Tuesday Recruitin' Comment Count

Brian

Update 7/7: Linked to articles on MA OL Brennan Williams, MS S Dennis Thames, FL S Jonathan Scott, FL CB Mywan Jackson, OK RB David Oku, AL CB Dre Kilpatrick, SC DE Chris Bonds, FL LB Brandin Hawthorne, IN OL Zach Martin (info in header).

Added MI S Thomas Gordon, OH DE Tank Carradine, LA LB Jonathan Stewart, CA OL Michael Philipp, OK DT Pearlie Graves.

Removed PA OL Adam Gress (dropped us), IL OL Chris Watt (dropped us), MS DE Josh Boyd (Miss St), OH CB Darrell Mason (not recruiting), LA WR Willie Haulstead (FSU, actually some time ago).

And here's some wild speculation on VA QB Kevin Newsome. I'm not adding MI DE Justice Akuezue yet since it seems doubtful he'll get an offer, but man, there's one for the all-name team. And, as usual, numerous links from Varsity Blue.

Editorial Opinion: Sorry about the delay; I'm about ready to throw second-string laptop out a window. Anyway...

The big-ish news: this Rivals article on IN OL Zach Martin($) indicates in the header that he's taking one more trip, then making a decision. You can use your amazing powers of deduction to infer that the visit target is Ann Arbor, and that's a terrific signal that Michigan has a significant lead. As mentioned earlier, if a recruit is approaching a commitment and one school's site is the only one breaking news/writing articles, that's a good sign for whatever school that site covers. And if a recruit is making a second visit to a school he's already seen before making a decision, that visit is usually a last opportunity to kick the tires. This is all heuristics and speculation, but Michigan appears to be in excellent shape for Martin.

Other OL bits: PA OL Adam Gress got the Penn State offer he wanted and committed there and IL OL Chris Watt's final eight doesn't include Michigan (but does include, like... Northwestern). Both of those are bleah developments, though Gress is the sort of recruit that's nice to get but not exactly a back-breaker if you don't: other offers were PSU (obviously), WVU, and Rutgers. Meh. Watt I don't get; with Ohio State filling up quickly -- they just got a commit from another instate OL -- he's got Notre Dame and a number of teams that are not traditional recruiting powers.

Meanwhile, a number of additions and clarifications. Rivals' Josh Helmholdt is now writing articles for the Free Press and drops this nugget of information on Cass Tech QB/safety Thomas Gordon:

"After the camp, I thought it was going to happen right away in the summer, and there's still a lot of time before the season starts, but right now I think they are going to see how I do this season because they really haven't seen me at safety because I didn't start last year," Gordon said. "Coach (Scott) Shafer, Coach (Tony) Dews and the rest of the coaches said they were pulling for me, but they said (an offer) is up to Coach (Rich Rodriguez)."

While Michigan may wait until this fall to see Gordon on the field in his senior season, there is a chance the Wolverines could offer even sooner than that. Either way, it's likely Michigan will offer. Gordon left little doubt he'd accept that offer and join his teammates in Ann Arbor.

Safety has the potential to fill up over the next few weeks. FL S Jonathan Scott has re-arranged his top three in a way that should be pleasing:

"Ole Miss, South Carolina, and Michigan are the three schools I have been talking to the most lately," added Jonathan Scott. "They are pretty much my top schools right now."

No offense to those programs, but I'd rather Michigan recruit against them instead of LSU, FSU, Alabama, and Auburn, all of whom Scott claims offers from. Another Florida safety, Mike Jones, -- he of the incredibly original references to a horrible rap song -- took a visit to Michigan and Notre Dame recently and came back heavily implying Michigan was his far and away leader.

And what would a recruiting update be without fretting over the commitment status of VA QB Kevin Newsome? I have no idea how much credence to lend this thread on Virginia Tech's Rivals board, but it's a further bit of smoke that Newsome's commitment is not rock solid. A lot of things don't add up about the initial "insider" post, though -- why would WVU care about Newsome with Boyd already in the fold? -- and the VT fans are by in large dismissive of the idea Newsome would end up at Tech. They've already got their eyes set on 2010's Phillip Simms, a reputed Vick clone.

