In-state Preview of 2014 Recruiting

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February 9th, 2013 at 8:16 AM
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Magnus
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In-state Preview of 2014 Recruiting

Over the last several months, I've been keeping track of names to watch in the state of Michigan for 2014.  Then in the last couple days, I've written up short snapshots of 44 of those players.  There will likely be some sleepers that emerge in the coming year, but I did my best.

The trend in this year's class?  Short-ish, stocky running back/linebackers.  Between Lorenzo Collins, Gary Hosey, William White, and Raylan Hill, the state has several of those RB/LB tweeners.  

http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/2013/02/in-state-preview-of-2014-recr...

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February 9th, 2013 at 8:43 AM | Hopefully we can take the (Score:0 Normal)
February 9th, 2013 at 10:01 AM | /s? (Score:3 Normal)
pkatz
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Is your worry based on something? We may have lost Webb to OSU, but there is really no trend or evidence that the Cass Tech pipeline is anything but solid...

February 9th, 2013 at 11:44 AM | The reason I feel this way is (Score:0 Normal)
February 9th, 2013 at 11:48 AM | Burbridge is from Farmington Hills Harrison (Score:2)
OMG Shirtless
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Not every good player in the state of Michigan went to Cass Tech.

I put up a tough front, but deep down I just want to be held.

February 9th, 2013 at 11:59 AM | Thank for the correction (Score:0 Trolling)
February 9th, 2013 at 12:30 PM | Top 5 in the country? (Score:1)
YoOoBoMoLloRoHo
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A lot of talent at Cass Tech and totally agree that we need to protect the pipeline.

There are a lot of huge schools (4k+ enrollment) in talent hotbeds (LA, Dallas, Atlanta) with significantly better HS competition. 

Cass Tech is surely in the top 20 or so, but top 5 isa stretch.

http://espn.go.com/high-school/football/story/_/id/7523921/high-school-f...

"Everybody wants to be a hero, so to speak.  But it takes everybody."  - Charles Woodson

February 10th, 2013 at 10:40 AM | There are Cass Tech kids (Score:1 Overrated)
Magnus
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There are Cass Tech kids every year who go without offers from Michigan.  I think they feel a little bit entitled to one because they think every decent player at the school will get an offer, but when you take two or three kids from the school every year, I don't really see how too much damage can be done.  I don't think Dennis Finley was a big name in recruiting circles until well after his junior season.  By that time Michigan was pretty much full, since they were only planning to take five linemen originally.

Twitter - Recruiting Update: May 13

February 9th, 2013 at 8:54 AM | Is there a reason you said (Score:3 Normal)
evenyoubrutus
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Is there a reason you said Drake Harris is unlikely to remain committed to msu? Or is that purely speculation based on offers he has received since his commitment.

Not that I loved Rich Rod less, but that I loved Michigan more.

February 9th, 2013 at 9:03 AM | I think it's he because he (Score:5 Normal)
solo dolo
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I think it's he because he originally wanted to play basketball, but now he sees his potential on the football field and doesn't want to waste it at a shit school like MSU

"I think Hoke has changed the tide on the rivalry. Hell people in Ohio are starting to believe him. Never in a million years I would have thought that. Selling Michigan jerseys is a good start."

February 9th, 2013 at 9:10 AM | Harris has started to realize (Score:3 Normal)
Magnus
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Harris has started to realize that he has a better future in football, and MSU isn't the best football program...  Most people think he's going to end up at more of a football powerhouse.

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February 9th, 2013 at 9:32 AM | Any indication whether or not (Score:3 Normal)
APBlue
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Any indication whether or not distance will factor into his decision?  

February 9th, 2013 at 11:55 AM | Someone close to the (Score:2)
Hufflepuff
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Someone close to the situation was saying on the ESPN board that distance would factor heavily in his decision, but not in the way that you might think...
/Obes'd

David Brandon propaganda

February 12th, 2013 at 11:43 AM | I think Harris is going to (Score:2)
Magnus
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I think Harris is going to pick the school that will give him the best chance of getting to the NFL. If that's Michigan, then he'll pick Michigan.  If it's Alabam or USC, he'll go there.

