Saturday, November 30, 2013

MLive: Michigan comes up short against Ohio State

Nick Baumgardner recaps the one-point loss to the Buckeyes.

Hit the jump for a Denver Nuggets dancer.

Video: The enemy is made of people, too

Ohio sports anchor Dom Tiberi's daughter was killed in a car accident in mid-September, prompting the Buckeyes to give him a hug as they went out for their next game.

Preview: Michigan vs. Ohio State


Rush Offense vs. Ohio Sate Rush Defense
Michigan is now 101st in yards/game with 129 and #114 with just 3.16 yards/carry. It's ugly. Michigan's interior offensive line is getting abused on a weekly basis, and there's no help in sight. Long-time starter Fitzgerald Toussaint is averaging 3.4 yards/carry, while freshman Derrick Green has taken the bulk of the carries for the past couple weeks and is still averaging only 3.1 yards/carry. Quarterback Devin Gardner is Michigan's big-play threat in the running game, but he looks battered and a step slower than he did in the first half of the year. The Wolverines have allowed 102 tackles for loss so far this year, second-worst in the nation to Idaho. Ohio State is #6 in the country and giving up just 95 yards/game on the ground, along with a 2.89 yards/carry average, which is good for #3 in the country. Their leading tackler is junior weakside linebacker Ryan Shazier (6'2", 230 lbs.) with 109 stops, followed by redshirt senior free safety C.J. Barnett (6'1", 204 lbs.) with 61. Yes, the leading tackler has 48 more tackles than the next guy. The entire front four was recruited by Michigan coming out of high school - freshman strongside end Joey Bosa (6'5", 275 lbs.), junior defensive tackle Michael Bennett (6'3", 285 lbs.), junior nose tackle Joel Hale (6'4", 310 lbs.), and sophomore weakside end Noah Spence (6'4", 252 lbs.). Shazier leads the team with a whopping 20.5 tackles for loss, while Spence, Bennett, and Bosa have 12.5, 10, and 9, respectively, and the Buckeyes rank #26 in the country with 75 tackles for loss as a team. The front four are going to overwhelm Michigan's offensive line, and Shazier is going to be free to roam.
Advantage: Ohio State

Pass Offense vs. Ohio State Pass Defense
Michigan has been tumbling in their pass efficiency, now ranking #46 in the nation (138.5) in that category, along with #63 at 234 yards passing/game. Gardner completes just 58.7% of his passes and has thrown 17 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. Wide receiver Jeremy Gallon has surpassed a thousand yards and now sits at 71 catches for 1,109 yards and 8 touchdowns. Tight end/wide receiver hybrid Devin Funchess is a 6'5", 235 lb. mismatch nightmare who has 43 catches for 686 yards and 5 scores, although Michigan rarely goes to him in the red zone. Gardner has been sacked 32 times, good enough for #112 in the country. Ohio State is #81 in passing defense, giving up 238 yards/game through the air with a 122.7 passer rating allowed (#50). They have made 13 interceptions, which is #34 in the nation, and the leading interceptors are cornerbacks redshirt junior Bradley Roby (5'11", 192 lbs.) and junior Doran Grant (5'11", 191 lbs.), both of whom have 3 picks and 1 touchdown. Spence leads the team with 7 sacks, while Shazier is just behind with 6.5; overall, the Buckeyes are #2 in that category with 36 on the year. Last year backup defensive tackle Adolphus Washington beat All-America left tackle Taylor Lewan for a sack, so one can only imagine what this front will do to Michigan's line this year. Michigan's receivers can beat OSU's secondary if Gardner has time, but that's a tall order.
Advantage: Ohio State

Rush Defense vs. Ohio State Rush Offense
The Wolverines give up just 116 yards/game, good enough for #14 in the country, and the 3.23 yards/carry allowed is #15. It's a very solid crew. The problem last week against Iowa arose when third-leading tackler Desmond Morgan (69), the middle linebacker, left in the first quarter with an injury, only to be followed out of the game by leading tackler James Ross (81), the weakside linebacker. Weakside end Frank Clark leads the team with 12.5 tackles for loss, and both strongside linebacker and utility defensive lineman Jibreel Black have 7.5 on the year. The Buckeyes have an experienced offensive line with fifth year senior Jack Mewhort (6'6", 308 lbs.), senior Andrew Norwell (6'6", 316 lbs.), fifth year senior Corey Linsley (6'3", 297 lbs.), fifth year senior Marcus Hall (6'5", 315 lbs.), and sophomore Taylor Decker (6'7", 315 lbs.) from left to right. That's a significant size advantage compared to Michigan's undersized defensive front. Ohio State gains 315 yards/game on the ground (#6 nationally) and averages 6.91 yards/carry (#1). They're led by senior Carlos Hyde (6'0", 235 lbs.;1,064 yards, 13 touchdowns), junior quarterback Braxton Miller (6'2", 215 lbs.; 738 yards, 5 touchdowns), and redshirt senior Jordan Hall (5'9", 191 lbs.; 519 yards, 8 touchdowns). Every offensive player who has notched a carry this season averages 5.32 yards per carry or higher. This is strength against strength but . . .
Advantage: Ohio State

Pass Defense vs. Ohio State Pass Offense
Michigan is the #80 pass defense in the nation in giving up 237 yards/game through the air, but they're #32 in passer efficiency rating allowed (118.17). Blake Countess grabbed his fifth interception of the year last week, and Raymon Taylor pulled in his fourth; those two have combined for the most interceptions by a cornerback duo since Charles Woodson (8) and Andre Weathers (2) combined for 10 picks in 1997. Overall, Michigan is #13 nationally in that category with 16 picks. The Wolverines are 69th with 21 quarterback takedowns, led by Clark and Cameron Gordon with 5 and 4, respectively. Ohio State throws for 216 yards/game, which is 77th in the nation. Miller and fifth year senior backup Kenny Guiton (6'3", 208 lbs.) have combined for a 164.92 passer rating, though, which is #8. They don't need to throw the ball as much when they run it so well. Miller has 19 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, while Guiton has 12 and 2. I mention both because Guiton is a very capable passer who started some games while Miller was hurt and still plays in certain packages because of his abilities; Guiton could probably start for most other Big Ten teams. The Buckeyes spread out the ball well, although defenses have adjusted to junior Devin Smith (6'1", 198 lbs.; 40 catches, 591 yards, 7 touchdowns) as a big play threat. Senior Corey Brown (6'0", 190 lbs.) leads the team with 49 receptions for 596 yards and 9 scores. Junior tight end Jeff Heuerman (6'6", 252 lbs.), the son of a former Michigan basketball player, has 22 catches for 314 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Buckeyes have allowed just 13 sacks this year, good enough for #11 in the country. The Wolverines have improved their passing defense in recent weeks and might be able to prevent big plays, but Miller's scrambling ability and the lack of a pass rush should allow the Buckeyes to march the ball down the field.
Advantage: Ohio State

Roster Notes
  • Players who held Michigan offers include CB Eli Apple, OT Darryl Baldwin, TE Marcus Baugh, DE Michael Bennett, S Devan Bogard, DE Joey Bosa, S Corey Brown, CB Cameron Burrows, CB Gareon Conley, OT Taylor Decker, OT Kyle Dodson, RB Bri'onte Dunn, LB Curtis Grant, CB Doran Grant, DT Joel Hale, RB Jordan Hall, OG Marcus Hall, TE Jeff Heuerman, DT Michael Hill, QB Cardale Jones, OT Evan Lisle, QB Braxton Miller, DE Steve Miller, OG Billy Price, CB Armani Reeves, DE Chris Rock, DT Tommy Schutt, WR Devin Smith, DE Noah Spence, S Ron Tanner, S Jayme Thompson, TE Nick Vannett, DE Adolphus Washington, and LB Camren Williams
  • DE Chris Rock signed with Michigan in 2011 and redshirted that year before quitting the team and walking on at Ohio State prior to the 2013 season.
  • CB Gareon Conley was once committed to Michigan.
  • Graduate assistant Bryant Haines was a Butkus Award finalist under Brady Hoke when Hoke was head coach at Ball State.
  • The only Michigan native on Ohio State's roster is freshman walk-on OG Ben Moffitt from Shelby Township (MI) Eisenhower.
Visitors
Here's a link to the lengthy visitors list for this weekend.

Predictions
  • We see Shane Morris at QB for an extended time, which will not go well.
  • Carlos Hyde runs over Michigan's defense for 160 yards and 2 touchdowns.
  • Michigan's quarterbacks get sacked 6 times and throw 2 picks.
  • Devin Funchess has a big game.
  • Ohio State 31, Michigan 17
Last Time They Played . . . 
  • Devin Gardner went 11/20 for 171 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception
  • Roy Roundtree had a 75-yard touchdown catch
  • Denard Robinson ran 10 times for 122 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown
  • Ohio State 26, Michigan 21

Grantland: College Football, Week 13

Holly Anderson looks at last weekend's happenings in college football.

Hit the jump for a dress with a hole in the middle.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's been a rough few weeks to be a Michigan fan, but I'm thankful for this website, where I can do something I enjoy and interact with other die-hard Michigan fans. Thanks for reading and participating!


