First & 17 Twitter Chat (Da'Shawn Hand)
Most readers are up to speed on all Da'Shawn Hand related news. With that said, I wanted to mention that there is a live chat on Twitter with Mike Farrell of Rivals and Brad Horn of the Washington Post. Brad is the journalist behind First and 17 and has worked closely all season with Da'Shawn.
Here is the Washington Post article discussing the chat and the Twitter Link:
https://twitter.com/firstand17/status/400297083376107520
As a diehard Michigan fan born with maize and blue blood, I hope we receive the news we want this week!
If you gotta go.... Go blue!
Kelly Lytle
November 13th, 2013 at 10:53 AM ^
Perhaps I'm just selectively remembering things, but I think when Sam whiffs on a recruiting prediction, it's almost always been a whiff of optimism. I can't think of a high-profile recruit he's predicted to go elsewhere who has ended up coming to UM.
While he has been consistently optimistic about Hand, he has not had any of his "gut feelings" about him either, which basically means Hand hasn't privately tipped his hand.
November 13th, 2013 at 11:06 AM ^
Remember this thread?
http://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/sam-web-final-5-spots-14-recruiting-class
Sam's predictions for final five guys in this class: Da'Shawn Hand, Artavis Scott, Malik McDowell, Jamarco Jones, and Adoree Jackson.
Making those kinds of predictions is really hard, so I'm not dumping on the guy, but unless someone seems to have first-hand knowledge of what a kid's doing (no pun intended), I generally take these predictions with a grain of salt. I've been saying for awhile that I'm skeptical of the "Michigan's the clear leader" stuff on Hand. He surprised everyone with his final list of three and has said that he doesn't know why everyone thinks he has a favorite. Sometimes I think one "expert" comes up with a prediction and then the echo chamber starts going, making it look like there's consensus when it's really not based on anything.
November 13th, 2013 at 11:21 AM ^
He didn't think Chatman was going UM's way when it came to decision time.
November 13th, 2013 at 10:17 AM ^
Seem to all be quietly confident he picks Michigan.
November 13th, 2013 at 10:19 AM ^
Mike Farrell picked Michigan, and he has spent more time around the Da'shawn Hand recruitment than anyone. I'm sorry, but in this region of the country, I'll take Mike's opinion over Sam Webb's. Mike has known Da'shawn since he was a Freshman, and has been in the most recent contact with Da'shawn himself.
November 13th, 2013 at 10:31 AM ^
-1. Neither enough doom nor gloom. Too many facts.
November 13th, 2013 at 10:39 AM ^
I fervently hope that Farrell and Rivals are right and I'm wrong, but just what exactly are the "facts" that Farrell has that nobody else has?
Maybe he'll be proven right, but unless you can point to something specific, all Farrell has are his own opinions.
November 13th, 2013 at 10:45 AM ^
Youre a Sam Webb disciple and youre interpreting his words the way you want to hear them without any "facts". if you want to hear facts look at the fact that he knows the kid, his family, the way Da'shawn functions and the way he will go about making this decision. If i wanted to know something about a guy who is very close to the vest I would go with someone who is close to that vest and not some guy who is just making guesses. If Da'shawns father is talking to sam it cant be all bad because they wouldnt want to lead schools on they made that obvious from pretty much the start of his recruitment
November 13th, 2013 at 11:00 AM ^
I might be reading this wrong—perhaps he's retweeting somebody else's tweet—but this is from an hour ago:
"Honestly if Hand picked #Alabama tomorrow I wouldn't be stunned. This is very close according to a great source."
November 13th, 2013 at 11:08 AM ^
November 13th, 2013 at 11:19 AM ^
I just listened to the podcast of Sam's recruiting roundup, and I didn't come away pessimistic - or optimistic. Sam said he's not going to VA for the announcement b/c he doesn't know what's going to happen. My sense from the tone of his voice is that he truly doesn't know which way Hand is leaning. It certainly sounds true that Michigan is not remotely a slam dunk, but I don't think Alabama is either.
November 13th, 2013 at 11:24 AM ^
that the longevity of the current staff at the school he's considering is important, and I think the subtext was the rumormongering about Saban leaving for Texas. That can't help Alabama, since Saban is a proven coaching philanderer.
November 13th, 2013 at 10:36 AM ^
TomVH said something recently that Hand wanted to make sure there was some real suspense when he was making a decision and maybe he is trying to give everyone that.
November 13th, 2013 at 11:02 AM ^
Well, he states that Farrell has known him the longest, and that there are reasons that he would be the most trustworthy source in this case, particularly since Hand is from VA. Farrell has a track record of correctly predicting many commitments particularly in that region. EJ Levenberry happened. He seemed to be one of the early ones to call Green to Mich. There are perhaps reasons to speculate in the other direction too. Nothing has really happened recently to substantiate either view. The team has lost a few games and looked like crap in general, but maybe Hand sees the struggles and wants to come in and be a contributor early on. But the board's take on the subject has been, in my opinion, overly pessimistic.
Edit: Didn't execute when going for the reply
November 13th, 2013 at 10:41 AM ^
Does this make anyone else smile that Voldemort is being the ray of sunshine here?
November 13th, 2013 at 10:33 AM ^
November 13th, 2013 at 10:37 AM ^
I don't understand the pessimism here, either. There have been 10 predictions in November for Hand, and all 10 of them are in favor of Michigan. One of them, as pointed out, switched to Michigan from Alabama (by their #1 predictor). Even a Southern analyst (Brian McLaughlin) made a recent prediction for Michigan.
The most recent Alabama prediction dates back to mid-July. If there was significant movement toward Alabama based on the official, I would expect some guys (especially some Alabama guys) to switch their predictions to Alabama.
