ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2014
Monroeville (PA) Gateway linebacker Brenon Thrift was offered by Michigan. He’s 6’3″ and 230 lbs. and the teammate of safety Montae Nicholson, who also holds a Michigan offer. Thrift had 78 tackles and 7 sacks as a sophomore in 2011 and claims a 4.7 forty. He has stated that West Virginia is his leader.
OFF THE BOARD
Bealeton (VA) Liberty defensive end Wyatt Teller committed to Virginia Tech. Michigan was consistently listed in Teller’s top lists, but the Wolverines are pretty full at the defensive line positions. It seemed like Teller was giving them a fair shot, but he was ultimately expected to pick one of the in-state schools.
OFF THE BOARD
Jersey City (NJ) St. Peter’s Prep cornerback Tre Bell changed his commitment from Florida to Vanderbilt. He has yet to visit the Commodores’ campus, though, which seems like a strange factoid. He was committed to a known commodity and is now headed to a place he’s never seen.
Damascus (MD) Damascus wide receiver Zach Bradshaw decommitted from Penn State, then committed to Virginia shortly afterward. Yawn.
I just like this picture, so I’m posting it again in a slow news week.
There hasn’t been much news for Michigan since the BBQ at the Big House. There haven’t been many new offers for 2014, except for Conor Sheehy. It seems like the coaches want to evaluate the first few games of most kids’ junior seasons before offering them.
OFF THE BOARD
Geismar (LA) Dutchtown wide receiver Shelby Christy committed to Mississippi State. Christy received a Michigan offer relatively recently compared to most of Michigan’s targets at the position, but there was never much buzz about him being interested in the Wolverines.
Louisville (KY) Trinity cornerback Ryan White changed his commitment from Louisville to Vanderbilt. Trinity also boasts defensive end Jason Hatcher (USC) and wide receiver James Quick (undecided), both of whom were offered by Michigan. White said academics was the main reason for the switch.
WEEKEND VISITOR
Monona Grove (WI) Monona Grove offensive guard Jaden Gault, a 2014 prospect, visited Michigan on Sunday. He’s 6’6″ and 281 lbs. with offers from Michigan State, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. He reminds me a little bit of Mark Huyge, although Huyge was a MAC-level prospect outside of his offer from Michigan.
Chicago (IL) Marist tight end Nic Weishar, a 2014 prospect, visited campus. He’s a 6’5″, 200-pounder with offers from Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Wisconsin, among others. As a sophomore in 2011, he had 77 receptions for 1,160 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Name: Derrick Green Height: 6’0″ Weight: 215 lbs. Position: Running back High school: Richmond (VA) Hermitage
Notes:Scouted in person back in May . . . Holds offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Boston College, Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi, Mississippi State, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Penn State, Pitt, Purdue, Rutgers, South Carolina, Tennessee, UCLA, USC, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin . . . Claims a 4.58 forty . . . Claims a 4.08 shuttle . . . 32″ vertical . . . As a sophomore in 2010, had 800 yards and 10 touchdowns . . . As a junior in 2011, had 1,493 yards and 20 touchdowns . . . ESPN 4-star RB, 86 grade, #6 RB, #53 overall . . . Rivals 5-star RB, #1 RB, #12 overall . . . Scout 4-star RB, #7 RB . . . 247 Sports 4-star RB, 96 grade, #10 RB, #123 overall
Strengths: NFL size . . . Good strength . . . Drives legs through contact . . . Good speed for his size . . . Picks up feet at line of scrimmage to wade through trash . . . Runs with good body lean . . . Excellent acceleration . . . Sometimes too fast for his blocking . . . Can be very good pass blocker
Weaknesses: Poor downfield vision . . . Does not go side to side well or make people miss . . . Runs through head-on tackles but lacks great balance . . . Gets taken down too easily by tacklers coming from either side . . . Needs to be more patient at times and let blocking develop . . . Mediocre receiver
Projection: Running back. As I’ve said before, any running back who picks Michigan in the next year or two will have a chance for a very good career because of the offensive line being assembled by Brady Hoke. Green is somewhat overrated by Rivals (the #1 back and #12 player nationally), but his career could be reminiscent of the P.J. Hills and John Clays from Wisconsin in recent years. He’s a kid who could have a very good career in the right system by running behind very good offensive lines and then punishing smaller linebackers and defensive backs. But he’s not a dynamic runner who can carry a college team by himself.
Reminds me of: LeGarrette Blount’s running style (not his punching people style)
