Showing posts with label Kyle Bosch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kyle Bosch. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Kyle Bosch, Ex-Wolverine

Kyle Bosch
Sophomore offensive guard Kyle Bosch has received his transfer release. His destination is unclear. If he transfers to another Division I school, he will have to sit out one season before playing again, which means the earliest he could play would be as a redshirt junior. If he transfers to a lower division, he should be able to play immediately.

Bosch came from Wheaton (IL) St. Francis and committed in February of 2012 (LINK). I gave him a TTB Rating of 88, confident that he would be a good starting guard down the line. As a true freshman in 2013, he was forced into action due to injuries and underperformance by his elders. He started three games late in the year but was eventually replaced. This year he played the final offensive snap of the season opener, and then it was reported that he was taking "an indefinite leave of absence" from the team that sounded like some sort of personal or family issue. He tweeted that he would return the next semester, and he has supposedly done so (he tweeted that he was "back in Ann Arbor") but not to play football. At least not for Jim Harbaugh.

I am disappointed about Bosch's departure because I thought he would be a very good player. I ranked him as Michigan's top lineman in the 2013 class, he played first, and he had a nasty disposition. In fact, I think his style of play would work better for Harbaugh than it would have for Brady Hoke. But for whatever reason(s), he has chosen to depart. Of course, part of it may have to do with the issue that caused him to leave the team for almost the whole first semester. Another part may have to do with the fact that Michigan returns all five starters in 2015, plus versatile backup Erik Magnuson. Overall, the reasons seem to have to do with things other than football.

This is the second player to transfer since the firing of Brady Hoke (freshman linebacker Michael Ferns was the first) and the first player to transfer since the hiring of Jim Harbaugh. Bosch is also the first member of the 2013 class to leave, a class that included six linemen altogether. He will probably not be the last player to leave through the transition, and I have heard rumors about 1-2 other linemen, but those rumors came through before Harbaugh was hired; Bosch was also initially on that list of rumored departures, but again, that was somewhat predictable after he left school for three months.

Michigan has six current commits in the 2015 class and at least eight openings, so the class could reach 14 or more.

Thursday, August 14, 2014

2014 Season Countdown: #14 Kyle Bosch

Kyle Bosch (#65), an Illinois native, celebrates the win over Northwestern
Name: Kyle Bosch
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 303 lbs.
High school: Wheaton (IL) St. Francis
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #65
Last year: I ranked Bosch #78 and said he would redshirt if possible. He played in five games and started three at left guard.

In last year's Bosch profile, I wrote "He probably won't be one of the five best linemen right off the bat, but he has a chance to be a Justin Boren-type injury replacement at some point in the season." That's exactly what happened. The coaches held him out until the Indiana game, when an injury to backup guard Joe Burzynski - who was making his first career start - forced Bosch onto the field. I felt that Bosch was Michigan's most college-ready freshman lineman in 2013, and he held his own. But he played like a freshman, struggled with combo blocks, and eventually returned to the bench in favor of the Erik Magnuson/Kyle Kalis guard combination.

The most recent information coming out of practice says that Bosch and Kalis are the odd men out with Magnuson playing left guard and Graham Glasgow on the right. Sometimes that information has to do with injuries, motivational ploys, or attempts by the coaching staff to mix things up and see what works. When I put this list together, I assumed that Magnuson would be required at left tackle, not true freshman Mason Cole. I will stick to my guns and say that Bosch should be the starter at left guard, because having a freshman playing blind side tackle terrifies me just a wee bit. However, there are obviously still some moving parts. It will be interesting to see who trots out there on August 30th.

Prediction: Starting left guard

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl Preview: Offensive Line

Kansas State center B.J. Finney is the Big 12
conference's top player at his position.
MICHIGAN
Starters: Fifth year senior left tackle Taylor Lewan (6'8", 315 lbs.) has been an All-American and First Team All-Big Ten in 2012 and 2013, and he's projected as a first round pick in next year's NFL Draft. Redshirt freshman Erik Magnuson (6'6", 295 lbs.) has played left guard, right guard, and right tackle this year, but none of them particularly well. He has decent feet but struggles at the point of attack. Redshirt sophomore Graham Glasgow (6'6", 303 lbs.) was the starting left guard early in the year, took over the center position against Minnesota, and will likely start his thirteenth game of the season on Saturday night. Glasgow had several bad snaps in his first weeks as the center, but the snapping issues have largely been eliminated in the last couple games. Redshirt freshman Kyle Kalis (6'5", 302 lbs.) lost his job after his early-season performance, but now he's back at right guard. He lacks the foot speed to be effective on zone stretches, and the offense evolved at the end of the year toward more of an inside zone running system to accommodate the likes of Kalis. Fifth year senior right tackle Michael Schofield (6'7", 304 lbs.) is a three-year starter and was named Honorable Mention all-conference this year, and some draft projections have him going as high as in the second round this coming April.
Backups: True freshman Kyle Bosch (6'5", 302 lbs.) started three games late in the year after redshirt junior Joe Burzynski tore his ACL. Bosch showed some promise but looked overwhelmed and eventually gave his job back to Kalis, who had been benched in favor of Magnuson. Redshirt sophomore Jack Miller started the first four games of the season at center and has not been heard from since getting benched for Glasgow. Redshirt sophomore Chris Bryant (6'4", 316 lbs.) made two starts at at left guard before getting benched in the middle of the Penn State game.

KANSAS STATE
Starters: Fifth year senior Cornelius Lucas (6'9", 328 lbs.) was a First Team All-Big 12 selection in 2012, but this year he was just Honorable Mention. Redshirt sophomore Cody Whitehair (6'4", 309 lbs.) was Second Team All-Big 12 this season. Redshirt junior B.J. Finney (6'4", 303 lbs.) was named the best center in the conference. Redshirt sophomore Boston Stiverson (6'4", 312 lbs.) started a couple games as a redshirt freshman and is the team's top backup lineman this year, and he's been filling in for an injured Keenan Taylor at right guard. Senior Tavon Rooks (6'5", 280 lbs.) has been the starting right tackle for the past two seasons, earning Honorable Mention all-conference in both his years on campus.
Key backup: Fifth year senior Keenan Taylor (6'4", 290 lbs.) is questionable for the bowl game due to a knee injury, but he started all 13 games last year at right guard. Stiverson has been starting in his stead for the past few weeks, but Taylor should be in there if healthy.

