Hello: Allen Gant Comment Count

Tim

Michigan picks up a legacy commit, as the son of former Wolverine Tony Gant has pledged to the maize-and-blue. OH S Allen Gant becomes the 13th recruit in Michigan's class of 2012.

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GURU RATINGS

Scout Rivals ESPN 24/7 Sports
3*, NR S NR WR NR WR NR Ath

As you can see, the recruiting sites are lukewarm-at-best on Gant. To my surprise, he isn't viewed universally as a safety, as I had assumed to be the case (and that's the position he'll likely play in college). His profile has fallen off considerably since the days when he was considered the best 2012 prospect in Ohio ($, info in header).

24/7 Sports is the odd site out on height, calling him 6-1 whereas everyone else agrees he's 6-2. Weights range from 198 to 210. A good overall estimate of size then, is about 6-2, 205.

His scout profile has Allen talk about his own game:

“I’m able to read the quarterback well and know what the offense is doing. I’m pretty quick and I hit hard. I’m a very hard-nosed player. I’d like to be better overall and get faster and quicker. I want to brake [sic] on passes better.”

He was the subject of a Sam Webb column in the Detroit News last summer, and his dad talked briefly about his game:

"He is almost 6-2, and weighs in the 205- to 210-pound range. He runs a 4.6, he's got a nose for the ball, he's physical, and he is smart. Having that type of football intelligence, it just makes his job that much easier because you want to react instead of think out on the football field. Plus he's coachable. His football intelligence and coachability are his two greatest assets along with his physical capabilities."

As a fairly huge high school safety, he'd better be wiling to bring the lumber with regularity. At that size, the natural questions about speed (and a potential move to linebacker) arise:

Allen Gant is another of this outstanding defensive back class that has questions as far as what kind of athlete he is. It is actually more than that. It is where he fits. He has the talent to play receiver but I have never believed he had the speed. The big question will be if he is fast enough to play safety and if not does he have the frame to grow into an outside linebacker?

Gant is known for being an intelligent player, so even if he lacks a little bit in 40-yard dash time, being in the right spot to make plays can make up for that. The MSR Ohio Blog talks his game, and it certainly sounds like the instincts are present:

Last fall I was impressed with his toughness on the football field. Stood out as a free safety. Excellent open field tackler. Good ball skills. Anticipated well. Most of all, when he had a chance to "strike" he did. Covered sideline to sideline.

His coach had never played a freshman before Gant came along, so his early reputation as one of Ohio's top prospects was partially based on being an early bloomer.

With 4 linebackers and another linebacker-y tweener (Mario Ojemudia) already committed, I'm guessing that Michigan's coaches are confident enough in his speed to remain at safety. Now that he's committed as a safety, hopefully some of the recruiting sites will rank him at that position and we can get a more accurate picture of where he stands.

He's a good enough athlete to be an all-area selection for basketball as a sophomore, and he was part of a sub-45 second 4x100 relay team the same spring.

OFFERS

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Allen had offers from a host of MAC schools, including Ball State, Bowling Green, Miami (NTM), and Toledo, but he also had a few slightly bigger letters to his name: Boston College, Cincinnati, Stanford, and West Virginia. It's not a murderer's row, but there are definitely a few worthwhile offers in there. He was expecting an Illinois offer ($, info in header) back in February, and his Rivals profile indicates he received it.

Gant had interest - but no offer - from several big-name schools: Florida, LSU, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and USC.

STATS

Scout brings the junior year stats:

Allen Gant finished his junior season with 56 tackles, three interceptions and two fumbles caused. He also had 20 receptions for one touchdown.

That was good enough for third-team All-State. He had a recurring hamstring injury through most of his sophomore year, which hampered his production in that season, but he led his team to a state title as a freshman.

FAKE 40 TIME

4.6 seems to be the consensus time, and while that's respectable for a strong safety (in fact quite good I think), guys Gant's size aren't generic 3-stars if they can run that fast. I deem it three FAKEs out of five.

VIDEO

Gant junior video from ScoutingOhio:

PREDICTION BASED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE

He's unlikely to be a big star unless the recruiting sites are just plain wrong, but after a redshirt year, he definitely has the potential to contribute on special teams. and he could end up a starter by the time he's an upperclassman.

Especially with a coaching change underway, it's tough to know where Michigan's current secondary players will end up, what quality of player we have on the roster now (I'm going to assume better than they've looked the past 3 years), so it's tough to project too far into the future. Gant has the feel of a solid upperclassman starter who doesn't get a lot of national (or conference) recognition.

