2015 Season Countdown: #59 Da'Mario Jones

Da'Mario Jones

Name: Da'Mario Jones
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 199 lbs.
High school: Westland (MI) John Glenn
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Junior
Jersey number: #10
Last year: I ranked Jones #61 and said he would be a backup wide receiver with 2 catches for 29 yards. He caught 1 pass for 11 yards.

The deployment of Jones was a little confusing last year, to be honest. He was the type of player who Brady Hoke liked to use in the slot, but when few receivers were effective, Jones never seemed to get much of a shot to play. The coaching staff stuck with the same guys over and over, guys who couldn't get the job done. He made his 1 catch for 11 yards in the Miami-OH game early in the season, and that was it.

Jones looks like a slot guy and maybe a player who could help with returns, but there have been questions about his hands. He did not create any buzz during the spring, and that does not bode well for his future. Still, I have hopes for him as an athlete and I think he can help the team in a few ways. I have heard rumors about him as a transfer candidate, and Michigan gave incoming freshman quarterback Zach Gentry the #10 jersey also. Since two players can't be on the field with the same number - and I've heard that the coaches do plan to use Gentry this year - then something might have to give. Regardless, I'm putting Jones here at #59 because I think he has the talent to be a contributor in multiple phases of the game.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver, special teamer

Michigan vs. Rutgers Awards

Jarrod Wilson (#22) broke up this dangerous pass
(image via College Football)

Let's see more of this guy on offense . . . Da'Mario Jones. Jones is reportedly one of the faster players on the team, and Michigan is lacking a deep threat. Devin Funchess is being bracketed, Amara Darboh doesn't have great speed, and Dennis Norfleet doesn't know how to catch a ball that's thrown at him. It doesn't necessarily have to be Jones - it could be Freddy Canteen or Maurice Ways - but Michigan needs to find someone else to stretch the field besides a hobbled Funchess.

Let's see less of this guy on offense . . . A.J. Williams. He is slow and does not have good hands. Devin Gardner threw a quick out to him on Saturday night, and the results were sad. The tight ends running those routes should be Jake Butt or Khalid Hill. We know Butt is good, but Hill is a guy who seems to be improving steadily.

Let's see more of this guy on defense . . . Jarrod Wilson at free safety. I guess I don't see the rationale behind playing the more inexperienced Jeremy Clark back there in loads of open space, while the more experienced Wilson is covering the flats or stopping the run. Those roles should be flipped. Clark has size and speed, but he lacks field awareness. Meanwhile, Wilson's jarring hit on Leonte Carroo was the first of its kind for Michigan this season, and - surprise! - it came when Wilson was playing deep.

Let's see less of this guy on defense . . . tentative Joe Bolden and Frank Clark. On separate occasions, these guys seemed afraid to hit Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova. Bolden lacked his improving aggressive nature on a scramble up the middle, and Clark seemed to pull up on a pass rush that allowed Nova to side-step him and throw a touchdown to a diving John Tsimis. Were they tentative because of the week-long discussion about quarterback safety after the Shane Morris hit? Was it a coincidence? I don't know. Maybe Gary is just a super Nova. (Sad people make sad jokes.)

Play of the game . . . unlike last week, there are a couple choices. The highlight reel choice was obviously the one-handed snag by tight end Jake Butt. The more meaningful play was Devin Gardner's 19-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. On a bootleg, he juked the outside contain guy and outran the Rutgers defense to the pylon, all along gliding like only he and a few other quarterbacks can do. He really is fun to watch when he gets in open space. Not many 6'4", 216 lb. guys can move like he does.

MVP of the game . . . Gardner. He didn't have a great game, but nobody really stood out for Michigan. Gardner finished the game 13/22 for 178 yards, and 1 interception; he also ran the ball 10 times for 40 yards and 2 touchdowns. For the most part, he managed the game well, especially once he got comfortable in the second half. I also thought Joe Bolden played pretty well - he made 10 tackles, including 9 solo stops, several of which stopped Scarlet Knights in their tracks.