Grantland: Week 14 College Football Viewing Guide

Holly Anderson glances at this weekend's football schedule.

Hit the jump for Jessica King in a sports bra.

Recruiting Update: November 28, 2013

Downers Grove (IL) South offensive tackle Erik Swenson
COMMITMENT
Downers Grove (IL) South offensive tackle Erik Swenson committed to Michigan.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2014
Sugar Land (TX) Fort Bend Austin running back Vic Enwere was offered by Michigan. He's currently committed to the Cal Golden Bears - who are 1-10 - but will officially visit Michigan the weekend of December 13th. I wrote up a scouting report on Enwere last week.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015Monaca (PA) Central Valley cornerback Jordan Whitehead was offered by Michigan. He's a 6'0", 180 lb. prospect with offers from Ohio State, Penn State, Pitt, and West Virginia, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, #14 cornerback, and #155 overall. Most people expect him to become a Buckeye, but Alabama came in and stole elite wide receiver Robert Foster from the school in the 2013 class.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Richmond (VA) Benedictine wide receiver Scott Bracey was offered by Michigan. He's a 6'3", 195 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech, along with several others. Bracey plays in the same league as 2014 Michigan quarterback commit Wilton Speight.

Pittsburgh (PA) Woodland Hills running back Miles Sanders was offered by Michigan. He's a 6'0", 186 lb. prospect with offers from Pitt, Temple, and Toledo. In eight games as a sophomore this year, Sanders had over 1,000 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns. Also, his nickname is "Boobie." If that seems confusing, you should read Friday Night Lights.

OFF THE BOARD
Woodbridge (VA) Senior defensive end Da'Shawn Hand committed to Alabama. Most prognosticators had him going to the Wolverines, but the combination of Michigan's subpar season and his interest in Alabama's engineering program led him to choose the Crimson Tide.

Berrien Springs (MI) Berrien Springs defensive end Jhonathon Williams flipped from Missouri to Notre Dame. Michigan offered Williams in the aftermath of Hand's decision, and while he seemed briefly interested, he was more enamored with the Fighting Irish. Williams did not grow up in Michigan, so that somewhat mitigates the loss of an in-state prospect.

MISCELLANEOUS
Paramus (NJ) Catholic cornerback Jabrill Peppers announced this week that he will take visits after his high school season because of concerns about rumors that Brady Hoke will not return to Michigan next season. I am almost 100% sure that Hoke will return, no matter what happens in the next two games.

Here's the most detailed visitors list in the blogosphere for The Game.

Grantland: All the Fixins

Bill Simmons looks at the Thanksgiving weekend football games. Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

Hit the jump for a girl cooking Thanksgiving dinner.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Grantland: A Crash Course in Brady

Charles A. Pierce puts together a nice piece on Tom Brady and the Patriots' comeback victory over the Broncos on Sunday night.

Hit the jump for a selfie.

Visitors: Michigan vs. Ohio State

Joshua Alabi - DT - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Alabi is a 6'5", 270 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Tennessee, and others. The Volunteers appear to be the early favorite. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, #29 OT, and #270 overall. UPDATE: Alabi will be headed to MSU instead.

Jason Alessi - S - Birmingham (MI) Brother Rice: Alessi is a 6'0", 170 lb. prospect for 2014 with offers from Air Force, Akron, Harvard, and Yale. He's committed to Michigan as a lacrosse player but was recently offered a preferred walk-on spot with the Wolverines. (Highlights.)

Trevon Avery - CB - Grand Blanc (MI) Grand Blanc: Avery is a 6'1", 165 lb. prospect for 2015 with no offers at this time. He's a 3-star quarterback to Scout. He's also the younger brother of Michigan senior defensive back Courtney Avery.

Jerome Baker - LB - Cleveland (OH) St. Benedictine: Baker is a 6'1", 205 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Florida, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others. He recently declared Ohio State his clear #1, and it would be a huge surprise if he went anywhere else. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, #6 ATH, and #66 overall. (Highlights.)

Kei Beckham - CB - Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison:
 Beckham is a 6'0", 155 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, and Kentucky, among others. He's a former teammate of Michigan freshman defensive back Reon Dawson and linebacker Mike McCray. (Highlights.)

Ian Bunting - TE - Hinsdale (IL) Central: Bunting committed to Michigan in April.

George Campbell - WR - Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake: Campbell committed to Michigan in August.

Freddy Canteen - WR - Elkton (MD) Eastern Christian Academy: Canteen committed to Michigan in June.

Stefan Claiborne - WR - Clinton Township (MI) Chippewa Valley: Claiborne is a 6'1", 168 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He also visited Ann Arbor a couple weeks ago for the Nebraska game. (Highlights.)

Brian Cole - WR - Saginaw (MI) Heritage: Cole is a 6'2", 190 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others. Rumors keep swirling about him going back and forth between favoring Michigan and MSU, so it's anybody's guess right now. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, #5 ATH, and #58 overall. (Highlights.)

Mason Cole - OG - Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake: Cole committed to Michigan back in February.

C.J. Conrad - TE - La Grange (OH) Keystone: Conrad is a 6'5", 225 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Duke, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, #8 TE, and #228 overall. As a junior in 2013, he had 59 receptions for 924 yards and 14 touchdowns. (Highlights.)

Jashon Cornell - DE - St. Paul (MN) Cretin-Derham Hall: Cornell is a 6'4", 245 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from just about everywhere. He's a 247 Composite 5-star, #1 WDE, and #15 overall. So far he's the only weakside end Michigan has offered in the class of 2015, and that appears to be purposeful as Michigan pursues him as their #1 guy. Cretin Derham is known for sending guys to Notre Dame, but they've had a number of elite recruits in recent years (Michael Floyd, James Onwualu, Seantrel Henderson) so it's worth keeping up a good relationship. (Highlights.)

Shaun Crawford - CB - Lakewood (OH) St. Edward: Crawford committed to Michigan in August. UPDATE: Crawford can no longer attend the game.

Andrew David - K - Massillon (OH) Washington: David committed to Michigan in June.

Messiah DeWeaver - QB - Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison: DeWeaver is a 6'2", 180 lb. prospect for 2016 with an offer from Louisville. He has visited Michigan several times and camped in Ann Arbor this past June. He attends the alma mater of current Michigan linebacker Michael McCray. (Highlights.)

David Edwards - QB - Downers Grove (IL) North: Edwards is a 6'6", 225 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Illinois, Indiana, Syracuse, and Vanderbilt. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, #42 ATH, and #348 overall. Michigan is looking at him partially as a quarterback, but he also might be a tight end, and I think that's the position where Edwards would be more likely to find a slot from Michigan, in my opinion. (Highlights.)

Brendan Ferns - LB - St. Clairsville (OH) St. Clairsville: Ferns is a 6'3", 208 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He's the younger brother of 2014 Michigan linebacker commit Michael Ferns.

Michael Ferns III - LB - St. Clairsville (OH) St. Clairsville: Ferns committed to Michigan in August of last year.

Jimmy Fitzgerald - QB - Champaign (IL) Centennial: Fitzgerald is a 6'3", 205 lb. prospect for 2015 with a lone FBS offer from Illinois. As a sophomore in 2012, he completed 96/195 passes for 1,300 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, #26 pro-style QB, and #529 overall. Fitzgerald is one of the handful of quarterbacks that have been in touch with Michigan's coaching staff.

Desmond Fitzpatrick - WR - Farmington (MI) Farmington: Fitzpatrick is a 6'0", 170 lb. prospect for 2016 with offers from Indiana, Ohio, and Toledo. He has visited Michigan a couple times this season and also camped in Ann Arbor last June. (Highlights.)

Zach Gentry - QB - Albuquerque (NM) Eldorado: Gentry is a 6'6", 215 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Louisville, New Mexico, New Mexico State, and San Diego State.

Lawrence Gordon - DE - Saginaw (MI) Arthur Hill: Gordon is a 6'5", 230 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He has visited Michigan a couple times and appears to be one of the top few in-state prospects for his class.

Dele Harding - LB - Elkton (MD) Eastern Christian Academy: Harding is a 6'1", 218 lb. prospect for 2016 with offers from UMass, Tennessee, and USC. He's a teammate of 2014 Michigan commits Freddy Canteen and Brandon Watson. He visited Ann Arbor with his teammates back in July and genuinely seemed interested in Michigan at the time those two committed, partly because Michigan's coaches intimated to him that he would be offered down the road but felt it was too early to offer many 2016 guys.

Damien Harris - RB - Berea (KY) Madison Southern: Harris committed to Michigan in August. He is having an outstanding junior season and was recently ranked the #17 overall prospect in his class by ESPN.

Drake Harris - WR - Grand Rapids (MI) Christian: Harris committed to Michigan in April. He did not play during his senior season due to a serious hamstring injury suffered in the preseason.

Daelin Hayes - LB - Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary's: Hayes is a 6'2", 210 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. The younger brother of Michigan redshirt sophomore running back Justice Hayes, Daelin has visited Penn State and Notre Dame in recent weeks and appears enamored with those squads. The fact that his brother is mostly buried on the depth chart probably does not help.

Lavert Hill - CB - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Hill is a 5'11", 165 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He's the younger brother of Michigan freshman safety Delano Hill. He has visited Michigan for most home games this year.

