2016 MBB Recruiting: 6'6" G/F Josh Langford
Coach Beilein recently visited Alabama to watch guard Josh Langford play. Apparently Michigan has intensified its recruiting efforts for the 6'6" G/F, who is a borderline 4/5* player to all of the major evaluators. According to Langford's dad, the top 3 schools in the mix right now are Michigan, Michigan State, and Florida.
Here are his most recent highlights, which are pretty filthy. Caveats for level of competition may apply, but he's played pretty well on the AAU circuits too.
February 17th, 2015 at 8:59 AM ^
Yes, please!
February 17th, 2015 at 9:05 AM ^
Also, as an update to those who don't follow bball recruiting much, Michigan seems to have its sights set on a class of 4 for 2016 - 3/4* Jon Teske (6'11"), 4/5* Tyus Battle (6'6"), 4/5* Josh Langford (6'6"), and 4* Cassius Winston (6'0"). Battle, Langford, and Winston are all Top-30 players and if Beilein could pull that class it'd be a shoe-in for top-5 nationally.
Michigan obviously has a commitment from Teske already and is in a very good position with Winston who will probably choose between UM/MSU. Langford really likes Michigan but Battle will be a tough pull as Duke has come after him hard. According to the Rivals guys, Battle and Langford are good friends and have talked about playing together (both of their dads have indicated as much), but those package deals never seem to pan out so take that with a grain of salt.
February 17th, 2015 at 9:53 AM ^
We aren't out of it for Thornton Jr, who is going to visit with his dad in April. Either of Thornton or Winston would be great.
February 17th, 2015 at 9:57 AM ^
Does anyone know what happened with Thorton? As I recall we were the favorite at the end of the Summer. Many thought he would commit at the Penn St. football game. Now we don't seem to be on the radar.
February 17th, 2015 at 10:48 AM ^
I think he watched Michigan vs NJIT.
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February 17th, 2015 at 5:00 PM ^
According to his dad, Michigan has been contacting him the least out of the schools on his list. Also, his Kentucky visit blew him away but Michigan isn't out of it yet.
February 18th, 2015 at 2:15 AM ^
Apparently, Beilein just had a really long talk with Thornton Sr that may put Michigan back in it. I'm still skeptical we land him but it's good to hear we are still alive.
February 17th, 2015 at 10:25 AM ^
Kentucky is the big competition there and when it's Kentucky vs. Michigan I tend to ratchet down my expectations...a lot.
February 17th, 2015 at 2:39 PM ^
I don't disagree; I think it appeared that we were "out of it", but things appear back on track (which doesn't mean "he's a lock").
February 17th, 2015 at 10:37 AM ^
that one has not been trending well and we were recently out of his top 3 I believe.
February 17th, 2015 at 10:07 AM ^
Wasn't Battle first rumored to be interested in playing with Thornton? And now it's Langford? Not so convinced that a package deal is gonna be a primary motivating factor there
February 17th, 2015 at 10:22 AM ^
Yes. Although Thornton is looking (to some) like more of a 1-and-done type and Battle's dad has made reference to wanting Tyus to stay in school longer. Those divergent timelines may be one reason why the Thornton/Battle package idea has fizzled a bit.
February 17th, 2015 at 11:33 AM ^
What about Seth Towns? 4* SF out of Trey Burke's high school? I thought he was very close to committing at one point.
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February 17th, 2015 at 12:00 PM ^
i bet he ends up blue. i doubt we will be able to pull those 3 top 50 players.
February 17th, 2015 at 3:48 PM ^
I've heard OSU has made a big push for Towns lately, and that may have changed things regarding Michigan leading his recruitment. Honestly though, I'd take Towns over Battle or Winston (who I actually think we'll get). I really hope we land him.
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February 17th, 2015 at 12:09 PM ^
Pretty good odds that Duke has a kid named "Tyus" in consecutive classes. That's weird.
February 17th, 2015 at 12:15 PM ^
Didn't know that was a common name lol. What are the odds...
February 17th, 2015 at 9:06 AM ^
Go get him !!!
February 17th, 2015 at 9:47 AM ^
Hey I'm from Owosso. Graduated '06.
February 17th, 2015 at 9:53 AM ^
Ovid- Elsie 2001 here
February 17th, 2015 at 9:07 AM ^
I would have liked to have seen more 2 handed dunks on the breakaways. Tomahawks are kid's stuff.
February 17th, 2015 at 9:18 AM ^
Nearly one of the top 20 players in the country, and somehow doesn't have an offer from Kentucky? Honestly, will Calipari not even consider you unless you're a top-10 player?
February 17th, 2015 at 11:14 AM ^
Those top 10 guys go to Kentucky.
