TVH Weekly: Devin Fuller, AJ Williams, and More

Submitted by TomVH on

The Michigan offer blitz is in full effect with over 100 offers already extended by the coaching staff. The 2012 offer list is here and for the most part accurate. There have been a lot of questions asked about the number of offers being thrown out. It's probably not going to be a normal thing in the future. These coaches are new to the neighborhood so they're trying to make their presence known.

Giving out offers to high profile kids does a few things for the coaches. It shows everyone that they're serious about recruiting high talent kids to Michigan, that they think they can land some of them, and that they want to build relationships for the future. In year one, this is probably a decent strategy. Here's a look at some of the recent happenings.

Devin FullerDevin Fuller

6'0", 185 lbs.

Quarterback/Athlete

Old Tappan, New Jersey 

Fuller is an outstanding athlete that brings a lot to the table at many positions. He has made a name for himself in his area, and his film is really impressive. He was recently extended a Michigan offer and very excited about that.

It's a huge [offer] for me and my family. I know they have great tradition over there, and they all know how to win. Plus the academics are great as well. I don't have a top list yet, but Michigan was a big one, I must say. The coaches see me at quarterback, but they will give me a chance at any other positions. I'm probably looking to make my decision in the summer time so I can get it over with.

As Devin said the Michigan coaches have told him he can try quarterback. He's an all round athlete so it wouldn't be wasting a scholarship if that didn't work out.

A.J. WilliamsAJ Williams

6'6", 260 lbs.

Tight End

Cincinnati, Ohio

Williams is a big tight end prospect who has been offered by Michigan, Boston College, Illinois, NC State, and Toledo among others. He's a little raw, but obviously has the size. 

It means a lot that [Michigan] offered. I love the way the staff is honest and I love how it's a big powerhouse. It means a lot that they were recruiting me from the beginning too. Kind of like a friend that was with you since childhood, if someone else comes a long you still like the childhood friend better. I'm going to try to make it up there after basketball season, and really get everything going then.

Williams sounds very interested in Michigan and is also hearing from Iowa, Northwestern, and Wisconsin. The coaching staff has already made AJ feel comfortable, as he mentioned about honesty. They told him they would be recruiting him, that they would offer, and everything they've said to him that would happen has happened. That's made an impact on him.

Allen GantAllen Gant

6'1", 182 lbs.

Defensive Back

Sylvania, Ohio

Gant was talked about a lot before the 2012 recruiting class started, and has seen his recruitment consistently gain profile. He doesn't have a top list yet, but still sees Michigan as one of his top schools.

I talked to Coach Funk and Coach Mattison sent me something last week. I don't have the exact date set up, but I will be visiting there soon. I think they might offer me either after they see my film, or after I go to camp. I'm just focusing on a place where I know I can be happy, and I can contribute right away.

Grant's play speaks for itself, and he should be in the top 20 players in Ohio. Considering the amount of talent in their state this year, that's pretty impressive. Although I'm sure he'd like to make a name for himself, Michigan fans probably know him best for being related to Charles Woodson and being the son of a former Michigan football player. 

Names to Keep An Eye On:

DE Javonte Magee (6'5", 262 lbs) Texas: big time defensive end from Texas is close to an offer. Will probably be hard to pull from Texas, though.

OL Prince Eshan (6'3", 295 lbs) Texas: teammate of Javonte Magee says that he hopes to get a Michigan offer. He likes the snow, and wants to check out some teams to the north. 

DT Jonathan Taylor (6'4", 315 lbs) Georgia: Huge defensive tackle with a very impressive offer list could be hearing from Michigan soon. 

Extra:

Football
TomVH
Matt Godin
Allen Gant
Jordan Watkins
Dan Voltz
Kyle Kalis
Devin Fuller
AJ Williams
Vonte Jackson

Comments

kaykaybroke

February 28th, 2011 at 10:18 AM ^

Wow after being related to Woodson and growing up with a Michigan dad, Hoke really needs to lock this kid up.

Legacy recruiting is something we've been missing out on the past couple of years.

Joined: 11/29/2010

MGoPoints: 2661

True Blue Grit

February 28th, 2011 at 10:29 AM ^

I have no problem at all with the coaches making so many offers.  Being a new staff, they don't have the long relationships built up in most cases.  So, in order to score a great class, casting a wide net will help get us there.  As Tom says, in the future, it probably won't be necessary.  This is the major reason we haven't got any commits yet. 

Joined: 01/21/2011

MGoPoints: 32362

mmiicchhiiggaann

February 28th, 2011 at 10:49 AM ^

I definitly like this strategy of throwing out offers to elite kids early. Michigan missed out on alot of kids last year by not recruiting them from the beginning. As most of us are learning recruiting is all about relationships. The more pipelines and positive impressions this staff can make around the country can only benefit them in the future. I can't wait to see which group of kids out of the 100 are so are interested in visiting. Does Tom or anyone have any data on how many kids visited Michigan officially and unoffically the last few years. It will be very telling to see how many kids come on campus this year.

Joined: 01/31/2010

MGoPoints: 2138

El Demonio

February 28th, 2011 at 10:49 AM ^

I have family in San Antonio who are involved in high school sports (my cousin also plays football in S.A.) and I've heard of Javonte through them (they are UTexas people).  Word is he is crazy-good.  Would be awesome to land a stud like him.

Joined: 01/20/2011

MGoPoints: 893

WolvinLA2

February 28th, 2011 at 11:24 AM ^

I hadn't heard a lot from Allen Gant in a little while.  6 months ago people were worried he'd be a huge prospect and thus go to OSU.  How, we have 100 offers out and he doesn't have an offer from us or OSU.  It's funny how those things change so quickly.  I think people are higher on Jarrod Wilson at FS than Gant, but I'd take either/both.

Rivals has him listed as a WR, but we're recruiting him at safety, correct?

Joined: 11/13/2009

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goblue232

February 28th, 2011 at 12:16 PM ^

I went to Southview back in the day and am from sylvania and Tressel and co definitely got in on Gant much earlier than we did and everything I have heard about him has him favoring OSU.  If they want him they likely will get him.  But who knows, maybe the new staff can work some magic.  Still have some major catching up to do though.

Joined: 01/14/2009

MGoPoints: 236

WolvinLA2

February 28th, 2011 at 2:44 PM ^

That might be, but OSU has about 10 spots left in their class, has a lot of offers out to guys who favor them, and they haven't offered Gant yet. Gant might have loved OSU six months ago, but how a prospect feels about a school can change when they see said school offering a bunch of players and not him. Also, if OSU starts picking up commits from guys they've offered, Gant might be hard-pressed to get an offer at all. OSU can't take everyone.

Joined: 11/13/2009

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