Justin Hilliard - LB - Cincinnati (OH) St. Xavier: Hilliard is a 6'2", 225 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Alabama, Iowa, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, among others. His brother C.J. Hilliard is a 2014 commit to the Hawkeyes. I did a scouting report on Hilliard a couple weeks ago.

Elijah Holyfield - RB - Atlanta (GA) Woodward Academy: Holyfield is a 5'11", 190 lb. prospect for 2016 with a lone offer from Boston College. As a freshman in 2012, he had 66 carries for 645 yards and 10 touchdowns. He's the son of famed boxer Evander Holyfield. (Highlights.) UPDATE: Holyfield no longer plans to attend.

Joshua Jackson - WR - Saline (MI) Saline: Jackson is a 6'1", 180 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He's the younger brother of Michigan senior wideout Jeremy Jackson and the son of running backs coach Fred Jackson.

Sterling Jenkins - OT - Pittsburgh (PA) Baldwin: Jenkins is a 6'8", 305 lb. prospect for 2015. I did a scouting report on him a few weeks ago.

Nick Johns - QB - Washington (DC) Gonzaga: Johns is a 6'3", 215 lb. prospect for 2015 with an offer from Virginia. He's another on the short list of quarterbacks Michigan has been in contact with for the upcoming recruiting cycle. He's a 247 Composite 3-star, #30 pro-style QB, and #575 overall. (Highlights.)

Tyree Kinnel - S - Huber Heights (OH) Wayne: Kinnel committed to Michigan in August.

Darrin Kirkland, Jr. - LB - Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence Central: Kirkland is a 6'2", 215 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Illinois, Indiana, Louisville, Northwestern, and Virginia Tech, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, #9 ILB, and #245 overall. He also visited for the Nebraska game. (Highlights.)

Thiyo Lukusa - OT - Traverse City (MI) West: Lukusa is a 6'5", 300 lb. prospect for 2016 with an offer from Michigan State. He has visited Michigan a couple times this season and also camped in Ann Arbor in June. (Highlights.) UPDATE: Lukusa is no longer planning to attend.

Kendric Mallory - WR - Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison: Mallory is a 6'2", 175 lb. prospect for 2014 with an offer from Illinois. He's also the former teammate of Reon Dawson and Mike McCray.

Corey Malone-Hatcher - DE - St. Joseph (MI) St. Joseph: Malone-Hatcher is a 6'3", 205 lb. prospect for 2017 with no offers at this time.

Alex Malzone - QB - Birmingham (MI) Brother Rice: Malzone is a 6'2", 185 lb. prospect for 2015 with an offer from Bowling Green. He's perhaps Michigan's top in-state quarterback target for the class, but likely a second-level option if other national targets don't pan out. (Highlights.)

Lawrence Marshall - DE - Southfield (MI) Southfield: Marshall committed to Michigan in May. Earlier in the spring, he had been committed to Ohio State.

Jalen Martin - WR - Harper Woods (MI) Chandler Park Academy: Martin is a 6'2", 180 lb. prospect for 2016 with a lone offer from Eastern Michigan. He attends the alma mater of Michigan freshman wide receiver Csont'e York.

Ostell Martin - OT - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Martin is a 6'5", 315 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He visited Michigan's campus a couple times back in the spring.

Malik McDowell - DE - Southfield (MI) Southfield: McDowell is a 6'7", 290 lb. prospect for 2014 with offers from all over the country. He has alternately been rumored to be a Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and USC lean, but the current vibe is that Michigan would be the choice if he picked today.

Tanner Muse - LB - Belmont (NC) South Point: Muse is a 6'3", 207 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Clemson, Michigan, North Carolina, and North Carolina State, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, #17 safety, and #297 overall, although I believe he'll be a linebacker in college. UPDATE: Muse no longer plans to attend.

Michael Onwenu - DT - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Onwenu is a 6'2", 310 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time.

Brady Pallante - DT - Naples (FL) Barron Collier: Pallante committed to Michigan in April as a greyshirt and became a full scholarship member of the 2014 class earlier this week.

Jacques Patrick - RB - Orlando (FL) Timber Creek: Patrick is a 6'1", 210 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, USC, Wisconsin, and numerous others. He claims a 4.51 forty and is a 247 Composite 4-star, #7 RB, and #82 overall. As a sophomore in 2012, he had 231 carries for 2,032 yards and 29 touchdowns. It will likely be an in-state battle for his services, but he was excited about his Michigan offer and has a cousin coaching at Detroit King. (Highlights.) UPDATE: Patrick can no longer attend the game.

Donovan Peoples-Jones - WR - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Peoples-Jones is a 6'1", 170 lb. prospect for 2017 with no offers at this time.

Jabrill Peppers - CB - Paramus (NJ) Catholic: Peppers committed to Michigan in May. He's in the midst of an outstanding senior season and was named 247 Sports' #3 overall player. UPDATE: Peppers' playoff practice schedule will prevent him from visiting this weekend.

Martell Pettaway - RB - St. Clair Shores (MI) South Lake: Pettaway is a 5'9", 185 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He has visited Michigan several times early in the process. (Highlights.)

Giovanni Rescigno - QB - Warren (MI) De La Salle: Rescigno is a 6'4", 210 lb. prospect for 2014. He has no scholarship offers but was recently offered a preferred walk-on spot with the Wolverines. He has visited several times and is the teammate of 2014 Michigan commit Jared Wangler and best friends with freshman QB Shane Morris.

Darian Roseboro - DE - Lincolnton (NC) Lincolnton: Roseboro is a 6'4", 265 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Auburn, Clemson, Michigan, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others. He's a 247 Composite 4-star, #7 SDE, and #97 overall. UPDATE: Roseboro can no longer attend the game.

Joshua Ross - LB - Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary's: Ross is a 6'2", 190 lb. prospect for 2017 with offers from Oklahoma and Michigan State. He's the younger brother of Michigan sophomore linebacker James Ross.

Tommy Roush - OG - Traverse City (MI) West: Roush is a 6'3", 270 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He camped at Michigan back in June and also visited for a game earlier this season.

Prince Sammons - DE - Cincinnati (OH) Hills Christian Academy: Sammons is a 6'8", 260 lb. prospect for 2016 with an offer from Cincinnati.

Wilton Speight - QB - Richmond (VA) Collegiate: Speight committed to Michigan in February. He recently completed a solid season.

Erik Swenson - OT - Downers Grove (IL) South: Swenson is a 6'7", 285 lb. prospect for 2016 with offers from Illinois, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, among others. He has long declared Michigan his leader. (Highlights.)

Demetric Vance - WR - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Vance is a 6'1", 170 lb. prospect for 2016 with no offers at this time. He has garnered some hype for being perhaps the best wide receiver prospect out of Cass Tech in a while, but he still has a couple years to develop.

Jared Wangler - LB - Warren (MI) De La Salle: Wangler committed to Michigan in August.

Brandon Watson - CB - Elkton (MD) Eastern Christian Academy: Watson committed to Michigan in June.

Maurice Ways - WR - Detroit (MI) Country Day: Ways committed to Michigan in April. Here's a look at how his senior season went.

Mike Weber - RB - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Weber is a 5'10", 195 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, and Tennessee. Michigan was the early favorite, but he seems to be leaning toward MSU after fellow 2015 running back Damien Harris committed to Michigan a few months ago. (Highlights.) UPDATE: Weber is no longer able to attend the game.

Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. - TE - Manlius (NY) Canisius: Wheatley is a 6'6", 235 lb. prospect for 2016 with offers from Alabama, Michigan, Penn State, and others. He's the son of Tyrone Wheatley, a former Michigan and NFL running back who is the current running backs coach for the Buffalo Bills. The presumed favorite is the Wolverines.

Jhonny Williams - DE - Berrien Springs (MI) Berrien Springs: Williams is a 6'6", 237 lb. prospect for 2014 who is committed to Missouri. He has also received a Notre Dame offer, and while Michigan's offer is intriguing, it seems that his choice will come down to Mizzou or the Fighting Irish. (Highlights.) UPDATE: Williams will not be in attendance, and he changed his commitment to the Fighting Irish.

Mykelti Williams - S - Indianapolis (IN) Warren Central: Williams is a 6'0", 195 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Akron, Indiana, and Ole Miss. He claims a 4.5 forty and is a 247 Composite 3-star, #35 safety, and #565 overall. (Highlights.)

Reagan Williams - LB - Jackson (OH) Jackson: Williams is a 6'3", 232 lb. prospect for 2015 with offers from Kent State and Ohio. As a sophomore in 2012, he had 94 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks. (Highlights.)

Khari Willis - RB - Jackson (MI) Lumen Christi: Willis is a 6'0", 187 lb. prospect for 2015 with no offers at this time. (Highlights.)

Chase Winovich - LB - Clairton (PA) Thomas Jefferson: Winovich committed to Michigan in June. He just completed an impressive senior season of playing quarterback and linebacker.

Mailbag: Is Brennen Beyer any good?

