Posts under: Uncategorized

Devery Hamilton, Wolverine

Baltimore (MD) Gilman offensive tackle Devery Hamilton (image via Scout.com)

Baltimore (MD) Gilman offensive tackle Devery Hamilton committed to Michigan on Wednesday. He chose the Wolverines over offers from Clemson, LSU, Maryland, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Stanford, and Wisconsin, among others.

Hamilton is roughly 6’6″, 290 lbs.

RATINGS
ESPN: 3-star, 79 grade, #33 OT
Rivals: 4-star, #26 OT
Scout: 4-star, #13 OT, #144 overall
247 Sports: 4-star, 92 grade, #24 OT, #215 overall

Hamilton was offered late in the Brady Hoke era, just a couple weeks before Hoke was fired. Hoke had already developed a relationship with Gilman, which had produced defensive end/tight end Henry Poggi in the 2013 class (Gilman’s head coach is Biff Poggi, Henry’s father). He visited Ann Arbor in late April and obviously enjoyed the visit. He is not a prospect who talks much to the media, so it was difficult to keep track of exactly how he was feeling. When it came time to decide, the three finalists were Maryland, Michigan, and Stanford.

Hamilton has a good frame for playing offensive tackle or guard at the next level. He is already near 300 lbs. and should be able to carry enough weight to play at the next level without sacrificing too much of his athleticism. He moves well in a straight line for a guy his size, and he also shows some good lateral agility in his pass set as well as when moving up to the second level. He has the ability to bend at the knees and drive block, and he keeps a wide base when doing so. He also uses his hands well to control defenders, or to disengage from blockers on defense.

On the negative side, Hamilton frequently pops up too high when run blocking. This is absolutely the #1 concern I have about him going on to the next level. He needs to learn to roll his hips, and he needs to continue to get stronger in both the upper and lower body. I have some concerns about the lack of pass blocking shown in his highlights, because that indicates to me that he might be a little rough in that area and there wasn’t much to highlight. I would also like to see him get a little better at his hand placement, because he tends to let his hands slip to the outside and will get called for holding if that continues.

Like a lot of high school linemen, Hamilton is raw and inconsistent. He can stay low, but he doesn’t do it enough. He can drive people off the ball, but he should do it more. He has the feet to pass block on the edge, but for some reason that doesn’t show up much in his highlights. I mentioned the other day that Ben Bredeson could potentially play all five positions on the offensive line, and I think that Hamilton could play just about anywhere but center. He’s a high-level prospect who has the potential to be an all-conference guy. He also plays some on defense, but he would probably be limited to a 3-tech tackle and I think his upside is considerably higher on offense.

The Wolverines now have nineteen commits in the 2016 class, and Hamilton is the fourth lineman, joining Bredeson, offensive guard Michael Onwenu, and offensive tackle Erik Swenson. Terrance Davis could the next and last lineman to be added to the class, although the coaching staff will probably continue to try to add an offensive tackle just in case.

As for recruiting from Gilman, Michigan also had an offer out to offensive guard Stephen Spanellis, but there does not seem to be much mutual interest at this point. Gilman also features 2017 quarterback Kasim Hill, who camped at Michigan last week and already holds a handful of FBS offers. This commitment bodes well for the way that the program is perceived from within the inner circle, since Hamilton’s head coach has an inside look at what’s going on with the players.

TTB Rating: 76 (ratings explanation)

Benjamin St-Juste, Wolverine

Benjamin St-Juste

Montreal (Quebec) CEGEP du Vieux cornerback Benjamin St-Juste committed to Michigan last week at the Wolverines’ Exposure U camp, although the news just came out publicly. He does not have any other offers listed.

St-Juste is a 6’3″, 170 lb. corner.

RATINGS
ESPN: Unranked
Rivals: Unranked
Scout: Unranked
247 Sports: Unranked

I had heard last week that St-Juste had a positive showing at the Exposure U camp. When I went to look up some more information, there wasn’t much out there. Supposedly, he was offered and accepted during the camp.

There is very little film on St-Juste, and what film there is lacks much clarity. He is tall for a corner, and he does a good job of using his hands and long arms to disrupt receivers’ routes, raking the ball out of receivers’ hands, and batting down passes other corners might not reach. He changes directions fairly well for a big corner.

