November 27th, 2012 at 9:46 AM ^
"Soon" could mean lots of things. I would not be surprised to see this recruitment drag out for several more weeks.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:14 PM ^
It means: In or after a short time or early
November 27th, 2012 at 9:47 AM ^
Which one would we prefer or think has better upside?
November 27th, 2012 at 9:49 AM ^
I think we already have a couple Green-like players in Rawls and DeVeon Smith, so I think Isaac offers the most upside. He can do things that Green can't, like catch the ball, make people miss, etc.
November 27th, 2012 at 10:06 AM ^
And while I kind of agree, I don't really think Green is like those players you mentioned all that much. Yes, they're both "power backs", but that's like lumping Steve Young and Vince Young in the same group because they are duel-threat QBs. I'm on record as saying I like Green better at the RB position (I actually think Isaac would make a great WR if things don't work for him at RB, which they most likely will at RB too), but Isaac would be better for Michigan because he has a more unique skill set that Michigan doesn't currently have. I think either would be a great addition, and I really think Smith and Green bring different styles of play when I watch the tape, but agree with the basic premise for the reason that Isaac was originally higher on Michigan's wish list.
November 27th, 2012 at 10:23 AM ^
November 27th, 2012 at 10:15 AM ^
Don't you think Green has more speed than Smith/Rawls?
November 27th, 2012 at 11:02 AM ^
Yeah, but I don't think Green is really a big-play guy. He really doesn't make a lot of long runs like you would expect from the nation's #1 running back...
November 27th, 2012 at 11:30 AM ^
I'm with you that with Smith already on board Isaac would be a better addition than Green given the different skill set he brings to the table. But as far as big plays and long runs are concerned, I haven't been that impressed with Isaac's tape either. He scores on a whole lot of long runs, but they all follow the same pattern:
- Defense is entirely lined up within 5 yards of the LOS
- Offense opens sizable hole for Isaac to run through
- Isaac runs really fast in a straight line
- No one can catch him because he's fast and the defense has bad angles from their alignment
He has definitely shown more elusiveness than Green, who seems to freeze up like a block of stone when he tries to juke, but it's hard to tell anything other than top-end speed from Isaac's tape. The offense he plays in just doesn't require him to read many holes or beat many guys at the second level.
Of course, this is all gleaned from highlight videos, which may or may not be of any actual use, but if I had just one RB out of M's targets this year, it would probably be Smith.
November 27th, 2012 at 11:42 AM ^
I disagree with a lot of that. Isaac reads his blocks pretty well and often makes guys miss in the hole or within a few yards of the line of scrimmage. You're right that teams stack the box because of the formation, but Al Borges uses two tight ends even when we don't really have a single Big Ten-caliber starting tight end. There are some plays where he just busts through the line and outruns everyone, but that's not the norm.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:17 PM ^
I'd say that Funchess is one of the better TIGHT ENDS in the BIG TEN. Not the best run blocking TIGHT END though.
November 27th, 2012 at 2:07 PM ^
Funchess was a glorified wide receiver this year. His blocking is not up to par. So he's technically a tight end, but he couldn't block inside...yet Borges still crammed him into the box, which just reinforces my point.
November 27th, 2012 at 10:15 AM ^
Agreed, but Isaac is going to USC.... as much as I want him to go blue, he runs and looks way too much like Marcus Allen.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:18 PM ^
November 27th, 2012 at 2:06 PM ^
You're right...I clearly don't watch football.
November 27th, 2012 at 4:24 PM ^
(Note: youtube caveats apply.)
He's Big Carlos Brown. Great straight line speed. Unlike Carlos, he falls forward with contact.
But he still falls. And doesn't make people miss.
I think Green's ratings are largely fueled by his freakish size/speed ratio, but I don't really like his highlight tape.
EDIT: The above opinion was based on his 2011 highlights. I watched the 2012 version, and he appears to have improved his balance. He still doesn't look like a particularly natural runner to me, though - just a very strong kid who's very fast in a straight line. He definitely seems to be more of a takes-what-the-offense-gives-him type than Isaac, who has incredible balance and lateral agility for someone of his size. Look at the 2:00 point of Green's video and compare it to Isaac's - Green looks to take about twice as long to throttle down and change directions. I'm more impressed with Green than I was before, but I still think Isaac is a better back and would be a better get for Michigan.
November 27th, 2012 at 2:09 PM ^
I know we have to take the 7 on 7 tournaments with nearly the whole salt shaker, but it didn't seem like Green had rocks for hands when he snatched a few starting from the backfield.
EDIT: So many replies to the original comment that my post has been rendered rather arbitrary.
