Tag: Brionte Dunn

Mailbag: How do you want the class to finish?

Stefon Diggs is the top overall player left on Michigan’s radar

I am an avid reader of your blog and also enjoy most of your comments on MGoBlog. I was hoping you could comment on your site about how you would like to see the recruiting class finish up. It is commonly believed that there are four spots left, and here’s what I’m wondering: 

RB – Being held for Dunn, unlikely to take another RB otherwise. Do you think there’s another candidate? 

OL – There are several OL still high on Michigan (Banner, Diamond, Garnett, etc.) Could you provide your rankings of those players, which you’d want to see in a M uniform the most, and any thoughts about which makes a better fit based on the rest of the roster? 

WR – Now that we have one already in the fold, of the remaining options left who would you most want to see sign with M and why? 

Other – This had hoped to be Yuri Wright, but that hasn’t developed much. Who else would you consider here? A TE? Thanks for your insight! 

AC1997

Thanks for the e-mail, AC.

Regarding running backs, I don’t think there are any other candidates right now.  Drake Johnson is a bit of an insurance policy in case Canton (OH) Glenoak’s Bri’onte Dunn doesn’t come over to the good side, but I don’t know that there’s a pressing need to find an elite running back in this class.  There’s an outside shot that Greg Garmon could come to Michigan, but I don’t foresee that coming to fruition.  Michigan has Fitzgerald Toussaint for another couple years and the coaches seem to like Thomas Rawls, who’s the heir apparent to Toussaint.  I don’t think it would kill Michigan to lose out on Dunn, but they must  get an elite running back in 2013 if that happens.

As for the offensive linemen, here are some thoughts about the linemen still high on Michigan:

1. Puyallup (WA) Puyallup OG Joshua Garnett is the most athletic and most versatile lineman on the board.  His technique isn’t quite as solid as that of Michigan commit Kyle Kalis, but Garnett is the better athlete. Garnett could play tackle as well, but putting Kalis at strongside guard and having Garnett as the pulling guard could be a seriously powerful combination.  Aside from Stefon Diggs, Garnett is probably the best player left on Michigan’s board.
2. Lakewood (WA) Lakes OT Zach Banner is a potentially dynamic offensive tackle.  He’s not the best prospect, but a 6’9″ guy with his athleticism is extremely intriguing.  His bloodlines are a positive, too (his father is former NFL offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy).  With those long arms, Banner could be an ideal blind-side protector.  I think 2012 commit Blake Bars is a future offensive guard, so Michigan could use another tackle in this class.
3. Chicago (IL) Simeon OT Jordan Diamond is a notch down from the other two prospects, in my opinion.  He has decent size, decent athleticism, and decent technique, but he doesn’t have the All-American potential of the above two players.
4. Lakeland (FL) Lakeland OT Evan Goodman has popped up on Michigan’s radar recently.  It’s unclear whether the Wolverines have offered Goodman, although he has plenty of other good offers.  He’s currently committed to Arizona State, but the coaching uncertainty has caused him to reconsider.  I’m not a huge fan of Goodman.  He’s certainly athletic – probably the second-most athletic kid in this grouping – but he lacks a punch and is a real project.  His technique will have to be overhauled completely before he can play at the next level, and even then, I’m not sure he has the requisite aggression to be successful.

Visitors for the Ohio State Game

Shane Morris, Bri’onte Dunn, and Dymonte Thomas were in attendance for last week’s victory against Nebraska and will be in town again for the Ohio State game. (image via Twitter)

Fenton (MI) Fenton P Kenny Allen: A preferred walk-on who’s committed to Michigan.

Terre Haute (IN) North Vigo TE Calvin Blank: Blank is a 6’4″, 226 lb. prospect from the class of 2013.  He holds an offer from Toledo.

Pickerington (OH) North DE Jake Butt: Butt is a 6’6″, 220 lb. prospect from the class of 2013.  He holds offers from Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Northwestern, Purdue, and UCLA.

St. Louis (MI) Ladue Horton Watkins WR Jehu Chesson: Chesson is a 6’3″, 182-pounder who holds an offer from Michigan, along with several other BCS schools.

West Des Moines (IA) Dowling Catholic WR Amara Darboh: Darboh is a 6’2″, 180 lb. prospect who will be taking his official visit to Ann Arbor this weekend.  It has long been rumored that Darboh would probably commit to Michigan shortly after his official visit, so he’s on commitment watch.

