Running Back Situation (Issac & Smith)
Take it away, Aquaman.
http://thisismichiganfootball.blogspot.com/2012/03/running-back-situation.html
Who wouldn't be happy with either guy? However, it would be nice to have the top rated quarterback and runningback in the Midwest for '13.
March 12th, 2012 at 10:04 PM ^
I haven't seen Smith's tape, but I watch Isaacs a couple of days ago. Its insane, he is never caught from behind throughout the whole 12 minutes of him running past people for 30-50 yrd TDS. He is 6-3 220 as a high school junior, and with pretty good hands to judge from the video.
He is just too good of an athelete to not get on board if at all possible.
Double Post?!
March 12th, 2012 at 10:39 PM ^
Looks like we get an elite RB this weekend, one way or the other. WooHoo!!!
The machine rolls on.
Asking question. He's 3 star on 24/7, and has an OSU offer but not nearly the offer sheet Issac has. I haven't watched his film, but just from the superficial ratings isn't Issac worlds ahead of Smith?
It’s easy to get greedy. In any given year I would love to have either of these backs. This year because of our ridiculous start I find myself feeling like anything but Isaac would be a disappointment! However after all is said and done I believe either of the two backs will be real good
March 12th, 2012 at 10:02 PM ^
March 12th, 2012 at 10:07 PM ^
Some analysts think they won't want to play together, that Issac (and maybe Smith) wants to be the only feature back in the class...no offense to Shallman.
Either way, we would be landing a great back. Both Smith and Isaac look special.
March 12th, 2012 at 10:05 PM ^
I have been wondering why rivals have shown no love to Smith. It would seem a back with his skillset would at least be in the top 250.
March 12th, 2012 at 10:07 PM ^
Brian said (Twitter) something about WOTS is that DeVeon is slowing his recruitment down. Anyone know what exactly that means? Still visiting this weekend? I don't want to lose this guy.
March 12th, 2012 at 10:08 PM ^
really hope TY makes the right choice,GO BLUE!!!
March 12th, 2012 at 10:09 PM ^
I like them both the same. If I had no clue what either of them were ranked, I would probably choose Smith. He was tackled about two times in the highlights I saw. He doesn't have the breakaway speed that Isaac has, but he is the powerful runner we have been missing. At the same time, 6'3 220 with that burst smells pretty sexy. Either way I am a happy man.
March 12th, 2012 at 10:09 PM ^
Tailback recruits are notoriously difficult to predict. A 5-star could turn out to be Tim Biakabatuka or Kevin Grady. A 3-star could be Mike Hart or could be Pierre Rembert. So if D. Smith wants to commit, I say you take him and don't look back.
March 13th, 2012 at 12:10 AM ^
I don't want to nitpick too much because your point is valid but I thought Kevin Grady still could have been a big deal had he not been injured so much. He looked like only a slight step down from Hart in his first year.
I'm not sure who I want if I had to pick between the two but I feel like you could change "upright running style" by coaching but you can't teach speed.
Can you guarantee that neither Smith or Isaac will be injured often?
March 12th, 2012 at 10:12 PM ^
Like everyone else, I am blown away by Issac's video. But, to be fair to Smith, they are different backs. I was impressed by the toughness Smith runs with and his ability to break tackles. He would certainly be a great get.
That being said...I think Smith's pending (presumpuous much?) committment pushes Isaac to make a decision to go blue this week. Is this what heaven feels like?
March 12th, 2012 at 10:12 PM ^
After watching both tapes, I like Isaac more. Ideally we would take both, but I doubt that happens. If I had to choose one, which seems likely, give me Isaac. I trust the coaching staff to choose whoever suits us best, but in my uneducated opinion I hope it's Isaac. If it were up to me, which it isn't, I'd wait to hear from Isaac before making a decision on Smith.
March 12th, 2012 at 10:16 PM ^
is right out!
Once the number three has been reached, three being the third number to be reached....
March 12th, 2012 at 10:17 PM ^
Whatever happens, I don't wanna have to play the team that has the running back we don't sign. They're both monster prospects.
March 12th, 2012 at 10:31 PM ^
I want whoever scores more td’s in collage.
March 12th, 2012 at 11:05 PM ^
Bluto Blutarsky didn't wear a sweatshirt reading "Collage"
March 12th, 2012 at 10:53 PM ^
So you want Demetrius Byrd? He apparently has a great touchdown collage.
