Tom Van Haaren interviews Wyatt Shallman
(image via ESPN)
Height: 6’3″ Weight: 255 lbs. Class: 2013 Position: Running back, fullback, defensive end School: Novi (MI) Catholic Central
Notes: Holds offers from Cincinnati, Michigan, Michigan State, Syracuse . . . Teammate of 2012 commit Matt Godin . . . As a sophomore in 2010, rushed the ball 53 times for 355 yards and 6 touchdowns; also made 32 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks
Strengths: Excellent size . . . Ability to make sharp jump cuts despite size . . . Keeps momentum going forward with consistency . . . Runs behind pads when he sees contact coming . . . Keeps feet churning through contact . . . Drives pile . . . Fundamentally sound at defensive end Weaknesses: Just mediocre speed/quickness for a college tailback . . . Good initial pop when blocking but doesn’t finish blocks . . . Looks as if he doesn’t take pride in defense . . . Somewhat lackadaisical and passive at defensive end . . . Doesn’t chase ballcarriers with passion . . . Too much of a finesse player at defensive tackle Projection: Fullback Reminds me of: Vince Helmuth
Louisville (KY) Trinity DE Jason Hatcher
(image via Voice-Tribune)
ADDED TO THE BOARDS (2012, 2013, 2014)
Miami (OH) Norland inside linebacker Keith Brown de-committed from Illinois. He had previously been committed to Miami, flipped to Illinois before Ron Zook was fired, and now will announce his commitment during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl this weekend. He is expected to choose between Illinois, Louisville, and Miami, so Michigan is still out of the running.
Louisville (KY) Trinity defensive end Jason Hatcher, a 2013 prospect, received an offer from the Wolverines last week. He’s a 6’1″, 231 lb. athlete with offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. 247 Sports ranks him at #140 overall for 2013 and the #7 weakside end. Hatcher had 40 tackles and 12 sacks as a junior.
Salt Lake City (UT) Highland defensive tackle Bryan Mone, a 2014 prospect, was offered by Michigan. Mone is the first 2014 prospect to be offered by the Wolverines and is the teammate of incoming fullback Sione Houma. The 6’3″, 255 lb. Mone also has offers from Utah and Utah State. The 2014 Offer Board has been unveiled!
Louisville (KY) Trinity wide receiver James Quick, a 2013 prospect, has been offered by Michigan. He’s the teammate of Hatcher, obviously. Quick is a 6’1″, 180-pounder with a reported 4.41 forty time. He has offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisville, and others. This past season he had 82 receptions, 1434 yards, and 21 touchdowns, which was good enough to earn him the #42 overall spot for 247 Sports’ 2013 rankings. He’s also their #3 wide receiver and the top player in Kentucky.
OFF THE BOARD
Lyndhurst (OH) Brush tight end Pharaoh Brown committed to Oregon. This was not a surprise, since he went out to Oregon while he was committed to Michigan . . . without telling Michigan’s coaches. Michigan promptly dropped him from their recruiting board. I was not impressed with Brown’s attitude at various points throughout the recruiting process, so perhaps this is for the best.
Erie (PA) McDowell running back Greg Garmon committed to Iowa during the Semper Fidelis All American Bowl. Garmon is a 6’2″, 195 lb. runner with good speed and physicality who will likely present a problem for Michigan in the coming years. Outside of starter Marcus Coker, there is a huge void at running back for the Hawkeyes (backup Mika’il McCall announced on Tuesday that he was leaving the program), so Garmon’s choice makes sense. He will likely be able to play immediately as a freshman in 2012.
Columbus (IN) East quarterback Gunner Kiel committed to LSU. Kiel is widely considered to be the #1 quarterback prospect in the nation. There was a time back in the spring when people thought he might end up at Michigan, but that flirtation ended a long time ago. At one point Kiel had committed to Indiana, but the fact that the Hoosiers went 1-11 might have had something to do with him changing his mind.
San Diego (CA) Westview tight end Taylor McNamara committed to Oklahoma. This is clearly a better option than the school he was previously committed to, which was Arizona. The new Arizona coach is Rich Rodriguez, obviously, and Rodriguez doesn’t get the ball to his tight ends very much. Meanwhile, Oklahoma traditionally has a strong passing attack, and McNamara should fit in well there.
Olney (MD) Good Counsel defensive end Ryan Watson committed to Purdue. The 6’3″, 270-pounder is the former teammate of Blake Countess and the current teammate of Wes Brown (2012), Stefon Diggs (2012), Kendall Fuller (2013), and Dorian O’Daniel (2013), all of whom have Michigan offers. As one might expect from a kid with his size, the Boilermakers want him to play defensive tackle.
COMMITMENT
St. Louis (MO) Ladue Horton Watkins wide receiver Jehu Chesson committed to Michigan last week. The 6’3″, 185 lb. wideout is the 24th member of Michigan’s class, leaving four more spots open. Here’s a link to his commitment post.
ADDED TO THE BOARD
Murrietta (CA) Vista Murrietta safety Su’a Cravens, a 2013 prospect, has been offered by Michigan. Cravens is a 6’1″, 205 lb. strong safety with offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Cal, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Stanford, USC, Washington, and others. As a junior this past season, he had 96 tackles, 11 sacks, and 3 interceptions.
Ramsey (NJ) Don Bosco Prep defensive end Al-Quadine Muhammad, a 2013 prospect, has also been offered by the Wolverines. He’s 6’4″, 230 lbs. and has offers from Boston College, Colorado, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Rutgers, South Carolina, and others. Muhammad is the teammate of several Michigan targets from the 2012 class, including defensive back Yuri Wright.
OFF THE BOARD
Lee’s Summit (MO) Lee’s Summet West offensive guard Evan Boehm re-committed to Missouri last week. The 6’3″, 290-pounder, who is considered one of the best interior linemen in the country, de-committed from Missouri several weeks ago and flirted with going elsewhere, but he’s sticking close to home.
Texas linebacker Derek David has been re-classified as a 2014 recruit due to some legal issues stemming from an alleged sexual assault. He had been offered by Michigan early in the process, but never visited and had only limited contact with the Wolverines. David was committed to Texas Tech prior to his legal troubles.
Eden Prairie (MN) Eden Prairie offensive tackle Nick Davidson committed to Stanford. The 6’6″, 275 lb. lineman is the son of Jeff Davidson, an NFL offensive line coach and offensive coordinator who has floated around the league for several years.
Monroe (NC) Sun Valley wide receiver Jody Fuller committed to South Carolina back in July. I happened to be on a two-week vacation at the end of July, which is probably why I never updated his status. Plus I never really cared about Fuller because he didn’t show any interest in Michigan’s offer.
Inglewood (CA) Inglewood wide receiver Derrick Woods committed to Oklahoma back in November. I must have missed this news due to Thanksgiving and the excitement surrounding the Ohio State game, but the 6’1″, 180 lb. speedster is off the board.
