Tag: 2015 recruiting

Official Visitors: January 16-21, 2015

Long Beach (CA) Poly cornerback Iman Marshall

Damon Arnette – CB – Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas: Arnette is a 6’2″, 185 lb. prospect who’s committed to South Carolina. He’s a soft commit with a visit scheduled to Ohio State later this month, too. The 247 Composite rankings show him as a 3-star, the #60 cornerback, and #649 overall. D.J. Durkin called him up when he was hired, and Arnette immediately responded that he wanted to visit. Arnette is a good sized corner who would be good against the run.


Chris Clark – TE – Avon (CT) Old Farms: Clark is a 6’6″, 247 lb. prospect who has been committed to both North Carolina and Michigan in the past. Now he says it’s down to Michigan and UCLA with the Bruins having the lead. Even so, he was enthused about Michigan hiring Jim Harbaugh, and some people think the Wolverines will win out. Clark is also close to quarterback Alex Malzone, who enrolled early this semester and will be on campus. Clark is a 247 Composite 4-star, the #2 tight end, and #79 overall in the 2015 class.

Andrew David – K – Massillon (OH) Washington: David is a 5’9″, 165 lb. prospect who committed to Michigan in June of 2013. He’s a 247 Composite 2-star, the #7 kicker, and #2031 overall. Michigan’s starting punter and placekicker both graduated after the 2014 season, so he will have a chance to compete for a starting gig right off the bat.

Shelton Johnson – DE – Delray Beach (FL) Atlantic: Johnson is a 6’5″, 220 lb. prospect with offers from Florida State, Miami, and Virginia Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #16 strongside end, and #351 overall. He visited Virginia Tech in December and has visits remaining to the other schools, with Florida State holding the final shot; right now the Crystal Ball is 100% for the Seminoles (based on 10 votes).

Tyree Kinnel – S – Huber Heights (OH) Wayne: Kinnel committed to Michigan in August of 2013 (LINK). He is currently a 247 Composite 4-star, the #10 safety, and #181 overall. Once Michigan’s coaching situation got rocky, Alabama and Notre Dame both came forward with offers, but Kinnel has remained committed throughout.


Iman Marshall – CB – Long Beach (CA) Poly: Marshall is a 6’1″, 190 lb. prospect with a top group that includes Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, UCLA, and USC. He is using January officials for the out-of-state schools, and the visit to Ann Arbor will be right on the heels of one to FSU this weekend. So while the rest of these players will be in town over the weekend, Marshall will be there from Monday through Wednesday. Marshall is considered a USC lean (the Trojans are at 98% on the 247 Sports Crystal Ball), but he has expressed interest in playing college ball with his summer workout partner, Michigan sophomore wide receiver Freddy Canteen. Marshall is a 247 Composite 5-star, the #1 cornerback, and #4 overall in the class.

Roquan Smith – LB – Montezuma (GA) Macon: Smith is a 6’1″, 205 lb. prospect who’s considered to be a heavy lean toward the Georgia Bulldogs, but he’s another guy who’s visiting because of D.J. Durkin. Smith is a 247 Composite 4-star, the #5 outside linebacker, and #49 overall. He had 173 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions as a senior in 2014. He has visited Georgia and USC, and he has visits scheduled for Ole Miss and UCLA.

Final ESPN 300 for 2015 released

Saginaw (MI) Heritage wide receiver Brian Cole is Michigan’s top ranked commit.