When he picked MSU, he was mainly picking it for basketball, and Izzo has a track record of getting people to the NBA.  That decision made sense (in some ways) at the time, but now he realizes that being a 6'4" shooting guard, he won't exactly stand out.

Twitter - Recruiting Update: May 13

February 17th, 2013 at 12:06 PM | I might have missed it, but (Score:1)
wolverineswag
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I might have missed it, but was there any follow up to the rumor Drake Harris named Kentucky as his leader?

"Fortune leaves always some door open."

February 17th, 2013 at 12:35 PM | It was supposedly an error by (Score:2)
Magnus
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It was supposedly an error by 247 Sports.  It was just an offer from Kentucky, not that they were his leader.  I don't expect Kentucky to factor into his recruitment.

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February 9th, 2013 at 11:58 AM | Because (Score:2)
BiSB
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Izzo doesn't coach football.

They no longer call me Bisbiño

February 9th, 2013 at 9:03 AM | (No subject) (Score:5 Normal)
APBlue
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February 9th, 2013 at 9:08 AM | That's interesting - so despite the smaller class next year (Score:1)
woomba
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Michigan will still potentially have close to the same number of Michigan kids in the class as last year.  

In your article you mention 7-8 prospects and even assuming Michigan loses out that's still 5-6 kids.  Not too far from the 8 prospects from this year.

February 9th, 2013 at 9:22 AM | Magnus- have you heard of a (Score:3 Normal)
solo dolo
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Magnus- have you heard of a MLB out of Tecumseh named Preston Pelham? He's listed at 6' 3" 220 lb and had 170+ tackles playing in the SEC as a junior. I doubt he gets a Michigan offer but could we possibly see him end up somewhere in the B1G?

"I think Hoke has changed the tide on the rivalry. Hell people in Ohio are starting to believe him. Never in a million years I would have thought that. Selling Michigan jerseys is a good start."

February 9th, 2013 at 9:36 AM | I haven't heard anything (Score:1 Normal)
Magnus
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I haven't heard anything about him until now.  He doesn't look like a Big Ten player to me.  Here are the highlights I found:

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1597461/highlights/35599390

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February 9th, 2013 at 9:44 AM | Nice write up Mag (Score:3 Normal)
dRich
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Wish the state of Michigan looked a bit more like ... The state of Texas:/
Not saying we haven't received commitments from some outstanding kids, but we lack that athletes "grow on trees" here feel.

And sorry if already mentioned, didn't see a post but our man Speight is already hitting the recruiting trail for us out in California (CB Adoree Jackson) per Coach B. over at MBlock.

February 9th, 2013 at 9:51 AM | Comparing to Texas isn't fair (Score:1)
bokee88
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I have a friend who lives in Houston. Her two teenage boy play HS football. Instead of Gym, they take "football" for their final class of the day. So, that means those kids get an hour of football "class" before the practice. Imagine that whole state is giving all of their kids 5 hours of extra football practice a week. Over the course of the season that's 60 hours of extra football. Then, when the winter sports start they switch to wrestling or basketball "class".

I realize this isn't the only reason Texas is powerful when it comes to producing football talent but it has to add to it.

"Mr. Potato Head! Mr. Potato Head! Backdoors are not secrets!"

February 9th, 2013 at 10:05 AM | I know of two schools in Michigan (Score:1)
dRich
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Specifically that do the same thing... Not football power houses, but they still offer S&C class as the last class open to only football players. Which was usually actual practice before practice. Idk if you could say it made them better. I think it's just kind of the early implementing of pigskin at an early age ( daddy was a local football hero... And the rest is history.) For god sake they probably have the kids drinking out of a football shaped bottle or a breasts painted to look like half a football down there.

We as a state don't look at High-school football the same as they do. Sadly.