St-Juste lacks great speed, and he could get burned in the open field. He will probably be limited to boundary corner at the next level, or he might move to safety. He shows some aggression when blocking and defeating blockers, but he is not a great tackler and needs to get stronger in both the upper and lower body. He also does not show great instincts for the ball and settles for breaking up passes rather than intercepting them. I find these things concerning since he does not play against great competition and his opponents are not coached extremely well, although that lack of great coaching probably applies to St-Juste as well.

Overall, this is a questionable pickup for a Michigan team that needs speed and field corners in the defensive backfield. It’s unclear whether St-Juste will be a 2016, 2017, or later recruit. He attends a CEGEP in Montreal, which means that he is basically in what Americans would call a prep school. Most CEGEP students are at least 17 years old already, and when he will finish his education there is a little murky. Until we get some clarity, I will assume he’s a 2016 prospect.

The Wolverines have a need for speedy corners, and the combination of St-Juste and Antwaine Richardson doesn’t offer a great deal of explosiveness in the defensive backfield. Aside from Keith Washington, Michigan is basically putting together a bunch of corners who are big and physical. That concerns me for the long-term, because it limits what the defense can throw at record-setting offenses.

It doesn’t happen often, but this is not the first time that Michigan has dipped its toes into Canadian waters. Over the years, Michigan has recruited running back Tshimanga Biakabutuka, tight end Deitan Dubuc, defensive end Alain Kashama, defensive tackle Renaldo Sagesse, and others from America’s top hat.

TTB Rating: 51 (ratings explanation)

Visitors: June 26-28, 2015

Egg Harbor City (NJ) Cedar Creek wide receiver Ahmir Mitchell

If you would like to donate to the site redesign drive, please use Paypal (on the left sidebar) or do some shopping on Amazon (LINK). My hope is to have the new site rolled out in the next week or two. Thanks for your support!
————-

With the exception of Gary, the players below will be in town Wednesday through Friday.

2016
Rashan Gary – DT – Paramus (NJ) Catholic: I wrote a scouting report on Gary back in May (LINK). His Crystal Ball has 44% of votes in favor of Alabama and 38% for Michigan.

Brad Hawkins – WR – Camden (NJ) Camden: Hawkins is a 6’1″, 202 lb. prospect with offers from Auburn, Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Rutgers, and South Carolina, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #38 wide receiver, #203 overall, and #7 in the Garden State. As a junior in 2014, he caught 51 passes for 748 yards and 11 touchdowns while also rushing for 255 yards and 2 scores; on defense, he made 40 tackles and 3 picks, all 3 of which he returned for touchdowns. Michigan and South Carolina seem to be the two front-runners. UPDATE: Hawkins rescheduled his visit for July 18th.

Hit the jump for the rest of the visitors.

Ron Johnson, Jr. – DE – Camden (NJ) Camden: I did a scouting report on Johnson in late May (LINK). Much like teammate Hawkins, the choice seems to be between Michigan and South Carolina.

Ahmir Mitchell – WR – Egg Harbor City (NJ) Cedar Creek: Mitchell is a 6’3″, 206 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Rutgers, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 athlete, #77 overall, and #3 in his state. As a junior in 2014, he caught 47 passes for 881 yards and 12 touchdowns. I have heard some talk that some teams see Mitchell as a tight end eventually, but I think he looks like a guy who can remain at wide receiver. The Brady Hoke staff’s recruitment of Mitchell tailed off since they were basically the only team recruiting him as a safety, but things have picked up now and 77% of the 247 Sports Crystal Balls are in favor of Michigan.

Naseir Upshur – TE – Philadelphia (PA) Imhotep: I also did a scouting report on Upshur (LINK). Miami leads with 50% of the Crystal Balls, but Michigan is second with 29%. The Wolverines have also offered his teammate, 2016 offensive guard Johncarlo Valentin.

2017
Cesar Ruiz – C – Camden (NJ) Camden: Ruiz is a 6’4″, 290 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Miami, North Carolina, Penn State, and Rutgers, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #1 center, and #257 overall for his class. There’s a good chance that Ruiz will be offered by Michigan on the visit, and if either or both of his teammates commit, that would be a strong pull to Ann Arbor for Ruiz.

