Waiting on Darian Roseboro's Friday Announcement

Submitted by StephenRKass on

Darian Roseboro, a defensive end from Lincolnton, North Carolina, is scheduled to announce his college decision this Friday. He arguably is the most important of the remaining Michigan recruits, because DE is an area of need in the 2015 class.

The local paper wrote:

Roseboro, a rising senior, had 124 tackles, 21 for loss, and 10 sacks as a junior. He was voted the 2013 Southern District 7 Athletic 2A Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and helped the Wolves reach the third round of the NCHSAA state 2A playoffs.

Worthy of note is that when Roseboro narrowed his list down in May, he eliminated Ohio State. (he also eliminated Auburn, Georgia, Notre Dame, Penn State, and Texas.) Still in consideration beyond Michigan are Alabama, Clemson, North Carolina, North Carolina State, and Tennessee. While only ranked 165 in the top 300, this is a bit deceiving, because he is a rising star. You only need to look at his offer list to see how Roseboro is thought of by coaches and teams.

The so-called crystal ball has Roseboro 67% to Michigan, 28% to North Carolina State, and 6% to North Carolina. I am an outsider, not an insider, but I find it interesting that the recruiting experts often seem to predict a positive response for the team they cover.

On his twitter page, Roseboro writes, 

GOD ,FAMILY, FOOTBALL 1st team All American ... Other people's word doesn't mean a thing !!!!! Believe in Jesus always.

I am thrilled that Michigan is still strongly in the running for so many recruits. Roseboro's major recruiters are listed as Roy Manning and Mattison. I continue to be amazed at Manning's great recruiting. But Mattison also does an incredible job of relating to recruits. He has been mentioned as a big positive by several of the guys Michigan is pursuing.

I haven't heard of anyone beside Roseboro who is making a decision sometime soon. Because of Michigan's general policy (no visits to other schools after you've made a commitment,) it makes sense to me that anyone who wants to take any of their officials needs to hold off on commiting to Michigan until they are done with any officials.

Looking at some of the remaining recruits, Keisean Lucier-South is predicted to go to UCLA, although Michigan is still in there. Asmar Bilal is down to UofM and ND, and predicted 80% to Michigan. Tyrone Wheatley, an awesome legacy playing at SDE and TE, is predicted 100% to UM. (EDIT:  per Seth and others, that is not a foregone conclusion. Situation is that Wheatley hasn't tipped his hand much, and many have made the Michigan assumption.) Marcus Lewis, a 6'1" CB from DC, is predicted 79% to the good guys (and he is another one with an offer from OSU.)

If Michigan is fortunate enough to add Roseboro, Bilal, Wheatley, and Lewis, they will add four more guys on defense with four stars, and have the best small recruiting class in the country. If they can actually peel KLS out of California and out of the clutches of UCLA, they add a 5 star, and could possibly end up with the highest average ranked class in the country.

Say what you will about Hoke, but he can recruit. Or, Michigan and it's great staff and facilities recruits for itself.

If anyone has details on the time of Roseboro's announcement, place, manner, etc., that'd be great.

Hannibal.

August 27th, 2014 at 1:03 PM ^

Rivals lists his weight at 283 lbs.  Is there any chance this kid doesn't play DT?  Wheatley, Jr, at his current size, seems like he will end up an SDE if he puts on the customary 10-15 lbs. 

Space Coyote

August 27th, 2014 at 1:20 PM ^

They can reshape his body a bit to have him be a 275-285 lb SDE in either an over or under front. He moves and carries his weight well. They can also work him up to be a really, really good 3-tech.

I think his upside is higher as a 3-tech, but he has some versatility with regards to playing DE in heavy situations or in 3 DL situations (or SDE in a 4-3 Under), and moving inside in passing situations.

getsome

August 27th, 2014 at 6:29 PM ^

agreed more upside at 3-Tech or even 3-4 DE but still great option at SDE.  this kid just looks really athletic (at least based on small sampling)  and likely could succeed anywhere on the DL at michigan - which is a great attribute since many guys are physically limited to 1 maybe 2 spots.  they have not been in on many truly elite top-50 type pass rushing specialists so versatile big guys who can run are even more important

beevo

August 27th, 2014 at 1:05 PM ^

You might want to alter the thread title.  I clicked thinking the kid was announcing today. 

Anyway, he is a big need and, hopefully, a get.

Seth

August 27th, 2014 at 1:11 PM ^

Wheatley isn't 100% to go to Michigan. His dad made it clear that he's not pressuring his son, and while he's a Michigan fan he's approaching the process with an open mind. You can't fault him for that.

I'm guessing Roseboro only held off his announcement because it has become customary for recruits to try to time their commitments in the way that maximizes how much Ace is screwed. I'd say hours before the season would be a Level 4 trolling. Half a class agreeing to commit in a 2-day period after a Michigan-Ohio State basketball game is a 10.

StephenRKass

August 27th, 2014 at 1:34 PM ^

He has to decide for himself. And yet, Michigan wants him, and he would fit well. We'll see.

As regards Roseboro and Ace, I'd assume, given the predictions, that Ace should already have the Hello! post in the can, with just a few minor edits needed to get it up. Where Ace really gets snookered is when there is a commitment that comes out of left field . . . maybe like Weber?

alum96

August 27th, 2014 at 1:15 PM ^

I think this is one of the most important recruits in the class assuming KLS doesnt come.  Wheatley is a mystery in terms of intention.  We need DEs badly in the pipeline.   Hand and McDowell were misses so only 1 DE last year with Marshall with Poggi, Mario and Charlton ahead of him.  None established impact players.