THE TAKEAWAY
Michigan is tied for 111th in the country with 35 sacks allowed, and they're #101 with 131 yards/game given up on the ground. The paltry 3.25 yards/carry average ranks them 114th. Kansas State is #54 nationally with 180 yards/game on the ground, and they're #51 with 4.53 yards/carry. They've also allowed 24 sacks, which is tied for #62 in the country. So while Kansas State is a wee bit above average, they're still a long ways ahead of Michigan in many ways. The Wildcats also have a few guys with all-conference accolades, while Michigan's Taylor Lewan has been pretty lonely when it comes to postseason accolades.

ADVANTAGE: Kansas State

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Mailbag: Offensive line and Al Borges

Thunder, As a regular reader of "Touch the Banner," I want to thank you for the continued great effort/product you deliver . . . and today, ask you some questions about the continuing poor performance of the offensive line. 
1. Too often seems to be confusion about blocking assignments, true? 
2. While I appreciate the long readiness curve for offensive lineman (both mentally and physically), shouldn't U-M be able to get by reasonably well with two senior tackles (including an All-American) and some highly touted (albeit young) recruits? The guys who are in their 2nd year should be further along, right? 
3. For young lineman, isn't it easier blocking out/forward than side-to-side? Seems that prevailing offensive philosophy promotes these lineman being on their heals more than being aggressive - is this accurate? 
4. Personally, Borges just doesn't seem to be getting the results . . . and he is responsible for COORDINATING, not just sitting in a box calling plays. He doesn't seem up to the job. Your thoughts? Thanks for any insight you can provide. 
Go Blue! 
Best, 
Jim
 1. Yes, the problems up front are more about mental mistakes than physical ones. Even with the young guys in place, Michigan has good size up front. And while their strength may not be up to par with fourth- or fifth-year guys, the physical disparity should not be that significant if that's all it was. If you're the same size as your opponent but a little bit weaker, you should still not be giving up 7 sacks a game or rushing for -69 yards over a two-game stretch. The mental side of playing offensive line is what's killing Michigan right now.

2. The youth on Michigan's interior is sometimes blown out of proportion on the internet, although perhaps it's not commented on enough by the broadcast crew each Saturday. There should probably be a happy medium in there somewhere. Senior left tackle Taylor Lewan has done a very good job this year from whistle to whistle; the problem for him has been stuff before the play (false starts) or after the play (the MSU nonsense). Senior right tackle Michael Schofield is apparently being looked at as a possible second round pick, but I have a hard time believing that he'll be selected that high; he's so-so in the run and the pass, not dominant at either one.

The biggest problem, obviously, has been from guard to guard. Michigan has a bunch of guys playing out of position. It's a line in disarray. I'm giving Kyle Bosch a free pass because he's a true freshman and shouldn't be playing, anyway. But redshirt sophomore Graham Glasgow is a tackle or a guard playing center, who can't snap the ball, make proper line calls, or block the correct defender on a consistent basis; he's in over his head, and you can tell by the look on his face in the huddle - the game is moving too fast for him. Redshirt freshman Erik Magnuson is a left tackle playing right guard; the scouting report on him coming out of high school was "good pass blocker but needs to be more physical in the run game." You do not take a guy who lacks physicality and put him at right guard if you want to run over teams. That's the type of guy you hear about in year four or five when people say, "He's really improved over the past couple years and become a good run blocker." The other guy worth mentioning here is redshirt sophomore Jack Miller, who was brought in to be a zone-blocking center but tried to become a hybrid zone/power center before getting sent to the bench. Miller seems to be more mentally ready for playing center, calling protections, etc., but he loses ground too often. If you look at the pros and cons of Glasgow vs. Miller, I think Miller gets the nod after seeing both in action this year . . . but neither player is ideal.

Concluding the answer to question #2, I think Michigan has a decently talented crew of linemen who are playing out of place and being asked to do too much. If I were Michigan's coaching staff, I would at least attempt to see what it looks like with Lewan at left tackle, Schofield at left guard, Miller at center, Glasgow at right guard, and Magnuson at right tackle; that way you have a strong side with Lewan/Schofield, a better general at center, and Glasgow/Magnuson playing their more natural positions.

3. Young linemen do a better job of blocking forward/out (gap or man blocking) than zone blocking, because zone blocking requires timing and an understanding of defenses that takes time to develop. Most high school teams don't run zone the way that colleges do, and especially when you have a dominant lineman, you use him to crush down one side of the line while you run right off his butt. Zone blocking became all the rage because it allowed smaller, more athletic, but less dominant blockers to double-team and "just get in the way" to allow runners to pick an alley. But high schools that produce 6'5", 300 lb. linemen don't need that kind of tactical advantage.

I've taught zone blocking to high schoolers, and I've taught gap blocking to high schoolers. The zone concept is easier in theory but ten times more difficult to put into practice because you're taking guys who are normally very aggressive and teaching them to take an angle bucket step, read the defender, and then react appropriately by double-teaming, taking over a block, or going up to the next level. Rather than saying before the play "I've got that guy," now these guys have to say "I've got this guy, this guy, or that guy, depending on what they do when my buddy snaps the ball." Unless you teach zone exclusively or almost exclusively, it's going to be very tough sledding.

4. I was really frustrated with Borges during the Nebraska game because of his insistence on running the ball when it clearly wasn't working for the second week in a row. I mean, Michigan hasn't been able to run the ball consistently all year, but Michigan State stops you with their defense . . . fine, they do that to everyone. When Nebraska's 85th-ranked rushing defense stops you and you still keep slamming your head into the wall, I start to have questions about your willingness to adapt.

All that being said, I think Michigan fans have to accept that what is being put on the field is bound to be unsuccessful much of the time. I suggested a lineup change above that I believe would help, but that won't instantly make Miller, Glasgow, and Magnuson great football players. When three-fifths of your offensive line is overmatched mentally and physically, there's not a whole lot you can do as a play caller to mitigate the problems.

