Posts by: Thunder

2017 Recruiting Wish List: July 7, 2016

Antioch (CA) Antioch running back Najee Harris

With the commitment of offensive tackle Kai-Leon Herbert yesterday (LINK), Michigan now has 18 verbal commitments in the class of 2017. Technically, there’s room for 19 signees since 19 seniors are graduating, but I’m assuming Michigan gets into the mid- to high 20s due to attrition. Somewhat randomly using the number 29 – only because that’s what Michigan maxed out at in 2016 –  here are the 11 prospects I would like to see Michigan finish with in 2017. (Note: This is a wish list, not an expectation, but I am only considering players with interest in Michigan.)

QUARTERBACK
Commits (1): Dylan McCaffrey
Wish list (0): N/A
Rationale: Michigan has a pretty solid, consistent line of quarterbacks lined up for the next few years. Once Wilton Speight and John O’Korn matriculate, the Wolverines will have 2016 signee Brandon Peters and then McCaffrey in the next class.

RUNNING BACK
Commits (3): A.J. Dillon, O’Maury Samuels, Kurt Taylor
Wish list (1): Najee Harris
Rationale: I like Cam Akers and Stephen Carr (USC) a lot, too, but Harris is the #1 recruit in the country, according to some. He’s currently committed to Alabama, but many people think he’ll end up elsewhere. Michigan’s trio of running backs is solid, but Harris is too good to pass up if you can get him. The unfortunate thing is that one of the current commits would probably not end up in the class if Michigan were able to flip Harris.

Hit the jump for the rest of the positional wishes.

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Kai-Leon Herbert, Wolverine

Plantation (FL) American Heritage offensive tackle Kai-Leon Herbert (image via Sun-Sentinel)

Plantation (FL) American Heritage offensive tackle Kai-Leon Herbert committed to Michigan on Wednesday at noon in the form of this entertaining video:

He picked the Wolverines over offers from Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s 6’5″, 284 lbs.

RATINGS
ESPN: 4-star, 83 grade, #15 OT, #106 overall
Rivals: 4-star, #10 OT, #61 overall
Scout: 4-star, #22 OT, #183 overall
247 Sports: 3-star, 76 grade, #72 OT, #683 overall

Hit the jump for more on Herbert’s commitment.

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What I’ve Been Reading: Forty Years in the Big House

Forty Years in the Big House by Jon Falk is a follow-up to If These Walls Could Talk. Falk is, of course, the long-time equipment manager for Michigan who was hired by Bo Schembechler. He retired following the 2013 season, and it’s implied that maybe he just didn’t see eye-to-eye with the direction of the program under the leadership of former athletic director Dave Brandon. In a curious twist, this post-retirement book, Forty Years in the Big House, wraps up a career . . . that still continues. After his replacement, Brad Berlin, moved on to other things, Jim Harbaugh asked Falk to come back as the equipment manager this off-season. So far I have not heard about any changes to that agreement, so maybe Falk will get in one last season (or more) to add to his 40-year career.

Anyway, the book is a collection of stories, mostly from his time with Bo Schembechler. It’s a walk down memory lane, and hardcore Michigan fans will enjoy the names, games, and events referenced here. Some of the chapters and themes get a little repetitive, but that was the same case in If These Walls Could Talk, so I was prepared. The book was co-written by Dan Ewald, whom I remember encountering first as an author when I read Hello Everybody, I’m George Kell (side note: I don’t talk much about other sports and teams, but the Detroit Tigers were my first sports infatuation and the first professional event I attended). Both gentlemen are getting up there in age, so I can forgive a little bit of repetition.

I enjoyed the book. It was a quick read, and I finished it over the span of two days. The biggest thing I took away from it was about doing something you love, doing it with passion, and being dedicated. I’ve read that people should change jobs every seven years to avoid stagnating, but this is a guy who worked 40 years at the same job and still talks about how much he loves the school, talks about crying at certain events because they mean so much to him. He loved Schembechler, loves the players, and loves Michigan. It’s hard not to appreciate his dedication to and love for the University of Michigan. Plus there are some good stories in there about Jim Harbaugh, Tyrone Wheatley, and Gerald Ford, along with many others.

2016 Season Countdown: #66 Kareem Walker

Kareem Walker

Name: Kareem Walker
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 210 lbs.
High school: Wayne (NJ) DePaul Catholic
Position: Running back
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #6
Last year: Walker was a senior in high school (LINK). He rushed for 1,517 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Final TTB Rating: 86

Walker was high on Michigan early, and then he somewhat surprisingly committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes on the day they won the national championship in 2015. Michigan continued to recruit him, and things went sour between Walker and OSU, which caused him to decommit in the fall. With a plan to enroll early at the school of his choice, he didn’t have a lot of time to drag out his decision, so he chose in mid-December to become a Wolverine. In the meantime, Walker’s promising sophomore and junior seasons preceded a slightly disappointing performance as a senior, when some started to question his lofty ranking. What seemed like elite quickness and burst as an underclassman turned into, less majestically, just good qualities.

This spring Walker was running fourth at tailback, behind De’Veon Smith, Ty Isaac, and Drake Johnson. Karan Higdon was sidelined by an injury for part of the spring, so he may be a factor ahead of Walker, too. I don’t expect Walker to surpass any of the first three guys unless one of them has a Ty Isaac-like inability to hold onto the football, but I do think he will play. You don’t steal a running back from Ohio State with the intent of burying him on the bench. I’m not in love with Walker, and he didn’t wow anyone this spring, but I do think he can be a productive back down the road. With Smith and Johnson graduating after the 2016 season, this year will be a bit of an audition to see who becomes the lead back in 2017.

Prediction: Backup tailback

2017 Recruiting Update: July 5, 2016

Plantation (FL) American Heritage offensive tackle Kai-Leon-Herbert

OFF THE BOARD

Dallas (TX) Woodrow Wilson cornerback Darrion Green committed to SMU. His Michigan offer was considered a big deal, and so is SMU’s, frankly: Green is partially deaf, so it’s quite an accomplishment to be recruited by FBS programs. His Michigan offer was probably not committable, however, and the Michigan fans who were concerned that such a low-ranked prospect (#179 CB, #1703 overall) could take up a spot in Michigan’s class can rest easy for now.

Oak Ridge (TN) Oak Ridge wide receiver Tee Higgins committed to Clemson. He’s a 5-star and the #3 wideout in the class, behind Donovan Peoples-Jones and Joseph Lewis.

Orlando (FL) Dr. Phillips defensive end Robert Porcher IV committed to Nebraska. He is, of course, the son of former Detroit Lions defensive end Robert Porcher. The third. In case you got confused.

MISCELLANEY

Plantation (FL) American Heritage offensive tackle Kai-Leon Herbert will announce his college decision on July 6, which is tomorrow. He narrowed his list to Florida, Miami, and Michigan, but most believe it’s between the Gators and Wolverines. For what it’s worth, I put in my Crystal Ball for Michigan.

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech offensive guard Jordan Reid will announce his college decision on July 10 at The Opening in Oregon. His final five are Florida, Michigan, Michigan State, Pitt, and Tennessee.

Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy center Cesar Ruiz put Michigan in his top eight. He had named Michigan his leader at one point, and then named a top twelve with no favorites. So the list is getting whittled down.

Lexington (KY) Lafayette offensive tackle Jedrick Wills named Michigan to his top eight.

Here’s a list of Michigan commits and targets who will be participating in The Opening over this coming weekend (LINK).