2014 Season Countdown: #61 Da'Mario Jones

Da'Mario Jones (image via Go Blue Wolverine)

Name: Da'Mario Jones
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 198 lbs.
High school: Westland (MI) John Glenn
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #10
Last year: I ranked Jones #65 and said he would be a backup wide receiver. He played most of the season on special teams.

I thought - and still think - that Jones was the best receiver in Michigan's 2013 class, and he played more than any of the other receivers (Csont'e York played in one game; Jaron Dukes redshirted). Recently, the freshman wideouts who make it on the field generally have had decent abilities and/or play with some regularity throughout their careers. That gives me some hope for Jones, who played regularly on special teams coverage and mostly did a good job. One of the most frustrating moments last year was when he lost track of a punt by UConn, only to have it bounce off his foot and be recovered by the Huskies. That play aside, he seemed like a capable athlete.

Going into the 2014 season, there will be a lot of jockeying for position as receivers will fight for the scraps left behind by Devin Funchess. Redshirt sophomore Jehu Chesson got a ton of playing experience last year, and classmate Amara Darboh was impressing people before his foot injury last summer. Freshman Freddy Canteen exploded onto the scene this spring, but Jones should be one of those guys who sees some snaps on offense to give a guy a breather or in garbage time. Canteen also said in the spring that Jones is one of the fastest players on the team, so he could surprise some teams with his speed if given a chance.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver; 2 catches, 29 yards

Class of 2013 Redshirts

Derrick Green (#27) carries the ball against Central Michigan

Here's an updated list of the freshmen who have played thus far in 2013 and the freshmen who are on pace to redshirt. Offensive guard Kyle Bosch, who is expected to start at left guard against Michigan State, is the most recent addition to the first list.

FRESHMEN WHO HAVE PLAYED
OG Kyle Bosch
TE Jake Butt
DE Taco Charlton
LB Ben Gedeon
RB Derrick Green
S Delano Hill
WR Da'Mario Jones
CB Jourdan Lewis
QB Shane Morris
RB De'Veon Smith
CB Channing Stribling
S Dymonte Thomas
WR Csont'e York

FRESHMEN WHO ARE REDSHIRTING (SO FAR)
OG David Dawson
FS Reon Dawson
CB Ross Douglas
WR Jaron Dukes
OT Chris Fox
TE Khalid Hill
DT Maurice Hurst, Jr.
C Patrick Kugler
LB Mike McCray
DT Henry Poggi
OG Dan Samuelson
FB Wyatt Shallman
LS Scott Sypniewski
OT Logan Tuley-Tillman

Poll results: Who will be Michigan's leading receiver?

This is a poll I took over the summer, prior to the season. Then things got busy and I didn't have a chance to post the results.

Who do you think Michigan's leading receiver will be in 2013? All statistics are through seven games.

Jeremy Gallon: 79%
Gallon took a pretty commanding lead with his 369-yard performance against Indiana, but as of now, he has 45 catches for 831 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Amara Darboh: 10%
Darboh suffered a foot injury shortly before the season began, has not played, and is expected to miss the rest of the year.

Devin Funchess: 3%
Funchess has 23 catches for 492 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was pushing Gallon for the lead, but now he's 339 yards behind.

Drew Dileo: 1% (6 votes)
Dileo has 8 catches for 99 yards and 1 touchdown. I expect him to catch a few more passes down the stretch, but he's obviously out of the running.

Jehu Chesson: 1% (5 votes)
Chesson's 7 catches for 98 yards and 1 touchdown aren't particularly impressive, but the physical skills are there to be a leading receiver someday. He needs to work on his hands and on adjusting to balls in the air.

Jeremy Jackson: 1% (4 votes)
Jackson has notched 5 catches for 53 yards.

Da'Mario Jones: 1% (4 votes)
Jones has yet to see time on offense, although he has played on special teams.

Joe Reynolds: 1% (4 votes)
Reynolds has 3 catches for 56 yards after being passed up for playing time by Chesson.

Csont'e York: 1% (4 votes)
York has played sparingly this season and has yet to make a catch.

