Tuesday Recruitin' Is Trying To Get Finished Before The Next Guy Drops
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With the commitments of FL C Cesar Ruiz and MI DE Deron Irving-Bey Michigan has picked up four touted recruits in the past week. Do not be deceived. Just when you think you can poke your head out of the foxhole without getting conked by a four-star recruit, here come some linebackers. FL LB Jordan Anthony announces Thursday and there are rumors that NJ LB Drew Singleton may announce in the near future. In both recruitments it is unclear who is currently running second.
Commit aftermath
As per usual there were a bunch of scouting articles posted for Ruiz and Irving-Bey that did not make it into Ace's Hello posts. Here's a gross story about Ruiz!
Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy coach Kevin Wright saw Cesar Ruiz’s finger as he ran to the sideline and it was bent sideways.
For the first time in two years, Wright thought the nation’s No. 1 center recruit per 247Sports would have to sit for a snap or two.
Ruiz had other plans.
A trainer popped Ruiz's finger back into place in the 2016 season finale, and the blue-chip recruit hustled back on the field to finish out IMG’s 16-6 victory over Bishop Sullivan Catholic.
Ruiz is naturally described as a "warrior". Scout's more in-depth take on Ruiz:
...true center prospect with a lot of experience and the ability to play early on the next level. He checks a lot of boxes when going down the list on prospects at his position. He has a great frame. He is very strong. His punch is a real asset. He has shown the ability to get to the second level. He is very smart. He has great awareness. He likes to compete and finish. Michigan is getting one of the top offensive linemen in the country and Ruiz will give the Wolverines an anchor in the middle in the years to come.
TTB gave Ruiz a 99(!), which I don't think I've seen before from Magnus:
Ruiz also does a very good job of staying low out of his stance, and he moves his feet well to down block or reach block defenders to either side of him. IMG Academy plays a rather difficult schedule, so he’s playing some of the best competition in the country, and he’s having success. As a pass blocker, he anchors well without getting driven into the backfield, and his low center of gravity makes him a good match for any really technical nose tackles who try to use leverage.
Ruiz is unique amongst Michigan center prospects in recent memory in that he actually plays the position in high school. Most college-level OL end up at left tackle for obvious reasons; Ruiz was afforded the ability to play center since he's surrounded by fellow college-level OL at IMG.
That gives Ruiz a shot at playing early—even very early—at a spot that usually sees a veteran deployed to make the call. ESPN says he can "at least" make the two deep as a freshman, and Sam broached the idea he could play in year one if Speight was able to make the line calls a la Andrew Luck. In a normal year there's no way he starts, but with the rather looming hole at tackle and Cole's ability to play there you might see some odd things.
per @NaptownJazz12, we have a successor to the Ludicrously Oversized Ben Braden photo
Meanwhile, Irving-Bey is an interesting prospect who came from nowhere to be a near-unanimous four star (Rivals is the outlier). The MSU spin that Irving-Bey isn't much of a loss because of an indifferent senior season has nothing backing it. 247 just moved him up about 100 spots—I did not see an explanation as to why, but it happened just a couple weeks ago, so "senior film evaluated" is the most likely explanation. Meanwhile Trieu specifically debunks the spin:
...has turned in two dominant seasons at Flint Southwestern. That is not always against the best competition, but it evens out as he has not always been on the best team either. Even in situations where his team has been down in games, he gives consistent effort and shows motor.
Trieu thinks he's a bit raw but that some folks are exaggerating just how much, FWIW. In the same article, Sam Webb says he's "quick twitch" and uses Maurice Hurst as a comparison. Isaiah Hole caught up with his coach and you can see a bit of Hurst in his description as well:
"He's a kid that plays well with his hands. He's good on either side of the ball -- offense or defense. He's a kid that's very explosive. He comes off the ball pretty fast. He had to be a two-way player for us this year, so he's got good stamina. Able to go the distance. Those are the things I like most about him. He's able to shed offensive guys pretty quick. He plays a lot on the other side of the ball, meaning he has a lot of tackles for loss."
possesses very good first-step quickness and can be disruptive presence. With a quick first-step he can develop into a handful as a pass rusher, though needs to better use his hands and refine his arsenal.
Interestingly, Irving-Bey has the longest arms of anyone in the class, which would help him either at DE if he sticks there or OT if that's the way it works out. (Given the OL class, it probably won't.)
