Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Gareon Conley, Ex-Wolverine

Gareon Conley
Massillon (OH) Washington cornerback Gareon Conley decommitted from Michigan on Tuesday.  Conley had committed to Michigan back in March.  Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison visited Conley's school this afternoon.

Conley claimed at the time that Michigan was his dream offer, and he has stated at certain points that Washington's coaches don't like their kids to renege on their commitments.  However, he has been wavering for a long time, and there have rumblings in recent weeks about Oregon and Ohio State potentially stealing him away.  Oregon has yet to offer, but the Buckeyes swept in with an offer recently and Conley visited Ohio Stadium for last Saturday's face-off between Michigan and OSU.

There is still a chance that Conley will re-commit to Michigan, and the fact that he gave some forewarning to Michigan's coaches puts him in a different light than kids like Pharaoh Brown and David Dawson, who sneakily tried to visit Oregon and Florida, respectively.  However, it's fairly unusual - though not out of the question - for kids to re-commit to a school.  Usually it burns some bridges and causes some hurt feelings for one party or another, and sometimes it's better for the kid to go elsewhere and start somewhat fresh.

Michigan now has three cornerback commits in the class: Jourdan Lewis, Channing Stribling, and Ross Douglas.  The coaching staff is still angling for Seffner (FL) Armwood defensive back Leon McQuay III, who is more of a safety prospect but could also play slot corner.  It's also possible that the coaches send out new offers, perhaps to a kid like Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison cornerback Reon Dawson, who is committed to Illinois but entertaining preliminary talks with Michigan.  Uncommitted cornerback prospects with Michigan offers also include Los Angeles (CA) Loyola's Cameron Walker, Tempe (AZ) Marcos De Niza's Priest Willis, and Long Beach (CA) Jordan's John Ross.  The coaches are aiming to pull in 25 total recruits, and this loss puts Michigan at 22, so there are three remaining slots in the class.

For updates on other former Wolverines, check out the Ex-Wolverine Encyclopedia.

5 comments:

  1. Various sources on ESPN report that Mattison told him they would continue to recruit him, and try not to take any more corners but no guarantees; and also, Oregon may not offer Conley at all.

    Either way, this sounds like he Michigan is not out of the running yet.

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  2. I realize that success chases success, but I cannot understand why talant continues to flow into teams that may never use these recruits. If this or other kids have a chance to play right away, why not go where they have a chance to do so?

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  3. Sounds very similar to the Brionte Dunn situation a year ago

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    1. Speaking of ... did he redshirt this year?

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    2. Bri'onte Dunn played quite a bit early in the season, then disappeared. I assume that means his redshirt was burnt but maybe OSU is trying to do something similar to what UM is attempting with Gardner.

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