Other: 0% (2 votes)
I don't know who else might have received a vote. Maybe Dennis Norfleet's parents stopped by to vote.

Jaron Dukes: 0% (0 votes)
Yeah, nobody voted for him.

2013 Season Countdown: #65 Da'Mario Jones

Da'Mario Jones (#11)

Name: Da'Mario Jones
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 195 lbs.
High school: Westland (MI) John Glenn
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #14
Last year: Jones was a senior in high school. I gave him a TTB Rating of 81.

Jones committed to Michigan at the end of October 2012 after previously having been pursued by smaller schools like Bowling Green, Toledo, etc. Near the end of the recruiting cycle, coaches from schools like Georgia came through his high school, but he said no thanks to their overtures.

As the most athletic receiver in the freshman class - on a team that lacks a little bit of athleticism at the position - I think Jones is the most likely of the group to play. He has good speed and decent change of direction, so it will depend on how quickly he can pick up the offense. If the coaches are looking for a guy to block, they might go with Jaron Dukes, but if they want a freshman to be involved with the passing offense, Jones appears to be the most ready. I don't think he'll be a superstar right off the bat, but I believe he's the best wide receiver in the freshman class and could catch a few passes this year.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver; 3 receptions, 30 yards

Poll results: Best wide receiver in 2013 class?

Westland (MI) John Glenn wide receiver Da'Mario Jones

Last week I asked the readers to choose who would be the best wideout in the 2013 class.  Overwhelmingly, TTB readers chose Da'Mario Jones.  Here are the results:

Da'Mario Jones - WR - Westland (MI) John Glenn: 71%
Jones is a 6'2", 185 lb., 3-star prospect.  He has a little more speed than the other two receivers in the class, but he was under the radar, partly because he bounced from New Jersey to Michigan before his senior year.  Jones was my choice for the top receiver in the class.  Here's his commitment post.

Jaron Dukes - WR - Columbus (OH) Marion Franklin: 15%
Dukes is about 6'4" and around 200 lbs.  He did not have a great senior season, which has been partly blamed (according to observers, not Dukes) on a lack of quality quarterback play at Marion Franklin.  My biggest question about Dukes is his lack of speed, which might limit him to being an occasional target as a possession receiver; of course, he could also be a good red zone target due to his size.  He has some upside, but his athleticism leaves a little to be desired. (Commitment post.)

Csont'e York - WR - Harper Woods (MI) Chandler Park: 13%
If I were ranking these guys, I would have put York second and Dukes third.  While York lacks some of Dukes's length, I think York is a more natural pass catcher.  He's still not an explosive target, but he adjusts well to the ball in the air and catches the ball with his hands away from his body.  I think he will be a quality target on jump balls and near the sideline, somewhat like a Brandon Lloyd (minus some speed) who can contort himself into making some difficult catches. (Commitment post.)

Final TTB Ratings for 2013

Maurice Hurst, Jr. made the biggest leap in
the final TTB Ratings

Here are the finalized TTB Ratings for the class of 2013.  Discuss!

Derrick Green - RB - Richmond (VA) Hermitage: 92 95
The more I think about the offensive line Michigan is building, the more I think Green is going to have a very good career in a winged helmet.  He could very well be the starter by his sophomore year, if not as a freshman.

Dymonte Thomas - S - Alliance (OH) Marlington: 92 89
I'm downgrading Thomas because I don't know that he's an All-American candidate, which is what a 90+ grade entails.  I think he will still be a very good player and turn into an all-conference player as a strong safety.

Kyle Bosch - OG - Wheaton (IL) St. Francis: 88
I'm going to leave Bosch right where he is.  He looks like an excellent guard prospect, and I like his nastiness.

Shane Morris - QB - Warren (MI) De La Salle: 89 87
Morris still has all the physical schools he has ever had - strong arm, decent athleticism - and has shown with his recruiting that he has some leadership skills.  It just seems like he has some limitations on seeing the whole field and making good decisions.

