Delran (NJ) Delran safety R.J. Moten committed to Michigan on Saturday morning. I saved myself some time – and gave you some extra info – in my scouting report on him, which I posted this morning (LINK).
Moten has long been considered a Michigan lean, and he scheduled his commitment for when he was going to be in town for the BBQ at the Big House (LINK).
Hit the jump for more.
read moreI started this scouting report on a beach vacation and (surprise!) didn’t finish it. But with Moten committing later today, it’s now or never.
Name: R.J. Moten
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 200 lbs.
High school: Delran (NJ) Delran
Position: Running back/safety
Class: 2020
Notes: Offers from Boston College, Buffalo, Duke, Kent State, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Penn State, Pitt, Purdue, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple, Tulane, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin…Plans to announce commitment on July 27, 2019…Claims a 4.61 forty, 4.31 shuttle, 40.9″ vertical…Son of Ron Moten, who played linebacker for Florida and the Philadelphia Eagles…ESPN 4-star, 81 grade, #16 S, #247 overall…Rivals 3-star ATH, 5.5 grade…247 Sports 4-star, 94 grade, #6 S, #93 overall
Stats: As a junior in 2018, Moten rushed 149 times for 1,305 yards (8.8 yards/carry) and 16 touchdowns. He caught 16 passes for 298 yards (18.6 yards/catch) and 4 touchdowns. And he even completed 6/13 passes for 157 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Defensively, he made 44 tackles and 5 interceptions.
Hit the jump for the rest of the scouting report.
read more
Name: Luiji Vilain
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 255 lbs.
High school: Alexandria (VA) Episcopal
Position: Defensive end
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Jersey number: #18
Last year: I ranked Vilain #56 and said he would be a backup weakside end (LINK). He did not play.
TTB Rating: 90
In some ways Vilain has been one of the most frustrating signees in the 2017 class – right up there with Tarik Black. Why? Because neither one can stay on the field. Or in Vilain’s case, he can’t get on the field, period. In 2017 he had a couple nagging injuries that kept the Wolverines from burning his redshirt. No big deal. In 2018 he had an injury that kept him off the field. With Chase Winovich, Rashan Gary, Kwity Paye, Josh Uche, no big deal.
If Michigan can’t get something out of Vilain in 2019, it’s potentially a big deal. Uche is a proven pass rusher and Paye has shown flashes, but nobody has shown the ability to put consistent pressure on the quarterback like Winovich did. I don’t expect Vilain to replicate Winovich’s production right off the bat in 2019, but Michigan needs to develop that next elite pass rusher, whether it’s Vilain or someone else. The arrival of Mike Danna from Central Michigan might alleviate some of the pressure on Vilain, but Danna is a one-year rental, while Vilain needs to get experience for 2020 and beyond. Vilain should be a sub-package guy like Paye has been the past two seasons.
Prediction: Backup weakside end
Trey Burke signed a one-year contract to play for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Middle Tennessee State is still looking for its starting quarterback (LINK).
Andrew Kahn gives a mini-preview of Army (LINK).
A few updates on pre-season watch lists and such:
Hit the jump for more.
read more
Consider helping out the blog by making your Amazon purchases through these here links (LINK):
The BBQ at the Big House will take place on July 27. With so many 2020 commitments right now, this probably won’t be a big weekend for the current class, but more for the rising juniors in the 2021 class.
2020
Reece Atteberry – C – Centennial (CO) Eaglecrest: Atteberry is committed to Michigan (LINK).
Blake Corum – RB – Baltimore (MD) St. Frances: Corum is committed to Michigan (LINK).
Eamonn Dennis – ATH – Worcester (MA) St. John’s: Dennis is committed to Michigan (LINK).
Hit the jump for more.
read more