Touch The Banner is not so much about Irving-Bey:
Irving-Bey isn’t particularly athletic or physical, and he does not play with a non-stop motor that might overcome other deficiencies. He reminds me of Columbus (OH) St. Francis DeSales defensive lineman Chris Rock from the class of 2011.
That is pretty harsh.
Also commit aftermath
this is a very silly picture
I also have some tabs about 5* MI WR Donovan Peoples-Jones open that I'm sure you'll enjoy. Steve Lorenz:
Michigan is getting about as sure a star prospect as you will see at the high school level. Immense athleticism, but he's somebody who worked hard in the weight room and bulked up too to match his physical stature with that athleticism. A true instant impact prospect who not just could, but should be a guy who will see the field and make plays from day one in Ann Arbor.
He has great ball skills. He can make acrobatic catches and has good overall athleticism and body control. As a route-runner, he can still be polished. At Cass, he ran a lot of go-routes and screens which allowed him to use his run after the catch ability, but he still has room to grow and get better which should be exciting for Michigan fans given his talent.
ESPN:
Peoples-Jones has tremendous length and range to be an acrobatic playmaker when the ball is in the air. He brings the height and arm length that coaches covet, but he moves like a smaller receiver with the ball in his hands. He can accelerate, tempo his routes, and take the top off the defense with a combination of size and speed.
FWIW, I went over the last three years of WR recruits. Amongst the top five guys in the country there were 4 players I would describe as immediate stars: Christian Kirk (A&M), KD Cannon (Baylor), Demetris Robinson (Cal), and Cameron Ridley (Alabama). There were a couple other guys who got 20 or so catches and Speedy Noil, who got 43 on what I assume were a bunch of screens. It's not easy for a WR to be an instant star.
DPJ probably needs a year to polish up his routes. As Ace mentioned in the Hello post, Cass mostly sends him deep and cackles at the results.
Obligatory Najee section
There is no announcement scheduled for 5* CA RB Najee Harris and there may not be one. Scout's John Garcia Jr:
A separate source near him says he's not expecting a formal announcement or anything in terms of his final decision, whether it's been made or not. It goes along with Najee's personality, as he may not sign any FAAs and simply enroll somewhere in three weeks. That would be the most Najee thing ever in terms of ending the process.
I wouldn't believe anything you hear about a date unless it comes from an established reporter. Also in this vein: I have seen some Najee threads around the internet that talk about his latest follows being Michigan players. Najee Harris does not have a twitter account, so nope.
In terms of actual news, there is none. The closest to it are rumblings that Cal or Florida might hire Tosh Lupoi, Harris's primary recruiter, as their defensive coordinator. This would obviously be very good for Michigan. When Harris talks about his recruitment, he mostly talks about Jim Harbaugh and Tosh Lupoi.
Getting to 32: maybe, maybe not
We've been projecting a 32-man class since the season started, but that might be difficult to pull off without some weird guys showing up. Michigan has 24 commits. We have 12 guys listed in "top group" or "leader" on the recruiting board, and we're not sure if IA WR Oliver Martin and FL OG Tedarrell Slaton are takes right now. Let's assume Michigan holds out for AL WR Nico Collins, leading Martin to commit elsewhere, and Slaton's testing doesn't go sufficiently well to get Michigan back in the game; let us further assume that both of those upcoming LB announcements go well.
To hit 32 without going off the board Michigan would have to get six of the following eight recruits: Harris, Collins, TX OT Chuck Filiaga, VA OT Mekhi Becton, UT DT Jay Tufele, AL DT Aubrey Solomon, MS LB Willie Gay, and CA CB Elijah Hicks. And that's without any decommits.
Possible. Maybe not probable, and with Michigan's board so restricted right now it's hard to see where a potential hole gets filled. There's nobody outside of the aforementioned 12 who seems at all likely at this instant. Now, you may recall Michigan's recruitment of Nick Eubanks last year, which went like this:
- Nick Eubanks is on campus
- who is Nick Eu—
- he committed
- <furious googling>
But those are uncommon. Weird guys who pop up late have usually been on the radar at least somewhat.
A listing of potential weird guys
I do have a few names in this category:
- 4* AZ S Isaiah Pola-Mao. Currently ticketed to Washington by the Crystal Ball, Pola-Mao is a ninja type who could follow the Eubanks script. Hyphenated last name so it's a surprise he's not already committed.
- 4* UT RB Sione Lund. Lund recently told Brice Marich he still plans an official to Michigan in January.
