Posts under: Blog

Keep an Eye On: Potential in-state offers for 2016, Defense

Clinton Township (MI) Chippewa Valley safety Stefan Claiborne (#21)

A few weeks ago, I posted a look at some in-state prospects who could be due for Michigan offers as the 2016 recruiting class wrapped (LINK). At this point the class is filling up with a lot of national recruits, so it’s not clear if any more local offers will be needed. Last year Michigan stole wide receiver Grant Perry from Northwestern late in the process, but that was as Jim Harbaugh was scrambling to fill out his first half of a class. With the final weekend of official visits coming up before National Signing Day, time is running short for Michigan to snake-oil someone.

DEFENSIVE END
Top option: Iowa has typically done a great job of identifying and developing under-the-radar talent, and they have a commit from Detroit (MI) East English Village Prep strongside end Cedrick Lattimore (3-star, #22 SDE, #493 overall). He’s 6’6″, 265 lbs. and could end up playing a few different positions in college. As for weakside ends, a guy getting some late attention is Southfield (MI) Bradford Academy prospect TaMarion Johnson (3-star, #135 WDE, #2571 overall). He decommitted from Miami-OH yesterday, and offers from Iowa State and Minnesota have come in lately.
Other options: Walled Lake (MI) Central outside linebacker Adetokunbo “Ade” Ogundeji (3-star, #42 WDE, #660 overall) is ranked higher than Johnson and committed to Notre Dame, but I think he’s a little less athletic. Southfield (MI) Southfield end Eyioma Uwazurike (3-star, #38 SDE, #832 overall) is 6’6″, 254 lbs. and flipped from Toledo to Iowa State when Matt Campbell was hired to coach the Cyclones.

Hit the jump for the rest of the defense.

read more

Pro Athletes and Their Spawn: 2016 Edition

Mike Alstott (image via Purdujax.org)

I have always been infatuated with pro athletes and their kids’ athletic careers. Maybe it started when I watched Ken Griffey, Jr. play baseball with his dad, but it amazes me sometimes when people who are some of the best athletes in the country – or even the world – have kids who grow up to follow in their footsteps. So for the last several years, I have compiled lists of players who have accomplished athletes as fathers. I’m sure there are others out there that I have not come across, but below is a list of thirteen prospects for the class of 2016 who had standout athletes for dads. You can see past versions by clicking on the year (2015, 2014, 2013, 2012)

Griffin Alstott – QB – St. Petersburg (FL) Northside Christian: Alstott is a 6’2″, 200 lb. quarterback with a lone offer from Appalachian State. He’s a 247 Sports 3-star, the #18 dual-threat QB, and #580 overall. He is the son of former Purdue and Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back/fullback Mike Alstott, who was Purdue’s career touchdown leader after he finished his college career in 1995 and averaged 5.6 yards/carry as a 6’1″, 240 lb. bruiser. He became a 2nd round pick of the Buccaneers, playing his whole career there from 1996-2006. He had over 5,000 yards rushing, over 2,000 yards receiving, and a total of 71 touchdowns while winning a Super Bowl and going to six Pro Bowls.

Hit the jump for more.

read more

Jordan Elliott, Ex-Wolverine

Jordan Elliott (image via Scout.com)

Houston (TX) Westside defensive tackle Jordan Elliott decommitted from Michigan on Wednesday night. He is expected to commit to Texas sooner or later.

Like Elizabeth Taylor, Elliott has been “committed” several times. He was a Baylor commit and a Houston commit before he pledged to Michigan. At some point in there, he was rumored to have silently committed to Texas. Now he will probably sign with Texas next Wednesday. Unless the wind is blowing north, in which case he will end up at Boise State. If he wakes up and sees his shadow on Wednesday morning, he will sign with Punxsutawney Community College. If he doesn’t see his shadow, he’s a vampire. According to NCAA bylaws, vampires are ineligible.

Hit the jump for more.

read more

Khaleke Hudson, Wolverine

Khaleke Hudson

McKeesport (PA) McKeesport safety Khaleke Hudson committed to Michigan on Wednesday. He chose the Wolverines over offers from Michigan State, Nebraska, Penn State, Pitt, UCLA, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others.

RATINGS
ESPN: 3-star, 74 grade, #86 S
Rivals: 3-star, #26 ATH
Scout: 4-star, #24 S, #273 overall
247 Sports: 4-star, 90 grade, #15 S, #312 overall

Hit the jump for more on his commitment.

read more

Eddie McDoom, Wolverine

Eddie McDoom (image via Orlando Sentinel)

Winter Garden (FL) West Orange wide receiver Eddie McDoom publicly committed to Michigan on Wednesday. He was previously committed to Oregon; he also had offers from Boston College, Clemson, Florida, Ohio State, South Carolina, and Texas, among others.

McDoom is listed by Rivals at 6’1″, 170 lbs., while other sites list him as short as 5’11”. Perhaps the 5’11” measurement is an old number, and perhaps the 6’1″ is your typical exaggeration. He claims a 4.65 forty. As a junior in 2014, he caught 47 passes for 854 yards and 15 touchdowns.

RATINGS
ESPN: 4-star, 82 grade, #23 WR, #184 overall
Rivals: 3-star, #75 WR
Scout: 3-star, #68 WR
247 Sports: 3-star, 88 grade, #67 WR, #416 overall

Hit the jump for more on McDoom.

read more