TomVH: An Interview with Jarrod Wilson's Coach Ricky Powers
Akron Buchtel safety Jarrod Wilson (6'2", 190 lbs) has been relatively quiet about his recruitment lately. With around 15 offers already, Wilson has seen his recruitment steadily increase as we approach summer camps. I caught up with Jarrod's head coach and former Wolverine Ricky Powers. Here's a look at Wilson's film and what his coach had to say.
TOM: We haven't heard too much about Jarrod lately. I know he's kind of quiet, but do you know if he's close to narrowing his list down?
COACH POWERS: Jarrod is a smart kid, and I know he's planning on narrowing it down soon here. I don't know who it will all be narrowed down to, of course Michigan will be on the list. I think he'll have schools like Michigan, Stanford, and Notre Dame which shows you his intelligence.
TOM: What have the Michigan coaches been saying about him, and have they come down for an in school visit yet?
COACH POWERS: The [Michigan] coaches really like Jarrod. They're going through the process, making sure Jarrod knows that he's wanted and that they really like him. They haven't been down here yet, but I'm sure they will be soon.
TOM: To go back a little bit you said he's a smart kid, what all does that entail?
COACH POWERS: He's an extremely smart football player and a smart kid period. His football IQ is really high, he'll line everyone up on defense for us. We call him the quarterback of our defenses. He's probably going to be our starting quarterback going into camp, which I hope changes. Corey [Smith] is probably one of the best receivers I've ever seen, he's just a smooth receiver and his routes are flawless. I'm not just saying that because I'm his coach either, I really believe that. I also believe wherever they go they will both graduate.
TOM: You mentioned Corey Smith, Jarrod's teammate. I know they had originally said that they wanted to be a package deal and they were going to school together, is that still the case?
COACH POWERS: No, they're not a package deal. I think they wanted to do that at first, but one may not fit with the other. Corey is a great kid too, but he might have a different situation than Jarrod.
TOM: To add on to that, Jarrod does have a Michigan offer while Corey is still waiting for one to come through. Do you think they will end up offering Corey as well?
COACH POWERS: I don't think the coaches have seen a lot of film on Corey yet. I think they want to see without a doubt that he can play at Michigan. They want to see if he fits and is right for them first.
TOM: Since you are a former Michigan football player do you have any past relationships with the current coaches?
COACH POWERS: I know Coach Mattison, who is recruiting Jarrod. I've met the new head coach and I love him. His heart is in the right place and he knows what Michigan is about. One thing about Rich Rodriguez that not a lot of people get is that he did what he knew how to do and what he was successful with, it just didn't work though. I do think Brady Hoke is bringing an energy that Michigan has been missing for a long time. You can see how excited he is about it. Michigan has always been great and sometimes I've wondered if everyone is excited about it. I think he's in at a great time and I hope people understand what he brings to the table.
TOM: Is it difficult for you to separate being a coach for Jarrod and Corey from being a former Michigan athlete?
COACH POWERS: What I do with my guys, it's going to be their decision. I provide them with as much information as I can. Look, Michigan's not for everbody. The average guy can't go to Michigan. Can these two be Michigan guys, heck yeah. But I don't want to push them there because it's not my choice. If they ask me I would tell them my experience at Michigan. I know just seeing Coach Hoke I think Michigan is going to be an awesome place. Jarrod will be able to see that. He'll be able to look around and see that. None of these other schools are slouches either, they bring a lot to the table. I think Michigan is a special place, but they need to figure it out for themselves.
TOM: With Jarrod's recruitment, do you know if he has a timeline to make his final decision?
COACH POWERS: I think he has a timeline, but I try not to talk to him about it too much. He's quiet, but he's a great kid and he really will break down different things to make a decision. He'll make the right choice.
"I think he'll have schools like Michigan, Stanford, and Notre Dame which shows you his intelligence."
No mention of Michigan State ... I think that supports the idea that he's intelligent.
In that film he looks really solid on the pass and the rush. He's making good reads/decisions in both situations (highlight reel selection bias aside). Also seems like there's some pretty good special teams upside.
I go back A long ways back with Michigan Football.... And one thing I know is weather they are 2 star or 5 star you never ever take any one of these kids for granted.
This guy could be our next Charles Woodson Film looks great !!!
GoBlue Jarrod
Star TB as a soph, beaten out as a Jr, continued to work and contributed immensely when called on to fill in a few times as a Sr. Very classy.
...great interview, Tom. Thanks for the insights on Jarrod (good Michigan name, BTW) and Powers' views of the program.
kids obviously got great ball skills, catches the ball cleanly and away from his body. id like to see a bit more film on him in one on one coverage. but hes definitely a playmaker. looks like a solid tackler as well.
according to scout he had 10 interceptions, and took 5 of them back for touchdowns. thats not a bad percentage.
