TomVH: Spring Game Visitors

Submitted by TomVH on April 12th, 2011 at 12:30 PM

Here is the list of visitors I have confirmed for the Spring Game so far. If someone isn't on this list it doesn't necessarily mean they aren't coming, I might not have confirmed it yet.

Yes:

Commit Caleb Stacey (6'4", 275 lbs): Caleb has been vocal about trying to recruit for Michigan and has done so with Joe Bolden. It will be good to get him on campus in front of other prospects.

2013 Michigan QB Shane Morris (6'3", 189 lbs): Has a Michigan offer, will probably be the top quarterback in the state next year.

Instate TE Devin Funchess (6'5", 205 lbs): Another trip up for Funchess and he might come with his teammates Mario Ojemudia and Aaron Burbridge.

Illinois DT Vontrell Williams (6'2", 263 lbs): Loved his first visit to Ann Arbor, still hoping for an offer.

Instate LB Royce Jenkins-Stone (6'2", 215 lbs): Will most likely be joined by Terry Richardson, just waiting for confirmation.

Instate TE Ron Thompson (6'4", 210 lbs): Has decided not to make his announcement this week. He just changed schools so he's going to hold off. Michigan is still in good shape.

Illinois OL Jordan Diamond (6'7", 289 lbs): I haven't confirmed if he's coming with his teammate QB Robert Gregory, but it would make sense.

Instate LB James Ross (6'0", 209 lbs): His dad said they should be there.

Indana TE Pierre Aka (6'4", 250 lbs): Although Pierre just took a visit this past Saturday he told me he's most likely going to be at the spring game as well.

Pennsylvania OL JJ Denman (6'7", 305 lbs): Might make the trip.

Indiana DT Sheldon Day (6'2", 270 lbs): Was deciding where to go this weekend and chose Michigan.

Maybe: 

Illinois DT Jaleel Johnson (6'2", 277 lbs): Might come with Jordan Diamond

Instate OL/DL Kelby Latta (6'4", 295 lbs): Not sure if he'll make it yet.

Ohio DE Chris Wormley (6'4", 255 lbs): He said he'll come if the weather is good. He's been to campus enough that it's probably not a big deal.

Instate LB Tyler Goble (6'0", 232 lbs): Went to a practice last week and the coaches told him they want him to camp this summer. Former teammates with Brennen Beyer.

New Jersey DB DJ Singleton (6'3", 200 lbs): Said he's not sure if he'll be able to make it yet.

Ohio OL Benny McGowan (6'4", 290 lbs): Not sure if he'll make it up.

No:

Ohio RB/DB Will Mahone (5'11", 205 lbs): Michigan's recruiting him for defensive back and until they offer I don't think he'll show much attention.

Illinois DT Vincent Valentine (6'3", 300 lbs): Not coming.

Ohio DB Allen Gant (6'1", 182 lbs): He'll be back up for camp in the summer.

Ohio TE AJ Williams (6'6", 260 lbs): Not coming, but not a big deal. Michigan is in good shape with AJ.

Instate DE Matt Godin (6'5", 260 lbs): He's going to Penn State this weekend.

Ohio LB Kaleb Ringer (6'0", 219 lbs): Making his decision the day before, Friday the 15th at 6pm EST.

Pennsylvania LB Deaysean Rippy (6'2", 198 lbs): Told me some things came up and he's unable to make it.

Indiana ATH David Perkins (6'2", 209 lbs): At Notre Dame.

football
TomVH
Chris Wormley
Royce Jenkins-Stone
Jordan Diamond
Ron Thompson
Jaleel Johnson
Caleb Stacey
Vontrell Williams
Kaleb Ringer
David Perkins

Comments

MGoRob

April 12th, 2011 at 12:45 PM ^

Ohio DE Chris Wormley (6'4", 255 lbs): He said he'll come if the weather is good. He's been to campus enough that it's probably not a big deal.

Was hoping for a little more enthusiasm from him, especially since its neck and neck with OSU. Although, gotta love Ringer announcing the day before his confirmed visit. Woo! Thanks Tom for the update!

Joined: 03/14/2010

MGoPoints: 4199

Salinger

April 12th, 2011 at 3:32 PM ^

I'm not disputing the point you made, namely that things are neck and neck w/ OSU, I just hadn't heard that was the case.  Both Scout and Rivals seem to be saying that he is still a lean for Michigan.  The articles are old, but you'd think a new update would be available if there was anything otherwise.

 

Again, I'm not trying to call you out, I wasn't the one who negged you, I was just curious what you were basing your opinion on other than the fact that the kid comes from Ohio and has offers from both schools.

 

Thanks.

Joined: 01/11/2011

MGoPoints: 3974

ken725

April 12th, 2011 at 7:54 PM ^

It seems like Rivals and Scout were not reporting what was actually happening.