November 27th, 2012 at 10:31 AM ^
November 27th, 2012 at 9:55 AM ^
November 27th, 2012 at 10:13 AM ^
I'm thinking Chip Kelly to the NFL will work out about as well as Rich Rod did for us. Dumpster fire.
November 27th, 2012 at 10:26 AM ^
Based on what? His proven winning track record at the college level? His ability to judge talent? I'm thinking there are a lot of NFL teams with fans that would easily hitch their wagons to his horse. Definitely many more willing to do so than a large amount of Michgan fans were with respect to Rodriguez.
November 27th, 2012 at 11:02 AM ^
November 27th, 2012 at 11:30 AM ^
November 27th, 2012 at 10:46 AM ^
First I have a feeling that Green commits to Michigan tonight (just a feeling).
Found this article this morning interesting. Not that I think he would see the field here but we could use QB depth and I think Montana could be a good addition.
http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1441853
November 27th, 2012 at 11:00 AM ^
November 27th, 2012 at 11:02 AM ^
I like the exclamation points in his tweets. He sounds very excited that the Michigan coaches are stopping by. I would love to have him go blue.
November 27th, 2012 at 11:07 AM ^
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Dontre-Wilson-117626
I've watched this kid play a couple time and he is fricking awesome. I'm no recruiting expert but this kid is the best RB I've seen in a long time. I know Hoke wants a big bruiser but this Wilson kid is a game changer. Just sayin'.
November 27th, 2012 at 2:28 PM ^
November 27th, 2012 at 11:32 AM ^
November 27th, 2012 at 11:41 AM ^
If we can add another top-tier player to this class, anything else would be icing on the cake. I strongly believe Derrick Green will end-up a Michigan commit, making this our best recruiting class on paper in at least 15 years, IMO.
If we are able to add Green and get one or more of these guys, I have to believe we are the #1 class and this class becomes the best ever at Michigan:
- Laquon Treadwell
- Leon McQuay III
- Ty Isaac
Of course, it would be nice to have Lacy or Hunt take Dawson's spot, but I am confident that we'll find an adequate replacement there even if we don't get one of them.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:00 PM ^
I think the dots add up. Him saying he is going to commit soon and him being excited for the visit from the coaches. Hopefully a Michigan education would help him with his grammer. *tonight*
November 27th, 2012 at 12:05 PM ^
Yeah, that darn grammer'll getcha every time.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:27 PM ^
November 27th, 2012 at 12:06 PM ^
Rivals reporting he just set up an official to ND
November 27th, 2012 at 12:10 PM ^
November 27th, 2012 at 12:10 PM ^
No, you are wrong. Thats about Greg Bryant.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:13 PM ^
No, I am not wrong, they reported that.
Then they just sent a new tweet with a correction that they meant Bryant.
November 27th, 2012 at 12:53 PM ^
November 27th, 2012 at 1:13 PM ^
I know it's not likely to happen but I would love to be kept up all night by a Hello: Derrick Green post...
Or distracted all day at work tomorrow. Either will work.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:57 PM ^
I prefer at work since I need my sleep, especially with a newborn at home.
November 27th, 2012 at 7:51 PM ^
Congrats on your newborn! Hopefully he/she is doing well.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:58 PM ^
If we get him he's going to be a truckload once he gets some college S&C
November 27th, 2012 at 8:02 PM ^
I don't know if this has been posted yet(if it was sorry I couldn't find it) and I don't have twitter so I can't embed it but according to Green's Twitter he said that "The #MIAMI coach is on his way!! #theU" Now I am like most of you and don't put much weight into twitter but I thought that this was interesting. If he really was going to commit tonight I doubt he'd still have them make the trip.
November 28th, 2012 at 10:52 AM ^
He's toying with his followers a little bit. This is somewhat expected with recruitments that drag out. I imagine he'll put out positive tweets about every school that visits him.
November 27th, 2012 at 10:40 PM ^
November 28th, 2012 at 11:19 AM ^
I can't for the life of me understand why a big time recruit would want to go to Ole Miss. Take out the factors of location (south) and roster (needing a big time back), which he can certainly find in a better football program, why the hell would he go to Ole Miss? Unless he is in fact afraid of competition, which I find hard to believe.
November 28th, 2012 at 11:41 AM ^
It's in the SEC, the weather, there are girls, and they produce a fair amount of talent. Deuce McAllister, Eli Manning, Mike Wallace, Dexter McCluster... I'm not saying it's the best choice, but there are reasons.
November 28th, 2012 at 12:04 PM ^
"there are girls"
I now understand. That factor would have had probably the biggest influence on my decision (if I had such a decision to make) as a high school kid. Hell, even as a 30-something year old kid.
November 28th, 2012 at 12:34 PM ^
Eventually one of these huge recruits has to fall in our direction.