Per Sam: Battle for Dax Hill may not be over
Per Sam Webb last night on TMI and again today on the recruiting roundup, the race for Dax Hill MAY not be over. Sam cautions fans to stop with the accusations of extra benefits, one because it’s indecent, and two because of self-interest (so you’re saying there’s a chance?). So while we are all collectively upset about what went down, all hope is not lost. Sam also mentioned Aubrey Solomon as a precedent. It’s not necessarily the exact same situation, but there are definitely parallels. Take it FWIW.
December 11th, 2018 at 3:50 PM ^
Then don't say anything! Saying "I know something" and not saying anything is a lose-lose situation for everyone!
You get a piece of juicy information:
A) You say nothing = everything is the same as it was before you knew = everything is fine
B) You say you know something, but not what it is = everyone hates you = not great for you or us
C) You say what you know = you don't get any more information = not great for you or us
December 11th, 2018 at 2:18 PM ^
I love Sam and the information he provides to us, but I also am not naive to the fact that he has to keep everyone interested in recruiting in his line of work. I have a feeling this is "we still have a chance, even if it is less than 1%." I would put this in the I want everyone to remain interested in recruiting from now until Dax signs because that is my job.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:18 PM ^
Sam actually flew down to Tulsa this fall to interview Dax and his family. Sam has an open dialogue with the Dad, so maybe Sam learned they left the door open a bit. But realistically, there isn't but the longest of shots he flips back to UM.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:20 PM ^
My only hope is that he committed to Alabama because all their top recruits are in cahoots and going to sign somewhere other than Alabama on signing day. A clear sign that if the NCAA won't take down Alabama, then those that can hurt Alabama do so in fact hurt Alabama and take them down themselves leaving them with 6 3* recruits that were going to get cut by next year anyway.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:25 PM ^
We have the winner of the 'what are you smoking tonight' thread...
December 11th, 2018 at 2:21 PM ^
Yea, it's over. Especially after Bama wins.....again.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:24 PM ^
The only way I can see this happening (and if someone already mentioned it, my bad, wasn't going to read all the way through) is if Bama flipped him on the basis of the Harbaugh to the NFL rumors.
Otherwise, this is silly.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:28 PM ^
A huge blow out by Michigan in the Peach Bowl, combined with Alabama getting pantsed wouldn't hurt, I'm sure. However, neither of those seem too likely.
December 11th, 2018 at 3:35 PM ^
Boomer Sooner?
December 11th, 2018 at 2:26 PM ^
1. let's not do this to ourselves yet again, please. Best to take the punch and move along to the next one. Another Najee Harris saga is too much.
2. After all the crap delusional fans wrote about the young man and his family including accusations of taking money (true or false doesn't matter), why would he want to come here?
3. on the same note, look around for all the negative comments towards Rashan, Devin and Karan about their non-participation in the bowl game. These young men committed themselves to the team and at the end because the result against OSU was not the desired one, they get treated like that? shame.
4. I'll join the lemon eating party should Dax flip back to the good guys.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:29 PM ^
+1
What he said
December 11th, 2018 at 2:30 PM ^
2. After all the crap delusional fans wrote about the young man and his family including accusations of taking money (true or false doesn't matter), why would he want to come here?
Because all football teams have ridiculously stupid fans. Michigan isn't the only, or the worst, offender.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:35 PM ^
On #3...I mean, I played college sports. I wasn't going pro, so I understand that's a huge difference here...but I cannot imagine my team going out to play a game that I was with for 3-4 years, I'm completely healthy and I just say "nah". Just the mindset of it seems perplexing.
December 11th, 2018 at 3:09 PM ^
I get that. To me, it’s the way that has been expressed to the players that is unfortunate. I’m perfectly fine with folks not agreeing, just don’t attack kids over it.
I can’t say that I would or wouldn’t play because I don’t know what the potential of injury with millions of dollars on the line looks like. I do wish, however, my two ACL tears hadn’t happened so I could keep playing the sport I love (soccer) at the local winter indoor leagues.
December 11th, 2018 at 7:25 PM ^
Agree. I'd be interested in the "fan" factor in these decisions. Constructive comments are fine. Comments don't always habe to be positive just postured with class.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:27 PM ^
Better brush yer teeth with gunpowder if yer gonna shoot yer mouth off.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:28 PM ^
Jesus H. Christ... Here we go again. Same story, just a different year. This is all a ploy just to get listeners/subscribers.
Michigan flipping a 5* from Bama, who JUST de-committed from Michigan?! LOL.
NEXT.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:29 PM ^
Not happening
December 11th, 2018 at 2:29 PM ^
It’s over.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:32 PM ^
the race for Dax Hill MAY not be over
Awesome, glad to hear. Thanks for the update!