March 12th, 2012 at 10:34 PM ^
March 12th, 2012 at 10:43 PM ^
like i said smith will be um rb. ty isgoing too have to commit by saturday or lose his spot
March 12th, 2012 at 10:48 PM ^
Nobody cares what you have to say.
March 12th, 2012 at 11:44 PM ^
WTF TO THAT.
March 12th, 2012 at 11:00 PM ^
These kids are both good, but very different. Ty is a one cut and go sort of back and Smith is a "let me see how many tackles i can break" kind of back. Unfortunately, I dont think either one is playing against the best competetion around, as some of those kids (especially in Ty's film) look like they are about 12. Now, that is not a knock on them, especially since Ty scored on about every play, but it is just tough to guage what they'll do at the next level.
Ty Isaac
Pros: Big, fast, FAST, quick with his cuts, decent stiff arm
Cons: Never see him really lower his shoulders and plow through someone
Deveon Smith
Pros: Size- ideal height and weight to be a bruiser, GREAT at breaking a tackle, solid stiff arm
Cons: Lacks break away speed
Obviously, two great prospects. Lets just see how this one turns out. I would prefer Isaac because of his upside.
March 13th, 2012 at 12:34 AM ^
Agreed on all accounts. I'd love, though, for a safety to track Smith down and then watch him attempt to make the tackle. Smith's speed is no Isaac but he doesn't really get caught in his film. Also, Smith's competition is the tops in Ohio. Isaac's is against the Chicago Catholic League, I believe.
#1stWorldProblems
March 13th, 2012 at 11:11 AM ^
plays in the East Suburban Catholic Conference, not the Chicago Catholic league. This conference is definetly not the highest level of competition.
I have seen Ty play live at least 15 times over the last 3 years (My nephew was a right guard for the last 2 years so I was not stalking Mr. Isaac.) and agree that he is more of an upright runner. However, although not apparent in his highlight film, he does have the ability to break tackles. He also has great hands catching the ball out of the backfield.
Additionally, while the highlight film does feature a number of runs that are all to the right side, keep in mind that he had 5 or 6 touchdowns over 50 yards on that play in a state championship game. JCA was scoring at will on that play in the state championship game, there was certainly no reason to change the play calling in order to create a better highlight film. Additionally, the DT for Montini in the state championship thaty Ty was running past was Jaleel Johnson who is an Iowa commit.
March 12th, 2012 at 11:09 PM ^
Smith is great runner with a lot of strength, no breakaway speed but tough to take down, kind like Mike Hart. Issac finds a hole in the middle then he is gone, very explosive reach top speed in three steps, reminds me a lot of Denard, except Denard is QB. honestly I think Issac might be best at WR, where Denard is projected to be in NFL by many.
March 12th, 2012 at 11:19 PM ^
This is the assessment that keeps getting thrown around here. If it's true (and it seems to be according to my inexperienced judgment), I think Isaac would be a better option for the offense we're building, i.e. a colossal Oline that turns defenses into swiss cheese. He can pick a hole and shoot through it.
edit: yes I did say that.
March 12th, 2012 at 11:27 PM ^
This is an interesting observation because it immediately reminded me of those USC teams circa 2004-06 or thereabouts--you had Reggie Bush, who could line up in the backfield or split-out wide and play receiver, and then they could bring in Lendale White and hammer you. Isaac and Shallman would bear an uncanny resemblance to that backfield.
Isaac is more like Mike Hart than Smith is. Isaac has great patience and vision, really picking through the opening. Hart didn't run through people, he was just great at avoiding direct contact and deflecting off the defender. He also had elite vision. Smith looks like Brandon Minor.
March 12th, 2012 at 11:28 PM ^
Can the team not make a "Best available" spot for Isaac and take both if he wants to commit later? I know Levenberry has such an option. If there is room for another scholarship, I'm sure Smith already knows also that Ty is their top target, and in the case both commit, he would be free to de-commit if he so chooses.
March 12th, 2012 at 11:34 PM ^
I hope we get Isaac--- haven't seen anyone at Michigan that can cut and instantly accelerate upfield like that since the days of Butch Woolfolk.. But if we end up with Smith---who somewhat makes me think of a bigger, stonger version of Chris Perry---I think we'd be just fine, too...
Count me among those who'd be even happier to get both of them, then, if there's not enough carries to go around, we take advantage of Isaac's tremendous receiving skills (love the way he can go up and high-point the ball, at 6'3" there wouldn't be too many corners that could keep him from getting the ball!).
