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| That's an interesting use for a wife-beater. |
ADDED TO THE BOARD
Ann Arbor (MI) Pioneer running back Drake Johnson was offered by and committed to Michigan. You can find a full write-up here.
Lake City (FL) Columbia offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil was offered by Michigan. Tunsil is a 6'5", 270 lb. class of 2013 prospect Florida and Florida State look like Tunsil's early leaders, and the Seminoles hold what might be the trump card - Tunsil's former teammate Tim Jernigan, a defensive tackle who was recruited by Michigan for the class of 2011. Tunsil was recently named the #3 overall player in the country for 2013, according to 247 Sports.
OFF THE BOARD
Allen (TX) Allen running back Jonathan Williams committed to Arkansas. He had been committed to Missouri for several months, but decommitted from the Tigers in early November. A few days later he was a Razorback. Williams is a 5'11", 205 lb. bruising running back who also holds offers from the likes of West Virginia and Wisconsin.
TWO RECRUITING BITS...
First of all, there were some rumors that Glen Ellyn (IL) Glenbard West defensive tackle Tommy Schutt was considering decommitting from Penn State and flipping to Michigan. While anything is possible, it seems that Michigan would not be interested in Schutt. Remember that he tried visiting Michigan around the time of Ondre Pipkins' commitment, and the staff said, "Thanks but no thanks." Of course, if the coaches are getting bad vibes from their other targets (Zach Banner, Josh Garnett, Jordan Payton, Amara Darboh, Bri'onte Dunn, etc.), then it's possible that Michigan could pursue Schutt. At this time, though, the rumors seem to be dying down.
Secondly, it seems particularly frustrating to watch the 2012 class play out with the staff failing to recruit quarterbacks any further. There has been some behind-the-scenes action with high-level recruits, but nothing too significant. The struggles of Michigan's quarterbacks this year should be cause for concern going forward, since the only options for 2012 are Denard Robinson (52% completions, 13 touchdowns, 13 interceptions) and Devin Gardner (50% completions; 1 touchdown, 1 interception); and the only options for 2013 are Gardner, Russell Bellomy (currently a true freshman who is redshirting), and current high school junior Shane Morris. That's a pretty unproven group, and it's a very thin group, too. After having taken a quarterback in the last 14 classes, it seems odd for that trend to stop now . . . but that appears to be the case.
Who's left after Kiel and Fuller?
ReplyDeletePractically the whole board is gone.
Do you think we have a shot at either of those guys?
@ Roanman 9:04 a.m.
ReplyDeleteNobody's left after Kiel and Fuller, really. I think we have an outside shot at Kiel, but Fuller has moved on. Michigan was recruiting him for offense early in the process, but ever since Morris committed, they started recruiting him as a safety. He wants a shot to play QB, so that pretty much ended Michigan's chances with him.
The coaching staff is in a tough spot here with regards to the QB position. On one hand they have a QB like Denard who is in his first year of their system, on the other they have a guy who is a bigger physical specimen in Devin who is also in his first year of the system. Both of these guys could show major improvement over the course of the off-season, or show little improvement(ouch).
ReplyDeleteAs for recruiting in this class, they have two upperclassmen (kind of/ sort of) and a freshman in Bellomy whom Borges recruited. What kid that already has some sort of chip on his shoulder wants to come in with no realistic shot at eve being a starter? Everyone assumes that the order will go Denard, Devin and then Shane. That is a hard sell to a kid who believes he should have a legit shot at starting. Hard to blame that on the coaches.
They need an athlete who plays multiple positions as a just in case. All bets are hedged on Devin being that transition guy until Shane is ready.
@ Nick 9:50 a.m.
ReplyDeleteI don't think they need an athlete who plays multiple positions, except maybe...I dunno...tight end. Like Andy Mignery or John Navarre. They're not athletes in the same sense as Conelius Jones, Justin Feagin, Devin Fuller, etc.
Russell Bellomy came to Michigan with the understanding that he was behind Denard and Devin. Michigan has only recruited elite quarterback types, so they haven't even opened it up to guys who might be lower rated and/or committed to schools from the Big East, MAC, etc. Sometimes it's a numbers game, and with only 3 scholarship quarterbacks, you're playing a dangerous game. I know it's far-fetched, but let's say Bellomy transfers and Denard tears his ACL next year. You're stuck with Devin only, and if he gets knocked out for a few plays, then you've got an unrecruited walk-on running the show.
I'm thinkin' it's the Irish for Kiel.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, if not scary, piece Thunder. I had not thought much about the gravity of our QB situation. But I also assume that the staff knew what they are doing - they knew QB position was thin but felt the situation was worse at other positions, so they got those position shored up first. Plus, I am willing to bet that they could not actually see the future and know just how bad Denard would play. I mean, he had what, 70% completion rate in fall camp? Things like that would reasonably make them focus more on other positions of need. But you are right, one would think they would be working hard to find another guy.
ReplyDelete@ Nick - I would be really surprised if a smart recruit considered Denard the assumed #1 QB next year. Aside from his obvious lack of certain traits and skills, the coaches are getting Devin in there for a good reason. They want him ready when Denard goes down, but they also like him in there for Borges-type plays, which I assume they will be moving more toward next year.
Magnus,
ReplyDeleteAny chance there's an under-the-radar prospect that the coaches like, but the recruiting sites don't? It's awfully hard to think the staff would take the kind of gamble you describe considering next year's schedule.