Also... FL LB Brandon Hawthorne. OMG. Shirtless:

(Hawthorne is a linebacker from Florida's Pahokee high school, the home of Martavious Odoms, and he's said Michigan leads He is also sans shirt.)

Etc.: FL CB Mywan Jackson will visit soon; MS S Dennis Thames is visiting with the Tigers on a homestand.

Comments

Wolverino

July 9th, 2008 at 5:44 AM ^

I'm curious when Darius will commit.  Last time i looked he was going to wait til' his senior year was over.  If we do get him earlier, it would bring in huge momentum.  McGuff 4 heisman and shit.

Tim Waymen

July 8th, 2008 at 12:21 PM ^

A few weeks ago when we still had Haloscan, you put up a post about some rumbling on Scout that some 5* WR said that if he was assured that RR's offense would pass more than at WVU, then he would commit to Michigan. Was this really you or was it a handlejack? If it was really you posting, who was the WR in question? Shaquelle Evans?

Thrillhouse

July 8th, 2008 at 12:48 PM ^

Two Gordon's now claim if we offer them they'd commit on the spot. Pretty nuts. I hope we extend offers to both these guys cause I love having a couple players that would give their left nut to play at Michigan. But only as long as they aren't taking the spot of some OMG shirtless 5 star dude from down south. In that case, best of luck at Eastern Michigan.

maizeandsmeef

July 8th, 2008 at 12:49 PM ^

what is the name of the 5* DB that dropped Arkansas as his leader and had been talking lots of good things about UM? I cannot for the life of me remember his name. Does anyone remember it?

Jim Harbaugh S…

July 8th, 2008 at 12:52 PM ^

I think Hawthorne looks more OMG SHIRTLESS than the Original OMG SHIRTLESS one, Tebow. And by that I mean he looks better with his shirt off than Tebow, no homo. ----------------------------------------- That 5* DB I believe is Darius Winston.

Ninja Football

July 8th, 2008 at 1:26 PM ^

Yes, Darius Winston is the CB who de-committed from Arkansas. I guess the fact that's a pirate's favorite state didn't sway him. Get it? Arrrrrkansas. God I crack me up. Anyway, no news from him in awhile. his family has pretty much shut things down for the summer, and it's believed to be us and Texas at the fore. Hopefully we sign him, given as he stated we were the clear leader, but you never know with those southern guys- I'd be nervous all the way until signing day with that one. Waymen, no handlejack. It has been hinted at that a big-time WR is in Super Silent Double Secret Probation Ninja Commit mode. the speculation goes (and it's reading WAY between the lines, but there's a few other things that point to it) that a big-time WR is extremely interested in us but doesn't want to come if he's only gonna block downfield. Translation: prove to me you'll throw the ball and I could be a Braylon type and I'm coming. Shaq is the most likely based on what I've heard. Once again, it's speculation. Take it fwiw.

Tim Waymen

July 8th, 2008 at 1:40 PM ^

If the guy is fast, then we maybe could also use him like Percy Harvin, I guess sort of.

While we're on the subject, Percy Harvin reminds me of the guy that Omar Epps plays in the movie about my 1993 Heisman-winning season.  Omar Epps' character is supposed to play RB behind a Heisman candidate QB, but he ends up receiving the ball too, making one think that the offense consists of a QB, RB, TE, and 8 guys who are just supposed to block.  It works as long as the Epps-man can do everything and the QB isn't an alcoholic.

Huss

July 8th, 2008 at 1:28 PM ^

After a week and a half of busy busy busy, I'm back folks. Gotta say, this new layout is brutal on me and my feeble internet. Anyways, looks like useless comments have fallen off dramatically with name registration. Awesome.

