Tag: Ethan Pocic

Recruiting Update: June 4, 2012

Maurice Hurst, Jr.

COMMITMENT
Westwood (MA) Xaverian Brothers defensive tackle Maurice Hurst, Jr. committed to Michigan.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2013
Geismar (LA) Dutchtown wide receiver Shelby Christy was offered by Michigan recently.  Christy is a 6’3″, 175 lb. wideout with offers from Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Minnesota, Mississippi, Mississippi State, and Northwestern.  As a junior in 2011, he had 25 receptions for 400+ yards and 7 touchdowns.  LSU hasn’t come forward with an offer yet, but if they do, expect him to be a Tiger.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2014
Hendersonville (TN) Beech athlete Jalen Hurd was offered by Michigan on Wednesday.  He also has offers from Alabama, Nebraska, Ohio State, Tennessee, and several others.  As a freshman in 2010, he had 57 carries for 459 yards and 3 touchdowns.  As a sophomore in 2011, he had 1,606 rushing yards and 437 receiving yards to go with 27 total touchdowns.  The 6’2″, 190-pounder could play running back or receiver, but I’m listing him as a running back because he’s built a little bit like 2013 running back target Ty Isaac.  Alabama looks like the early leader for Hurd, however.

Midlothian (IL) Marist tight end Nic Weishar was offered by Michigan.  Weishar is a 6’5″, 200 lb. wideout/tight end with offers from Illinois, Iowa, Notre Dame, Purdue, and Wisconsin, along with a few others.  As a junior in 2011, he had 77 receptions for 1,160 yards and 13 touchdowns.  (Highlights here.)

OFF THE BOARD
Lemont (IL) Lemont offensive tackle Ethan Pocic committed to LSU.  Back when Michigan filled up on offensive linemen, I was a little disappointed that they wouldn’t have room for Pocic, who was strongly considering Michigan up to that point.  Pocic was also considering Illinois (where his brother Graham plays) and Ohio State, so having him play in the SEC means Michigan has just a small chance of facing him at any point.  I think Pocic is going to be a very good player.

Fort Wayne (IN) Bishop Luers linebacker Jaylon Smith committed to Notre Dame.  Smith’s brother Rod is a running back for Ohio State, and it seemed from the beginning that this would be a Notre Dame vs. Ohio State battle; Smith never showed interest in going to Michigan.  On the camp circuit this spring, Smith has been consistently mentioned as one of the top performers, working out as a linebacker, defensive end, and even cornerback.  I’ll be curious to see how Notre Dame uses him, but hopefully he plays poorly against the Wolverines.

PENDING ANNOUNCEMENTS
Murrieta (CA) Vista Murrieta safety Su’a Cravens scheduled a college announcement for Wednesday, June 6th.  He stated several weeks ago that he would still take visits to a few Big Ten schools, including Michigan, but when a kid sets an early announcement date without having visited some of his “finalists,” the writing is probably on the wall.  In Cravens’s case, a lot of people are going to be eating crow if he doesn’t commit to USC.  In any case, here’s the scouting report I put together on Cravens.

Baltimore (MD) Gilman defensive tackle Henry Poggi has scheduled a college announcement for 10:00 this morning.  He will reportedly decide between Alabama and Michigan.  He has visited Michigan multiple times (for the Purdue game last year and in March), but his most recent visit was to Tuscaloosa.  Here’s the scouting report I put together on Poggi back in March.

WEEKEND VISITORS
There were a couple weekend visitors, including Hurst.  Cedar Falls (IA) Cedar Falls offensive tackle Ross Pierschbacher, a 2014 prospect, is going to visit Michigan today.  He’s a 6’5″, 275 lb. kid with offers from Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, but he doesn’t have a Michigan offer yet.  He was the offensive line MVP of the Illinois NFTC this past weekend.

Weekend Visitors: February 17-20, 2012

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech offensive guard David Dawson will likely get a Michigan offer during his weekend visit.  Here he is (left, #55) standing over a demolished opponent when he was a sophomore. (image via Future College Athlete Association)

Sam Webb, from Scout and the Detroit News, has stated that Michigan will receive some “good news” today at noon on WTKA.  And I’m pretty sure he’s not talking about someone getting pregnant.

Anyway, who’s visiting Michigan this weekend?  These guys:

Kyle Bosch – OG – Wheaton (IL) St. Francis: I wrote a scouting report on Bosch a few weeks ago.  Bosch visited Michigan twice during the 2011 season and is headed back to Ann Arbor for more.  He’s the #44 player to 247 Sports and the #60 player to Rivals, so he’s an upper echelon recruit.  Do not expect a commitment from him in the near future, though.

Jake Butt – TE – Pickerington (OH) North: Butt has also visited Michigan previously and has stated that Michigan is his leader “by far.”  Butt wants to take other visits, but the general feeling is that the Wolverines will be difficult to beat.  He could pair with 2013 commit Khalid Hill to make a nice combo of tight end prospects who complement each other.

Taco Charlton – DE – Pickerington (OH) Central: Charlton is a 6’6″, 240 lb. prospect who could play either weakside or strongside end for Michigan.  The Wolverines are considered to reside at the top of his list, and there’s a shot that he will commit to Michigan soon.

Rod Crayton – DT – Dadeville (AL) Dadeville: Crayton is coming all the way from Alabama in pursuit of an offer.  Scout lists him as already holding an offer, but MGoBlog’s Ace Anbender spoke with him recently, and Crayton said Michigan’s coaching staff wants to get him on campus first.  Regardless, I would be surprised if he walked away from Ann Arbor without an offer.  He projects to the nose tackle position for Michigan.