My suggestions for Borges would be to concentrate on one type of run play (zone or power) but not both, develop more play action off your best run play (currently the inverted veer), throw more screens until defenses stop blitzing, roll or half-roll Gardner, throw more quick-hitting passes, and resort to an occasional or full-time no-huddle to prevent defenses from having so much time to key in on formations, personnel, etc. Of course, Al Borges knows a ton more about football than I do, so he probably doesn't need my suggestions. But as an offensive coordinator, that's how I would try to get around my weak offensive line.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

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

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Michigan 63, Indiana 47

Tight end Devin Funchess was the embodiment of Michigan's high-flying offense (image via MGoBlog)
Offense wins games. Defense is stupid. The total of 1,323 yards in this game was the most ever in a Michigan game. Michigan had a team record 751. Indiana only had 572, those slackers. Just imagine if Michigan were a hurry-up offense like Indiana instead of a team that huddles before every play.

Devin Gardner is the best Michigan quarterback ever! Gardner was 21/29 for 503 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had 15 carries for 81 yards and 3 touchdowns. That total of 584 yards left him one yard short of the Big Ten record for total yardage, which is 585 and was set by Dave Wilson of Illinois back in 1980. Two of Gardner's completions went for 70 yards (to Jeremy Gallon both times), and if not for a couple failures to throw away the ball, Gardner basically played as well as anyone could ask. He had zero interceptions, although there was a fumbled snap between center Graham Glasgow and himself (the third week in a row in which that has happened).

Jeremy Gallon is the best Michigan receiver ever! Gallon had 14 catches for 369 yards and 2 touchdowns (along with 1 carry for -5 yards). That set a new Big Ten record for receiving yardage and rests second all-time behind Louisiana Tech's Troy Edwards and his 21 receptions for 405 yards and 3 touchdowns against Nebraska in 1998. The previous Big Ten yardage record (301) had been held by Purdue's Chris Daniels since 1999, and the previous Michigan record (246) was Roy Roundtree's since the triple-overtime game against Illinois in 2010. Former Michigan wide receiver Marquise Walker had 15 receptions twice (against Ohio State and Washington in 2001) to set the receptions record, so Gallon's school receptions mark is one less than Walker's; however, Walker had 160 and 159 yards in those games, respectively, so Gallon had a much more explosive day.

Kyle Bosch burned his redshirt and I don't really care. The coaches decided to switch things up again this week and start Joe Burzynski at left guard and redshirt freshman Erik Magnuson at right guard. That didn't last long, since Burzynski tweaked his knee early. But instead of calling redshirt freshman Kyle Kalis or redshirt sophomore Chris Bryant off the bench, Michigan went with true freshman Bosch. It was only Indiana - a smallish and bad defense - but I thought Bosch did pretty well. His size is college-ready, and I thought he was the most talented lineman in Michigan's 2013 class. Michigan only allowed sacks when Gardner held onto the ball too long, and Fitzgerald Toussaint ran 32 times for 151 yards and 4 touchdowns. It doesn't matter where the solution comes from, as long as the problem on the interior gets fixed. Some people were bothered about Bosch burning his redshirt halfway through the year, but if a true freshman plays half the year - especially when all other options have been exhausted - I don't see how anyone can have a problem with it.

Channing Stribling got torched again. I really don't care what Stribling does in practice. He's a true freshman and the game is moving too fast for him. Last week he got beaten twice on jump balls he should have been able to intercept or knock down, once by Brandon Felder and once by Allen Robinson; that resulted in a loss. This week he used poor technique again and got beaten for a 67-yard touchdown by Kofi Hughes. Instead of going up for the ball, Stribling tried to cradle the ball into his chest, which allowed Hughes to come over the top. Add that to several missed tackles, and I think Stribling needs to be demoted. He has a good future, but the speed of the game is one reason why most freshmen redshirt.

Hello, Thomas Gordon. Gordon had a weird stat line. It consists of the following: 2 interceptions returned for 41 yards. That's it. No tackles, no pass breakups. And those were his first two picks of the year. Opposing quarterbacks have been testing Michigan's cornerbacks more than the safeties this year, but I've been a little surprised that Gordon hasn't been more involved up to this point.

Good for Indiana. I have a soft spot for the underdog, and I somewhat hope that Indiana gets a few good years here. Obviously, I hope they lose to Michigan whenever the two meet. But as long as another team takes a dip to replace Indiana near the bottom of the conference, it would be nice to see the long-suffering Indiana fans have a little fun. They're 3-4 right now, but I think head coach Kevin Wilson has them going in the right direction. They've also been doing a good job on the recruiting trail. By the way, Michigan starting cornerback Raymon Taylor was once an Indiana commit.

What does this mean for Michigan? Well, Michigan might have earned some confidence offensively, which would be nice. I also suggested prior to this game that Michigan would go to more of a spread offense with Bryant and Kalis benched, and that appears to have been the case. Al Borges's play calling seemed to shy away from running power and zone stretch constantly and incorporated some more misdirection, draws, etc. out of the run game. Michigan can't expect to blow people off the ball, so this is what Michigan's offense should look like for the remainder of the year.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

2013 Season Countdown: #78 Kyle Bosch

Kyle Bosch with offensive line coach Darrell Funk
Name: Kyle Bosch
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 307 lbs.
High school: Wheaton (IL) St. Francis
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #65
Last year: Bosch was a senior in high school. I gave him a TTB Rating of 88.

Bosch committed to Michigan in February 2012. Despite being ranked by some sites as an offensive tackle - and playing tackle for his high school team - Bosch looks more like an offensive guard at the next level.  He graduated early to enroll at Michigan in January, where he participated in spring practices.

He has excellent size for a kid coming out of high school, and reports out of spring practices were positive.  Because of his considerable talent, early enrollment, and good size, I think Bosch is the most likely of the freshman offensive linemen to play.  He probably won't be one of the five best linemen right off the bat, but he has a chance to be a Justin Boren-type injury replacement at some point in the season.  The coaches would probably want to redshirt him, but the interior offensive linemen are very inexperienced, so he should at least be able to push those guys.

