Monday Recruitin' Hits The Road Comment Count

Ace

Today's recruiting roundup surveys the landscape as several coaches are fired and the rest prepare for in-home visits, recaps Michigan commits in their state playoffs, and more.

One Final Note From The Game

There's no official word on Conley's status, but don't expect him to be considered a commit for much longer. The question of whether or not he could find himself back in the class eventually is more difficult to answer; his situation isn't the same as David Dawson's or Pharaoh Brown's—Conley was up-front with the coaches about his desire to take visits. We'll have to wait and see if the coaches decide to treat his case differently.

And Now Let's Never Talk About The Game Again

Good? Good.

In-home visits with recruits begin this week, and some very interesting names have emerged as players who will host Michigan coaches, including one we haven't seen in a while:

Yes, that Ty Isaac, one-time top running back target and current USC commit. While there's no indication that he's wavering on his commitment, Lane Kiffin's job security has come under fire—especially in the wake of a derp-tacular finish to the Notre Dame game—and it's worth noting that recruits must approve of a visit before a coach can drop by; Isaac is at least willing to listen to Michigan's latest pitch.

Does that mean anything in regards to VA RB Derrick Green? I doubt it. Green's other presumed top choices, Auburn and Tennessee, have now both fired their head coaches—in Auburn's case, they just cleaned out the entire staff. That leaves Oregon, Miami, and Ole Miss as Michigan's top competition. Oregon doesn't fit Green's stated desire to play in a pro-style offense and Miami has the Nevin Shapiro cloud looming over their program. It's possible Green chooses Ole Miss out of a desire to play in the South, but that's a major step down in program quality compared to Michigan.

[For more planned in-home visits, a wrapup of last weekend's playoff action, and more, hit THE JUMP.]

New O-Line Names Emerge

Michigan is also targeting a couple of committed offensive linemen to fill the hole left by David Dawson. Tremendous caught up with UCLA commit Kenny Lacy, who will get an in-home visit and plans to take an official to Ann Arbor in December. Lacy, at 6'5", 270, could slot in at guard or right tackle—he's a four-star, top-250 type to Rivals and Scout and a three-star on ESPN and 247.

TomVH reported last night that Michigan was in contact with another lineman committed to a California school($), and a little poking around indicates that prospect is Cal pledge Cameron Hunt. Hunt will also get an in-home and, given that the Bears just fired coach Jeff Tedford, could be very open to looking around. He's more of a pure guard at 6'4", 267, and is rated as a four-star on every service save 247.

Cass Tech Goes Back-To-Back

For the second straight year, Cass Tech upended Detroit Catholic Central in the MHSAA Division I state title game; this time around, the Technicians won 36-21, and Jourdan Lewis opened the scoring with an 89-yard touchdown catch on CT's first play from scrimmage. Lewis would finish the game with two catches for 101 yards, while junior standout Damon Webb caught two passes for 53 yards, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble, and had an interception. Wyatt Shallman finished with five tackles and 0.5 TFLs for Catholic Central and was limited to just six yards on three carries.

In the OHSAA Division II state semifinals, Mike McCray recorded a team-high 11 tackles and recovered a fumble to lead Trotwood-Madison to a 33-32 victory over New Albany. The Rams will take on Toledo Central Catholic, led by OSU commit Jayme Thompson and 2014 QB prospect DeShone Kizer, in the state title game on Friday.

Three other Michigan commits advanced in the playoffs: St. Clairsville's defense, led by Michael Ferns, held defending champs Norwayne—averaging over 50 points per game heading into the state semifinals—to 27 points, advancing to the Division IV title game and preserving an undefeated season. Channing Stribling's Matthews Butler squad will play for its third state championship in four years after taking down Mallard Creek in the semis, 27-0. Patrick Kulger and North Allegheny defeated Woodland Hills, 21-14, to become the first team to win three straight WPIAL Class AAAA titles; they're two games away from a second state title in three years.

Jake Butt and Pickerington North weren't so lucky, as Northwestern commit Godwin Igebuike fumbled just shy of the goal line on fourth down with 32 seconds left in a 26-21 state semifinal loss to powerhouse Cincinnati Moeller. Butt finished the season with single-season school records for receptions (68), receiving yards (907), and receiving TDs (12), as well as several career records.

Etc.

Senior-year highlights are now available for Ross Douglas (LINK) and Dymonte Thomas (LINK)—a lot of very impressive two-way play from both commits.

The #1 overall recruit in the class of 2014, VA DE Da'Shawn Hand, named Michigan to his early top ten.

2014 FL WR Artavis Scott told Sam Webb that he and HS teammate OL Mason Cole "know for a fact" that they'll attend the same college ($, info in header). That's good news for Michigan, which emerged among Cole's early leaders and has also offered Scott—both prospects were on hand for the Michigan State game.

