Tag: 2014 recruiting

Drake Harris, Wolverine

Grand Rapids (MI) Christian wide receiver Drake Harris

Grand Rapids (MI) Christian wide receiver Drake Harris committed to Michigan on Sunday.  He chose the Wolverines over offers from Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, among others.

Harris stands 6’4″, 180 lbs. and claims a 4.39 forty.  As a junior in 2012, he had 91 receptions for 2,015 yards and 25 touchdowns.  As a sophomore in 2011, he caught 57 passes for 1,118 yards and 14 touchdowns.

RATINGS
ESPN: N/A
Rivals: 4-star, #4 WR, # 56 overall
Scout: 4-star, #3 WR
247 Sports: 4-star, 97 grade, #3 WR, #36 overall

Harris camped at Michigan last June but committed to Michigan State a week later, largely because he planned to play basketball; MSU coach Tom Izzo has quite a reputation for coaching that sport and getting his players to the NBA.  It made some sense if Harris wanted to pursue a professional basketball career.  But as time went on, Harris started to realize that 6’4″ shooting guards are a dime a dozen across the nation, whereas 6’4″ wideouts are a little rarer of a commodity.  Then he started visiting Michigan weekend after weekend for basketball games, decommitted in mid-March, and visited Michigan again for the spring game on Saturday.

Harris is a tall, lanky receiver.  As a basketball player, he can catch the ball away from his body, and he understands how to use his body to shield the defender from the ball.  He shows very good acceleration and has the ability to get on top of cornerbacks very quickly; he runs crisp routes and adjusts well to the ball in the air.  Once he gets in the open field, he’s difficult to bring down because of his speed and his ability to stutter step, change direction, and accelerate.  Michigan should be able to use him as deep threat, but he also has the ability to take short passes and turn them into big plays.   He shows a willingness and ability to block, too, so he’s a good all-around receiver.

I think Harris needs to improve his consistency catching the ball with his hands – he can do it, but he doesn’t do it enough.  He also needs to put on some weight to make him a more effective runner with the ball in his hands; that would help him with his blocking, too.

Overall, Harris is a very high level prospect and seems to be pretty accurately ranked among the top few receivers in the country.  There would also seem to be some room for improvement since he has been concentrating on basketball up to this point, too.  Michigan probably has plans of getting him up into the 210-215 lb. range and making him a durable, NFL-caliber wideout.  His size, stride, and skill set make him look a little bit like former Michigan wideout Braylon Edwards, although that would be a tough level to reach for just about anyone; Edwards was dominant as an upperclassman at Michigan and turned into one of the top few picks in the NFL Draft.

Harris plans to enroll early in January 2014.  Michigan will likely take a few wide receivers in the 2014 class, but Harris will probably be the headliner when all is said and done.  He might even end up being Michigan’s best player in the class, although the coaches are still pursuing the elite of the elite like Da’Shawn Hand and Jabrill Peppers.  The coaches are also going after Harris’s teammate Tommy Doles, a center prospect who is also seriously considering Northwestern; supposedly, Harris and Doles are friendly but not extremely close, so one may not affect the other.

TTB Rating: 93 (ratings explanation)

Visitors: April 12-14, 2013

Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake wide receiver Artavis Scott (image via Herald Tribune)

Here’s a list of visitors for the upcoming spring game.  I haven’t filled out the info for each prospect due to time constraints, but I will update it soon.

Brennan Bosch – OG – St. Charles (IL) East: Bosch is a 6’3″, 255 lb. prospect for the class of 2015 with an offer from Illinois.  He is the younger brother of early enrollee freshman Kyle Bosch.

Ray Buford, Jr. – CB – Southfield (MI) Southfield: Buford is a 6’0″, 170 lb. prospect for the class of 2015 with no offers.  He visited Michigan last week.  He has played wide receiver previously, but Michigan is looking at him as a cornerback.

