TomVH: OL Jordan Diamond Update
Most of you know that I live in Arizona, which unfortunately means I'm not at the Best of the Midwest combine right now. I'll have some updates from players after the combine is over, most likely in the Weekly Update on Monday.
I did catch up with Chicago OL Jordan Diamond, who is not competing in the event. He took this opportunity to go up to Ann Arbor with 2011 Michigan signee OL Chris Bryant, and his current teammate 2012 QB Robert Gregory.
Diamond has taken a few visits to Michigan already, so this trip was to familiarize himself with the new coaching staff, and the players.
We went up there yesterday; I met just about everybody. We talked to Coach Hoke, Coach Heck(linski), Funk, so it was cool. Coach Funk was telling me that they're light on the offensive line, they only have around 11 scholarship guys so I would have a good chance to play early. I was trying to build some comfort with them, get to know them, so it was good. The one thing I did get to see that was new was I got to see the players working out. That was good for me to see how they work out, and what they do.
The coaches are seemingly easy to get along with, and Michigan's current players have somewhat been the unsung heroes when it comes to recruiting. The way the players interact with each other, and how they present themselves to recruits has been a popular topic in interviews. The same was true with Jordan.
We got to hang out with a lot of the players this time, which was cool. There's a lot of good people up there. We hung out with Taylor (Lewan), met a few linebackers, they were all cool. Taylor's a pretty funny guy, it was great.
In case you're wondering, yes Taylor Lewan showed off his mustache tattoo, which always seems to be a hit. If you haven't seen it, you can check it out here.
February 20th, 2011 at 1:48 PM ^
I feel like a kid on christmas morning whenever I see your updates on the board.
February 20th, 2011 at 1:51 PM ^
So you're saying there's a chance!
February 20th, 2011 at 1:54 PM ^
i'm pretty sure that mustache tattoo is one of the top recruiting weapons we have. that is awesome!
February 20th, 2011 at 2:59 PM ^
I was not familiar with the mustache tatoo-really appreciae you sharing that. Also please shove your 72-degree Arizona winters and I hope you quadrulpe bogey the entire back 9!
February 20th, 2011 at 1:58 PM ^
Next thing you know tOSU players will be trading tOSU awards and memorabilia for mustache tattoos.
February 20th, 2011 at 2:11 PM ^
I ran into him and Chris Bryant with their families at the MDen yesterday. These two guys are absolute monsters.
Jordan was stocking up on Michigan apparel. Good sign.
Really need to lock him up
February 20th, 2011 at 2:16 PM ^
Thanks for the update Sir TomVH.
February 20th, 2011 at 2:17 PM ^
As always.
February 20th, 2011 at 2:26 PM ^
He is one of my favorite players by far. He is the next Jake Long, he is a monster!
February 20th, 2011 at 2:28 PM ^
Tom, do you know why Jordan didn't participate in the combine? I was really hoping he would participate to see how he has improved from last year. I don't know if anyone has had the chance to see his past performances at some of the top combines, but he hasn't really shined. In fact, he struggled quite a bit with top competition. Jordan's offer sheet tells a different story and was wondering if he is more of a project/potential prospect. Any thoughts Tom?
February 20th, 2011 at 2:39 PM ^
I haven't seen the performances, so I don't know about the project question but all I know is that it is very difficult to teach someone how to be a mountain.
February 20th, 2011 at 2:44 PM ^
I know at the Army combine he tweaked his back pretty early in the day, and he struggled with that the rest of the day. That is the only combine I have ever heard of him having a tough time with.
This weekend was more about spending time with the players and coaches at a school of interest to him rather than competing. It's not like he has to go out an earn offers anymore.
February 20th, 2011 at 2:57 PM ^
That might have been the problem then. I just have watched the available film on him from some combines and it wasn't impressive. He was getting abused on 1 vs 1 drills. If he had a tweaked back that would definitely explain it. Like I previously stated, his offer sheet sure is impressive so I know there are coaches that feel very confident about his talent.
February 20th, 2011 at 3:02 PM ^
Considering this guys offer list as well as the amount of time the staff has already put into seeing him having followed Bryant as long as they have I am not terribly concerned that he cant be coached up and red shirted as well.
February 20th, 2011 at 3:16 PM ^
You see that's the thing. Often times these drills are D Line drills used to look at their moves. These drills will generally be very tough for O Lineman because you have no help on either side and there is a lot of space for the other guy.
February 20th, 2011 at 5:57 PM ^
This Midwest Combine is where he made a name for himself last year. He owned the day. The competition at the Army Combine was much better, and yes, Jaleel Johnson did abuse him that day a little bit. I am not sure if it was the back thing or Jaleel Johnson just being a badass. The 1 on 1's in a combine setting can be pretty difficult to win every battle all day though.
Speaking of Jaleel, I wish the organizers of this event would have invited him. He is interested in Michigan, so it would have been nice to get him up to check out the facilities and the campus.
February 20th, 2011 at 6:00 PM ^
These 1 on 1 drills at the combines are more geared for defensive success. I wouldn't put a whole lot of stock on any drill performed in gym shorts. Watch his film and you will see why he is a highly regarded recruit.
February 20th, 2011 at 2:49 PM ^
February 20th, 2011 at 3:17 PM ^
Sounds like a law firm.
February 20th, 2011 at 3:23 PM ^
Tom, we know about the one-time commits like Dee Hart who departed after RR was let go, but I'm curious if there any recruits who've told you that they weren't interested in UM until Hoke was hired. I'm not asking you to name names, just curious in general.
February 20th, 2011 at 3:29 PM ^
February 20th, 2011 at 3:40 PM ^
Yeah, there are some kids that are interested now because of Mattison, and the pro-ish style offense that's going to be run. I haven't specifically heard any (in the 2012 class) that have said just because Hoke himself was hired that they're now interested.
Obviously you're going to have different quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends interested. It's just different systems, so different styles are interested. I don't know if that's what you meant, or if you meant talent wise.
February 20th, 2011 at 4:17 PM ^
Yep, you answered it. Thanks.
Good point about the differing styles though. It will be really interesting to see how much attriition there is before the start of fall camp. I'll be surprised if we don't have some on the offensive side of the ball. Just hope it's not any linemen.
February 20th, 2011 at 5:40 PM ^
I like it a mustache that recruits
February 20th, 2011 at 7:22 PM ^
are we going to offer Robert Gregory?
February 21st, 2011 at 12:04 AM ^
I hoke we lock this Kidd up (diamond), I have a good felling about him. I'm curious too see if he commits to us before the season and he somehow gets downgraded to a 3* like the usual b.s I.e Heart and frost gain a star.
February 27th, 2011 at 7:32 PM ^
Thanks for all the support, Its pretty cool in "AA"... about the Army combine I was hurt and not making any excuses Jeleel is a good athlete... we are good friends....And the Tattoo is cool!
February 27th, 2011 at 10:53 PM ^
Glad you had a good time Jordan!
Go Blue!
Good luck Jordan. Kick some ass in the upcoming season.