Tag: 2013 recruiting

Junior Season Highlights: Patrick Kugler

Scouting Report: Su’a Cravens

Su’a Cravens

Name: Su’a Cravens
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 205 lbs.
Class: 2013
Position: Safety
School: Murrieta (CA) Vista Murrieta

Notes: Holds offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Boise State, Cal, Clemson, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas A&M, UCLA, USC, Utah State, Vanderbilt, Washington, Washington State, Wisconsin . . . Rivals 5-star safety, #5 overall . . . Scout 5-star safety . . . 247 Sports 5-star, 98 grade, #1 safety, #9 overall . . . ESPN 4-star safety . . . As a junior in 2011, he had 100 tackles, 11 tackles, and 3 interceptions; also had 673 rushing yards for 15 touchdowns and 339 receiving yards for 4 touchdowns

Strengths: Solidly built . . . Looks like a college safety already . . . Not afraid of contact, both as a defender and runner . . . Reads plays well . . . Doesn’t get himself out of position . . . Keeps shoulders square when taking on kick-out blocks . . . Wraps up ballcarriers rather than going for kill shots . . . Strong tackler . . . Good top-end speed . . . Versatility to play multiple positions . . . Gets upfield quickly as a runner . . . High effort player who won’t settle for going down on first contact . . . Runs with great body lean

Weaknesses: A bit raw as a runner . . . Carries ball too loosely away from body . . . Good but not great speed for a defensive back . . . Makes some nice plays with ball in air, but also looks slightly uncomfortable catching ball at times

Projection: Running back, strong safety, or weakside linebacker.  I don’t usually hedge on projections, but he could play any of those three positions at the next level.  I’m afraid he might outgrow the safety position, but he would be perfect for Michigan at strong safety.  I feel that’s his best position if he doesn’t grow too much.  Michigan is reportedly recruiting him as a running back (EDIT: Cravens has stated that Michigan wants him primarily as a safety), and that’s his second best position.  Despite looking a little uncomfortable catching the ball, he’s a punishing runner who can get into the open field by breaking tackles, outrunning some linebackers, and overpowering defensive backs.  I could easily see him playing at about 220-225 lbs. as a college runner.

Reminds me of: Willis McGahee

2013 TTB Ratings coming soon!

I’ve been receiving a lot of questions about the TTB Ratings for the class of 2013.  They should be posted either Thursday or Friday, depending on how much time I have this afternoon.  It’s been a busy week and I haven’t had much time to write lately.  I’m glad people are excited to see them, so I’ll get them up as soon as they’re completed.

Poll Results: Which February 18/19 commit will be best?

If readers of this blog are correct, Chris Fox will be one of the jewels of the class

A couple weekends ago, Michigan got commitments from eight 2013 commits.  Shortly afterward I posted a poll asking which of those eight would have the best career.  Since then Ohio’s Jaron Dukes and Pennsylvania’s Patrick Kugler have committed, too, so the fun never stops.  Here are the results of the poll:

Chris Fox: 20%
The Parker (CO) Ponderosa product could play just about anywhere on the line except center.  For such a thick kid, he’s an athletic kid who doesn’t have a problem staying low and getting leverage on opponents.  The 6’6″, 295 lb. Fox is ranked as high as #46 overall to Rivals.

Kyle Bosch: 19% (tie)
The Wheaton (IL) St. Francis lineman is 6’5″, 286 lbs. and projects to offensive guard for the Wolverines.  247 Sports thinks highly enough of him to rank him the #44 overall player in the country.

Logan Tuley-Tillman: 19% (tie)
The 6’7″, 304 lb. blindside tackle from Peoria (IL) Manual is the #85 overall player to 247 Sports.

Jake Butt: 13%
Butt is a 6’6″, 230 lb. tight end from Pickerington (OH) North.  He’s ranked as high as #96 overall to Rivals.

Taco Charlton: 10%
Charlton is a 6’6″, 240 lb. linebacker/defensive end from Pickerington (OH) Central.  His highest ranking comes from 247 Sports at #99 overall.

Jourdan Lewis: 7%
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech cornerback is a 5’11”, 170-pounder.  Rivals likes him best (so far) with his placement at #167 overall on the Rivals 250.

