UM offers possible 5 star BB recruit in Football

Submitted by myblueheaven on
Steve Lorenz posted a free small article indicating Michigan has offered Jonesborough GA athlete MJ Walker in football. Walker also happens to be quite the accomplished baskeball player as he is the National Sophomore of the year according to Max Prep, and should soon garner a five star status. I can't attest to his football ability, but I've seen this kid play in the BB state playoffs (like 30 in the semi's, 20 in the championship game) and he was a monster. He arguably had an even better showing than Jaylen Brown. I imagine Beilein will be next to offer! Personally I don't care which sport he chooses, I just hope he chooses Michigan! Link: http://michigan.247sports.com/Bolt/Michigan-offers-2017-basketball-five…

TheLastHarbaugh

April 23rd, 2015 at 11:50 AM ^

I'm not old.

I'm not old.

I'm not old.

I'm not old.

I'm not old...

Edit: In all seriousness, we are rapidly approaching the day when my MGoAccount will be older than some of the posters here, and when I'll have been reading MGoBlog (2005) longer than some recruits have been alive.

We're not there yet, but the day is coming...

Danwillhor

April 23rd, 2015 at 1:29 PM ^

It felt bad when I was officially older than every player on my favorite team. In a way it feels different as you can't really "look up to them" like you did as a kid. UM players used to seem like "grown-ups" but then I passed them. Then I found NFL rookies being younger than me. That was depressing. Right now there are a few CFB HCs younger than me (I think. younger or very close). Barry Sanders, my childhood idol, retired the same time I officially became an adult. To know that he's SO FAR removed from the game is depressing. The NFL had a couple genuine stars younger than myself RETIRE this year! It's nuts. I graduated the year this kid was born lol...

TheLastHarbaugh

April 23rd, 2015 at 2:48 PM ^

I vividly remember being 10 and being in the gym of my future high school on a Friday night, with my dad, watching a basketball game, starring some of my future coaches (the high school kids on the team), thinking, "WOW, they are all so old."

Now, I'm sitting here....

ypsituckyboy

April 23rd, 2015 at 11:43 AM ^

I'd play basketball 100 times out of 100. Chances of serious injury and brain damage are wayyyyy lower. Plus, basketball projections are easier to make than football. Since they're more accurate, I'd guess that the likelihood that you'll potentially play professionally is higher.

Mr Miggle

April 23rd, 2015 at 12:26 PM ^

as in the NBA. The numbers change drastically when you compare the spots for specific positions though.

The NBA pays better and has no-cut contracts. Basketball players can also make a good living overseas and can start their pro career sooner. If we're talking abut the #1 basketball player in his class, the decision should be a no-brainer.

ST3

April 23rd, 2015 at 11:50 AM ^

I would choose basketball as well. The one drawback that makes me pause is the travel schedule. In the NFL, you play 8 away games. In the NBA, it's 41, and that includes back-to-backs in different cities. It's not like baseball where you go to a city and play 3-4 games. Arguably, the travel schedules for the NBA and the NHL are the worst. But those guys aren't flying coach anymore (or taking trains,) so that mitigates the travel issue.

alum96

April 23rd, 2015 at 12:36 PM ^

Also NBA guaranteed contracts.  NFL no - just signing bonus guaranteed.

So dudes in the NBA get paid to sit on the bench and play 12 games a year for $13M - i.e. Caron Butler much of the past 2 years with the Pistons (although he played a bit more late this year due to trades). 

 

Magnus

April 23rd, 2015 at 11:44 AM ^

He's a good football prospect, not a great one, IMO. He's a pretty large body for a WR and can go up and get the ball, but he's not blazing fast.

True Blue Grit

April 23rd, 2015 at 11:45 AM ^

Do want.  An interesting dilemna faces this young man in the future - which sport to choose?  He could try to do both in college, but it usually doesn't turn out well.  Time will tell.

UMfan21

April 23rd, 2015 at 2:31 PM ^

it would only count against 1 sport, and usually that is football because they have more scholarships to give.

remember a few years ago State had Matt Trannon who was a scholarship football player, but was a "walk on" who played a fair amount of minutes on the basketball team.

Padog

April 23rd, 2015 at 11:48 AM ^

I say when faced with a choice between basketball and football, always pick basketball. It is way safer and after you are done you don't have life threatening problems. I think there was a diary about career length in the NFL, and it isn't long. You can play 15 years in the NBA and be set for life.

Ihatebux

April 23rd, 2015 at 11:49 AM ^

Tell that to Terrelle Pryor.   However, I think he was a higher rated FB prospect than a BB prospect, but I believe he was at least a 4* in both.

samdrussBLUE

April 23rd, 2015 at 12:09 PM ^

Let him play both. Then, he has to use a football scholly and we don't have a continued scholly crunch in basketball.

WolverineJet

April 23rd, 2015 at 12:34 PM ^

This is right up my alley. I went to JONESBORO  high and go to all of their games and I can tell you he is a monster at basketball he is an amazing athlete and you will see that, he has better speed than Magnus thinks.  Me and his dad are cool and he will be sticking with Basketball but he has all the ability to play football if thats what he wanted to do.

 

 

I also expect him to blowup on the football trail because the starting QB (Zerrick Cooper 4 star QB going to Clemson) was out the entire year and this was MJ's first year playing football since middle school.  Just watch out for him.  I have a ton of info on this kid.

WolverineJet

April 23rd, 2015 at 1:08 PM ^

Whats funny is as good as i think he will prove to be in Football I would LOVE for him to go play basketball at Michigan more than Football.  He has that It factor the team has not been this good is Harry Douglas and Toney Douglas played here.  Has lead the team to two state championships on his first two years and a 68-7 Overall record during that time.  Only loss this year being to Monteverde (at their gym).  Kid is Special in the gym.

Magnus

April 23rd, 2015 at 1:14 PM ^

Sorry, but his speed just isn't all that impressive. He's not slow, but he's not a blazer (like I said above). And he also looks a little bit lost on the football field sometimes. He looks like a part-time football player. Very good athlete, could be a very good football player, but he's got some work to do if he sticks with football.

WolverineJet

April 23rd, 2015 at 1:24 PM ^

I know he is a part time player which I why I said he hasnt played since middle school and had my second paragraph about having a better QB this year alowing him to show off a little better.  The thing that does not show is he was bothered by a knee injury most of the football season which I why I said he has better speed than you realize, but he has gotten no real coaching in Football and has used pretty much all resources to basketball.  All indications from his dad is he will be sticking to Basketball, but like I said if he wants to stick with football he will be a top level recruit.

 

 

Willis Ward

April 23rd, 2015 at 2:42 PM ^

but they aren't my heroes in the same way.  Now they (college players) are kids/young adults that do incredible things in pressure filled situations that I can't fathom.  The thought of doing my job with 115,000 people watching live and another several million watching at home is enough to make me piss down my leg.  The fact that these kids do it and do it so well is more impressive to me the older I get.