As a youngster, he seemed like a future 5-star thanks to an early maturation, but that has fallen off as other prospects his age have matured as well (think Marvin Robinson). However, Gant has been injured over portions of the last two years, so when healthy, hopefully he can regain that top form.

UPSHOT FOR THE REST OF THE CLASS

It's felt like it for a while, but spots are going to start actually getting tight now. Pending the decision of Wayne Morgan on Thursday (all indications at this point are that Michigan leads), Michigan has two to three defensive backs in the class, the other being Terry Richardson. Brady Hoke and company would probably take a fourth, but the fifth guy is going to have to be somebody they think very highly of.

The needs going forward are still at defensive tackle and on the offensive line, particularly at tackle. A quarterback and a wideout are also needed, and a good running back would be nice, thank you very much.

Comments

tolmichfan

May 31st, 2011 at 2:45 PM ^

Im not surpriesed he is getting stronger this year... southview's coach is a former body builder who runs a great offseason weight program.  The thing that surprises me about the recruiting sights is they don't talk about what great hands he has.

Phoenix

May 31st, 2011 at 2:53 PM ^

Congratulations and welcome, Allen!

I am sure you will appreciate and respect the advice your dad has to give in regards to the demands of being at, and playing football at, Michigan. Soon it will be your own time to shine - we look forward to rooting for you in the Maize and Blue and to referring to you not as Mr. Gant's son, but as Allen Gant, our safety who is one heck of a football player.

Welcome, Allen, we're excited you chose to come to Ann Arbor!

acnumber1

May 31st, 2011 at 10:08 PM ^

Tony Gant's son, but also Charles Woodson's cousin I recall reading at one point.  Haven't noticed mention of cousin connection today. 

Is he Woodson's cousin?

His dad was one of my favorites, so either way I'm stoked.

acnumber1

May 31st, 2011 at 10:12 PM ^

From Toledo channel 24 website:

 

Once he received the offer earlier this month, it wasn't hard to figure out Southview's Allen Gant would pick the University of Michigan to continue his football career.

The junior receiver/defensive back did just that today.

Tony Gant, Allen's dad, is a Fremont native and a former Michigan defensive back, playing for Bo Schembechler in the early 80's. 

Allen's cousin is another Fremont native who played his college ball at Michigan, Charles Woodson.

Not a bad recruiting combination for the maize and blue.

Gant is expected to be a defensive back for the Wolverines, just like his dad and cousin. 

Michigasling

May 31st, 2011 at 11:43 PM ^

On WTKA this morning there was mention that one reason Allen grew up an Ohio State fan (besides living in Ohio) was that another relative was a coach there.  So we can't blame him for his childhood leanings.  Fortunately for us, and to Dad Gant's eternal bliss, he came back to his real family.

If you haven't listened to his announcement interview with Sam Webb, it's well worth it (on podcast).  He clearly has more than football intelligence, and great sense of humor.  A great addition to the Blue.

Magnus

May 31st, 2011 at 10:42 PM ^

If he runs in the 4.6's, it's probably approximately a 4.6999999999999.  Donovan Warren ran in the 4.6's before he entered the draft.  Somehow I doubt a 210 lb. junior safety is just as fast as a college junior cornerback, but maybe I'm wrong.

bluedevil

June 1st, 2011 at 7:26 AM ^

Actually he runs between 4.55 and 4.6 consistently.  Timed at OSU camp last year at 4.55.  According to his HS Track Coaches, reportedly ran 4.51 & 4.55 during track work outs (plus throws shot put almost 49 feet & discus almost 150).  Why no love for Gant? Have you seen him play besides looking at highlights?  The Michigan Coaches did their homework.  Why do you think an offer came before camp?  They are not going to offer just because who he is related to.  As an opposing father & coach and a fan of the Gants, I think I can speak for NW Ohio that we are extremely happy for Allen.

Magnus

June 1st, 2011 at 9:43 AM ^

Well, his football speed doesn't seem to match his track speed.  Pat White ran a 4.55 at the NFL Combine.  I don't think Gant would be catching White from behind.

As for why I'm not a huge fan of Gant, feel free to click on the link below and get a detailed explanation. 

moonman99

June 23rd, 2011 at 8:27 AM ^

Gant is about a 4.7 40 and they were never timed at track workouts I'm not sure where that incorrect information came from. His height and size are legit he has a knack for the ball and is a hitter.