February 17th, 2015 at 9:22 AM ^
Have seen him play live, and he would be a perfect fit for us. The thing that does not come across on the tape is how terrible his team is, he was also a great teammate constanly coaching up and encouraging his team. His ability to get to the rim is good and his shot looks good, and he goes full speed all the time. Would love to get him.
February 17th, 2015 at 10:21 AM ^
I thought to myself while watching his highlights how his teamates probably get caught up in watching him play rather than playing. This is a perfect JB type of player. Hopefully he see's that as well.
February 17th, 2015 at 9:26 AM ^
GET PLAYERS
February 17th, 2015 at 9:30 AM ^
this guy. I will be pissed if he ends up in East Lansing.
February 17th, 2015 at 9:32 AM ^
He's more of a combo guard than a forward. I like our chances anyone with a brain wouldn't go play for Izzo.
February 17th, 2015 at 9:49 AM ^
Trice may be able to hold a conversation, possibly do some relatively simple math, long division maybe. The rest, yeah, I would have to agree.
February 17th, 2015 at 10:29 AM ^
well I hope for our sake he's not forced to play the "stretch" 4 role on our offense
February 17th, 2015 at 1:29 PM ^
I sense that the media love affair with Izzo, and the results in recruiting and on the floor, seem to be receding for him. I am not ready to write him off, and I think it is too late for him to go to the pros, but he seems to be on a bit of a downslide.
February 17th, 2015 at 9:35 AM ^
Gonna have to coach that long 2pt step back out of him, but dude can ball.
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February 17th, 2015 at 9:41 AM ^
Geeze. Why does the opponent continue to play off of this guy when first coming down the court? They let him hit a bunch of threes from playing off of him. You think they would learn. Maybe because he was killing them with step backs.
Those dunks are pretty sick too.
February 17th, 2015 at 10:06 AM ^
because they don't wanna get dunked on
February 17th, 2015 at 10:26 AM ^
that spin moveeeeeee
February 17th, 2015 at 10:28 AM ^
Is Michigan taking anyone in 2015. I am sure LeVert is leaving.
February 17th, 2015 at 11:31 AM ^
Probably. Also it's going to be someone we've never heard of.
February 17th, 2015 at 11:41 AM ^
2015 recruiting has been extremely annoying. I'm just going to resign to the fact that it's going to be a down year and be pleasantly surprised if we get anyone better than descent.
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February 17th, 2015 at 1:44 PM ^
Not sure I'd completely rule out the possibility of Caris coming back. It seems his draft stock is slowly falling as other players emerge and he's stuck on the sidelines. Depending on his progress recovering, I could see a situation where he doesn't want to risk falling out of the 1st round. Plus LeVert is really young for a junior.
February 17th, 2015 at 10:32 AM ^
Don't worry about his competition level. Josh has been one of the top players on AAU circuit in 2016 for years. Most impressive is that when younger he was bigger and stronger than everyone else, but he hasn't grown much and he's still effective. His game expanded. I'm high on him for that very reason because not everyone is capable.
February 17th, 2015 at 10:44 AM ^
Do you know where we stand with Jaylen Brown (2015, #2 overall in ESPN and Rivals)?
February 17th, 2015 at 10:46 AM ^
there was hope for a visit when we host OSU (or Ohio if you are still into that).
February 17th, 2015 at 10:47 AM ^
Basketball recruiting has become like watching UM football 2013-2014. Hard to really ever get my hopes up on anyone nowadays.
February 17th, 2015 at 12:14 PM ^
Yep. My guess is Langford ends up at Florida, Battle ends up at Duke, Thornton ends up at Kentucky, and Winston ends up at Sparty, and we're stuck taking a bunch of unrated recruits to fill out the class.
February 17th, 2015 at 12:16 PM ^
Yikes. Hopefully the allure of starting over all our weird guys helps them make the right decision and come to Ann Arbor!
February 17th, 2015 at 12:40 PM ^
Izzo loves Nairns. Really, really loves him. And at his size, Nairns ain't leaving early. Hopefully, Winston will take note that the point might not be available if he goes to State.
February 17th, 2015 at 12:55 PM ^
I'm sure Izzo will tell Winston that he'll be his starting PG, even if he doesn't really mean it, and that'll probably be enough to sway him. It really sucks competing with these sleezeballs, both in football and in basketball.
February 17th, 2015 at 3:33 PM ^
Are you always as pessimistic as possible, or just when it comes to Michigan basketball?
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February 17th, 2015 at 3:54 PM ^
Hey, I was one of the few that thought we would land Harbaugh all along. So I'm not ALWAYS pessimistic.
February 17th, 2015 at 10:57 AM ^
i'd look beilein straight in the eyes and make him promise that he would find a real 4 so that i woudn't limit my nba potential screwing around as an undersized 4