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| One guy we both agreed on was Warren (MI) De La Salle quarterback Shane Morris |
QUARTERBACK (Need = 1)
Touch the Banner: Warren (MI) De La Salle quarterback Shane Morris is already on board, and he's one of the top two or three quarterbacks in the country. Based on his talent and how much he loves Michigan, he's my pick to fill this spot.
Tremendous: Shane Morris - Doesn't really need much of an explanation. Turn to my interview if necessary. This kid has the physical and mental qualities to play quarterback for Michigan. The only question, and one that can't be answered yet, is how he'll respond to getting continuously hit throughout the long run of a full college football season.
RUNNING BACK (Need = 2)
Tremendous: Ty Isaac, Deveon Smith - Isaac is explosive and the type of home-run hitter that Michigan has lacked for quite some time now. He does run a bit upright, but the upside is too much to ignore here. He could contribute quickly, too. Deveon Smith is a tackle-breaking machine who has good vision/cuts in between the tackles. Both of his brothers struggled in college but I don't expect that to be the case with Deveon. Keith Ford would look good here, too, but despite the recent update I did on him, I don't expect him to end up at Michigan.
Touch the Banner: Michigan needs a big-play guy, and I think Stockton (CA) Lincoln's Justin Davis could be that guy. He's 6'1", 195 lbs. and could be the lightning to Cypress (TX) Cypress Ranch's Keith Ford's thunder. Both can make big plays, unlike a couple offerees who look like pound-the-rock type guys only.
FULLBACK (Need = 0)
Michigan doesn't need anyone here.
WIDE RECEIVER (Need = 2)
Touch the Banner: Louisville (KY) Trinity wideout James Quick would be #1 on my list because of his gamebreaking ability. He's similar to former Michigan wide receiver Steve Breaston because he's a skinny guy who can take it the distance at any given time. Crete (IL) Crete-Monee's Laquon Treadwell is a big, physical kid who also has a little bit of speed and can stretch the field. Michigan could use a couple big-time receivers to pair with Morris.
Tremendous: Jaron Dukes, Laquon Treadwell - Dukes loves Michigan and has the physical tools necessary to fit the old Michigan receiver mold. He's a bit of a project, but kids who love the program and want to be here are the types of kids that tend to succeed at Michigan. Treadwell is a five-star talent. Not much else to be said about him.
TIGHT END (Need = 2)
Touch the Banner: Camp Hill (PA) Cedar Cliff tight end Adam Breneman is considered by many to be the nation's top tight end for the 2013 class, and again it would be nice to find a good passing target for Morris. Breneman is the type of tight end who could do damage as a traditional tight end or lined up in the slot. Meanwhile, Pickerington (OH) North Pickerington's Jake Butt is a tough, physical kid who has some good athleticism. And if things didn't work out on offense, he has the athletic ability and demeanor to help out on defense, too.
Tremendous: Jake Butt, Adam Breneman - Butt is a likely commit who seems to be somewhat of a rising star within the rankings. I'd still say Breneman is better, but Butt has the frame to bulk up and remains quick enough on his feet for his size to do real damage in the passing game. Breneman is the real deal, a potential Gronk clone if he builds up properly. No reason not to choose a guy like him. Fast as hell for a TE, but more than big enough to block up front.
OFFENSIVE LINE (Need = 5)
Tremendous: Logan Tuley-Tillman, Chris Fox, Kyle Bosch, David Dawson, Laremy Tunsil - Four of these lineman are obvious choices based on ability alone. We really love Dawson though; he's a pancake machine who would be an epic addition to the run blocking game. The good news? Outside of Tunsil, Michigan has a good shot at all four of these guys.
Touch the Banner: I'm going to take one guy for each position. Give me Lake City (FL) Columbia's Laremy Tunsil at left tackle, Dallas (TX) Bishop Dunne left guard Ishmael Wilson, Parker (CO) Ponderosa right guard Chris Fox, and Lemont (IL) Lemont right tackle Ethan Pocic. And then I'll take Wheaton (IL) St. Francis's Kyle Bosch and move him inside to center, just because Michigan needs a center and I think Bosch could handle it.
