Running Back Recruiting

Tag: Derrick Green


16May 2012
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Running Back Recruiting

Cordova (TN) St. Benedict’s Jordan Wilkins

Yesterday’s announcement by Joliet (IL) Joliet Catholic running back Ty Isaac that he would be playing football at USC stunned some Michigan fans.  With his recent behavior, it was not surprising that heading to Southern California would be his choice.  Isaac started to withdraw from publicity a little bit, and it seems that when kids start to weary of the process, that’s often because they’re headed somewhere that won’t necessarily be well received publicly.  A kid from Illinois spurning Notre Dame, Michigan, and other midwest schools is going to get a little blowback.  This doesn’t necessarily mean that Isaac’s recruitment is over, because schools will probably continue to make a push for him.  But for now, Michigan fans should operate under the assumption that he’s permanently off the board.

Isaac was clearly the top running back prospect on the coaches’ board, so where do the Wolverines go from here?  Well, they already have Warren (OH) Howland running back DeVeon Smith and Novi (MI) Catholic Central jumbo running back Wyatt Shallman.  Both are solidly considered 4-star recruits, they can both play a role at Michigan, and both seem to be strongly committed to Michigan.  What Michigan seems to lack in those two guys is a gamebreaker.  They’re both grind-it-out types who can break tackles or score near the goal line, but neither appears to have the speed and agility to go 80 yards on any given play.

The two names that pop up most frequently are Richmond (VA) Hermitage running back Derrick Green and Cordova (TN) St. Benedict tailback Jordan Wilkins.  While Green claims 4.37 forty speed, that kind of acceleration and explosion isn’t apparent on his highlight film.  The 6’1″, 215-pounder looks more like a between-the-tackles power guy than a big play guy.  With Smith and Shallman already in the fold for 2013, taking a commitment from Green would seem a bit redundant.

Wilkins, on the other hand, looks a lot more like Isaac.  The Tennessee product has more lateral agility than Green, can catch the ball out of the backfield much like Isaac, and has the ability to break the big one.  While I don’t know that I can justify saying that Wilkins is faster than someone who claims a 4.37 forty, comparing junior film of Wilkins and Green makes the former look like the big-play guy that Michigan should be seeking.

Outside of those two guys, who both have offers, the pickings get a little slim.  There aren’t a great deal of options in the midwest, and reaching outside of the midwest is always a tough pull.  Chelsea (MI) Chelsea tailback Berkley Edwards is a Michigan legacy and the younger brother of wide receiver Braylon Edwards, but he’s small and probably not the feature back that Michigan really wants.  Otherwise, he would have been offered already.  Pickerington (OH) North’s Godwin Igwebuike is the teammate of 2013 tight end commit Jake Butt and has an offer from Wisconsin, but again, he’s not a threat to take it the distance.  The only other big-time running back prospect in the Big Ten imprint appears to be Philadelphia (PA) Imhotep’s David Williams, who has offers from Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Penn State.  Williams doesn’t have a Michigan offer and it could very well be too late to get a foot in the door.

It seems most likely at this point that Michigan will once again go without an elite level running back in the 2013 class, which continues the trend that arguably started in the 2010 class.  Fitzgerald Toussaint, a 2009 recruit, was somewhat highly touted but not really a national recruit.  One might even make the argument that you would have to go all the way back to 2008, when Michigan snagged the highly sought after Sam McGuffie, to find an elite running back in a Michigan recruiting class.

19Mar 2012
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Recruiting Update: March 19, 2012

How now? What news?

COMMITMENT
Warren (OH) Howland running back Deveon Smith committed to Michigan.

OFF THE BOARD
Randolph (NJ) Randolph offensive guard Brendan Mahon committed to Penn State.  For whatever reason, Mahon always seemed like a Penn State type of guy.  And obviously, with Michigan full at the offensive line position group, this doesn’t affect the Wolverines a great deal.

St. Paul (MN) Cretin-Derham wide receiver James Onwualu committed to Notre Dame.  Onwualu had planned to visit Michigan last week, but decided to go ahead and commit to the Irish instead.  Cretin-Derham has produced several high profile athletes (Seantrel Henderson, Joe Mauer, etc.), including outgoing Notre Dame wideout Michael Floyd.

Pittsburgh (PA) Seton La Salle tight end Scott Orndoff committed to Pitt.  He was committed to Wisconsin for a long time, but the departure of offensive coordinator Paul Chryst made him back off that commitment.  Luckily for Pitt, Chryst became the Panthers head coach.  Orndoff visited Michigan unofficially last weekend, but you can’t blame him for picking a Chryst’s offense; he’s a guy who has done a good job of developing tight ends.

MISCELLANEOUS
Here’s a list of the weekend visitors.  You can add 2013 commit Kyle Bosch to the list, too.