I just have a question about Beyer, is he any good or is he just serviceable? In my eyes yes he has been good and he has been doing a great job for Michigan this year. The reason why I ask this is because my wife's uncle does not think he is any good and believe that he should have gone and played at a MAC school playing tight end instead of going to Michigan to play DE or LB. He is basing this off of watching Beyer play at Plymouth and using his football knowledge of being a QB at Ferris St back in the early 80's. This is a conversation that he and I have been having since Beyer's freshman year and it's kind of getting annoying now and I wanted to get your thoughts since you watch the film of these kids and have a better grasp of things since you are a coach.
I have that same question about Beyer. I have not been shy about questioning Beyer's talent since he arrived at Michigan as a defensive end . . . and immediately earned playing time as a backup SAM linebacker in 2011. Naturally, the first thing to look at would be his statistics:

2011 (Fr.): 11 tackles
2012 (So.): 19 tackles, .5 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble
2013 (Jr.): 22 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass breakup, 1 interception returned 7 yards for a TD

In the 2013 season countdown, I said "Beyer's next big play will be his first." He obviously took that personally because his first two games this year - against Central Michigan and Notre Dame -  included 2 sacks and 1 forced fumble. Since those two games, he has notched 16 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 pass breakup while starting either at SAM or strongside defensive end. Let's be honest - those numbers are pretty paltry for a season-long starter.

For comparison's sake, let's look at Craig Roh, who played at Michigan from 2009-2012. Roh was a starter from his freshman year at various positions, including outside linebacker, weakside end, and strongside end. He was not chosen in the NFL Draft and latched on to the Carolina Panthers' practice squad. It's tough to pick his worst year because his statistics were fairly static throughout his career, so we'll take his average stat line: 37.5 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks.

In one year as a starter and two more years as a frequently used backup, Beyer has 52 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. If Roh is the standard for being an average starter, then Beyer falls noticeably short of that level.

Beyer could almost surely have gone to the MAC and had some success there, either at defensive end or tight end. He probably wouldn't be lighting the world on fire there, either, but he would have some decent statistics. Should he have done so? That really depends on what the kid wants out of football. I think Michigan needs players like Beyer to be backups, journeymen, special teamers, etc. You can even get away with guys like Beyer starting, and Michigan has done fairly well defensively with him in that role. But in his third year, I think we can fairly conclude that Beyer is a supporting cast member at best.

In summary, you're both right. Beyer would have been able to rack up better stats and maybe gain more notoriety by going to the MAC. At the same time, he's doing okay for himself at Michigan, and lots of people would rather be mediocre players at Michigan than standout players at, say, Eastern Michigan. There are plenty of guys who would have been better off at a MAC-level school by most standards (Mike Jones is, Richard Ash and Jordan Paskorz could be, etc.), but big programs all have guys like Beyer.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Smart Football: Watching game film with Chip Kelly

Chris Brown of Smart Football  provides a list of Chip Kelly-approved plays and coaching tips.

Hit the jump for Crystal Cunningham rinsing off.

Brady Pallante no longer a greyshirt

Naples (FL) Barron Collier defensive tackle Brady Pallante
Naples (FL) Barron Collier defensive tackle Brady Pallante, who committed as a greyshirt player in February, is now a full-fledged member of the 2014 recruiting class. A greyshirt would have meant that he would graduate from high school in 2014, pay his own way to school in his first semester, and then join the team in 2015.

Here's his commitment post from April. As a senior here in 2013, he had 60 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and a 31-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

The same thing happened in the case of Jeremy Clark from the 2012 class. He was offered a greyshirt role, accepted, and eventually found that the class had room for him.

Ex-Wolverine Updates


TE Pharaoh Brown: Brown had 1 catch for a 1-yard touchdown in Oregon's 42-16 loss to Arizona.

CB Dallas Crawford: Crawford had 16 carries for 55 yards and 2 touchdowns, as well as 2 catches for 7 yards. Miami beat Virginia by a score of 45-26.

K Matt Goudis: Goudis was 6/6 on extra points and hit a 33-yard field goal in Miami's 45-26 win over Virginia.

S Carvin Johnson: Johnson had 10 tackles in Hampton's 42-39 double overtime loss to Howard. He ended the year second on the team with 122 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions for 59 yards, 6 pass breakups, and 2 fumble recoveries.

LB Mike Jones: Jones and his Western Michigan Broncos play Northern Illinois tonight at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN2. Jones is the third-leading tackler on the team with 86 stops.

Head coach Rich Rodriguez: Rodriguez notched perhaps his signature win against the #5 Oregon Ducks with a 42-16 victory. The Wildcats were outgained 506 to 482 but mostly kept the Ducks out of the endzone. Rodriguez's team forced 3 turnovers - including 2 interceptions from Marcus Mariota, who hadn't thrown one yet this year - and gave up 0. Running back Ka'Deem Carey rushed 48 times for 206 yards and 4 scores, and quarterback B.J. Denker rushed 14 times for 102 yards. Denker was also nearly perfect through the air with a 19/22 performance for 178 yards and 2 scores. Arizona is now 7-4.

S Ray Vinopal: Vinopal had 8 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and .5 sacks in Pitt's 17-16 win over Syracuse.

CB Adrian Witty: Witty had 2 tackles in Cincinnati's 24-17 win over Houston.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Michigan Daily: This isn't on Devin Gardner

Everett Cook explains to us that this isn't Devin Gardner's fault even though I haven't really heard anyone say that it's Devin Gardner's fault.

Hit the jump for an Asian girl in a bikini.

Erik Swenson, Wolverine

Downers Grove (IL) South offensive tackle Erik Swenson committed to Michigan (image via 247 Sports)
Downers Grove (IL) South offensive tackle Erik Swenson committed to Michigan's coaching staff on Sunday night and made it public on Monday. He chose the Wolverines over offers from Illinois, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, and Virginia Tech, among others.

Swenson is a 6'7", 285 lb. prospect for the 2016 class, meaning he just finished his sophomore season in high school. Measurables are sparse since he's a youngster

RATINGS
ESPN: N/A
Rivals: N/A
Scout: 4-star OT
247 Sports: N/A

Swenson grew up as a Michigan fan and was favoring the Wolverines from early in the process. There was some miscommunication early in his recruitment that led some sites to report a scholarship offer from Michigan, but that was later cleared up . . . and then the staff offered him after all in late May of this year. Swenson tried to explore his options a little bit and visited a couple other campuses, but ultimately, he ended up picking his childhood favorite.

There's not a ton of video on Swenson, and even the available video is mostly from his freshman season (except a few clips from one game as a sophomore). So criticisms here are to be taken with a grain of salt, since it's rare that freshmen are worthy of being closely evaluated by recruiting analysts, services, etc.

Swenson is a big body who has a solid frame through his middle and plenty of room to add muscle to both his upper body and lower body. He is somewhat capable of moving his feet laterally to stay in front of rushers, and he's quick enough to move up to the next level and latch onto linebackers. Once he gets attached to a defender, he runs his feet fairly well and is difficult to disengage. He has a good, balanced stance and comes out of it with a decent pad level, although he will need to lower it as he plays stiffer competition; the flexibility and balance are present, though.

There seem to be a lot of technical mistakes, however, and that's going to happen with a freshman/sophomore lineman. Swenson often has a slow, tentative first step, which will get him beaten regularly against better competition; that's one thing that absolutely has to get fixed. It's not that he lacks the athleticism but he looks unsure of exactly where he should step or whom he should block. He also tends to hop out of his stance at times, which prevents him from getting momentum and can get him off balance. I would like to see Swenson keep his elbows closer to his frame and develop more of an initial punch, because he currently tends to wind up and cock back before shooting his arms. In pass protection, Swenson needs to keep a wider base and prevent himself from overextending the arms. Additionally, I would like to see him finish blocks with a little nastier disposition and find guys to hit rather than jogging behind the play. Most of the above critiques are typical of young players and should improve as his high school career continues, but they'll be something to watch as the next couple seasons pass.

Overall, Swenson's frame and natural athleticism suggest a high-level prospect, but it will be interesting to see whether his skills, agility, and footwork continue to progress or if he's just an early developer. I do not see the lateral agility and athleticism to project him as a blindside tackle, and he looks like more of a run blocker at this point. For a Michigan comparison, I would suggest a player like Jon Jansen.

Swenson is the first commit for the class of 2016. It's too far out to project exactly how big that class will be, but 17 players are scheduled to be seniors in 2015. Considering injuries and attrition, it's likely that the class will be over 20 players strong. If you're looking at a 1-for-1 replacement in regard to positions, Chris Bryant is the only offensive lineman scheduled to be replaced in that class, so the need for linemen may not be huge.

TTB Rating: I will not be assigning a rating until the 2015 class wraps up.

Video: Brady Hoke press conference

Michigan vs. Iowa Awards

Brennen Beyer
Let's see more of this guy on offense . . . Dennis Norfleet. The kid is small but feisty and has big-play potential. Offensive coordinator Al Borges used him early in the year as a tip-off to the fact that Norfleet was about to get the ball. Once everyone figured that out, Borges just stopped using Norfleet altogether. So he's exciting enough to put him on the field to get him the ball . . . but he's not exciting enough to use as a decoy or even a situational player. But hey, Jeremy Jackson has averaged 11.4 yards/catch in four years and never scored a touchdown or had a play longer than 22 yards, so let's keep him out there.

