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| Douglasville (GA) Alexander running back Mikell Lands-Davis |
ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015
Douglasville (GA) Alexander running back Mikell Lands-Davis was offered by Michigan. He’s a 5’11”, 205 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, Miami, Wisconsin, and a few lesser programs. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #42 running back, and #525 overall. As a junior in 2013, he ran 317 times for 2,374 yards and 27 touchdowns, and he caught 22 passes for 358 yards and 1 score. Lands-Davis has very good balance but lacks great speed and acceleration. He expressed serious interest in visiting Michigan, but it’s always a battle to get kids out of the deep south.
Houston (TX) Cypress Falls defensive tackle Du’Vonta Lampkin decommitted from Oklahoma. He says the Sooners are still the team to beat, but he wants to take other visits, so he can’t say he’s “committed.” He’s a 6’3″, 306-pounder who’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #21 defensive tackle, and #304 overall. He entered high school as a starting wide receiver but was so tough and physical that he started playing defensive end, after which he bulked up by eating a lot and taking a bunch of protein.
Yakima (WA) West Valley offensive guard Shane Lemieux was offered by Michigan. He’s a 247 Sports 3-star, the #53 offensive guard, and #770 overall. More on him in a moment . . .
ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2016
Washington (DC) Archbishop Carroll offensive guard Richard Merritt was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 320 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Miami, and Virginia Tech, among others. He played at Friendship Collegiate Academy the past couple seasons, but he transferred to Archbishop Carroll, where he’s teammates with 2016 Michigan offeree Jauan Williams. Merritt has very good size and could play tackle or guard at the next level. His father is 6’11”, so he may still have some growing to do.
Ocala (FL) Trinity Catholic defensive end Jordan Woods was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’3″, 235 lb. prospect with offers from Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, and South Carolina, among others. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #10 strongside end, and #214 overall for his class. His three Crystal Ball predictions right now are for Florida.
OFF THE BOARD
See that Shane Lemieux guy up there that Michigan offered last week? He committed to Oregon.
MISCELLANEOUS
Last week on Recruiting Season, I profiled Chippewa Valley’s Stefan Claiborne, Wyandotte Roosevelt’s Donnie Corley, Muskegon’s Juanye Johnson, East English Village’s Emani Mason, and Westland John Glenn’s DeShawn Baker-Williams. Claiborne, Corley, and Johnson are some of the best the state has to offer in 2016, while Mason is likely one of the top few prospects for 2017. Baker-Williams is a rising senior starting to gain some steam.
No offer has been reported yet, but Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice quarterback Alex Malzone was supposed to visit Michigan this weekend after throwing for offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier last week. Perhaps an offer is on its way.
Meanwhile, Newhall (CA) Hart quarterback Brady White committed to Arizona State. Nussmeier also watched him throw, so he appears to be off the table. Phoenix (AZ) Pinnacle quarterback Brian Lewerke, another potential target, committed to Michigan State last week, so the Wolverines are starting to see the dominoes fall.
Here’s a list of whom the coaches visited in April (LINK) and now a working list of the coaching visits for May (LINK).
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Magnus, do you think the additional 2015 RB offers indicate the coaches are thinking about taking 2 RB's or that they want to put a fee more irons in the fire due to waning interest from the top offers. I know Webber seems to have renewed interest, but it's been quiet on the Harris front lately.
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Magnus,
It seems that Michigan is starting to offers more running backs. Do you think this is a sign about how they their chances are at landing Weber and Harris? Do you think they would take a commitment from the newly offered running backs before Weber or Harris have made a decision?
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I do not think it has a bearing on their chances at Weber or Harris. I think Michigan is in a good position for both, although obviously losing Harris's commitment is a blow. Rivals' Mike Farrell believes that Michigan sits outside Harris's top four, so that's not great news.
Regardless, I think these offers suggest that Michigan wants at least two running back in this class, and I think it means they would accept offers from any of these guys. Michigan is not in a position to wait until January or February for commitments from top guys. If they can reel in Lands-Davis or Williams or someone like that, they'll take it. Hoke and his staff do not generally send out "uncommittable" offers.
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Some reports that Michigan offered RB Alec Murphy. Magnus, I know you said these offers don't have a bearing on the chances with Harris and Weber, but I'm getting a little nervous. Weber just had an interview where he didn't include Michigan in his top 4.
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I have noticed a few new Michigan crystal balls for LB Darrin Kirkland. Is anyone else underwhelmed by his film? While he looks like he has good instincts, he doesn't look very quick or fast. Given that Michigan is going to be running more over fronts, he has virtually no position versatility either. He's a pure MIKE. No way he could play outside. Seems like he could have been a WILL in an under front, but I guess I'm just not that excited about him as a player. A little overrated in my opinion. I'd prefer either Barajas or Bilal from Indiana at the LB position.
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I'm not overwhelmed by Kirkland's film, but he does have good instincts. He's not the fastest guy around, but not many middle linebackers are speedsters. Kenny Demens and Desmond Morgan weren't/aren't blazers, but they can get the job done. I think Kirkland fits at MIKE or WILL in either front, really, but you're right that he's probably more of a MIKE.
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Where have you seen that regarding Murphy? I know Michigan was in contact with him, but I hadn't heard about an offer. The coaches are expanding their offer board at running back because they need a running back or two. Weber's going to wait until the All-American game to announce, so they have to cover their bases. They can't afford to wait until early January, potentially get left in the cold, and have to scratch and claw for a lower-level guy at the last minute.
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Lorenz ended up shooting down some twitter reports that Murphy was offered. Sorry about that. Seems like the offer board was already expanded a bit with Harris, Weber, Patrick, Frasier, Jamabo, McCloud, Dexter Williams, Ty'son Williams. Seems like we should have a good shot at at least 3 of those guys. I know Patrick has a lot of connections to the Detroit area. Dexter Williams seemed genuinely excited about the Michigan offer. I hate to really expand the search beyond those 8 ot 9 guys.
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