That is the kind of size we need need to see in our secondary. 6'2", 190..... I'm salivating.
the other offers Jarrod Wilson holds? I wish Coach Mattison a long and healthy Michigan career. I can hardly wait to see him prowling the sidelines, and Michigan's defense bringing the wood on every play.
Great interview, thanks Tom. I enjoyed the information on what could be a big time safety that I feel we need immensely. Something else stood out, Ricky came off as very classy individual. You can tell there is a burning love for UM deep inside him, but he is being objective with his players so they can make the decision for themselves. This part really stood out:
"Look, Michigan's not for everbody. The average guy can't go to Michigan. Can these two be Michigan guys, heck yeah. But I don't want to push them there because it's not my choice. If they ask me I would tell them my experience at Michigan. I know just seeing Coach Hoke I think Michigan is going to be an awesome place. Jarrod will be able to see that. He'll be able to look around and see that. None of these other schools are slouches either, they bring a lot to the table. I think Michigan is a special place, but they need to figure it out for themselves."
I don't know why, but after reading this I think we have a good chance of landing this kid. Especially considering Mattison hasn't even been there in person yet...Which usually seals most deals!
came to U of M my freshman year and just tore it up. He had been a huge recruiting get (he was the #1 rb in the nation and I think the #1 recruit overall to some)...then something just happened...some thought it was the switch from a fast track (our articifical turf) to a slow one (the natural grass)...others that he plateaued...but everyone else got better and he didn't...my wife interviewed him for a class in journalism (back when U of M still had a journalism major) when he was senior and pretty much an occasional contributor...she was so impressed by him as a person and how he was able to deal with what, for many such recruits, would have been unfathomable...he didn't blame or lash out...he just was. I have often wondered about him and glad to see he landed on his feet...in many ways, I am as proud of him as of any Michigan player of my four years in a squared.
I thought most of the production drop-off was the result of the emerging young Ty Wheatley. I remember being so happy for the guy when he ripped off that beautiful run behind the perfect lead block of Bernie Leggette towards the end of the Rose Bowl vs. U-W (the rematch, i.e. the Wheatley Game).
Powers handled the reduction in carries with superb class and always a team-first attitude. If he's installing that same mindset in his players, I'd be thrilled to get any of his proteges.
Especially this kid... wow, what a classic "ballhawk." That was a fun film to watch.
EDIT: Thanks as always to the heroic Wolverine Historian, here's the clip of that run in the Rose Bowl. See at 2:12
... at the office, my other favorite Ricky Powers memory. 1991 vs. Notre Dame.
See at 8:45.
That was really enjoyable. Thanks.
His character came through in the interview with TomVH, too. I suppose there is no shame in being beaten out by Tyrone Wheatley.
"He's quiet, but he's a great kid and he really will break down different things to make a decision. He'll make the right choice."
Hint Mr.Powers?
We need both of them and they have the approval of a Wolverine. I really like what Ricky said about Hoke also.
Jarrod is one of the kids that I was very excited about early on.
This is what ohio recruiting guru had to say:
"Buchtel safety Jarrod Wilson is a player I would love to see an offer to but that does not look like it is going to happen. He is a great free safety prospect something I think is very much a need for the Buckeyes. While not seeing any interest I am aware of from Ohio State he has offers from five Big Ten schools Michigan, Penn State, Illinois, Northwestern and Indiana. This kid is a playmaker. I would rather not see him every year for the next four years. His stellar grades are confirmed by offers from Notre Dame, Stanford and Vanderbilt. Lets hope the elite academic profiles of those schools are a key element to his final decision"
What ever happened to the helpful html thread? Can anyone tell me how to block quote, it seems like the way I did it resulted in fail.
I can see why the coaches like him. Intelligent, great charachter, team leader, athletic....okay I'll stop with the Coach Hoke quotes. He has great instincts and gets to the ball every play pass or run. I'ts like he treats every snap like the ball is up for grabs. The kid makes plays. I can see him fitting in Mattisons defense no problem. Some recruits you like, others not so much, but I hope they recruit him just so we don't have to play against him.
is it JAR-odd or is it GER-id?
If anybody is an ESPN insider. In the rumours section it says that he narrowed his list down to three. I'm not an insider so I can't tell you if we're still in or not.
Thanks. Don't you love how they do that.
Put this kid back there with Bigg, RJS, Trich (i know not a verbal yet) and the other studs GM will bring in and he'll run the show and the D will be awesome. With so many local kids this is going to be a fun high school season. I'm gonna be all over Mich/Ohio on Friday nights come fall. Go Blue!
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