Friday Night Lights: Summer All-Stars
Though the senior season for Michigan's 2011 signees is long-gone, and we've moved our recruiting focus to 2012 (and even 2013), A few of Michigan's incoming freshmen participated in their last games as high schoolers over the past two weekends.
Big 33
Three Michigan commits played in this game - all on the Ohio side, so you should be (kinda) glad to see that Team Ohio won by a lopsided 50-14 score.
Tom talked to Antonio Poole leading up to the event. He's pictured at right closing in on Temple-bound Jalen Fitzpatrick (photo via The Patriot-News).
According to Eugene Hankerson of GoBlueWolverine, LB Antonio Poole finished with 6 tackles and a sack, DE Keith Heitzman had 3 tackles and a sack, and DE/LB Frank Clark made 2 tackles (though the highlights embedded below certainly show Clark with a big sack at 4:40, and Heitzman scoring a rushing touchdown, so don't take Gene's numbers as gospel truth).
Keith Heitzman fluff.
Heitzman helped set the tone early as his pressure on Pennsylvania quarterback Matt Johnson led to Gabe Gilbert's interception on the game's first possession. Heitzman sacked Johnson in the second quarter, leading to a Pennsylvania punt from its end zone.
"Playing against the best I'm hoping will prepare me a little bit more for what's to come at (the University of) Michigan," Heitzman said.
Duane Long talks Big 33, and no surprise, he spends much of the time fawning over Ohio State commits (both because he's a slappy, and because OSU's players played very well in the game). However, he did manage to mention a couple future Wolverines:
A couple of Michigan kids were outstanding last night. Antonio Poole was the best linebacker in the game. He is a great fit for the hybrid position. Late offer Keith Heitzman from Hilliard Davidson was a major problem off the edge. If [OSU's Steve] Miller didn't have the quarterback dialed in, Heitzman did. It is hard to pick a best lineman in the game out of this lot. You could have picked Miller, [future Kent State running back Trayion] Durham or Heitzman.
Thanks to Eastern PA Football, we have highlights on the internet. You're looking at #2 (Heitzman), #15 (Cark), and #18 (Poole) in red.
There are a couple plays with a better view in this highlight as well.
MHSFCA All-Star Game
This is an East v. West battle in the state of Michigan, and this year, East reigned supreme by a 30-13 score.
LB Desmond Morgan (#48 for the West) was the only Michigan signee who participated, but a few former targets, including Penn State signee Anthony Zettel, also took part. Following the game, Morgan talked to the press:
“Overall, I thought we played pretty solid,” Morgan said. “We came in with a lot of heart and we held that up. We had three or four breakdowns on long balls and that hurt us. There are a lot of great players out here, and it was fun to play with them.”
He finished the day with 6 tackles, to tie for the team (and game) lead. He also broke up three passes.
The game aired on Detroit Public TV (and was streamed online), so video of it may turn up on the internet sometime soon, but I haven't found any yet.
Wasn't sure how hyped I was about these late offer kids, but all of them seem to be tackle machines
Tackle? What is this you speak of.
That run by Akise Teague looked impressive. I'm happy to see he went to Cincinnati and not that other school in ohio.
Cardale Jones looked really impressive as well. Some very well placed balls.
Next years East v West Game will have more updates!
Wow... Clark's sack in that video (at the 4:36 mark) had to hurt. He really showed off that 4.53 speed that the recruits sites are reporting
everything we are hearing about Antonio Poole looking good! It's funny, in all the excitement about this new class (2012), I forgot about all the players I was getting excited about last year. GO BLUE!
It's monday
At the end of a long walk Saturday, I dropped in on Schembechler Hall since I had never been inside before. My visit apparently coincided with 2011 freshman class orientation (or something) because as I was checking out the trophy cases, there was a constant stream of "rookies" showing up with their families.
Antonio Poole looks like a beast. I'm 6'3" and he looked taller than the listed 6'1" to me... He has big wide shoulders and looks like he could run through a wall.
I also saw Posada, Rock, Beyer, and a couple others I didn't recognize, but Poole really stood out. Our LB crew in 2-5 years should be a terror to other teams!
Clark laid that quarterback out! Talk about a huge hit.
I know a lot of people are down on Heitzman, but I think he could develop into a decent player by the end of his career. I say this a lot, but if Greg Mattison likes him, then I have a whole lot more confidence in the offer than I did when the other guys were in charge.
Absolutely. And it just seems like everything I hear about him is positive. He was 1st team all-state in (I believe) the largest division in Ohio, he performed on par with any DL at the Big 33 (which includes OSU commits) and he has a frame that could really put on pounds.
He seems like a guy who has the athleticism to be a successful WDE but the frame to grow into a 5-tech.
why do you say GMAT likes him?
Heitzman committed after Mattison was hired, and Mattison (along with Mark Smith) was the one recruiting him.
I can't tell what the hell is going on in these videos.
Had great days, laying some big hits and being impact players for their team. They're playing with the best in OH, and look like they're leading with their play.
Cardale Jones and Devin Smith are going to be trouble in a few years (assuming Jones makes it to campus). A little guy bound for Cincy looked awesome.
Couldn't find a better place to post this, so I guess here works. VIdeo of the 7 on 7 tournnament that the team from Michigan won. The article is mostly on Norfleet, and has his highlights but they also show Morris which should be more interesting to the people here.
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