My biggest reason for pessimism is this board.
November 13th, 2013 at 10:44 AM ^
Maybe that means you should be optimistic. None of us are seers.
November 13th, 2013 at 10:55 AM ^
Don't let the board get you down; it's negative about everything lately. It could find a tiny cloud in a clear sky. We've had a couple terrible games and that's coloring the entire outlook of folks here.
November 13th, 2013 at 11:02 AM ^
Agreed. And that's what I was trying to say with my post. However, I find MGoBlog readers to be smarter than average, so I was wondering if there were further, substantive reasons to be pessimistic.
Also, just talked to a guy who says he has "inside information" that Hand may not be academically qualified for UofM. I assume that that's nonsense, but just thought I'd share it.
EDIT: I should add that the "predictions" I am looking at are from 247 sports.
November 13th, 2013 at 11:03 AM ^
I'd think it's more like intentional character assassination bullshit in case he chooses to go elsewhere. I doubt UM would still be offering him if he wasn't qualified.
November 13th, 2013 at 11:08 AM ^
I would assume so as well. But I'm less qualified than most non-experts to comment, so figured I'd mention it.
Also, Mike Farrell DOES seem to think it's pretty close between us and Bama. Hopefully the fact that he's deciding tomorrow (gives them less time to break ahead) works in our favor.
November 13th, 2013 at 11:04 AM ^
I'm pretty sure he has good grades, and Michigan doesn't impose more than the NCAA minimum of academic standards for athletes, does it? If he can get in Bama, he can get in Michigan unless I'm very badly mistaken.
November 13th, 2013 at 2:27 PM ^
November 13th, 2013 at 11:00 AM ^
I'm a Michigan fan. Pessimism is in my DNA.
November 13th, 2013 at 11:01 AM ^
I think it's Michigan you guys.
Hand has probably been pensive and quiet for good reason, given all the "Roll Tide" hollering going on on his cell phone 24/7.
But if it's Alabama, then I say best of luck to him. He'll no doubt have a great experience there too. The cool thing about being 18 and a great athlete as that you get a choice and opportunity like this.
But I think deep down he really likes UM, likes the coaches and would feel very comfortable with the new teammates in Ann Arbor.
November 13th, 2013 at 11:08 AM ^
If any glass half empty guy likes to read between the lines when it comes to the descision there is some optimistic sights over at 247 as the D. Hand announcement is all over the michigan front page and the alabama front page...not so much. they are still talking about the game and recruits who were there when if they thought they were getting another one of the countries best recruits they would be all over it.
hey if one of us can read between the lines than we all should be able to do it.
November 13th, 2013 at 11:19 AM ^
Absolutely... that's what the internet is for. I'm just some idiot with an opinion based on what I read and hear and my intuition, and nothing more. If I'm right even 50% of the time I'd be surprised. That's why I don't spend any time in casinos.
November 13th, 2013 at 11:14 AM ^
November 13th, 2013 at 11:14 AM ^
Noon.
November 13th, 2013 at 11:29 AM ^
No matter what happens, I really like the "First & 17" video series. The Woodbridge coach seems like a cool guy too.
November 13th, 2013 at 11:45 AM ^
People need to stop saying "academics" as Hand's main or 2nd main reason for choosing a school. It's not academics, it's what he wants to do with his life after football is over.
His version of "academics" is Engineering vs Sports Management/Marketing. The quality of the academics doesn't really have too much of an impact (as someone else has stated). He knows he can get into Alabama's Engineering program and get a good enough education to be successful in that field when football is over. He also knows he can get into UofM's Sports Management program and stay in football potentially forever.
This is what it's coming down to, not which school is higher in educational quality.
November 13th, 2013 at 3:18 PM ^
November 13th, 2013 at 4:24 PM ^
Hand sees the field a fair amount in Year 2 at M (which could be after a RS year).
Hand sees the field a fair amount in Year 3 at Bama IF he can prove himself as elite as his presumably much greater competition for the job.
Its sort of a balance between playing time and the level of competition.
Alabama has an ABET program for engineering. I think they turn out engineers as serviceable as anywhere.
The problem I see is more about engineering AND football. Most struggle to complete an Eng degree in 4 years as it is without this second 'job' which also involves travel. Agreed the tutors are there. But its not that simple. There are weed-out courses which involve hours and hours of frustrating lab/computer time that aren't recorded as class hour time. Those who have been there know of what I speak.
I really think any push towards sports management is a piece of advice really and truly designed to help Hand throughout his whole life.
November 13th, 2013 at 6:37 PM ^
It's probably easier to succeed at engineering at Alabama than at Michigan. There are quite a few factors to consider, even beyond Michigan accepting Hand into the engineering program.
1. Call it arrogance if you want. It's going to be tougher to get a good grade in a Michigan engineering course (or physics, calc). Hand will be competing against students of a higher academic caliber, and in a class with a curve this makes a huge difference.
2. The requirements in terms of coursework may be less stringent at Alabama. Again, who you are competing against makes all the difference.
Having an engineering degree and being a former Alabama football player will open a ton of doors for Hand.
So having the more rigorous engineering program may actually be a disadvantage for Michigan.
November 13th, 2013 at 4:46 PM ^
I don't hear anyone objecting with the possibility that Saban goes to Texas to replace Mack Brown. This may not be a story much any more nationally, but it gets bantered about quite frequently on slow sports days among the 3 stations here in Dallas. If there is anything to it, I would bet someone in Hand's circle has heard from someone in the know that there is at least a greater than zero chance Coach Saban is not there next year. Hoke and Mattison we can be sure are not going anywhere, unless this years ends like 2010.