ESPN 300 for 2016 updated

Hartland (WI) Arrowhead offensive tackle Ben Bredeson is Michigan’s top-ranked recruit to ESPN

ESPN updated their top 300 players for 2016 (LINK). Here’s what it looked like back in April (LINK). Movement for Michigan commits:

– Ben Bredeson dropped from #53 to #56
– Brandon Peters dropped from #142 to #152
– Michael Onwenu jumped from off the list to #255
– Matt Falcon dropped from #243 to #258
– Erik Swenson dropped from #300 to being off the list

Hit the jump for the rest of Michigan’s offerees:

5-stars:
1. Rashan Gary – DT – NJ
2. Greg Little – OT – TX (Texas A&M)
4. Willie Allen – OT – LA
5. Ed Oliver – DT – TX (Houston)
8. Jacob Eason – QB – WA (Georgia)
9. Devin Asiasi – TE – CA
10. Levonta Taylor – CB – VA (Florida State)
11. Malik Henry – QB – CA (Florida State)
14. Lyndell Wilson – LB – AL

4-stars:
17. Dexter Lawrence – DT – NC
19. Trayvon Mullen – CB – FL
21. Kareem Walker – RB – NJ (Ohio State)
22. Dwayne Haskins, Jr. – QB – MD (Maryland)
24. Rahshaun Smith – DE – GA (Clemson)
25. Shea Patterson – QB – LA (Ole Miss)
26. Janarius Robinson – DE – FL (Florida State)
27. Brandon Jones – S – TX
28. Isaac Nauta – TE – GA (Florida State)
29. Jonah Williams – OT – CA (Alabama)
30. Kaden Smith – TE – TX (Stanford)
36. Marlon Davidson – DE – AL
37. K.J. Costello – QB – CA (Stanford)
39. Deontay Anderson – S – TX
40. Nate Craig-Myers – WR – FL
44. Mique Juarez – LB – CA (USC)
46. Nigel Knott – CB – MS
48. Jordan Elliott – DT – TX (Houston)
50. Devin Duvernay – WR – TX
51. Ben Davis – LB – AL
54. Michael Menet – OT – PA (Penn State)
55. John Broussard – CB – AL (Auburn)
56. Ben Bredeson – OT – WI (Michigan)
59. Liam Eichenberg – OT – OH (Notre Dame)
60. Caleb Kelly – LB – CA
64. Jauan Williams – OT – DC
65. Lokeni Toailoa – LB – CA (UCLA)
67. Patrick Bethel – DE – FL
69. Boss Tagaloa – DT – CA
70. Miles Sanders – RB – PA (Penn State)
71. Justin Madubuike – DE – TX
73. Daniel Joseph – DE – IL
74. Mecole Hardman – ATH – GA
75. Sam Bruce – WR – FL (Miami)
76. Rahssan Thornton – DE – Texas (LSU)
79. Demetris Robertson – WR – AL
85. Marquill Osborn – CB – NC (Tennessee)
86. Chris Owens – OG – TX (Alabama)
88. Josh Hammond – WR – FL (Florida)
89. Jean Delance – OT – TX
91. Kendell Jones – DT – TX (Alabama)
92. E.J. Price – OT – GA
95. Devin White – ATH – LA
98. Shaquille Quarterman – LB – FL (Miami)
99. Charlie Woerner – TE – GA
101. David Long, Jr. – CB – CA
103. Ron Johnson, Jr. – DE – NJ
105. Eric Cuffee – CB – TX
106. Eli Stove – WR – FL (Auburn)
112. Michael Jordan – OT – MI (Ohio State)
113. Chris Daniels – DT – TX
114. Erroll Thompson – LB – AL
115. Tyler Vaughns – WR – CA
120. Michael Eletise – OG – HI
121. Damar Hamlin – CB – PA
122. Clark Yarbrough – OT – VA (Stanford)
123. Diondre Overton – WR – NC
124. Marquel Dismuke – S – CA (Nebraska)
127. Khalid Kareem – DE – MI
128. Keyshon Camp – DT – FL
130. Isaiah Chambers – DE – TX
131. Austin Myers – OT – TX (TCU)
132. Lamar Jackson – ATH – CA
133. Carlin Fils-Aime – RB – FL
134. Landon Dickerson – OT – NC
136. Trevon Sidney – WR – CA
137. Terrance Davis – OG – MD
139. J.P. Urquidez – OT – TX (Baylor)
140. Robert Washington – RB – NC (Syracuse)
142. Ben Cleveland – OG – GA (Georgia)
143. Antonio Williams – RB – NC (Wisconsin)
146. Frank Martin II – OT – CA (USC)
147. Jordan Fuller – ATH – NJ
149. Jake Hausmann – TE – OH (Ohio State)
152. Brandon Peters – QB – IN (Michigan)
153. Auston Robertson – DE – IN (Michigan State)
155. Luke Farrell – TE – OH
156. Tommy Kraemer – OT – OH (Notre Dame)
157. Jarrett Guarantano – QB – NJ (Tennessee)
159. Naseir Upshur – TE – PA
162. Terrell Hall – DE – DC (Ohio State)
163. Elijah Holyfield – RB – GA
169. Richard Merritt – OG – DC
170. Jeffrey McCulloch – LB – TX
173. Xavier Kelly – DE – KS
176. Dylan Crawford – WR – CA
177. Devin Bush, Jr. – LB – FL
178. Joseph Jackson – DE – FL (Miami)
180. Joshua Jackson – QB – MI (Virginia Tech)
181. Byron Murphy – CB – AZ
182. Josh King – DE – IL (Michigan State)
183. Dontavious Jackson – LB – TX
185. Jacob Mathis – TE – FL
188. Tre Nixon – WR – FL
191. Brad Hawkins – WR – NJ
192. Michael Williams – DT – TX
199. Steffon McKnight – WR – CA
200. Jaylon Jones – S – TX
202. Jaquan Yulee – LB – VA (Alabama)
203. Erick Fowler – DE – TX (LSU)
211. Ahmir Mitchell – WR – NJ
213. Jared Mayden – CB – TX
214. Jamal Pettigrew – TE – LA (LSU)
215. Josh Imatorbhebhe – WR – GA (USC)
224. Chase Claypool – WR – BC
226. Daelin Hayes – LB – MI (USC)
229. Austin Mack – WR – IN (Ohio State)
230. Cohl Cabral – C – CA (Arizona State)
239. Austin Anderson – OT – TX (Texas A&M)
241. Romeo Finley – S – Florida
242. Cary Angeline – TE – PA
243. Steven Smothers – WR – MD
245. Tavares Chase – WR – FL (Clemson)
247. Justin Layne – WR – OH (Michigan State)
250. Matt Farniok – OT – SD
251. Nick Eubanks – TE – FL
255. Michael Onwenu – OG – MI (Michigan)
256. Cole Van Lanen – OT – WI (Wisconsin)
258. Matt Falcon – RB – MI (Michigan)
260. Cameron Lewis – S – LA (LSU)
264. C.J. Pollard – S – CA
265. Binjimen Victor – WR – FL
272. Donnie Corley – WR – MI
273. Demetric Felton – ATH – CA (UCLA)
275. Lavert Hill – CB – MI (Penn State)
281. Quayshon Alexander – DE – NJ (Nebraska)
285. Alton Robinson – DE – TX (Stanford)
294. Collin Johnson – WR – TX (Texas)