When Richmond (VA) Hermitage running back Derrick Green visited on Sunday, the coaches told him that they still wanted another running back, despite the fact that Smith committed on Saturday.  That means the door is still open for Green or Joliet (IL) Catholic’s Ty Isaac.

16Mar 2012
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Weekend Visitors: March 16-18, 2012

Warren (OH) Howland running back Deveon Smith
(image via 247 Sports)

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech OT David Dawson: Dawson committed to Michigan back in February.

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech LB Deon Drake: Drake, a 2014 prospect, is 6’1″ and 215 lbs.  He currently has no offers, partly because he was overshadowed by some of the other talent at Cass Tech last season. (Highlights here.)

Richmond (VA) Hermitage RB Derrick Green: Green is a 6’1″, 215 lb. running back with reported 4.37 speed, but you don’t really see that track speed translating to the football field.  He is a big power runner, though, and would fit in well with Michigan’s offense because he gets downhill and can punish tacklers.  He has offers from Ohio State, Oklahoma, and USC, along with lots of others. (Highlights here.)

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech S Delano Hill: Cass Tech is a pipeline to Michigan . . . at least for guys that Michigan offers.  However, Hill has not been offered by the Wolverines, and an offer does not seem to be on the horizon.  The Wolverines seem to be set at safety unless a big-time player (like Su’a Cravens) wants to commit. (Highlights here.)

Detroit (MI) Crockett TE Khalid Hill: Hill committed to Michigan back in February.

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech LB Gary Hosey: Hosey, a 2014 prospect, transferred to Cass Tech from Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison.  At 6’0″ and 230 lbs., he seems like a middle linebacker prospect for Michigan, if anything.

Pittsburgh (PA) Seton La Salle TE Scott Orndoff: Orndoff had been committed to Wisconsin since August, but he decommitted from the Badgers at the end of February, partly because offensive coordinator Paul Chryst left for the Pitt Panthers.  He also has offers from Michigan State and West Virginia, among others.  Despite having two tight ends already committed, it sounds like the coaches would be open to taking a commitment from Orndoff, a 245-pounder who stands 6’4″. (Highlights here.)

Baltimore (MD) Gilman DT Henry Poggi: Poggi is the son of Biff Poggi, the head coach at Gilman.  Henry has brothers playing football at Iowa and Duke.  The youngest of the bunch is a 6’3″, 255 lb. defensive tackle who is also being looked at by some schools as a tight end.  Alabama, Maryland, and Ohio State, among others, have also offered Henry.



Warren (OH) Howland RB Deveon Smith:
Smith is a 5’11”, 200 lb. inside runner who lacks true breakaway speed.  He is a very tough runner, though, and would be a solid addition the class.  However, there is some information circulating that Michigan has backed off on his recruitment a little bit, hoping that they’ll be able to reel in Ty Isaac before Smith makes a commitment.  Opinions vary wildly on whether Michigan should try to grab Smith this weekend, whether they should back off and wait on Isaac, or whether they should try to get both.  The general feeling is that Michigan only wants one more running back to go along with Novi (MI) Catholic Central’s Wyatt Shallman, not two. (Highlights here.)

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech WR Damon Webb: There’s not a whole lot of information out there about Webb, but he’s a 2014 prospect who transferred to Cass Tech from U of D Jesuit.  Webb is now a 5’11”, 170 lb. wideout. (Freshman highlights here.)


Detroit (MI) Cass Tech LB William White: White is a 6’1″, 220 lb. inside linebacker.  His father played safety for the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, and Atlanta Falcons from 1988-1998, making 672 career tackles and 20 career picks.

13Feb 2012
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Recruiting Update: February 13, 2012

Richmond (VA) Hermitage running back Derrick Green
(image via 247 Sports)

COMMITMENTS
Birmingham (MI) Seaholm offensive tackle Dan Gibbs, a class of 2012 kid, committed to Michigan as a preferred walk-on.  I drew some ire for this October post that said he probably wasn’t worthy of a scholarship offer, and it turns out he’s a preferred walk-on, as I suggested.  He’s just not the kind of athlete that Michigan is recruiting at this point.  (Highlights here.)

Detroit (MI) Crockett tight end Khalid Hill committed to Michigan on the spot when he got an offer.  (Commitment post here.)

ADDED TO THE BOARD
St. Louis (MO) DeSmet offensive tackle Andy Bauer, a 2014 prospect, was offered on his visit to Michigan this weekend.  Despite being just a high school sophomore, he is 6’5″ and 290 lbs.  I discussed Bauer in Friday’s weekend visitor post (with highlights).

Jersey City (NJ) St. Peter’s Prep cornerback Tre Bell was offered by Michigan this weekend.  Bell is a 5’11”, 170 lb. defender with offers from South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others.  He had 36 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 10 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions as a junior in 2011.  Michigan has also pursued other St. Peter’s Prep kids in recent years, such as safety D.J. Singleton (2012), running back Savon Huggins (2011), and safety Sheldon Royster (2011).

