TomVH: A Few Quick Recruiting Updates
I just got a text from two kids in California that just got offers. I tweeted yesterday to keep an eye on OL Jordan Simmons (6'5", 295 lbs) and he is reporting an offer from Michigan. The other is current USC commit WR Jordan Payton (6'2", 199 lbs). I'm in constant contact with both of these prospects, and they were both really excited about the offer.
Despite the fact that Jordan is committed to USC, he was still very happy to hear from Michigan.
[The Michigan coaches] offered me like thirty minutes ago. I talked to Coach Ferrigno for like 45 minutes last night, and I guess they actually offered me this morning, but I didn't find out until right now. My coach faxed over my transcripts and then they offered. When I talked to Coach Ferrigno he said, "We're offering you a scholarship to the University of Michigan, Hail to the Victors." I'm really excited about it, and I'm excited to take a trip out there in April. It's a big offer for me because of all of the tradition they have.
Like I said, these two are prospects that I'm in contact with quite a bit, and I'm not at liberty to say a lot with regards to Payton but Michigan does have a really good chance. He is visiting in April, and is really excited about this. Stay tuned for that.
There are a few other kids to keep an eye on that I wanted to point out. Two teammates from Georgia, DT Jonathan Taylor (6'5", 315 lbs) and DE/TE James Deloach (6'3", 255 lbs) from Jenkins Country High School.
Both have big time offers, and both are big time players. Their head coach told me about both of them today, and that they were hoping to hear from the Michigan coaches.
Jonathan is a beast. He's not even 17 yet, and he's already 6-foot-5, 315-pounds. He ran an electronic 4.8 forty at a camp, I saw him bench 435 pounds, squat 600, and power clean 435. He's a great kid, and an absolute monster on the field. The thing with these two is if you want one you're going to have to get the other. They're a package deal and you'll have to take both of them. Distance won't matter for them, and Michigan is a school that they're interested in.
I would encourage you to watch their film, which you can see here. The first few plays from Jonathan are pretty outstanding. The Michigan coaches are aware that these two are interested, so keep an eye on them.
February 17th, 2011 at 7:36 PM ^
First!!
February 17th, 2011 at 8:27 PM ^
February 17th, 2011 at 7:38 PM ^
I feel like a kid in a candy store for 2012. I know it's early, but I love hearing things like "big time," "Monster," and "beast" about people we're going after.
Just gets me excited.
February 17th, 2011 at 7:39 PM ^
315 pounds and a 4.8 electronically timed 40? I'll take him.
February 17th, 2011 at 7:41 PM ^
That jumped out to me too. That is just an unreal time at that weight.
February 17th, 2011 at 10:23 PM ^
That, right there, is what they mean when they talk about ":SEC speed". They aren't talking about skill position guys.
February 17th, 2011 at 10:47 PM ^
A 315 pound kid running a 4.8, I would think, earns the coveted five fakes out of five!!
February 18th, 2011 at 8:28 AM ^
in other words zero fakes.
February 17th, 2011 at 7:43 PM ^
Gonna be tough to pry him from the south, especially Georgia. Say what you want about Richt, but he does recruit. If he isn't fired in the next year it would be hard for me to imagine them leaving GA for anywhere but Bama, Auburn etc...
February 18th, 2011 at 1:02 AM ^
It seems like Michigan has not had a presence in GA for some time. The last recruit I can remember coming from GA is Carlos Brown.
February 18th, 2011 at 6:06 PM ^
David Cone
February 18th, 2011 at 6:19 PM ^
Brown and Cone were both in the '06 class.
February 17th, 2011 at 7:44 PM ^
cause they're a package deal
February 17th, 2011 at 7:45 PM ^
If those measurables are accurate (or even pretty close), that kid is a physical monster. It almost doesn't matter what his technique is like, you offer a kid like that and hope the rest works out because that's the making for a real player.
February 17th, 2011 at 7:46 PM ^
The OL at the top, Simmons, goes to the same HS as Devin Lucien, not to bring up a sore subject. He also has an offer from everyone worth mentioning, including USC of course.
February 17th, 2011 at 7:51 PM ^
He's wide open, and really likes Michigan. He is just taking everything in right now.
February 17th, 2011 at 7:47 PM ^
i've never seen high school kids bowl over people like jon taylor did. That hit in the beginning on the QB is awesome but i kinda feel bad for him he got crushed
February 17th, 2011 at 7:49 PM ^
As we all wait for the first "Hello" post, I wonder 3 things:
1) Do these early commits matter anymore? It seems like we're getting interest from a couple of kids committed elsewhere.
2) When do we normally begin getting commitments?
3) Don't I have anything better to do?
February 17th, 2011 at 7:52 PM ^
1) Depends on the kid. Some are genuine in their commitment, others use it to hold a place somewhere, others just don't really know what they want yet.
2) Brown and Hollowell were already committed this time last year. Can start at any time. There's a junior day coming up so I'd expect commits by then.
