Michigan RB Kareem Walker (#6)
THOUGHTS ON UNDER ARMOUR ALL-AMERICA GAME
Hartland (WI) Arrowhead offensive lineman Ben Bredeson played right tackle, even though he said he would begin his Michigan career at left guard. Bredeson was mentioned throughout the week as one of the more impressive linemen during practices, and he did a good job for Team Highlight, who won the game in a 27-0 blowout. Team Highlight had the more impressive running game, and they protected the quarterback better than team Armour. Bredeson was able to get to the second level, and he did not look out of place among the nation’s elite players. I think this week was confirmation of his ranking.
Pembroke Pines (FL) Flanagan linebacker Devin Bush, Jr. didn’t get quite the same hype as Bredeson throughout the week, but he was mentioned multiple times for his physicality. I didn’t count snaps, but Bush did not seem to play as much as some other guys. That’s probably a fair allotment of playing time. I think Bush is a good linebacker prospect, but he’s not the type of athlete who outshines a lot of people at these types of events. He’s a guy who needs to get in the weight room and learn a system before he can really be effective, in my opinion.
Wayne (NJ) DePaul Catholic running back Kareem Walker had a bit of a rough week. Rivals’s Mike Farrell didn’t really mince words when he said that Walker did not look like the #1 running back or the #41 prospect in the country, which…like…duh. I’m not sure how he got that ranking in the first place. That being said, Walker earned the start for the Armour team that included Miles Sanders (Penn State), so he must have done a few things right. One criticism as a senior was Walker’s indecision, and I saw more of that when he got the ball in space, as opposed to when he was running up the middle. It’s tough to gauge players in this type of situation, especially running backs behind a porous offensive line. However, I think I saw confirmation of what I have said previously, that Walker’s not the best back in the class. Sanders is more explosive, Devway Whaley (Arkansas) is more powerful, and B.J. Emmons (Alabama) is more elusive. I still think Walker is a welcome addition to a class and a team that needs help at the running back position.
Hit the jump for several players who committed elsewhere and some random tidbits.
THOUGHTS ON THE SEMPER FIDELIS ALL-AMERICAN BOWL
I have none. It came on at 9:00 p.m. last night, and I DVRed it. There’s only so much time in the day. I’ll post my thoughts later in the week or in next week’s recruiting update once I get a chance to watch it.
OFF THE BOARD
Trophy Club (TX) Byron Nelson defensive end Brandon Bowen committed to Baylor. Baylor has been good on the field for a few years, but now their recruiting is catching up to their on-field performance. The Bowen commitment put them at #11 in the country for 2016, according to the 247 Composite team rankings.
Hyattsville (MD) DeMatha offensive guard Terrance Davis committed to Maryland. Davis was a long-time Michigan lean who openly named Michigan his leader, wore Michigan gear to camps, etc. He never pulled the trigger, though, and other guys took his spot in the class in some ways. Michigan seemed to prioritize Jean Delance (see below) down the stretch because they wanted a tackle to fill out the class, and Davis may have taken the hint. He is staying close to home and joining Potomac (MD) Bullis QB Dwayne Haskins, Jr. in the Terrapins class, where they have some energy with the new hiring of head coach D.J. Durkin. Things may get interesting if Haskins flips to Ohio State, where he took a visit recently.
Mesquite (TX) North offensive tackle Jean Delance committed to Texas. There had been optimism about Delance coming to Michigan early in the week, and he said some curious things to the media about having to discuss his decision with his mother. He had said that his mom wanted him close to home, but he also wanted to do what was best for him. In the end, he chose to stay in Texas, and you can’t really blame a kid for choosing to be near to family and friends. Delance was one of the top four kids that I wanted to fill out the class, so this one hurts Michigan a bit.
Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy linebacker Rahshaun Smith committed to Clemson. Michigan was never really a factor in his recruitment.
MISCELLANEOUS
I put together a list of Michigan targets/commits playing in the Under Armour All-American Game (LINK), as well as the list of Michigan players who have participated in that game over the years (LINK).
Grand Prairie (TX) South safety Jeffrey Okudah named Michigan to his top ten. Okudah is a 5-star, the #1 safety, and #7 overall in the 247 Composite rankings for 2017.
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It’s true, Michigan needs help at RB after DeVeon Smith graduates next year. I still have some hopes for Ty Isaac though, so I wouldn’t pencil Kareem Walker into the starting spot for 2017 yet.
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I have looked at film on Walker too, and it is worrying for our running game. I would have been worried with a surefire consensus #1 recruit but now hes looking like a low-end 4 star guy and nothing special. I really pray that Ty Isaac wakes the hell up and work.
And Delance thing really blows. I really hope we get the other Texan as grad transfer.
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Thunder,
McKeon vs. Nauta vs. Upshur?
I know Massachussets is not Pennsylvania or Florida when it comes to football but this McKeon kid is smooth, has a good first step, and has good hands. If McKeon played at IMG would that change his rating? I like this kid!
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I like McKeon, and apparently the coaches really like him, too. I agree that he’s a smooth athlete. I think he might take a couple years to fill out. Nauta is a clear #1 out of that group, IMO. He could come in and play from day one. He probably needs to work on his blocking, but he’ll be strong enough there that he shouldn’t be a huge liability. Upshur, to me, is more of an H-back type. He’s the best blocker of the group, but he’s not as smooth as Nauta/McKeon in the passing game.
If McKeon played at IMG, it probably wouldn’t change his rating much because he’d be sitting behind Nauta. But in a non-Nauta year, then yeah, he would probably be getting more attention. I still don’t think he would be a 4-star kid, but he’d probably be a higher 3-star.
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Thunder
Was reading the stock report on rivals and 247 and rivaks had a stock down on fuller on the 1st day of practice while 247 gave him a stock up which of these you agreed with assuming you keeping up with him since we still have a shit at him thanks.
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I haven’t seen enough flashes from Fuller to be in love with him as a prospect. I’m interested to see how he looks in the game. From what I’ve seen out of Khaleke Hudson on his highlights and in the Semper Fi game, I think I would lean toward Hudson over Fuller. Fuller just doesn’t seem like an explosive athlete to me.
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