Patrick Kugler - C - Wexford (PA) North Allegheny: 83 86
With a couple years between Jack Miller and Kugler, the latter should have at least a couple seasons as a starter.  I liked what I saw of him at the Under Armour All-American Game.


Chris Fox - OT - Parker (CO) Ponderosa: 90 85
Fox's ACL tear concerns me some. He's still a big body who's pretty athletic, but I fear that this injury might put him behind some of the other linemen to begin..

Jourdan Lewis - CB - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: 86 84
Lewis isn't the biggest, strongest, or fastest recruit out there, but he shows good change of direction and ball skills.  I like him as a college cornerback, but he might be limited beyond that.

Jake Butt - TE - Pickerington (OH) North: 82
I'm leaving Butt right where he is. He's not a "next generation" tight end who can run really fast and jump really high, but he's a very solid prospect.  He should have no problem turning into a good blocker at the very least.

Ben Gedeon - LB - Hudson (OH) Hudson: 82 81
I still like Gedeon, but I have slightly more confidence in Butt as a prospect.  I like turning running backs into linebackers, and he has experience at both positions.

Da'Mario Jones - WR - Westland (MI) John Glenn: 79 81
As Michigan's passing offense improves and they can find more ways to get the ball to receivers, I like Jones's skill set more.  He's not an absolute blazer, but he offers a dimension of speed that some other recent receiver recruits lack.

Henry Poggi - DT - Baltimore (MI) Gilman: 81 79
Watching Poggi in the Under Armour All-American Game, I still think Poggi looks like a good prospect for the college level - he played very well - but I'm not sure he'll have the size or explosion to be a serious NFL prospect down the road.

Maurice Hurst, Jr. - DT - Westwood (MA) Xaverian Brothers: 73 78
I always liked Hurst's athleticism, but I like his energy, too.  After seeing his senior highlights and his performance in the Semper Fi All-American Bowl, I think he has some potential to be a pretty good player down the road.

Csont'e York - WR - Harper Woods (MI) Chandler Park Academy: 79 77
York's rating doesn't change much, but I have less confidence in him than Poggi.  He still has considerable upside because he can go up and get the ball, but he's not a dynamic athlete.

Taco Charlton - DE - Pickerington (OH) Central: 75 76
Charlton has the speed to stick at weakside end, but he keeps growing and growing. I wonder if at some point he might be too heavy to play WDE and end up as a strongside end. Considering some lacking technique, that could be troublesome.

Logan Tuley-Tillman - OT - Peoria (IL) Manual: 79 75
I'm downgrading Tuley-Tillman a little bit because he's so raw.  He's helped by the fact that he's the only left tackle prospect in this class, but it's tough to get a feel for him.  Pass protection is still a huge issue for him as he learns.

Mike McCray II - LB - Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison: 74
This seems to be a pretty good spot for McCray. It's unclear whether he'll finally end up at SAM or MIKE. He's a good athlete, but I have questions about his ability to read plays quickly.  I might be in favor of putting him at SAM, where he would be in a position to attack more often than having to read and react.

Channing Stribling - CB - Matthews (NC) Butler: 73
I thought about bumping up Stribling, but I just don't think I can do it.  He showed his ability to make plays in high school, but I just don't think he has the speed to be a dynamic player in college.  Most of Michigan's good corners over the past 15 years or so have been fast or at least quick, but I don't see that in Stribling.

David Dawson - OG - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: 67 71
I'm bumping Dawson up a little bit, because I think he could be a starter later in his career.  Anyone who becomes a starter with the way Michigan is recruiting has to be pretty good player, but I don't see a particularly high ceiling for him.

Delano Hill - CB - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: 71 69
Hill has lots of physical talent, but if he were a great playmaker, he would have been rated higher by the recruiting services.  He seems to be a guy who could be a very good special teamer and earn spot duty in college, but he's a man without a position - is he a corner or a safety? - and there's talent at those spots already.

Wyatt Shallman - RB - Novi (MI) Catholic Central: 65
I think this is a pretty good spot for Shallman.  I don't think he will ever be a starter at running back, although he could be a factor at fullback or U-back in the future.  He also has the ability to contribute on defense, but Shallman and the coaches have been insistent that he'll play offense.

