Kevin Sousa setting up new visits
I thought it was noteworthy to post that Kevin Sousa is officially setting up new visits with other schools. The fact that he is doing so immediately following his Ann Arbor visit probably says a lot. I know Tom had suggested something along these lines in his weekly update, but now it appears more official. I can't be sure whether this was mutual or "mutual," but the chances of Sousa playing somewhere else next year are beginning to grow.
He has already scheuled an official visit with Middle Tennessee State for this upcoming weekend.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:13 PM ^
that Michigan is feeling really good about Marquise Williams who happens to be higher on their target list. It's a shame that Michigan is slow playing Sousa and if he were to go somewhere else, I wish him the best of luck.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:24 PM ^
I agree 100%.
I would take this more as "the Michigan coaches told him to start looking at other schools" more than "Sousa has soured on Michigan".
This would be unfortunate for Kevin, however.
October 20th, 2010 at 10:35 PM ^
Rivals lists both Sousa and Williams as 3*s. Is he really that much of a better prospect? Not trying to stir the pot, just an honest question.
October 20th, 2010 at 10:37 PM ^
offerred Marquise Williams before Sousa which indicates a pecking order for a QB. Obviously, Braxton Miller and Christian LeMay are top two but they're committed to different schools. Marquise, I believe, is 3rd in their target list.
October 20th, 2010 at 11:04 PM ^
Magnus has him on top of his QB wish list from May
Marquise is two QBs away from a four star on Rivals
He's a four star/number 13 QB on scout
ESPN has him as a four start QB
ALSO: Further examination of his jersey reveals that he is, in fact, a maverick.
The resemblance is eerie.
October 21st, 2010 at 8:34 AM ^
THE maverick? 
October 20th, 2010 at 10:53 PM ^
I think it is also known that Williams is a more polished passer at this point in time.
October 21st, 2010 at 2:46 PM ^
has only been playing quarterback for two years. He's raw as hell, but after watching film, he looks like a damn good player, IME. Also, his team is terrible. Give the kid some coaching and he will be good. Probably not Denard good, but good. good.
I was sold on him when I saw him bury a linebacker with a forearm shivver. Reminds me of a shorter Cam Newton.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^
..is if it means that the coaching staff thinks there's a better QB option out there and they've mutually decided to enter a "let's see other people" phase.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:34 PM ^
I have a feeling this was the case, based on precisely nothing.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^
Do you have a link you could share for the article on this?
Thanks.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:14 PM ^
paywall issues (check Scout). i'm trying to play by the book.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:15 PM ^
That's why I was looking for a link to the site and not a reproduction of the article, which is the no-no.
EDIT- Thanks for adding the Scout part.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:12 PM ^
So two recruits may sort of decommit and the schools they are visiting are Middle Tennessee State and Syracuse. Sounds more like we haven't been showing them the love. Kind of makes me think of Rod Tidwell and Jerry Maguire.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:19 PM ^
We all know what happened to Jerry McFukinguire.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:53 PM ^
You had me at McFuk
October 20th, 2010 at 9:45 PM ^
HaHa....
October 20th, 2010 at 10:36 PM ^
Before his eye exam, Stonum could have played the Jonathan Lipnicki part.
October 21st, 2010 at 8:18 AM ^
He's coming too.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:14 PM ^
If he's visiting a school like MTSU he may want to play right away. Michigan is set at QB and he's probably aware that there will be more QB recuits (Nick Patti maybe). He could switch positions, but that would take time and it's no guarantee of playing time.
October 20th, 2010 at 10:04 PM ^
For the Karma factor. Middle Tennesse State suggests his mojo is hurting from the wretched team that he plays on. Patti may be the man but 5'9" (his listed height on Rivals) is short even for this offense. Is that a misprint?
October 20th, 2010 at 10:11 PM ^
I heard he's up to 5'10, 5'11 ish
October 20th, 2010 at 11:07 PM ^
Alright, we have a 6 feet in the front row...
Can I get a 6 one... 6 one...
October 20th, 2010 at 10:12 PM ^
October 20th, 2010 at 10:40 PM ^
3-star players with multiple BCS offers don't become preferred walk-ons.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:15 PM ^
They decided to take a break .. I guess someone else has been catching RR's eye ..
October 20th, 2010 at 9:15 PM ^
Any chance Sousa possibly wants a chance at earlier playing time, now?
October 20th, 2010 at 9:17 PM ^
that UM wasn't showing Sousa much love. I'm not sure whether it's about playing early. Not likely.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:22 PM ^
I trust the coaching staff but man, I really like Sousa. I really hope we don't end up missing out on Marquise Williams if we let this guy go.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:22 PM ^
http://umgoblog.com/post/Sousa-Taking-Visits3b-Remains-Committed.aspx
Notable quote:
"My commitment to Michigan is the same as their commitment to me. I want to be their guy but I was also told that they are going after another quarterback. I am still committed, but am visiting these schools because the coaches at these schools have done and continue to do a great job in recruiting me. The chance to play early is something I am looking at as well.”