- 3.5* CA OT Jalen McKenzie. McKenzie's popped up from time to time in articles where he's pining for offers from USC and Michigan, and he just did so again on Scout. Two, in fact. If Michigan offers he will at least take a visit.
- 3.5* MI CB Donovan Johnson. He's small but he's not that small, right? One of the enduring oddities of this recruiting cycle is the lack of M and MSU interest for Johnson—especially the latter given how things are going for MSU right now. If Michigan does not get Hicks they might throw an offer Johnson's way, and since he's at Cass you never know.
- 3* CT CB Brandon Sebastian. Michigan kicked the tires on the BC commit earlier this year but withdrew.
In addition there will be random guys Michigan offers if they think they have spots to fill.
Honigford details
3.5* OH OL Joel Honigford is a bit of a forgotten man in the class what with all the five star types Michigan's been chasing. Matt Wenzel profiles him and gets some more detail. His coach:
"I think they're getting a hell of a ballplayer," Wallick said. "Obviously, with that length - 6-6, 280 - that much bend and athleticism. He's got a lot of room to grow, a great frame to build on. They're not going to get anyone that's going to work harder in the weight room and on his footwork than he is. He has put a lot of extra time and effort into becoming the best football player he can become."
Fairly generic coach quote but the bit about "that much bend" is interesting. Compare that to this evaluation of Aaron Banks's "areas for improvement":
Needs to polish some areas in his game like first step explosiveness, reactionary quickness, and a more consistent pad level. A focus on range of motion exercises will improve new bend, and allow him to better his setup prior to the snap.
I was led to believe that "bend"—the ability to play in a somewhat crouched position so that you can explode on contact—is largely a you-have-it-or-you-don't kind of thing. Michigan has prioritized that with their tackle recruits, and that's the most likely reason they didn't put a full court press on Banks
Etc.
If you'd like to read Lorenz extensively quoted about Michigan locking down the state, this Matt Wenzel article is for you.
Nico Collins got recruited by a bunch of Bama guys at that All Star game they have against Mississippi; while our bet is on Michigan here, Collins is more in the DPJ boat than the Ruiz one—it wouldn't be a total shock if he decided on somewhere else. It would be a surprise, gotta dodge some visits, etc.
Harbaugh acolyte on Harbaugh violence as Oregon offers 2018 NV QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Robinson plans to decide over the summer after a suite of unofficials including M, Oregon, UCLA, and a couple Florida schools.
December 20th, 2016 at 1:31 PM ^
I'm not sure on any dates other than Collins being a NSD guy and the LBs this week.
December 20th, 2016 at 1:38 PM ^
Filiaga is announcing Jan. 7th at the All American game and the only other's I am certain of are Willie Gay and Nico both on NSD. I'm just assuming at this point Tufele and Solomon wait until NSD too, I don't believe either of them are early enrollees?
December 20th, 2016 at 12:57 PM ^
December 20th, 2016 at 1:06 PM ^
I believe it was the user "Maynard" who kept posting "I already told ya..." which included references of Harris flipping on Wednesday. He gave no specific reason or details for why he thought that.
December 20th, 2016 at 1:41 PM ^
December 20th, 2016 at 1:01 PM ^
Is it just me, or is the first name "Donovan" a particularly popular first name this year?
We seem to run through cycles on that. A few years ago it was "Devin."
December 20th, 2016 at 1:03 PM ^
December 20th, 2016 at 1:28 PM ^
Colorado, Washington or Oregon all the way, IMO...he'll stay out west. I would've loved to have gotten him, but I think it's too late at this point. Seems set on his 3 - still worth kicking the tires on. The kid can play - would be an ideal redshirt and contribute in the Jake Butt pass catching role his RS Freshman year.
December 20th, 2016 at 1:36 PM ^
Good question. Haven't heard anything on him for a while. If some of their major targets don't work out, I would not be surprised if the staff targets a TE and goes full steam ahead on Falo again. Falo seemed to be their top target at TE at one point until it seemed they backed away from the position altogether.
December 20th, 2016 at 1:54 PM ^
Agreed. As much as Harbaugh loves and uses TEs, it's surprising that there isn't more attention to the position. Falo is the only top TE who isn't committed. ND has commitments from the #2 and #3 TEs in the class and, most enticing, MSU's second highest ranked player is Matt Dotson, a 4* TE Harbaugh offered earlier before apparently losing interest.