Ross Douglas - CB - Avon (OH) Avon: 63
Douglas was recruited to play slot corner, and when you combine that with his lack of great size, I think he's somewhat limited when projecting him beyond college.  I think he could be a solid slot corner in the same vein as Brandon Harrison.

DeVeon Smith - RB - Warren (OH) Howland: 63
I thought about bumping Smith up because I truly believe that Michigan will be putting together some good rushing seasons in the coming years because of the offensive line, and not totally because of the talent of the running backs.  I do not believe Smith has the speed to be a dynamic running back himself, but he might put up good numbers as a backup and perhaps eventual successor to Green.

Reon Dawson - CB - Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison: 62
Dawson does have some potential to outperform this ranking, but he's behind some of the other guys in technical prowess.  The speed and size are there.  It just depends on how it all comes together.

Khalid Hill - TE - Detroit (MI) East English Village: 68 60
Hill can fill a role on this team, but he has talent ahead of him and his lack of speed or size sort of limits his upside.

Dan Samuelson - OG - Plymouth (IN) Plymouth: 65 59
I think Samuelson will be a quality backup down the road, who could make a spot start and be fine.  However, I think he's someone who might get lost in the shuffle with the rest of the linemen Michigan is getting.

Jaron Dukes - WR - Columbus (OH) Marion Franklin: 70 58
Dukes didn't have a great senior season, and I already had questions about him going into the 2012 season.  He doesn't have great speed, and he doesn't look like a lithe athlete who can make up for that speed deficiency with acrobatics.

Scott Sypniewski - LS - Ottawa (IL) : Incomplete
I don't know enough about long snappers around the country to offer an opinion here.

2013 Recruiting Awards

Derrick Green is dressed properly for the occasion

You can go ahead and glance back at my 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 recruiting award posts.

Best Overall Recruit: RB Derrick Green
Green is widely considered to be the top recruit in Michigan's class, and running backs are often fairly easy to scout.  Based on the way Michigan is recruiting the offensive line, I think there's a good chance that Green becomes an All-Big Ten player and perhaps an All-American.  That kind of performance at a place like Michigan would likely set him up for a high NFL Draft pick.

Best Offensive Recruit: RB Derrick Green
Considering the above paragraph, this is obvious.

Best Defensive Recruit: S Dymonte Thomas
Thomas is listed at 6'2", 192 lbs.  He has good speed and shows excellent hitting ability.  I was particularly impressed with him as a hitter/tackler during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.  I think his long-term potential might be somewhat limited because he hasn't spent much time in coverage, and NFL teams love those ball hawks.  But as for playing strong safety in college, Thomas looks like an excellent prospect.  I'm excited about his future.

Recruit Most Likely to Make an Early Impact: RB Derrick Green
Until Green committed a couple weeks ago, I would have chosen tight end Jake Butt.  However, Green enters the program when Michigan is looking for a viable #2 tailback, if not a starter while Fitzgerald Toussaint recovers from his broken leg.  I don't think it's out of the question for Green to be the leading rusher in 2013.

Fastest Recruit: CB Delano Hill
Hill is a workout warrior who puts up good numbers, and while his speed doesn't always show up on the field, he did have a laser-timed 4.44 time in the forty.  There really aren't a whole lot of blazing-fast players in this class.  A couple of the cornerbacks - including Hill - might end up at safety, and a couple of the wide receivers are bigger, slower guys.  None of these guys has speed that jumps out at you, but there are a few guys who can scoot a little bit - Green, Hill, Thomas, Ross Douglas, Reon Dawson, and Da'Mario Jones.

Strongest Recruit: OG Kyle Bosch
Bosch is a big, thick kid who probably doesn't need to add much size before seeing the field.  He enrolled early at Michigan, and insiders are already saying that he might be in line for a little bit of playing time as a true freshman.  While I'm not sure that will be necessary (unless there are injuries), it's still a positive tidbit about his future.