Here’s a look at the final ESPN 300 for the 2015 class (LINK), which I have been tracking over the last couple years. Here’s what it looked like back in July (LINK). Movement for Michigan commits is here:

– Brian Cole fell from #139 to #148
– Tyree Kinnel fell from #192 to #196
– Grant Newsome fell from #242 to #253

5-stars:
2. Terry Beckner, Jr. – DT – Illinois
4. Iman Marshall – CB – California
7. George Campbell – WR – Florida (Florida State)
9. CeCe Jefferson – DE – Florida
10. Kevin Toliver II – CB – Florida (LSU)
11. Josh Sweat – DE – Virginia (Florida State)
12. Kendall Sheffield – CB – Texas (Alabama)
14. Blake Barnett – QB – California (Alabama)
17. Justin Hilliard – LB – Ohio (Ohio State)
18. Mitch Hyatt – OT – Georgia (Clemson)
19. Tim Settle – DT – Virginia (Virginia Tech)

4-stars:
22. Keisean Lucier-South – DE – California (UCLA)
24. Arden Key – DE – South Carolina
27. Minkah Fitzpatrick – CB – New Jersey (Alabama)
28. Soso Jamabo – RB – Texas
29. Roquan Smith – LB – Georgia
30. Tyron Johnson – WR – Florida (LSU)
31. Malik Jefferson – LB – Texas (Texas)
33. Jashon Cornell – DE – Minnesota (Ohio State)
34. Ronald Jones II – RB – Texas (USC)
35. Christian Kirk – WR – Arizona (Texas A&M)
36. Damien Harris – RB – Kentucky (Alabama)
37. Jarrett Stidham – QB – Texas (Baylor)
38. Preston Williams – WR – Georgia (Tennessee)
39. Shy Tuttle – DT – North Carolina (Tennessee)
41. Rasheem Green – DT – California
42. Deondre Francois – QB – Florida (Florida State)
46. Jeffery Holland – LB – Florida
49. Jacques Patrick – RB – Florida (Florida State)
50. Josh Rosen – QB – California (UCLA)
54. Adonis Thomas – LB – Georgia (Alabama)
55. Abdul Bello – OT – Florida (Florida State)
57. DaMarkus Lodge – WR – Texas
58. Drew Richmond – OT – Tennessee (Ole Miss)
64. Jalen Dalton – DE – North Carolina (North Carolina)
66. Anthony Wheeler – LB – Texas (Texas)
67. Jerome Baker – LB – Ohio (Ohio State)
75. Rashad Roundtree – S – Georgia (Georgia)
77. Osa Masina – LB – Utah
78. Dexter Williams – RB – Florida
80. Johnny Frasier – RB – North Carolina (Florida State)
89. Jake Fruhmorgen – OT – Florida (Clemson)
91. Keenan Walker – OT – Arizona (Arizona)
94. Matt Burrell, Jr. – OG – Virginia (Ohio State)
98. Hjalte Froholdt – DT – Florida (Arkansas)
109. Hale Hentges – TE – Missouri (Alabama)
111. Chris Clark – TE – Massachusetts
112. Devonaire Clarington – TE – Florida (Texas)
125. Sterling Jenkins – OT – Pennsylvania (Penn State)
129. Ryan Bates – OT – Pennsylvania (Penn State)
136. Clelin Ferrell – DE – Virginia (Clemson)
138. Christian Pellage – OT – Florida (South Carolina)
139. Garrett Taylor – CB – Virginia (Penn State)
140. Mike Weber – RB – Michigan (Ohio State)
142. Jordan Whitehead – CB – Pennsylvania (Pitt)
145. Ty’Son Williams – RB – South Carolina (North Carolina)
146. Kirk Merritt – ATH – Louisiana
148. Brian Cole – ATH – Michigan (Michigan)
157. Ray-Ray McCloud III – RB – Florida (Clemson)
158. Tyler Jordan – C – Florida (Florida)
159. Marcus Lewis – CB – Washington, DC
161. Dre’Mont Jones – DE – Ohio (Ohio State)
168. Kendrick Norton – DT – Florida
169. Shaun Crawford – CB – Ohio (Notre Dame)
171. Joshua McMillon – LB – Tennessee (Alabama)
173. John Reid – CB – Pennsylvania (Penn State)
184. Darian Roseboro – DE – North Carolina (North Carolina State)
195. Juwan Johnson – WR – New Jersey (Penn State)
196. Tyree Kinnel – S – Ohio (Michigan)
210. Pat Allen – OT – Maryland
213. Devante Peete – WR – Florida
223. Isaiah Prince – OT – Maryland
242. Ryan Davis – WR – Florida
247. Rashard Causey, Jr. – CB – Florida (Florida International)
253. Grant Newsome – OT – New Jersey (Michigan)
255. Cameron Townsend – LB – Texas (Texas)
273. Cameron Ordway – CB – Tennessee (Ole Miss)
276. Darrin Kirkland, Jr. – LB – Indiana (Tennessee)
278. Zach Robertson – OG – California (Arizona State)
298. Joe Burrow – QB – Ohio (Ohio State)

