Tag: Devon Allen

BBQ at the Big House Visitors: July 29

Derrick Green

Devon Allen – WR – Phoenix (AZ) Brophy Prep: Allen is visiting on Saturday and won’t be around for the BBQ on Sunday, but his visit does indicate somewhat serious interest in Michigan.  However, most analysts seem to believe that LaQuon Treadwell will take the final wide receiver spot in the class and that Allen will head elsewhere, anyway . . . possibly to Ohio State.  I wrote up a scouting report on Allen a couple months ago.

Drew Barker – QB – Burlington (KY) Conner: Barker, a 2014 prospect, is a 6’3″, 204 lb. signal caller with offers from Illinois, Purdue, South Carolina, and a few others.  He originally stated that he would visit for the BBQ, but this visit may will not take place now. (Highlights.)

Jake Butt – TE – Pickerington (OH) North: Butt committed to Michigan in February.

Jimmy Byrne – OG – Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius: Byrne is a 6’4″, 275 lb. class of 2014 prospect with offers from Illinois, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and West Virginia.  I believe there’s a good chance that he will offered when he visits. (Highlights.)  UPDATE: Byrne will not be visiting this weekend.

Taco Charlton – DE – Pickerington (OH) Central: Charlton committed to Michigan in February.

Mason Cole – OT – Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake: Cole is a 2014 prospect who holds offers from Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State, South Carolina, Stanford, and USC.  He stands 6’5″ and 267 lbs.

Gareon Conley – CB – Massillon (OH) Washington: Conley committed to Michigan in March.

David Dawson – OG – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Dawson committed to Michigan in March.

Nathaniel Devers – OG – Massillon (OH) Washington: Devers, a 2014 prospect, has a single offer from Toledo.  He stands 6’3″ and 265 lbs.  He claims a 385 lb. bench press and a 495 lb. squat, both of which are great numbers for a high school sophomore.  Brady Hoke showed in the 2013 class that he’s willing and able to go after only elite prospects on the offensive line, and I’m not sure Devers fits in that category.  Despite being teammates with 2013 commit Gareon Conley, I would not be surprised if Devers goes without an offer, at least until some other options on the offensive line shake out. (Highlights.)

Tommy Doles – OT – Grand Rapids (MI) Christian: Doles is a 6’5″, 240 lb. prospect whose only offer comes from Michigan so far.  His teammate is 2014 wide receiver Drake Harris, who picked Michigan State over Michigan.  Doles is very athletic, but obviously needs some time to fill out his frame.

Deon Drake – LB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Drake is a 6’1″, 215 lb. weakside linebacker prospect.  He has offers from Notre Dame, Pitt, and some others, but not from Michigan.  If that changes this weekend, he would be one to watch for a commitment, just like most Technicians.  Drake is considered to be the second-best 2014 prospect on the team behind wide receiver/cornerback Damon Webb. (Highlights.)

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

Michael Ferns III – LB – St. Clairsville (OH) St. Clairsville: Ferns is a 6’3″, 230 lb. athlete from the class of 2014.  He looks like a SAM linebacker to me, but he could also play tight end or middle linebacker.  He has already narrowed down his recruitment to a final three of Michigan, Notre Dame, and Penn State.  Several insiders think Michigan is #1 on that list. (Highlights.)

Clifton Garrett – LB – Joliet (IL) Plainfield South: Garrett is a 6’3″, 220 lb. linebacker from the class of 2014.  He already has offers from Illinois, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Wisconsin, and I would be surprised if he walks away from Ann Arbor without an offer from the Wolverines unless the coaches have off-the-field concerns.  He has a very impressive highlight film and looks like a future middle linebacker, although he could also be utilized at the SAM position.  UPDATE: Garrett will not be on campus this weekend.



Ben Gedeon – LB – Hudson (OH) Hudson: Gedeon committed to Michigan in April.

Derrick Green – RB – Richmond (VA) Heritage: Green is a 6’0″, 215 lb. tailback with reported 4.37 speed, but he’s more of a two-down running back who struggles to catch the ball.  He has offers from virtually every notable school in the country, including Michigan.  Every other offered running back is off the board, so Green may be Michigan’s last chance to grab an “elite” tailback in the 2013 class.

Jay Hayes – OG – Brooklyn (NY) Poly Prep: Hayes is a 6’5″, 270 lb. lineman from the 2014 class.  He could play either side of the line, but Michigan is recruiting him for offense.  He also has offers from Notre Dame, Oregon, and Penn State, among others.  UPDATE: Hayes is not attending the BBQ.

