Tag: 2015 recruiting

Scouting Report: Michael Weber

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech running back Michael Weber (image via Detroit News)

Name: Michael Weber
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 205 lbs.
High school: Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
Position: Running back
Class: 2015

Notes: Holds offers from Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, North Carolina State, Ohio State, Purdue, Syracuse, Tennessee, and Wisconsin . . . ESPN 4-star RB, 80 grade, #20 RB, #227 overall . . . Rivals 4-star, #10 RB, #123 overall . . . 247 Sports 4-star, 96 grade, #7 RB, #73 overall . . . Claims 4.47 forty . . . Benches 305 lbs. . . . As a sophomore in 2012, had 1,700 yards and 21 touchdowns . . . As a junior in 2013, had 1,659 yards and 24 touchdowns . . . Has numerous former teammates playing college football, including Damon Webb (Ohio State), David Dawson (Michigan), Jourdan Lewis (Michigan), Delano Hill (Michigan), and Deon Drake (Michigan State)

Strengths: Good size/build for a running back . . . Not too big or too small . . . Shows an ability to get north and south without a lot of wasted time . . . Slashing style of runner . . . Doesn’t take a lot of big hits . . . Good long speed . . . Accelerates quickly . . . Runs behind shoulder pads . . . Catches ball well out of the backfield . . Shows good patience in waiting for hole to develop . . . Drives feet after contact . . . Shows a physical attitude when blocking

Weaknesses: May struggle to create on his own . . . Does not have lightning speed . . . Could pick up knees higher through traffic . . . Tendency to carry ball in left hand when going right

Projection: Running back. Weber seems to do a lot of things well, and while he’s not the fastest, shiftiest, or most powerful running back in the class, it’s hard to find glaring weaknesses. Most of his “weaknesses” are either nitpicks or coachable. Cass Tech is a magnet school that consistently produces good linemen, so it’s tough to judge Weber’s vision when most of his highlights include his linemen blowing holes wide open. However, if his college team can open holes with any regularity, Weber hits the hole hard and will fall generally forward after contact.

Reminds me of: Emmitt Smith. Of course I’m not suggesting that Weber will one day be the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, but the slashing style combined with Weber’s gait and the way he waves his off hand while cutting just reminds me of the former Dallas Cowboy (and Arizona Cardinal). Additionally, Smith was never the speediest, most elusive, or strongest guy, but he found a way to churn out the yards.

Likelihood of committing to Michigan: Michigan State and perhaps Tennessee had lurched ahead of Michigan when Al Borges was the offensive coordinator and Damien Harris was committed to the Wolverines, but Harris’s decommitment and the hiring of Doug Nussmeier have re-energized Michigan’s pursuit of the Cass Tech product. There are some who believe that Michigan has a tentative lead over MSU, and I think his favorites in order would be Michigan, Michigan State, Tennessee, and then Wisconsin.

Top 247 for 2015 updated

No offense to Shaun Crawford, but it’s getting boring plastering his picture up every time I talk about the 2015 class.

247 Sports updated their top 247 players for 2015, and there are numerous Michigan targets on the list. Former Michigan commits George Campbell and Damien Harris are both in the top 40, and defensive end Keisean Lucier-South has earned a fifth star. Here’s what the list looked like last month, and here’s the movement for Michigan’s lone commit:

– Shaun Crawford dropped from #140 to #148

5-stars:
2. Josh Rosen – QB – California
3. Terry Beckner, Jr. – DE – Illinois
4. Mitch Hyatt – OT – Georgia (Clemson)
6. Josh Sweat – DE – Virginia
9. Kevin Toliver II – CB – Florida (LSU)
12. Iman Marshall – CB – California
13. Justin Hilliard – LB – Ohio
16. Malik Jefferson – LB – Texas
19. Shy Tuttle – DT – North Carolina
21. Tim Settle – DT – Virginia
24. Jashon Cornell – DE – Minnesota
25. Kendall Sheffield – CB – Texas
27. Keisean Lucier-South – DE – California
31. Jalen Dalton – DE – North Carolina

