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Jaron Dukes, Ex-Wolverine

Jaron Dukes (#83)

Along with cornerback Reon Dawson (LINK), redshirt junior wide receiver Jaron Dukes has left the football program and looks to receive a medical scholarship.

Dukes committed to Michigan in February of 2012, almost a year before National Signing Day (LINK). I ended up giving him a TTB Rating of 59. Some people pointed to his solid performance against Ohio State-bound cornerback Cam Burrows in high school, but Dukes was a limited athlete. He played in just one game in his college career, which was in 2015. Otherwise, he was mired on the bench. His one shining moment throughout his career was the 2015 spring game, in which he caught a touchdown pass from Shane Morris over 5’7″ cornerback Dennis Norfleet.

Dukes is the tenth member of the 2013 class to leave before exhausting his eligibility, and his departure cinches up the fact that Michigan’s class of receivers was a dud. Fellow receivers Csont’e York (legal troubles) and Da’Mario Jones (a few catches before transferring to BGSU) did not pan out, either. The Wolverines are very thin at receiver and had to use walk-ons frequently this spring, but Dukes’s departure should not affect the team much. He was not expected to play much, and the program signed five receivers in the 2016 class.

Michigan is down to 87 scholarship players allotted for the 2016 season (LINK) and either needs to shed two more players or withhold scholarships from walk-ons. There’s also the possibility that freshman linebacker Dytarious Johnson will not qualify, which would get Michigan down to 86.

Reon Dawson, Ex-Wolverine

Reon Dawson

With all the hoopla surrounding spring practice, the spring game, and a bunch of new commitments, one thing I forgot to mention was the departure of a couple players. One of them is redshirt junior Reon Dawson. After Michigan’s open practice at Ford Field, Jim Harbaugh mentioned that Dawson was no longer on the roster and would be seeking a medical scholarship.

Dawson committed to Michigan in January of 2013, just a few weeks before National Signing Day. I gave him a TTB Rating of 62 (LINK). He had some minor injuries over the years, but his talent level was not on par with the other cornerbacks on the roster, and he never played a down at Michigan. He was passed up by younger players, and some of the incoming freshmen were probably bound to pass him up, too. Dawson was participating in spring practices down in Florida, so something happened since that time for him to end his playing career. Of course, there is the possibility that he will transfer elsewhere if he does not get a medical scholarship.

Scouting Report: Markquese Bell

Bridgeton (NJ) Bridgeton WR Markquese Bell (image via Philly.com)

Name: Markquese Bell
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 200 lbs.
High school: Bridgeton (NJ) Bridgeton
Position: Safety
Class: 2017

Notes: Holds offers from Boston College, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Old Dominion, Penn State, Rutgers, Temple, and Wisconsin . . . As a junior in 2015, caught 52 passes for 792 yards and 12 TDs; 60 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INTs, 9 PBUs . . . ESPN has not ranked him yet . . . Rivals 4-star, #19 athlete, #225 overall, #4 in New Jersey . . . Scout 4-star, #26 athlete . . . 247 Sports 4-star, 90 grade, #21 athlete, #261 overall, #7 in New Jersey

Strengths: Good size and frame to play multiple positions in college . . . Decent route runner . . . Strong runner with ball in his hands . . . Good stiff-arm . . . Solid change-of-direction skills . . . Nice leaping ability . . . Tracks the ball well . . . Aggressive when ball is in the air . . . Acrobatic receiver who catches well in traffic . . . Big hitter on defense . . . Takes good angles in run support . . . Aggressive tackler . . . Good speed

Weaknesses: Plays against mediocre competition in high school . . . Needs some work on short and intermediate routes . . . Sometimes fails to wrap up when tackling . . . Lacks elite straight-line speed . . . Carries ball loosely at times

Projection: Safety or wide receiver. I usually develop a good feel for a player’s propensity for playing offense or defense, but I think Bell is equally adept at playing both positions. I would lean toward playing him on defense because he’s a violent hitter who I think would be a very effective player in the box, supporting the run, covering tight ends, etc. But he also has the size, athleticism, and mentality to develop into an alpha receiver. I like the confident way he carries himself on the field. He has a chance to be a very good player on either side of the ball.

Reminds me of: Ahmir Mitchell. I know people have requested in the past that I compare recruits to players whose careers we’ve seen play out, but these two guys are too similar for me to avoid the comparison. Both have college-ready bodies and skills that could lend themselves to playing either side of the ball. They’re not exact replicas, because Bell has better defensive instincts that Mitchell did in high school.

Likelihood of committing to Michigan: Bell visited Michigan for the spring game last weekend, and the Wolverines were already rumored to be leading before the visit. He now has three predictions in the 247 Sports Crystal Ball, and all three are in favor of Michigan.

Highlights:

Video: 2016 Michigan spring game highlights

Recruiting Update: April 5, 2016

Dearborn (MI) Divine Child DE Aidan Hutchinson

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COMMITMENTS
Groton (MA) Lawrence Academy running back A.J. Dillon committed to Michigan (LINK).

Jacksonville (FL) Trinity fullback Chase Lasater committed to Michigan (LINK).

Berrien Springs (MI) Berrien Springs defensive tackle Phillip Paea committed to Michigan (LINK).

Los Lunas (NM) Los Lunas running back O’Maury Samuels committed to Michigan (LINK).

Springfield (OH) Springfield defensive end Leonard Taylor committed to Michigan (LINK).

Hit the jump for a lot more recruiting news from the past week.

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