Prediction: Redshirt if possible

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Nike's The Opening participants: Michigan

Jourdan Lewis and Delano Hill were two of Michigan's ten eventual signees to participate in Nike's The Opening
2013
Ian Bunting, TE - Hinsdale, IL
Drake Harris, WR - Grand Rapids, MI

2012
Kyle Bosch, OG - Wheaton, IL
Jake Butt, TE - Pickerington, OH
Taco Charlton, DE - Pickerington, OH
David Dawson, OG - Detroit, MI
Ross Douglas, CB - Avon, OH
Derrick Green, RB - Richmond, VA
Delano Hill, S - Detroit, MI
Jourdan Lewis, CB - Detroit, MI
Mike McCray II, LB - Trotwood, OH
Shane Morris, QB - Warren, MI

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Poll results: Who will be the best offensive lineman in the 2013 class?

Wexford (PA) North Allegheny center Patrick Kugler
Patrick Kugler: 63%
The freshman from Wexford (PA) North Allegheny played in the Under Armour All-American Game.  According to the 247 Composite rankings, he's a 4-star, the #68 player nationally, and the country's top center.  He will enroll at Michigan in June and potentially be a backup to whoever wins the starting center job this spring.  His father is a former professional offensive line coach who is now UTEP's head football coach.

Kyle Bosch: 19%
Bosch is a 6'5", 307 lb. player who enrolled in January.  He attended Wheaton (IL) St. Francis and was 247 Composite's #3 offensive guard and #87 overall prospect.  In spring practice videos, he has appeared to be running with the second team at offensive guard.  He may factor into the playing rotation in the fall.

David Dawson: 12%
The Detroit (MI) Cass Tech prospect stands 6'4" and 280 lbs.  He's the 247 Composite's #4 offensive guard - one spot below Bosch - and their #95 player overall.  Dawson also played in the Under Armour All-American Game.

Chris Fox and Logan Tuley-Tillman: 1% (tie)
Fox comes from Parker (CO) Ponderosa, while Tuley-Tillman hails from Peoria (IL) Manual; they were selected for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and the Under Armour game, respectively, although Fox was unable to participate due to a knee injury.  Fox stands 6'6" and 300 lbs. and was recruited to play tackle, while Tuley-Tillman enrolled in January and has been practicing at left offensive tackle, standing 6'7" and 285 lbs.  Fox was 247 Composite's #5 offensive guard and #111 overall player, and Tuley-Tillman was the #12 offensive tackle and #167 player overall.

Dan Samuelson: 0%
Plymouth (IN) Plymouth offensive guard Samuelson stands 6'5" and 290 lbs.  According to the 247 Composite rankings, he's the #21 offensive guard and #414 overall player in the nation.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

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.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

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.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Rivals 250 for 2013 finalized

Jourdan Lewis (left, pictured with once and future teammate Delano Hill) jumped up to the #131 player in the nation
Rivals released its final top 250 players for the class of 2013.  The top 100 was released yesterday:  Here's what the top 250 looked like on December 4.

Movement for Michigan players:

- Kyle Bosch fell from #99 to #104
- Dymonte Thomas fell from #107 to #109
- Mike McCray fell from #88 to #115
- Jourdan Lewis jumped from #147 to #131
- Chris Fox fell from #123 to #142
- Jake Butt fell from #141 to #144
- Taco Charlton fell from #231 to #237
- Ross Douglas fell from #238 to #241
- Logan Tuley-Tillman fell out of the top 250

Here are the rest of Michigan's offerees

104. Kyle Bosch - OG - Illinois (Michigan)
106. Dorian O'Daniel - LB - Maryland (Clemson)
107. Elijah Daniel - DE - Indiana (Mississippi)
109. Dymonte Thomas - S - Ohio (Michigan)
110. E.J. Levenberry - LB - Virginia (Florida State)
112. Larenz Bryant - LB - North Carolina (South Carolina)
115. Mike McCray II - LB - Ohio (Michigan)
124. Isaac Rochell - DE - Georgia (Notre Dame)
127. Jake Raulerson - DE - Texas (Texas)
131. Jourdan Lewis - CB - Michigan (Michigan)
133. Cole Luke - CB - Arizona (Notre Dame)
139. Kameron Miles - S - Texas (Texas A&M)
142. Chris Fox - OT - Colorado (Michigan)
143. Maurice Smith - CB - Texas (Alabama)
144. Jake Butt - TE - Ohio (Michigan)
146. Michael Hill - DT - South Carolina (Ohio State)
147. Jake Oliver - WR - Texas (Texas)
149. Jon Reshke - LB - Michigan (Michigan State)
161. Joe Mathis - DE - California (Washington)
162. Hunter Bivin - OT - Kentucky (Notre Dame)
165. David Dawson - OG - Michigan (Michigan)
174. Darren Carrington - WR - California (Oregon)
175. Billy Price - DT - Ohio (Ohio State)
179. Tim Harris - CB - Virginia (Virginia)
181. Na'Ty Rodgers - OT - Maryland (South Carolina)
183. Jordan Cunningham - WR - Florida
186. Devon Allen - WR - Arizona
200. Kevin Olsen - QB - New Jersey (Miami)
202. Nadir Barnwell - ATH - New Jersey (Rutgers)
204. Jayme Thompson - S - Ohio (Ohio State)
209. Ishmael Wilson - OG - Texas (Texas A&M)
210. Sebastian Larue - WR - California
212. Ebenezer Ogundeko - DE - New York (Clemson)
213. Cameron Hunt - OG - California (Cal)
221. Jason Hatcher - DE - Kentucky (USC)
226. Chase Abbington - ATH - Missouri (Missouri)
237. Taco Charlton - DE - Ohio (Michigan)
239. Darius Latham - DT - Indiana (Wisconsin)
241. Ross Douglas - CB - Ohio (Michigan)
245. Darrell Daniels - WR - California (Washington)
249. Eldridge Massington - WR - Texas (UCLA)

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Scout 300 for 2013 finalized

Offensive lineman Patrick Kugler is Michigan's highest rated commit to Scout.com
Scout has finalized its top 300 players for the class of 2013.  Here's what it looked back in July and here's the initial list from March.

