BBrown: Malik McDowell In: The Shortest Text Conversation Ever

Submitted by Brandon Brown on

I exchanged a few text messages with 2014 DL Malik McDowell after he released his Top 7 that included Michigan. The conversation was less than intriguing but this was the first time McDowell has responded to me in quite a long time. I will post the text conversation exactly how it went down to depict the feel of our interaction. Just pretend you are looking at an iPhone screen.

 

Hey Malik is there any order to your top 7??

No

Are you planning on announcing at your All-American game?

No

Oh ok...when are you going to make your decision you think?

Idk

A lot of people think you are a Michigan lean what do you think about that?

------------------------------------------------------------------------

That marked the end of our conversation. As I have mentioned before this is very different from how he used to respond to me and answer my inquiries. He's always been tough to get a bead on but now I really have no idea who he likes or where he might commit.

I will stand by my theory. If a recruit responds to me openly, often, and punctually it has almost always led to good things. (Drake Harris, Chase Winovich, Wilton Speight, Moe Ways, Jabrill Peppers, Tyree Kinnel, Lawrence Marshall, Mason Cole) On the flip side, when communication really slows or never really takes off in the first place, that has usually led to a different destination other than Michigan. (Da'Shawn Hand, Damon Webb, Sam Mustipher, Jimmie Swain, Jamarco Jones, etc.) Those are just a few examples.

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LB

December 5th, 2013 at 9:32 PM ^

A short search should prove that I have been at the very least as critical of B. Brown before he began working for MGoBlog as anyone. I stand behind everything I said, but the past seems to truly be the past, and I feel we are better off with B. Brown than without.

I would be delirious with joy to see a Recruting Analyst who does his or her own work put it out there and defend it. If it proves to be wrong, say so and move on. If you are happy with your theory, it is as good or better than what anyone else has brought to the table.

Anything beyond being the fastest retweeter in the west is refreshing.

Joined: 09/26/2009

MGoPoints: 25507

TWSWBC

December 5th, 2013 at 9:34 PM ^

Is any of this news? Are you just trying to alienate the kid by posting your conversation on the Internet? And saying "Oh ok..." like you're disappointed in his answer probably doesn't help your cause. Leave him alone

Joined: 01/27/2011

MGoPoints: 1819

CR7

December 5th, 2013 at 9:41 PM ^

I wish you jackasses would just read the post and move on instead of nitpicking the fuck out of it and having that typical holier than thou mentality. Why do you care about whether BB got MM's permission before posting this? It's none of your business, and the kids know who BB is, what his job is, who he writes for and as he said, he prefaces conversations by reminding them of such. Just appreciate what BB does and brings to the blog.

Cripes on Christmas this place is going to hell in a handbasket.

Joined: 10/21/2012

MGoPoints: 1598

Thorin

December 5th, 2013 at 9:42 PM ^

Let's see how long it takes for someone to make a smartass, ignorant comment about me. (I didn't want this last comment to come off as combative, but maybe this will keep those types of commenters away.)

Or maybe it should have been easy for you to predict that it would have the exact opposite effect.

Joined: 04/07/2009

MGoPoints: 15161

State Street

December 5th, 2013 at 9:44 PM ^

I see we've now transformed this board into a Michigan Recruiting Xanga.  

Please, for the love of god, stop trying to justify this inane post and just take it down.

When posting something can do more harm than good for the program, why even bother?

 

Joined: 07/09/2011

MGoPoints: 15316

CR7

December 5th, 2013 at 9:53 PM ^

How is this doing any harm to Michigan? BB and this blog aren't affiliated in any way with Michigan other than rooting interest so how is Michigan worse off with this post than without? The numpties that harrassed a kid BB profiled by making fun of an old picture of his made the brand, the program and this blog look bad. This strikes me as harmless. If McD has a problem with this being posted, he can contact any one of the mods and have them take it down.

Joined: 10/21/2012

MGoPoints: 1598

BlowGoo

December 5th, 2013 at 9:46 PM ^

Don't read into it.

That way lies madness.

For all we know, he has gotten so sick of responding, that he just handed his best friend the keyboard and told him to just respond on his behalf with "No" to everything.

The worst that can happen really isn't that bad, so why sweat it?

At least he responded.  He's probably considering all his other options but hasn't decided.  I say that because that's exactly what he has said he's doing.

He's a high school kid.  When have they EVER been easy reads?

Joined: 10/16/2011

MGoPoints: 7078

gwkrlghl

December 5th, 2013 at 10:19 PM ^

All the BB threads devolve into 100+ post flamebait havens. I can see why Brian is tired of the board. People just pissing on and on about crap for the sake of pissing.

Joined: 04/13/2012

MGoPoints: 72

Bilg3.0

December 5th, 2013 at 10:55 PM ^

Why would you post this.  Its creepy.  Look, not trying to be a dick and I know there's a demand for this information, but this is not an exchange I would share...it makes those of us on the fence about th "recruiting insider" industry lean towards: yah, thats just creepy.

You're the sausage maker.  I'm guessing most of us don't want to see what goes on inside the meat processing plant. 

Joined: 11/30/2013

MGoPoints: 56

M-Dog

December 5th, 2013 at 11:16 PM ^

Whenever somebody is a "lock" but they don't actually committ for months after their other "lock" peers do . . . well they probably ain't coming. 

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 257385

vinegar strokes

December 5th, 2013 at 11:28 PM ^

Can't imagine the kid would be thrilled to see this on here. It looks like he was annoyed by the texts and would probably be more annoyed that the entire conversation is on here.

However, I think you should have sent an additional "?" after the last text when he didn't respond.


Joined: 08/06/2013

MGoPoints: 290

HarBooYa

December 5th, 2013 at 11:57 PM ^

, particularly where one participant is (1) a kid and (2) that kid isbeing courteous but clearly does not want to talk is abit shocking to me. Brian, are you okay with this?!? Seems inconsistent with what this blog puts out there and what the Michigan community reps, no?

Joined: 06/22/2011

MGoPoints: 3067

michigan24

December 6th, 2013 at 12:06 AM ^

I swear if Mcdowell doesn't commit I'm blaming it on you Brown for stalking him just like you disturbingly do with all of the other 14-18 year old boys we are recruiting.

Joined: 06/29/2011

MGoPoints: 217

sammylittle

December 6th, 2013 at 12:19 AM ^

Based on the limited interaction from MM fitting the pattern of recruits choosing other schools, do you think UM has a better chance of finishing second or third among the seven finalists?

I appreciate you posting the conversation. It seems like your job would be frustrating much of the time.

Joined: 09/29/2008

MGoPoints: 7825