disagree on that one, but IME, Kenny Demens put the final nail in the coffin on the idea that Ezeh had any football sense. Demens had the same coaching Ezeh did, and upon being put in the game, the middle of a game mind you, coming in cold, did 90% of the things right that Ezeh was doing wrong. All the coaching changes probably did screw with Ezeh's head, but very few people on the team had those problems to the extent Ezeh did. I think he was just one of those guys that didn't have a head for the game.
April 19th, 2012 at 11:44 AM ^
Obi Ezeh had 3 coaches in his time, the first two with Szabo, and then he switched to Shafer, Hopson, and then Robinson. He also switched from 4-3 to 3-3-5 back to 4-3 and then back to a 3-3-5.
At the time Demons had at least spent most of his time with two coaches, and at least the same staff around him. We saw last year that Demons stuggled a bit to react. That is probably in part because of the coaching change and not being comfortable. Don't get me wrong, I think Ezeh would have struggled at the next level because he clearly struggled to adapt, but nonetheless he could have been much better.
Ezeh ran a 5.07 second 40 at his pro day. He went undrafted and lasted less than three weeks in an NFL camp before leaving the league for good. Combine that with the low recruiting rankings and the picture of his raw athletic ability is pretty dim.
Expecting him to be a good player under any circumstances is a pretty big pipe dream, and I'm guessing you wouldn't hold the same opinion if he hadn't happened to play for your favorite team.
Ezeh definately played like a hs junior.............
I also found it a bit odd he is being compared to ezeh. Everytime a play went Obi's way I closed my eyes. Least favorite Michigan linebacker in recent years.
April 19th, 2012 at 11:00 AM ^
Wasn't Obi recruited to play RB too?
I think he came in as a FB or was given the opportunity to play FB or LB.
April 19th, 2012 at 12:54 PM ^
I don't think there is a player's name that I have screamed "dammit" to more than Ezeh's, maybe Rip Hamilton.
As Space Coyote says, I'm not nearly as down on Ezeh as many Michigan fans were. Ezeh had some good coverage skills and was a decent tackler. I think he had some talent when he was younger, but the constant changes in defensive schemes (and a back injury) really took their toll. I'm not saying he reminds me of Obi Ezeh as an insult. I liked Ezeh, but he wasn't a good player by the time he was an upperclassman.
* silently thinks of Dorian O'Daniel *
Also hope he has more speed than what is evident on the tape. Often seems hesitant.
April 19th, 2012 at 10:28 AM ^
I think your scouting report is relatively accurate, however, a few things:
I think you're overblowing the instincts part of it. His instincts are pretty solid IMO, especially for the SAM spot (which I think he will play). While I agree, that if he were playing in the middle, instincts may become a concern, I do feel for the SAM spot his instincts are fine. He looks completely destined for SAM IMO.
I think the bigger concern is the fact that, while he is a big hitter, he doesn't always bring his feet. He absolutely kills people in his highlights, but that is because he is such a big kid. His feet are often planted like roots when he actually makes the hit rather than driving. He does do a good job of getting the ball carrier off the ground, so he has good form outside of the feet issue.
I think the positives are the big thing though. He has really big potential. His body is as near to college ready as you will get. His height and weight could make him a terror to block. He is athletic. With a little coaching, he can reach his potential, and he seems much more likely to reach his potential than most because of the things he needs to be coached on.
That being said, he isn't the best LB in the class. He is more likely to drop a bit than to pick up a 5th star it seems. While he is for sure a 4 star caliber LB, probably top 100-150ish player, I think he is rated a bit too highly at this point as his potential is great, but not as great as some others, and he is pretty solid now, but not as solid as some others. Still, a very good player that would be a very good pick up.
Also, I think the Obi comparison is fair, as I thought Obi was a better fit at SAM as well, where he wouldn't have to read and react as much. People tend to forget the potential Ezeh has as a freshman before he started thinking way too much and it clouded his instincts. I think Levenberry is a better athlete and has a better body than Ezeh, but they are similar types of LBs, and I think with proper coaching he could be All-Conf/NFL caliber by the time he leaves, as you state.
Needs coaching? We got that.
....that some day I will open a Magnus evaluation, and it will be effusive, glowing, and overwhelmingly positive.
Sorry, I must have taken some of Brian's painkillers.
April 19th, 2012 at 10:51 AM ^
Have you forgotten the love that he had for Mike Cox. (sorry in advance for how that sounds)
April 19th, 2012 at 11:04 AM ^
The love he had? I think the love is still there
April 19th, 2012 at 11:57 AM ^
after we've already read it. That's more like "sorry in arrears".
(Sorry for how that sounded.)
April 19th, 2012 at 12:39 PM ^
I share this vision. I knew as soon as I saw the title in the sidebar that I was going to be disappointed.
The overview didn't seem very harsh. Although very good, the kid is not bionic, and has room to improve.
Did you buy a puppy, Magnus? You're turning into a softy.
Reminds me nothing of Obi Ezeh.
April 19th, 2012 at 10:36 AM ^
Thanks for your extremely detailed opinion
April 19th, 2012 at 10:52 AM ^
At least you have nowhere to go but up.
FYI, and to make this informative and not (too) dickish, it is not your opinion that leads my to criticize your comment. But, if you are going to make a statement like that, give some support or reasoning. Magnus does a great job on these evaluations. He is far from flawless, and many of us often disagree with some of his conclusions. But, if you are going to do so, provide some support to add to the dialogue.
