items of interest

We're On Newsome Watch This Weekend Comment Count

Brian

And by "we" I mean "I", except I wouldn't say "I're on Newsome watch."

Hey, you: want to fret about a kid who won't play for Michigan for more than a year? Sure you do. VA QB commitment -- sorta -- Kevin Newsome has a choice this weekend. Virginia Tech is having its final summer camp. They'd like Newsome to show up:

But the big question is whether Kevin Newsome will attend the camp.

The former Western Branch star, headed to Hargrave Military Academy for his senior season, has committed to Michigan. But his former coach, Lew Johnston, said recently that Tech coaches are still hotly pursuing Newsome and were hoping he'd come to this weekend's camp.

Kevin Newsome Sr. said this week that his younger son, 2010 defensive end Keevon, plans to make the camp. He said didn't know about Kevin.

"Didn't know about Kevin" is about as reassuring as the "no comment" provided earlier. You're probably a slightly normal person and won't be on your computer Sunday night trying to figure out if Newsome actually showed up at this accursed thing; Monday Recruitin' will inform as appropriate.

Also: Josh Helmholdt's suddenly prolific column at the Free Press notes that IN OL Zach Martin an VA DE Will Hill will be in this weekend. Both have offers; Martin is a four-star OT with offers from Notre Dame and most of the Big Ten; Hill is a three-star strongside defensive end.

Comments

Yinka Double Dare

July 11th, 2008 at 2:00 PM ^

This guy named his kids Kevin and Keevon? He should have just gone for the full Foreman and named them both Kevin if he's going to do that. Let me guess, he has a daughter named Kayvonne?

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 9749

Tim Waymen

July 11th, 2008 at 2:17 PM ^

There's also Kevin and Kelvin Grady.  What's up with that? 

I shouldn't have disbanded the Kevin Newsome Mafia so soon.  My slogan was not jumping to conclusions, and I thought it was a done deal when we got his verbal commit.  Remain optimistic.  Do not doubt Kevin's word.  Think about it: he committed to Michigan for a reason, and that reason was most likely because he liked it there.  It's been a while since he's been there, and his coach hates RR, so he could just be giving VT a last look to satisfy his coach.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 1973

Alaska Hokie

July 11th, 2008 at 3:27 PM ^

Don't worry, he's not coming to Tech. Even we know that. If he does, it'll be a massive turn from what he was saying just one month ago. I'm not saying it can't happen ... just that no informed person at Tech is expecting it. When you're waiting to see if someone shows up to a camp, then your odds of getting him aren't that good. I'd like to be pleasantly surprised, though.

Joined: 07/11/2008

MGoPoints: 149

oriental andrew

July 11th, 2008 at 2:25 PM ^

Brian will be doing a lot of Hokie message board lurking this weekend... I'm friends with three brothers who all graduated from Michigan. I overlapped with 2 of them. From oldest to youngest, their names are Will, Leson, and Wilson. Go figure.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 55941

El Wolverino

July 11th, 2008 at 2:26 PM ^

the best case scenario for us would be if he does that immediately. internets has been buzzing with reports that Tate Forcier wants us bad, but commitment of Beaver/Newsome is deterring that. If Newsome decommits, we could be in the Tate's sweepstakes.

Joined: 07/08/2008

MGoPoints: 4

cfaller96

July 11th, 2008 at 2:42 PM ^

I'm much more worried about DEs than I am about QBs. It seems like RichRod has the ability to woo QBs, or at least keep their interest enough to be in the running. DEs? Not.so.much. Coffee is for closers, Rich. None for you until you sign a beefy 6'6 boy with a motor. Please.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 1298

cougar blue

July 11th, 2008 at 3:01 PM ^

I think if newsome decommits Tate will be here in a heart beat. Plus the beav is coming (that sounds good huh)so that could be good. Anyone think Feagin will be good. He seems to be like the diamond in the rough! tate looks superb as well, plus I heard Newsome has not had some good camps...

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 2

M-Dog

July 11th, 2008 at 6:34 PM ^

Tate Forcier looks the most impressive right now (good mobile, elusive, accurate passer), followed by Feagin (shifty, fast little devil, OK short passer), then Newsome (bizzare long water-balloon passes that some how drop in where they're supposed to, 25 seconds after release).

Newsome is a beast though, and has the most upside potential if it can be realized.  He is not going to be our savior in '09 though.  

