Per Trieu: Illinois Lands Kenton Gibbs

Submitted by a2_electricboogaloo on
Allen Trieu ‏
@AllenTrieu Illinois lands Cass Tech DT Kenton Gibbs

It seemed like the coaches were somewhat interested in him, however they never extended him an offer, which leads me to believe that he was not one of their first choices at the position.

kaykaybroke

May 9th, 2012 at 5:48 PM ^

Bummer... he dominated the camps and seemed ready for a big senior season. Regardless, he was a backup plan for the coaches. Hopefully the land either Poggi, or Pagano.

denardogasm

May 9th, 2012 at 5:51 PM ^

I always got the impression that he wasn't going to hang around to be a backup plan with the offers he had.  Could still have a chance to flip him if we need him I suppose but I think he wants to go where he feels really wanted.

turd ferguson

May 9th, 2012 at 7:22 PM ^

I don't see the evidence of this.  It seems just as likely that he wanted to grab a spot in a good program before it filled up, figuring that if the Michigan opportunity opens up, he'll cross that bridge later.

With him already saying that he'll take official visits, the Illinois staff might even be okay with that.

aaamichfan

May 9th, 2012 at 7:48 PM ^

I'm just saying, Cass Tech is the school we have the best recruiting ties with of any high school in the country. I'm sure Hoke speaks to Wilcher on a weekly basis, and players at Cass know very early in the process whether they're going to receive a Michigan offer. He may get a last minute offer if we strike out on everyone else at DT, but I'd be willing to guess that the coaches have already told him there's a very small change that he'll be offered. 

WolvinLA2

May 9th, 2012 at 7:59 PM ^

Or maybe, because of our great relationship with CT, our coaches have said he's a guy they want to wait on, and to accept a spot at Illinois as long as he's willing to keep visiting.  Our coaches keep Wilcher happy by being completely transparent, letting Gibbs know that it might be a good idea to have a back up plan in mind, but that they'll still be evaluating him. 

Point is, we have no more information about your guess than about mine, so it could be anything.

Princetonwolverine

May 9th, 2012 at 6:33 PM ^

Why "commit" if you are going to visit other schools? Sounds like Illinois better make more offers and tell him, "If you are going to keep looking so are we".

DGDestroys

May 9th, 2012 at 7:25 PM ^

I think it's easy to understand the kid's motivation..save him a spot in a class while still looking around...just don't really understand Illinois taking his commitment.

Well when you're as bad as Illinois is, I guess you can't really just prevent the kids from visiting.

WolvinLA2

May 9th, 2012 at 7:35 PM ^

If you're Illinois, you secure yourself as his back-up.  You get him on campus, introduce him to future teammates and other commits, hope he doesn't take visits, and if he does, hope he doesn't get offers. 

You can either tell him to wait, and hope he picks you when Michigan doesn't offer, or take his commitment, and have him sewn up if Michigan doesn't offer. 

It makes sense, I'm just glad we don't have to deal with that.

DGDestroys

May 9th, 2012 at 8:45 PM ^

..It puts you in a tricky position when someone else wants to commit. Do you save that spot for Gibbs, knowing he could up and leave you in a sticky situation? Or do you accept the commitment, knowing that there's a chance you might oversign if you do. Of course, this is all assuming a tight window (like a week until NSD), which may or may not happen, but still, it's a legitimate concern. There's a reason Michigan doesn't take kids who visit elsewhere. 

Belisarius

May 9th, 2012 at 9:01 PM ^

That's a fair concern, but I think it's easy, as Michigan fans, to overlook how tough it is for other schools out there. I follow Pitt (which is just about impossible), Boston College and Baylor (which used to be saddest of all), and a lot of schools need to take their opportunities where they find them. If there's some flight risk involved, you just have to accept it to get a player you want.

Magnus

May 10th, 2012 at 9:03 AM ^

When you're a second tier program, you have to take commitments knowing that if a bigger program comes along, you might lose some guys.  There are some guys who commit to Illinois and pledge their undying love for the school, but I bet lots of Illinois recruits would reconsider if the big schools (Alabama, USC, etc.) come calling.

turd ferguson

May 9th, 2012 at 7:27 PM ^

This is why it was important to offer York when we did.  Aside from Treadwell, none of the other receivers seems likely to come, and if we had waited on York, there's a good chance that he would have grabbed a spot elsewhere.

marco dane

May 9th, 2012 at 8:25 PM ^

I believe this isn't over yet. Wouldn't be surprise if KG, camp this summer,shows the staff he's deserving of a offer.

Should be interesting if Michigan stumbles with other prospect,will they come calling the night before NSD!

Elmer

May 9th, 2012 at 8:41 PM ^

He sounded like a really good kid so I'm happy he's landed a full ride at a quality university. 

Good for him and his family.

gopoohgo

May 9th, 2012 at 9:41 PM ^

If the coaches strike out on Poggi, will bet that they rummage around for RR-era snake oil, or at least some of the vintage slipped to Dennis Norfleet last year.

Glad to see him get a D1 scholly, and a B1G school with a penchant to turn out NFL players to boot.