Recruiting Update: June 22, 2015

Lawrenceville (GA) Archer offensive tackle E.J. Price decommitted from Georgia

COMMITMENTS
Hartland (WI) Arrowhead offensive tackle Ben Bredeson committed to Michigan (LINK).

Pembroke Pines (FL) Flanagan safety/linebacker Devin Gil committed to Michigan (LINK).

Pembroke Pines (FL) Flanagan safety Josh Metellus committed to Michigan (LINK).

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Sioux Falls (SD) Washington offensive tackle Matt Farniok was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’6″, 290 lb. prospect with offers from Florida, Florida State, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Penn State, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #22 offensive tackle, and #210 overall. Farniok is a pretty athletic, high-effort kid who destroys the South Dakota competition, which is not known for being all that talented. Regardless, it’s easy to see why high-level teams are intrigued.

Lawrenceville (GA) Archer offensive tackle E.J. Price decommitted from Georgia. He’s a 6’6″, 311 lb. prospect who holds offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and USC, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #9 offensive tackle, and #54 overall. Price grew up on the west side of Michigan, and the Wolverines were expecting to at least get a visit from him before he surprised a lot of people by committing to Georgia. He does plan to visit family in Michigan this summer, and a stop in Ann Arbor could very well happen at that time. Price’s teammates include 2017 defensive backs Isaiah Pryor and Jamyest Williams, both of whom have Michigan offers.

Hit the jump for a couple new 2017 offers, some guys who committed elsewhere, and some random bits.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2017
Nashville (TN) Oakland wide receiver Jacoby Stevens was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 200 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #4 athlete, and #44 overall. Stevens could play anywhere from receiver to safety to linebacker at the next level.