4-stars:
33. Rasheem Green – DT – California
34. Brian Cole – ATH – Michigan
35. Johnny Frasier – RB – North Carolina
37. Minkah Fitzpatrick – CB – New Jersey
40. George Campbell – ATH – Florida
41. Jaason Lewis – ATH – Virginia (UCLA)
47. Jerome Baker – ATH – Ohio
49. Damien Harris – RB – Kentucky
52. DaMarkus Lodge – WR – Texas
54. Jeffery Holland – LB – Florida
56. Jacques Patrick – RB – Florida
57. Juwan Johnson – WR – New Jersey (Penn State)
60. Jarrett Stidham – QB – Texas (Texas Tech)
69. Jake Fruhmorgen – OT – Florida
73. Michael Weber – RB – Michigan
78. Christian Kirk – WR – Arizona
79. Garrett Taylor – CB – Virginia
83. John Reid – CB – Pennsylvania
84. Hjalte Froholdt – DT – Ohio (Arkansas)
86. Clelin Ferrell – DE – Virginia
91. Sterling Jenkins – OT – Pennsylvania
113. Keenan Walker – OT – Arizona
114. Blake Barnett – QB – California (Notre Dame)
118. Ryan Bates – OT – Pennsylvania (Penn State)
120. Drew Richmond – OT – Tennessee
129. Soso Jamabo – RB – Texas
138. Hale Hentges – TE – Missouri
142. Devonaire Clarington – TE – Florida
148. Shaun Crawford – CB – Ohio (Michigan)
149. Marcus Lewis – ATH – Washington, D.C.
151. Darian Roseboro – DE – North Carolina
152. Josh Barajas – LB – Indiana
153. Osa Masina – LB – Utah
155. Christian Pellage – OT – Florida
167. Adonis Thomas – ATH – Georgia
175. Ronald Jones II – RB – Texas
179. Chris Clark – TE – Connecticut (North Carolina)
181. Grant Newsome – OT – New Jersey
226. Jordan Whitehead – CB – Pennsylvania
235. Cameron Townsend – LB – Texas

Recruiting Update: March 17, 2014

Elkton (MD) Eastern Christian Academy quarterback David Sills on his Michigan visit

2016
Orange Park (FL) Oakleaf linebacker Shaquille Quarterman was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’0″, 239 lb. prospect with offers from Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State, Tennessee, and several others. As a sophomore in 2013, he had 94 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions (1 for a touchdown), 2 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries. He was the teammate of 2014 Michigan linebacker offeree Darrion Owens (Miami).

OFF THE BOARD
Avon (CT) Old Farms tight end Chris Clark committed to North Carolina. Clark was not expected to make this early of a decision, and he had scheduled a visit to Michigan for this coming weekend, which has now been canceled. Outside of Tyrone Wheatley, Jr., Clark appeared the most likely tight end to commit to the Wolverines, so now that title falls to Missouri’s Hale Hentges or Georgian Jalen Wilkerson, neither of whom is likely to wear the winged helmet. I would imagine that the Wolverines will be sending out some new offers at the position soon.

MISCELLANEOUS
Here’s a list of visitors who descended upon Ann Arbor this past weekend. The big name was quarterback Josh Rosen, who is arguably the top quarterback in the 2015 class. While he insists he enjoyed the visit, it sounds as if he’ll still be committing to UCLA on Thursday. Sills (pictured above) looks like a more likely option, albeit perhaps not by much. Ohio linebacker Reagan Williams has not been offered, but the coaches are looking at him as a potential tight end.

Last week’s profiles at Recruiting Season  included 2015 prospects David Moorman, Joshuwa Holloman, Alex Malzone, Jayru Campbell, and Carter Masek.