@ David 11:43 a.m.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few under-the-radar prospects that the coaches like, but whether they get offers or not is a different story. The first place to look (obviously) is Purdue's recruiting class, which has two quarterbacks - Austin Appleby and Aloyis Gray. Additionally, there's a guy like Brian Blackburn out of Detroit Crockett, who's committed to Toledo.
I think the DT and QB position moving forward are both a little frightening. I know there are only so many spots but we all know how important someone like Mike Martin is and how disruptive he can be, who is going to fill those shoes over the next two years?
ReplyDelete@ Anon 11:29
ReplyDeleteThese coaches have shown at times that they will play a kid who is a senior over a kid who plays at the same or similar ability. With that said, unless Devin makes some great leap in this system that forces the coaches to start him over Denard it would be a safe bet that Denard is our starter. The other possibility is if Denard actually asked for a position switch, but we all know he came here cause RR gave him a chance to play QB.
@Anonymous 12:04
ReplyDeleteI'm resigned to the fact that DT next year is going to be mediocre at best with a combo of Campbell + Washington/Ash/etc + Pipkins... BUT, the LBs will be much better (Morgan and Ryan as 2nd year starters, pushed by others; Demens as 3rd year starter) and the secondary too. Maybe the DEs will be better. That should at least even out, and maybe be a slightly better defense.
Isn't it possible Devin has a great year two in this offense? Or even Denard? Denard sucked two years ago, remember that? Remember the game in Iowa City when he came up and we all know he was going to throw an interception at the end of the game? Then last year, in his second year under the system, he exploded. I obviously don't need to remind you about the 800 yards he put up in the first two weeks of the season.
ReplyDeleteThe same is possible for Denard and Devin. I think we should fill other needs before addressing our QB situation--like figuring out who they're going to throw to.
@ Anonymous 12:04 p.m.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm not too worried about the DT position. I think the NT position is potentially one of weakness, but this staff has done a tremendous job with the defensive line. If they can get William Campbell, Richard Ash, Quinton Washington, and Ondre Pipkins to replicate what Van Bergen and Martin have done, we'll be just fine. I trust these coaches more on defense than I do on offense.
@ Beef 4:13 p.m.
ReplyDeleteThat's fine, but on the "need" scale, I would say that defensive end and linebacker are lower (we're taking four of each as it stands right now). It seems strange to concentrate so much recruiting effort on LB and DE but ignore the single most important position on the football field - quarterback.
Different issue, but... how did she get that shirt-dress on?!
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous 5:43 p.m.
ReplyDeleteThat's one of life's great mysteries.
Who is she?
ReplyDeleteI be like DAMN!
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous 8:04 p.m.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea.
magnus-
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think the likelihood of Russell Bellomy ever seeing significant reps at QB? The kid seems to have potential and, to use the easy reference, skills similar to Tate. It seems like he could be a great fit down the line in the kind of offense Borges wants to run while still offering a running threat from the QB position.
It seems people are eager to anoint Shane as the next great M quarterback, but I would love to give Shane the opportunity to learn the position at the college level before beginning thrown into the fire as an underclassman. But, obviously if Shane is ready early on he is ready. Although he does look awfully skinny.
And I agree moar quarterbacks is moar better. That is the one position no team can ever have too much talent at.
@ Anonymous 7:56 p.m.
ReplyDeleteI like Bellomy. I don't see him having a great chance to start due to the talent around him, unless Devin leaves early or something like that. But I do think that if he gets a chance to start, he will be a solid player. I really like his leadership abilities, and he's not a terrifying option like David Cone was. When I think of Bellomy, I think of Scott Dreisbach - a kid with average size and decent wheels who can get the job done but won't be an all-conference type player.
Shane Morris is only a high school junior, so I'm not too worried about him looking skinny. He'll fill out. From what I understand, he's a hard worker and will get in the weight room during the offseasons.
Thunder may be right. The coaches may be seeing something in Bellomy that gives them comfort with what they have, with Morris on deck.
ReplyDeleteOn a scale from 1-10, how would you rate the chance of of us getting Wes Brown? He seems to have a lot more speed and explosiveness than Dunn. Do you agree that Brown is the better prospect of the two?
ReplyDelete@ Bryant 1:56 p.m.
ReplyDeleteI'd put it at a 3 right now, but things could change.
I do agree that Brown is a better prospect, thought not by much. Dunn is a good player, but he's more powerful and less elusive. Dunn reminds me of Anthony Thomas, whereas Brown is a little like Fitzgerald Toussaint.
Driesbach, IIRC, was a pretty elite recruit - considered the next-big-thing. Because of Driesbach, Brady was considered to be a career backup, like Bellomy is now. Another similarity - Drew Henson came in as a super-hyped 5 star and seemed unthreatened by Brady's presence. Not saying Bellomy is Brady, just that they're in relatively similar circumstances, sandwiched around more hyped guys.
ReplyDeleteMy point is: you never know. I don't think anyone though Henne or Navarre would be 4 year starters or that Brady would be a Hall-of-Famer.
Driesbach had substantial talent (like another hyped prospect - Matt Guttierez) as evidenced by the fact he played in the NFL despite a college career that lacked in production or glory (though Driesbach will always have UVA.)
@ Lankownia 4:02 p.m.
ReplyDeleteAt the risk of sounding petty, I've seen you do this before, so I'm going to make a correction:
It's D-R-E-I-S-B-A-C-H.
You're right, though, that you never know how things will play out. That's why it's good to have backup options and why I'd like to see Michigan pursue a QB for 2012.
We certainly agree on the '12 QB. Thanks for the correction.
ReplyDelete