Tag: 2014 recruiting

Recruit Tracker: Michael Ferns III

Michael Ferns III

August 23, 2012: Ferns’s St. Clairsville (OH) St. Clairsville team beat Wheeling Park (WV) Wheeling Park by a score of 47-27.  Ferns had 7 carries for 30 yards and 1 touchdown to go along with 2 receptions for 37 yards and 1 touchdown; he also had 7 tackles and 2 tackles for loss.  St. Clairsville is 1-0.

August 31, 2012: St. Clairsville beat Wellsburg (WV) Brooke by a score of 44-14.  St. Clairsville is now 2-0.

September 8, 2012: St. Clairsville beat Jefferson (OH) Jefferson by a score of 56-26.  St. Clairsville is now 3-0.

September 14, 2012: St. Clairsville beat Witnersville (OH) Indian Creek by a score of 48-6.  St. Clairsville is now 4-0.

September 21, 2012: St. Clairsville beat Harrison (OH) Central by a score of 42-6.  Ferns had 5 tackles and 1 tackle for loss.  The Red Devils are now 5-0.

September 28, 2012: St. Clairsville beat Bellaire (OH) Bellaire by a score of 58-14.  Ferns had 4 tackles and 1 tackle for loss.  St. Clairsville is now 6-0.

October 5, 2012: St. Clairsville beat Edison by a score of 56-14.  Ferns had 8 tackles.  St. Clairsville is now 7-0.

October 12, 2012: St. Clairsville beat Rayland (OH) Buckeye Local by a score of 48-6.  St. Clairsville is now 8-0.

October 19, 2012: St. Clairsville beat Martins Ferry (OH) Martins Ferry by a score of 47-13.  Ferns had 13 tackles.  St. Clairsville is now 9-0.

October 26, 2012: St. Clairsville beat Belmont (OH) Union Local by a score of 54-12.  St. Clairsville is now 10-0.


November 2, 2012: St. Clairsville beat Cadiz (OH) Harrison Central by a score of 41-6.  St. Clairsville is now 11-0.


November 9, 2012: St. Clairsville beat Piketon (OH) Piketon by a score of 59-27.  Ferns had 8 tackles and 3 tackles for loss.  St. Clairsville is now 12-0.

November 16, 2012: St. Clairsville beat Johnstown (OH) Johnstown-Monroe by a score of 37-29.  Ferns had a 12-yard touchdown reception, 11 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble.  St. Clairsville is now 13-0.

Scouting Report: Denzel Ward

Chicago (IL) Hales Franciscan offensive tackle Denzel Ward

If you want the bare bones of Chicago (IL) Hales Franciscan offensive tackle Denzel Ward’s October commitment to Michigan, you can check out his commitment post.  At that time he hadn’t released any film to evaluate, so I couldn’t really say much about him.  But now he has released his junior highlights, so let’s get down to business with this film.

Strengths: Huge body, listed at 6’9″, 295 lbs. . . . Long arms should aid in keeping defenders out of his body . . . Instinctively active feet . . . Moves feet beyond initial contact . . . Impressive knee bend for his height . . . Uses hands fairly well for such an inexperienced player . . . Very athletic . . . Runs well downfield . . . Should be effective on perimeter and at second level . . . Good attitude on finishing drive blocks

Weaknesses: Sometimes takes a false initial step before engaging defender . . . Occasionally overstrides when drive blocking . . . Can get off balance in pass protection, though long arms negate this issue slightly . . . Shows occasional tendency to be a waist bender . . . Leans a little too much in pass protection and can get feet crossed up . . . Needs to stick with pass blocks a little longer and play to the whistle

Projection: Left offensive tackle.  Ward is a prototypical left tackle, but his footwork leaves a little to be desired.  He has the athleticism to be great but is inconsistent with his technique.  That’s understandable because he didn’t start playing organized football until his junior year.  The potential is there, but it will take some refinement of his technique and some good coaching to help him reach his potential.  I could see him developing into an All-American, but the biggest question is: Will he work at it?  Some guys who start playing football late in high school don’t necessarily show the long-term commitment to the sport.  Obviously, nobody knows how much he loves the sport except him, but he could be a premier left tackle if he stays committed to his craft.

