DetNews article on Deveon Smith

Submitted by nmumike on

It looks as though he is looking to play early... What are the chances of that happening?

Nice work from Webb though with "pointed words from Hoke"

Link:

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120315/OPINION03/203150512/1004/SP…

From the Article:

"At the moment, the Buckeye State star plans to take in the experience in Ann Arbor this weekend, then take a similar trip to Columbus sometime in the next few weeks. However, there is a slight chance he will alter his timeline. A few pointed words from Brady Hoke during the visit might convince the talented youngster to end his process sooner rather than later.

What are they, you ask?

"Saying I'm going to (have the chance to) be right on the field (as a freshman)," Smith replied.

 

sheepman

March 15th, 2012 at 12:52 PM ^

Given the choice between Smith and Isaac?

 

I know this has been talked about, but this article makes him sound like a star. More than I had thought before.

Blue in Yarmouth

March 15th, 2012 at 1:02 PM ^

at first I was all about Isaac and wanted Hoke to hold off on anyone else. After getting to know more about Smith and seeing more highlights of him running over people, I would be very happy with either of the two. I would take him in a heart beat if he wanted to committ this weekend. 

Minus The Houma

March 15th, 2012 at 2:22 PM ^

The first time I watched Smith's highlights I thought they were pretty darn good.  Then, I just rewatched them and was blown away by the beauty of his tackle breaking.  Although it always hurts to lose a highly recruited kid, you can't be upset about getting Smith if he chooses to commit before Isaac.  Really liking Smith right now.

bacon1431

March 15th, 2012 at 1:04 PM ^

Funny how his brother says that the worst thing OSU could do is pull that spread out......

There's about a 100% chance of that happening considering their coach and the coordinator he hired.

I like that Deveon wants to play early, because Hoke can easily promise the opportunity to compete for carries as a true freshman. Fitz will probably still be there, but after that it's unkown. At least for now.

CorkyCole

March 15th, 2012 at 2:20 PM ^

And even if Fitz is the starter his freshman year, that in no way means he won't get his carries.  Even when Fitz was unleashed mid-way through last season, Smith, Shaw and Hopkins still were given carries.

There is no reason to believe he wouldn't be competing for playing time as a freshman, and I'm sure Hoke is telling him the same thing.

denardogasm

March 15th, 2012 at 1:07 PM ^

I have to think he'll hear what he wants to hear this weekend, since Hoke tells every recruit that he'll have a chance to play early, and can back it up with evidence from last season.  I'm with everyone else.  I've gotten to the point where I'd be very happy with either Ty or Deveon.

WolvinLA2

March 15th, 2012 at 1:11 PM ^

I know everyone was really high on Isaac because of his early hype and recruit rankings, but Deveon Smith is a stud, no doubt about it. I'd be very happy with him.

RakeFight

March 15th, 2012 at 1:19 PM ^

Would love to see him in Blue.  I'm sure Hoke will tell him that he'll have to opportunity to compete for playing just like everyone else.  What Meyer will tell him is anyone's guess.

Allin4Blue

March 15th, 2012 at 1:26 PM ^

In the end, I see no reason why we wouldn't take both.  The rumor is that were are only taking 1 more running back but I would venture to say that we would take both of these guys.  We recruited 2 specialty backs last year and I ultimately could see both players have very successful careers at Michigan.  Either way, if one or both commit, we will have a solid backfield for years to come!

 

Nosce Te Ipsum

March 15th, 2012 at 1:29 PM ^

It has been stated numerous times that Issac wants to be the feature back for whatever school he chooses so I don't think taking both is an option. The question that arises is what kind of back do you want, a bruiser who has pretty good speed or someone who can take it to the house at any given time? I am in the Issac camp only because with the OL talent that is coming in there should be room for a lot of big plays and you want someone with the speed to take advantage of that.

mackbru

March 15th, 2012 at 1:52 PM ^

Fair enough. But that being said, rare is the recruit who publicly states that he'll only commit to a program if that program signs no else at his position. Recruits pretty much always say they welcome competition, because otherwise they'd sound like selfish cowards. In reality, though, we all know there's often a difference between the words and actions in this regard. 

robbyt003

March 15th, 2012 at 3:59 PM ^

I don't think we can really afford to take both.  There are so many other positions we could use the extra depth at *cough* DT and WR *cough* and we have semi limited scholarships available.  While yes it would be nice to take both and see which one pans out to be the best, we also need to fill our other needs.  They both seem like premier backs with excellent futures so we can't go wrong

superstringer

March 15th, 2012 at 2:55 PM ^

Yet somehow, Bama and Florida and Tennessee get 2 or 3 or 4 super-high-quality running backs in EVER class.  I know, I know, their families are getting paid, but still, those recruits don't seem to have the attitude of, "I'll be the only one or I'm not going to your school."  So much can happen -- look at the Bryce Brown character, as but one example -- recruits would be making an unwise decision to say, I love the school and would go there but for Joe Smith going there too.  ONLY a QB -- looking at you, Gunner -- would be rational in saying that.

WolvinLA2

March 15th, 2012 at 1:30 PM ^

I bet we'd take both, but I doubt both would come. In fact, Isaac has mentioned the depth chart as something he's keeping an eye on at all of his top choices. If we took Deveon, I think it would hurt our chances with Isaac.

This is like when I had two women who both wanted to date me. I would have been happy dating them both, but I don't think they would have. Unfortunately for Michigan, we can't sign Smith and then secretly sign Isaac when Smith is busy.

Tater

March 15th, 2012 at 1:27 PM ^

Brady Hoke tells everyone they will have a chance, and then lets them either earn it or not earn it on the practice field.  If Smith wants a fair chance as opposed to a guarantee, and has the confidence that he can earn his spot, he is going to hear exactly what he wants.

Maybe we should be on "commit watch" this weekend.

Lutha

March 15th, 2012 at 1:32 PM ^

I'm going with general sentiment here of being happy with either Smith or Isaac....but maybe even slightly favoring Smith due to his physical running style.  A back like Smith with our o-line is just going to wear people out.

Those who stay...

March 15th, 2012 at 1:32 PM ^

I don't see much of a downside with Smith.  He may not have homerun speed, but he seems to have the vision and physicality to excel in our offense.  I would be very happy with Smith or Isaac.  As is the common opinion around here, there doesn't appear to be a bad option.

mackbru

March 15th, 2012 at 1:36 PM ^

I'm no recruiting expert. And I have no reason to prefer one recruit over the other. But can someone kindly explain the fairly significant disparity in the offers received by Isaac and Smith? Isaac has offers from everyone. Smith had a few top-tier offers -- M and OSU being the biggest -- but otherwise has a more middling list of suitors. 

Ron Utah

March 15th, 2012 at 2:56 PM ^

Isaac has a lot more offers for two simple reasons:

1) It appears he has more overall talent than Smith.  While not as good at breaking tackles, Isaac is still a very strong runner, displaying good vision, great speed, excellent quickness, and the ability to score on every carry.  Smith is more of a bruising back.  He's got good speed and is a more powerful runner, almost never going down on first contact and often picking up extra yards.  But he's not as fast or elusive.

2) Isaac's skillset is more diverse.  If it were just about smashmouth football, which fewer teams play in college these days, I think Smith would be more popular.  Smith is an I-formation (by his own admission) old-school type of runner, and that's where he fits.

What's important for people to understand is how small the difference between these two recruits is.  While yes, Isaac does show more overall talent and a broader skillset, that does NOT mean he'll be a better college player.

BTW - If all Smith needs to hear is that he'll have a chance to play as a freshman, he'll commit this weekend.  Hoke will tell him that, and it's true.  Fitz will probably enter his senior season as the undisputed starter, but only Rawls (on our current roster) has the ability to challenge Smith as a pro-form back, and it's conceivable (although unlikely) that Smith could leapfrog both as an I-form back by the end of his freshman season.  Once Fitz is gone, Smith would be, IMO, the best back on our roster for our system.

RLS-Jr

March 15th, 2012 at 1:39 PM ^

I don't know how you choose between Smith and Isaac - both are great RB prospects with different strengths.  It would obviously be great (albeit unlikely) to get both!  Most seem more enamored with Isaac based on his Rivals rating (which we know is no guarantee of success at the next level) and speed.  Like others - I trust Coach Hoke and his staff to make the call.  Ultimately, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush (see BDunn, JGarnett, JDiamond, AKozan, YWright)...