Let's see less of this guy on offense . . . Jeremy Jackson. He has no purpose. Bizarro Fred Jackson says "He's like LaTerryal Savoy but slower."

Let's see more of this guy on defense . . . Jake Ryan. This is more just a way to say that I'm glad he's back. I still don't think he's 100%, but the guy is a playmaker and a heavy hitter. He had 5 tackles, 1 pass breakup, and a hit on quarterback Jake Rudock that turned into a 7-yard interception touchdown for defensive end Brennen Beyer.

Let's see less of this guy on defense . . . Courtney Avery. It's rare that players regress throughout their careers, but Avery would be one of those examples. He was overmatched as a freshman, played really well as a sophomore, took a step back as a junior, and now seems like a weak link in the secondary. The coaches moved him from nickel corner to safety in order to push guys like sophomore Jarrod Wilson, and while Wilson has been far from perfect, I think he's a clear step up from Avery. I liked the kid better when he was a slot corner and not one of the last lines of defense.

Play of the game . . . Brennen Beyer's interception return for a touchdown. On Iowa's first offensive play, Jake Ryan came on a blitz and hit Rudock as he was releasing the ball, resulting in a pick six for Beyer. It was the most exciting play of the day for the Wolverines, who couldn't create much of anything on offense. Honorable mention goes to Devin Gardner's scrambling 2-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Williams, where Gardner looked like he was going to take a gain of zero yards before stepping back and casually tossing the ball to Williams, who had been let go by defenders coming up to stop the run. It was Williams's first career catch and first career touchdown, and I wouldn't argue with somebody who said that was the play of the day.

MVP of the game . . . Raymon Taylor. Taylor had 8 solo tackles (9 total), 1 diving interception, and what was technically a fumble recovery on Iowa's first half-ending botched field goal snap. Taylor should have picked up the ball and run for what could have been a touchdown, but he still had nice coverage the entire game, tackled quickly, and was just a hair late to notch a couple pass breakups.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Grantland: The NFL's Modern Man

Robert Mays profiles Connor Barwin, who's a little bit different than the stereotypical NFL player.

Hit the jump for a bikini model in a bikini.

Iowa 24, Michigan 21

Brennen Beyer returns an interception 7 yards for a touchdown (image via Times Union)
This happened because of three guys. In my opinion, this game came down to the absence - literally and figuratively - of three players. First of all, Michigan middle linebacker Desmond Morgan (0 tackles) left the game in the first quarter due to what was rumored to be a concussion, which would be at least his second in college. Then weakside linebacker James Ross (6 tackles) left the game in the second half, although it's unclear what that injury was. And Devin Funchess (1 catch, 2 yards; 1 carry, 10 yards) might as well have been out due to injury, because he was completely useless. He dropped four passes by my count, and he can't block. So the Wolverines were without their two leading tacklers, which suggests it wasn't a coincidence that the Hawkeyes were able to turn on their running game in the second half. Michigan's defensive line is solid but unspectacular, and what helped them rank #13 against the run going into this game was their technically sound linebackers. When you're left with sophomore Joe Bolden (4 tackles) and freshman Ben Gedeon (3 tackles) as your two inside linebackers, that's a recipe for struggles. Iowa running backs Damon Bullock (1 for 8), Jordan Canzeri (9 for 40), and Mark Weisman (10 for 45) had a total of 20 carries for 93 yards after halftime, helping Iowa to hold the ball for 18:23 of the second half.

Games are won in the trenches. I know this is an old adage, but it's true. And it's frustrating to watch Michigan get beaten so badly up front in every single game. I've said it over and over again, but Taylor Lewan and Michael Schofield aren't dominating like they should, and the interior linemen can't get any kind of push ever. They say that even the best linemen in the NFL win just over half their battles, and that's what separates them from the other guys; well, Michigan's guards and center aren't close to winning half their battles in the run game. It's an abomination. Michigan's running backs combined for 17 carries and 35 yards in this one, with a long run of 9 yards. The offensive line allowed 11 tackles for loss. That sounds really bad, but that's been the norm - the Wolverines are averaging 10.5 tackles for loss allowed this year. For comparison's sake, Michigan has a pretty good defense and averages 5.7 TFL's a game.

Devin Gardner might retire. Gardner had one of his least effective performances this year, going 13/28 for 98 yards, 2 touchdowns, and giving away the game-clinching fumble; he also ran 10 times for 12 yards, despite only getting sacked once. He's lost a step, he's running tentatively, and he just looks downright scared of taking more of a beating at times. After the game, he was reportedly favoring his right arm. Obviously, Michigan needs him if they have any hope of beating Ohio State next week, but with his diminishing health and the sorry state of the offensive line, I would not be surprised at all if Gardner doesn't finish next week's contest.

Graham Glasgow snapping mistake? Check. I swear I don't think I've ever seen a college center with as many snapping issues as Glasgow. With the exception of the Northwestern game last week, Glasgow has had a snapping error every week. This week's blunder was a snap infraction on a 1st-and-Goal from the 4-yard line in the fourth quarter that pushed the Wolverines back to the 9. After an incomplete pass and a nothing run, Gardner bailed him out with a touchdown pass to Gallon.

Good grief, Jeremy Jackson is terrible. Usually I try to stay objective, so this is an angry rant I'm allowing myself near the completion of a frustrating season. Senior Jeremy Jackson's one late wide-open catch for a first down does not erase the fact that he should not be on the field. Like, at all. Ever. The final straw for this rant came yesterday when I saw him standing around not blocking anyone while Devin Gardner was getting tackled. He can't run, he can't jump, and he can't block. The guy is a preferred walk-on at best, or maybe a Division II athlete. I never understood* why he was offered by Rich Rodriguez in the 2010 class, and his performance over the last four years has only solidified those feelings. Da'Mario Jones, Dennis Norfleet, and Joe Reynolds are all better athletes, and you could probably get a better blocking effort out of walk-ons Bo Dever or Blaise Stearns, just to name a couple. I actually have some respect and empathy for Rodriguez, but one look at that 2010 class makes me want to vomit. The guy took 27 players in that class, and after you list the top three (Jake Ryan, Devin Gardner, Jibreel Black), you start to get in the murky territory of trying to rank Jackson, your holder/fifth receiver (Drew Dileo), your journeyman defensive back (Courtney Avery), your journeyman tight end/defensive end/linebacker (Jordan Paskorz), or your weed-loving suspended punter (Will Hagerup). Where was I going with this? Oh yeah. Erm . . . uh . . . yeah, Jeremy Jackson. He's bad.

Let's end on a high note. (Not that kind of high note, Hagerup.) So how about Blake Countess, Raymon Taylor, and Brennen Beyer picking off those terrible throws from Iowa quarterback Jake Rudock? Let's be honest - those picks were more about Rudock being bad than Michigan having great coverage, but these Michigan cornerbacks are better playmakers than we've had in a while. For a little while - the J.T. Floyd years, basically - Michigan struggled to make any plays at cornerback, and the notable plays from defensive backs had to come from the safeties. Taylor's still afraid to tackle running backs, but overall, I like where Michigan's headed in the defensive backfield. And kudos to Beyer, who has made some steps forward this year and tallied his first interception and first touchdown.

Just kidding. What does this mean for the Ohio State game? Probably doom.

*Of course, I know Jeremy Jackson was mainly offered because his dad is the running backs coach. Also, aliens.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: Austin Hatch speaks publicly for first time since crash

Basketball player Austin Hatch is working his way back into form to play ball at Michigan, and he recently addressed the media for the first time after his tragic plane crash.

Hit the jump for some nice cleavage.

Preview: Michigan at Iowa


Rush Offense vs. Iowa Rush Defense

Michigan is #96 in the country with 135.7 yards/game as a team, and last week's "improvement" included 139 yards rushing, although that was a step up from the -48 and -21 yards put on the board in the previous two weeks. Despite the improvement last week, the rumor is that Kyle Kalis will be re-inserted at right guard, Erik Magnuson will move to left guard, and true freshman Kyle Bosch will be watching from the sideline. Starter Fitzgerald Toussaint should return from a concussion he suffered against Nebraska, but backups Derrick Green (19 carries, 79 yards) and De'Veon Smith (8 carries, 41 yards) both performed fairly well in their most extensive duties yet this year. Meanwhile, Iowa is #25 in giving up 130 yards/game on the ground and #29 with just 3.72 yards allowed/carry. Senior middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens (6'1", 233 lbs.) leads the team with 87 tackles, but fellow senior linebackers Christian Kirksey (6'2", 235 lbs.) and James Morris (6'2", 240 lbs.) are both right behind with 80 tackles each. Hitchens also leads the team with 10 tackles for loss, with Morris just behind at 9. The Hawkeyes have good size on the defensive line with the ends averaging 270 and junior nose tackle Carl Davis sitting at 6'5", 315 lbs. Junior 3-tech defensive tackle Louis Trinca-Pasat (6'3", 290 lbs.) is the penetrator on the defensive line with 7 tackles for loss. Michigan took a step forward last week against Northwestern, but Iowa is always sound when it comes to assignments, so this should again be a difficult day for the Wolverines on the ground.
Advantage: Iowa