December 20th, 2016 at 3:15 PM ^
We are crazy stacked with young TEs, it's probably not a priority this year.
December 20th, 2016 at 6:06 PM ^
The coaches have made it pretty clear it isn't a priority for them, but I think it's useful to get one in each class, especially since all our freshmen used a year of eligibility last year. Remember, we're speculating about the direction the coaches might turn if they have a scholarship after their top targets have made their decisions.
December 20th, 2016 at 6:17 PM ^
I would think with it not being a priority they'd just go after the couple elite recruits and not worry if they miss on them all.
December 20th, 2016 at 6:28 PM ^
Eubanks didn't burn his redshirt did he? I don't remember him playing post-Rutgers (or playing at all last season). His MGoBlue Bio says he only appeared against USF, so he'd be eligible for a medical RS if it comes to that.
I don't think TE is a position of need at all since we have:
Bunting
Asiasi
Wheatley
McKeon
Eubanks
Gentry
Not to mention Harbaugh likely has the pull to grab any TE he wants during any recruiting cycle, especially with how much we used a True Freshman Asiasi this year.
TE and QB will never be a problem with Harbaugh here.
December 20th, 2016 at 7:05 PM ^
for medical redshirts. I'll bet they both end up getting them.
December 20th, 2016 at 8:55 PM ^
We'll see. I believe the NCAA can refuse to grant them if they don't accept the claim of medical necessity. It's possible that the more you request the lower percentage you get, Ed Davis aside.
December 20th, 2016 at 8:54 PM ^
but with the talent level some of these TEs are bringing with them, i.e., Asiasi and Jr., I don't think it'll be too long before we're producing All World TEs. This particular group really intrigues me. There is so much diversity among them and I am certain the majority will contribute in some manner for, at minimum, a two year period prior to moving onto the league or finishing their fb careers at UM. We have prototypical TEs like Devin, sprinters like Gentry and Eubanks and it is said it wouldn't take much to have Wheatley play the OT tackle position for us. With the multiple TE look becoming the outlier in cfb I think Harbaugh is going to have a lot of fun coming up with ways to utilize the diversity and talent he has in this group.
December 20th, 2016 at 1:42 PM ^
Falo looks like Fred from Silicon Valley.
December 20th, 2016 at 1:03 PM ^
...did Brian and/or Ace give a Isiah Wilson commitment to UGA post mortem redux? Was interested to get their thoughts. And I thought it might find it here.
December 20th, 2016 at 3:28 PM ^
The coaches can't talk about any recruits until they sign the LOI, so we won't hear a thing about Wilson. Maybe some beans will spill to Sam Webb, or Steve Lorentz, but that probably won't come until after NSD. Which means he'll be old news, so I doubt we'll hear anything about him again.
Unless the staff can flip him back. (If they're even trying to...)
December 20th, 2016 at 1:06 PM ^
-On DIB motor. Lineman playing both ways can be pretty difficult. If you catch him on the wrong series or day he could look horrible. I'll choose to ignore all those opinions.
-Is there any paperwork that has a drop dead date that has to be submitted? I remember internet slueths trying to predict committs from the mailing directory in years past.. I can't imagine Najee could roll up on Michigan January 7th and say hey I'm here for Math 101 without filling out a million forms.
December 20th, 2016 at 1:21 PM ^
This ain't ohio st - of course there is paper work. WD is usually the first to sleuth out the early enrollee's in the student directory. We're gonna find out about Najee real soon one way or another.
December 20th, 2016 at 1:46 PM ^
December 20th, 2016 at 5:00 PM ^
THe EEs all need to be apply for admission in advance. It's routine for recruits to apply to multiple schools and I don't think you'll see those names on a list.
They'll show up in directories when they enroll. Enrolling doesn't commit them to the school though. That happens when they attend their first class.
I believe the deadline for late redistration for classes is about two weeks after they start, Jan. 17.
.
December 20th, 2016 at 1:13 PM ^
Oh, hey fellas. I'm just here for the posbang.
December 20th, 2016 at 1:23 PM ^
I think this comment needs approximately 5 upvotes, according to DPJ.
Thanks.
December 20th, 2016 at 1:53 PM ^
With arms like DPJ.
December 20th, 2016 at 1:19 PM ^
December 20th, 2016 at 1:26 PM ^
I'd like to see how Cole-Bredeson-Kugler-Onwenu-JBB performs.