Khalid Hill – TE – Detroit (MI) Crockett: Hill committed to Michigan in February.

Jonathan Hilliman – RB – Jersey City (NJ) St. Peter’s Prep: Hilliman is a 6’0″, 201 lb. tailback from the class of 2014 who already holds offers from Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Rutgers, and Wisconsin.  New Jersey has not been particularly kind to Michigan over the last several years, so I would be surprised if he ends up as part of Michigan’s class, and he might not make it to the BBQ. (Highlights.)  UPDATE: Hilliman will not be visiting this weekend.

Corey Holmes – WR – Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas: Holmes is a 6’1″, 172 lb. prospect from the class of 2014.  He has offers from Florida, Michigan, and Wisconsin, among others.  Despite being somewhat small-ish, Holmes looks more like a possession receiver than a blazing downfield threat.  He grew up as a Michigan fan, and although I would be a little surprised if he commits to Michigan anytime soon, I would not be surprised if that occurs sometime down the road. (Highlights.)  UPDATE: Holmes will not be visiting this weekend.

Jamarco Jones – OG – Chicago (IL) De La Salle: Jones is a 6’5″, 285 lb. guard prospect from the class of 2014.  He already has offers from Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, among others.  My guess is that he will end up at Ohio State, but Michigan has a chance to impress him at the BBQ. (Highlights.)  UPDATE: Jones is not visiting for the BBQ.

Coleman Key – QB – Broken Arrow (OK) Broken Arrow: Key camped at Michigan in June and came away without an offer, but he still has a chance.  He’s a 6’5″, 210 lb. prospect from the 2014 class.  He won’t be one of the most highly recruited quarterbacks in the class, but with Shane Morris arriving in 2013, Michigan might have to take a second-tier quarterback to groom behind Morris.  Key has zero offers so far. (Freshman highlights.)

Jourdan Lewis – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Lewis committed to Michigan in February.

Montae Nicholson – S – Monroeville (PA) Gateway: Nicholson is a 6’2″, 195 lb. safety with offers from Michigan, Penn State, Pitt, and a few others.  Gateway has sent a lot of kids to FBS schools in recent years, but many have chosen Ohio State or Pitt.  There was some buzz recently that Nicholson might commit to Michigan at the BBQ, but I think that was all it was – buzz. (Highlights.)

D’Andre Payne – CB – Washington (DC) H.D. Woodson: Payne is only 5’9″ and 172 lbs., but he’s a very smooth, dynamic athlete.  Michigan has already offered him as a field corner, but most big schools in the country have offered him, too.  Still, it’s a good sign that he’s planning to return to campus, since he was already in Ann Arbor back in June for summer camp. (Highlights.)

Austin Roberts – WR – Carmel (IN) Carmel: Roberts is a 6’2″, 195 lb. prospect from the class of 2014. He already has offers from Florida, Iowa, Miami, Purdue, and Stanford.  UPDATE: Roberts is not visiting for the BBQ.


Artavis Scott – WR – Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake: Scott is a 5’11”, 180 lb. receiver from the class of 2014.  He already holds offers from Florida, Florida State, Ohio State, and South Carolina, among others.  Scott has not been offered by Michigan yet, but he will probably receive one on the visit.

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

Conor Sheehy – DE – Milwaukee (WI) Marquette University: Sheehy is a 6’4″, 255 lb. defensive end with a single offer from Wisconsin.  He camped at Michigan in June and left without an offer, but since he’s been invited back for the BBQ, there’s at least a decent chance the coaches extend an offer in person.

Deveon Smith – RB – Warren (OH) Howland: Smith committed to Michigan in March.

Bentley Spain – OT – Charlotte (NC) Providence: Spain is a 6’6″, 285 lb. prospect from the class of 2014.  He already has offers from Clemson, Florida, LSU, Miami, North Carolina, Penn State, South Carolina, and Stanford, among others.  I have a feeling that South Carolina will be the team to beat.  Spain indicated that he may or may not make it to the BBQ, and usually that means no, so don’t be surprised if he doesn’t appear.  UPDATE: Spain will not be visiting this weekend.

Channing Stribling – CB – Matthews (NC) Butler: Stribling committed to Michigan in June.

Logan Tuley-Tillman – OT – Peorial (IL) Manual: Tuley-Tillman committed to Michigan in February.

LaQuon Treadwell – WR – Crete (IL) Crete-Monee: The recruitment of Treadwell has been well documented.  He has offers from all over the country but wants to visit Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.  However, Michigan is the front-runner, and there’s a decent chance that he will commit to Michigan at the BBQ.  I wrote up a scouting report on him a few months ago.  UPDATE: Treadwell will not be visiting this weekend.