MosherJordan

March 15th, 2012 at 1:42 PM ^

I love that this kid can break tackles. The way he protects the ball, moving it so he can stiff arm, and just keeps his legs churning is impressive. That said, the fact that he has to do this a lot against high school DBs is concerning. If we take him, I think it puts extra weight on getting a stretch the field reciever. Still, I'd be very happy to have Deveon in the fold. I think he'll turn out to be exactly the back we'd expect him to be. Isaac could be a stud, or he could be the kid that goes down at the drop of a hat, and is always one arm tackle away from breaking off a big run.

Willhouse

March 15th, 2012 at 1:52 PM ^

Please come to Ann Arbor. Its your childhood favorite team, and up and coming program that is rising from the ashes which plays your style of offense, AND you'll probably see field time your freshman year with the opportunity to become THE man in a year or two.

Thanks!

mackbru

March 15th, 2012 at 2:06 PM ^

Makes sense that, even if Isaac is your first choice and Smith is your second, it's probably wise to go with Smith if he's the one who's most eager to play for Michigan. Plus, it would piss-off OSU.

RLS-Jr

March 15th, 2012 at 2:31 PM ^

Logic seems to support Smith choosing Michigan (not that logic always applies when it comes to recruiting):

* OSU took TWO 4* Power RBs last year (Brionte Dunn and Warren Ball); Michigan took none

* OSU will run a spread under Meyer (especially with Miller at QB); Michigan is evolving back towards Pro Style Man Ball by the fall of 2013 (cue tape to Chris Perry circa 2003)

* He has a chance to join a legendary class with arguably the best QB and to run behind the best two-year (2012 + 2013) OL haul in the country

LIZARD4141

March 15th, 2012 at 3:34 PM ^

That Urban Meyer is such a cock block. I wouldn't be surprised if his recruiting of power backs that Michigan wants are part of his strategy. What the hell is he going to do with another power back ?

robbyt003

March 15th, 2012 at 4:03 PM ^

While Ty Issacs film is pretty dang impressive, how many 6'3" RBs are there really out there.  He almost seems to be TOO big, if that is even possible.  

Ventilator

March 15th, 2012 at 4:31 PM ^

We can offer him a better chance at PT than Ohio, even if Isaac was in the class with him. That would be grand if we could get both in this class. 

Big_H

March 15th, 2012 at 4:41 PM ^

I dont totally agree with everyone puttng down Smith's speed..In his tape he looks to be at least a high 4.5 guy or a low 4.6. And I have been on the track with many people who look faster and slower than him. It has also been talked about before on this blog how college coaching/conditiong/speed drills can shave of 1-2 tenths off their 40 time, so why is anyone worried about his speed? Yes, Ty Isaac has better speed that is obvious. It is only obvious though because he isnt breaking 2-3 tackles like Smith is when he is running. Smith never gets to just run straight up the field like isaac. and whenhe is running down the sideline usually there is the opposite db coming at him with excellent pursuit angles, but yet smith still shakes them off. Isaac simply waits for his blockers than runs to the goal line untouched making it really easy to look way faster than smith. Im sure if Smith was running through the same holes without being touched everyone here would be like wow this guy has great speed.

They are both really great backs. I would say yes that ty has a little more potential, but there are way more successful backs at smiths size, than there are 6'3'' monsters.

Im going with the sure thing "smith" but yes I would love to land someone with as much potential as isaac as a huge bonus

WolvinLA2

March 15th, 2012 at 5:29 PM ^

I don't know if people are saying he's too slow, but he's not that fast either.  Unless every DB he plays against is a track star, because he didn't really run away from anyone.  Watch his film and then watch Dennis Norfleet's film, you'll see what a fast RB looks like.

That said, Deveon Smith looks good.  He does not go down, at all. I'm actually more impressed with his film than Isaac's.  Any back with speed can blaze through holes, but that doesn't say as much about a prospect because he won't always have those holes in college.  Smith, OTOH, shows how well he can make his own yards, and he gets tough yards.  I's rather have a guy who can get 3-5 yards every time and get caught from behind on the 50+ yarders than the guy who either takes it to the house or gets stopped at the line.