FYI: This is what GBMW said about the situation:

Toledo Whitmer Head Coach Joe Palka (Chris Wormley and Kevin Koger's coach) spoke today at the Michigan football clinic … very good presentation by the way.

Anyway in closing he wanted to make the point in saying "Coach Hoke and staff has been here 3 months and we have heard from him and his staff more than we heard from the other staff in 3 YEARS!

http://gbmwolverine.com/forum/gbmw-message-board/toledo-whitmer-joe-pal…

 

I guess they are implying that he was not feeling the love from the old staff.

Joined: 10/26/2008

MGoPoints: 29247

MGoRob

April 12th, 2011 at 8:24 PM ^

OSU's blog did a recap of the different prospects and here's what they had to say about Wormley:

DL Chris Wormley, Toledo Whitmer, 6-5/250
Another Buckeye vs UM match-up and this one is interesting. Wormley grew up a Michigan fan, but Jim Tressel and the staff gained a big edge early as they out-recruited Rich Rod's staff by a ton. Brady Hoke and Greg Mattison have helped even up again, but OSU may have a nice x-factor in teammate and close family friend, Kenny Hayes. With a gun to my head today I say Michigan but this could go either way and won't end anytime soon.

Joined: 03/14/2010

MGoPoints: 4199

West Texas Blue

April 12th, 2011 at 12:44 PM ^

Interesting that Michigan is recruiting Mahone as a defensive back instead of running back.  Not alot of gamebreakers at RB for us, and Mahone has some pretty good offers (ND, PSU, Iowa), but I dunno if other teams are targeting him solely at RB or at defensive back.  All our eggs into the Wes Brown basket?

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 1843

Sparty_Slayer

April 12th, 2011 at 7:51 PM ^

I hope its the former and not the latter. The kids a hell of a player and if I recall correctly, I thought I remembered reading that he had mutual interest in us too? Well, I guess if we miss out on Vincent we still might have a shot at landing another big time Illinois DT in Tommy Schutt, although, I heard he was a PSU fan...yuck!!

 

Joined: 09/21/2010

MGoPoints: 257

Captain Obvious

April 12th, 2011 at 12:57 PM ^

to exclusively recruit from the midwest now.  Don't get me wrong-there's plenty of talent here-but everyone on this list is midwest except for one NJ guy.  I hate not seeing a single Texas, California, Florida or southern state kid represented.

I'm sure someone will come up with some defensive comment here.  I'm sure we haven't stopped recruiting elsewhere entirely, but I'm not seing too much interest coming back our way so far.

Joined: 03/17/2009

MGoPoints: -465

OMG Shirtless

April 12th, 2011 at 1:04 PM ^

It's not always possible for kids from outside the midwest to purchase a plane ticket (hell, even gas money these days) at this point to come in from TX, CA, or FL for a practice.  If the kids aren't coming in from outside the area for official visits, when the school can buy them the ticket, then you may have a point.

Joined: 08/16/2009

MGoPoints: 1580

Captain Obvious

April 12th, 2011 at 2:48 PM ^

take a look at last year's early list of visitors: http://mgoblog.com/diaries/spring-game-visitor-list

Lot of local kids but a lot of not local kids too.  Pasted list below, non-Midwest bolded:

Yes

WR DeAnthony Arnett 

OH LB Percy Johnson
OH DE Bryan Baird - Said he will probably be there, not positive.
OH DB Greg Brown (commit)
MI DE Brennen Beyer
MI CB Delonte Hollowell (commit)
MI OL Anthony Zettel
FL RB Demetrius Hart (Mom coming too.)
FL S Dallas Crawford - Yes. This is a big one for Michigan.
FL WR Sammy Watkins - Yes. Also big.
MD DT Vincent Croce - Yes, as of now. 
TX RB Jarrell Oliver (same school as Stonum, Herron, Woolfolk)
NJ LB Antoine Pozniak - He's coming with the "Top Prospects Family." Je'Ron Stokes dad is the founder of Top Prospects Family.
NJ ATH Miles Shuler

PA DE Deion Barnes - 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds. Same school as current wolverine Je'Ron Stokes, and his brother Malik Stokes.

NJ LB Andre Hodge - Top Prospects

Other Top Prospects Family - Ronald Butler, Tyron Stevens, Lamar McKnight

 

 

No

IN OL Tony Springmann
GA WR Justin Scott
FL DE Anthony Rabasa
PA DB Kyshoen Jarrett - No, as of now. Family might decide to come, but no for now.
OH S Ron Tanner - He has baseball.
OH DE Robert Mincey - No, he'll be at Toledo. No offer, not sure if he'll get one.
OH DT Kevin Williams -  He'll be at Nebraska, for their spring game. He was recently at Michigan for one of the practices. It seems like it's down to Nebraska and Michigan. He'll make his choice shortly after the 17th

NC LB Kris Frost - No. His family waited too long to buy tickets, so they were too expensive when they went to buy them. He's NOT going to Auburn's spring game over Michigan's, he's going to Auburn's because it's only 6 hours away. He figures he might as well go somewhere, if he can't make it to Michigan. They are trying to find another time to make it up.

