Monday Recruitin' Toughs It Out Comment Count

Ace

Grit: Check

Three-star CB Antwaine Richardson was among of Michigan's spate of June commits after performing for the coaches at the Miami satellite camp. That he earned an offer is all the more impressive given the news that broke today—according to ESPN's Wells Dusenbury, Richardson tore his ACL in May, an injury that will unfortunately end his senior season before it begins. Richardson somehow managed to partake in that camp in June before undergoing surgery in July. The injury shouldn't affect his status as a Michigan commit:

Richardson's knee injury, however, has not affected his commitment to Michigan. In fact, the coaching staff was aware of the injury before Richardson's decision. The three-star recruit verbally committed to the Wolverines on June 12, weeks after being hurt.

"I told [the Michigan coaching staff] I tore my ACL before I committed, so they knew what I was coming into," said Richardson. "They said, 'We'd still love to have you up here. Just rehab real good so you can get back to normal and start cutting the same.'"

"To me it felt good. That meant they really wanted me. Some schools would back off after they found out you tore your ACL, but they still wanted me."

Richardson is aiming to enroll early. Given ACL recovery timelines these days, he'd be on track to participate in spring practice.

Injury news is never good news but in this case at least we have confirmation Richardson is one tough SOB. The mere thought of playing corner with a torn ACL caused me to walk with a slight limp this morning.

[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]

Mitchell Decision Forthcoming

The Philadelphia Enquirer reports four-star NJ WR Ahmir Mitchell is closing in on a decision:

An all-purpose star at Cedar Creek High School, Mitchell has narrowed his college choices to the two Big Ten programs. He said he will decide by the end of the month, probably on August 27.

"It's stressful but I'm enjoying it," Mitchell said after another pre-season practice on Thursday at Cedar Creek, which is located in Egg Harbor City.

Mitchell says that "some days I wake up thinking I'm going to one school and some days I wake up thinking I'm going to the other school."

Despite Mitchell maintaining that Michigan and Ohio State are even on top of his list, all signs point to the Wolverines being the choice if he sticks to this timeline; the Buckeyes have other receivers higher on their board while Michigan would be happy to take his commitment at any time.

Texans Talk Michigan

Four-star TX ILB Dontavious Jackson told Scout's Ahmard Vital he'll take an official visit for The Game this fall ($). Jackson, one of the top targets left on the board, has also set officials to Florida State and UCLA. His high school teammate, three-star S Chris Brown, is also slated to take his official for the OSU game.

Four-star TX DT Chris Daniels visited Michigan, MSU, and OSU last week. He had good things to say about all three schools to Rivals' Jason Howell, but it sounds like one may have stood out to his mom ($):

"When I was little I always wanted to go to Michigan and be a Wolverine, so it was pretty cool to go up there and see how they practice and stuff," Daniels said. "I know their d-line is kind of young but I see a lot of potential in the d-line. Coach Mattison is a really good coach. Like I said, coach Harbaugh is really nice. The facilities and everything were really nice. But one thing that really stood out to me is they say you have a scholarship for life. You can come back and get a degree at any point. That really opened my mother's eyes. I don't know if that's her favorite now, but she really really likes them now."

Between Michigan's significant need for defensive tackles and Rashan Gary taking a hard look at the SEC, Daniels could be a hugely important target down the stretch. He plans to announce a top five at the end of the month—Michigan should make it—before making a decision in December.

Etc.

Four-star CA WR Theo Howard is back on the market after decommitting from Oregon yesterday. He showed high interest in Michigan before pledging to the Ducks, though it looks like USC is the program most likely to land him now.

The father of elite 2018 QB Trevor Lawrence, who added a Michigan offer last week, told The Wolverine's Tim Sullivan they "definitely" plan to make a trip up to Ann Arbor ($).

Happy trails to three-star NC ILB Jonathan Smith, who committed to UNC last week.

Sir Patrick Scott is a first-team cornerback on SBNation's 2016 All-Name Team, which is particularly loaded this year.

Comments

bluecervelo

August 17th, 2015 at 3:59 PM ^

I tore mine at the CCRB freshman year. Yeah, it was really bad for a week or so, but once the swelling went down, it didn't really hurt that much. I went back to playing basketball all year and then had it fixed on summer break. It was my understanding that the ACL just stabilizes the knee joint, so I probably did more damage to my miniscus by playing on it, but unless my knee "went out" again, it didn't really hurt.

