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Thomas Rawls Eligible?
Fred Jackson said he is most eligible.
I'll plus this one...
Does. Not. Like. To. Be. Tackled. See 5:35 and 8:35 of the video.
Fred Jackson said he is most eligible.
so nice you had to post it twice.
He's so eligible that he makes Stephen Hawking look ineligible.
...and neg the next one.
Reminds me of Mike Hart, Would be a great get!
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.
5'8" 180 versus 5'10' 215. Not to mention that Rawls has legitimate track speed. Throw in the fact that Hart played in an area of NY not knowing to produce much football talent against the SVL which has produced its share of D1 players and I can almost understand the comparison. With you posting at 4:07 am I'll blame it on the alcohol.
He said they were close. He didn't say they were exact replicas.
And actually, they do have very similar running styles. Yes, they're different sizes. And maybe Rawls is a bit faster. That doesn't mean they can't have similar skills.
and I was only referring to running style
is like MIke Hart, but bigger and faster... SWEET!
Seriously
I'm pretty sure that at this point we know more about Mike hart than how big he was at 16 and what competition he played against in high school. I'm comparing Rawls to the Mike Hart we all know now. When he was a senior at Michigan, he was 5'9" 200 and yes, they have the same running style, imo.
Calm down Fred.
Thomas Rawls is an absolute beast of a running back. I played against Mark Ingram in high school, as well as Rawls. The similarities are crazy. Not to mention Rawls has broken some of Mark's city records. All of us in the Flint Area are having flashbacks from Ingram's career. We couldn't keep Ingram home, so it would be awesome to get Rawls in Maize and Blue.
So you played 4 years of varsity ball?
Well, if Ingram's last high school season was 2007 and Rawls played varsity as a sophomore in 2008, then it's very possible that the OP could have been a junior in '07 and a senior in '08.
Logic. It's an amazing thing.
smart magnus...
Impossible. No one could have possibly been a junior in '07 and a senior in '08.
It's common at the city schools. Not every school has a JV team.
Wow. That's impressive. I was the size of a beagle when I was a freshman.
I got moved up for playoffs my freshman year. I caught a glimpse of Rawls in a scrimmage we played in . I was a 3 year starter. I played Mark Ingram my sophomore year, in our home opener, when he was at Grand Blanc. Then again my junior year when he was at Southwestern at the same scrimmage. Rawls was a young guy playing with varsity at that point. He played a lot of linebacker, and got spot carries at RB, but he definitely showed out.
Either way I win!!! One of my teams gets him! YAY!!!!!!!
Says he will have a surprise announcement. Since CMU wouldn't be much of a surprise, it sounds good for us.
My thoughts exactly. The surprise will be him telling everyone he's eligible for a Michigan offer
So I'm hoping a TR Going Blue will be the best part of the day (besides getting drunk and getting my smash on)
Mine too. Hope were getting a great present.
3 star MAC level RB nothing to get excited about.
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.
said he would be worth sending him to prep shcoll to get this kid qualified.
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.
What would be the odds that Michigan does not give him an offer if he is eligible?
Slim. Very slim
215 5-11- 6 foot range ideal back in a Hoke offence. real bruiser with speed as Freddie Jwould say.
Might his size draw comparisons to one Touchdown Timmy?
I think Freddie Jack said he has the speed of Tyrone Wheatley, the physicality of Touchdown Tim, the determination of Mike Hart, and the elusiveness of Ricky Powers. : )
WhAt would be the odds Rawls gets (and accepts) a UM offer, but the U doesn't admit him?
if you can play, 95% of the time you find a way around the grades....and here comes the yes, but we're michigan responses
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.
The problem with Dorsey was that he made huge strides to be eligible in a short time with a shady program. IT wasn't that he wasn't eligible, but the way he got there through Lifeskills raised alot of red flags. He also had a record which compounded the situation. Here is a link
http://mgoblog.com/content/its-over-demar-dorsey-and-michigan
Rawls as far as we know doesnt have these red flags and raised his GPA and test score the rights way and to assume otherwise is foolish. So in conclusion, you don't know what the fuck you are talking about my man.