February 9th, 2013 at 10:09 AM | Not to mention there's just (Score:2)
solo dolo
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Not to mention there's just so many damn people living in this state, so there's a much larger pool to select from than in Michigan. Football is just extremely popular(duh) down here and the support these kids get from the parents/community is amazing. Also the winters are pretty mild so they can play all year-round. And they have a week or two of organized spring practices.

"I think Hoke has changed the tide on the rivalry. Hell people in Ohio are starting to believe him. Never in a million years I would have thought that. Selling Michigan jerseys is a good start."

February 9th, 2013 at 10:26 AM | Double (Score:0 Flamebait)
February 9th, 2013 at 10:19 AM | I feel like two things (Score:1)
dRich
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You said really do makeTexas such a hotbed... The mild winters are a serious plus!
And obviously the larger population. Maybe global warming will end Michigan winters and allow our kids to play all winter too. Haha.

February 9th, 2013 at 12:40 PM | California too (Score:2)
HermosaBlue
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A number of schools offer a last period sport-specific class as an alternative to PE, including both high schools in our district.

February 9th, 2013 at 9:33 AM | So reading this it seems (Score:1)
jethro34
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So reading this it seems that, outside of the dream of flipping Webb, the ideal haul from in-state this year would be Doles, Harris, Marshall, and McDowell and anyone else would be a reach based on performance to this point, or a sleeper pick?

Sounds like while this class may be a tad deeper, it's very top heavy.

February 9th, 2013 at 9:41 AM | I would not be surprised if (Score:0 Trolling)
February 9th, 2013 at 9:56 AM | Question about Cass Tech (Score:3 Normal)
Blarvey
Joined: 11/21/2011
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Good stuff, thanks.

I have a general question about Cass Tech: What sets them apart from other Michigan High Schools as far as producing D1 football players? It seems like they send most of their LBs, DBs, and OL to B1G or schools every single year and then reload again the next year.

February 9th, 2013 at 12:00 PM | * (Score:4 Informative)
yossarians tree
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Cass Tech is a magnet school in Detroit. I am not sure of this, but I've always assumed they are able to get any kid in the city who wants to go there, assuming they can handle the academics, which for the City of Detroit publics are excellent. There is a strong youth league system in the city, and by the time the kids are in 7th or 8th grade the Cass coaches have a good idea of which ones they want. It has not always been this way, but success breeds success, and right now Thomas Wilcher (U of M alum) is coaching Cass and the system is definitely feeding the Cass program with top talent. They have also won the state's top-division State Championship the last two years.

"That's some catch, that Catch-22," he observed.

"It's the best there is," Doc Daneeka agreed.

February 10th, 2013 at 10:32 AM | ^^^ (Score:1 Overrated)
Magnus
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What he said.

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February 9th, 2013 at 9:57 AM | Braxten Willis (Score:2 Normal)
jvick9006
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Braxten Willis is only a sophomore. I know Michigan has been in a few times to see the King guys

February 9th, 2013 at 10:05 AM | If he's only a sophomore, (Score:1 Normal)
Magnus
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If he's only a sophomore, then 247 has it wrong:

http://247sports.com/Player/Braxten-Willis-27160

Twitter - Recruiting Update: May 13

February 9th, 2013 at 10:19 AM | It is definitely incorrect. (Score:2 Normal)
jvick9006
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It is definitely incorrect. I'm 100% sure he's a sophomore.

February 9th, 2013 at 10:22 AM | You seem pretty connected (Score:2 Normal)
Magnus
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You seem pretty connected with the Detroit-area kids, so I guess I'll take your word for it.

Twitter - Recruiting Update: May 13

February 9th, 2013 at 9:59 AM | With the limited number of (Score:2)
APBlue
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With the limited number of scholarships that most people are anticipating for 2014, do you see Michigan venturing past their emphasized 350 mile radius more than they did in 2013?  

February 9th, 2013 at 10:06 AM | I think they're already (Score:1 Overrated)
Magnus
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I think they're already showing that they want to recruit more nationally this year.  The state of Ohio is supposedly a little bit down in talent this year, and the coaches have already hit California, Pennsylvania, Texas, and New Jersey pretty hard with offers.