Sam also mentioned Aubrey Solomon as a precedent. It’s not necessarily the exact same situation, but there are definitely parallels.
Do we know what happened with Solomon? Was it a gag or was he actually upset about the whole BBQ thank you card thing? I never heard any definitive answer as to why the flip flop. So, what are these parallels?
Sam cautions fans to stop with the accusations of extra benefits, one because it’s indecent, and two because of self-interest (so you’re saying there’s a chance?)
One, anyone that tweets or communicates with recruits in a negative way is an idiot.
Two, can you blame folks for thinking extra benefits? Bama has poached our top recruit in 3 of the last 5 years (Hill, Ekiyor, & Harris). Add to that major leans in Wilson with UGA who's a former Saban assistant, Herbert to Miami, Treadwill to Ole Miss, etc. It's hard to not think that as a traditional blue blood strong recruiting program who always starts strong and finishes weak and/or looses guys and the southern schools that do the opposite. However, from my perspective this is only a message board type of complaint. Is anyone tweeting at the kid?...because that does deserve criticism.
December 11th, 2018 at 3:19 PM ^
One, anyone that tweets or communicates with recruits is an idiot.
fixed it for you
Two, can you blame folks for thinking extra benefits? Bama has poached our top recruit in 3 of the last 5 years (Hill, Ekiyor, & Harris). Add to that major leans in Wilson with UGA who's a former Saban assistant, Herbert to Miami, Treadwill to Ole Miss, etc. It's hard to not think that as a traditional blue blood strong recruiting program who always starts strong and finishes weak and/or looses guys and the southern schools that do the opposite.
Alabama, Georgia, and Miami as just as blue blood (maybe not Miami, historically, although the young kids would think that, what with their 80s and 2000's runs) as Michigan - Alabama, especially. Honestly, even without bagmen, I could see them getting these recruits to flip.
Ole Miss is the thing that is not like the others and I think the bagman theory was all but proven there.
December 11th, 2018 at 7:29 PM ^
Alabama, Georgia, and Miami as just as blue blood as Michigan
While I would consider them blue bloods, they have not consistently recruited or won historically at UM levels. Check Bama & UGA's records and recruiting rankings through the 80's, 90's, and early 00's. You would never have expected either program to flip UM recruits prior to the mid 2000's. So, you have to ask yourself what happened?
Part of that is our setbacks in coaching turnover, but you have to question bagmen/benefits. Bama immediately started recruiting top 5 classes when Saban arrived. And, while UGA recruited well under Richt, they have significantly improved their rankings with Smart who happens to be...wait for it...a Saban disciple!
December 11th, 2018 at 2:33 PM ^
Aaaaahhhhh. Hahahahahahaha. Not a snow ball's chance in hell.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:34 PM ^
So IF (big if) Dax recommits to Michigan, what will be the narrative from the Michigan fans who claimed it had to do with bagmen?
December 11th, 2018 at 3:08 PM ^
No. Because it probably wouldn't involve bagmen if we were fortunate to see it happen? Sorry not sure if I did that right.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:34 PM ^
I don't get the negativity towards Sam Webb. He is the official, unofficial spokesman for the coaching staff. If they feel confident about a kid, Sam announces he is confident about a kid. If the coaches are surprised by a de-commit, so is Sam.
Right now, I guess the coaches are hopeful for some reason about flipping Hill back. Maybe they have rational reasons. More likely, they are in denial. I highly doubt he rejoins the class, but I would love to be wrong about this.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:35 PM ^
Yeah lol no
December 11th, 2018 at 2:36 PM ^
This is going to be Najee Harris all over again and its going to end the exact same way
December 11th, 2018 at 3:21 PM ^
Najee has ridden the pine for two years and wanted to transfer after his freshman year. He would be a two time 1500 yard rusher at M.
December 11th, 2018 at 4:43 PM ^
I agree that Najee Harris would have more to show for his college career at this point had he gone to UM, but he didn't exactly ride the pine at Alabama. Alabama has been doing the "running back by committee" thing, and Harris has over 100 carries, is less than 100 yds. behind leading rusher, Damien Harris, and has a team-high 6.7 yds. per carry.
But, like you, I wish he would have come here. I suppose most fanbases deal with this, but it's frustrating to have solid prospects decommit for playing time (A.J. Dillon) and have other, elite prospects at the same position commit to Alabama for apparent prestige, and then have their playing time suffer.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:36 PM ^
Recruiting is insane and completely unpredictable. These are 17/18 year old kids that have no idea what they want on a minute to minute basis and are making the biggest decision of their lives. Nobody on this board truly has any idea what is going on. And yeah, Sam is usually optimistic but if he says it's not over then maybe it is and maybe it isn't. If I was a betting man, I would bet on Bama, but nobody really knows that.