October 20th, 2010 at 9:28 PM ^
That quote has Marquise Williams written all over it. You have to admire RR though for being up front and honest with Kevin, rather than lying about going after another QB.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:28 PM ^
So let me get this straight and please correct me if I am missing something. He has only been playing football for a few years as previously he was a soccer player. He is a raw yet talented player who got an offer from Michigan flew up the following weekend and committed. Now he wants early playing time and is willing to go to MTSU to get it. My mind is officially blown.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:32 PM ^
I think you have it wrong. IMHO, RR is basically telling the kid to take a hike, RR has someone else in mind. The unseemly side of recruiting:(
October 20th, 2010 at 9:50 PM ^
more like we are still going after other QBs. You are welcome to stay commited but the position will have a lot of competition. Can we stop trying to make RR out to be a villian at the same time bitching about the "lack of stars" and "lack of talent" he has recruited. Let the man do what he can. He knows everyone has or is running out of patience with the program.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:56 PM ^
I don't think people are vilifying RR. They are merely pointing out that the recruiting process can be difficult for a 17 year old kid. A lot of these kids must rely only on football as their ticket to college so the pressure is on. I think Sousa is one of the lucky ones though, since he does have options.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:34 PM ^
it's not really by his choice, but that's just me. Here's another quote in the same link
Sousa was disappointed in the lack of contact people had with him saying, "it seemed people in the program did not know I was their 2011 committed quarterback."
It seems like UM was not exactly making him feel wanted. The playing time bit may just be the excuse he uses to back away from the commitment and save face, who knows.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:41 PM ^
This would make far more sense but you would have to take out a front page ad in my local newspaper telling me to beat it otherwise I will be showing up the next four years at UM to honor my scholarship.
October 20th, 2010 at 11:08 PM ^
Thats actually sort of sad. I don't care who it is...if they're playing football here i think they should feel very wanted.
October 21st, 2010 at 10:15 AM ^
With Robinson, Forcier, and Gardner ahead of him on the depth chart at the time of his commitment, there's no way he would've gotten playing time in years 1 & 2 and he would probably be the primary backup in year 3 unless Gardner completely busts. So he had to know that serious playing time was available for 2 (or maybe 3, if Gardner can't step up to the plate) years with a redshirt or 1 (maybe 2) year without.
The coaching staff appears to have signalled to Sousa that he is no longer wanted. This is very irritating. First of all, if you aren't going to want him on the team, then don't let him commit. We complain about things like oversigning and then go an pull this kind of crap. Second of all, this kind of thing will come back to bite us if recruits start to think that a commitment to Michigan doesn't mean that they're assured a spot in the class, which will could lead future commits to take more visits after their commitments.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:27 PM ^
Its def. a high risk high reward type mindset. Richrod seems to like to go after players that are high risk when it comes to academic clearinghouse and that hasnt gone well for us. However, if Rich feels he has a great chance of landing a stud QB i say go for it.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:51 PM ^
LC went after kids who are an academic risk just as much as RR does.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:53 PM ^
Fuck Lion'd?
October 21st, 2010 at 12:43 AM ^
He did, but not as much as Rodriguez. When during the Carr era did we have 3 guys not make it to camp because of academics?
October 21st, 2010 at 6:20 AM ^
Are you forgetting the Class of 2010, during which Antonio Kinard, Conelius Jones, and Demar Dorsey, and Davion Rogers all failed to make it past the Clearinghouse?
October 21st, 2010 at 8:10 AM ^
Quit bringing up ancient history, Magnus.
October 21st, 2010 at 8:58 AM ^
LC had the juice, and rightfully so, he earned it, to slip a lot of these types of kids through the door.
October 21st, 2010 at 9:19 AM ^
Not at all like RR. As Magnus has shown above, it has been bad for RR.
October 21st, 2010 at 6:35 PM ^
LC had the juice, and rightfully so, he earned it, to slip a lot of these types of kids through the door.
No. If a kid didn't qualify, he didn't get in under Carr, either. Lloyd simply didn't recruit as many borderline kids. My guess is that RR, coming off the poor 2008 season, had to take chances on some kids to get the class numbers up. Unfortunately, some of them didn't come through in the classroom. I think this will be less of an issue as the program improves.
October 20th, 2010 at 9:33 PM ^
This is nothing new. RR knows that he has to lock up guys early and then see what he can get as the year goes on. He has done this before and will do it again. It is semi-lame, but nothing as bad as what Saban does so I guess I am ok with it.
October 20th, 2010 at 10:05 PM ^
true. at this point, with the mounting pressure to win and bring in top recruiting classes, RR cant really afford to be nice about recruiting.