Twitter - Recruiting Update: May 13

February 9th, 2013 at 10:22 AM | Are there any concerns about McDowell (Score:1)
Gordon Berenson
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since he plays against such inferior competition?

February 9th, 2013 at 10:26 AM | I think that's always a (Score:1 Informative)
Magnus
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I think that's always a concern, because it will likely require a bit of an adjustment period.  But you can't teach his natural combination of size and speed.  And unlike Will Campbell, McDowell doesn't have as many issues with staying low.  He doesn't go hard all the time, but I think it's unrealistic to expect 290-pounders who play both ways to go hard every single play.

Twitter - Recruiting Update: May 13

February 9th, 2013 at 10:30 AM | Mags With our (Score:1)
dRich
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Limited scholarships this year what is your ideal class...

1) Ferns
2) Speight
3) McDowell
4) Drake Harris
5) Hand
6)
7)
8)...

February 9th, 2013 at 10:50 AM | If I have my pick of anyone (Score:0 Overrated)
February 9th, 2013 at 12:23 PM | I like that list (Score:1)
dRich
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I like that list a lot.
I love that Ferns and Speight are trying to pull together this class ( like Shane)
Adoree Jackson looks like a freak on the field from what I've seen. Good thing Speight is already out in Cali trying to meet up with him!

February 9th, 2013 at 8:08 PM | Being a little lazy Magnus I know. (Score:1)
TheThief
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But how many of those guys come outside of the 350 mile radius? I like putting a fence around Michigan, beating the Buckeyes for guys in Ohio, and I know that Chicago and parts of Pennsylvania play really good football, but I worry we will limit ourselves by staying in that radius.

In the past we have been able to cherry pick some preytty good guys from Texas, California, and Florida. What is your sense of our ability to do so in the future, especially since Meyer is supposed to have those SEC contacts which will allow him to dip into Florida for the top recruits as well?

I do think as we transition to a more pro style offense we will be able to get even stronger players, especially at skill positions. Of course, that assumes that the spread in the NFL is just a fad, which I think it is. Pocket passers in traditional offenses win Superbowls, and if that is what we are running why wouldn't a coach or parent tell their kid to go to a school that will groom them for the NFL as opposed to one running a college offense.

I realize many will say the spread or read option is here to stay, I will believe it when I see it.  If I am starting an NFL team today Luck vs. RG III is not even a debate. Wilson runs from time to time for the Seahawks, but he mostly uses his ability to move around in the pocket, and Kaepernick has played 10 games, he will either adjust, or face multiple injuries outside the pocket. Sorry...rabbit trail.

T&H preshave+1805+Gentelman's Refinery ASB+Merkur HD+Feather Blade= good start to any morning.

 

February 10th, 2013 at 10:11 AM | The guys in bold are from (Score:0 Overrated)
February 9th, 2013 at 10:46 AM | It seems to me that this year (Score:1)
Breaston Plants
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It seems to me that this year might be a low in state number of recruits. The big 3 and a couple cass options. Gotta snag at least one of the Big 3.

February 10th, 2013 at 10:31 AM | I think a couple other guys (Score:2 Normal)
Magnus
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I think a couple other guys might surprise you.  At this time last year, nobody was thinking about Khalid Hill, Da'Mario Jones, or Csont'e York.  I expanded my list in the hopes of catching a sleeper or two.

Twitter - Recruiting Update: May 13

February 9th, 2013 at 11:05 AM | Adoree' Jackson. (Score:2 Underrated)
Lac55
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Kid is electric! Watched his highlights from his Jr. year, and came away very impressed. He's originally from the midwest so hopefully distance wont play a factor.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=CcHnNWVZ58w&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DCc...

If I say a duck can pull a truck, shut up and hook the sucka up!

February 9th, 2013 at 11:08 AM | Yeah...he might be #1 on my (Score:0 Overrated)
February 9th, 2013 at 11:21 AM | Good summary (Score:0 Overrated)
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