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| Uriah LeMay (#81) was offered by Michigan late last week (image via Mint Hill Times) |
ADDED TO THE BOARD
Wylie (TX) East wide receiver Marcell Ateman, a 2013 prospect, was offered on Saturday. Ateman is a 6'5", 180 lb. kid with offers from Arizona, Baylor, and Tennessee. Last season he caught 67 passes for 1,047 yards and 10 touchdowns. Ateman isn't a burner, but he's a legitimate jump ball threat with his size
Washington (D.C.) H.D. Woodson cornerback Kenny Crawley de-committed from Tennessee. Crawley is rumored to be unhappy with the coaching situation for the Volunteers and will likely go elsewhere for college. His destination probably won't be Michigan, however.
Oxon Hill (MD) Potomac cornerback Ronald Darby de-committed from Notre Dame. Darby is a 5'11", 172 lb. athlete with elite speed (a reported 4.37 forty). Darby has never shown much interest in Michigan and instead plans to concentrate on Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, and LSU.
Monaca (PA) Central Valley wide receiver Robert Foster, a 2013 prospect, was offered by Michigan. Foster is a 6'3", 170 lb. speedster with offers from Florida, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, and USC, among others. He has been named a 5-star already by Scout.
Matthews (NC) Butler wide receiver Uriah LeMay, a 2013 prospect, received an offer from Michigan. The 6'2", 188 lb. prospect attends the alma mater of former Michigan safety Jamar Adams and 2011 linebacker Kris Frost, and he's also the younger brother of class of 2011 quarterback Christian LeMay, whom Rich Rodriguez offered and now plays for Georgia. Uriah has offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Virginia Tech, among others.
Charlotte (NC) Mallard Creek wide receiver Marquez North, a 2013 prospect, received his offer from the Wolverines. North's former teammate is D.J. Humphries, a class of 2012 offensive tackle who is committed to Florida. The 6'3", 205 lb. receiver has offers from Clemson, Florida, South Carolina, and many others.
OFF THE BOARD
Miami (FL) Norland linebacker Keith Brown committed to Louisville at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Brown had been committed to Illinois at one point, but the firing of Ron Zook sent him southward.
Olney (MD) Good Counsel running back Wes Brown committed to Maryland at the Under Armour All-America Game. The 6'1", 200-pounder is the former teammate of Michigan cornerback Blake Countess and uncommitted 2012 wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
Miami (FL) Columbus safety Deon Bush committed to Miami at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The 6'1", 185-pounder picked a Hurricanes hat over those from Alabama and Auburn.
Baltimore (MD) Gilman cornerback Cyrus Jones committed to Alabama at the Under Armour All-America Game. Jones is an all-around athlete with the ability to run (948 yards, 13 touchdowns), catch (635 yards, 6 touchdowns), return (4 return touchdowns), and cover (3 interceptions).
Monrovia (CA) Monrovia defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy committed to Cal at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. McCarthy is listed at 6'5", 311 lbs. but was quick enough to play defensive end for the West Team.
Tampa (FL) Jefferson defensive end Tyriq McCord committed to Miami at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The 6'3", 222 lb. edge rusher was praised this week for his speed around the corner and how quickly he got after the quarterbacks.
Centerville (OH) Centerville defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo committed to Northwestern on Saturday. Odenigbo mentioned repeatedly that he would be choosing his school based largely on academics, and he couldn't really go wrong with become a Wildcat. Odenigbo did an excellent job of rushing the passer in the Under Armour All-America Game.
Westlake Village (CA) Oaks Christian wide receiver Jordan Payton committed to Cal on Friday. At one time Payton looked like a lock to Michigan and there were rumors that he had committed to the Wolverines, but as time wore on, he also became enamored with Notre Dame and then Cal. Payton was committed to USC at one time, too.
Ramsey (NJ) Don Bosco Prep safety Elijah Shumate committed to Notre Dame at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Shumate is the teammate of Michigan target Yuri Wright, who also played in the game but did not announce a college destination.
Sacramento (CA) Grant safety Shaq Thompson committed to Cal at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Thompson is 6'1", 195 lbs. but played like a man child in Saturday's game. Thompson was considering an official visit to Michigan at one point, but that seemed to be in connection with Jordan Payton's interest in the Wolverines. Once Payton's interest waned, Thompson's did, too.