Visitors: March 14-16, 2014

Richmond (VA) St. Christopher cornerback Garrett Taylor (image via 247 Sports)

2015
C.J. Conrad – TE – La Grange (OH) Keystone: Conrad is a 6’5″, 225 lb. prospect with offers from Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Pitt, and Syracuse, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #8 tight end, and the #208 player overall. He recently named Kentucky as his leader, but offers from bigger programs could very well have an impact him, including one from Michigan. He also visited Ann Arbor for the Ohio State game last fall. As a junior in 2013, he had 59 receptions for 924 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Justin Hilliard – LB – Cincinnati (OH) St. Xavier: I did a scouting report on Hilliard earlier this offseason. He has recently pulled in an offer from USC, and he took a junior day visit to Notre Dame, which left a good impression. His top group consists of Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa (where his older brother signed last month), Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Oklahoma.

Alex Malzone – QB – Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice: Malzone’s interest in Michigan has been well documented, and he has visited Ann Arbor numerous times. The 6’3″, 200 lb. prospect has pulled in offers from Pitt and Wake Forest in recent weeks, but it seems pretty clear that he would jump at the chance to wear the winged helmet. Michigan is looking for a quarterback in the 2015 class, and it’s pretty clear they’ll have to expand their search because the four current offerees are unlikely to end up playing for Michigan.

David Moorman – OT – Northville (MI) Northville: Moorman is a 6’5″, 275 lb. prospect with offers from Cincinnati and a handful of MAC schools. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #46 offensive tackle, and the #394 player overall. Moorman has been making the rounds to Big Ten schools (Illinois, Michigan State, Wisconsin) but so far hasn’t been extended any big-time offers. I would not expect the Wolverines to offer on the visit, either, but he may be worth watching down the road if Michigan strikes out on other targets.

Josh Rosen – QB – Bellflower (CA) St. John Bosco: Rosen is a 6’4″, 205 lb. prospect with offers from Cal, Florida State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas, UCLA, and USC, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 5-star, the #1 pro-style quarterback, and the #5 prospect overall. I did a scouting report on him back in January. He has set his decision date for March 20th, and he is widely expected to choose UCLA unless Michigan gives him a reason to delay or alter his choice.

David Sills – QB – Elkton (MD) Eastern Christian Academy: Sills is a 6’3″, 180 lb. prospect who holds a Michigan offer but has been committed to USC since February of 2010. The Trojans also received a commitment from quarterback Ricky Town in January, who is unanimously considered a superior player. Sills has two class of 2014 teammates (wide receiver Freddy Canteen and safety Brandon Watson) who enrolled early in January, so that may be a draw for Sills, who is a 247 Composite 3-star, the #21 pro-style quarterback, and the #483 player overall. I recently did a scouting report on 2015 quarterbacks, and Sills came in at #18 out of 20 players being courted by Michigan.

Garrett Taylor – CB – Richmond (VA) St. Christopher: Taylor is a 6’1″, 188 lb. prospect with offers from LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, South Carolina, Stanford, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #8 cornerback, and #92 overall. Taylor played against Michigan freshman quarterback Wilton Speight in high school, and he may be the most likely offered cornerback to commit to the Wolverines.

Reagan Williams – LB – Jackson (OH) Jackson: Williams is a 6’3″, 232 lb. prospect with offers from Indiana, Purdue, and a few MAC schools. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #18 inside linebacker, and #472 overall.

2017
Jonathan Berghorst – DE – Zeeland (MI) East: Berghorst is a 6’2″, 210 lb. prospect with no offers at this time.

Recruiting Update: March 10, 2014

St. Joseph (MI) St. Joseph defensive end Corey Malone-Hatcher (via Twitter)

New offers have been slow to come by over the past couple weeks, so there’s not a whole lot of action other than some pretty good unofficial visitors over the past three weekends. There are currently 75 offers (that I’m aware of) extended to class of 2015 prospects.

OFF THE BOARD
Stephenville (TX) Stephenville quarterback Jarrett Stidham committed to Texas Tech. Stidham had once been thought to be a Baylor lean, partly because Baylor head coach Art Briles used to be the head coach at Stephenville, although that was well before Stidham was around.

MISCELLANEOUS
I wrote another batch of scouting reports on 2015 quarterbacks (LINK), in which Stidham was #2 overall of the signal callers Michigan had been contacting.

A small group of 2016 and 2017 visitors were in town this weekend (LINK) to watch the Wolverines basketball team beat Indiana.