Reminds me of: Andrus Peat (freshman offensive tackle at Stanford)

TTB Rating: 86 (rating system)

Recruiting Update: November 20, 2012

Birmingham (MI) Brother Rice linebacker Jon Reschke

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2013
Bloomfield (MI) Brother Rice linebacker Jon Reschke was offered by Michigan.  Reschke is a 6’2″, 230 lb. prospect who committed to Michigan State back in February.  This is a bit of an odd offer because Michigan told guys like E.J. Levenberry, Alex Anzalone, and Shane Jones that they were done recruiting linebackers after Ben Gedeon committed.  I do not think the coaches would go back on their word, so this likely means that a 2013 commit is wavering or a current player is going to wrap up his Michigan career earlier than expected.  Reschke himself is a Michigan State legacy, but MSU’s season has gone downhill; he’s also friends with incoming quarterback Shane Morris.  I was not high on Reschke’s junior film, but his senior highlights below show a kid who has improved significantly since his junior year.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2014
Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake wide receiver Artavis Scott was offered by Michigan.  Scott is a 5’11”, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Florida, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and South Carolina, among others.  He’s also the teammate of fellow 2014 offeree Mason Cole, an offensive lineman who said that the offer to Scott helps Michigan’s chances.  Both Cole and Scott have visited Michigan this year, which is significant since they came all the way from Florida.

MISCELLANEOUS
Check out the Recruit Tracker series to see how Michigan’s 2013 and 2014 commits are doing.

In case you’re interested, Duluth (GA) Peachtree Ridge offensive tackle Orlando Brown – the 6’9″, 375 lb. behemoth – finally has a highlight film posted.

Also, Chicago (IL) Hales Franciscan offensive tackle Denzel Ward, who is committed to Michigan for 2014, released his film yesterday.  The kid is very athletic, and it’s immediately obvious why Michigan offered him.

Recruiting Update: November 13, 2012

St. Louis (MO) DeSmet offensive tackle Andy Bauer (in white)

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2014
St. Louis (MO) DeSmet offensive tackle Andy Bauer decommitted from Missouri.  Bauer was originally very high on Michigan, but then he committed to the hometown Tigers.  Alabama and LSU are high on the list now, and the Tigers are still under consideration.  Michigan could still have a chance here, but it’s a long shot.

OFF THE BOARD
Brooklyn (NY) Poly Prep offensive guard Jay Hayes, a 2014 prospect, committed to Notre Dame.  The commitment sort of came out of nowhere, and Hayes was thought to be high on Michigan until the commitment.

Chandler (AZ) Hamilton cornerback Cole Luke committed to Notre Dame.  Luke was interested in Michigan early in the process, but it never amounted to much besides some talk.  Here’s the scouting report I wrote about him back in May.

MISCELLANEOUS
Rivals released its top 250 recruits for the class of 2014, and the list includes Michigan commit Michael Ferns III.

Rivals 250 for 2014 released

Michael Ferns is a 4-star on the initial Rivals 250

Rivals released its top 250 players for the class of 2014.  The players aren’t ranked from 1-250, just in alphabetical order (and with star ratings).  Michigan commit Michael Ferns debuts as a 4-star, and other state of Michigan prospects include Drake Harris, Malik McDowell, and Damon Webb.

Michigan offerees on the list are as follows:

5-stars:
Quin Blanding – S – Virginia

Andrew Brown – DT – Virginia

Da’Shawn Hand – DE – Virginia
Jabrill Peppers – CB – New Jersey


4-stars:
Mark Andrews – WR – Arizona
Alex Bars – OT – Tennessee
Jackson Barton – OT – Utah (Utah)
Andy Bauer – OT – Missouri
Jeb Blazevich – TE – North Carolina
Dante Booker – LB – Ohio
Khairi Clark – DT – Florida
Mason Cole – OT – Florida
Kevin Crosby – LB – South Carolina
Michael Ferns – LB – Ohio (Michigan)
Drake Harris – WR – Michigan (Michigan State)
Javon Harrison – WR – Florida (Virginia Tech)
Jay Hayes – OG – New York (Notre Dame)
Kiy Hester – ATH – New Jersey
Elijah Hood – RB – North Carolina
Jalen Hurd – RB – Tennessee
Roderick Johnson – OT – Missouri
Jamarco Jones – OG – Illinois
Demetrius Knox – OT – Texas
Marshon Lattimore – ATH – Ohio
Tyler Luatua – ATH – California
Josh Malone – WR – Tennessee
K.C. McDermott – OT – Florida
Malik McDowell – DE – Michigan

Bryan Mone – DT – Utah
Montae Nicholson – S – Pennsylvania
Edward Paris – S – Texas
Damian Prince – OT – Maryland
Cameron Robinson – OT – Louisiana
T’Kevian Rockwell – S – Texas
Bo Scarbrough – WR – Alabama (Alabama)
Brandon Simmons – CB – Texas
Braden Smith – OT – Texas
Bentley Spain – OT – North Carolina
Jalen Tabor – CB – Washington, DC
Casey Tucker – OT – Arizona (USC)
Troy Vincent, Jr. – CB – Maryland
Nick Watkins – CB – Texas
Damon Webb – CB – Michigan
Parrker Westphal – CB – Illinois
Dexter Wideman – DT – South Carolina