 |
| Warren (OH) Howland running back Deveon Smith (image via 247 Sports) |
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech LB Deon Drake: Drake, a 2014 prospect, is 6'1" and 215 lbs. He currently has no offers, partly because he was overshadowed by some of the other talent at Cass Tech last season. (Highlights here.)
Richmond (VA) Hermitage RB Derrick Green: Green is a 6'1", 215 lb. running back with reported 4.37 speed, but you don't really see that track speed translating to the football field. He is a big power runner, though, and would fit in well with Michigan's offense because he gets downhill and can punish tacklers. He has offers from Ohio State, Oklahoma, and USC, along with lots of others. (Highlights here.)
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech S Delano Hill: Cass Tech is a pipeline to Michigan . . . at least for guys that Michigan offers. However, Hill has not been offered by the Wolverines, and an offer does not seem to be on the horizon. The Wolverines seem to be set at safety unless a big-time player (like Su'a Cravens) wants to commit. (Highlights here.)
Detroit (MI) Crockett TE Khalid Hill: Hill committed to Michigan back in February.
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech LB Gary Hosey: Hosey, a 2014 prospect, transferred to Cass Tech from Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison. At 6'0" and 230 lbs., he seems like a middle linebacker prospect for Michigan, if anything.
Pittsburgh (PA) Seton La Salle TE Scott Orndoff: Orndoff had been committed to Wisconsin since August, but he decommitted from the Badgers at the end of February, partly because offensive coordinator Paul Chryst left for the Pitt Panthers. He also has offers from Michigan State and West Virginia, among others. Despite having two tight ends already committed, it sounds like the coaches would be open to taking a commitment from Orndoff, a 245-pounder who stands 6'4". (Highlights here.)
Baltimore (MD) Gilman DT Henry Poggi: Poggi is the son of Biff Poggi, the head coach at Gilman. Henry has brothers playing football at Iowa and Duke. The youngest of the bunch is a 6'3", 255 lb. defensive tackle who is also being looked at by some schools as a tight end. Alabama, Maryland, and Ohio State, among others, have also offered Henry.
Warren (OH) Howland RB Deveon Smith: Smith is a 5'11", 200 lb. inside runner who lacks true breakaway speed. He is a very tough runner, though, and would be a solid addition the class. However, there is some information circulating that Michigan has backed off on his recruitment a little bit, hoping that they'll be able to reel in Ty Isaac before Smith makes a commitment. Opinions vary wildly on whether Michigan should try to grab Smith this weekend, whether they should back off and wait on Isaac, or whether they should try to get both. The general feeling is that Michigan only wants one more running back to go along with Novi (MI) Catholic Central's Wyatt Shallman, not two. (Highlights here.)
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech WR Damon Webb: There's not a whole lot of information out there about Webb, but he's a 2014 prospect who transferred to Cass Tech from U of D Jesuit. Webb is now a 5'11", 170 lb. wideout. (Freshman highlights here.)
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech LB William White: White is a 6'1", 220 lb. inside linebacker. His father played safety for the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, and Atlanta Falcons from 1988-1998, making 672 career tackles and 20 career picks.
A lot of talk about Smith and Isaac, but where does Derrick Green fit in the mix? Is he as talented as either of the other two? Is there a realistic possibility he ends up in the class?
ReplyDeleteI think Smith and Green are pretty similar players. Green supposedly has good speed, but doesn't really show home run ability on film. Both of them are between-the-tackles type runners without a lot of wiggle.
DeleteI like Smith better. Green supposedly runs a sub 4.4 40, but like Thunder said, the film shows otherwise. Smith is much better with YAC.
DeleteI watched whatever video I could find for DL recruits and Poggi is near the top. He has very good mobility, likes contact and seems pretty skilled. Hope he becomes our first DT commit this weekend. Wasn't as impressed with Crayton or Webb, but this staff should know DL recruiting pretty well.
DeleteThat makes William White an Ohio legacy. Hopefully the pipeline trumps legacy.
ReplyDeleteWhat are your toughts on Smith vs. Isaac? Is Isaac worth putting off a possible commit from Smith? Just curious since I'm really not sure if Isaac is that much better (not a football scout obviously).
ReplyDeleteI think Isaac is better and is worth putting off Smith. I don't necessarily want to chase off Smith, but frankly, with the line Michigan is building, any running back is going to at least be decent. So I think you can wait for an elite player, and then if Smith is put off by the pursuit of Isaac AND we strike out on Isaac, then you can go to Plan C or push hard for another Plan B guy.
DeleteDo you see Drake being offered by Michigan? If so, will it be as LB or RB? He looks pretty quick on film.
ReplyDeleteI think Drake has more upside as a linebacker than a running back. It's tough to say whether he'll get offered or not at this point. I wouldn't be surprised either way, but keep in mind that Michigan brought in 4 linebackers in 2012 and could grab 3 in 2013. There might not be a very strong need for many more in 2014.
DeleteI would absolutely take Green as my first choice. In his tape, he can outrun almost everyone on the field but always goes for the contact (maybe that's why he doesn't come off as a 'home run' guy, but Isaac seems to find himself wide open 4 yards after the LOS). Green doesn't cut much, but when he does, it's clean and quick. Acceleration is very good and he's got those quick churning legs. Seems like an idea fit for this offense.
ReplyDeleteWhat's your take on Poggi, he seems like one of the better 3techs in a down year for DTs.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't seen film of him until recently, but I definitely like him. He's got a really good motor, good technique, and is a pretty good athlete. I'd certainly take him if he wants to commit this weekend.
Delete