Elmer

December 29th, 2011 at 12:55 PM ^

Probably a good fit for the kid.  He's not a conventional TE, but more of a TE/WR hybrid.  Personality also seemed more Nike/Oregon than Michigan.

Elmer

December 29th, 2011 at 1:12 PM ^

I probably shouldn't judge on one event, but there was some camp video of him behaving without much class and a coach can be heard telling him something like "Michigan won't put up with that."

I'm not a big Chip Kelly fan, nor do I like the Ducks that much. 

 

KAYSHIN15

December 29th, 2011 at 1:12 PM ^

This one coming. He had great measurables, but let's face it. The kid was a three star recruit going to play a position he's not all to familiar with. We're okay...

Magnus

December 29th, 2011 at 1:21 PM ^

Pharaoh Brown is a 4-star to ESPN, Rivals, and 247...and a 3-star to Scout only.  So 75% of the major recruiting services think he's pretty darn good.  Also, you don't have to be "familiar with" tight end to play it well.  

Brown is an excellent athlete.  Whether he turns into a great football player or not remains to be seen, but he's a 4-star kid who's 6'6", 220 lbs., could play multiple positions, and is obviously a national recruit.  Losing him from our recruiting class is going to make an impact, even if we get Sam Grant (who isn't half the athlete that Brown is).

J. Lichty

December 29th, 2011 at 2:13 PM ^

look at the great TE's in the NFL - Jimmy Graham, Gronkowski and Hernandez and even the ageless Tony Gonzalez.  Great athletes, Graham and Gonzolez were college basketball players.  It is definitely a position where a raw athlete can develop and excel.

Count me as one who thinks - strictly from an athletic standpoint at least - that this is a big loss at a huge position of need.

Mr. Yost

December 29th, 2011 at 3:23 PM ^

Why can't Funchess be that athlete ala Hernandez and Grant be the tall Gronkowski. Gronkowski is simple a HUGE taget with amazing hands with okay speed. He's too big for most LBs and Ss...he's a matchup nightmare, but it's not because he's blowing past everyone.

Hernandez is the one that will run by your LBs and jump over your safties ala Devin Funchess.

Also, we need a blocking TE, period. If Grant can block someone, sign him up and let Denard do the rest.

But everyone is acting like losing out on Brown means we lost our Gronkowski, Grant is HUGE and Funchess is still very fast, tall and a matchup problem in his own right ala Aaron Hernandez.

Magnus

December 29th, 2011 at 4:58 PM ^

Funchess could be that athlete, but he's also smaller than Brown.  Brown was reportedly pushing 6'7" and had exceeded his 220 lb. listing.

We have a blocking TE in the class.  His name is A.J. Williams.  Not that we can't use more blocking tight ends, but it's not like we NEED Grant to be that guy.  We got a receiver (Funchess), we got a blocker (Williams), so to me we should want to get the next best guy...which is Brown, not Grant.  It looks like that door is closed, which is reason for some disappointment.

By the way, I've heard good things about Mike Kwiatkowski, who might be an option as a TE next year.  He probably won't start, but he could fill a role as a second or third tight end.

Philbert

December 29th, 2011 at 1:17 PM ^

Some of you guys need to stop going all Ohio on him. I wish him a well. He should do well there. Great kid and a great fit for him. Sad it didnt work out for him here. Hope he has a great career.

Roy G. Biv

December 29th, 2011 at 1:32 PM ^

I certainly think it unbecoming to comment on the character of a 17- or 18-year old kid based on internet rumors and whatnot.  Maybe it's the Dad in me, or maybe it's just the hope that as Michigan we conduct ourselves in a respectful manner.  I say leave the venom and bitterness to jilted Buckeyes.  I hope the kid tears it up in the P12 and has the opportunity to be trucked by Michigan in multiple Rose Bowls.

neoavatara

December 29th, 2011 at 1:57 PM ^

Wish him the best.  I think he will be a fantastic player, having seen him play here in Ohio.  But, he is better off elsewhere.  And we will be too, once we get another TE. 

clarkiefromcanada

December 29th, 2011 at 2:33 PM ^

It's unfortunate how this thing played out...

Hoke obtains commitment from P. Brown

P. Brown visits Oregon (quietly)

Brady Hoke learns of this...

Consults G. Mattison

Sayonara letter of intent potential

Time to move on...

 

 

Rabbit21

December 29th, 2011 at 2:38 PM ^

I figured once he visited Oregon without telling the coaches that this was just a matter of time.  Oregon is a program that emphasizes fun and that's a powerful thing for anyone in high school, I think Oregon is always going to be a pain in the ass recruiting-wise whenever we go to head to head with them for players. 

Best of luck to him, the Ducks could use some good receivers.

MGoblu8

December 29th, 2011 at 3:56 PM ^

Michigan will be fine without him, but I'd be willing to bet we'll hear his name again plenty of times in the next four years. He should do well @ Oregon.

Wettin 3's

December 29th, 2011 at 4:13 PM ^

At this point he is not Mitch McGary 5 star studass that we need to be crying over...if he decides to go clown school Oregon, let him do what makes him happy. I am fine with Sam G!

Umich4Life

December 29th, 2011 at 5:37 PM ^

Speaking of 4* TE's that we had but lost, did Chris Barnett ever come out and say why he left UM.  He said he would let people know once he chose another school.  Has he found another school, & if so, what's the score???

Magnus

December 30th, 2011 at 5:56 AM ^

I do not know if he has chosen another school yet, but I do know that Barnett had a very rough time growing up and his departure was not a surprise.  It disappointed me when he left because he has lots of athletic talent, and I hope he can get his life going in the right direction.