Any reason neither of you included Wyatt Shallman?
ReplyDeleteQuite simply, he's not one of the two best backs available. There are other guys Michigan is pursuing who have the ability to be short yardage backs, but also offer more in the way of making big plays. Shallman is pretty far down my list.
DeleteWhat if he was recruited for a position other than running back? Do you think he has more potential on defense or tight end?
DeleteShallman hasn't played much defense, and when he did last season, he was nursing an injury. The jury is out on his defensive abilities. I do think Shallman would have potential as a tight end/H-back more so than as a tailback, but he has been told repeatedly that he's wanted as a tailback.
DeleteDidn't our coaches offer him pretty early? Is that because he's right in our backyard or because the staff actually wants him badly?
DeleteYeah, our staff offered him early. I think it's because he's in Michigan's backyard and because they want a short yardage tailback. They want him to be their Mike Alstott.
DeleteGotcha. Thanks for your insight.
Deletekalid hill is a te already committed
ReplyDeleteYeah...that doesn't mean he's on my wish list. I don't think he's a bad player, but there are better tight ends out there.
DeleteWow - I am shocked to see just one in-state recruit (and we already have him) in your wish list. So many from IL there though. What is going on? Really weak MI recruit class? How many have we offered in-state?
ReplyDeleteThis year's class isn't as good as last year's class, and there are also just flat-out better players elsewhere. It's rare that the best player at any given position comes from Michigan, although Shane Morris has a chance to earn that distinction. Michigan has only offered 5 in-state players, and one of them (Steve Elmer) is already committed to Notre Dame.
DeleteIL is stacked this year. Expect a lot of teams that don't usually recruit Illinois to try to get in there this season.
DeleteMy spidy sense is up with Isaac. I get no sense of his ability to run through people... cause he doesn't on his film. Every play is a youth football sprint. His speed, size, and acceleration are there - and he can catch too. That was not a good team he racked those yards up against in the championship game. I have trouble seeing that frame being able to power anybody. I would bet more in favor of Smith.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that his stats are inflated due to the competition level. I have heard concerns elsewhere, from people who have jobs scouting players, that he lacks some toughness, both physical and mental. That's why I don't have him in my top two.
DeleteHe goes to Joliet Catholic, right? That's usually a pretty good program in IL. They used to be a pipeline to Notre Dame. Almost like how Cass Tech is to us, so yeah they usually turn out pretty good players.
DeleteYeah, he goes to Joliet Catholic.
DeleteThunder/Magnus,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the summary. Tremendous is high on Jaron Dukes but he doesn't make your top two. Do you think he has the potential to be an elite receiver?
That depends on what you mean by "elite." Can he become the next Braylon Edwards or Justin Blackmon? No, I don't think so. He doesn't have the speed or athleticism to be that kind of receiver. Does he have some NFL potential? Sure. I see him as kind of an Ernest Wilford-type receiver, a tall guy who can catch jump balls and be a physical possession receiver. But he's not going to be a danger to take a pass 80 or 90 yards.
DeleteI'd be pretty happy if he was just the next Junior Hemingway.
DeleteSo, now that we have gotten 4 of the 5 O-linement on your wish list, and 1 of the TEs, how do you feel about how this class is shaping up? haha
ReplyDeleteYeah...it's going well so far. I'm glad the coaches are listening to me.
Delete(Hint for those who can't detect sarcasm: The coaches don't give a damn what I think.)
Thunder, I'm glad I'm not the only one who isn't totally on board with ty isaac. What is your best guess on who we want or has interest to come to Michigan? I LOVE derrick greens highlight tape and deveon smith also looks great running through tackles. They are my number one and two choice with ty coming in third. Would love to hear more of your thoughts on this, since it seems to me you have the best ability to evaluate recruits on the Michigan blogs.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like Ty Isaac and Deveon Smith are wanted most by the coaching staff, and those two seem the most likely to end up at Michigan. I like Derrick Green, but to me he's more of a power/inside runner. I just don't see a lot of big runs out of him.
DeleteHow are our chances with Treadwell?
ReplyDeleteMichigan is at or near the top of his list, but there's a long way to go until National Signing Day.
Delete