The program Demar went through might be something similar that we have at our school for credit retrieval in a drop-out prevention program. While the kids do earn credits towards graduation, the NCAA was not accepting the credits because the program was not rigorous enough. Our district have since gone to a different platform for our program, but our athletes cannot be in that program because if the NCAA clearinghouse won't accept the program, we do not want to put our athletes that earn a schollie on the field not qualify in the classroom because they did not work hard enough in a rigorous program. I think the NCAA rulings caught many Florida counties off guard. I don't know if this is the case with Demar, but I do know it has been an issue in Florida.
...where he takes a 6 yard loss and makes it a 7 yard gain.
That, and his stiff arms are good for another 5 yards, minimum. Pound the rock, son.
Could turn into an absolute beast with a redshirt and a year on the bench (two years of S&C)... if he improves his foot speed and pad level, he will be a load to deal with.
Fred Jackson would likely describe him as possessing Tyrone Wheatley's strength, Justin Fargas' speed, and Chris Perry's hands -- with the chance to turn into a Marshall Faulk-type all-purpose back.
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.
again, because we have room and need RBs.
However, I have not understood the incredible amount of hype he has gotten on here. (Yes, the hype long pre-dated the RR firing and persisted while we had the best RB in the country locked up, so the answer cannot be "he'd be great in Hoke's system). Can someone explain this? He is the 77th RB to Scout and a 5.6 rating on rivals. He has great size for a RB, so that's not artifically depressing his rankings.
CMU is the only other school going after him. What gives? It can't JUST be grades - grades don't play the biggest role in recruiting rankings and schools tend to continue to pursue good players that are borderline. It has to be the case that a ton of schools have taken a look and were not interested.
100%
.....what'd he do, steal your woman at Homecoming?
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.
It's true that DRob will take some straight rushing attempts from the backfield. But, if part of the design is to get Denard on the edge (either straight run, rollout or run-pass option) then having a guy who can burst straight through the middle and can plow through some arm tackles seems to me to be a very effective complement. As a complement it would even take away some edge D and make Denard more effective on the margin.
FWIW, I'm less down on Michael Shaw than others.
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?
This young man is a beast!! A welcomed addition to this class!!
So, again, why wouldn't any other major school be at least sniffing around the kid? Teams routinely hover around good prospects with iffy grades.
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.
Interesting that he is holding his ACT secret. Hey y'all, got a 17, so I'm going to CMU.
Cannot WAIT for the TRawler to make it to AA. This guy is clearly a monster and could potentially contend this coming season for PT against Cox, Toussaint, and Hopkins. Very excited for our squads future...
I know a lot about him, Iowa and Wisconsin said they will offer with a qualifying score, Bobby Williams(former MSU coach) has been in contact with him regarding Alabama recruitment but told Thomas no room in this year class, Cincinnati and Toledo offered him early, but he always maintained Michigan is his dream school
Schools just haven't been pushing for him because its so late in the process, but I can tell you one thing, the kid is an absolute beast on the field
How could there possibly NOT be room in an Alabama class?
You know who I love? John Rawls. A theory of justice.
Just sayin.
If Fred Jackson is interested and thinks this kid has talent then Michigan would be crazy not to take him if he is eligible. Fred has been known to bring in one or two good RBs.
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.
I'm sure I'll get negged for
You bring it up, you get negged. Just like this comment and my reply.
I have a feeling that Borges' offense is going to use two backs more frequently. As we don't have any scholarship fullbacks on our roster and don't seem to be recruiting any, it's quite possible that our blocking back/second back in the backfield will be a guy like Hopkins (or Rawls). Remember that last year's SDSU offense used two tailback-type guys at the same time, and when Borges was at Auburn, he often used Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams in the same backfield.