ALL-STAR GAMES
Cincinnati (OH) Colerain linebacker Joe Bolden was named a captain and starter for the Black Team in the Under Armour All-America Game. Bolden was praised throughout the week of practice for his instincts, intensity, and hitting. In the game he was once again solid, making 7 total tackles. Rivals crowned him the best tackler at the game, which bodes well for his future as a middle linebacker at Michigan. The 6'2", 225-pounder graduated early and is enrolled at Michigan, where he'll take part in spring practices. Perhaps more importantly, he will join Jake Ryan in the ranks of dreamy, long-haired linebackers.
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech linebacker Royce Jenkins-Stone started at middle linebacker for the West Team in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He made 1 tackle but showed good speed and was hustling on special teams. The East ran the ball outside most of the time, so he didn't get a ton of chances to make plays in the middle.
Lakewood (OH) St. Edward's offensive guard Kyle Kalis played about half the game at right guard for the East Team and looked quite capable. He was among the East's top performers on the offensive line throughout the week, and several national observers noted that his technique looks solid. They also noted that he looked more comfortable at guard than tackle, which Kalis himself acknowledged at one point. I have always maintained that he looked like a future guard to me, so I'm glad national scouts - and Kalis - seem to agree.
Carlsbad (CA) La Costa Canyon offensive tackle Erik Magnuson started for the West Team in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The 6'6", 280 lb. future left tackle played all five positions during West Team practices this past week, but started the game at left guard and held up very well against the East. He looked a little uncomfortable in his stance, but he kept his feet moving well and made some impressive seal blocks in a game that defensive linemen usually dominate.
Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison defensive end Mario Ojemudia played defensive end for the East Team in the inaugural Semper Fi All-American Game. He did not get off the ball as well as I expected him to, but that may be because he was playing a new position. Despite being headed for DE or OLB at Michigan, he mostly played defensive tackle in high school. Without the ball right under his nose, he seemed to be a little slow off the snap. However, he was very good at using his hands to get off of blocks.
Kansas City (MO) Park Hill defensive tackle Ondre Pipkins didn't start the game, but was named a captain for the West Team in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He was somewhat inconsistent with his pad level and seemed a little out of shape, which is understandable for a 330 lb. kid at the beginning of January. However, when he decided to hustle, he was very good. Pipkins chased down East quarterback Chad Voytik on the sideline and crushed him, and he also chased down wide receiving/running back Stefon Diggs and forced a fumble. Overall, the hype on Pipkins was justified and with a little conditioning, he should be at least backup material next season.
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech cornerback Terry Richardson played defense and also returned kickoffs and punts for the Black Team in the Under Armour All-America Game. Richardson showed good speed and decent elusiveness in returning a kickoff 32 yards and another 28 yards, but unfortunately he carries the ball a little loosely and fumbled the 28-yard return; his punt returns were iffy with one muff and one poor decision to catch the ball at the 6-yard line. He also showed the ability to hang with the nation's best receivers, although Richardson didn't have any big plays on defense. He was beaten for a touchdown in the third quarter, but had pretty good coverage and reached his hand across just a split second too late to deflect the pass. The 5'9", 165 lb. Richardson needs to get a little bit thicker, because he tends to get pushed around by some of the bigger receivers.
Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary's linebacker James Ross started for the West Team at weakside linebacker in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Ross made 3 total tackles and flashed what I think is his biggest strength, which is diagnosing plays. If it's a run, he knows it's a run. If it's a pass, he knows it's a pass. Ross took some poor angles at times, which may be partly due to adjusting to faster competition. But he does have the speed to make those plays when he takes the proper angles, so I'm not too concerned there.
Overall, it was a very good showing for the Michigan players who participated in the all-star games, especially the guys in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. This looks to be the best crop of Army Bowl participants Michigan has snagged in years.
When you say Pipkins looks like at least backup material next season are you comparing him to Ash and/or Washington or speaking more generally? What's your outlook on Ash and Washington based on what you've seen?
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous 11:40 a.m.