Scouting Report: John Kelly

Name: John Kelly
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 194 lbs.
High school: Oak Park (MI) Oak Park
Position: Running back
Class: 2015

Notes: Holds offers from Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Eastern Michigan, Iowa, Maryland, Miami-OH, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Tennessee, Western Michigan . . . Claims a 4.38 forty . . . 37″ vertical . . . ESPN 3-star, 78 grade, #55 running back . . . Rivals 3-star, #28 athlete . . . 247 Sports 3-star, 88 grade, #38 athlete

Strengths: Solidly built . . . Strong lower body and leg churn . . . Runs with good body lean through line of scrimmage . . . Runs like a sprinter, getting more upright in open field . . . Good acceleration in and out of cuts . . . Excellent vision and patience as a runner . . . Very good top-end speed . . . Runs through contact . . . Looks for cutbacks instead of going out of bounds . . . Aggressive blocker both in run and pass game . . . Also an aggressive tackler on defense

Weaknesses: Does not have a great deal of highlights on defense . . . Questionable ball skills . . . Seems to make more plays on offense than defense . . . Gives and takes a pounding, so durability may become an issue

Projection: Running back. I’ve had my eye on Kelly for a couple years now, and while he’s being recruited by some schools to play defense, I just don’t see the playmaking on that side of the ball. He has been dynamic on offense, and the skills I’ve seen displayed translate to running back more than any other position, in my opinion. Other than great size, he has a good dose of everything you want in a running back: speed, vision, strength, toughness, a willingness to block, etc.

Reminds me of: T.J. Yeldon from Alabama. Yeldon is obviously significantly larger, but the way Kelly runs – low through the line, good vision, cutting back to avoid going out of bounds, upright in the open field, etc. – reminds me of the Crimson Tide running back.

Likelihood of committing to Michigan: Tennessee supposedly leads, but Michigan is a strong possibility, too. Right now Michigan State leads the 247 Sports Crystal Ball with 39% of the votes, followed by 32% for the Wolverines. Right now Kelly has visits set for Tennessee, Minnesota, and Michigan. Things are pretty up in the air.

Recruiting Update: January 13, 2015

Montezuma (GA) Macon linebacker Roquan Smith

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015
Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas cornerback Damon Arnette, a South Carolina commit, was offered by Michigan and plans an official visit to Ann Arbor for this upcoming weekend. He’s a 6’2″, 185 lb. prospect who’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #60 cornerback, and #649 overall. He was being recruited by defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin at Florida. Other schools to offer include Florida State, Louisville, Ohio State, Ole Miss, and Wisconsin, among others. Michigan has attempted to dip into St. Thomas Aquinas several times in recent years, but players like Lamarcus Joyner (Florida State), Joey Bosa (Ohio State), and Corey Holmes (Notre Dame) have spurned the Wolverines’ efforts. Arnette is a big, physical corner.

Lithonia (GA) Hapeville Academy defensive end Arden Key decommitted from South Carolina. Key is a 6’5″, 230 lb. prospect who’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #5 weakside end, and #103 overall. Most analysts believe Auburn will be the recipient of his commitment sometime in the next few weeks.

Rowlett (TX) Rowlett defensive end Charles Omenihu, a Texas commit, was offered by Michigan. Like Arnette, he had been pursued by Durkin at Florida. Omenihu is a 6’5″, 232 lb. 3-star, #21 weakside end, and #469 player overall. Unfortunately, he has decided not to stir things up and stated that he would not take an official visit to Michigan despite some early excitement about the offer.

