Scouting Report: Grant Newsome
This week's scouting report is on Lawrenceville (NJ) Lawrenceville Prep offensive tackle Grant Newsome. I've been a little surprised that he hasn't been mentioned around here (and other places in the interwebs) much because at this point, he's probably the most likely 2015 lineman to commit to Michigan. Penn State and Ohio State have done a good job recruiting the previous guy with that title, Pittsburgh (PA) Baldwin's Sterling Jenkins. Newsome is a pretty solid prospect in his own right.
http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/2014/03/scouting-report-grant-newsom…
includes Old Dominion...we are fucked.
I don't have any inside info or anything, but from what I've read it sounds like Sterling Jenkins is leaning towards Penn State.
This is the vibe people have been getting lately. Unfortunately for us, James Franklin has given PSU recruiting a shot in the arm, and one of the guys it appears to be affecting is Jenkins.
maybe I'm reading this as intensity/drive. From the comment posted it sounds like he isn't playing top competition right now. I'm concerned with the agression issue that he won't reach his potential. Are you seeing that as an issue?
I think it's sort of a concern, yes. It's tough to gauge that aspect from film, though. There are a few reasons why he might not be the most aggressive blocker (out of shape, poor team atmosphere, knowing he's better than the guy across from him, etc.), and some of those may disappear with a different coaching staff or atmosphere.
Yeah, PSU is the team to beat. We're still probably in the top three, along with OSU.
I thought I read somewhere that he was. If so, I assume that will be a pretty imprortant visit if Michigan is to stand a chance at getting him.
I know he's planning to be at OSU for their spring game, but I haven't heard of return visit plans to Michigan. It's possible, though.
Thanks as always for the write-up. Seems like a good prospect.
if that's the approach Michigan should take. Football first and school second...if we're gonna go after guys like that, may as well make them 4 or 5 stars.
"Will we ever learn that the 80's are over."
My Members Only jacket disagrees.
my extensive collection of John Hughes movies.
You aren't good at statistics, are you?
March 27th, 2014 at 10:02 AM ^
I'd be curious to see what the academic requirements to participate in HS are in other states. It's ridiculous to say academics do not come first (on their end) ... It's still just a HS no matter how much talent they have/produce.
March 27th, 2014 at 10:05 AM ^
It should be school first. UM has denied entry to a few high-profile players before. Its what separates the B1G from the ESSS EEEE SEEEE, imo.
March 27th, 2014 at 11:25 AM ^
Or... Columbia HS (Plant City, FL) is on spring break this week and those kids were not doing anything wrong.
March 27th, 2014 at 12:49 PM ^
So let me get this straight: Because you saw some kids in Lake City, FL training for football during a week day, that means we should stop recruiting the Midwest and instead focus on middling prospects in the South? Particularly ones with fancy rims and energy drink decals?
Got it. Some sound logic there.
Clearly, his co-worker who said "football first" is an expert on such things, so we should probably just trust this post.
non-southern schools to even things out because the players in the south are better.
I don't get why so many kids want to play for James Franklin. I see his antics on the sidelines and the way he talks to people in his douchey, condescending way and I'd want to kick him out of my house immediately.
He's young and energetic, and he turned Vanderbilt into a decent team in the SEC (I know they lacked quality wins, blah blah blah). Those things go a long way.
UM coaches have slowed down on him (Jenkins)and decided to cast a larger net over some other prospects so this guy (Grant Newsome) is probably one of them.
March 27th, 2014 at 10:24 AM ^
Isn't he visiting this weekend? I thought I heard Webb say that a few days ago. I believe I'm getting that right. Ace and Brandon have mentioned him, most recently indicating that Clemson is his leader. Supposed to decide in the next several weeks.
March 27th, 2014 at 10:44 AM ^
Yes, he's visiting this weekend. And Clemson is supposed to be his leader.
March 27th, 2014 at 12:05 PM ^
The Michigan coaches may be slowing down on him because the prospects of him becoming a Wolverine may be decreasing. It's not that he isn't still #1 on their board and that they still aren't recruiting him, instead, it's more likely that they are casting a larger net to ensure they get a prospect they like at the position.
I just don't want us to sound like the guys that just say "we cooled on him because we liked other players better" after it becomes more likely a guy commits elsewhere.
March 27th, 2014 at 10:25 AM ^
Basketball, football, it doesn't matter—most of those schools, and their fans, have very different notions of what is ethical when it comes to recruiting and retaining players compared to Michigan. Boosters have been funnelling money to football players at Alabama and Auburn and Kentucky basketballers for decades.
March 27th, 2014 at 10:35 AM ^
"Thick upper body, narrow from waist down, which is how I like tackles."
Mind expounding? I thought I recalled seeing a prominent coach proclaim that he looks for the opposite in OL - a big bottom/wide base. I'm thinking your preference has something to do with projected mobility/lateral movement.
March 27th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^
As for left tackle prospects, I prefer guys with body types like Newsome has. They have to be mobile, and I think if you look at a guy like Taylor Lewan, he was that type coming out of high school. For guys who play on the interior or maybe RT, I like guys with a badonkadonk.
guys with a...huh??
Can someone put that in his signature?
Put it this way:
Gay Sir Mix a Lot would approve of badonkadonks.
March 27th, 2014 at 11:27 AM ^
Magnus, thanks for the scouting report. I have a question that I hope doesn't derail the conversation here, any news or updates on Malik McDowell?
March 27th, 2014 at 11:54 AM ^
in his opinion he will come to Michigan. He said he has no idea what will happen if it goes part that.
March 27th, 2014 at 12:01 PM ^
Yeah. My guess is that if it goes past April 1st, he will end up at Michigan State. I think the kid is bound to stick to his guns and attend the school he chose since he'll essentially be an adult at that point. That's just my guess, though.