Damon Webb – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Webb is a 5’11”, 170 lb. wide receiver/cornerback from the class of 2014.  The Wolverines are recruiting him for defense.  Aside from Michigan, he holds offers from LSU, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Wisconsin, among others.  Michigan is considered to be the heavy favorite for his services, although his recruitment may last beyond the BBQ.

Parrker Westphal – CB – Bolingbrook (IL) Bolingbrook: Westphal is a 6’1″, 181 lb. defensive back prospect with offers from Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, and West Virginia, among others.  Michigan seems to be #1 on the 2014 prospect’s mind, and he’s coached by former Michigan cornerback Todd Howard.  The Wolverines are recruiting him mainly to play boundary corner and the slot corner position currently inhabited by Courtney Avery. (Highlights.)

William White – LB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: White is a 6’1″, 215 lb. linebacker who currently holds no offers.  He’s the son of former Detroit Lions safety William White.  If an offer comes for White, it will likely be some time down the road. (Highlights.)

Csont’e York – WR – Harper Woods (MI) Chandler Park Academy: York committed to Michigan in May.

Scouting Report: Devon Allen

Phoenix (AZ) Brophy Prep wide receiver Devon Allen

Name: Devon Allen
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 190 lbs.
Position: Wide receiver
Class: 2013
High school: Phoenix (AZ) Brophy Prep

Notes: Holds offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Colorado State, Duke, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Purdue, Stanford, Tennessee, UCLA, Utah, Vanderbilt, and Washington . . . Claims a 4.5 forty . . . As a junior in 2011, had 44 receptions for 844 yards and 14 touchdowns . . . ESPN 3-star WR, 74 grade, #70 WR . . . Rivals 4-star WR, #15 WR, #129 overall . . . Scout 4-star, #17 WR . . . 247 Sports 3-star WR, 86 grade, #48 WR

Strengths: Good route runner . . . Knows how to set up opposing defensive backs . . . Changes speeds well . . . Good deep speed . . . Fast enough to threaten over-the-top coverage . . . Enough burst to split safeties and force poor pursuit angles . . . Willing blocker . . . Able to catch ball in traffic

Weaknesses: Not a whole lot of wiggle . . . Lacks ability to create plays in small spaces . . . Lacks strength to break tackles and block . . . Needs to improve blocking technique, as many of his blocks could easily be holding penalties . . . Doesn’t show much leaping ability or the judgment to catch jump balls

Projection: Split end or slot receiver.  A typical spread offense would likely use Allen at slot receiver, but Michigan’s emphasis on the run suggests that a mediocre blocker like Allen would best be used out wide.  He has good straight line speed, but he can be corralled and tackled in tight spaces.  Added strength would be a huge plus for him if he can maintain his speed, because breaking one tackle could set him off to the races in single coverage.  Allen could also help out in the kickoff return game, although he likely lacks the lateral agility needed to return punts.

Reminds me of: Darryl Stonum

Recruiting Update: January 30, 2012

Phoenix (AZ) Brophy Prep wide receiver Devon Allen (#85) (image via The Roundup)

ADDED TO THE BOARD (2012, 2013, 2014)
Phoenix (AZ) Brophy Prep wide receiver Devon Allen, a 2013 prospect, received a Michigan offer last week.  Allen is a 6’1″, 190 lb. wideout who claims 4.5 speed but appears not to be a huge breakaway threat.  However, he’s an excellent route runner, shifty enough to make somebody miss here or there, and a very good blocker for a wide receiver.  As a junior, he had 44 receptions for 844 yards and 17 touchdowns and 26 carries for 228 yards.  He also holds offers from Arizona (where he’s being recruited by former Michigan coach Tony Dews), Arizona State, Oregon State, Purdue, Stanford, and a few others.

Woodbridge (VA) Woodbridge defensive end Da’Shawn Hand, a 2014 prospect, was offered by Michigan.  Hand is 6’5″, 245 lbs. as a high school sophomore, so it’s likely that he grows into a defensive tackle by the time he finishes high school.  He had 84 tackles and 21 sacks during his sophomore season.

Cleveland (OH) Glenville defensive tackle Willie Henry visited Michigan’s campus this past weekend and received a Michigan offer.  He’s a 6’2″, 270 lb. athlete with offers from Hawaii, Illinois, Louisville, Pitt, and a bunch of MAC (or MAC-level) schools.  You can see in Henry’s film that he’s an athletic kid with a pretty good motor (witness him chasing down running plays on defense and sprinting downfield to throw blocks on offense).  However, he’s a little light, needs to add some strength, and really  needs to learn the fundamentals of defeating blocks.

