Hello: Pharaoh Brown Comment Count

Tim

It's a commitment-palooza! OH DE Pharaoh Brown is the newest Wolverine. Also, I'm really going to have to practice spelling "Pharaoh" (not "Pharoah").

GURU RATINGS

Scout Rivals ESPN 24/7 Sports
3*, #45 DE NR DE NR DE 4*, 90, #10 TE, #14 Ohio

There's alllllllllmost a consensus among the recruiting sites about Brown's size. ESPN is the outlier in height at 6-5 (all the others agree he's 6-6, except the guy quoted below), and 24/7 Sports is the odd site out at 230 pounds, whereas the others all agree that he's 220.

Though 24/7 Sports calls him a tight end, Pharaoh told Tom that he's a defensive player in Greg Mattison's eyes:

"I talked to Coach Mattison today, and then he put the head coach on the phone and they offered me right there. They said they saw my film and they really liked me."

Pharaoh said he plays quarterback, defensive end, and tight end but Michigan is recruiting him for DE.

He's a big guy, but to play at the next level, he's definitely got plenty of work to do in the weight room. There's not a ton out there on him, but Ohio recruiting guru Duane Long has talked about Pharaoh a couple times:

Pharaoh Brown is 6-7 and 215. He runs so well and is so long. Right now he prefers tight end which is very odd as he plays quarterback on offense. The way he plays end I don't know who would waste him at tight end. Yes, I said waste him. I like a good receiving tight end as well as anybody but defensive linemen are what win championships.

He's not sold on Pharaoh's apparent attitude:

I can tell you I did not consider him [for his projected 22-man OSU class]. He says he wants to play tight end. He is willing to play defense but he wants to play tight end. That is not good enough. We talk about defensive players mindset. He has all the skills to be a great defensive end but I can't put a player on defense who does not want to play defense.

But, like, the film, man. It is good. If he's willing to play defensive end, he's an outstanding player at the position. Despite not being in Long's projected Ohio State class, he's listed as one of the scariest to get away:

I have been very excited about Pharaoh Brown. My enthusiasm has been dampened a bit after hearing about his desire to be a tight end. No matter which side of the ball he lines up on he could come back to haunt us...

Long doesn't really have a whole lot to say about Brown's specific skills other than "they exist." His highlight video shows off great athleticism, but a lot of the plays feature some 5-7 white kid whiffing on a block, so don't read tooo much into some of it.

He's physically reminiscent of Terrelle Pryor in high school, though probably not quite that athletic (and he appears to be much worse as a passer). I'm a little surprised with Scout's ranking of him, but it's still pretty early in the process, so whateva.

OFFERS

pharaoh.jpg

Brown had a strong regional offer sheet, with a couple of national names mixed in. Arizona State, Boston College, Colorado, UConn, Illinois, Louisville, Michigan State, Nebraska and West Virginia are some of the more notable names on his list.

Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Oregon also showed interest, but did not offer him.

STATS

Scout has junior year numbers:

Had 49 tackles (13 for loss), seven sacks, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles as a junior. Also played quarterback.

The amazing defensive end/QB combo!

FAKE 40 TIME

None of the premium sites have listed 40 times. Default five FAKEs out of five.

VIDEO

I'm no professional scout, but color me very impressed:

PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE

So he's not Ojemudia-skinny, but Brown is still going to have to really put on some weight to be a top defensive end at the next level. With Michigan's haul of defensive players in the 2011 class and so far this year, he'll be able to redshirt and do some work in the weight room.

After that he should get some work into the rotation as a freshman and sophomore. Kenny Wilkins, Chris Rock, and Keith Heitzman are good players, but somebody with Brown's athleticism is a rare treat, so I think he's able to pass at least one of them on the depth chart by his redshirt sophomore season.

As a redshirt junior, he'll burst onto the scene, acting as a disruptive force in opposing backfields. Depending on his production that season, he has the potential to even be an early entrant to the NFL Draft. He could have All-Big Ten potential by the time he graduates. However as a prospect with a lot of developing to do he has to put in the hard work to reach that potential.

UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS

The recruiting along the defensive line is going to get a lot more selective, especially at end where the Wolverines got two commits today alone. With Matt Godin announcing soon, and the likes of Chris Wormley (and a host of others from Ohio) still out there, Michigan has the opportunity to only go after the best.

Going forward, the needs are (as you know, since there has been a commitment post approximately every 20 minutes for the past month) quarterback, offensive line, defensive tackle, and some top offensive skill players. A couple defensive backs would be nice as well.

Comments

big10football

May 7th, 2011 at 7:24 PM ^

He seems like he could be a really good speed rusher. I hope he adds some strength though; he didn't really drive any blockers backwards in his film. If he can develop any sort of a bull rush, he could be awesome.

Jasper

May 7th, 2011 at 7:25 PM ^

On offense, he looks like the 10th-grade version of Devin Gardner when throwing.  Pass trajectory is more reminiscent of Nick Sheridan.  Nice wheels on the runs, though.

On defense ... wow.  He looks like a middle-class version of Jadeveon Clowney.

jerseyblue

May 7th, 2011 at 7:32 PM ^

With Godin and hopefully Wormley coming that would bring our DE haul in at four. I have a hard tme seeing them going after a 5th. I was (greedily) hoping we could add Strobel too but I'm guessing that hope ended today. Did we have a good shot at him?

gajensen

May 9th, 2011 at 11:26 AM ^

No.  Of course he was productive, and having a 6'6" 290 lb 4.8 forty player is a blessing.