Somerville (NJ) Immaculata defensive end Tashawn Bower was offered by Michigan on Tuesday.  He’s a 6’5″, 230-pounder with offers from Florida State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Rutgers, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia, among others.

Stockton (CA) Lincoln running back Justin Davis was offered by Michigan on Monday.  He’s a 6’1″, 195 lb. speedster who ran for 2,599 yards and 38 touchdowns as a junior in 2011.  Cal, Oklahoma, and UCLA have also extended offers.

Cypress (TX) Cypress Ranch running back Keith Ford picked up an offer from the Wolverines.  He’s a 5’11”, 195 lb. speedster who has offers from Alabama, Florida State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech, among others.  He only had 140 carries as a junior, but they went for 915 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Richmond (VA) Hermitage running back Derrick Green picked up a Michigan offer on Tuesday.  He’s a 6’0″, 215 lb. back who reports a 4.37 time in the forty.  He ran for 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior, and has been offered by Arkansas, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, USC, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others.  Hermitage is the alma mater of big-time class of 2011 recruit Curtis Grant, who was pursued by Michigan but ultimately chose Ohio State.

Dallas (TX) Jesuit offensive tackle J.J. Gustafson received an offer on Tuesday.  He’s 6’6″ and 260 lbs. with offers from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech, among others.  Receiver Jake Oliver, also from Jesuit, has been offered by Michigan, too.

Tampa (FL) Wharton cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III grabbed an offer during Monday’s flurry.  He’s a 5’11”, 177 lb. with a report 4.45 forty under his belt.  At the Under Armour Junior Combine in January, Rivals named him the “Most Athletic” prospect due to his forty, a 34″ vertical, and a 4.12 shuttle.  Florida, Florida State, Miami, Notre Dame, and Ohio State have all offered.  He’s an early 5-star on Rivals and 247 Sports.

Richmond (VA) Varina cornerback Tim Harris was offered by Michigan on Tuesday.  He claims 4.48 speed and offers from Ohio State, Rutgers, Tennessee, Virginia, and Virginia Tech.  Virginia is the early leader for his services.  Varina is the alma mater of former Michigan running back Brandon Minor.

College Station (TX) A&M Consolidated defensive end Christian Lacouture received an offer from Michigan, despite being committed to Texas A&M.  He’s a 6’5″, 255-pounder with offers from LSU, Missouri, and Texas Tech.

Centerville (OH) Centerville offensive tackle Evan Lisle was offered by Michigan last week.  He’s lean at 6’6″, 265 lbs. but benches 285, which is fairly impressive for a kid with long arms like him.  He packs a good punch off the line, but he obviously needs to add some bulk so he can make his body match his demeanor.  He also has offers from Illinois, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and West Virginia, among others.

Philadelphia (PA) William Penn Charter offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey got an offer from the Wolverines.  He’s 6’9″ and 280 lbs. with offers from Maryland, Rutgers, Wisconsin, and a few others.

Pittsburgh (PA) Seton-La Salle tight end Scott Orndorff was offered by Michigan, despite having committed to Wisconsin last August.  He’s 6’5″ and 240 lbs. but other information on him is limited.  However, offensive coordinator Paul Chryst’s departure for Pittsburgh, along with other staff changes, have opened the door for some other schools to perhaps snatch him away from the Badgers.

St. Paul (MN) Cretin-Derham wide receiver James Onwualu grabbed a Michigan offer on Monday.  He’s a 6’1″, 205 lb. athlete who could play multiple positions in college.  He’s got a 4.53 forty and a 37″ vertical leap.  Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Purdue, and Stanford are all pursuing him.  Cretin-Derham is the alma mater of class of 2011 offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson (Miami), class of 2009 wide receiver Michael Floyd (Notre Dame), and Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer.

Cordova (TN) St. Benedict running back Jordan Wilkins was offered by Michigan on Wednesday.  He’s a 6’1″, 193 lb. tailback who has offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt, among others.  He’s the #238 player in the country, according to 247 Sports.  Wilkins carried the ball 196 times for 1,546 yards (7.9 yards per carry) and 18 touchdowns.  He also had 17 catches for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus one touchdown each on punt returns and kick returns.

OFF THE BOARD
Olney (MD) Good Counsel wide receiver Stefon Diggs, a 2012 prospect, committed to Maryland.  He’s a 5-star recruit, Maryland’s first such prospect since 2007 (Bruce Campbell).  Many experts expected Diggs to choose the Florida Gators, but the buzz around Maryland picked up a couple days before his Friday night announcement.

Sandy Creek (GA) Sandy Creek cornerback Shaquille Wiggins committed to Georgia.  Michigan was an early leader and he even hinted that he wanted to commit when he made an unofficial visit to Ann Arbor late in the season, but that sentiment wore off pretty quickly.  He even fell in love with the University of Virginia, too, before getting offered by the home state Bulldogs in late January.