Montezuma (GA) Macon linebacker Roquan Smith was offered by Michigan. Smith is a 6’2″, 205 lb. prospect and another Durkin connection. Smith is also a 247 Composite 4-star, the #5 outside linebacker, and #49 overall. He also has offers from Alabama and USC, but he’s considered to be a Georgia lean with Ole Miss and UCLA visits scheduled for the final two weeks of January. He will be visiting Michigan this coming weekend, but the Wolverines are playing from behind. As a senior in 2014, he made 173 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions, plus he scored 12 touchdowns. Smith could probably play running back for a lot of teams in college football, but he’s a speedy guy who could play outside in a 3-4 or as a weakside guy in a 4-3. At this point he’s the best prospect considering Michigan, in my opinion, so a celebration would be in order if the Wolverines were able to pull him away from Georgia and his other suitors.

Monrovia (CA) Monrovia cornerback Octavius Spencer, a UCLA commit, picked up an offer from Michigan. Spencer is a 6’2″, 175 lb. prospect who’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #64 cornerback, and #684 overall. He could be poachable if UCLA head coach Jim Mora, Jr. takes an NFL job somewhere, but otherwise, he probably sticks with the Bruins.

Hit the jump for players who went off the board and some miscellaneous bits and pieces.

OFF THE BOARD
Berea (KY) Madison Southern running back Damien Harris committed to Alabama. Harris was, of course, committed to Michigan at one time. Michigan dodged a bullet when the 5-star Under Armour All-American did not choose the Ohio State Buckeyes, and he was also heavily weighing the option of staying in the state with the Kentucky Wildcats. Instead, he’s the second running back to flip from Michigan to Alabama in the last four years (Demetrius Hart, 2011).

Jacksonville (FL) Trinity cornerback Shaun Wade committed to Ohio State on the morning of Ohio State’s national championship game against Oregon. It’s too early to see how the 2017 recruiting class will shake out, but Wade had a litany of offers (Clemson, Georgia, UCLA, etc.) and a couple years remaining to allow Alabama, Florida State, Oregon, USC, and the like to get involved.

Wayne (NJ) De Paul running back Kareem Walker committed to Ohio State during the national championship game. He called Urban Meyer in the afternoon prior to the game, and then he made it public during their win over Oregon. Walker, a 2016 prospect, is considered to be the best or one of the top few running backs in his class.

MISCELLANEOUS
Gilmer (TX) Gilmer quarterback McLane Carter is being visited by Jim Harbaugh this week, presumably to add to the class as a preferred walk-on or late addition to the class. Carter is completely under the radar and unranked by the recruiting services. He’s a soft-tossing lefty who completed 74% of his passes for 3,969 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 1 interception on the way to a state title. Carter’s film is impressive in his ability to run a passing spread, but his ability to fit into a pro-style system and play from under center is not on display.

Atlanta (GA) Woodward Academy safety Arrington Farrar recently decommitted from Stanford, and Michigan may make a run at him. He’s a 6’2″, 195 lb. prospect who’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #20 safety, and #262 overall. He also has offers from Clemson, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Wisconsin, among others. Farrar is a teammate of 2016 running back Elijah Holyfield, who has an offer from the Wolverines.

Over on Recruiting Season, I posted profiles for Chippewa Valley WR Sean Bunting and Southfield DE Charles Harris. I also updated profiles for Cass Tech WR Demetric Vance, Muskegon Mona Shores WR Hunter Broersma, Southfield S Dior Johnson, and Traverse City West OG Jacob Cerny.

Pro Athletes and Their Spawn: 2015 Edition

That’s who you think it is. (image via Delaware Online)

This is a yearly tradition to look at high school seniors who have famous athletic fathers (or occasionally just a famous father). Below are eleven players whose names – or fathers’ names – you might recognize.