Ninja Football

July 8th, 2008 at 1:52 PM ^

He's definitely not a Percy Harvin type. He's big (6'1, 200 lbs) and fast (4.45). These are the type of guys RR is gonna need to take the evolution of is offense to the next level. Rod's never really had a big receiver of that quality, and if we can prove we're not going to solely run the ball but can pass vertically as well, I'd expect to carry on the Michigan WR tradition. The ability of other coaches to say "they won't pass" based on RR's previous offense might hurt us initially, but I think we've established the offense can be modified to fit personnel. (Chitown......paging Chitown and his Ctrl + V. Chitown to aisle 5 please.) Keep your fingers crossed.

immikefazz

July 8th, 2008 at 2:00 PM ^

Sounds like the continued sour grapes from the 'Eers. I'm sure they're just stirring the pot. The Newsome think sounds like a lot of the hot air about EJ Manuel last season. Committed early; was nice to recruiting site reporters about their respective schools; fans took that as him wavering. In the end, he was solid to FSU. I expect the same from Newsome.

West Texas Blue

July 8th, 2008 at 2:11 PM ^

Shaq and B-Meazy on opposite ends of the field; that would be quite devastating He'll be visiting Notre Dame during ND-Umich game, so another good reason to beat ND. Several videos of Shaq up on YouTube for your viewing pleasure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT9516_i7Us&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwneuTHR1eg&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42Nj0lfhS5s&feature=related

Tim Waymen

July 8th, 2008 at 4:44 PM ^

From the msg board in video #1. Plus, dex gets a shout out.

"IM BETTER THAN THIS NIGGA!!!

Im mad as fuck that Ive been at weak ass fairfax w/ a coach that dont do shit and wanna run the ball every play and forget to charge the battery to the camera before a game and miss big plays.

Well Ima be a Beverly Hills this year w/ my boy Dex @ qb. Watch me out play this nigga and shut him down when im @ corner this year #1 Steven King '09.. Lets go"

 

This reminds me of the videos that some kid put up of himself playing NCAA 08 on xbox.

http://michiganzone.blogspot.com/2007/06/watch-out-kirk-herbstreit.html

Mick

July 8th, 2008 at 3:39 PM ^

I can't wait for the season to start so that we can shut up all the naysayers out there. Look at RR's recruiting already, can you imagine what kind of machine we're gonna be when he's recruiting kids at an earlier age than he's had time to up until this point.....I'm getting goose bumps just thinking about it, I predict at least 10 wins this year, true story. BTW, I like the new format and the lack of bullshit comments!!!

West Texas Blue

July 8th, 2008 at 3:40 PM ^

I think Braylon was considered a 3 star recruit; I'm sure him being a legacy recruit played a part in his recruitment. Rivals and Scout doesn't go past 2002 so can't really see info on him.

big gay heart

July 8th, 2008 at 4:09 PM ^

The Newsome recruitment is wierd. He verbaled to Michigan, but many of us don't think we'll see him here. His old HS coach likes Va Tech, but most Va Tech fans don't think he'll end up there. What gives? The posted link had some rumblings about Penis State, but it seemed like pure speculation. It will be interesting to watch what happens over the summer. I can't shake the feeling that Forcier ends up in the winged helmet and newsome goes somewhere else. All things considerd, I think I like Newsome the best, but if it ends up being Forcier, well, I'll still be happy.

mjv

July 8th, 2008 at 4:09 PM ^

As I recall, Braylon was a middling recruit until he dominated at the Michigan Camp. After that, he was a much hotter prospect.

97Alumnus

July 8th, 2008 at 5:00 PM ^

Agreed with mjvancam, what I remember was that Braylon wasn't really on anyone's radar and then he showed up to UM camp and blew everyone away. I think the story goes that his dad kept him under wraps as far as recruiting (whatever that means) and took him to UM first thinking the coaches would be interested. There was a whole story on Braylon's transition to to UM some time ago (don't recall where). All this Newsome speculation is really tiresome. That poster heard Newsome decommitted from where? Regardless of where he ends up, Newsome has my sympathy for having to deal with all the incessant rumor mongering. RR seems to have gotten the interest of some top level DB recruits recently. I wonder (with some of the offers we put out earlier) if he expected the interest level in the program to be what it is... What recruits are the best fit for the team is up to RR and staff of course. That QB throwing to the Shaq kid is dismal about 90% of the time. Although that's about average for a HS QB I guess.

