Thunder, Author at Touch the Banner

Name: Ben Mason
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 247 lbs.
High school: Newtown (CT) Newtown
Position: Fullback/linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #42
Last year: Mason was a senior in high school. He ran 80 times for 719 yards and 11 touchdowns; caught 15 passes for 188 yards and 3 touchdowns; and made 63 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions (1 for a TD), and 2 forced fumbles.
TTB Rating: 74

Mason is an impressive physical specimen, as evidenced by the fact that he was a relatively unknown prospect when he walked into Schembechler Hall for a recruiting visit . . . and walked out with an offer. He’s been a big deal in his home state for a couple years, but New England isn’t known for pumping out elite football players. But he fits what Jim Harbaugh wants, and that means he’s a versatile, tough football player.

Mason enrolled early in January and took part in spring practices. He spent most of his time as a linebacker, but Harbaugh revealed recently that he will probably be a fullback, which is what many expected when he came out of high school. Harbaugh also said that the running backs were lobbying for Mason to be a fullback, because after seeing him lead block a little bit during the spring, they saw what he could do. At 6’3″ and 247 lbs. with a violent streak, he could be devastating. This year there probably won’t be a ton of room for playing time, since there are two fifth-year seniors at the position (Khalid Hill and Henry Poggi). However, the spot will open up in 2018, and Michigan may want to groom Mason to be the starter.

Prediction: Backup fullback

5Jun 2017

Blog, homepage 3 comments Thunder

6-5-17 Recruiting Update: Do small defensive backs even exist anymore?

Washington (DC) H.D. Woodson CB Noah Boykin (with ball, image via Washington Post)

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2018

Washington (DC) H.D. Woodson cornerback Noah Boykin was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 170 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Oklahoma, among others. He’s a 3-star, the #45 cornerback, and #447 overall. He’s a tall corner prospect who could also play wide receiver or safety in college.

Jensen Beach (FL) Jensen Beach safety Jamien Sherwood was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’2″, 195 lb. prospect with offers from Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Oklahoma, and Oregon, among others. He’s a 3-star, the #32 safety, and #392 overall. He’s a large safety prospect who might grow into an outside linebacker.

Hit the jump for several players who went off the board to other schools.

Traffic and Income Report: April 2017

Many of you visit regularly, click on ads, buy things on Amazon, contribute via Paypal, etc. Here’s how that turns up on my end.

The following data comes from April of 2017:

Page views: 371,241.
This is a jump of about 116,000 page views. The reason is twofold, I believe: 1. I brought on some additional contributors, including Mike Knapp and umbig11. 2) My Google ranking stopped being affected so negatively by my stupid, crappy server.

Google AdSense revenue: $476.43

Amazon Affiliates revenue: $33.26

Sovrn revenue: $134.02
I mentioned last month that Sovrn had been screwy and I had to work out some kinks, so this represents almost a 400% increase in revenue from them.

Paypal donations: $0.00
Paypal is still not productive unless I’m specifically asking for donations, which is fine.

TOTAL INCOME: $643.71

3Jun 2017

Blog, homepage 15 comments Thunder

2017 Season Countdown: #78 Drew Singleton

Drew Singleton (image via Scout)

Name: Drew Singleton
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 213 lbs.
High school: Paramus (NJ) Catholic
Position: Linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #8
Last year: Singleton was a senior in high school. He made 12 tackles and forced 1 fumble before tearing his ACL.
TTB Rating: 83

Singleton suffered a torn ACL near the beginning of his senior year, wiping out that opportunity to continue to improve – but he did get a chance to play in Michigan Stadium, where his Paladins played their season opener. Despite the health issue, he still earned enough respect to finish the recruiting cycle as the 247 Composite’s #80 overall player and #4 outside linebacker.

Michigan will have two new starters at linebacker now that Jabrill Peppers and Ben Gedeon have graduated, but Singleton probably won’t be needed. Though he’ll be almost a full year removed from his injury, Michigan kept a short bench at linebacker in 2016 and has several other options. There’s no need to push Singleton into playing until he’s 100% healthy, and even then, he might not be up to speed the other guys. I could see him redshirting or playing a backup role, but either way, he probably won’t be a key player for the 2017 defense.

Prediction: Backup linebacker