Thomas Rawls Eligible?

I'll plus this one...

Does. Not. Like. To. Be. Tackled. See 5:35 and 8:35 of the video.

so nice you had to post it twice.

...and neg the next one.

He is as close to Hart as any back we've recruited the last few years.  It's something you can't explain but the best thing this kid does is go forward.  Hart did the same thing.  He just always found a way to go a little further than he should have. 

So you played 4 years of varsity ball?

Mine too.  Hope were getting a great present.

Eh you never know what will become of players and if you're a Central fan yes there is too

If he could have got his test score in sooner, you would have been surprised at the offers he would have pulled. He had high level interest, grades were always the issue. This would be an absolute steal.

Sam Webb (WTKA and Go Blue Wolverine editor thinks Rawls is the best running back in the State. Rawls wasn't getting much attention due to his earlier ACT score.

that he's not a 3 star MAC level RB, and if his test scores would have qualified him earlier, the offer sheet would look quite different. This could be a good get.

While I normally am skeptical of the rave reviews people give middling prospects just because they're going to Michigan (which is not to say that they disappoint me; any kid COULD be a star and any kid can represent our university well), Rawls is a big exception.

I've said this before, but there's a high school coach in the state who I'm friends with who thinks that Rawls is the best player in the state - counting Arnett, counting Beyer, counting everyone. This dude is a human weapon and I pray he is part of our class.

Slim. Very slim

215 5-11- 6 foot range ideal back in a Hoke offence.  real bruiser with speed as Freddie Jwould say.

WhAt would be the odds Rawls gets (and accepts) a UM offer, but the U doesn't admit him?

remember that one time we pulled some strings and got a top 10 overall player at corner last year, the position of greatest need?

What's that?  Oh yeah, he met NCAA eligibility standards and then we dinged him.  If we aren't willing to "get around" grades as you say for a 5 star, we sure as hell won't now.  Also, there's no way to "get around" the NCAA eligibility hurdle.  Something tells me you have no idea what the fuck you are talking about.

He doesn't need to RS.  This was only his second year playing RB as he started as a LB in his sophomore and still played there this year.  He went to Flint Northern not SW and had very little talent around him especially on his Oline yet he put up monster numbers including a 396 yard performance to break Mark  Ingram's city record for rushing yards in a game (actually broke his own since he broke Ingrams the week before).

He missed 2+ games with a high ankle sprain or would have been the leading rusher in the state.  The game the sprain occurred he was near 200 yards in the first half before the injury. FWIW his coach is Fred Jackson's son.

100%

Well, Captain Obvious...

It's the ACT Score

He's in Michigan's backyard, breaking lots of records, and playing for Fred Jackson's son. 

Sometimes that's all Michigan fans need to get excited.

That being said, I agree with you.  I don't necessarily agree with the Sam Webb hype machine, but if Hoke intends to go back to I-formations and power football, I think Rawls would be a good dude to have on the roster.  But with Denard on the roster and (presumably) spreading the field a little bit, Hopkins and Rawls are probably less important on this team until Denard graduates.

Who gives a fuck about stars. If they think the kid can play then we'll find out. 5 stars don't mean success and to me it seems that this kid has something to prove. A lot of kids who go to Flint schools don't give a crap about anything.

However, I have not understood the incredible amount of hype he has gotten on here. 

Incredible amount of hype?  Are we talking about Rawls or Dee Hart?   

Sam Webb has mentioned in some earlier stories that Iowa and a couple other big 10 programs have been in contact with Rawls and were waiting on a qualifying test score to offer.

...often hang around waiting for a kid with iffy grades that has also expressed a clear desire to play at the best program in his home state? THAT combo seems like a waste of time.

How could there possibly NOT be room in an Alabama class?

However. There are people saying he looks like M Hart, but a little bigger and faster. You'll remember M Hart was not a highly regarded prospect and  that Michigan was one of the few schools who recruited him. If we can get someone like Hart, but with a little more size and speed, I say he sounds great. If Rawls knows how to run forward and just doesn't stop, that's something that not all RB's ever learn. 

He sounds like a good risk.

He has a hard enough time hanging onto the ball during kick returns.

Can you imagine hearing the first few strains of "You'll never find..." over the Big House sound system every time he breaks a big gain?

That would be so awesome and hilarious.

Yeah, there was a thread about this a day or two ago, but seriously...

If you put a guy in a game and he does well, why not leave him in there until he doesn't do well?  And I don't mean one mistake, because lots of guys make mistakes.  Quarterbacks don't get pulled after one INT.  Linemen don't get yanked after one missed block.  Cox has performed well in every single game he's ever participated in, but they wouldn't let him get off the bench.

Just try putting him in against, say, PSU or Wisconsin or Iowa.  Just see what happens.  If he sucks against those guys, whatever.  But how will you ever know if you don't try?

I am not disagreeing with your overall point, but when Hopkins did carries in short yardage situations, he was underwhelming

Yeah, that whole size versus speed thing didn't work out too well for us.  It was just a difference in philosophy.  I personally agree with you and think that on short yardage situations you go with the size and strength if you have it.  I'm betting that this new coaching staff feels the same way.

I think you have a legitimate concern. But it is hard to say what was interfering with Thomas' academic success throughout high school. It is possible that with all of Michigan's resources, a supportive team/coaching staff, and maybe a change in environment that Thomas will excel academically. I like to think that attending Michigan, with our focus on the "student" part of student athlete, gives young men a better chance of success than does attending a school with fewer resources.   

has him as a 3* and has this to say about him: 

"Rawls should be seeing his recruiting stock rise in the near future. He is a physically imposing back with good downhill attributes. Hits the hole with authority and flashes good downhill burst and momentum. Quick to see and hit the cutback.

A decisive and aggressive runner who is constantly heading North with square shoulder pads and good lean. Displays good explosive out of his cuts and can change speeds to elude. Quick and with some fast-twitched bust in his movements. Does not have real loose hips but can redirect sharply and jump-cut the first defender through the hole.

Keeps his legs driving through the hole and runs behind his pads with a strong base. Breaks a lot of first contact and runs hard with good determination and second efforts. A solid, sturdy runner who is difficult to knock off balance. Runs low to the ground and dips the shoulder through traffic making it difficult to get clean shot on him.

Shows an extra gear and when he breaks free into the second level to separate initially but does not project to have ideal long-speed or great elusiveness as a major college back. Breaks consistent first contact but did not see the pile pushing power we were expecting. Competition at times appears inferior.

That said, we still feel like Rawls can contribute as a downhill runner at the major college level and is falling under the radar. Not overly flashy but this guy can pound it between the tackles and move the chains."

They have his 40 time 4.70, shuttle was 4.69 and his vertical at 31.7 inches.

Definitely would be a nice addition. Plus it would give Michigan  the Flint pipeline.Lost out on Ingram a few years back. Flint Area always seems to have a few nice backs.Speaking of the Flint area is Justice Hayes 100% commited to Michigan? Blue cant afford to lose him.

Their H.S. writers wrote that. Sam didn't have any input on that. I have seen Justice and Thomas play in person plenty of times. Thomas is very much equal to Hayes in ability and potential. In fact if I had to pick one, it would probably be Rawls. There was a better running back on Grand Blanc's team which is why Justice was getting a lot of run at slot dot before he broke his wrist.