4* RB commit Eric Gray no longer visiting this weekend

Submitted by Diagonal Blue on November 15th, 2018 at 9:31 PM

Headed to Tennessee instead. Michigan might part ways per Steve Lorenz. Sucks as he's the #1 all purpose back in the nation and a top 100 recruit on 247. His competition isn't the greatest but his stats are absolutely bonkers.

JHumich

November 15th, 2018 at 11:01 PM ^

Or, maybe he's a kid enjoying getting onto a bunch of campuses.

Maybe he could muscle up to a true Michigan back, but looks like a scat back and just as likely to end up in the slot as in the backfield. Think he would be great there, and we could use some depth there, but maybe that's not what he wants to be.

Definitely would have work to do to pass Charbonnet, and maybe he's the kind of kid who would relish the challenge. I hope he decides to. I live in Tennessee and would definitely rather take four or three years in Ann Arbor than stick around here (though Knoxville is a different world than Memphis)

fergodsake

November 16th, 2018 at 9:48 AM ^

"The bag men associated with certain schools pay potential signees one-time bonus payments not to visit a rival school that's offered a scholarship. The going rate is stated to be $2,500. This has become a popular tactic in recent years, as the recruiting process has become more publicized."

https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2014/4/10/5594348/college-football-bag-man-interview

UP to LA

November 15th, 2018 at 10:16 PM ^

I see your point here, and I also really like Gray's film, but I'd still rather make room for various all-world linemen via the departure of a kid who just prefers to be elsewhere, rather than elbowing out some kid who at best feels a little disappointed/betrayed and at worst has a tough time finding a good fit for his back-up landing spot.

That said, I have no idea what the scholarship situation actually is, so I'm mostly just bummed that it looks like we'll probably miss out on a fun all-purpose back.

pz

November 15th, 2018 at 9:34 PM ^

Tennessee... what a joke these days. And they're not coming back anytime soon.

Best of luck to him personally if that's where he ends up, but Tennessee can keep crapping it up forever as a team.

xtramelanin

November 15th, 2018 at 9:36 PM ^

okay, given tennessee's record and outlook, am i the only one that thinks maybe, just maybe, there's some SEC $ involved?  seriously, if you look at the quality of coaching and the teams' respective trajectories, why in heaven's name would you go there if you could play for us?

JTrain

November 16th, 2018 at 8:56 AM ^

Yea..sometimes the “snake oil” gets to kids. Also, kids are going to be kids. It’s an emotional decision. And kids can be easily influenced with promises and “special treatment”.  I can see some kids falling for “promises” from other schools and then them getting the “you’ll have to compete and earn the job” story from Harbaugh and then them just wanting to take the ez road.

I’m never surprised by anything in recruiting ..especially after the last 5-10 years as a Michigan fan.  Best of luck to the kid. 

The Fan in Fargo

November 15th, 2018 at 10:25 PM ^

Tennessee is not a joke. They kicked Kentucky's ass and Kentucky is one of the top teams in the nation. Don't you know anything? I wouldn't be shocked to see Tennessee in the top 20 at the end of the season just because. It's hard to rationalize down there when all you know is sweat and mud drags with big trucks. That and making babies with your first cousin. If your sister has more teeth she gets the nod though.