Posts under: Blog

Recruiting Snapshot: Iowa

Edwardsville (IL) Edwardsville DE A.J. Epenesa (image via Twitter)

2017 Team Ranking: #41. Iowa signed one 5-star, one 4-star, eighteen 3-stars, and two 2-stars.

Cream of the 2017 Crop: The Hawkeyes landed their to player very early in the process with Edwardsville (IL) Edwardsville defensive end A.J. Epenesa in January of 2016. The 5-star, #2 strongside end, and #29 overall player went on to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Despite a bunch of powerhouse teams trying to pull Epenesa away, the Iowa legacy stayed committed. Mt. Vernon (IA) Mt. Vernon offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs, another Army Bowl participant, is a 4-star, the #31 offensive tackle, and #327 overall. He did impress during Army week, but he’s Iowa’s only other player above a 3-star ranking.

2018 Team Ranking: #46. Two 3-stars are committed to the Hawkeyes.

Cream of the 2018 Crop: The cream hasn’t really risen to the top. Both of Iowa’s commits are ranked in the 900s. One is Crystal Lake (IL) Prairie Ridge offensive guard Jeffrey Jenkins, and the other is Thiensville (WI) Homestead linebacker Mike Bruner.

In his own words – James Ross III, Part 2

This is Part 2 my interview with James Ross III. You can find part 1 here (LINK).  He answers the questions you posed in the forum and a few of my own about his new job with Detroit-Loyola.  This weekend I’ll interview Kevin Koger – post questions for him in the forum link.

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In his own words: James Ross III, Part 1

(image via chargers.com)

This week I was able to talk to former Michigan linebacker James Ross III.  He played for the Wolverines from 2012-15, had some looks at the NFL level, and now coaches at Detroit-Loyola.  He played his high school ball at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Prep, where he was part of the 2011 state championship team.  Ross was very open and spoke an length about his experience playing and coaching football in Michigan.

In Part 1, he talks about his time at Michigan and about being a recruit himself.  In Part 2, coming tomorrow, he talks about his new job at Detroit – Loyola and answers the questions you asked in the forum.  He was a great interview!

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Michigan’s NFL Combine Winners and Losers

Amara Darboh

Fourteen Michigan players participated in the 2017 NFL Draft Combine. Without being in the interview room, here’s my take on who gained ground, who’s treading water, and who had a less than stellar performance:

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3-6-17 Recruiting Update: Boston College is lurking

Seattle (WA) Garfield DE Sav’ell Smalls (image via NWPR)

It’s been a while since I’ve done a 2020 recruiting update, but I’ll combine it with a few bits from the last week on the 2018 class.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2020

Ramsey (NJ) Don Bosco Prep running back Jalen Berger was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 175 lb. prospect with offers from Maryland, Rutgers, and Syracuse. Don Bosco’s head coach recently retired and was replaced by former Rutgers quarterback Mike Teel.

Brooklyn (NY) Poly running back Lamy Constant (formerly Lamy Montini) was offered by Michigan, his first. He’s a 6’0″, 188 lb. prospect with one other offer from Boston College. He attends the same school as Georgia-bound offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson.

Hit the jump for several more 2020 offers.

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