rockediny

February 5th, 2011 at 11:04 AM ^

I can't even get past the first play. I already said it, but I'll say it again, this is the recruit I'm most excited about. He college ready, propably no redshirt but  it can only help. He's going to be a beast!

p.s. the last 2 recruits I've been most excited about were Stephen Hopkins and Denard, hopefully it works on defensive players too.

P-Mart

February 5th, 2011 at 10:27 AM ^

you guys but it just seems like, on film, this kid never quits. Not only that but every play he's fricking in the backfield causing havoc. I love it. Given his height, he will need to be Wellman-ized but man am I excite. Great excite for Kellen.

The Baughz

February 5th, 2011 at 12:26 PM ^

This kid is going to be a beast. My favorite thing in the video is how much he loves Michigan. The "Kellen is a Michigan Man" at the end gave me chills. I cant wait to see this kid play. Oh and 6'1 is not that short for an LB. He will def bulk up so Im saying he will be about 6'1 230-235 maybe when its all said and done.  

Phoenix

February 5th, 2011 at 10:29 AM ^

Welcome to Michigan, Kellen, from a fanbase who is as excited as you are that you are blue!

You sir, are a BEAST. Keep up the hard work, and can't wait to see what you do on the field at the Big House.

CCCgoblue

February 5th, 2011 at 10:31 AM ^

Love the bullrush, the read and react, overall pursuit, and desire to destroy at every opportunity.  This kid is SICK.  I think that covers it all  :)

sheepman

February 5th, 2011 at 10:39 AM ^

This is the best quality high school film I have seen.

And is REALLY impressive, both in how well he plays (sheesh) and how much he loves Michigan. This kid is going to be a defensive powerhouse!

 

Go BLUE!

UMich87

February 5th, 2011 at 10:48 AM ^

Almost a third of his tackles are TFL.  And no one drags him for extra yards.  I am looking forward to seeing him in the winged helmet.  Glad his dad shared this with us.  All of the Michigan love made me smile.  Sitting at my computer.  Smiling.  My wife thinks I'm nuts.

STW P. Brabbs

February 5th, 2011 at 12:27 PM ^

Kellen appears to have great athleticism and instincts ... but the one thing it looked like he needs work on is tackling technique.  There are a lot of arm tackles in that video, which he gets away with because of his strength at the high school level.  But there's a lot of Big Ten backs who are going to break right through those.  I have full faith he'll get it worked out once on campus, but that was a weak spot, to me.

DutchWolverine

February 5th, 2011 at 2:16 PM ^

I agree.  He is a man among boys at the HS level and can get away with poor technique.  That obviously wont work in the Big Ten.  However, give him a year or so with the new D staff, and he definitely has a chance to be special.

allezbleu

February 5th, 2011 at 3:05 PM ^

however, i have yet to see a high school highlight tape without arm tackles. every recruit (especially the manchilds) flings people to the ground. 

it is very promising to see that a lot of times he does wrap up with a good base and drive through the ball carrier. 

he does seem a little stiff in the hips, but everything else looks great. he sure looks instinctive, relentless, comfortable dropping into those short zones, trucking people, great at shedding blockers, etc. etc.

 

BostonWolverine

February 5th, 2011 at 10:51 AM ^

I am saying this with a lot of our recruits, but the more I see, the more I like this kid. They were talking about the players being like a family and really selling the program on signing day? I think this is a group of guys that can keep that going in a big way.

m1817

February 5th, 2011 at 10:54 AM ^

I met Kellen Jones at a U-M football watch party in Houston.  Not only is he a awesome linebacker, he is well-spoken and respectful as well.  Kellen will represent the University well.  I expect him to be a team captain before he graduates.

It would be appropriate for Kellen to be assigned jersey #37 to carry on in the tradition great U-M linebackers, Jarrett Irons and Erick Anderson. 

Welcome to the Michigan family!

Eat Your Wheatlies

February 5th, 2011 at 11:23 AM ^

Kellen does a phenomenal job shedding blockers, moves down the LOS with ease, and is one of the surest tacklers I have ever seen...simply NASTY! Cannot wait to see him destroying opposing defenses for the next several years. Welcome to the family.

Laser Wolf

February 5th, 2011 at 11:25 AM ^

Easily the kid I'm most excited about coming out of this recruiting class. The athleticism, the instincts, the smarts. Kellen is truly the total package.

Thanks for the video, Tom and Mr. Jones.

True Blue Grit

February 5th, 2011 at 11:42 AM ^

Great video.  Jones looks like he has very, very good fundamentals - wrapping up, pursuit, shoulders square, runs hard.  I can't wait to see him playing in the Big House.  And I'm guessing here he's very coachable too.  Hopefully, he can cover the pass as well as he stops the run and rushes the passer!

NateVolk

February 5th, 2011 at 11:48 AM ^

Glad to see Hoke acknowledge the prior coaches for some of the encouraging defensive recruits. Jones, Countess and Beyer were also very much a product of some great work by Rich and his staff.

You can see huge progression in Jones from the initial videos we saw when he first committed last year.