 

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 256981

West Texas Blue

July 11th, 2008 at 3:12 PM ^

Newsome didnt even have a QB coach at Western Branch. I'd expect him to be less polished as passer at this point and not as good passing wise at camps compared to other kids. Newsome has unlimited potential and with some good coaching in college, he will become a stud at Umich

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 1845

Ninja Football

July 11th, 2008 at 3:44 PM ^

Faller, Things look really good with Roh- turns out he had a little ore contact than expected a few weeks ago. As for defensive recruiting in general, late commits in this class (and we're not even talking late here, there's still SEVEN MONTHS until signing day) should be expected. Shafer is pretty much an unknown quantity, as is Rod when it comes to defense. QBs and Ninjabacks know how they'll be used, thus the tremendous influx of those guys and the Newsome/Forcier/Beav interest. You're also seeing the same effect with outside WR's as you are at DE. We signed McNeal, who was a 3* at the time, and Peace, who may play DB and had 2 offers, but don't be surprised if we pass more this season and that lands us a bigtime WR who's also decided to wait and see what we do on the field. ps- I started typing this an hour ago and got caught up with a client, so if this has already been discussed ignore it.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 342

The Barking Sp…

July 11th, 2008 at 4:28 PM ^

Make no mistake: If Newsome decommits, we've got Tits in the bag. We may even have Tits WITH Newsome (though I doubt it). I expect a Martin committ this weekedn or soon after, Ninja. Beaver's info is usually dead on, and he doesn't really get optimistic unless it's warranted

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: -87

Ion

July 11th, 2008 at 5:10 PM ^

Just wanted to give Brian a congrats on getting linked to by one of the worlds most influential papers.

The link comes from WSJ's "Daily Fix" sports blog: http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2008/07/11/why-cristiano-ronaldo-isnt-a-s… ($)

Quote: "In the interest of equal time, here’s a reasonable rebuttal from Mgoblog’s Brian Cook to a column the Fix linked to yesterday about Rich Rodriguez and his lawsuit against the University of West Virginia."

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: -10

hat

July 11th, 2008 at 5:25 PM ^

"This guy named his kids Kevin and Keevon? He should have just gone for the full Foreman and named them both Kevin if he's going to do that. Let me guess, he has a daughter named Kayvonne?"

Dammit, I'd like to do a Roger Clemens alias post right now.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 15

lhglrkwg

July 11th, 2008 at 5:31 PM ^

...that Newsome wouldn't play for us for more than a year? What if Feagin turns out to be ho-hum and Threet is just big and slow. Why couldn't we expect him to be a 2 or 3 year starter (at least)?

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 87823

The Barking Sp…

July 12th, 2008 at 12:49 AM ^

I think I'm off to the Wolverine...Nevermind!!! This blog has become pathetic. you know, I never used to be into the whole "I'm underground because it's cool to sleep in a cardboard box under a bridge and recite poetry to drunk black chicks" routine, but now that I'm older, and considering the fact that I used to be RADLIBERAL, FUCK YEAH!!! I'm MORE INTO THAT SHIT!!! This board is no longer "of the people". I realize we all have to evolve at some point, and evolve to some point, but all this colorful glitz, and all this hubub, and all these dum fucks who post shit like "I hope we get defensive ends duhhhh, yah, defensive ends duhhhhh and I hope the coaches are know what they are for to do duhhhh". And the spirit of Mgoblog, and haloscan, are dead. It's like this blog has bought into China raping Africa like the British did long ago in The Heart of Darkness. People, the age of affordable commodities is over. Duuhhhhh, I hope the coaches are for to know how to recroot offensive linemans duuhhhh I know what I are talk about duhhhhh

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: -87

The Barking Sp…

July 12th, 2008 at 11:15 AM ^

Looks like the boyz at Scout have Newsome NOT at VaTech's camp this fine morning, nor are his parents there. Just his brother Keevon. All seems well. Newsome seems locked in.

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: -87

papabear16

July 12th, 2008 at 12:04 PM ^

I scrolled down hoping for just such news - thanks for keeping us posted. (By the way, Brian, I think this new commenting theme is working out well, since I knew right where to look to find a comment on this story without having to dig for hours.) The Hokie poster above had a good point - if they were so concerned about whether he might even attend camp, then he's far from joining the Hokies. Not that it couldnt' happen, and not that he still might be a bit concerned with Michigan's apparent pursuit of other QBs, but it's a good sign.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 1508

TeamDP

July 12th, 2008 at 4:22 PM ^

As for the Newsome vs. Forcier...i've heard the comparison that Newsome is Tebow and Forcier is Troy Smith. Obviously both Heisman winners, so both good players. Personally, based on this comparison, I would like to have Forcier. With Forcier (Smith), you get downfield passing and can still attract top-notch WRs. With Newsome (Tebow), you get the tough runner who can shot put the ball a little. I was watching the replay of the 1992 Rose Bowl of UM vs. Wash and Grbac was winging the ball downfield to D. Alexander and A. Toomer...and that was awesome and I don't want to give that up.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 2

The Barking Sp…

July 12th, 2008 at 5:48 PM ^

Think that if Michigan commits one way, they lose every player that would maybe benefit more from another style. Seriously, if Michigan is that fucking tenuous, then they are never gonna be any good, and certainly not any better than the last forty years of "Almost". Come on you chickenshits. Quit your goddamm worrying about everything. You rfucking icnessant whining is boring me to tears. Fucking dumbest fan base in all of college football.

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: -87