George Campbell – WR – Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake: Campbell is a 6’3″, 184 lb. prospect for the class of 2015.  He has offers from Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, among others.  His teammates include 2014 offensive line commit Mason Cole and 2014 wide receiver offeree Artavis Scott, both of whom will also make the trip.  Campbell visited Michigan back in February and has since been very high on the Wolverines.  As a sophomore in 2012, he had 30 catches for 766 yards and 5 touchdowns; he also had 57 tackles from his safety position. UPDATE: Campbell did not visit this past weekend; he was at Vanderbilt instead.

Brian Cole – CB – Southfield (MI) Heritage: Cole is a 6’2″, 190 lb. prospect for the class of 2015 with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State.

Mason Cole – OG – Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake: A teammate of Campbell, Cole committed to Michigan in February.

Reon Dawson – CB – Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison: Dawson committed to Michigan in January.

Jaron Dukes – WR – Columbus (OH) Marion-Franklin: Dukes committed to Michigan in February 2012.

Matt Falcon – RB – Southfield (MI) Southfield: Falcon is a 6’0″, 200 lb. prospect for the class of 2016 with no offers right now.  He’s the teammate of 2014 defensive end Lawrence Marshall – who went to Michigan State’s campus instead of Michigan’s spring game – and 2015 cornerback Ray Buford, Jr.

Michael Ferns III – LB – St. Clairsville (OH) St. Clairsville: The first member of Michigan’s 2014 class, Ferns committed in August.

Drake Harris – WR – Grand Rapids (MI) Christian: Harris is a 6’4″, 180 lb. receiver with offers from Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State, along with many others.  He was committed to MSU for several months because he wanted to play basketball, but he opened up his recruitment to concentrate more on football.  He has visited Michigan several times in recent months.  Harris’s 247 Composite ranking places him as a 5-star, the #2 wide receiver, and the #32 overall prospect.  He had 91 receptions for 2,015 yards and 25 touchdowns as a junior in 2012.

Daniel Helm – TE – Chatham (IL) Glenwood: Helm is a 6’4″, 220 lb. prospect with offers from Arkansas, Michigan, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech.  He also visited Michigan back in February, and he looks to be heavily interested in the Wolverines.  As a junior in 2012, he had 44 receptions for 810 yards and 17 touchdowns.  Helm is a 4-star, the #6 tight end, and the #232 player overall, according to the 247 Composite rankings.

Maurice Hurst, Jr. – DT – Westwood (MA) Xaverian Brothers: Hurst committed to Michigan in June 2012.

Jake Johnson – QB – DeWitt (MI) DeWitt: Johnson is a 6’1″, 185 lb. quarterback for the class of 2015. He has no offers at this time.  As a sophomore in 2012, he had 1,250 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, along with 400 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground.

John Kelly – CB – Oak Park (MI) Oak Park: Kelly is a 5’11”, 184 lb. cornerback or safety prospect for the class of 2015.  He has no offers at this time.  Kelly visited Michigan back in November and then in February, too.

Ostell Martin – OG – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Martin is a 6’5″, 315 lb. prospect for the class of 2016 with no offers at this time.

Mike McCray II – LB – Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison: McCray committed to Michigan in March 2012.

J.J. McGrath – K – Macomb (MI) Lutheran North: McGrath committed to Michigan as a walk-on in January 2013.

Malik McDowell – DE – Detroit (MI) Loyola: McDowell has been discussed non-stop on Michigan boards.  He’s that 6’7″, 290 lb. guy who has offers from everyone and visits Michigan a lot.

A.J. Mial – CB – Detroit (MI) Country Day: Mial is a 5’9″, 170 lb. prospect who claims a 4.68 forty.  He’s a 2014 prospect with no offers at this time.

Garrett Moores – QB – Novi (MI) Catholic Central: Moores is a 6’4″, 200 lb. potential walk-on for the fall.  He’s a high school teammate of incoming running back Wyatt Shallman.

Shane Morris – QB – Warren (MI) De La Salle: Morris committed to Michigan in May 2011.