OR
JBB-Bredeson-Cole-Onwenu-Freshman/Ulizio
December 20th, 2016 at 1:26 PM ^
I will eat a Ceaser Salad if Ruiz is starting at center as a true freshman.
December 20th, 2016 at 4:27 PM ^
Super Bold. Anchovies on that?
December 20th, 2016 at 1:29 PM ^
LT - Cole - JBB - Newsome?/Ulizio
LG - Bredeson - Runyan Jr/Ruiz
C - Kugler - Ruiz/Runyan Jr
RG - Onwenu - Runyan Jr/Ruiz
RT - Filiagia - JBB/Ulizio
December 20th, 2016 at 4:10 PM ^
Our Oline is going to be brutal next year or it will be Harbaugh's best coaching job ever. Harbaugh will break is f bomb record next year.
December 20th, 2016 at 7:16 PM ^
There's more talent than a lot of recent lines. It's just inexperienced. That makes it hard to project how well they'do, doesn't mean they're doomed. We've had a few brutal lines in recent years. The talent difference between 2017 and 2008-09 is night and day, for example.
December 20th, 2016 at 8:41 PM ^
Actually we had one returning offensive starter in Steve Schilling that season and a part time starter at wr. Would have been a bitch, regardless of which offense we would have run that year. I really can't recall another year we had to replace an entire unit on either side of the ball. These youngsters that have been receiving PT in their first years are a rarity, but it will pay off down the road In two years I can see us lining up for our opening game with about 120 games of experience on the OL. Same will be true of RBs as well.
December 20th, 2016 at 1:30 PM ^
In your scenario the RT is likely JBB or my preference Bredeson and Dawson or Kugler plays LG.
Fingers still crossed on a miracle for Grant Newsome. Can't forget him. If he can come back, that changes everything.
December 20th, 2016 at 2:49 PM ^
Why do you think Dawson might start after last year's playing time?
December 20th, 2016 at 3:45 PM ^
I just don't see Ruiz starting as a center, although could believe he'd start at guard. I also don't see Cole moving back to LT. He was moved to C because that's where Drevno thought he would be best suited going forward, and I don't think that will change. Bredeson may play some LT, but I'd rather sort out JBB or Filiaga, and leave Bredeson at LG.
LT - JBB/Filiaga
LG - Bredeson
C - Cole
RG - Onwenu
RT -Filiaga/JBB
I'd love to see Newsome back in time, but that seems like a pipe dream.
December 20th, 2016 at 1:49 PM ^
December 20th, 2016 at 3:30 PM ^
It's my hope that Bredeson was a legit option at LT this spring. Harbaugh seems to like to have his best OL at center (ala Glasgow and Cole), so I think he'll do this if he can. My back-up would be Filiaga at LT and Bredeson at RT or LG.
I think the top four lineman are Cole-Bredeson-Kugler-Onwenu. I don't think JBB at LT is the way to go, but maybe with another year he'd be solid at RT.
December 20th, 2016 at 2:51 PM ^
December 20th, 2016 at 1:21 PM ^
to the recruiting year. We are in on some big time recruits and I hope Harbaugh goes for quality over just quantity. Not sure it's worth a reach for some 3* in the last week or so just to fill a spot. Bank some ships for 2018 if you don't land all the big fish.
December 20th, 2016 at 1:55 PM ^
And staff to land the right number and the right guys...
December 20th, 2016 at 3:46 PM ^
What fun is that? We all have an opinion!!!
December 20th, 2016 at 1:28 PM ^
It may be, but jeeze look at the arms on that young man. He could tear me in half like a phone book and I wouldn't have the time to say ouch...
December 20th, 2016 at 1:31 PM ^
December 20th, 2016 at 3:18 PM ^
You can absolutely improve your flexibility but it takes a ton of work, like hours a day every day.
December 20th, 2016 at 1:39 PM ^
I was listening to Sam Webb yesterday talking about Isaiah Wilson. Sam was as shocked as the rest of us, but seemed to think that Michigan hadn't entirely given up hope. Maybe it was just wishful thinking on Sam's part.
December 20th, 2016 at 1:47 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 20th, 2016 at 1:47 PM ^
Maybe he is just tempering expecatations, but i'm a little dissapointed with how dismissive Brian was with the Najee follow stuff. It probably means nothing, but in those threads talking about it, it was discussed how he doesnt have a Twitter and how it was on Instagram.
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