Chicago (IL) Simeon OT Jordan Diamond: Diamond is a 6’6″, 289 lb. prospect with an impressive offer list.  His teammate Chris Bryant is a true freshman guard for the Wolverines, and Michigan held an early lead before Diamond slowed down his recruitment and visited other schools.  At this point there is no clear leader.

Canton (OH) Glenoak RB Bri’onte Dunn: Dunn is a 6’3″, 215 lb. prospect who’s current committed to Ohio State.  The potential sanctions in Columbus might be problematic for Dunn, who would fit in well in a power running offense.  The rumor mill suggests that the hiring of Urban Meyer would be a negative for Dunn, since Meyer doesn’t have much of a track record for developing backs like him.

Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison TE Devin Funchess: Funchess is committed to Michigan.

Sylvania (OH) Southview S Allen Gant: Gant is committed to Michigan.

Puyallup (WA) Puyallup OG Joshua Garnett: Garnett is a 6’5″, 275 lb. prospect with offers from all over the country.  He is friendly with Michigan commit Erik Magnuson, who has been working on Garnett to get him to Ann Arbor.

Hudson (OH) Hudson LB Ben Gedeon: Gedeon is a 6’2″, 215 lb. prospect from the class of 2013.  He holds offers from Boston College, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, and Tennessee.

Birmingham (MI) Seaholm OT Dan Gibbs: Gibbs is a 6’7″, 320 lb. prospect with offers from Ball State and Eastern Michigan.

Ann Arbor (MI) Pioneer RB Drake Johnson: Johnson is committed to Michigan.

Shaker Heights (OH) Shake Heights WR/TE De’Niro Laster: Laster is a 6’3″, 215 lb. prospect from the class of 2013.  He holds offers from Akron, Bowling Green, and Temple.

Carlsbad (CA) La Costa Canyon OT Erik Magnuson: Magnuson is committed to Michigan.

Warren (MI) De La Salle QB Shane Morris: Morris is committed to Michigan for the class of 2013.

Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison DE Mario Ojemudia: Ojemudia is committed to Michigan.

Austintown (OH) Fitch DE Billy Price: Price is a 6’4″, 280 lb. prospect from the class of 2013.  He holds offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee, UCLA, and West Virginia, among others.

Cincinnati (OH) Oak Hills OG Caleb Stacey: Stacey is committed to Michigan.

Crete (IL) Crete-Monet CB Anthony Standifer: Standifer is committed to Michigan.

Alliance (OH) Marlington S Dymonte Thomas: Thomas is committed to Michigan for the class of 2013.

Toledo (OH) Central Catholic S Jayme Thompson: Thompson is a 6’2″, 184 lb. prospect from the class of 2013.  He holds offers from Bowling Green, Buffalo, and Temple.

Crete (IL) Crete-Monee WR LaQuon Treadwell: Treadwell is a 6’3″, 183 lb. prospect from the class of 2013.  He holds offers from Michigan and Notre Dame.

Peoria (IL) Manual OT Logan Tuley-Tillman: Tuley-Tillman is a 6’7″, 280 lb. prospect from the class of 2013.  He holds offers from Illinois and Indiana.

Tyrone (GA) Sandy Creek CB Shaq Wiggins: Wiggins is a 5’10”, 160 lb. prospect from the class of 2013.  He holds offers from Cincinnati, Ohio State, Tennessee, and Wake Forest, among others.

Cincinnati (OH) Sycamore TE A.J. Williams: Williams is committed to Michigan.

*Attendees are subject to change.

Visitors for the Nebraska Game

Bri’onte Dunn will be visiting Michigan this weekend.

Fenton (MI) Fenton P Kenny Allen: Allen is a 6’3″, 175 lb. punter who has already committed to walking on at Michigan next fall.  He had a scholarship offer from Oregon State but didn’t want to be called a Beaver for the rest of his life.

Cincinnati (OH) Colerain LB Joe Bolden: Bolden is a 6’2″, 225 lb. middle linebacker who will enroll at Michigan in January.

Wheaton (IL) St. Francis OT Kyle Bosch: Bosch is a 6’5″, 275 lb. offensive tackle from the class of 2013.  He was offered by the Wolverines a few weeks back and visited Michigan in September.

Canton (OH) Glenoak RB Bri’onte Dunn: Dunn is a 6’2″, 215 lb. running back who is currently “committed” to Ohio State unless the NCAA drops a bomb on Columbus, which should  happen but you never know.  Penn State is a distant third to OSU and Michigan.  Dunn’s cousin is 2013 safety Dymonte Thomas, who will also be visiting Ann Arbor this weekend.