The 2014, 2013, and 2012 versions are available, too, if you’re interested.

Cordell Broadus – WR – Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gorman: Broadus is a 6’2″, 195 lb. prospect who’s ranked as a 247 Composite 4-star, the #18 wide receiver, and #149 overall. He has a top group that includes Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, LSU, Notre Dame, UCLA, and USC (Michigan has not offered, but he has said that he would be interested in visiting now that Jim Harbaugh has been hired). It seems to be a battle between the two teams in southern California, but I’m leaning toward his father’s favorite schoool, USC. That father is Cordozar Broadus, Jr., who is best known as Snoop Dogg (a.k.a. Snoop Lion). He probably needs no bio, as he is a famous rapper, protege of Dr. Dre, etc. Snoop was known to visit USC practices quite often, at least before Steve Sarkisian was hired as coach.

Hit the jump for the other ten athletes.

Mark Fields II – CB – Cornelius (NC) William Amos Hough: Fields is a 5’11”, 190 lb. prospect with a top group that includes Clemson, LSU, South Carolina, and Texas. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #8 cornerback, and #97 overall, earning a roster spot in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. His father, Mark Fields, played football at Washington State and became a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker during a career with the New Orleans Saints, St. Louis Rams, and Carolina Panthers. He was a 1st round draft pick (#13 overall) in 1995 by the Saints and retired after the 2004 season. He finished his career with 769 tackles, 34 sacks, and 5 interceptions. The elder Fields has been battling Hodgkin’s disease over the last several years.


Jake Fruhmorgen – OT – Tampa (FL) Plant: Fruhmorgen – a 6’5″, 280 lb. prospect committed to Clemson – is a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 offensive tackle, and #90 overall. He had an offer from Michigan and played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl this past weekend. His father, John, played for the Alabama Crimson Tide and had a short career with the Miami Dolphins.

Jaire George – RB – Hyattsville (MD) DeMatha:

Alvin Harper, Jr. – WR – Lakeland (FL) Victory Christian Academy: Harper, Jr. is a 6’0″, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona State, Northern Illinois, and Toledo. He’s a Rivals 2-star prospect. As a senior this past season, he caught 69 balls for 1,332 yards and 16 touchdowns. His father, of course, is Alvin Harper, who played for the Tennessee Volunteers and became a first round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys, with whom he would win two Super Bowls. Harper wasn’t extremely productive (this was before the explosion of passing offenses in the NFL), but he did average 18.2 yards/reception for his career, finishing with 191 catches, 3473 yards, and 21 touchdowns with the Cowboys, Buccaneers, Redskins, and Saints. He retired following the 1999 season.

Beau Hoge – QB – Fort Thomas (KY) Highlands: Hoge is a 6’1″, 205 lb. prospect who is committed to BYU. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #38 dual-threat quarterback, and #1452 overall. Check out this ridiculous run in the Kentucky playoffs (LINK). Hoge is the son of Merril Hoge, now an ESPN football analyst. Merril went to Idaho State and was a three-time all-conference running back, finishing with 5,139 all-purpose yards and 31 rushing touchdowns. He was selected in the 10th round of the 1987 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He would play eight seasons for the Steelers and Chicago Bears before retiring after 1994. Hoge finished his NFL career with 3,139 yards, a 3.8 yards/carry average, and 34 total touchdowns.


Van Jefferson WR – Brentwood (TN) Ravenwood: Jefferson is a 6’2″, 180 lb. prospect who committed to Georgia in August but continues to look around. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #13 wide receiver, and #134 overall. Prior to transferring to Tennessee, he was attending Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s. This season he had 67 catches for 1,224 yards and 13 touchdowns, and he played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. His father, Shawn, played football at Central Florida and was a 9th round pick in the 1991 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. Jefferson was a very productive pro receiver and played in two Super Bowls, one with the Chargers and one with the Patriots. He finished his career with 470 receptions, 7023 yards, and 29 touchdowns. He also played for the Falcons and Lions, and he was an assistant coach for the Lions from 2005-2012. He is now the wide receivers coach for the Tennessee Titans.