MMB 82

August 17th, 2015 at 11:50 PM ^

didn't find out about it until I had an MRI 2011- after my initial injury my knee just healed on its own, and I went on to run 8 marathons and cycle tens of thousands of miles without knowing I had torn it. Then I slipped on some ice....

maizenbluenc

August 18th, 2015 at 8:36 AM ^

and then played a full season of LAX and ran a full season of track, before swelling during football conditioning and practice necessitated a MRI. The problem is he torn his meniscus during that time, so lesson learned is if you lingering knee issues (swelling), push for a MRI.

LSA91

August 17th, 2015 at 2:25 PM ^

How does the scholarship for life work, and why isn't everybody doing it? Is there any downside? Also, have many people have used it? I remember when Juwan Howard finished his degree (on time!), but I always assumed that once he went pro, he paid tuition.

RB's Mustache

August 17th, 2015 at 2:32 PM ^

As for Mitchell, I don't like it when commits for whom all signs "point to Michigan" delay, delay and delay for seemingly unknown reasons. There's a reason, and it's not usually good...

RoseBowlBound

August 17th, 2015 at 2:49 PM ^

Richardson deserves all the credit in the world for choosing to camp knowing that he was hurt.  Most guys would have backed off knowing they didn't have a chance to impress at 100%.  I am always going to be a fan of his.  That was a gutsy decision!

creelymonk10

August 17th, 2015 at 3:13 PM ^

Damn, Mitchell's teammate #29 is a real asshole. At around the 1:20 mark of the highlight video, a kid for the opposing team #45 pulls up lame with a pulled hammy and falls down, and #29 taunts him for a good 10 seconds after.

Joby

August 17th, 2015 at 3:25 PM ^

I'm just as impressed with Richardson's (seemingly) proactive honesty in talking about his ACL situation to the coaches as I am with his toughness in dealing with it during camp. That quality alone might suggest a bright future for him.

skegemogpoint

August 17th, 2015 at 3:27 PM ^

Am I the only one who believes UM is getting slow played by Ahmir Mitchell and that he will eventually choose osu if/when they show him a little more love?  Not feeling good here.

KingRJ

August 17th, 2015 at 5:12 PM ^

Glad someone else feels just like I do.  Mitchell was supposed to commit after his visit in July.  Then he postponed his decision until the BBQ.  247 CB has Mitchell at 96% to the good guys.  OSU is not even mentioned.  Yet we are neck to neck with them?  Something doesn't feel right.  I hope I'm wrong because the Laquon Treadwell episode totally stressed me out.   

DealerCamel

August 17th, 2015 at 3:51 PM ^

Enlighten me, for I am an ignoramus.

What does tearing an ACL actually do?  I've known a few athletes who tore them and were like, "Well, shit.  Better bind this up tight, it'll probably impact my performance for awhile" but then played anyway.  Then I've known some other people who've torn ACLs but were still able to do basic everyday activities, albeit rather more carefully than usual.

Then this.

So is a torn ACL not something where you automatically, physically can't use that leg?  Is it not like a broken bone?

I want to understand.

bluecervelo

August 17th, 2015 at 4:05 PM ^

But from what I remember when I tore mine freshman year... The ACL just stabilizes the knee joint, prevents movement of the lower leg in relation to the upper leg. I remember the "field test" the doctor did before ordering an MRI. I sat on the table with my legs out in front of me. I bent my knee toward my chest, keeping my foot on the ground, and he grabbed behind my calf and pulled towards him. If he could feel excessive looseness, I think that's a sign that the ACL is torn.

But you are right. I tore mine a month into my freshman year, and finally got it fixed the following summer. It hurt like hell right away and was swollen for a week or so, but after that, it was ok. For me, it was more the mental aspect of trusting my knee. I was always worried it would "go out" again, and I'd have to go through all that pain again.

mailmanmike209

August 17th, 2015 at 4:18 PM ^

I didnt have a torn ACL but in basic training I had a hernia. I told the Drill Sgt and he told me to 1st jack off thinking I had blue balls. When I told him I had 3 balls now, he figured I wasnt lying. I finished basic and AIT before going to the dr. For a while I thought I was going to have a career in the circus as "Eddy Torres, The Extra Testicle"!!!!!!

a2bluefan

August 17th, 2015 at 6:14 PM ^

I knew it was a longshot anyway, but I've always thought it would be really cool if a player from my high school in my tiny hometown wound up at Michigan. Even cooler when it's someone who has the same first name as me. Just not meant to be. Sigh.

Happy trails, J Smith. Best of luck to you at UNC.