New Orleans (LA) Brother Martin cornerback Tre Swilling was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 180 lb. prospect whose other offer comes from LSU. His brother, Bruce Jordan-Swilling, was offered by the Wolverines a couple weeks ago, and they are the sons of former New Orleans Saints linebacker Pat Swilling.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2018
Paramus (NJ) Catholic quarterback Allan Walters was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 200 lb. prospect with offers from Rutgers and Temple. Walters is a pro-style quarterback with a pretty strong arm and good mechanics for such a young player. He’s the second quarterback offered in the 2018 class, joining Floridian Joey Gatewood, who is expected to end up at Florida State. Walters is also the teammate of several offerees, including 2016 defensive tackle Rashan Gary, 2016 wide receiver Donald Stewart, 2017 defensive end Corey Bolds, and 2017 linebacker Drew Singleton. Their former coach is Michigan’s recruiting coordinator.

OFF THE BOARD
Brownsburg (IN) Brownsburg running back Toks Akinribade committed to Iowa. Michigan was recruiting Akinribade even after Chris Evans committed a couple weeks ago, but a crowded backfield may have scared him off. Or maybe he just liked Iowa better. Akinribade did take a spring visit to Michigan, and he’s a teammate of offered 2017 quarterback Hunter Johnson.

Wayne (NJ) De Paul Catholic defensive end Quayshon Alexander committed to Nebraska. He’s a teammate of top running back Kareem Walker (Ohio State).

Carson (CA) Calabasas safety Marquel Dismuke committed to Nebraska. He was a recent decommit from Cal.

Downey (CA) Downey linebacker Darrian Franklin committed to Oregon. Franklin was initially excited about his Michigan offer, but he never visited. Michigan has also offered his teammate, Daevon Vigilant, who could play running back, wide receiver, cornerback, or returner.

Fayetteville (NC) Sanford cornerback Mark Gilbert committed to Duke.

Mililani (HI) Mililani running back Vavae Malepeai committed to Oregon. After the good vibes Marcus Mariota received from the fans and the school, Oregon probably earned a lot of favors in the state of Hawaii. Malepeai might not be a total burner, but he’s a sturdy running back with good vision. I think he’ll fit in well in Eugene.

West Hartford (CT) Kingswood-Oxford linebacker Koby Quansah committed to Duke. Previously, he had named Michigan to his top ten. Duke is pulling in quite a class, including three players (Gilbert, Quansah, and Virginia WR Scott Bracey) who had Michigan offers. They currently have the #16 class in the country using 247’s Composite rankings.

Jacksonville (FL) Trinity linebacker Dominique Ross committed to North Carolina. Michigan was not heavily involved in his recruitment.

Green Bay (WI) Bay Port offensive tackle Cole Van Lanen committed to Wisconsin. According to the 247 Composite, Van Lanen is the #2 player in the state for 2016. Who’s #1? Ben Bredeson. Interestingly, the top four  players in Wisconsin are offensive tackles.

MISCELLANEOUS
Norfolk (FL) Lake Taylor cornerback Wayne Davis named Michigan to his top three. The other two schools are Ohio State and Virginia Tech, and he has not visited Michigan yet, although he plans to do so this summer.

Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison defensive end Khalid Kareem is announcing his college decision – for a second time – on Wednesday, June 24th. Over on 247 Sports, 88% of the Crystal Ball picks are in favor of Michigan. He has taken visits in the last week and a half to Alabama, Mississippi State, and South Carolina.

Allen (TX) Allen defensive end Levi Onwuzurike named Michigan to his top ten. He and Greg Mattison have developed a good relationship, although probably not quite good enough to reel him in.

Tons – literally, I guess – of football prospects showed up for Michigan’s Exposure U and Aerial Assault camps over the last week (LINK). At the link you’ll find lots of the bigger names to attend, along with brief info blurbs about most of them.

Several players took visits to Michigan this past weekend (LINK).

Lots of stuff is going on with in-state recruiting. I’ll have several new profiles up this week as a lot more 2017 prospects have started earning offers at summer camps. Over on Recruiting Season . . . :

• West Bloomfield ATH Trishton Jackson committed to Michigan State
• Detroit Cass Tech CB Donovan Johnson (2017) was offered by Tennessee
• West Bloomfield CB Navon Mosley committed to Purdue
• Ypsilanti ATH Marquis Smith committed to Kansas