Wyatt Shallman: 5%
Novi (MI) Catholic Central running back Shallman is a 6’3″, 255 lb. athlete.  Rivals thinks he’s the 160th-best player in the nation.

David Dawson: 3%
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech offensive guard/center Dawson is the #199 player to Rivals.  He stands 6’5″ and weighs 305 lbs.

Recruiting Update: February 27, 2012

Washington (DC) Gonzaga cornerback Devin Butler (#7) tries to tackle Olney (MD) Good Counsel running back Dorian O’Daniel while getting blocked by Stefon Diggs. (image via Washington Post)

COMMITMENT
Columbus (OH) Marion Franklin wide receiver Jaron Dukes committed to Michigan.

Wexford (PA) North Allegheny offensive guard/center Patrick Kugler committed to Michigan.

ADDED TO THE BOARD (2013, 2014)
Vienna (GA) Dooly County defensive tackle Montravius Adams was offered by Michigan last week.  He’s a 6’4″, 280 lb. prospect with offers from everywhere – Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and USC.  He had 84 tackles, a whopping 45 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks as a junior in 2011.

Wyomissing (PA) Wyomissing Area linebacker Alex Anzalone was offered by Michigan.  He’s a 6’3″, 220 lb. linebacker who looks like a SAM linebacker prospect for the Wolverines.  He has offers from Alabama, Florida, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers, and South Carolina, among others.

Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas defensive end Joey Bosa was offered by Michigan last week.  He’s a 6’5″, 260 lb. strongside end or possibly a defensive tackle.  He has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Ohio State, and many others.  As a junior in 2011, he had 52 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks.

Charlotte (NC) Vance linebacker Larenz Bryant is listed by 247 Sports as having a Michigan offer, but it’s unclear when he received it.  He’s a 6’1″, 203 lb. inside ‘backer with a 4.58 forty.  As a junior in 2011, he had 144 tackles, 7 sacks, and 2 interceptions.  Bryant also has offers from Clemson, Georgia, Illinois, the two in-state schools, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech.  He recently named a top five that does not include Michigan.

Washington (DC) Gonzaga cornerback Devin Butler was offered by the Wolverines.  He’s a 6’1″, 170 lb. defensive back who has offers from Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, North Carolina, Penn State, and West Virginia, along with several others.  As a junior in 2011, he had 43 tackles, 6 interceptions (1 returned for a touchdown), and 12 pass breakups.

Baltimore (MD) Gilman quarterback/safety Shane Cockerille was offered by Michigan last week.  Cockerille is a 6’2″, 205 lb. athlete who is being recruited by the Wolverines as a safety.  He has offers from Maryland and Temple.

Oakley (CA) Freedom wide receiver Darrell Daniels was offered by Michigan.  He’s a 6’3″, 200 lb. wideout who has offers from Arkansas, Colorado, Oregon State, and UCLA.

Rancho Cucamonga (CA) Rancho Cucamonga cornerback Chris Hawkins was offered by Michigan on Tuesday.  He’s a 6’0″, 170-pounder who has offers from Cal, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Stanford, and UCLA, among others.  He had 56 tackles and 2 interceptions as a junior in 2011.  While Hawkins did express excitement about his Michigan offer, the general feeling is that he will stay close to home in California.

Pendleton (SC) Pendleton defensive tackle Michael Hill received a Michigan offer last week.  Hill is a 6’3″, 315 lb. nose tackle with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee, among others.  Hill is expected to remain down south like most recruits from the deep south.

Chandler (AZ) Hamilton cornerback Cole Luke was offered by Michigan on Wednesday.  He’s a 6’0″, 165 lb. corner with offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma, along with several offers.  He had 63 tackles and 6 interceptions as a junior in 2011.



OFF THE BOARD
Dallas (TX) Jesuit offensive tackle J.J. Gustafson committed to Texas A&M.  The Aggies are running neck-and-neck with (well, actually slightly behind) Michigan for the top class in 2013, although there’s obviously a long way to go.  Gustafson’s teammate, wide receiver Jake Oliver, also had a Michigan offer and committed to A&M the previous week.