People on this board who look at a four year largely positive trajectory interrupted by an inarguably heartbreaking loss to the most dominant B1G power ever on the road, and a flip of a big time recruit to the most dominant CFB power of all time and say, "well that's it, it's all over, might as well punt on the program." are reactionary morons.
There is nothing you can do to affect the future of this football program. As is, it is better, in terms of on field results and recruiting, than roughly 92% of teams. You're all incredibly spoiled. Enjoy the best that Michigan Football has been in a long time. You don't have to be happy with losing to OSU, but at least understand that it's not a finalizing indictment of the program, and that this OSU program is currently operating at a historic level that likely will not be maintained forever.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:40 PM ^
lol aint happening...honest question has anyone ever flipped a 5-star from Bama, in the modern Saban era??
December 11th, 2018 at 2:46 PM ^
Redundancy is rich with this one.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:59 PM ^
Everyone loses recruits. Alabama has had two five stars decommit this cycle. They lost one in 2017 and two in 2016. They've also lost a number of high four star guys too. It happens to everyone, even Bama
December 11th, 2018 at 2:41 PM ^
December 11th, 2018 at 2:41 PM ^
This feels like a ton of nothing. I'm sure Michigan is still recruiting Hill hard, but the dude just said publicly he's going to Alabama. That's unlikely to change a week or two out of NSD.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:44 PM ^
He's supposedly not signing early, so it's not two weeks.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:45 PM ^
The word "commit" is a joke with high school recruits. Is he looking for the most wins or a coaching staff that will stay together? He needs to realize there are no guarantees in life (adult stuff). If he wants to play early and get a great education come to Michigan. If he wants to carry a tackling dummy until he is a junior and get a so so education then go to Alabama. Either way, make up our damn minds.
December 11th, 2018 at 5:03 PM ^
I hear good things about Alabama's engineering school ?
December 11th, 2018 at 2:45 PM ^
Sams a blind homer. We need to wish the young man well and move on.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:47 PM ^
He’s not coming here. End of discussion.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:51 PM ^
We all need to stop giving a shit about what some 17 year old wants to do with their life.
Bama and OSU are going to get whatever kids they want for the next decade at a minimum and we just are never going to be their equals.
The best kids in the country (top 20/50ish) don't want to come here and would rather go to Bama and OSU where they can win Conference and National championships every single year.
I have said it before, but we are a better NW. We will go 8-4 floor to 10-2 ceiling with a loss to OSU every year and sporadic losses to PSU/MSU and 1 random other sprinkled in.
95% of the programs in D1 would kill for that fate.
We all wanted to be Bama's peer, be OSU's peer, but we aren't.
I would be shocked for a second to learn that current disgruntled players told Hill not to come here - the shine seems to be removed from JH.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:58 PM ^
I would be shocked for a second to learn that current disgruntled players told Hill not to come here - the shine seems to be removed from JH.
I assume you meant to say "wouldn't be shocked". If so, I agree with you.
I and many others dismissed UMB1G's (or whatever name he posts under) claim of factions and divisions within the team. After hearing how pissed off Higdon's dad is, I think I might have been too hasty in dismissing those claims.
The whole thing with Peters/Milton flipping back and forth when Peters is clearly the better passer was just so weird.
December 11th, 2018 at 10:23 PM ^
Yah - I meant wouldn’t
Talk to me about Higdon’s dad - I hadn’t heard that situation
and I didn’t see UMBIG11’s post either what did he say?
I was referring to some of the tweets from former players as they have transferred out - basically shitting on Harbaugh.
Clearly this situation is pretty bad
December 11th, 2018 at 3:03 PM ^
It must suck to be you and have no hope for anything. But you wouldn't know, would you? It's your reality...
December 11th, 2018 at 2:51 PM ^
Maybe just maybe, we told him to flip to Alabama and then flip back to us to show we can pull recruits from Alabama? No?.........ok
December 11th, 2018 at 2:53 PM ^
Can we get the kid to flip just for the lemon eating !!
December 11th, 2018 at 6:30 PM ^
Seriously.
Can we please just tweet at him one last time? "Dax, there's this guy on MGoBlog that will eat an entire bag of lemons if you re-commit to Michigan. You got to do it. You can wind up in the NFL with any decent team. But how many times can you make a complete stranger eat an entire bag of lemons? Do it, Dax!"
December 11th, 2018 at 2:53 PM ^
Bull...Shit.
December 11th, 2018 at 2:54 PM ^
Insert Jennifer Lawrence "Ok, sure" giff.