March 13th, 2012 at 12:01 AM ^
What if Shallman(I know everything says he WILL be rb) agrees to move to TE so we can take both of them and end the TE/RB recruiting at the same time. We could use both of them looking at our RB depth. I mean what if Fitz has a huge year and goes pro? These two Rbs with different styles would be awesome together. How many options would that give Shane once we add one or two more stud WR along with '12 and '13 TEs
Ty wants to be the only feature RB in the class of the school he signs with.
March 13th, 2012 at 12:28 AM ^
I guess to each their own but Smith's film was more impressive to me then Isaac's.
First, I would use the "bird in the hand" adage. Secondly, I would rather take a kid who wants to play for the University of Michigan badly enough to commit early and risk losing the kid who is hedging his bets than jerk the kid who really wants to play in Ann Arbor around.
I think that's what we have seen Brady Hoke doing so far with early commits. The fact that they are four star recruits is a bonus. Hoke knows who he wants, and knows that he only has so many schollies to give. He also seems to prefer kids who would do anything to wear the maize and blue.
I would be happy with either back, and I would be happy to see Smith sign. If Isaac has confidence in his talent and really wants to attend the University of Michigan, he won't let numbers get in his way.
Here's the stupid thing, though. You're basically telling Ty Isaac that he can't even visit USC in MARCH OF HIS JUNIOR YEAR if he wants to play for your school. I mean, the kid is trying to pick his college way earlier than most of us probably picked ours, and he hasn't even had a chance to visit a school that has an excellent recent history of producing college stars and NFL talent.
This is where the "no visits if you're committed to us" thing gets kind of crazy. I agree that official visits during the fall/winter should be off limits because the coaches need to finalize the recruiting class. But a kid should at least be able to spend his own money and visit other schools during his junior year and/or the summer just to see what's out there.
Isaac runs like Jim Brown...check it out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flXQHswtXKM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4QQ9fnAgBU
That guy would look great in blue.
He's not nearly as physical as Jim Brown.
You are right, but what I was referring to was the similar slashing style. Ty looks like he can put 15 good pounds on his frame easy...and will have to because he needs to be physical in the BT.
Smith looks like the more physical back, which may serve him well in the B10. Isaac is a burner no doubt in the open field. Personally I like runningbacks that run like this:
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I'd love to see Isaac commit to be blue this early but this situation scares me. If we put him under pressure to commit by scheduling Smith and he actualy goes through with it I feel like there's a solid chance that he decommits later on down the road.
But then again the choice may not be that hard when he looks at our offensive line haul.
There is an interesting piece at one of the recruiting sites (Rivals? Scout?) on the move toward early commitments. The experts think they're a bad thing. (Well of course . . . the recruiting sites don't want early commits, as that makes Rivals & Scout less relevant.) Obviously, Michigan is the big winner with early commits.
However, I think the experts have a point. If someone commits because they feel rushed and forced to commit, it can lead to more decommits.
I like early commitments provided there are two things in place:
- The recruit is someone the coaching staff really wants, regardless of when they commit.
- The recruit really wants to come to Michigan, and doesn't feel the need to look around anymore.
I trust that most of our commitments so far meet both categories. With remaining prospects, I'd agree that they shouldn't commit if they aren't sure yet, and shouldn't be pressured into a decision. Whether it is Isaacs, or Treadwell, or Levenberry, the coaches need to give them the time they need. And if we want someone else just as much and give them a commitable offer, well, that's life for the one who isn't ready yet.
I believe this is the article you are talking about. I caught it about a week ago. Interesting read, mostly touching on QB Chandler Kincade's early commitment to Pitt. If you recall, he visited Michigan not too long ago (also stated in the article).
Link: http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1339614&PT=4&PR=2
I caught another article that is more of a roundtable discussion board, and only the first question really pertains to this issue. Here's the link for that article as well.
http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1341496&PT=4&PR=2
1. why in the world would Ty be afraid of competition from Shallman and Smith? I can see Shallman think about his prospective of playing time at RB given Smith and Issac as his classmate and back off if he thinks that RB is the only position that he wants to play. But Ty should have confidence to beat out Smith, and Smith should feel the same towards Ty too.
2. let's talk about size of running backs. Ty is listed as 6'3, 215 pound. Shallman is 6'3 and 255. both are very tall for RBs. NFL rarely has RB taller than 6'2, and almot all elite backs I can think of are between 5'9 to 6'1, saving barry sanders at 5'8. while most on this borad agree that Shallman's best position going forward is somewhere else, I wonder if anyone else think that Isaac's best perspective might be at other positions as well. He certainly has the to be a wideout.