Best Under-the-Radar Recruit: WR Da'Mario Jones
Jones is a 6'2", 185 lb. receiver with good speed.  He needs some polishing, but his speed should allow him to be a deep threat a little more than several other guys on the roster.  When he committed to Michigan, he was sitting on several MAC offers and one from New Mexico.

Most Overrated Recruit: CB Delano Hill
Hill is a 4-star to three of the major recruiting sites (ESPN ranks him as a 3-star), but I think he's closer to a 3-star prospect.  He is a very good athlete, but I'm not sure he has the football instincts and playmaking ability to justify those 4-star rankings.

Most Likely to Redshirt: OT Chris Fox
Fox, who tore his ACL toward the end of his senior season, will miss some developmental time while he recovers.  Additionally, Michigan returns both starting tackles (Taylor Lewan, Michael Schofield) and has a couple decent redshirt freshmen (Ben Braden, Erik Magnuson), so there's not much need for Fox to play this year.

Personal Favorite Recruit: S Dymonte Thomas
Thomas was a two-way star in high school who put up excellent numbers on both sides of the ball.  He also seems to be a heady kid who reportedly improved quickly during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, so I think he'll be fun to watch.  Jordan Kovacs was fun to watch over the past couple seasons, and Thomas should eventually take that strong safety position and play at an even higher level.

Scout: Class of 2013 Michigan Final State Rankings

Warren (MI) De La Salle quarterback Shane Morris is the top player in the state

Scout finalized its 2013 in-state rankings.  Here are some notes on a few players of Michigan interest:

1. Shane Morris - QB - Warren (MI) De La Salle: Offered, committed to Michigan.
2. Steven Elmer - OT - Midland (MI) Midland: Offered, committed to Notre Dame.
3. Jourdan Lewis - CB - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Offered, committed to Michigan.
4. Jon Reschke - LB - Bloomfield (MI) Brother Rice: Offered, committed to Michigan State.
5. David Dawson - OG - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Offered, committed to Michigan.
6. Dennis Finley - OT - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Offered, committed to Michigan State.
7. Delano Hill - S - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Offered, committed to Michigan.
8. Wyatt Shallman - FB - Novi (MI) Catholic Central: Offered, committed to Michigan.
9. Khalid Hill - TE - Detroit (MI) East English Village: Offered, committed to Michigan.
13. Da'Mario Jones - WR - Westland (MI) John Glenn: Offered, committed to Michigan.
23. Berkley Edwards - RB - Chelsea (MI) Chelsea: Brother of former Michigan WR Braylon Edwards, committed to Minnesota.
26. Andre Turner - DE - Harper Woods (MI) Chandler Park: Teammate of WR commit Csont'e York, committed to Western Michigan.
28. DeJuan Rogers - CB - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Teammate of commits Lewis, Dawson, and D. Hill; committed to Toledo.
37. Josh Cox - S - Warren (MI) De La Salle: Teammate of QB commit Shane Morris; committed to Central Michigan.
64. Matt Linehan - QB - Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary's: Son of Detroit Lions OC Scott Linehan, committed to Idaho.

Detroit News Blue Chip list for 2013

Shane Morris is the top player in Michigan, according to the Detroit News

The Detroit News released its "blue chip" list for 2013, and unsurprisingly, there's a handful of future Wolverines on the list.  A quick rundown:

1. Shane Morris - QB - Warren (MI) De La Salle: Committed to Michigan.
2. David Dawson - OG - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Committed to Michigan.
3. Steve Elmer - OT - Midland (MI) Midland: Committed to Notre Dame.
4. Jourdan Lewis - CB - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Committed to Michigan.
5. Jon Reschke - LB - Birmingham (MI) Brother Rice: Committed to Michigan State.
6. Wyatt Shallman - RB - Novi (MI) Catholic Central: Committed to Michigan.
7. Cameron Dillard - OG - Plymouth (MI) Canton: Committed to Florida.
8. Gerald Holmes - RB - Flint (MI) Carman-Ainsworth: Committed to Michigan State.
9. Delano Hill - CB - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Committed to Michigan.
10. Khalid Hill - TE - Detroit (MI) East English Village: Committed to Michigan.
11. Da'Mario Jones - WR - Westland (MI) John Glenn: Committed to Michigan.
12. Dennis Finley - OT - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Committed to Michigan State.
13. Csont'e York - WR - Harper Woods (MI) Chandler Park: Committed to Michigan.
14. Kenton Gibbs - DT - Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Uncommitted.
15. Luke Maclean - LB - Grand Blanc (MI) Grand Blanc: Committed to Pitt.