Bealeton (VA) Liberty defensive end Wyatt Teller, a 2013 prospect, was offered by Michigan last week.  He’s a 6’5″, 250 lb. kid with offers from Penn State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and several other programs.  He also claims a 325 lb. bench and a 400 lb. squat, which are pretty good measurables for a high school junior.



OFF THE BOARD
Elk Grove (CA) Pleasant Grove jumbo athlete Arik Armstead committed to Oregon.  The 6’8″, 280 lb. Armstead was originally committed to USC, but his older brother Armond, who was on USC’s roster, was upset about some issues with the program.  Arik decommitted and has gone on a months long journey looking for another school.  As the season and all-star games wore on, scouts’ feelings on Arik started to wane because he insisted on a desire to play defensive end.  At his size he looks like nothing other than an offensive tackle.

Fairless Hills (PA) Pennsbury offensive tackle J.J. Denman changed his commitment from Wisconsin to Rutgers.  Denman had previously been committed to Penn State.  He’s 6’7″, 305 lbs. and extremely indecisive, apparently, which makes him potentially dangerous if you ever run into him on the street.  My advice: Don’t run into him on the street.

Scottsdale (AZ) Saguaro running back/wide receiver D.J. Foster committed to Arizona State on Friday.  As a senior in 2011, he had over 3,000 yards rushing and 60 touchdowns, including 508 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns in one playoff game.  Saguaro is the alma mater of David Spade, who was born in Michigan.

Old Tappan (NJ) Old Tappan QB/ATH Devin Fuller committed to UCLA on Sunday.  The 6’0″, 185 lb. Fuller was being recruited by Michigan to play quarterback at the beginning of the cycle, but then the Wolverines started trying to reel him in as a defensive back.  Fuller, who wants to play quarterback in college, was considered to be Rutgers lean until Scarlet Knights head coach Greg Schiano jumped ship for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  New Bruins head coach Jim Mora must have convinced Fuller he could be the next Michael Vick, despite the fact that Vick wasn’t a very good quarterback when he was with Mora’s Atlanta Falcons.

Puyallup (WA) Puyallup offensive guard Joshua Garnett committed to Stanford on Thursday.  Garnett was down to Stanford and Michigan, and lots of people thought Garnett would choose Michigan.  Unfortunately, his connections to Michigan – and especially Erik Magnuson – just weren’t quite strong enough.  Approximately 83% of voters on this here blog said Garnett would pick Michigan, so you guys are boogers.

Shaler (PA) Shaler Area tight end J.P. Holtz committed to Pitt.  He was once committed to Penn State, but . . . well . . . strange things happened there.  Holtz appeared on Michigan’s radar when Lyndhurst (OH) Brush tight end Pharaoh Brown decommitted from Michigan in favor of Oregon, but it was a fleeting romance.

Castle Rock (CO) Valor offensive guard/center Alex Kozan committed to Iowa, according to Sam Webb.  Kozan is a 6’4″, 295-pounder who could have filled the hole left by Caleb Stacey’s decommitment and played center.  Now Michigan is down to fifth year senior Rocko Khoury, redshirt freshman Jack Miller, and position changers to play center in the fall, with very little depth for 2013.

Cincinnati (OH) Moeller wide receiver Monty Madaris committed to Michigan State.  The 6’2″, 190 lb. wideout eliminated Michigan a while ago and was down to the Spartans and Cincinnati.  He had 56 receptions for 1,137 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior.

West Roxbury (MA) Catholic Memorial cornerback Armani Reeves committed to Ohio State.  The 5’9″, 185 lb. defensive back followed his best friend, linebacker Camren Williams, in becoming a Buckeye.  The Williams family has essentially adopted Reeves, so it was difficult to see this going in any direction other than toward Columbus.

Van (TX) Van linebacker Dalton Santos changed his commitment from Tennessee to Texas.  Several months ago, I mistakenly typed “Texas” on Twitter instead of “Tennessee” and everyone was like “YOU MEAN TENNESSEE, YOU MORON!!!”  Well . . . who’s laughing now?  I was just predicting the future. Santos originally committed to Oklahoma State before flipping to Tennessee, so what I’m taking away from this is . . . he really likes the color orange.

Ramsey (NJ) Don Bosco Prep cornerback Yuri Wright committed to Colorado.  The Buffaloes seemed to be his third or fourth choice behind Michigan and Notre Dame, but his tweets about wanting to get laid got him expelled from his private school and dropped by some schools, including Michigan.