Here's the movement since July:

- Patrick Kugler jumped from #30 to #27
- Dymonte Thomas fell from #35 to #39
- Shane Morris fell from #29 to #40
- Kyle Bosch fell from #48 to #49
- Deveon Smith fell from #60 to #62
- Jourdan Lewis jumped from #168 to #80
- Chris Fox jumped from #134 to #118
- Maurice Hurst, Jr. jumped from #213 to #139
- Henry Poggi fell from #136 to #143
- David Dawson jumped from #179 to #144
- Jake Butt fell from #137 to #145
- Ben Gedeon fell from #155 to #168
- Taco Charlton jumped from #267 to #174
- Delano Hill, who had no offer at the last update, appears at #270
- Wyatt Shallman fell from #268 to #293
- Logan Tuley-Tillman fell from #194 to #300
- Jaron Dukes fell from #296 to off the list
- Mike McCray II fell from #216 to off the list

Below is a list of all the Michigan offerees on the list:

5-stars:
3. Jaylon Smith - LB - Indiana (Notre Dame)
4. Su'a Cravens - S - California (USC)
6. Derrick Green - RB - Virginia
7. Laremy Tunsil - OT - Florida
9. Eddie Vanderdoes - DT - California
10. Montravius Adams - DT - Georgia
16. Vernon Hargreaves III - CB - Florida (Florida)
21. James Quick - WR - Kentucky (Louisville)
22. Keith Ford - RB - Texas (Oklahoma)
23. Robert Foster - WR - Pennsylvania (Alabama)
26. Kendall Fuller - CB - Maryland (Virginia Tech)
27. Patrick Kugler - OG - Pennsylvania (Michigan)
29. Justin Davis - RB - California (USC)
30. Laquon Treadwell - WR - Illinois
34. Jonathan Allen - DE - Virginia (Alabama)
37. Ty Isaac - RB - Illinois (USC)
38. Joey Bosa - DE - Florida (Ohio State)
39. Dymonte Thomas - S - Ohio (Michigan)
40. Shane Morris - QB - Michigan (Michigan)
41. Priest Willis - CB - Arizona
42. Adam Breneman - TE - Pennsylvania (Penn State)

4-stars:
45. Justin Manning - DT - Texas (Texas A&M)
49. Kyle Bosch - OG - Illinois (Michigan)
51. John Montelus - OG - Massachusetts (Notre Dame)
54. Kevin Olsen - QB - New Jersey (Miami)
55. Maurice Smith - CB - Texas (Alabama)
59. Ethan Pocic - OT - Illinois (LSU)
60. Leon McQuay III - S - Florida (USC)
62. Deveon Smith - RB - Ohio (Michigan)
72. Evan Lisle - OT - Ohio (Ohio State)
74. Steve Elmer - OT - Michigan (Notre Dame)
80. Jourdan Lewis - CB - Michigan (Michigan)
83. Chris Hawkins - CB - California (USC)
86. Greg Webb - DT - New Jersey (North Carolina)
87. Elijah Qualls - DT - California (Washington)
88. Alquadin Muhammad - DE - New Jersey (Miami)
90. Mike McGlinchey - OT - Pennsylvania (Notre Dame)
95. Elijah Daniel - DE - Indiana
98. Demorea Stringfellow - WR - California (Washington)
99. Tray Matthews - S - Georgia (Georgia
101. Jason Hatcher - DE - Kentucky (USC)
103. Marquez North - WR - North Carolina
107. Larenz Bryant - LB - North Carolina (South Carolina)
109. Michael Hutchings - LB - California (USC)
111. Eli Apple - CB - New Jersey (Ohio State)
112. Alex Anzalone - LB - Pennsylvania (Notre Dame)
113. John Ross - WR - California (Washington)
114. Devon Allen - WR - Arizona
118. Chris Fox - OT - Colorado (Michigan)
123. Cameron Burrows - CB - Ohio (Ohio State)
128. Christian Lacouture - DE - Nebraska (LSU)
129. Gareon Conley - CB - Ohio (Ohio State)
130. Kameron Miles - S - Texas (Texas A&M)
131. Peter Kalambayi - LB - North Carolina (Stanford)
133. Colin McGovern - OT - Illinois (Notre Dame)
137. Dorian O'Daniel - LB - Maryland (Clemson)
139. Maurice Hurst, Jr. - DT - Massachusetts (Michigan)
141. Kyle Hicks - RB - Texas (TCU)
142. Jon Reschke - LB - Michigan (Michigan State)
143. Henry Poggi - DT - Maryland (Michigan)
144. David Dawson - OG - Michigan (Michigan)
145. Jake Butt - TE - Ohio (Michigan)

146. Antwuan Davis - CB - Texas (Texas)
147. Joe Mathis - DE - California (Washington)
149. Michael Hill - DT - South Carolina (Ohio State)
150. Shaq Wiggins - CB - Georgia (Georgia)
153. Isaac Rochell - DE - Georgia (Notre Dame)
154. Darrell Daniels - WR - California (Washington)
158. Jake Raulerson - DE - Texas (Texas)
159. Jaynard Bostwick - DT - Florida
165. E.J. Levenberry - LB - Virginia (Florida State)
166. Ishmael Wilson - OT - Texas (Texas A&M)
168. Ben Gedeon - LB - Ohio (Michigan)
170. Durham Smythe - TE - Texas
171. Ryan White - CB - Kentucky (Vanderbilt)
174. Taco Charlton - DE - Ohio (Michigan)
182. Tashawn Bower - DE - New Jersey
184. Hunter Bivin - OT - Kentucky (Notre Dame)
185. Cole Luke - CB - Arizona (Notre Dame)
190. Matt Rolin - LB - Virginia (Florida)
199. Marcell Ateman - WR - Texas (Oklahoma State)
204. Billy Price - DT - Ohio (Ohio State)
208. Eldridge Massington - WR - Texas (UCLA)
212. Shane Jones - LB - Ohio (Michigan State)
218. Rob Wheelwright - WR - Ohio (Wisconsin)
219. Kenny Lacy - OT - Arizona (UCLA)
224. Jake Oliver - WR - Texas (Texas)
239. Darius Latham - DT - Indiana (Indiana)
246. Jayme Thompson - S - Ohio (Ohio State)
255. Dennis Finley - OT - Michigan (Michigan State)
258. Chase Abbington - RB - Missouri (Missouri)
266. J.J. Gustafson - OT - Texas (Texas A&M)
267. Josh Augusta - DT - Illinois
270. Delano Hill - S - Michigan (Michigan)
276. Wyatt Teller - DE - Virginia (Virginia Tech)
277. Dajaun Drennon - DE - New Jersey (North Carolina)
280. Darren Carrington - WR - California (Oregon)
287. Cameron Hunt - OG - California (Cal)
292. Nadir Barnwell - CB - New Jersey (Rutgers)
293. Wyatt Shallman - FB - Michigan (Michigan)
296. James Onwualu - WR - Minnesota (Notre Dame)
299. Jacob Matuska - DE - Ohio (Notre Dame)
300. Logan Tuley-Tillman - OT - Illinois (Michigan)

Saturday, December 22, 2012

USA Today All-USA Football Team

Michigan commit Henry Poggi is First Team All-USA
USA Today selected its All-USA team, and there are several Michigan commits and targets who are receiving national recognition.  Here's a list of the Michigan targets:

FIRST TEAM
Robert Foster - WR - Pennsylvania (Alabama)
LaQuon Treadwell - WR - Illinois
Evan Lisle - OT - Ohio (Ohio State)
Ethan Pocic - OT - Illinois (LSU)
Laremy Tunsil - OT - Florida
Su'a Cravens - S - California (USC)
Jabrill Peppers - CB - New Jersey*
Vernon Hargreaves III - CB - Florida (Florida)
Peter Kalambayi - LB - North Carolina (Stanford)
Jaylon Smith - LB - Indiana (Notre Dame)
Andrew Brown - DT - Virginia*
Montravius Adams - DT - Georgia
Henry Poggi - DT - Maryland (Michigan)

SECOND TEAM
Derrick Green - RB - Virginia
Leonard Fournette - RB - Louisiana*
Kyle Bosch - OG - Illinois (Michigan)
Cameron Hunt - OG - California (Cal)
Jonathan Allen - DE - Virginia (Alabama)
Da'Shawn Hand - DE - Virginia*
Joey Bosa - DE - Florida (Ohio State)
Eddie Vanderdoes - DT - California (USC)
Michael Hutchings - LB - California (USC)
Leon McQuay III - S - Florida

*2014 prospect

Monday, December 3, 2012

Rivals 100 for 2013 updated

Patrick Kugler was the lone Michigan commit to move up in the updated rankings
Rivals released its updated top 100 prospects today.  Here's what it looked like back in August, and here are Michigan's movers and shakers:

- Shane Morris fell from #17 to #25
- Henry Poggi fell from #58 to #68
- Patrick Kugler jumped from #88 to #79
- Mike McCray fell from #81 to #88
- Kyle Bosch fell from #92 to #99

Here's a list of Michigan's offerees:

5-stars:
3. Jaylon Smith - LB - Indiana (Notre Dame)
5. Su'a Cravens - S - California (USC)
8. Kendall Fuller - CB - Maryland (Virginia Tech)
9. Vernon Hargreaves III - CB - Florida (Florida)
10. LaQuon Treadwell - WR - Illinois
11. Laremy Tunsil - OT - Florida
13. Jonathan Allen - DE - Virginia (Alabama)
14. Derrick Green - RB - Virginia
17. Montravius Adams - DT - Georgia
19. Leon McQuay III - S - Florida
20. Ty Isaac - RB - Illinois (USC)
25. Shane Morris - QB - Michigan (Michigan)

4-stars:
28. Eli Woodard - CB - New Jersey (Ohio State)
29. Marquez North - WR - North Carolina
31. Cameron Burrows - CB - Ohio (Ohio State)
32. Eddie Vanderdoes - DT - California (USC)
38. E.J. Levenberry - LB - Virginia (Florida State)
40. Larenz Bryant - LB - North Carolina (South Carolina)
44. Ethan Pocic - OT - Illinois (LSU)
47. Dorian O'Daniel - LB - Maryland (Clemson)
50. Alex Anzalone - LB - Pennsylvania (Notre Dame)
51. Joey Bosa - DE - Florida (Ohio State)
56. Steven Elmer - OT - Michigan (Notre Dame)
62. Demorea Stringfellow - WR - California (Washington)
63. Adam Breneman - TE - Pennsylvania (Penn State)
65. John Montelus - OG - Massachusetts (Notre Dame)
68. Henry Poggi - DT - Maryland (Michigan)
71. Michael Hutchings - LB - California (USC)
72. Tray Matthews - S - Georgia (Georgia)
73. Peter Kalambayi - LB - North Carolina (Stanford)
74. Robert Foster - WR - Pennsylvania
79. Patrick Kugler - OG - Pennsylvania (Michigan)
87. Chris Hawkins - CB - California (USC)
88. Mike McCray - LB - Ohio (Michigan)
95. Cole Luke - CB - Arizona (Notre Dame)
97. Al-Quadin Muhammad - DE - New Jersey
99. Kyle Bosch - OG - Illinois (Michigan)

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

ESPN 300 for 2013 Updated

ESPN released its updated top 300 list for the class of 2013.  Here's what it looked like back in July, and here's the movement for Michigan commits:

- Shane Morris fell from #26 to #54
- Gareon Conley jumped from #63 to #62
- Dymonte Thomas dropped from #94 to #97
- Logan Tuley-Tillman dropped from #102 to #105
- Mike McCray dropped from #108 to #111
- Chris Fox dropped from #112 to #113
- Patrick Kugler jumped from #116 to #115
- Taco Charlton jumped from #120 to #119
- Kyle Bosch fell from #126 to #127
- Jake Butt fell from #171 to #176
- Jaron Dukes fell from #224 to #233
- Ben Gedeon dropped from #278 to #282
- Henry Poggi dropped from #259 to #288

3. Vernon Hargreaves III - CB - Florida (Florida)
4. Laremy Tunsil - OT - Florida
6. Eli Woodard - CB - New Jersey (Ohio State)
7. Montravius Adams - DT - Georgia
9. Jaylon Smith - LB - Indiana (Notre Dame)
10. Su'a Cravens - S - California (USC)
14. Kendall Fuller - CB - Maryland (Virginia Tech)
20. LaQuon Treadwell - WR - Illinois
28. Robert Foster - WR - Pennsylvania
29. Keith Ford - RB - Texas (Oklahoma)
32. Leon McQuay III - S - Florida
33. Eddie Vanderdoes - DT - California (USC)
34. Shaq Wiggins - CB - Georgia (Georgia)
39. Cameron Burrows - CB - Ohio (Ohio State)
40. Jonathan Allen - DE - Virginia (Alabama)
41. Derrick Green - RB - Virginia
43. Maquedius Bain - DT - Florida
46. Joey Bosa - DE - Florida (Ohio State)
50. Priest Willis - CB - Arizona
51. Jordan Cunningham - WR - Florida
53. Michael Hutchings - LB - California (USC)
54. Shane Morris - QB - Michigan (Michigan)
56. Jake Raulerson - OT - Texas (Texas)
62. Gareon Conley - CB - Ohio (Michigan)
64. Alex Anzalone - LB - Pennsylvania (Notre Dame)
66. Adam Breneman - TE - Pennsylvania (Penn State)
67. Kevin Olsen - QB - New Jersey (Miami)
70. Ty Isaac - RB - Illinois (USC)
71. Alvin Bailey - WR - Florida (Florida)
72. Chris Hawkins - CB - California (USC)
73. Demore'ea Stringfellow - WR - California (Washington)
74. Ethan Pocic - OT - Illinois (LSU)
75. Dorian O'Daniel - LB - Maryland (Clemson)
76. Matt Rolin - LB - Virginia (South Carolina)
82. Elijah Daniel - DE - Indiana (Clemson)
83. Maurice Smith - CB - Texas (Alabama)
86. Colin McGovern - OT - Illinois (Notre Dame)
87. David Dawson - OG - Michigan (Michigan)
88. Justin Manning - DT - Texas
92. Jourdan Lewis - CB - Michigan (Michigan)
95. Alquadin Muhammad - DE - New Jersey
97. Dymonte Thomas - S - Ohio (Michigan)
98. James Quick - WR - Kentucky
99. Hunter Bivin - OT - Kentucky (Notre Dame)
105. Logan Tuley-Tillman - OT - Illinois (Michigan)
111. Mike McCray - LB - Ohio (Michigan)
112. Ebenezer Ogundeko - DE - New York
113. Chris Fox - OT - Colorado (Michigan)
115. Patrick Kugler - C - Pennsylvania (Michigan)
119. Taco Charlton - DE - Ohio (Michigan)
122. Tray Matthews - S - Georgia (Georgia)
126. Tashawn Bower - DE - New Jersey (Auburn)
127. Kyle Bosch - OG - Illinois (Michigan)
130. Josh Augusta - DE - Illinois
132. Greg Webb - DT - New Jersey (North Carolina)
133. Marquez North - WR - North Carolina
142. Isaac Rochell - DE - Georgia (Notre Dame)
145. Evan Lisle - OT - Ohio (Ohio State)
149. Antwuan Davis - CB - Texas (Texas)
150. Sebastian LaRue - WR - California (USC)
167. Eldridge Massington - WR - Texas (USC)
176. Jake Butt - TE - Ohio (Michigan)
177. Darrell Daniels - WR - California (Washington)
182. Jason Hatcher - DE - Kentucky (USC)
183. Shane Jones - LB - Ohio (Michigan State)
186. Justin Davis - RB - California (USC)
187. Devin Butler - CB - Washington, DC (Notre Dame)
188. Richard Benjamin - WR - Florida
205. Brendan Mahon - OG - New Jersey (Penn State)
211. Riley Ferguson - QB - North Carolina (Tennessee)
212. Elijah Qualls - DT - California (Washington)
213. Jake Oliver - WR - Texas (Texas)
214. Michael Hill - DT - South Carolina (Ohio State)
217. Jayme Thompson - CB - Ohio (Ohio State)
219. Kyle Hicks - RB - Texas (Texas)
231. Nadir Barnwell - ATH - New Jersey (Rutgers)
233. Jaron Dukes - WR - Ohio (Michigan)
234. Jordan Wilkins - RB - Tennessee (Auburn)
236. Larenz Bryant - LB - North Carolina (South Carolina)
242. Billy Price - DT - Ohio (Ohio State)
247. Marcell Ateman - WR - Texas (Oklahoma State)
250. Uriah LeMay - WR - North Carolina (Georgia)
251. Joe Mathis - DE - California
261. Chase Abbington - ATH - Missouri (Missouri)
265. Scott Pagano - DT - Hawaii (Clemson)
278. Peter Kalambayi - LB - North Carolina (Stanford)
281. Darius Latham - DT - Indiana
282. Ben Gedeon - LB - Ohio (Michigan)
288. Henry Poggi - DT - Maryland (Michigan)
291. E.J. Levenberry, Jr. - LB - Virginia (Florida State)

Saturday, October 13, 2012

247 Sports: Top 247 for 2013 update

David Dawson (#55) made the biggest leap in the updated rankings from 247 Sports
247 Sports updated their top 247 player list for the class of 2014.  Here's what it looked like back in July.

Movement since then:

- Shane Morris stayed at #19
- Dymonte Thomas dropped from #52 to #67
- Kyle Bosch dropped from #75 to #83
- Chris Fox dropped from #73 to #114
- Logan Tuley-Tillman dropped from #95 to #107
- David Dawson jumped from #138 to #109
- Henry Poggi dropped from #107 to #118
- Patrick Kugler jumped from #158 to #156
- Ben Gedeon dropped from #177 to #179
- Michael McCray dropped from #178 to #181
- DeVeon Smith jumped from #222 to #218
- Gareon Conley jumped from #229 to #225

2. Montravius Adams - DT - Georgia
4. Laremy Tunsil - OT - Florida
5. Jaylon Smith - LB - Indiana (Notre Dame)
6. Vernon Hargreaves III - CB - Florida (Florida)
8. Su'a Cravens - S - California (USC)
9. Jonathan Allen - DE - Virginia (Alabama)
11. Eddie Vanderdoes - DT - California (USC)
15. Kendall Fuller - CB - Maryland (Virginia Tech)
19. Shane Morris - QB - Michigan (Michigan)
22. Robert Foster - WR - Pennsylvania
25. Priest Willis - CB - Arizona
30. Keith Ford - RB - Texas (Oklahoma)
34. Leon McQuay III - S - Florida
38. Joey Bosa - DE - Florida (Ohio State)
41. Cameron Burrows - CB - Ohio (Ohio State)
42. Adam Breneman - TE - Pennsylvania (Penn State)
43. Alex Anzalone - LB - Pennsylvania (Notre Dame)
47. LaQuon Treadwell - WR - Illinois
53. Larenz Bryant - LB - North Carolina (South Carolina)
54. Eli Woodard - CB - New Jersey (Ohio State)
59. Kevin Olsen - QB - New Jersey (Miami)
61. Hunter Bivin - OT - Kentucky (Notre Dame)
64. Cole Luke - CB - Arizona
67. Dymonte Thomas - S - Ohio (Michigan)
72. Darius Latham - OT - Indiana (Wisconsin)
73. Ty Isaac - RB - Illinois (USC)
78. Jake Raulerson - C - Texas (Texas)
83. Kyle Bosch - OG - Illinois (Michigan)
84. Alquadin Muhammad - DE - New Jersey
87. Ethan Pocic - OT - Illinois (LSU)
91. Chris Hawkins - CB - California (USC)
92. Taco Charlton - DE - Ohio (Michigan)
96. James Quick - WR - Kentucky
99. Justin Manning - DT - Texas
100. Elijah Daniel - DE - Indiana (Clemson)
101. Tray Matthews - S - Georgia (Georgia)
103. Dorian O'Daniel - LB - Maryland (Clemson)
104. Ishmael Wilson - OG - Texas (Texas A&M)
106. Kyle Hicks - RB - Texas (Texas)
107. Logan Tuley-Tillman - OT - Illinois (Michigan)
108. Jake Oliver - WR - Texas (Texas)
109. David Dawson - OG - Michigan (Michigan)
114. Chris Fox - OT - Colorado (Michigan)
118. Henry Poggi - DT - Maryland (Michigan)
119. Isaac Rochell - DE - Georgia (Notre Dame)
120. Sebastian Larue - WR - California (USC)
122. Tim Harris - CB - Virginia (Virginia)
126. Greg Webb - DT - New Jersey (North Carolina)
127. Tashawn Bower - DE - New Jersey (Auburn)
133. Matt Rolin - LB - Virginia (South Carolina)
136. Marquz North - WR - North Carolina
139. Demorea Stringfellow - WR - California (Washington)
142. Derrick Green - RB - Virginia
146. Darrell Daniels - WR - California (Washington)
148. Michael Hutchings - LB - California (USC)
149. Wyatt Teller - DE - Virginia (Virginia Tech)
150. Eldridge Massington - WR - Texas (USC)
151. Evan Lisle - OT - Ohio (Ohio State)
152. Jordan Wilkins - RB - Tennessee (Auburn)
155. Nadir Barnwell - ATH - New Jersey (Rutgers)
156. Patrick Kugler - OG - Pennsylvania (Michigan)
167. Maurice Smith - CB - Texas (Alabama)
175. Darren Carrington - WR - California (Oregon)
177. Durham Smythe - TE - Texas (Texas)
179. Ben Gedeon - LB - Ohio (Michigan)
181. Michael McCray - LB - Ohio (Michigan)
182. Shaq Wiggins - CB - Georgia (Georgia)
190. Josh Augusta - DT - Illinois
191. Michael Hill - DT - South Carolina (Ohio State)
192. Chase Abbington - S - Missouri (Missouri)
194. Justin Davis - RB - California (USC)
195. Billy Price - DT - Ohio (Ohio State)
199. Jacob Matuska - TE - Ohio (Notre Dame)
206. Dajaun Drennon - DE - New Jersey (North Carolina)
207. Elijah Qualls - ATH - California (Washington)
210. Alvin Bailey - WR - Florida (Florida)
211. Peter Kalambayi - LB - North Carolina (Stanford)
218. Deveon Smith - RB - Ohio (Michigan)
221. Steven Elmer - OT - Michigan (Notre Dame)
223. Jayme Thompson - CB - Ohio (Ohio State)
225. Gareon Conley - CB - Ohio (Michigan)
229. Devon Allen - WR - Arizona
232. E.J. Levenberry - LB - Virginia (Florida State)

Monday, October 8, 2012

Recruit Tracker: Kyle Bosch

Kyle Bosch
August 24, 2012: Bosch's Wheaton (IL) St. Francis team beat Riverside (IL) Brookfield by a score of 57-12.  Bosch had 19 pancake blocks and 2 tackles for loss.  St. Francis is now 1-0.

August 31, 2012: St. Francis beat Vernon Hills (IL) Vernon Hills by a score of 28-21.  St. Francis is now 2-0.

September 7, 2012: St. Francis beat Chicago (IL) Christian by a score of 49-0.  St. Francis is now 3-0.

September 14, 2012: Lombard (IL) Montini beat St. Francis by a score of 28-7.  St. Francis is now 3-1.

September 21, 2012: Aurora (IL) St. Francis beat St. Francis by a score of 41-14.  St. Francis is now 3-2.

September 28, 2012: Woodstock (IL) Marian CC beat St. Francis by a score of 28-8.  St. Francis is now 3-3.

October 5, 2012: Aurora (IL) Marmion beat St. Francis by a score of 14-6.  St. Francis is now 3-4.