So Michigan has 8 of the top 15 players in the state for the class of 2013, in addition to 8 of the 15 from last year.

Visitors: Michigan vs. Iowa

Dymonte Thomas

2013
Reon Dawson - CB - Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison: Dawson is a 6'2", 175 lb. prospect who is committed to Illinois.  The teammate of Michigan commit Mike McCray, Dawson also holds offers from Arizona, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Pitt, Purdue, Virginia, and West Virginia.  (Highlights.)

Da'Mario Jones - WR - Westland (MI) John Glenn: Jones committed to Michigan at the end of October.

Mike McCray II - LB - Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison: McCray committed to Michigan in March.  Here's how his senior season is going.

Shane Morris - QB - Warren (MI) De La Salle: Morris is Michigan's premier recruit for the 2013 class.  Here's a look at how his senior season went.

Channing Stribling - CB - Matthews (NC) Butler: This is his official visit.  Here's a look at how Stribling's senior season is unfolding.

Scott Sypniewski - LS - Ottawa (IL) Marquette: Sypniewski is a long snapper, which is really neat.

Dymonte Thomas - S - Alliance (OH) Marlington: Thomas committed to Michigan.  Here's a look at how his senior season went.

Logan Tuley-Tillman - OT - Peoria (IL) Manual: Tuley-Tillman committed to Michigan in February.  Here's a look at his senior highlights.

Csont'e York - WR - Highland Park (MI) Chandler Park: York committed to Michigan back in May.

2014
Brian Allen - C - Hinsdale (IL) Central: Allen is a 6'2", 275 lb. center prospect.  He has offers from Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Purdue, and Wisconsin.  (Highlights.)

Alex Bookser - OT - Pittsburgh (PA) Mt. Lebanon Shores: Bookser is a 6'5", 295 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

Avery Edwards - TE - Raleigh (NC) Ravenscroft: Edwards is a 6'5", 220 lb. prospect with offers from North Carolina, North Carolina State, and Wake Forest. As a sophomore in 2011, he had 45 receptions for 659 yards (14.6 yards/catch) and 10 touchdowns; his junior produced 40 receptions for 490 yards (10.3 yards/catch) and 4 touchdowns.  He's not the most athletic tight end out there, and I think Michigan might have some better options, but he could be a guy they pursue down the road. (Highlights.)

Matt Hammerstein - OT - Uniontown (OH) Lake: I don't know much about Hammerstein, but my assumption is that he's the son of former Michigan defensive tackle Mike Hammerstein.

Joe Henderson - DE - Cleveland (OH) Shaker Heights: Henderson is a 6'4", 220 lb. prospect with offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Minnesota, and Pitt.  Some people think he could play outside linebacker, but he looks like a weakside end to me.  He uses his hands well and has pretty good athleticism.  He had previously been listed with a Michigan offer, although recent information suggests he was not verbally offered by the Wolverines; however, I would not be surprised if he is offered soon. (Highlights.)

Darryl Long - TE - Westerville (OH) South: Long is a 6'4", 220 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Ohio, and Pitt. (Highlights.)

Evan Mallory - OG - Brownsburg (IN) Brownsburg: Mallory is a 6'4", 285 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

Kyle Rachwal - TE - Lapeer (MI) East: Rachwal is a 6'3", 225-pounder with no offers at this point.  This is his fifth or sixth visit to Michigan this season, so I would bet that he would jump on a Michigan offer if he were lucky enough to get one.