I agree with your assessment of Rawls' scholarship situation. I don't think he's the super awesome back that Sam Webb and many on here are talking about. However, I think he represents the Big Ten-style back that Brady Hoke probably wants to use while he's here at Michigan. And when one is in your backyard and you've got 10 additional scholarships to give out in about the next 10 days...hey, why not?
I think you should aim to take at least one running back every year. And since it's unclear where Justice Hayes is destined to play, maybe Rawls isn't a bad idea.
You can still aim for an elite back in 2012, with the idea that Shaw will be graduated, Smith will be a senior, and Cox will be a redshirt senior (if he sticks around for a fifth year).
If he would be open to playing FB and adding another 10+lbs, this would let him block for his boy Hayes and would get him some carries early in his career. Just dont want to see a talent like him have to wait a while to get on the field.
He has too much upside to pass up, me thinks.
The Saginaw Valley League has gone downhill from the early 2000's but this guy looks great! If he qualifies he should def be a wolverine!
I don't know the difference between a long strider and a short strider but this kid must be a short strider. Looks like he takes real tiny steps to me but nobody was catching him. Rawls isn't flashy, but as some have pointed out, he does go forward. He uses subtle cuts instead of exaggerated "shakes"
Some of you probably don't know this, so I will inform you. Mike Hart was a 3* also.
according to Sam Webb. This kid would be a steal and a huge get for a team that has no power back. If his ACT is good, he is ours.
I'm sold on this kid from what I've seen....Again, I suck at being able to tell whether a kid, (by watching High School tape alone), can play or not.
Rawls recorded a single in the 70s called "You'll Never Find Another Back Like Mine". One of his biggest hits was, "Maize-y Love". Great U(-M)rban soul.
True story.
This is Thomas appearing under his stage name, Lou:
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.
If he decides to come to AA and meets the academic standards & qualifies I welcome him....T.Rawls come on down..........!
It may be crowded with bodies, but it's virtually vacant when it comes to RBs who have proven that they can be difference-makers. Either they can't stay healthy or fumble in crucial situations. The only exceptions I would make is for Hopkins and maybe Cox, since for whatever reason the former coaching staff was inclined to keep them on the bench. I know the rap on Cox was an inability to learn the playbook, but you don't ever know how a RB will perform until you actually stick him in the damn game. Why they insisted on running VS out there in short yardage situations when Hopkins languished on the sidelines was a complete mystery to me.
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
I'm not saying you're wrong, but I only remember one Hopkins failure on short yardage. I didn't notice it as a glaring weakness in his game, but maybe I just don't recall.
If you're talking about the failed 4th down at Purdue, that one was on Denard. IIRC, he was bobbling the ball as he was attempting the handoff and Hopkins never got a clean grab on the ball, which was fumbled and subsequently recovered by Purdue.
In the ND game he plowed through for a TD from one yard out.
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.
but anyone else concerned that if he is having trouble qualifying to get in that he might have trouble remaining in school once he has been admitted. The student-athlete combination is obviously challenging; I am amazed that the players can juggle school, lifting, film watching, practice, etc. etc. They deserve a lot of credit.
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.
All in for Rawls if he qualifies and wants to come to AA.
Even though it doesn't seem like we need another RB, at this point I'd be happy with anything.
Do you think his low-ish rating on sites and lack of other offers has to do with his grades?
And I think it also affects his rating that there are a lack of midwest scouts, especially with rivals.
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.
I couldn't read the entire article because Im not an insider, but that sounds like a pretty positive article IMO. He will definitely be a good get regardless.
And yes Justice appears to be 100% Blue. As we speak, he is probably trying to recruit others on their official visit.
But the Detroit News -- where Sam Webb is a featured recruiting expert -- ranks Rawls as the...39th best prospect in Michigan. Behind players of CMU/EMU caliber.
Just noting.
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.
Rawls would be a huge get. Nice!