Pass Offense vs. Iowa Pass Defense
Michigan is #39 in passer rating nationally at 142.36. Devin Gardner has cut down on the interceptions and fumbles lately but also has taken 19 sacks in the last three games, seemingly unable to cut down on turnovers and still get rid of the ball. Speaking of sacks, Michigan has allowed 31 this year, good enough to be tied for 114th in the nation. Wide receiver Jeremy Gallon is #11 in the country with 106.2 yards/game through the air, and TE/WR Devin Funchess is #78 with 68.4. The Hawkeyes are tied for 80th with 17 sacks on the year and hold opponents to a 120.34 passer rating, good enough for 40th in the country. Their leading sacker is linebacker James Morris with 4, and nobody else has more than 2.5 (sophomore DE Drew Ott at 6'5", 265 lbs.). Iowa has made 10 interceptions on the year (#57 nationally), and three players are tied for the team lead with 3 picks each - Morris, senior cornerback B.J. Lowery (5'11", 193 lbs.), and senior safety Tanner Miller (6'2", 207 lbs.). Lowery has taken 2 of his interceptions back for touchdowns. The Wolverines have more talent at receiver than the Hawkeyes do in the backfield, but if Gardner can't handle Iowa's Cover 2 looks, it will be a long day.
Advantage: Michigan

Rush Defense vs. Iowa Rush Offense
Michigan is #13 in the country, giving up just 111.2 yards/game on the ground; they're also #10 at just 3.16 yards allowed/carry. This is a very good run defense. Weakside linebacker James Ross moved into the team lead in tackles (75) with a 13-tackle effort against Northwestern, and he's closely followed by middle linebacker Desmond Morgan (69). The Wolverines have made 56 tackles for loss as a team (#79 nationally), led by weakside end Frank Clark (10), defensive tackle Jibreel Black (7), and strongside linebacker Cam Gordon (6.5). Nose tackle Quinton Washington will probably get a little bit more playing time against Iowa's offense than he has against the spread offenses of the past couple weeks. The Hawkeyes are #40 in yards/game on the ground with 193.2 and they average 4.5 yards/carry, which is 57th. They're paced by junior Mark Weisman (6'0", 236 lbs.), who has 167 carries, 777 yards, 4 touchdowns. Junior Damon Bullock (6'0", 200 lbs.) and sophomore Jordan Canzeri have combined for 793 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 5.1 yards/carry. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Jake Rudock (6'2", 205 lbs.) averages 3.8 yards/carry and has 5 rushing touchdowns on the year, so it's a multi-pronged attack. The offensive line is made up of redhirt junior Brandon Scherff (6'5", 315 lbs.), redshirt senior Conor Boffeli (6'5", 295 lbs.), redshirt sophomore Austin Blythe (6'3", 300 lbs.), redshirt sophomore Jordan Walsh (6'4", 290 lbs.), and fifth year senior Brett Van Sloten (6'7", 300 lbs.), from left to right. Iowa always has a solid offensive line, so it will depend upon Michigan's linebackers to make good reads and flow to the ball, which they do pretty well.
Advantage: Michigan

Pass Defense vs. Iowa Pass Offense
Michigan is 75th in the country at pass yardage allowed with 236.4 yards/game but #28 in passer rating defense at 117.0. Teams generally have a hard time running the ball but have taken advantage of Michigan's young linebackers and a couple inexperienced cornerbacks. Michigan is 20th nationally with 13 interceptions, led by Blake Countess with 4. The Wolverines are smack dab in the middle of the pack with 20 sacks, paced by Clark (5) and Cam Gordon (4). Iowa is #90 in the country with 204 yards/game through the air and #82 with a passer rating of 124.02. Rudock has completed 59.9% of his passes for 14 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. His backup, C.J. Beathard, is just 5/18 on the year for 124 yards and 1 interception. There's not one go-to guy like in years past at Iowa; the seven guys with double-digit receptions average between 15.1 and 30.4 yards/game. Redshirt junior wideout Kevonte Martin-Manley (6'2", 205 lbs.) is the nominal #1 guy with 35 receptions for 304 yards and 3 touchdowns, good for just 8.7 yards/catch. However, he's dangerous returning punts with an 18.8-yard average and 2 touchdowns on the year. Junior partner Damond Powell (5'11", 180 lbs.) is the big-play receiver with 12 catches for 291 yards (24.3 yards/catch) and 2 scores. Senior tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz (6'7", 265 lbs.) is a huge target without a whole lot of speed to make plays after the catch; he has 20 receptions for 188 yards and 4 touchdowns. Iowa also does a tremendous job of protecting the quarterback - they've allowed just 9 sacks, good for 9th in the country. There shouldn't be many big plays to be had, but Michigan struggles with allowing short passes, and that's something Iowa does well.
Advantage: Iowa

Roster Notes
  • Players who held Michigan offers include DT Darian Cooper, OT Andrew Donnal, DT Faith Ekakitie, TE Ray Hamilton, DT Jaleel Johnson, and OG Jordan Walsh
  • Players from the state of Michigan include DT Carl Davis (Sterling Heights Stevenson), TE Jake Duzey (Troy Athens), CB Desmond King (Detroit East English Village), S Ruben Lile (Detroit Cass Tech), WR Kevonte Martin-Manley (Birmingham Brother Rice), LB Laron Taylor (Detroit Cass Tech)
Predictions
  • Fitzgerald Toussaint gets less than half of the running back carries, but Derrick Green loses his first career fumble.
  • Jeremy Gallon goes for 145 yards receiving and 1 touchdown.
  • Michigan makes 1 sack and allows 4.
  • Michigan 20, Iowa 17

Last Time They Played . . . 
  • Michigan beat Iowa in 2012 by a score of 42-17
  • Denard Robinson had 13 carries for 98 yards and 2 receptions for 24 yards as a running back in his first game back after hurting his elbow.
  • Jeremy Gallon had 5 catches for 133 yards.
  • Fitzgerald Toussaint's ankle exploded.

Grantland: Week 13 College Football Viewing Guide

Holly Anderson looks at this week's matchups in NCAA football.

Hit the jump for a lady who's in shape.

Video: Fourth and One - Michigan Recruiting: Da'Shawn Hand picked Alabama so now what?

Friday, November 22, 2013

Grantland: What has happened to the NFL's running game?

Bill Barnwell questions why running plays and running production are decreasing in the NFL.

Hit the jump for a pretty lady.

Video: 10 memorable plays against Iowa

Attractive Michigan Girls of the Week


If you have any other pictures of girls wearing Michigan gear, drop me an e-mail. Go Blue!

Video: Derrick Green interview

Recruit Tracker: Chase Winovich


Final senior season stats: 85 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 11 sacks; 907 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns

November 15, 2013: Thomas Jefferson lost to Monaca (PA) Central Valley by a score of 23-13. Winovich had 141 rushing yards and 1 touchdown, 1 completion for 19 yards, and 12 tackles. Thomas Jefferson ends the year with a record 11-1.

November 8, 2013: Thomas Jefferson beat Natrona Heights (PA) Highland by a score of 23-14. Winovich had 31 carries for 229 yards and 3 touchdowns. Thomas Jefferson is 11-0.

November 1, 2013: Thomas Jefferson beat Allison Park (PA) Hampton by a score of 39-0. Winovich had 8 tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. Thomas Jefferson is now 10-0.

October 25, 2013: Thomas Jefferson beat West Mifflin (PA) West Mifflin by a score of 35-0. Winovich had 27 carries for 246 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns, a 15-yard completion, 7 tackles, and 2 tackles for loss. Thomas Jefferson is now 9-0 entering the playoffs.

October 18, 2013: Thomas Jefferson beat Uniontown (PA) Uniontown by a score of 59-6. Winovich had 7 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble. Thomas Jefferson is now 8-0.

October 11, 2013: Thomas Jefferson beat Belle Vernon (PA) Belle Vernon by a score of 35-0. Winovich had 5 tackles, 1 sack, a 49-yard touchdown run, and a 49-yard touchdown pass in the game. Thomas Jefferson is now 7-0.

October 4, 2013: Thomas Jefferson beat Uniontown (PA) Laurel Highlands by a score of 56-21. Winovich had 6 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles in the game. Thomas Jefferson is now 6-0.

September 27, 2013: Thomas Jefferson beat Uniontown (PA) Albert Gallatin by a score of 49-0. Winovich had 4 tackles and 1 pass breakup on defense, plus 2 carries for 130 yards and 2 touchdowns on offense. Thomas Jefferson is now 5-0.

September 20, 2013: Thomas Jefferson beat Washington (PA) Trinity - the alma mater of former Michigan defensive lineman Ken Wilkins - by a score of 44-7. Winovich had 6 tackles, 3 sacks, and 2 blocked punts. He now has 29 tackles, 9 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble, and 3 total blocks on the year. Thomas Jefferson is now 4-0.

September 13, 2013: Thomas Jefferson beat Hollidaysburg (PA) Hollidaysburg by a score of 45-12. Winovich had 1 passing and 1 rushing touchdown, along with 7 tackles, 3 sacks, and 1 blocked extra point. He now has 23 tackles, 6 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble, and 1 blocked extra point.

September 6, 2013: Thomas Jefferson beat Elizabeth (PA) Forward by a score of 42-0. Winovich had 2 rushing touchdowns, 1 passing touchdown, 8 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries. Thomas Jefferson is now 2-0.