Logan88

August 27th, 2014 at 1:21 PM ^

DE (both weak and strong) along with Safety are the two areas where UM still is a little thin. Obviously, missing out on both McDowell and Hand last cycle were big blows for UM's staff. I think UM needs KLS as much as (if not more than) Roseboro because WDE looks really thin/weak for UM after this season.

alum96

August 27th, 2014 at 1:30 PM ^

I think Watson might permanently go to S esp if Dymonte Thomas does not work out in the years ahead with Stribling, Lewis, Peppers and the other Lewis (if he commits) and Taylor (in 2 years) outside at corners. Countess still has 1 more year there too.

Kinnel (in 2 years) should be competing for safety (hope he RSs next year) and we still have Hill and Clark for quite a few years.  Plus Wilson is just a JR so still has 2 years to go.  I don't know how effective any of these guys are but I think we have enough guys to throw against a wall to see what sticks.

We just seem to have a difficult time finding impact DEs - basically James Hall and Brandom Graham in 15 years, with Woodley thrown in there as a hybrid LB/DE as your 3rd.  Seems to be a tough place for us to either identify or develop 1st/2nd team All Big 10 types.

True Blue Grit

August 27th, 2014 at 2:25 PM ^

A lot of so-so guys and not many real impact players.  And the thing is, Graham and Woodley were actually LB's in high school.  They had to come in and bulk up to play on the line.  I'm pretty optimistic about Charlton and Ojemudia though.  And Clark, although he only has this year to play, could have an excellent season.  We'll have to see on that one though.  Roseboro becomes a pretty big "must-get" though. 

StephenRKass

August 27th, 2014 at 2:53 PM ^

Completely agree. I would definitely take Roseboro over some higher ranked players. Especially with our depth, it is critical to add a couple guys to the DL. I would absolutely love to add KLS or Bilal or both, but right now, Roseboro and Wheatley and even Jalen Bates are all more important to fill the need at UofM. I'm still bummed that both Hand and McDowell chose to take their talents elsewhere. However, you have to move on, which is exactly what Michigan is doing. Getting Roseboro would give a lot more peace of mind. Roseboro, Wheatley, and even Bates would really fill the need on the DL. At that point, I think Michigan would have plenty of depth everywhere, except maybe at safety.

EDIT:  Interesting note . . . Jack Bredeson, who accepted a baseball scholarship to Michigan, is also a DE. Wouldn't it be interesting to have a two sport guy. Problem is, he isn't even rated as a DE, so he probably wouldn't help much.

Pit2047

August 27th, 2014 at 2:58 PM ^

TBH I feel a lot more optimistic about our chances to land KLS as opposed to Jalen Bates. We only have enough room for 2 more people and 3 if Funchess in fact does leave for the NFL, so the priorities need to be Roseboro, KLS and a linebacker who would probably be Bilal. Hopefully we can find two more spots for Wheatley and Lewis.

charblue.

August 27th, 2014 at 1:26 PM ^

guide, the Charlotte Observer relased its list of the top 25 leading recruits in the states of North and South Carolina. Darian Roseboro was listed as North Carolina's third best player. The other top two athletes are also defensive ends, Jalen Dalton and Shy Tuttle. 

 

 

MGoBrewMom

August 27th, 2014 at 9:42 PM ^

Someone asked him who he thought our next commit would be and he said he thought it would be Roseboro on Fri. Which is in line with what everyone says Sam is saying..I just was encouraged by the blunt/direct response.

UMichMSW07

August 27th, 2014 at 4:24 PM ^

from Rivals Mike: After talking to numerous sources I'm going with the #NCState #Wolfpack for Darian Roseboro over the #Wolverines. Could be wrong, we'll see

UMichMSW07

August 27th, 2014 at 4:28 PM ^

my 2 cents. even if this kid picks UofM, i think it will be very difficult to keep him committed for the long haul. looks like he is really showing love to NC State on twitter.

Don

August 28th, 2014 at 8:29 AM ^

If this is accurate, then it's not a good sign. It's common for fans to disregard what recruits are tweeting; it was a constant refrain during Damien Harris's saga that what he was saying or showing on twitter was irrelevant, but it appears as though it was an indication of his frame of mind.

I think Sam might have pulled the trigger on the gut feeling prematurely on Roseboro. Which will suck.

ammoguy79

August 27th, 2014 at 5:18 PM ^

Just to be clear I hope this kid makes the best decision for himself, wherever that may be. But as a parent of two boys who both play sports year round, I feel lucky if I can even make to half of their games which are all local. He will play half of his schedule away from NC every year if he chooses to go there. I think it's a little overbearing at this point in his life for his parents to say you can go to school and play football anywhere you want as long as it's within an hour from home. NC State is no where near as good of a school academically or as a football program. The kid by all accounts really likes UM, and that should be where he goes if it's his preference. Mom and dad aren't footing the bill, he's essentially paid for school himself with maintaining good grades and having elite athletic talent. This is potentially shaping up to be a reverse McDowell situation with some geographic separation.

StephenRKass

August 27th, 2014 at 5:29 PM ^

I can understand (as a parent) wanting a son to be reasonably close. And if you have a strong family, that especially makes a lot of sense. Putting the shoe on the other foot, we see some recruits from Michigan and areas within several hours choose to go here rather than heading to a coast or the deep south. That's a good part of the reason it is so difficult to pull recruits out of California, Texas, and Florida.

For Michigan, I really hope Roseboro comes to Ann Arbor. But if not, I could also understand. We'll just have to see.