Standout 2015 KY RB Damien Harris has Ohio State and Michigan essentially running even atop his leaderboard after visiting Columbus last weekend, according to Allen Trieu ($, info in header). Michigan may hold a narrow edge, but it's a close race at this point (obviously, with a very long way to go).

Comments

AAB

November 26th, 2012 at 2:18 PM ^

Not sure I'd write Auburn or Tennessee off, especially if they hire big name coaches.  I hate recruit psychoanalysis, but it does seem like he's very much looking for a reason to go somewhere other than Michigan.  

Bodogblog

November 26th, 2012 at 2:24 PM ^

FWIW, on the Scout free board they have posters from the Buckeye site saying Conley visited, but left early and didn't interact much with the coaches or other recruits.

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

November 26th, 2012 at 3:33 PM ^

Perhaps he bolted the OSU side after hearing the vile comments from the crowd, pulled on a blue coat and stood with the good guys.

Or he received 0 attention from the coaches given the 62 recruits and realized Urban wanted to recruit him to hurt UM more than help OSU.

Or he spotted a cute girl and decided to stand with her...

Bodogblog

November 26th, 2012 at 4:20 PM ^

One of the respected posters there did speculate it may have been to get him away from M: have him visit, force decommit, have UofM fill the spot, then tell Conley no thanks (or at least hold off and see if their other higher priority targets fall through).

I'm hoping Hoke would see through that and let him come back to good guys.  But given this is all speculation, the real story could be and likely is something completely different.

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

November 26th, 2012 at 5:18 PM ^

They supposedly had 12 WR recruits between Sr and Jr at the game. Plus Eli and Cameron are the 2 de facto CB studs in attendance. Can't imagine he spent any time with a single coach.

Hmmm, staff that showed me love 8 months ago with thin WR/CB options & my dad prefers OR new suitor with umpteen recruits that someone pushed me to visit just to prove my dad wrong?

Guess we'll find out eventually.

turtleboy

November 26th, 2012 at 4:08 PM ^

Everybody raves about his technique and athletecism, and says just needs to gain a little inevitable weight. I'll take that over a big kid that needs to learn technique, and gain athletecism any day. Its no wonder the coaches are visiting him when his pad level, proper leverage, footwork, punch, and use of hands, speed, pass protection against all types of edge rushes, drive blocking, downfield blocking, finishing, and nasty streak are all basically at a college level. Sounds like Kugler all over again. Only criticism of him I heard was when he went to the Opening he had more difficulty with the jumbo sized recruits. Won't be a problem after a redshirt year.

I know this is a fluff piece but analysts outside the Cal guys have all been saying the same things: 

http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2012/7/11/3144156/cal-football-rec…

WolvinLA2

November 26th, 2012 at 4:30 PM ^

Yeah, we're in a position where we don't need the 5th OL in this class to play all that quickly, so a guy like Hunt who needs a couple years or bulk up is no problem.

And it's not like he needs a ton of weight. He's currently listed at 267 by Rivals, so he should be 275-280 by the time he enrolls, and could be knocking on the door of 300 after his redshirt year, somewhat conservatively. If the 267 number is a little old, he could be 275+ already.

EDIT: 247 lists Hunt at 275, so it's very possible the 267 number is pretty old, and he's not all that undersized anymore.

bubblelevel

November 26th, 2012 at 2:28 PM ^

Gotta wonder more about how D. Smith feels about this.  I look at these backs as more of his niche rather than Shallman who will have a role because of his size.  If they are looking for 2 more backs maybe there's something to be said about the stable that is the program right now.  Certainly could spread 4 backs out with redshirting.

On another note, caught the D1 finals.  Jordan Lewis is a heck of a player but you don't see the "wow" when he's on defense.  CC got him a number of times.  Standout on offense in this game however.  First time I've watched Shallman in person in a long time.  He is  quick-twitch big time, and agile.  A littel bit of coaching and grooming and Michigan will have a good player no matter where they put him. Both of these players will be great additions.  Dawson - I would say was good but not dominant.  Spent a fair amount of time jaw-boning and it looked like Wilcher had to get in his grill about it on a few occaisions.

Magnus

November 26th, 2012 at 2:52 PM ^

Michigan has been pursuing Ty Isaac and Derrick Green while DeVeon Smith has been committed.  It's really not anything new for Smith.  If Michigan got both Isaac and Green to commit (which isn't going to happen), then I think Smith might reconsider.  But if just one of those guys commits, then I think that's probably within the range of reasonable expectations.

wesq

November 26th, 2012 at 2:33 PM ^

The possibility that UM could lose it's top two remaining targets at positions of need to Ole Miss is tough.  We need to get Charles Robinson down to Oxford quick.

Blue In NC

November 26th, 2012 at 4:39 PM ^

Re: OKL. Yeah, but for Treadwell, was that when U of M was barely throwing to Gallon and Roundtree or more recently with Gardner at QB when those two seem to be getting many more chances.  And with Roy leaving and Gardner looking like he will be here for two more years, it seems that U of M presents a very good opportunity for a 5 star WR, no?