Ninja Football

July 8th, 2008 at 7:40 PM ^

Well, I was gonna end the post by calling you a pussy, but I didn't want to make you cry. And yeah- unless you've turned into a hot brunette, blonde, redhead- hell even a hot bald chick- you're not getting a hug.

Mick

July 8th, 2008 at 8:00 PM ^

Hey Doxa why you gotta attack me for having optimism? Don't be a douchebag or an internet pussy like that. If your glass is half empty, then that's your fucking problem! Look at the schedule and if do win at least 10 games, are you gonna apologize?

doxa

July 8th, 2008 at 9:44 PM ^

I will gladly apologies if your prediction comes true, but I have a hard time seeing what you’re basing it on, besides the maze and blue lenses you see the world through. I’m all about being an optimist, but the last few years (a.k.a. reality) tells me to not get my hopes up. I love you’re optimism, but even you have to admit it’s covered in a big pile of warm Michigan loving bullshit.

Here’s to you being right and me being an overly realistic ass- Go Blue!

Doxa is a Greek word…

The Barking Sp…

July 8th, 2008 at 8:34 PM ^

One thing I hope we escape from on this dealio here is the fucktards who put pictures of their kids on their avatars. Word: I don't like your fucking kids and I don't want to see them. They're putrid, ugly, and they suck. Thank You.

Nate-Dawg

July 8th, 2008 at 9:30 PM ^

I know I'm 5 hours late but Penis State? A ridiculously funny comment from BGH. I had a scary thought today. Anyone else think the fact that interior d-lineman losing significant amounts of weight might lead to getting worn down quickly by mammoth offensive lines (a.k.a. OSU's Oline). Just saying.

97Alumnus

July 8th, 2008 at 11:14 PM ^

Smaller, quicker, stronger D linemen are much harder to deal with than simply big ones.  Everything else equal, sure bigger is better, but it sounds like the D line will be stronger and quicker, which should yield great results on the field.

Add to the fact that TT was quoted as saying he wasn't that impressed by his own performance last year, I expect he will have a huge increase in productivity.

Mick

July 9th, 2008 at 2:23 AM ^

Fine Doxa, I hope your realistic ass is wrong also. Let's just say I got a good feeling about this season and I'll leave it at that. BTW, Maize and Blue colored glasses are all the rage.

The Barking Sp…

July 9th, 2008 at 8:46 AM ^

According to what was flying around on Scout last night, he will not have to pay interest, and each side will pay their own attorney fees. This is one of those "wink wink" deals, if you axe me. The PUBLIC announcement has been made, but behind the scenes, RR probably isn't going to be paying anybody no four super large

big gay heart

July 9th, 2008 at 10:11 AM ^

Thank God this lawsuit deal is over. Does it matter who pays what? I don't think so. I'm sure some boosters will step in and take care of what needs to be taken care of. But wasn't that pre-determined? Yeah, the fact that he paid the full amount is surprising but the fact that RR probably won't be paying anything isn't, to me, surprising at all. The amount is huge, but this is all funny money to the powers that be, as ridiculous as that sounds.

Rush N Attack

July 9th, 2008 at 10:30 AM ^

There's no way RR is going to pay this out of his own pocket. Sailboat Bill should have had this paid a long time ago, and saved everyone the hassle. It's not like he didn't know he had a buyout clause.

dex

July 9th, 2008 at 10:50 AM ^

I love how people think rich people don't mind just pissing a few million down the drain without a second thought. If I were Bill Martin, I'd much rather at least try to reduce the amount as opposed to satisfying internet football fans by whipping out the checkbook and dropping a couple mil of my own bank account.