3) Probably not, but only you know that.
February 17th, 2011 at 7:51 PM ^
February 17th, 2011 at 7:58 PM ^
Tom do you sleep? Ever?
February 17th, 2011 at 8:00 PM ^
I love the "Hail to the Victors" tagline that Coach Ferrigno is using. Really selling the program and what the University of Michigan is about.
February 17th, 2011 at 8:14 PM ^
I like that were offering these big recruits early. And recruits that have verbally committed (Ohio St, USC). Gotta try, or we won't get em. And of course others will be doing it to us. Hail to the Victors!
February 17th, 2011 at 8:15 PM ^
Tom, I can't really remember back to last year at this point. But were there this many big time out of state prospects that were this excited for Michigan offers?
February 17th, 2011 at 8:34 PM ^
The size of that dude is just nor fair. He looked like a bear sifting through the trash out there. But the trash cans were offensive and defensive lineman and his meal was QB's & RB's. Love it! Coaches, put the full court press on this dude and his friend asap.
February 17th, 2011 at 8:40 PM ^
Hoke and Mattison are like a warm blanket, and are really making me feel good again about the program. I wonder how Brian is gonna pull a 180 on the "stupid hire" and spin it in the future.
February 17th, 2011 at 8:43 PM ^
I could be wrong but I believe someone told me he is a USC commit in the sense that he is just holding that spot unless he likes another program better. Of course this is going on alot anymore but he is a very "weak" commit to them.
February 18th, 2011 at 1:05 AM ^
I don't blame him. If he has some interest in USC and he has a committable offer he might want to have a spot held for him. I heard that USC might have less than 10 spots next year if their appeal get rejected.
February 17th, 2011 at 9:02 PM ^
Does young Mr. Taylor have too much Stand Up in his game? He's physically dominant, no question. But BWC (and Magnus) have trained me to look for this. Perhaps I'm trying too hard to find it. Love that both are interested in M
EDIT: Yeah I'd probably listen to these guys instead of me
Taylor offers per Rivals: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, South Carolina, Tennessee
Deloach offers: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, South Carolina, Tennessee (no Georgia offer listed)
Hopefully M offers are added to those southern-flavored lists soon
February 18th, 2011 at 1:07 AM ^
If you ever read gobluemichiganwolverine.com, you would notice that pad level is something that all OL and DL need to work on.
February 17th, 2011 at 8:45 PM ^
Tom, by your count, how many 2012 kids have been offered so far?
February 17th, 2011 at 8:46 PM ^
What is with all this somone told me stuff? Who could of told you that his mom?
February 17th, 2011 at 8:55 PM ^
a friend of mine that works in the AD office of a school in Cali. Not saying he is right,just thought I'd pass it along.
February 17th, 2011 at 8:46 PM ^
Pretty incredible that Larry the Cable Guy is doing the PA work in the video.
February 17th, 2011 at 9:15 PM ^
Holy snot that Jonathan Taylor is a monster. He just annihilated those kids in the first few shots. I really hope he can translate that to the next level where the competition will be faster.
February 17th, 2011 at 9:23 PM ^
Taylor's film is good. He reminds me a bit of William Campbell. He is a big athletic kid who does not have to have good technique to get the job done. He looks like a hell of a player.
February 17th, 2011 at 9:59 PM ^
Jonathan Taylor is a monster. Not even 17 yet, meaning he will likely grow. Love to see that kid & whoever his buddy is come to UM.
I'll tell you, the positive buzz with all these top recruits is very promising. I think we're going to have a good class. If the team can get into the 8-9 win range, I think we could really put something special together with all the positive buzz with Hoke/Mattison going on.
February 17th, 2011 at 10:05 PM ^
I think we are going to have at least a top 15 class this year.If we will 9-10 games this year it will be better than that.GO BLUE!!!
February 17th, 2011 at 10:07 PM ^
I gotta wonder if in addition to U-M's history and legacy, etc maybe some of these DL/OL high schoolers have heard online or from their coaches about Hoke's emphasis on the trenches and big tough "road-graders" he wants to play for him. We will be a smash-mouth team again, and will dominate in my opinion once again in the Big Ten just like back in my undergrad yrs, '88-92. I predict we play in the BT championship in 2012. Can't wait to play Wiscy in a couple yrs and run the ball 24 times in a row like they did to us in AA last Nov. Those fuckers. couldn't even represent in the Rose Bowl for Christ's sake.
February 17th, 2011 at 11:05 PM ^
Man I hope we can get this kid. I long for the days when Michigan was about defense.
February 18th, 2011 at 12:46 AM ^
Any chance a guy like Efe Scott-Emuakpor gets an offer? I know hes offer-less at the moment but he's Rivals 250 watch list (I believe) and hell, the dude is 6 foot 5 inches. I would love a big guy like that who could hopefully turn into a real red zone threat, especially after Conway has been diverted to the JUCO ranks.
February 18th, 2011 at 11:22 AM ^
435 power clean = sickness