Syracuse Commit Ifeatu Melifonwu ('17) Sticking with Commitment

Submitted by EastCoast Esq. on

There was chatter that we might extend an offer to this kid. His older brother -- who was recruited by Don Brown -- also had a low rating and is now projected to go high in the draft.

 

Hearing 2017 Grafton (Mass.) S Ifeatu Melifonwu decided to stick with Syracuse pledge. Michigan may have been considering extending an offer pic.twitter.com/MNPJNwByrk

— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) January 30, 2017
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ADKGoBlue

January 30th, 2017 at 5:27 PM ^

I was looking forward to hearing announcers struggle with his name for a few years. Was also hoping to see what kind of magic Don Brown could work with this kid. Oh well, wish him the best at 'cuse.

Joined: 10/30/2016

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MichiganStan

January 30th, 2017 at 5:28 PM ^

Well, Michigan didnt offer him so Harbaugh and Co must not have been too interested.

Not too worried about this. Our secondary ptotential in this class is already really good with Woods, St Juste, Ambry. JKP and even rumors of Brad Hawkins moving to safety

 

Joined: 01/03/2017

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MichiganStan

January 30th, 2017 at 6:03 PM ^

"His physical build and athleticism will give him a chance to be a standout whether he ends up playing wide receiver or safety for the Wolverines" Literally this from Fishaw a week ago. It is still being floated around

With the possiblity of adding Nico Collins and Oliver Martin to DPJ and Tarik Black we already have 4 WR coming in this class rated better than Hawkins. Hawkins has the stockiest build at 6'1 200+ lbs coming out of highschool so he has the body to move to safety

Theres only so much room on the field at one position. If those 4 guys pan out then hawkins will have to play some where else to get playing time. And those 4 guys are just from this class. If we add a 5* or high 4* wr next year theres even more blocking the 3* Hawkins playing at the position

Joined: 01/03/2017

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RDubs

January 30th, 2017 at 8:58 PM ^

It's a lot of guys in one class, but there are ways to create separation that open windows for WR's. Some of these guys will redshirt which allows the staff to focus on elite guys instead of filling numbers. Some of these guys have the physical tools to enter the draft early ir they maximize their potential. Between those two factors and the ball skills Hawkins showed on film this year, it could make sense to keep at WR until a need emerges elsewhere.

Joined: 09/09/2008

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ColeIsCorky

January 30th, 2017 at 6:06 PM ^

I believe it's just been rumors/speculation. I assisted in that speculation, but I do believe there's a little merit to it. I think I heard Sam talking about it, and we all know that the staff is very open to trying things out. If Hawkins preference is at WR, there's no reason to think he wouldn't get that shot but same goes for Safety.

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MichiganStan

January 30th, 2017 at 5:51 PM ^

Why would Iffy sticking syracuse because UM not offering equate to Gay coming to UM?

I mean I think irrationally a lot too about crooting but our chances of Willie Gay are incredibly slim

Getting Willie Gay would go against basically all of the insiders predicitions. It would go down as one of the biggest recruiting upsets ever. Nobody sees it happening

Joined: 01/03/2017

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stephenrjking

January 30th, 2017 at 6:30 PM ^

Seems this is a real possiblity, right? Syracuse tells him "we've got a spot for you right now, but we need a full class and if you wait until the end of signing day to decide to come we can't guarantee you'll keep your spot." Maybe that's poor marketing and maybe it isn't, but if a guy likes Cuse anyway and they're asking him to buy in, and Michigan is playing "wait and see" with CBs flooding for them from iffy guys, perhaps it was time for him to just hold firm.

Joined: 03/15/2012

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Mr Miggle

January 30th, 2017 at 5:40 PM ^

down the stretch. He was the only visitor we had from out of left field. Chris Partridge did visit a punter in Ohio. 

OSU, for all their 5*s and apparent recruiting momentum,  just flipped a 3* WR from Missouri, ranked in the 1200s and are trying to flip a TE committed to Iowa St ranked in the 1800s.

MSU lost a WR commit to Rutgers(!) and are trying to flip a completely unranked WR from Jacksonville St. 

Meanwhile, our staff looks confident in adding Collins and Martin.

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JOHNNAVARREISMYHERO

January 30th, 2017 at 5:39 PM ^

We are recruiting character instead, Harbaugh adopting the Houston Rockets basketball coach/msu volleyball coach's new mantra.

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M-GO-Beek

January 30th, 2017 at 5:43 PM ^

If we haven't offered him yet, of course he is going to "stick" with his committment.  The real test will come when the offer comes through.  Otherwise, we will never know if this is all just window dressing to make the coaches at SU feel good in case the offer doesn't happen.

Joined: 02/03/2015

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ColeIsCorky

January 30th, 2017 at 6:11 PM ^

Ugh. It was his projection that he would be in the class, but he clearly stated that he could not commit at the moment. The staff had yet to pull the trigger. That was more of a guess from Sam than a guarantee. And I think that was based on the "4 or 5" spots left with the notion that we strike out on Tufele, Gay and Becton. I think most of us even thought he would be in regardless if the staff offered or had a commitable offer, whichever you prefer to word it.

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geewhiz99

January 30th, 2017 at 5:49 PM ^

Syracuse most likely forced his hand as Michigan was waiting to see  the "final" numbers before extending an offer. That is too bad as Ifeatu will be a stud in the future, much better than his 2-star ranking.

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