Manny Miles – QB – Baton Rouge (LA) University Lab: Miles is a 5’11”, 170 lb. prospect with no offers at this point, but he is ranked as a 3-star prospect, the #146 athlete, and the #1736 player overall in the 247 Composite rankings. There was some talk about him potentially walking on at the University of Michigan. That’s because his father is former Wolverines player and coach Les Miles, now the head football coach at LSU. The elder Miles is 131-50 in a head coaching career with Oklahoma State and LSU, and he won a national championship with the Tigers in 2007.


Cassius Peat – LB – Tempe (AZ) Corona Del Sol: Peat is a 6’4″, 235 lb. prospect who was once committed to UCLA; he has taken official visits to Michigan State, Oklahoma, and USC, and he is also highly interested in Arizona State. He plans to announce his college decision on National Signing Day. Peat is a 247 Composite 4-star, the #27 outside linebacker, and #326 overall. Peat’s father, Todd, is from Illinois, went to Northern Illinois, and played in the NFL for the Phoenix Cardinals and Oakland Raiders between 1987-1993. His eldest son, Todd Jr., was a defensive tackle at Nebraska. Another son, Andrus, is an offensive lineman at Stanford.

Jon Runyan, Jr. – OG – Philadelphia (PA) St. John’s: Runyan is a 6’4″, 276 lb. prospect who is committed to Michigan. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #123 offensive tackle, and #1176 overall. Runyan’s father, Jon, was an All-Big Ten tackle at Michigan in the early to mid-’90’s and a 4th round draft pick by the Houston Oilers in 1996. He still holds the record for most consecutive starts by a right tackle in NFL history, with 213 consecutive games for the Oilers/Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles from 1997-2008. He finished his career with the San Diego Chargers in 2009, having made 1 Pro Bowl in his career. Runyan is currently a Republican congressman in New Jersey’s 3rd congressional district, but he did not run for re-election in 2014 after winning in both 2010 and 2012. (Runyan and his family live in Mount Laurel, NJ, which is roughly half an hour away from Jon Jr.’s private school, in case you’re wondering.)

Chris Warren – RB – Rockwall (TX) Rockwall: Warren is a 6’2″, 232 lb. prospect who’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #7 running back, and #73 overall. He rushed for 2,329 yards and 34 touchdowns as a senior this past season, and his top four schools are Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas Tech, and Washington. Washington might seem like a natural landing spot for him, because Seattle was where his father – Chris Warren – played running back for the Seahawks from 1990-1997. The elder Warren started his college career at Virginia and ended up at Ferrum (a D-III school), after which he was a 4th round pick by the Seahawks in 1990. For a short time, he was one of the premier running backs in the NFL, peaking with 1,545 yards in 1994 and topping 1,000 yards a total of four times. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and also played with the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, from whom he retired after the 2000 season.


Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. – DE – Canisius (NY) Manlius: Wheatley is a 6’6″, 265 lb. prospect with a top group that includes Alabama, Oregon, UCLA, and USC. Michigan might also be in the mix for family reasons. The younger Wheatley is a 247 Composite 4-star, the #10 tight end, and #235 overall, but the father is a football legend in Ann Arbor lore. Having attended nearby Dearborn (MI) Robichaud, Tyrone Sr. was Big Ten Player of the Year for Michigan in 1992 and All-Big Ten from 1992-1994, among other football accomplishments; he was also a college All-American in track. He was a 1st round draft pick (#17 overall) by the New York Giants in 1995 and played through 2004 with both the Giants and Oakland Raiders. He finished his NFL career with 4,962 yards and 40 touchdowns on the ground, plus 900 yards and 7 touchdowns through the air. Wheatley has since coached at, among other programs, Eastern Michigan and Syracuse, plus he had been the Buffalo Bills running backs coach from 2013 through last week.