August 30, 2013:
 Winovich's Jefferson Hills (PA) Thomas Jefferson team beat Monongahela (PA) Ringgold by a score of 31-10. Winovich had an 80-yard touchdown run and a 40-yard touchdown pass from his quarterback position, and he also had 8 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumbles from the linebacker spot. Thomas Jefferson is now 1-0.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Grantland: College Football, Week 12 - Do You Believe in Unlikelihoods?

Holly Anderson looks at the big events from last weekend.

Hit the jump for blowing hair and a white bikini.

Recruit Tracker: Noah Furbush


November 15, 2013: Kenton beat Wooster (OH) Triway by a score of 46-6. Furbush had 5 tackles and 1 tackle for loss. Furbush now has 103 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries, and 1 pass breakup. Kenton is now 12-0.

November 8, 2013: Kenton beat Galion (OH) Galion by a score of 58-14. Kenton is now 11-0.

November 1, 2013: Kenton beat Defiance (OH) Defiance by a score of 62-8. Furbush had 5 tackles and 1 tackle for loss. He finishes the regular season with 89 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 pass breakup. Kenton is 10-0.

October 25, 2013: Kenton beat Celina (OH) Celina by a score of 28-14. Furbush had 8 tackles and 2 tackles for loss. He now has 84 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 pass breakup. Kenton is now 9-0.

October 18, 2013: Kenton beat Beath (OH) Bath by a score of 62-6. Furbush had 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 1 fumble recovery. Kenton is now 8-0.

October 11, 2013: Kenton beat Elida (OH) Elida by a score of 42-2. Furbush had 12 tackles and 3 tackles for loss. He now has 68 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 pass breakup. Kenton improved to 7-0.

October 4, 2013: Kenton beat Ottawa (OH) Ottawa-Glandorf by a score of 34-10. Furbush had 11 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 pass breakup. That gives him 56 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 pass breakup on the year. Kenton is 6-0.

September 27, 2013: Kenton beat Lima (OH) Shawnee by a score of 46-0. Furbush had 10 tackles and 1 tackle for loss, bringing him to 45 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks on the year. Kenton is now 5-0.

September 20, 2013: Kenton beat Van Wert (OH) Van Wert by a score of 32-0. Kenton is now 4-0.

September 13, 2013: Kenton beat St. Marys (OH) Memorial by a score of 66-14. Kenton is now 3-0.

September 6, 2013: Kenton beat Wapakoneta (OH) Wapakoneta by a score of 52-16. Furbush had 16 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. Kenton is now 2-0.

August 30, 2013:
 Furbush's Kenton (OH) Kenton beat Coldwater (OH) Coldwater by a score of 22-2. Kenton is now 1-0.

Recruit Tracker: George Campbell, Jr. and Mason Cole


November 15, 2013: East Lake beat Palmetto (FL) Palmetto by a score of 13-12. Campbell had 5 catches for 86 yards and 1 carry for 10 yards. East Lake is now 11-0.

November 8, 2013: East Lake beat St. Petersburg (FL) St. Petersburg by a score of 54-0. Campbell had 2 catches for 61 yards. East Lake is now 10-0 at the end of the regular season.

November 1, 2013: East Lake beat St. Petersburg (FL) Northeast by a score of 49-6. East Lake is now 9-0.

October 25, 2013: East Lake beat Largo (FL) Pinellas Park by a score of 42-12. Campbell had a 31-yard reception and a forced fumble. East Lake is now 8-0.

October 18, 2013: East Lake beat Clearwater (FL) Countryside by a score of 47-3. East Lake is now 7-0.

October 4, 2013: East Lake beat Seminole (FL) Seminole by a score of 51-13. Campbell had 1 pass for 16 yards and had a 64-yard punt return for a touchdown. East Lake is now 6-0.

September 27, 2013: East Lake beat Tarpon Springs (FL) Tarpon Springs by a score of 49-6. Campbell had 6 catches for 123 yards and 1 touchdown. East Lake is now 5-0.

September 20, 2013: East Lake beat Clearwater (FL) Clearwater by a score of 61-16. Campbell had 1 reception for a 61-yard touchdown. East Lake is now 4-0.

September 12, 2013: East Lake beat Dunedin (FL) Dunedin by a score of 48-0. Campbell had 3 receptions for 75 yards and 1 touchdown; he also had 3 tackles and 2 sacks on defense. He now has 5 receptions for 157 yards and 1 touchdown, along with at least 9 tackles and 3 sacks on defense. Cole had 5 pancake blocks and 1 pass breakup. East Lake is now 3-0.

September 6, 2013: East Lake beat Largo (FL) Largo by a score of 22-0. Campbell had 1 catch for 12 yards, bringing him to 2 receptions for 82 yards on the year. East Lake is now 2-0.

August 30, 2013:
 Campbell's Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake team beat Palm Harbor (FL) Palm Harbor by a score of 49-0. Campbell had 1 catch for 70 yards, along with 6 tackles and 1 sack. East Lake is now 1-0.

Recruit Tracker: Tyree Kinnel


November 15, 2013: Wayne beat Dublin (OH) Coffman by a score of 31-10. Kinnel had 5 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 kickoff return for 41 yards. Wayne is now 11-1.

November 9, 2013: Wayne beat Hilliard (OH) Darby by a score of 37-7 in the first round of the Ohio playoffs. Kinnel had 6 tackles and 2 interceptions. Wayne is now 10-1.

November 1, 2013: Wayne beat Clayton (OH) Northmont by a score of 14-7. Kinnel had 3 tackles. Wayne is now 9-1.

October 25, 2013: Wayne beat Kettering (OH) Fairmont by a score of 55-27. Kinnel had 8 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble, and 1 pass breakup. Wayne is now 8-1.

October 18, 2013: Wayne beat Centerville (OH) Centerville by a score of 42-35. Kinnel had 12 tackles. Wayne is now 7-1.

October 11, 2013: Wayne beat Beavercreek (OH) Beavercreek by a score of 14-10. Kinnel had 5 tackles and 1 forced fumble. Wayne is now 6-1.

October 4, 2013: Wayne beat Springfield (OH) Springfield by a score of 33-15. Kinnel had 7 tackles. Wayne is now 5-1.

September 27, 2013: Wayne beat Vandalia (OH) Butler by a score of 54-27. Kinnel had 6 tackles and 1 interception, which he returned 85 yards for a touchdown. He now has 25 tackles and 1 interception on the year. Wayne is 4-1.

September 20, 2013: Wayne beat Xenia (OH) Xenia by a score of 49-20. Kinnel had 4 tackles, bringing him to 19 on the season. Wayne is now 3-1.

September 13, 2013: Wayne lost to West Chester (OH) Lakota West by a score of 31-27. Kinnel had 5 tackles. He now has 15 tackles on the year, and Wayne is 2-1.

September 6, 2013: Wayne beat Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison by a score of 35-21. Kinnel had 7 tackles. Wayne is now 2-0.

August 30, 2013:
 Kinnel's Huber Heights (OH) Wayne team beat Gahanna (OH) Lincoln by a score of 62-28. Kinnel had 3 tackles and a 30-yard kickoff return. Wayne is now 1-0.

Recruit Tracker: Maurice Ways


Final senior season stats: 55 receptions, 1,261 yards, 22.9 yards/catch, 16 total touchdowns

November 15, 2013: Country Day lost to Marine City (MI) Marine City by a score of 33-28 on a questionable last-second touchdown. Ways had 9 catches for 189 yards and 3 touchdowns. Country Day ends the year with a record of 8-4.

November 8, 2013: Country Day beat Pontiac (MI) Notre Dame by a score of 49-27. Ways had 8 catches for 190 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus a 40-yard run. On the year he has 46 receptions for 1,072 yards and 12 touchdowns. Country Day is now 8-3.

November 1, 2013: Country Day beat Clawson (MI) Clawson by a score of 49-14. Ways did not have a catch in the game. Country Day is now 7-3.

October 25, 2013: Country Day beat Brighton (MI) Brighton by a score of 35-16. Ways had 5 catches for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns (from 50 and 97 yards). He's now sitting at 38 catches for 882 yards and 9 total touchdowns. Country Day is now 6-3 entering the playoffs.

October 18, 2013: Country Day beat Belleville (MI) Belleville by a score of 40-14. Ways had 3 catches for 84 yards. He now has 33 catches for 701 yards and 7 total touchdowns. Country Day is 5-3.

October 10, 2013: Country Day beat Flushing (MI) Flushing by a score of 42-7. Ways had 4 catches for 113 yards and 2 touchdowns. He now has 30 catches for 617 yards and 7 total touchdowns. Country Day is 4-3.

October 3, 2013: Country Day beat Detroit (MI) Chavez Academy by a score of 56-6. Ways had 3 catches for 49 yards, plus a 19-yard touchdown run. He now has 26 receptions for 504 yards and 5 total touchdowns. Country Day is now 3-3 on the year.

September 27, 2013: Country Day beat Escanaba (MI) Escanaba by a score of 34-7. Ways had 5 catches for 105 yards and 1 touchdown. Ways now has 23 catches for 455 yards and 4 touchdowns. Country Day improved to 2-3.