Michigan would put all/most of its linebacker eggs in the Levenberry basket.
is taking 7 linebackers in 2 years really even close to putting all/most linebacker eggs in one basket.
He's referring to the fact that, by all accounts, other very good 2013 linebackers have been turned away by the coaches... including O'Daniel (Had Michigan as his top choice, now a Clemson commit) and Anzalone (if I remember, he had a high interest in Michigan, but is now an ohio lean).
At the time, the assumption was made that we must have a silent commit (Gedeon) and were saving a 3rd LB spot for a super-stud (Levenberry).
So now, two things have come to light that throw all that previous speculation out the window. Gedeon says he was never a silent commit. And Levenberry may not be such a super-stud... in fact, it seems reasonable to assert that he's on par with O'Daniel or Anzalone (both outstanding prospects)... so the question remains, why were they turned away?
We're left to trust the coaches and admit that all we can do is speculate on what is known publicly when we do not know everything the coaches know behind closed doors. The caveat being that I would be happy with any of those three and am more than happy with the current 2012 and 2013 LB commits.
There is an interview on Scout with EJ and his dad, and Mr. Levenberry is quoted that Hoke and Co. believe that EJ is the best LB in the class. They saw Gedeon in camp first hand last year, so he was always a priority. With LB not a huge need, why not hold out for whom you believe is the best LB in the class, and if you don't get him, it isn't that big of a deal anyway because the position isn't a huge need.
I think their talent evaluation deserves the benefir of the doubt if they believe that EJ is the best LB in the class.
April 19th, 2012 at 10:14 AM ^
And our coaching staff is not the only one that thinks that way. You'll be hard pressed to find a kid with a better offer list than Levenberry
April 19th, 2012 at 10:17 AM ^
O'Daniel and Levenberry may both be LBs but they wouldn't play the same position at Michigan. Last year's class lacked a true SAM, which Levenberry projects to. Also, I don't think anything has happened to change the coaches' evaluations of these prospects.
Gedeon may not have been a silent commit, but the coaches usually have a very good idea of where they stand with recruits. It's reasonable to think they were confident he would decide soon and in their favor. Rightly so, I might add.
April 19th, 2012 at 11:57 AM ^
I had a feeling for awhile that Gedeon was a silent commit. It seemed like he just suddenly dropped off the face of the Earth, and you didn't really hear anything about him. That makes a lot of sense as to why they would tell O'Daniel they were full at the position.
As for Levenberry, we don't really have a need for another LB in this class, but I think the coaches like his potential and physical aspects. The guy is bound to be a redshirt, so that will give him plenty of time to learn the playbook and hit the weights.
I was thinking that too. Pulling the other LB offers isn't too big of a deal, if anything raises an eyebrow is that EJ still has one. There are definitely more pressing needs.
While I agree that we have more pressing needs, it is still curious that the coaches were turning away top 100 LB prospects when at the time we only had one LB commited.
The point is that they started turning down other "elite" linebackers (O'Daniel, Jones, Anzalone, etc.) but were saving a spot for Levenberry. I'm not saying he's the only linebacker they've recruited, just that they've shut the door on a bunch of others.
Why do you do this? If you want to trash a recruit on your own blog that's fine, but don't bring it here. Recruits read this stuff and I just don't see the value of having it here. If you want to post that you have a recruit post on your blog that's fine but just announce that and leave it at that. You don't have to add that you think the kid stinks in your post here.
April 19th, 2012 at 10:07 AM ^
He basically did to LTT. He gave some very harsh criticism (some of which may have been accurate), which LTT stumbled upon through this blog. Obviously the professional evaluators (the coaching staff, not subscription site "analysts") see a lot of upside to his game, in accepting his commitment and in turn, turning down a lot of highly rated OLine prospects.
Overall I agree with Dudeness, that we shouldn't be attracting hits to "negative content" about future Wolverines. Has it hurt us in recruiting yet? Probably not. But it does have the potential to do harm in the future. Lets face it, we have a great resource here, in the #1 single team sports blog in the country. Recruits and their parents know about MGoBlog from interviews with Aqua and Ace (and formerly TomVH), so lets protect our program.
April 19th, 2012 at 12:00 PM ^
If you want fluff there are myriad places you can find it. I (and others) read Touchthebanner because it's one of the only places where the editorial voice isn't compromised by the borderline delusional idea that they are part of the program and should aim to contribute to its success.
This isn't Touchthebanner.
Good point. But seriously if sober discussion of recruits is verboten here because they might get upset count me out.
April 19th, 2012 at 12:05 PM ^
April 19th, 2012 at 12:22 PM ^
As someone who read every word of your LTT assessment, I agree that it was beyond "analysis" and leaned awfully close to a personal attack.
And hey, it's a free country, and you can say whatever you like. But when you say "Logan Tuley-Tillman is not very good right now" and " It looks like Tuley-Tillman has never had a day of quality offensive line coaching," you can't be surprised when people see it as more personal attack than analysis.
April 19th, 2012 at 12:55 PM ^
I agree with this assessment of the assessment. I definitely appreciate the realistic evaluations and I actually thought this one was pretty positive on the whole, but in general there's something to be said for leaning towards the positives rather than the negatives, and presenting things with a positive connotation. Every high school player in America has things to work on, but providing constructive criticism doesn't necessarily require honing in so much on those weak points. If you were coaching the kid that would obviously be beneficial, because it lets the kid focus on what he needs to work on, but it can come across as bashing in a one off, written format. Your blog though. Cue the dude.