Chelsea (MI) Chelsea RB Berkley Edwards: Edwards is a 5’8″, 165 lb. running back from the class of 2013.  He’s the younger brother of Braylon Edwards and the son of Stan Edwards, who played wide receiver and running back, respectively, at Michigan.  He currently has no scholarship offers.

Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison TE Devin Funchess: Funchess is a 6’5″, 205 lb. tight end who will be signing with Michigan in February.

Sylvania (OH) Southview S Allen Gant: Gant is a 6’2″, 210 lb. safety who will be signing with Michigan in February.

Birmingham (MI) Seaholm OT Dan Gibbs: Gibbs is a 6’7″, 320 lb. offensive tackle who caused me to get some angry e-mails when I mentioned him last because I stated that he wasn’t a Michigan-level recruit.  According to an e-mailer who will remain anonymous, offensive line coach Darrell Funk has remained in contact with Gibbs throughout the recruiting process.  I can only assume this would be in the hopes of convincing him to walk on.

Naperville (IL) North OG Colin Goebel: Goebel is a 6’4″, 275 lb. offensive guard from the class of 2013.  He’s the younger cousin of Ohio State defensive tackle Garrett Goebel.  Colin has offers from Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, and Toledo.  He has good size but doesn’t move his feet extremely well.  BCS offers are almost certainly on the way, but he’ll probably have to move from his high school position (offensive tackle) to guard.

Ann Arbor (MI) Pioneer RB Drake Johnson: Johnson is a 6’1″, 200 lb. running back who will have to walk all the way across the street to get to Michigan Stadium.

Muskegon (MI) Muskegon RB Juwan Lewis: Lewis is a 5’11”, 208 lb. fullback/tailback whose heart probably sank when Drake Johnson received his offer.  Lewis had been holding out for an offer from the Wolverines, but that probably won’t happen now.  Hopefully Lewis enjoys Michigan Stadium while he can.

Grand Blanc (MI) Grand Blanc DE Luke MacLean: MacLean is a 6’3″, 233 lb. defensive end from the class of 2013.  He was a high school teammate of freshman running back Justice Hayes.

Campbell (OH) Memorial DT Shaquon McWilson: McWilson is a 6’3″, 290 lb. defensive tackle from the class of 2013.  Information on McWilson is scarce, but I’m guessing he’s Scottish.

Toledo (OH) St. John’s DE Matt Miller: Miller is a 6’5″, 250 lb. defensive end from the class of 2013.  He already has an offer from Toledo, and he’s the younger brother of freshman center Jack Miller.

Warren (MI) De La Salle QB Shane Morris: Morris is a 6’3″, 183 lb. quarterback from the class of 2013.  He’s planning to sign with Michigan in February . . . of 2013.

Cadillac (MI) Cadillac OT Riley Norman: Norman is a 6’7″, 315 lb. offensive tackle from the class of 2013.  His only current offer is from Michigan State, and Norman is expected to end up in East Lansing, regardless of who else offers.

Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison DE Mario Ojemudia: Ojemudia is a 6’3″, 215 lb. defensive end who will sign with Michigan in February.

Warren (OH) Harding WR Jalyn Powell: Powell is a 6’1″, 185 lb. athlete from the class of 2013.  He could play wide receiver, cornerback, or safety at the next level.  Harding has produced several prospects who went to Michigan, including Mario Manningham and D.J. Williamson.  Powell has not received any offers thus far, but he has excellent change-of-direction skills and knows what to do with the ball in his hands.  I would not be surprised to see Michigan offer him at some point, for either side of the ball.

Clayton (OH) Northmont LB Kaleb Ringer: Ringer is a 6’0″, 219 lb. linebacker who will enroll at Michigan in January.

Cincinnati (OH) Oak Hills OG Caleb Stacey: Stacey is a 6’4″, 275 lb. offensive lineman who will sign with Michigan in February.

Crete (IL) Crete-Monee CB Anthony Standifer: Standifer is a 6’1″, 178 lb. cornerback who will sign with Michigan in February.

Alliance (OH) Marlington S Dymonte Thomas: Thomas is a 5’11”, 167 lb. safety who will sign with Michigan in February of 2013.

Beverly Hills (MI) Country Day DT Poet Thomas: Thomas is a 6’6″, 295 lb. defensive tackle from the class of 2013.  He has visited Michigan and Notre Dame up to this point but has no offers.  Based purely on his size, he’s bound to get some BCS offers, but he’s not an elite athlete at his position.