September 20, 2013: Country Day beat Detroit (MI) Pershing by a score of 42-0. Ways had 3 catches for 43 yards and 1 touchdown. He now has 18 receptions for 350 yards and 3 touchdowns. Country Day won its first game this year and sits at 1-3.

September 12, 2013: Country Day lost to Detroit (MI) Loyola by a score of 20-14. Ways had 1 catch for 30 yards. He has 15 receptions for 307 yards and 2 touchdowns. Country Day is now 0-3.

September 7, 2013: Country Day lost to Detroit (MI) U of D Jesuit by a score of 28-27. Ways had 8 catches for 102 yards and 1 touchdown. He now has 14 receptions for 277 yards and 2 touchdowns on the year, but Country Day is 0-2.

August 29, 2013:
 Ways's Detroit (MI) Country Day squad last to Zeeland (MI) West by a score of 44-28. Ways had 6 receptions for 175 yards and 1 touchdown. Country Day is now 0-1.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Detroit News: Michigan's last-second field goal was within the rules

Angelique Chengelis discusses the field goal at the end of regulation against Northwestern, which caused some heartache for Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who thought his team should have been given time to substitute (therefore ending the game).

Hit the jump for a girl.

Recruit Tracker: Shaun Crawford


November 30, 2013: St. Edward lost to Mentor (OH) Mentor by a score of 41-38. Crawford had 19 carries for 128 yards, along with 8 tackles. St. Edward ends the year at 11-2.

November 15, 2013: St. Edward beat Cleveland (OH) Cleveland Heights by a score of 42-7. Crawford had 79 rushing yards and 1 touchdown. St. Edward is now 10-1.

November 9, 2013: St. Edward beat Cleveland (OH) Shaker Heights by a score of 49-0. St. Edward is 9-1.

November 1, 2013: St. Edward beat Elkton (MD) Eastern Christian Academy by a score of 41-40. Crawford had 5 tackles. St. Edward is now 8-1.

October 25, 2013: St. Edward beat Cincinnati (OH) Moeller by a score of 45-42. Crawford had 5 tackles and 1 interception. St. Edward is now 7-1.

October 18, 2013: St. Edward lost to Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius by a score of 23-17. Crawford had 100 rushing yards and 1 touchdown, but fumbled 3 times. St. Edward is now 6-1.

October 5, 2013: St. Edward beat Youngstown (OH) Cardinal Mooney by a score of 41-14. Crawford had 7 carries for 184 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 73-yarder; he also had 9 tackles, 1 interception, and a punt return for 51 yards. St. Edward is 6-0.

September 28, 2013: St. Edward beat Erie (PA) McDowell by a score of 56-7. Crawford had 7 carries for 98 yards and 1 touchdown; 1 reception for 15 yards; 1 punt return for 56 yards; 8 tackles; and 1 blocked field goal. St. Edward is 5-0.

September 21, 2013: St. Edward beat Cincinnati (OH) Elder by a score of 48-7. Crawford had 9 carries for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 3 catches for 28 yards; he also had a 63-yard punt return for a touchdown and a kickoff return for 25 yards. St. Edward is now 4-0.

September 13, 2013: St. Edward beat Washington (DC) H.D. Woodson by a score of 49-0. St. Edward is now 3-0.

September 7, 2013: St. Edward beat Akron (OH) Buchtel by a score of 63-8. St. Edward is now 2-0.

August 31, 2013:
 Crawford's Cleveland (OH) St. Edward team beat Cleveland (OH) Glenville by a score of 40-24. Crawford had 7 tackles, blocked an extra point, and blocked a punt; he also had 2 carries for 23 yards. Glenville features 2014 Michigan offerees Marshon Lattimore and Erick Smith. St. Edward is now 1-0.

Recruit Tracker: Wilton Speight


Final senior season stats: 200/339 passing, 60.8% completions, 2,835 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

November 15, 2013: Collegiate lost to Lynchburg (VA) Liberty Christian Academy by a score of 31-19. Speight was 15/29 for 152 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. He also had 6 carries for 79 yards. Collegiate ends the year with a record of 9-2.

November 8, 2013: Collegiate beat Flint Hill (VA) Flint Hill by a score of 27-14. Speight was 15/25 for 245 yards and 3 touchdowns in the game. He's now 185/310 for 2,683 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. Collegiate is now 9-1 entering the playoffs.

November 1, 2013: Collegiate beat Richmond (VA) St. Christopher by a score of 34-14. Speight was 15/20 for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 40 yards and 2 touchdowns rushing. He's now 170/285 for 2,438 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. Collegiate is now 8-1.

October 25, 2013: Collegiate beat Norfolk (VA) Norfolk Academy by a score of 28-6. Speight was 19/27 for 348 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, plus 1 rushing touchdown. He's now 155/265 for 2,218 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. Collegiate is now 7-1.

October 18, 2013: Collegiate beat Fork Union (VA) Military Academy by a score of 47-7. Speight was 11/14 passing for 197 yards and 5 touchdowns in the win. He's now 136/238 for 1,870 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions on the year. Collegiate is 6-1.

October 11, 2013: Collegiate beat Leonardtown (MD) St. Mary's Ryken by a score of 28-7. Speight was 14/28 for 270 yards, 2 passing touchdowns, and 1 rushing touchdown. He's now 125/224 for 1,673 yards, 17 passing touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Collegiate is now 5-1.

October 4, 2013: Collegiate lost to Richmond (VA) Woodberry Forest by a score of 24-14. Speight was 38/68 for 289 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. He's now 111/196 for 1,403 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions on the year. Collegiate is now 4-1.

September 27, 2013: Collegiate beat Alexandria (VA) Episcopal by a score of 31-12. Speight was 18/29 for 247 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. He's now 73/128 for 1,114 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Collegiate is now 4-0.

September 20, 2013: Collegiate beat Oakton (VA) Flint Hill by a score of 30-7. Speight was 17/33 passing for 260 yards and 3 touchdowns. He's now 55/99 for 867 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Collegiate is now 3-0.

September 13, 2013: Collegiate beat Richmond (VA) Benedictine by a score of 35-21. Speight was 23/39 and had 315 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Collegiate is now 2-0.

September 6, 2013:
 Speight's Richmond (VA) Collegiate team beat Richmond (VA) Trinity Episcopal by a score of 43-14. Speight was 15/27 for 292 yards and 3 touchdowns, and he had 57 additional yards on the ground. Collegiate is now 1-0.

Recruit Tracker: Jabrill Peppers, Juwann Bushell-Beatty


November 15, 2013: Paramus Catholic beat Lawrenceville (NJ) Notre Dame by a score of 55-14. Peppers had a 9-yard touchdown run and a 50-yard punt return for a touchdown. The team is now 8-2 going into the second round of the playoffs.

November 8, 2013: Paramus Catholic beat Oradell (NJ) Bergen Catholic by a score of 44-6. Peppers had 4 touchdowns - 2 receiving, 1 rushing, and 1 on a 48-yard interception return - as well as another interception. The team is now 7-2 entering the playoffs.

November 1, 2013: Paramus Catholic beat Washington (DC) Friendship Collegiate by a score of 41-14. Peppers had a 43-yard touchdown run, 3 tackles, and 1 pass breakup. Paramus Catholic is now 6-2.

October 26, 2013: Paramus Catholic lost to Montvale (NJ) St. Joseph by a score of 27-14. Peppers had 10 carries for 73 yards, as well as 8 tackles and 1 tackle for loss. Paramus Catholic is now 5-2.

October 18, 2013: Paramus Catholic lost to Ramsey (NJ) Don Bosco Prep by a score of 20-13. Broadcast live on ESPN2, Peppers caught 5 passes for 94 yards and 1 touchdown, and he had 13 carries for 65 yards. Peppers transferred from Don Bosco after his sophomore year. Paramus Catholic is now 5-1.

October 4, 2013: Paramus Catholic beat Wilmington (DE) St. Mark's by a score of 56-6. Peppers had 3 catches for 56 yards, 5 tackles, and 1 tackle for loss. His team is now 5-0.

September 28, 2013: Paramus Catholic beat Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius by a score of 44-10. Peppers had 6 carries for 34 yards, 3 receptions for 44 yards and 1 touchdown, 2 tackles, 1 sack, 3 pass breakups, and went 1/1 passing for 4 yards. The team is now 4-0.

September 21, 2013: Paramus Catholic beat Wayne (NJ) DePaul by a score of 35-21. Peppers had 7 carries for 41 yards, 4 catches for 49 yards and 1 touchdown, 4 tackles, 3 pass breakups, 1 interception returned for a touchdown, and 1 kickoff return for 47 yards. The team is now 3-0.

September 14, 2013: Paramus Catholic beat Morristown (NJ) Delbarton by a score of 30-18. Peppers had 10 carries for 114 yards and 1 touchdown (on an 80-yard run), along with a 5-yard touchdown reception, 5 tackles, and 1 interception. The team is now 2-0.

September 8, 2013:
 The pair's Paramus (NJ) Catholic team beat Baltimore (MD) Gilman by a score of 28-0. Peppers had 6 carries for 45 yards, along with 3 catches for 54 yards, and 2 total touchdowns. Paramus Catholic is now 1-0.