AR QB Kiehl Frazier (2011) - No for the spring game. I spoke with his father, though, and they're really excited about Michigan. He said they DEFINITELY plan on making a trip to Ann Arbor. They really like Coach Smith, and are excited to see Michigan.

NJ WR Damiere Byrd - Track Meets

Maybe

MI RB Justice Hayes is going to try to make it. Not positive yet.
OH TE Ray Hamilton - There's a "strong possibility" that he'll be there. Not definite.
OH OL Aundrey Walker - Doesn't know for sure yet. It's still a possibility.
OH WR Shaq Washington - Going to try to make it. He doesn't have an offer, but Michigan is one of the few schools he's hoping to get an offer from. He thinks he fits the offense really well. 
OL Matt Frazier - Didn't end up making it to practice the other week. He fell ill, and couldn't make it. He's either coming for the spring game, or one of the early games of the season. Most likely a game, though.

Joined: 03/17/2009

MGoPoints: -465

Salinger

April 12th, 2011 at 3:24 PM ^

We did not end up signing a single recruit of those guys who you have highlighted.  Granted, some of those were misses that all UofM fans would wish to have i.e. Kris Frost, D Hart, Dallas Crawford, but it doesn't seem  like there can be any correlation drawn (at least from this year and last year) between guys coming up for the spring game from far away and recruits signing.

 

Maybe the point I'm trying to get to has been lost in my way too wordy post, but basically I'm trying to say that I don't think it makes a big deal at all where the recruits are coming from for our Spring Game.  We are going to get our guys in the end.

Joined: 01/11/2011

MGoPoints: 3974

diehardsport

April 12th, 2011 at 1:16 PM ^

Hopefully the weekend starts off right commits from Ringer and Thompson. No mentions of Danny Obrien or Matt Godin is a little odd. However, this list of guys is impressive and i'm exited to see how this class turns out.

Joined: 07/20/2010

MGoPoints: 51

Cam57

April 12th, 2011 at 3:10 PM ^

I have been waiting for some news on him. I have been looking at our RB situation and think T. Rawls definitely has a chance to impress. These transition years are often the times when a freshman back can come in and make an impact. As I too am from the Flint Area, I'm really hoping he can take advantage of this opportunity.

Joined: 11/09/2010

MGoPoints: 277

Vivz

April 12th, 2011 at 1:36 PM ^

RJS is coming. Any word on Richardson and Ross?

Three seem to do a lot together even if they aren't going to be a package. Would be interesting if they aren't coming to the spring game together.

Joined: 12/14/2010

MGoPoints: 1204

jls1144

April 12th, 2011 at 2:47 PM ^

Indiana ATH David Perkins (6'2", 209 lbs): He might make it up, but he might go check out another spring game instead. Another spring game.... seems like a diss. He didn't say, no man i won't be able to make it... hes says, "i might go check out another spring game instead." does'nt sound good. Kid shouldn't be rubbing anyone off. Impressions follow us where ever we go

Joined: 02/20/2010

MGoPoints: 609

WarhawkMO

April 13th, 2011 at 2:39 AM ^

First post here, long time reader, I'm glad to see the quality of visitors coming up this Saturday.  Getting the Big 3 on campus, yet again, is a big plus and the more the visit, the better it has to look for Michigan.  Getting guys like Diamond and Funchess on campus for the spring game is also huge, because seeing the new style of play, both offensively and defensively could go a long way with "toss up" guys.  The strides this new staff has made in recruiting is tremendous, and let's just hope we continue to see the strides progess into leaps and bounds come signing day.

 

Joined: 04/13/2011

MGoPoints: 43

ChiefLB

April 13th, 2011 at 9:33 AM ^

While I am excited about the guys who are attending the Spring Game, I must admit that I am equally worried about our need for a Top Tier RB in this recruiting class...  I wish that Donovan Roberts or I'Tavius Mathers were listed as a Spring Game attendee, or for that matter any of the other RB's we've offered thus far.  Bottom line is that I see RB as a top priority... someone who, two to three years down the road, will help Gardner get us into a BCS bowl game. 

Joined: 12/29/2010

MGoPoints: 214

jls1144

April 13th, 2011 at 10:28 AM ^

With RInger and our other 2 official commits, on top of the large number of Alumni that are rumored to be in attendance, I expect a few more verbals to come out of this weekend!!

Joined: 02/20/2010

MGoPoints: 609