Stephen Mosley – WR – Akron (OH) Buchtel: Mosley is a 6’0″, 180 lb. prospect for the class of 2014 with no offers at this time.  Buchtel is the alma mater of sophomore safety Jarrod Wilson.  The head coach at Buchtel is former Michigan running back Ricky Powers.

Tymeon Ollison – CB – Akron (OH) Buchtel: Ollison is a 5’8″, 160 lb. prospect for the class of 2015 with no offers at this time.

Micheal Onwenu – OT – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Onwenu is a 6’2″, 310 lb. defensive tackle prospect for the class of 2015 with no offers at this time.  He also visited Michigan a couple weekends ago.

Prince Onwenu – LB – Walled Lake (MI) Central: Onwenu is a 5’11”, 195 lb. prospect for 2015 with no offers at this time.  He plays defensive end in high school, but at his size, he’s more likely to become a contributor as a linebacker.

Trevor Ruhland – OG – Cary (IL) Cary-Grove: Ruhland is a 6’4″, 270 lb. prospect for the class of 2015 with no offers at this time.  He plays with good body lean and has a nasty disposition, and I think he’ll eventually be a fairly highly regarded prospect.

Dan Samuelson – OG – Plymouth (IN) Plymouth: Samuelson committed to Michigan back in January.

Artavis Scott – WR – Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake: Scott is a 5’11”, 175 lb. prospect with offers from Florida, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Oregon, among others.  Scott is teammates with Campbell and Cole (mentioned above).  During three seasons already on the varsity team, he has 135 receptions for 2,493 yards and 27 touchdowns.  According to the 247 Composite rankings, he’s a 4-star wideout, the #10 wide receiver, and the #88 player overall.

Wyatt Shallman – RB – Novi (MI) Catholic Central: Shallman committed to Michigan in February 2012.

Wilton Speight – QB – Richmond (VA) Collegiate: Speight, a 2014 prospect, committed on National Signing Day 2013.

Ted Stieber – OG – Akron (OH) Archbishop Hoban: Stieber is a 6’6″, 285 lb. prospect for 2015 with no offers at this time.  He looks a little bit slow of foot and while he has the size to play tackle, he might be a better fit at guard or perhaps at right tackle.

Erik Swenson – OT – Downers Grove (IL) South: Swenson is a 6’7″, 285 lb. prospect for the class of 2016.  He has offers from Illinois and Notre Dame already.

Scott Sypniewski – LS – Ottawa (IL) Marquette: Sypniewski committed to Michigan in June 2012.

Jack Wangler – WR – Warren (MI) De La Salle: Wangler is a 6’2″, 195 lb. player who committed as a walk-on for Michigan.  He’s the brother of Jared (below).


Jared Wangler – LB – Warren (MI) De La Salle: Wangler is a 6’1″, 218 lb. prospect with offers from Penn State and a handful of MAC schools.  He’s the former teammate of incoming freshman Shane Morris, the son of former Michigan quarterback John Wangler, and the brother of incoming freshman walk-on Jack Wangler.  As a junior in 2012, Jared had 76 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1 interception.

Maurice Ways – WR – Detroit (MI) Country Day: Ways is a 6’3″, 185 lb. prospect with offers from Iowa, Kansas, and bunch of MAC schools.  He had 51 catches for 957 yards and 9 touchdowns as a junior in 2012.  Ways has visited Michigan the past couple weekends, and I think there’s a good chance he’ll earn an offer at some point down the road.

Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. – DE – Manilus (NY) Fayetteville Manilus: Wheatley is a 6’6″, 235 lb. prospect who has picked up offers in recent weeks from Alabama, Michigan, North Carolina, and Penn State.  His father is, of course, former Michigan running back and current Buffalo Bills running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley.

Chase Winovich – LB – Jefferson Hills (PA) Thomas Jefferson: Winovich is a 6’4″, 215 lb. outside linebacker with offers from Miami, Michigan, Northwestern, Ohio State, Pitt, and Virginia Tech, among others.  He visited in March but did not earn an offer until Kyle Berger and Sam Hubbard committed to Ohio State.  According to the 247 Composite rankings, he’s a 3-star, the #45 outside linebacker, and the #592 player overall.