ReplyDeleteI'm speaking in general terms, not necessarily saying that he'll beat out Ash and Washington. Pipkins has a higher upside at DT than either of those guys, but whether he'll be in the same kind of condition, it's hard to say.
I think both Ash/Washington are backup-type talents. Neither one is great, but I think both can be at least as good as Will Heininger. Heininger didn't get good penetration, but he was able to hold his ground against Big Ten blockers. I've long thought that Ash was in the wrong place at NT and would struggle with too much weight on his frame; he should be more of a 5-tech DE, but he's too heavy. Meanwhile, Washington is an offensive guard playing defensive tackle. He's strong and can push people around once in a while, but he's not a playmaker.
I think Michigan is going to need each of the above mentioned guys to play a role next season.
While Joe Bolden was named captain and starter, in the highlight film you posted, he looked like he was 1/2 way there. It seemed as though he was always near the action, but way more often than not, he didn't get the tackle. It seemed like he was always there, ready to make the tackle, or at least make first contact, but hardly got the actual stop. Hopefully our coaches can work on correcting this because if he can flow to the ball like that and ACTUALLY get the stops, look out. High hopes for this young kid. Go Blue
ReplyDeleteMagnus,
ReplyDeleteAs far as Ash and Washington go, you feel that they can be contributors? I feel like we saw very little of Ash this year, considering our depth issues it seems we could have used him more somewhere along the line. I am hoping that between Ash,Campbell, and Washington that we can atleast be solid in the middle. Do you know what the problems have been with Ash?
@ Anonymous 2:31 p.m.
ReplyDeleteI think Ash and Washington HAVE to be contributors. We're extremely thin at defensive tackle next year. Outside of Campbell, there's literally nobody with significant playing experience to play tackle next season. We'll need at least three guys between the two tackle spots, and probably four. That means we need Campbell, Washington, Ash, and Pipkins to play.
Ash doesn't get off the ball. He put on a lot of weight in a short period of time and doesn't know how to carry that weight yet. But whether he's good or not, he'll probably have to see the field.
Chances are that not all 4 of those still-unproven players (Campbell, Washington, Pipkins, Ash) will emerge as reliable rotation options next year. I agree that we'll need 4, at least, people at DT though. There is ample opportunity.
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn't surprise me to see a guy like Brink, Wilkins, Black, or Rock put on weight and emerge as smaller alternative, at least on pass-rushing downs. Wormley or Godin may also be physically ready (enough) to contribute.
The one thing that makes me feel better at DT next year is our coaching staff's expertise at the position(s). If you're going to have a personnel weakness, it might as well be at an area where your coaching is a strength.
My guess is that Pipkins, Wormley, and Rock all play some on the inside next year. Some of these bigger guys like Ash, QWash, and Pipkins look like running down players, with the lighter guys coming in situationally. I suspect that Thunder is right about QWash, Ash, and Campbell being "back-up" talent on a good UM team, so I expect Mattison to do even more situational substitutions in 2012. The bright side is at least the DL scholarship numbers will be there in 2012, if not the upperclass talent.
ReplyDeleteIt is not being discussed, but I have to believe that Borges is sniffing around at QB's under the radar. With just about every position covered so far in this class, they'd be crazy not to take one for insurance. Maybe Hoke can pull a dual-threat QB out of his hat.
@ Painter Smurf 3:48 p.m.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that we'll see some 3-4 looks next year with Black, Campbell, and Roh on the line and Ryan/Clark at outside linebacker. I don't think Mattison necessarily wants to run a 3-4, but the personnel might dictate that type of D.
Very interesting thought. Supported by all the rumblings from the Rivals guys about Ryan moving down. I don't think much of them as analysts, but they do have their sources...
ReplyDeleteThere might just be something to that. Campbell and QWash may not be penetraters like Martin, but maybe they can hold their ground enough to make viable NT. Or maybe it's just a passing down thing, where Roh, who is 'not a speed rusher' according to the coaches, slides inside.
OTOH, Ryan looked so good at SLB, I'd hate to see his playmaking from that spot go away.
Who knows...expect the unexpected.
In a few years, it sure looks like we'll have one hell of a road-grading offensive line.
ReplyDelete