Gelen Robinson - DE - St. John (IN) Lake Central: Robinson is a 6'1", 230 lb. defensive end with no offers at this point.  As a junior this season, he had 95 tackles, 47 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries.  Robinson is the younger brother of Michigan freshman basketball player Glenn Robinson III and, therefore, the son of former Purdue and NBA star Glenn Robinson. (Highlights.)

Vic Roe - DT - Carmel (IN) Carmel: Roe is a 6'3", 255-pounder without any offers at this point.  I do not think Roe is a Michigan-caliber player. (Highlights.)

Shelby Spence - QB - Chicago (IL) De La Salle: Spence is a 6'1", 193 lb. dual-threat quarterback with no offers at this time.  He's the teammate of 2014 offensive guard offeree Jamarco Jones.  Spence does not appear to be a high level FBS prospect. (Highlights.)

Darius West - CB - Lima (OH) Central Catholic: West is a 5'11", 189 lb. cornerback with offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, and Purdue, along with some MAC schools.  As a sophomore in 2011, he had 69 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble.  If Michigan were to offer him, I think it would be as a slot corner prospect; however, he does not appear to be a player who will be offered by Michigan anytime soon, despite recently being named to the Rivals 250.


2015
John Kelly - S - Oak Park (MI) Oak Park: Kelly is a 5'11", 180-pounder without any offers at this time, but the buzz suggests that he'll be a decent recruit in the not-too-distant future.

Da'Mario Jones, Wolverine

Westland (MI) John Glenn wide receiver Da'Mario Jones (image via Detroit News)

Westland (MI) John Glenn wide receiver Da'Mario Jones committed to Michigan on Wednesday.  He chose the Wolverines over offers from Bowling Green, Central Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, and Toledo and had previously been committed to CMU.

Jones is listed at 6'2", 185 lbs., claims a 4.4 forty, and runs a 10.8 in the 100 meters.

Ratings:
ESPN: 3-star WR, 78, #77 WR
Rivals: Unranked
Scout: 3-star WR, #77 WR
247: 3-star WR, #152 WR

Jones committed to Central Michigan back in July, but he continued to visit Michigan - for the BBQ at the Big House and for several games this season.  It seemed he was angling for a Michigan offer, and that offer came when it appeared that Massillon (OH) Washington cornerback Gareon Conley would decommit from Michigan in order to take visits to Ohio State and Oregon.  Jones jumped on the offer almost as soon as it arrived.

Jones has good size and leaping ability, so he could be an asset in the red zone, on jump balls, or on back shoulder throws.  He's capable of getting separation from defensive backs, shows good footwork and route running, and has enough suddenness to set up double moves.  He's not a shake-and-bake type, but he does show a knack for making a cut upfield after running laterally.  Crossing routes should be an asset where he can catch the ball over the middle, look for a seam, and then gain extra yards.  He also doesn't shy away from contact, so he should turn into a plus blocker and gain yards that some receivers won't.

Notice that I said he "could be" an asset in the red zone - Jones isn't the most natural pass catcher, and he needs to work on snatching the ball out of the air.  You can see in his film that when the ball is above his shoulders, he struggles to catch the ball cleanly.  This could be an issue with better and bigger defensive backs, who might swipe at the ball and turn those into incompletions.  Jones also shows good speed, but he won't blow the lid off a defense.

Jones seems to be a quality addition to the team, and while he doesn't look like a superstar, he looks like a very adequate addition to the receiver class.  He has more big-play ability than the other two receivers currently committed, Jaron Dukes and Csont'e York.  He reminds me a bit of Darryl Stonum, although lacking the same top-end speed.

This gives Michigan 23 commits for 2013, but that number will likely drop to 22 soon, once Gareon Conley exits from the class as expected.  Jones is the third receiver in the class, and he should be the first player from John Glenn since running back Tony Boles, who played for Michigan from 1986-1989 (394 carries, 2247 yards, 18 touchdowns).

TTB Rating: 79 (ratings explanation)

The best highlight film is on Hudl, but here are his Youtube highlights: