It has been some time since I have posted so I thought that I would provide some quick updates and analysis with respect to the University of Michigan’s recruiting. Here are some quick bullet-points:
- First, I will give you the name of a Class of 2013 in-state sleeper who absolutely nobody is talking about. He is an offensive lineman who could well follow in the tradition of Jake Long and recent Oregon signee Jake Fisher. His name is Steven Elmer (6-6, 297, 5.15 forty, Midland High) and he could well have as much potential as any lineman in the state of Michigan. His measurements and forty time are all combine-verified, by the way, and in addition he ran a superb 4.63 shuttle at a recent combine. He was a sophomore starter in the tough Saginaw Valley League and look for his name to explode onto the recruiting scene over the next few months.
- The cream is starting to emerge in the Class of 2013. In addition to Steven Elmer, here are a few other blue-chip prospects to keep an eye on (no particular order):
1) Shane Morris (QB, 6-3, 185, 4.90, Warren De La Salle): Recently offered by Michigan. One of the top five sophomore QBs in the nation.
2) Berkley Edwards (RB, 5-9, 172, Chelsea): Younger brother of former Michigan star Braylon Edwards. Really starting to emerge as a sophomore. Like older bro, more of a late-bloomer but spring has arrived. At last week’s Chicago Nike Combine he was named the top underclassman at the event and had the No. 2 SPARQ Rating for all underclassmen at 96.06. He ran a 4.18 shuttle time and jumped 36-inches in the vertical. As a sophomore RB playing behind a senior he had 89 carries for 428 yards (5.3ypc) and 6 TDs. Expect those numbers to at least triple his junior season.
3) Brandon Moore (WR/DB/P, 6-4, 190, Montague): One of my favorite in-state sleepers as he comes from a program that does not have a track record of producing D-I talent. First Team Muskegon Chronicle-Divisions 5-8 All-Area as a sophomore on a 9-3 Division 6 team as he had 52 receptions for 1,018 yards (19.58 avg) and 11 TDs, 8 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PBUs, and 34 punts for a 36.24 avg.
4) Adam Coon (DL/OL, 6-5, 230, 4.80, Fowlerville): First Team MaxPreps Sophomore All-American and an honorable mention D 3-4 all-state selection as a sophomore. 4.0 GPA and D-2 state wrestling champ at 215 pounds already as a mere frosh
5) Luke MacLean (DL/LB, 6-3,233, 4.85, Grand Blanc): Sophomore starter at LB for the program that sent Justice Hayes to Michigan. Still growing and could best project with his hand down at the next level. As a sophomore, MacLean had 70 tackles, five sacks and one blocked field goal. Aggressive, strong, fine blitzer, recently ran a fine 4.34 shuttle. A Brady Hoke type of player.
6) Wyatt Shallman (DL/RB, 6-3, 241, 4.92, Novi Detroit Catholic Central): Could even have more upside than Class of 2012 teammate Matthew Godin. Rare sophomore starter for a state D-I power and he had 53 carries for 354 yards (6.68ypc) and 6 TDs, 3 receptions for 35 yards, 12 tackles, 20 assists, 1 sack, and 2 KRs for a 8.50 avg. Recently was one of the few sophomores to attend a Penn State junior day and the Nittany Lions have already made a strong early impression. Ran a great 4.18 shuttle at a recent Nike combine.
7) John Reschke (LB, 6-2, 215, 4.65, Birmingham Brother Rice): The best pure ‘backer in the state. As a sophomore he had 33 tackles, 46 assists, 7.5 sacks, 1 FR and 2 FFs. Runs well, tough and aggressive.
8) Trent Bragg (LB/WR/DB, 6-1, 200, Detroit Frederick Douglass): Plays for a weak PSL team (1-8 in 2010) but he is a team leader and very athletic. As a sophomore LB/WB/SS he had 109 tackles, 25 assists, 1 sack, 1 INT returned for 60 yards, 5 PBUs, 53 carries for 455 yards (8.59ypc) and 1 TD and 15 receptions for 270 yards (18.00 avg) and 3 TDs.
9) John Doyle (LB/FB, 6-1, 215, 4.80, Grosse Pointe South): The best prospect to emerge from South since current Ohio State TE Reid Fragel. Honorable Mention All-Metro East selection as a sophomore starter. Great nose for the ball, smart, tough, flows to the ball, 3.6 GPA.
10) Dai-Zoun Oliver (DB/RB, 5-9, 164, 4.40, Melvindale): Much like Steven Elmer, another prospect who should blow-up in the near future. One of the top sophomore 200 meter runners in the nation (21.87 automatic). Started as a sophomore at CB. Highly regarded by the way, by former Michigan star Stanley Edwards.
11) Jaleel Canty (DB/WR, 5-9, 184, 4.46, Lansing Everett): From Magic Johnson’s alma mater comes one of the top overall prospects in central Michigan. First Team All-Conference performer as a sophomore in a good league. His measurements were confirmed at a recent combine.
12) Eddie Huckleby (DB/LB/ATH, 5-10, 175, Farmington Hills Harrison): The son of former Michigan star RB Harlan Huckleby. As a sophomore starter at DE on a 14-0 state champion team he had 41 tackles, 34 assists, 1 sack, 1 PBU and 1 FF. Best projects as a DB in college. Plays for a program absolutely loaded with D-I prospects (Class of 2012 Funchess, Ojemudia and Burbridge, Class of 2014 RB Lorenzo Collins and Class of 2013 WR Gaius Coleman- Mill’s nephew).
13) Demetrius Stinson (DB/RB, 5-9, 175, Detroit Frederick Douglass): Another talented prospect from Douglass. As a sophomore TB/CB on a 1-8 team he had 94 carries for 1,100 yards (11.70ypc) and 8 TDs, 4 receptions for 25 yards, 20 tackles, 24 assists and 28 PBUs. Per his coach he has “great upside. This kid can flat-out play, he a lock down corner and speedy tailback with the big play ability.”
14) K.C. Zenner (DB, 6-0, 181, Rockford): Rare sophomore starter for one of the top programs in the state. From the same program as recent Michigan verbal Ben Braden. As a sophomore on a 11-2 team and he had 29 tackles, 34 assists, 0.5 TFL, 6 INTs returned for 80 yards, 8 PBUs, 1 FR and 1 FF, and had 26 PRs for a 10.3 avg. The new Michigan staff has close ties to this program and he is definitely one to keep on the radar.
14) Grant Niemic (RB/LB, 5-11, 205, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s): Honorable Mention All-Oakland County selection as a sophomore RB for one of the top programs in the state. As a sophomore on a 11-3 team and he had 146 carries for 926 yards (6.3ypc) and 13 TDs, 5 receptions for 67 yards, 9 tackles, 2 assists and 1 FF
15) Amani Bass (QB/ATH), 6-1, 180, Jackson Lumen Christi): Rare sophomore starter (at QB) for one of the topo programs in the state. Projects as a WR, RB or DB at the next level. Younger brother of former Michigan player Antonio Bass and it will be interesting to see how he performs at camps and during his junior season where he will likely be unleashed by the coaching staff.
There are several other elite sophomores that I have not mentioned, in particular several prospects from Cass Tech who have already received a fair amount of publicity (David Dawson, Jourdan Lewis, Aaron Eneox, Dennis Finley, Karel Finley, Kenton Gibbs) and a few linemen such as Jalen Dandridge, Vinnie Palazetti, Chris Gore, Riley Norman, Dillon Laase, Jake Sheets, Greg Webber, Daniel DeRoso and Nate Jeppeson.
Several additional underclassmen of note from Michigan and around the nation:
1) Jake Khoury (DL/OL, 6-3, 260, Traverse City West, Class of 2014): Freshman starter at DT for a Class A team. Very powerful and quick off the ball. Cousin of Michigan center Rocko Khoury. Huge upside.
2) John Jaeckin Jr (OL/TE, 6-0, 210, Lakewood St. Edward, OH, Class of 2014) – On the varsity roster as a freshman for one of the top talent-producers in Ohio (Michigan has already offered three juniors-Orlosky, Grant and Kuhar while Kalis has committed to Ohio State). Son of former Michigan TE John Jaeckin.
3) Derek Brown (OL/DL, 6-3, 270, 5.59 as an 8th-grader, Yale, MI-Class of 2014): Small-school player, big-time talent. Made a national name for himself on the combine circuit even before entering high school.
4) Chance Stewart (QB, 6-6, Sturgis, MI-Class of 2014): Top frosh QB in Michigan. Great size, nice arm, real team leader. South Bend Tribune First Team All-Michigan Area and an honorable mention all-state selection as a freshman after he completed 121-of-216 passes for 1,720 yards with 13 touchdowns. The yardage is a school-record. One to watch!
5) Emanuel Stewart (RB, 6-1, 205, 4.42, Baton Rouge Woodlawn, LA-Class of 2013): A youngster that Fred Jackson needs to get involved with asap. One of the top sophomore backs in Louisiana. Coach Jones at Woodlawn is in his 32nd year coaching high school football in the state of Louisiana. He spent time coaching at Winnfield High and Jones has given Stewart some high praise comparing him to former Michigan star RB Anthony Thomas, who Jones coached at Winnfield.
6) Anthony Thompson (RB/DB, 6-1, 175, Deerfield Beach, FLA, Class of 2013): Think Denard can help in possibly luring this future star from his alma-mater to Michigan? As a sophomore he led the team in rushing with 99 carries for 647 yards (6.5ypc) and 5 TDs, and had 6 receptions for 117 yards (19.5 avg) and 2 TDs.
7) Isaac McDonald (WR/ATH, 6-6, 205, 4.50, Hialeah Champagnat Catholic, FL-Class of 2013): One of the top sophomores in Florida. One of the few sophomores to make the talent-laden South Florida Express 7-on-7 team. Very raw small school star who has loads and loads of talent. As a sophomore safety on a 5-5 freelance team he had 75 tackles, 14 TFL, 5 sacks and 2 INTs. Played WR for South Florida Expess but could fil out and become a TE, DE or perhaps OLB. Former Michigan DB Evan Cooper is the assistant head coach at his school.
8) Jake Roh (WR/TE/DB, 6’2, 186, 4.68, Scottsdale Chaparral-Class of 2013): One of the top sophomores in Arizona and plays for one of the top programs in the state . One of 14 sophomores on a 13-0 5A team and he had 14 receptions for 215 yards (15.36 avg) and 2 TDs, 6 tackles, and 3 KRs for a 22.0 avg. Varsity basketball player as a freshman. Will likely fill out and project as a TE. Younger brother of Michigan DE Craig Roh and from the same program that sent both Roh and Taylor Lewan to Michigan.
9) Mike Heuerman (TE, 6-3, 205, Naples Barron Collier, FL-Class of 2013): One of the top sophomore TE prospects in the nation. Further developed at the same stage than his older brother, Class of 2011 Ohio State signee Jeff Heuerman. Pops Paul Heuerman played basketball at Michigan. It will be interesting to see whether Michigan can make a push here give the new focus on tight ends and the ongoing situation in Columbus.
10) Christian Skrepenak (OL/DL, 6-8, 350, Wilkes-Barre GAR Memorial, PA-Class of 2013): Honorable Mention All-Conference selection as a sophomore on the DL but he projects as an OT in college, just like his father, former Michigan star Greg Skrepenak.
11) Kendrick Mouton (WR, 5-10, 185, Naples Golden Gate, FL-Class of 2013): Saw quality time at WR as a sophomore for a 6-5 5A team and has looked very good in 7on7 passing camps this winter/spring. Older brother Kenneth is a talented Class of 2012 dual-threat QB. His father, Kenneth Sr., played safety for Bo Schembechler at Michigan in the 1980s.
12) Elijah Bell (LB/DB/ATH, 6-2, 190, 4.70, Akron Buchtel-Class of 2013): Star football and basketball player who could be the next big-time athlete at Buchtel after Class of 2012 stars Jarrod Wilson (Michigan offer) and Corey Smith. The Buchtel head coach is former Michigan RB Ricky Powers.
12) Cameron Burrows (DB, 6-0, 183, 4.79, Trotwood-Madison, OH-Class of 2013): From the same program that sent Roundtree, Shaw and Moore to Michigan. Some feel that teammate George Bradley is the top Class of 2012 DB in Ohio. Class of 2013 in-state DB Ross Douglas has gotten most of the ink. However, at least one astute follower of Ohio talent, Duane Long, believes that Burrows is currently the top DB in the state and possibly “the best defensive back to come out of this state since Eugene Clifford.”
13) Desmond Branch (DL/TE, 6-2, 206, 5.30, Rio Rancho Cleveland, NM-Class of 2014): The younger brother of former Michigan star Alan Branch. Has a great frame and great pass rushing technique for a young pup. Impressive as a frosh on the 2011 combine circuit.
One final note on a Class of 2012 prospect with a Michigan connection. Certain so-called experts have stated that Akron Bishop Hoban DE LaTroy Lewis is the son of former Michigan OT Mike Lewis. That is incorrect. His father is Ray Edmonds, who played at Michigan and Akron. I thought it was important to set the record straight.
Enough of underclassmen with Michigan connections. I’m going to close this posting with an analysis of the early offers Michigan has made for the Class of 2012 and compare it to offers made one year ago under Rich Rodriguez.
As you can see in the below chart, as of today Michigan has verbally offered at least 136 Class of 2012 prospects. This compares to 105 as of April 1, 2010. This is an increase of almost 30%.
Of interest is that the offers are also going out to higher quality prospects than they were last year. In 2011 42 offers have gone out to top ten prospects at their respective positions compared to 33 in 2010. 35 offers have gone out to Top 20 prospects compared 21 last year.
65 offers have gone out to linemen in 2011 compared to a total of 37 in 2010. Michigan making a major push in recruiting linemen. Moreover, as the line positions are much deeper in five and four star talent than most other spots (e.g. a top 50 lineman could well be a top 10-15 caliber prospect at QB or TE), the quality of the offers Michigan has made thus far this year is even greater than an initial glance at the numbers would suggest.
I’ll post a bit more about the Class of 2012 in the next few days, providing details on a few of the leans and likely commitments. I am optimistic that Michigan will sign a national top ten class at the very least come February 2012.
Michigan Football Recruiting Offers
| 29-Mar-11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top 10 |
Top 20 |
Top 30 |
Top 40 |
Top 50 |
Top 60 |
Top 70 |
Top 70+ |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quarterbacks |
5 |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
7 |
| Running Backs |
4 |
10 |
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
| Wide Receivers |
4 |
9 |
11 |
14 |
|
|
|
|
14 |
| Tight Ends |
4 |
6 |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
7 |
| Offensive Linemen |
8 |
14 |
20 |
24 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
31 |
31 |
| Defensive Linemen |
8 |
12 |
18 |
22 |
25 |
30 |
32 |
34 |
34 |
| Linebackers |
6 |
9 |
12 |
12 |
14 |
16 |
|
|
16 |
| Defensive Backs |
3 |
7 |
10 |
13 |
15 |
16 |
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total |
42 |
35 |
22 |
14 |
10 |
9 |
3 |
4 |
136 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1-Apr-10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top 10 |
Top 20 |
Top 30 |
Top 40 |
Top 50 |
Top 60 |
Top 70 |
Top 70+ |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Quarterbacks |
5 |
5 |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
7 |
| Running Backs |
3 |
7 |
9 |
9 |
11 |
11 |
12 |
|
12 |
| Wide Receivers |
5 |
7 |
9 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
12 |
|
12 |
| Tight Ends |
2 |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
| Offensive Linemen |
3 |
5 |
9 |
11 |
12 |
15 |
15 |
17 |
17 |
| Defensive Linemen |
5 |
6 |
12 |
13 |
17 |
18 |
18 |
20 |
20 |
| Linebackers |
3 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
|
|
|
9 |
| Defensive Backs |
7 |
12 |
14 |
17 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Total |
33 |
21 |
18 |
9 |
12 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
105 |
USC receives verbal from Seventh Grade phenom
Posted by roadster997 on February 5, 2010
This is not a joke, although I wish that it was one. Yesterday, USC head coach Lane Kiffin received a verbal commitment from 13-year old phenom QB David Sills. Sills, a prospect who has been on my radar and in my database for over a year, is considered to be one of the top young QB prospects to emerge in years. Highly respected QB guru Steve Clarkson called him better than Jimmy Clausen and Matt Barkley at the same age.
Check out this article on ESPN for more info on Sills.
This is the earliest I have ever seen a football prospect give a verbal commitment. There are only two other junior high prospects who I can recall committing early. Chris Leak committed to Wake Forest after his older brother (C.J. Leak) signed to play football for the Deamon Deacons. His older brother eventually transferred and Chris went on to lead Florida to a national title. Eric Berry’s younger brother, Evan Berry, committed to Tennessee last year. Whether that early verbal sticks with Lane Kiffin moving on to USC will be interesting to follow. Could Kiffin land yet another young pup?
Frankly, I find the the notion of offering a middle schooler a full college ride appalling. What about academics? What about deciding on a high school first? What about just being a kid and enjoying growing up without being in the national spotlight? I really don’t care how talented of a prospect we are talking about. At a certain age a kid should just be a kid.
Unfortunately, the timeline for recruiting prospects earlier in football is accelerating at a remarkable pace. I see it every year with more and more juniors committing to schools. Just take a look at my Class of 2011: Verbals listing to get an updated view of where some of the top juniors will likely be headed. I provide information to colleges on underclass prospects and I have an underclassman database available to them with over 22,000 juniors, 10, 000 sophomores, 2,000 freshmen and even junior high prospects, including the aforementioned Mr. Sills.
Nevertheless, the notion of actually offering a junior high prospect and accepting his verbal commitment strikes me as repugnant. The fact of the matter is that the NCAA does not have regulations in place limiting contact between college coaching staffs and FOOTBALL prospects who have yet to finish junior high. Such restrictions are in place for basketball prospects but up until very recently this has not really been an issue with respect to football recruiting as prospects are not nearly as easily identifiable at an early stage as they are in basketball.
For many years now college programs have tracked middle school basketball phenoms, something relatively easy to do given their easily identifiable “baller” skills and with the top players competing in national-level AAU tournaments and various summer camps. Football players, however, have less easily identifiable and position-specific skill sets and are still very much physically immature in junior high.
There are, however, exceptions to the rule and young Mr. Sills appears to be one. These exceptional prospects will have young, slick and aggressive recruiters like Lane Kiffin knocking at their doors. Their videos are often posted on youtube and are seen by college coaches. They need to be PROTECTED. No seventh-grader should be deciding where he will be attending college. No seventh-grader should be exposed to slick college recruiting pitches. A seventh-grader’s parents should be shielding a young student-athlete from the entire process, not playing a role as a willing accessory in the process.
I have a seventh-grade daughter. The big decisions in her life relate to balancing homework, going out with friends and being torn between still watching Hannah Montana or more high school-like TV programming. I would never let a college coach get near her for recruiting purposes. Never! I wouldn’t care if she was the second coming, as a tennis player, of Chris Everet or the Williams sisters. It is not a question of athletic ability. It is a question of having a relatively normal childhood and growing up in a protected and nurturing environment. Few things in recruiting, over the years, have disturbed me as much as this early commitment.
Coach Kiffin is very young and very aggressive. He has a reputation for pushing the envelope and a brief history of several secondary NCAA violations. What he has just done is NOT an NCAA violation, however the NCAA needs to immediately change its rules relating to contacts between college football coaches and junior high prospects. If not, this will just be the beginning. And trust me, most college coaches would welcome the NCAA tightening up the rules. No sane college coach, who already has to spend much too much time recruiting high school athletes, wants to have to start scouting junior high and sandlot ball prospects. Just the notion of them out there recruiting these prospects alongside high school coaches from catholic, private and magnet schools is repelling and takes away the time that college coaches should be using for developing their current team members both on and off the field.
Posted in Class of 2015, Commentary | Tagged: Quarterbacks, Recruiting, College football, College Football Recruiting, High School Football Recruiting, Prep Football Recruiting, Class of 2015, USC, David Sills, Lane Kiffin | 1 Comment »