Q&A with Jabrill Peppers

http://www.usatodayhss.com/news/videos/video/0000013d-4580-da6f-a3bd-679898990000

Scouting Report: Joe Mixon

Oakley (CA) Freedom running back Joe Mixon (image)

Name: Joe Mixon
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 207 lbs.
High school: Oakley (CA) Freedom
Position: Running back
Class: 2014

Notes: Holds offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Boise State, California, Cincinnati, Clemson, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Fresno State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Houston, Idaho, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Nevada, North Carolina State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UCLA, USC, Utah, Utah State, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Washington, Washington State, West Virginia, and Wisconsin . . . As a junior in 2012, he had 1,500 yards rushing, 450 yards receiving, and 31 total touchdowns . . . As a sophomore in 2011, he had 1,134 yards and 13 touchdowns . . . Rivals 4-star, #9 running back, #82 overall . . . 247 Sports 4-star, 95 grade, #8 running back, #75 overall . . . Committed to play in the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl . . . Former teammate of class of 2013 Michigan offeree Darrell Daneils, a wide receiver who signed with Washington

Strengths: Very physical runner . . . Runs feet very well through contact . . . Keeps balance well with wide base when necessary . . . Able to get low in traffic . . . Shows ability to jump cut laterally . . . Shifty runner who makes cuts going near full speed . . . Appears to be a big part of the passing game . . . Shows the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield . . . Finishes runs really well . . . Will deliver a blow to tacklers rather than waiting to get hit . . . Stays inbounds to gain extra yardage

Weaknesses: Good but not great speed . . . Likes to jump over tacklers, which may cause him to take some unnecessary damage . . . Sometimes likes to run laterally and reverse field, something that won’t work as well against better competition

Projection: Running back.  I like Mixon a lot, and he looks like he could be a very good college running back.  He’s a very physical runner with good speed, and I think he looks like he would fit best in a downhill running scheme, because he can make full speed cuts and he runs with a lot of power when he squares his shoulders.

Reminds me of: Michael Cox.  This is not a joke.  Some of Mixon’s highlights look like some of Cox’s best plays, although Mixon looks like a more polished product.

Likelihood of committing to Michigan: Mixon recently released a list of his top fifteen schools, which includes the big-time programs you might expect (Michigan, Ohio State, UCLA, USC, etc.).  Pulling big-time kids out of California will be difficult, but at least the Wolverines have made the first cut.

Recruiting Update: April 8, 2013

Naples (FL) Barron Collier defensive tackle Brady Pallante

COMMITMENT
Naples (FL) Barron Collier defensive tackle Brady Pallante committed to Michigan.

OFF THE BOARD
Cincinnati (OH) Moeller outside linebacker Sam Hubbard committed to Ohio State.  Hubbard had been committed to Notre Dame as a lacrosse player, but he has started to realize his football potential and chose the Buckeyes instead.  As a probable strongside linebacker, this might open the door for Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius linebacker Kyle Berger to committed to Michigan; Berger’s recruitment appeared to have been a Michigan vs. Ohio State battle, but the Wolverines still need a SAM in the 2014 class while the Buckeyes have potentially filled that hole.

Wellington (FL) Palm Beach Central offensive tackle K.C. McDermott committed to Miami.  He had been expected to choose between Miami and Notre Dame, and he had not visited Michigan.

Washington (DC) Friendship Collegiate cornerback D’Andre Payne committed to Tennessee.  Michigan made Payne’s top ten list, but he never showed much interest.  Tennessee seemed to be the favorite for a while, so this wasn’t a surprise.

MISCELLANEOUS
Michigan hosted a ton of visitors over the past week, since it was spring break for a lot of high schoolers.

Coming out of the weekend, Michigan appears to lead for a few of those prospects: Jabrill Peppers, Juwann Bushell-Beatty, and K.J. Williams.