Notre Dame transfer Jhonathon Williams granted release, visits Michigan tomorrow
Former Notre Dame DE and Berrien Springs (Mich.) native Jhonathon Williams has his release to #Michigan and will visit Ann Arbor tomorrow
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) June 17, 2015
Was a 3 star prospect in 2014.
Was originally committed to Missouri but decommitted and signed with ND.
We need DE depth, cant really stand 1 injury to this group without burning freshman redshirts.
Assuming this is a 5th year?
I think that was edited because I swear it wasn't there when I posted my comment.
OTOH I got home early and it's just me and the dogs in the house so I have decided to crack open a few cold ones...
No, he'll have three years of eligibility after he sits a year due to transfer rules.
Yes.
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Regardless, I don't know how he could get a family hardship waiver from the NCAA when Ann Arbor is about 3 times the distance to Berrien Springs than South Bend.
So he's an ex-Tiger. I was born in Benton Harbor. BHHS won a couple of Class A state basketball championships in the '60s. Sinbad's from there. An interesting book about BH and its "twin," St. Joseph: Alex Kotlowitz's "The Other Side of the River." Read it and you'll see what guys like this have to deal with growing up.
Actually, about 25 miles further south on Highway 31...Berrien Springs. A quaint town on the St. Joseph River, i believe, and home to a fine Seventh Day Adventist university. He played in a smaller sized school than Benton Harbor or St. Joe and the competition level probably hindered his rankings. Would be a nice get at a position where bodies and athletic depth would be huge! Hope ND's loss is UM's gain.
for your familiarity with this part of the state.
Benton Harbor's downtown, BTW, is experiencing something of a re-birth. It's got a long way to go, and the totally dysfunctional political circus of Benton Harbor city government is little more than an anchor to progress, but it does show promise. As someone who has lived in SW Michigan for most of the last 3 decades, I'd really love to see 'The Harbor' rise and thrive again.,
well played!
You've ghot a ghood thing ghoing there.
6-4/260. Michigan went after him when he decommitted from Missouri per Sam on twitter.
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Wow if he does transfer to Michigan, he will have to sit a year out.
Probably got him if Harbaugh wants him.
Can confirm that along with Michigan, Johnny Williams is looking at Toledo, Duke and Missouri as transfer options.
— Ben Fidelman (@bfidelman) June 17, 2015
and then when more offers poured in he reevaluated his decision.
Sorry I didn't see you posted this earlier.
From Eric Murtaugh at One Foot Down:
I love Williams for a couple reasons. First, he's not someone who Notre Dame has typically targeted during the Kelly era. He's got more of a basketball frame right now and is the type of speed rusher that the 3-4 defense really isn't looking for and doesn't utilize all that well. So, I like that they've gone outside their comfort zone. Secondly, his first step is awesome and he's a mean SOB on film. Sure he's athletically superior to his competition but he's wrecking opponents all while being 220 with all his football equipment on and soaking wet. I really don't think you see many kids this skinny so violent and physical in high school. Due to that weight, however, he's probably at least a year away but his potential is enormous. Williams should be a great fit as a 250-pound outside linebacker with a hand in the ground or a speed rushing 4-3 defensive end. I wouldn't even count out him learning behind Jaylon Smith.
http://www.onefootdown.com/2015/1/21/7861607/reviewing-the-redshirts-de…
and can play this year. We could really use the depth at DE!
If he sits out one year he will get two more seasons. Still a good prospect! I hope he picks us! Wow, 2016 scholarships are getting tight. I wonder if there will be any seniors next season who may not make the team?
No. He'll have 3 years because he'll be a redshirt sophomore in 2016.
He redshirted in 2014 and is now a redshirt freshman in 2015 (which he'll have to sit out at Michigan or wherever he transfers).
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Because Brian Kelly. What other reason could there possibly be?
Rumour has it the academics are an issue, not yet troublesome but headed that way.
vs. Grand Rapids West Catholic in the MHSAA football playoffs as few years ago and was impressed. The rest of his team was 'meh' but this kid stood out as a man among toddlers.
A good get if we do indeed get him.
Complete this phrase: "On the west side of the ______ ..."
:-)
I'm guessing (from seeing your MgoUserName) that you are an 80's graduate of West. I'm from the 70's, lettered in Track under Coach Misner (who was also my favorite teacher at West).
there's a team we love so well..... Yeah graduated in 85. I had Mr. Misner for a class and ran track for him as well. He was a great guy!!!
There really aren't many prospects to come from the southwest unless their from the St Joe/ Lakeshore area or Kalamazoo.
(who was something of a late-bloomer at Wayne State), there really hasn't been very many quality football players who have come from this area (SW Michigan).
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are coming to Ann Arbor tomorrow. Nice.
There is lot of pressure in this part of Michigan from ND fans on prospects. When he was making his decision it was down to ND and Michigan and it looks like he changed his mind.
Hoke et al recruited him hard as a Mizzou commit last year (Jhonny Williams). Apparently he was interested enough to get rumors started of a flip to Michigan and then out of left field he committed to Notre Dame, which wasn't ever even rumored, and this happened all inside of a week to 10 days' time. I thought the chain of events one of the wilder ones in recruiting.
Anyway, I personally thought he was a good player, do want, at the time. I'm willing to overlook the many changes of directions if it can stop here. It seemed like he wanted to play for Hoke but could also see the writing on the wall.
Thank goodness you are willing to overlook those things. I bet Mr. WIlliams is relieved, and I am sure Mr. Harbaugh will be checking in to make sure he has your blessing before considering offering Mr. WIlliams a spot on the team.