Toledo (OH) Central Catholic S Jayme Thompson: Thompson is a 6’2″, 184 lb. safety from the class of 2013.  He visited Michigan for the Purdue game a few weeks ago.  He only has offers from a couple MAC schools and West Virginia, but unfounded rumors popped up a couple days ago that he had been offered by Michigan.  That offer might be coming soon, though.

Crete (IL) Crete-Monee WR Laquon Treadwell: Treadwell is a 6’3″, 183 lb. wide receiver from the class of 2013.  His high school teammate is 2012 commit Anthony Standifer.  Treadwell has offers from both Michigan and Notre Dame, and others will be on their way.  He’s been rated early as a 4-star prospect.

Peoria (IL) Manual OT Logan Tuley-Tillman: Tuley-Tillman is a 6’7″, 280 lb. offensive tackle from the class of 2013.  He already holds offers from Illinois and Indiana.

Cincinnati (OH) Sycamore TE A.J. Williams: Williams is a 6’6″, 260 lb. tight end who will sign with Michigan in February.

Akron (OH) Buchtel S Jarrod Wilson: Wilson is a 6’2″, 190 lb. safety who will enroll at Michigan in January.

Mailbag: What will it take to get Bri’onte Dunn?

Bri’onte Dunn (#25 with ball)

Assuming Bri’onte Dunn is waiting to see what the sanctions are prior to decommitting from OSU, how lenient will the penalty have to be to keep Dunn in the fold at OSU?

Bri’onte Dunn, the heralded running back from Glenoak High School in Canton, OH, has given every indication that his commitment to Ohio State depends upon how badly the NCAA punishes the Buckeyes for their transgressions.  He and his family maintain that he’s committed to the program, but I think that’s generally because he’s leery of seeming wishy-washy, drawing the ire of Ohio State fans, etc.  After all, if he commits to another school right now and then the NCAA only gives OSU a slap on the wrist, he’ll not only anger people by decommitting in the first place, but he’ll infuriate another fan base who hope to see him wearing their jersey.  For now he’s playing it safe, and I think that’s the smart thing to do.

Dunn’s father has suggested that a multi-year bowl ban will weigh heaviest on the decision.  If the Buckeyes are prohibited from participating in the postseason for three years, that could be Dunn’s whole college career.  Who wants to go play football where you might not ever play during bowl season?  Even though Dunn has the size and talent to make it to the NFL, some guys’ best accomplishments and legacies are built in bowl game performances.  When I think of Tai Streets, I think about his 4 receptions, 127 yards, and 2 touchdowns against Washington State in the Rose Bowl.  When I think of Adrian Arrington, I think about his 9 receptions, 153 yards, and 2 touchdowns against Florida in the Capital One Bowl.  Streets went on to a nondescript NFL career, and Arrington has seven career catches for the New Orleans Saints.

Recent rumors on message boards and from “insiders” have suggested that Dunn’s more and more likely to stick with his Ohio State commitment, but I think that’s partly because the NCAA investigation keeps getting elongated due to the new information popping up here and there.  The longer it takes for the NCAA to punish Ohio State, the better chance Dunn has of sticking.  And despite some obvious shenanigans regarding Terrelle Pryor’s use of loaner cars, no wrongdoing has been found yet.

Pryor, the other accused players, and the university are still on the hook for the selling of merchandise, the free tattoos, and the alleged selling of autographs; Jim Tressel is still on the hook for lying and playing dumb.  There’s a chance that the NCAA will say, “Well, Pryor left the school, and Tressel resigned, so here’s a stern look and wagging of the finger and don’t do it again.”

I think it’s more likely, though, that Ohio State gets a couple years of holidays off and the loss of a few dozen scholarships over the next few years.  USC got two years of bowl bans and 30 scholarship losses, but USC’s issues mainly involved one player (Reggie Bush) and an assistant coach.  Ohio State’s issues probably involve less money, but they were pervasive and involved the most visible employee of the university.  And by “employee” I mean Tressel, but I guess Pryor counts, too.

To answer your question more concisely, I think two years of bowl bans keep Dunn in Columbus.  Three years sends him elsewhere.  That doesn’t mean Dunn would necessarily come to Michigan, because he’s also been looking at Penn State.  But if I had to guess, I would say Michigan is #2 on his list if Ohio State’s program does indeed get blasted by the NCAA.

Maize ‘n’ Brew: May 6 Recruiting Update

Jessica Burciaga is somewhat attractive.

This comes a couple days after the fact, but I put up a recruiting post on Friday over at Maize ‘n’ Brew.

You can now follow Touch the Banner on Twitter.