WolverineInCbus

November 26th, 2012 at 2:50 PM ^

I have lost track after all this time since it has been mentioned, but Ace used to say how many scholarship slots were open and I have not seen it stated for awhile. So are we still sitting at about 3 spots left barring any unforeseen attrition?

WolvinLA2

November 26th, 2012 at 2:55 PM ^

If you're ever wondering, go up to Useful Stuff and click Depth Chart by Class. 

Right now we have 23 openings, 24 if (when?) Mike Jones doesn't get a fifth year to commit stupid special teams penalties, 25 if Lewan doesn't come back, and so on. 

Since we often get a little attrition after the season ends, 25 and maybe 26 is a safe number.

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

November 26th, 2012 at 2:55 PM ^

Lacy or Hunt are very solid candidates based on their film. My OL evaluation skills are limited (ie defensive coach) but both appear to have upside with their frames and decent agility. Cal and UCLA also tend to focus on solid students given their academics. OL pipeline in fine shape.

I see the biggest bonus in landing more kids nationally. We used to land talent from all areas to supplement the Midwest base and Hoke's Cali connection has yielded only Magnuson.

ColsBlue

November 26th, 2012 at 2:55 PM ^

Please, please don't neg bomb me into oblivion for this.  Please.  I did a quick search of the site and didn't see any mention of Logan Tuley-Tillman having interest in TCU, good or bad.  A scout alert dated 11/16/12 mentions interest and a possible visit.  Alert is paywalled, and I don't pay.  So, can anyone, nicely, update me on the validity or lack of validity to this claim?  Again, please and thank you.  Link below: 

http://michigan.scout.com/a.z?s=162&p=8&c=1&nid=5906725 

ColsBlue

November 26th, 2012 at 3:20 PM ^

Thanks guys.  That was easy.  And fast.  And positive.  I found this while reviewing the list of recruits to make myself feel better after Saturday.  And, I do feel better.  Still one hell of a class! 

Picktown GoBlue

November 28th, 2012 at 3:29 PM ^

Experience it in person. Jake Butt had huge catch to keep final drive going. Team was crushed that the wildcat play didn't work at the end. Ticket takers thought I was at the wrong gate with family's maize/blue and block M gear. Losing 26-21 twice in a day...argh

UofM626

November 26th, 2012 at 3:43 PM ^

On the following players and really start to understand where "Michigan" really fits w these kids. We are possibly looking at the best class of recruiting Michigan has ever had If we close w these kids



Treadwell. A must have and if Gardner gets his redshirt it will only help.



McQuay - this kid has beast written all over him and w him and Dymonte trolling the back we w be hard to beat.



Green - my favorite recruit besides McQuay and I think he steps on campus next year and starts from day 1. Kid has NFL size body and speed and is nasty! He has to see that UofM is bleeding for him and this spot is ideal for him



Wild cards



Isaac - plain out stud. Just don't know why he picked SC anyway IMo....



Dawson - he only gets back in if he goes and speaks w Hoke himself



Conley - I assume he is gone until further notice.



Lacy - back up plan....

kevin holt

November 26th, 2012 at 3:49 PM ^

LOL@ the twitter post for Da'Shawn Hand. One VT fan says academics are a big deal for Hand, who wants to major in engineering, and VT has the best engineering on the list.

Someone else (presumably UM fan or other rational human) comes in and wuts him into place.

YoOoBoMoLloRoHo

November 26th, 2012 at 3:51 PM ^

Strange to have a kid already declare a package deal - especially when both are very highly rated and merit offers on their own (unlike Nkemdiche pulling along 2 stars). Probably just a BFF type comment but it presents some quirky dynamics.

Do coaches schedule all visits jointly or CC both on texts or send mail to 1 address? I hope UM can land both but 2 Floridians is a tough pull.

davidhm

November 26th, 2012 at 5:02 PM ^

Just curious, what "big name" coaches are currently out there for these teams to hire?  (And please don't say John Gruden)  I seriously can't think of any big name/hot commodity that would be big enough to lure a potential recruit.  Sure, there is probably a mid-level guy that would make the jump up to a BCS-level school (Louisiana Tech coach comes to mind) but who else?  Tressel has a show cause.  Petrino still has some baggage.  

These aren't big names by all means, but Narduzzi might be looking to get out of EL.  Fickel might want to capitalize on the 12-0 season.  

M-Wolverine

November 26th, 2012 at 11:00 PM ^

But is Gus Malzahn a "big name" outside of spread-nick's? Is he a name that makes recruits go "oooohhhhh."? If he was such a hot name, wouldn't he be at a better job now? Good coach, but I don't see the sizzle. And in this case is an expert at the kind of offense he doesn't want to be in.