But in regards to his size, it's telling that he has moved on to a bigger/stronger/tougher league and was moved closer inside.  It just indicates that he was indeed huge for his position at the previous level (or that I and the Texans are crazy, very possible).

Few would have batted an eye if he were drafted as a 4-3 DT, especially if that NFL team were set at DE.  Similarly, we have 6 non-senior DEs on our roster, have recruited two more, and have the potential to accept even more commits at the positions.  If any of them (Matt Godin) have the potential to play DT, I'd probably want to slide them over.

BrownJuggernaut

May 7th, 2011 at 7:36 PM ^

I wonder if playing quarterback has helped him diagnose plays. It seemed he knew what was coming on a lot of those plays and was able to find the right place to be. Also, I was impressed that he pursued the play even if he wasn't around the ball. I think this young man will be a fine addition to the Michigan family.

ryebreadboy

May 7th, 2011 at 10:44 PM ^

They do have quality on that board.

 

I like this quote, from the thread where they were talking about MSU on College Roundtable:

 

"It is funny that you made this post, because I just finished watching parts of the MSU spring game on DVR and I came away thinking...this isn't only a very serious BT Title threat, but they are a national contender. That isn't kool-aid."

 

...that's kool-aid, any way you spin it.

ironman4579

May 7th, 2011 at 7:43 PM ^

Physically he reminds me of a guy like Gaines Adams or Simeon Rice, a tall, thin speed rusher.  He may never be a great bull rusher, but as long as he can develop a good counter move, he should be a very good pass rusher when all is said and done.

JDVan

May 7th, 2011 at 7:46 PM ^

If he can get up to 260ish by his redshirt-soph/jr year... oh boy. Could have ourselves a Julius Peppers.

A 6'6" Brown on the rush side and 6'5" Wormley on the 5-tech. Dear lord I am slightly aroused.

NOLA Blue

May 7th, 2011 at 7:49 PM ^

Congratulations Mr. Brown on going Blue.  Welcome to True Blue!  Where sensitive girls meet nice fellas...  

OK, I'll stop.  Couldn't help myself.  But in all seriousness, Go Blue!!!!

MGoChippewa

May 7th, 2011 at 7:51 PM ^

Does a good job of staying in the pocket, but I think he floats the deep ball a little too much.  Don't see him cracking the rotation at QB, might as well try him at DE.

/s

gajensen

May 7th, 2011 at 8:08 PM ^

Clearly he's a far superior DE prospect relative to QB.  I wouldn't imagine that we'd need him at TE at all, what with 2011 Barnett and 2011 Funchess/Williams committing to Blue. 

Does anybody know if Borges runs two-TE sets ever?

gajensen

May 7th, 2011 at 8:42 PM ^

Guess I missed that part.  I've read up much more on Mattison's schemes than Borges'.

So, by the time any 2012 TE commit got here, there would be four others on the roster.  I see that we've offered four more besides the two we have verbals from.  Should/would/could we take any more?  

kman23

May 7th, 2011 at 8:57 PM ^

Really? Haven't you seen the numerous posts about possibly taking 3 TEs this year? Go back and look at the other "Hello" postings for AJ Williams and Devin Funchess. 

So in answer to your previous question no way will Brown play at TE unless 1. Barnett, Williams, and Funchess all get hurt and 2. Ron Thompson doesn't come to U of M.

samsoccer7

May 7th, 2011 at 8:29 PM ^

Very excited.  Only concern is he doesn't seem to actually get blocked very much, to my untrained eye, b/c it seems there's a TE releasing every time.  His opponents' coaches must not have game-planned against him very well to release the TE and have the tackle take the DT instead of Brown, the DE.

Don't get me wrong, he's super athletic, and I don't watch many of these highlight videos, just an observation I made that might even be wrong.

Hello Pharaoh!

Bru21

May 7th, 2011 at 8:34 PM ^

Pursue Wormley hard...Hopefully we wrap up Godin on May 12,and grab Wormley when he's ready.  Then move on to the next position.

gajensen he was responding to your question of if Borges runs two tight end sets...That has been said multiple times, see any reference to MANBALL. 

With all that being said Brown looks incredibly athletic on film...Great that we for the most part are back to having the ability to redshirt our Freshmen.  You can tell Mattison wants defensive lineman that can both rush and drop into coverage.

 

kman23

May 7th, 2011 at 8:48 PM ^

He reminds me of the Cincinnati Bengal's Michael Johnson. Tall, lanky, good acceleration. Yes, please! Obviously Brown has a way to go but I could see him besting Johnson's 19 sacks at Georgia Tech.

 

I wonder if he'll break Marquis Walker's blocked punt total of 4. Anyone want to wager? Let's set the over/under line at 3.5.

somewittyname

May 7th, 2011 at 8:51 PM ^

looks like both of today's commits project as weakside DEs today and with Wormley and Godin both likely being strongside I think that'd be a perfect DE haul. If we can manage Danny O'Brien or Sheldon Day plus maybe Terry Richardson this is going to be an absurdly good defensive recruiting class.

Bodogblog

May 7th, 2011 at 9:11 PM ^

Great, great day for Michigan.
<br>
<br>Tim saying SDE, which we need, but others saying WDE? And Tim, I know you don't want to diss incoming recruits, but I didn't think you were that high on Rock?

Bb011

May 7th, 2011 at 9:44 PM ^

That video is crazy good. I'm sure he'll be a 4* when its all said and done after his senior year.(not that that even matters, since he looks to be a true player)