David Dawson – OG – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Dawson has not yet been offered by Michigan, but there’s a very good chance he will be offered when he’s on campus this weekend.  He played the 2011 season in Houston but has returned to Cass Tech, a traditional pipeline to Ann Arbor.  Dawson recently picked up an offer from Alabama, so Michigan may want to get on the offer bandwagon before any other teams have a chance to build up an insurmountable lead in pursuit of the 6’5″, 305 lb. interior lineman.

Ross Douglas – CB – Avon (OH) Avon: Douglas has not yet been offered by Michigan.  He has offers from Connecticut, Minnesota, Northwestern, and Tennessee, among others.  The 5’10”, 180-pounder also plays running back for Avon.  Michigan is recruiting a couple other small-ish athletes, but mostly the Wolverines have been pursuing bigger corners and bigger running backs.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he picks up an offer this weekend, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t.

Kenton Gibbs – DT – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Gibbs is a 6’2″, 290 lb. nose tackle prospect with MAC offers so far.  There’s a chance that Michigan will offer him this weekend, but I’m not sure that they should.  With over eleven months to go until signing day, I think Michigan ought to give elite defensive tackles a chance to get to Michigan.  Gibbs seems like the type who might jump on a Michigan offer almost immediately.

Khalid Hill – TE – Detroit (MI) Crockett: Hill committed to Michigan a couple weeks ago.

De’Niro Laster – WR – Shaker Heights (OH) Shaker Heights: Laster will be visiting Michigan on Monday.  He has yet to receive an offer from Michigan, and I wouldn’t necessarily expect one soon.  More so than wide receiver, it seems like he would be a prospect for the U position at Michigan, which already has one commitment in the form of Khalid Hill.  He does not seem to have the speed to play wideout for the Wolverines.

Jourdan Lewis – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Hill is a 5’11”, 170 lb. cornerback whose recruitment will likely take off in the very near future . . . if he doesn’t commit to Michigan before then.  The general feeling is that he will commit to Michigan in the relatively near future.

Malik McDowell – DE – Detroit (MI) Loyola: The 6’6″, 260 lb. McDowell was supposed to visit Michigan on Thursday, but he did NOT make the trip to Ann Arbor due to illness.  He’s a 2014 prospect who does not have an offer from the Wolverines yet, but Michigan has selectively tossed out offers to a handful of 2014 prospects and McDowell could be the recipient as soon as he reschedules the trip.

Nyles Morgan – LB – Crete (IL) Crete-Monee: Morgan, another 2014 prospect, is a 6’2″, 200 lb. inside linebacker who goes to the same school as 2013 target Laquon Treadwell and former 2012 Michigan commit Anthony Standifer.

Shane Morris – QB – Warren (MI) De La Salle: Morris, one of the top few quarterbacks in the country, committed to Michigan last May.

Donovan Munger – DT – Shaker Heights (OH) Shaker Heights: Munger is a 6’3″, 278 lb. defensive tackle who will be visiting Michigan on Monday along with teammate De’Niro Laster.  He has not yet been offered by Michigan, but with an offer list that includes Auburn, Illinois, Penn State, Tennessee, and West Virginia, it’s not hard to imagine that he’ll get one on his visit.  He could play nose tackle or perhaps offensive guard for the Wolverines if they were to throw their hat into the ring.

Ethan Pocic – OT – Lemont (IL) Lemont: Pocic is a 6’7″, 285-pounder who holds offers from almost the entire Big Ten, including Michigan, and various schools around the country.  He doesn’t speak much to the media, much like fellow Lemont product David Molk.  A commitment should not be expected in the near future, but this is a return trip for Pocic, so his interest in Michigan is serious.

Logan Tuley-Tillman – OT – Peoria (IL) Manual: Tuley-Tillman is a 6’7″, 280 lb. lineman with offers from almost every major program in the country.  He is not expected to commit anywhere soon, but Michigan is considered to be his outright leader, especially since this will be his sixth or seventh visit to Ann Arbor over the last few months.

Class of 2013 Wish List: Offense

One guy we both agreed on was Warren (MI) De La Salle quarterback Shane Morris

Tremendous  and Touch the Banner  pooled together our information and came up with a wish list for the 2013 class.  This is purely a wish list based on guys who have either been offered by Michigan or, in a couple cases, are likely to get offered by Michigan at some point.

QUARTERBACK (Need = 1)
Touch the Banner: Warren (MI) De La Salle quarterback Shane Morris  is already on board, and he’s one of the top two or three quarterbacks in the country.  Based on his talent and how much he loves Michigan, he’s my pick to fill this spot.
Tremendous: Shane Morris – Doesn’t really need much of an explanation. Turn to my interview if necessary. This kid has the physical and mental qualities to play quarterback for Michigan. The only question, and one that can’t be answered yet, is how he’ll respond to getting continuously hit throughout the long run of a full college football season.

RUNNING BACK (Need = 2)
Tremendous: Ty Isaac, Deveon Smith – Isaac is explosive and the type of home-run hitter that Michigan has lacked for quite some time now. He does run a bit upright, but the upside is too much to ignore here. He could contribute quickly, too. Deveon Smith is a tackle-breaking machine who has good vision/cuts in between the tackles. Both of his brothers struggled in college but I don’t expect that to be the case with Deveon. Keith Ford would look good here, too, but despite the recent update I did on him, I don’t expect him to end up at Michigan.
Touch the Banner: Michigan needs a big-play guy, and I think Stockton (CA) Lincoln’s Justin Davis  could be that guy.  He’s 6’1″, 195 lbs. and could be the lightning to Cypress (TX) Cypress Ranch’s Keith Ford‘s thunder.  Both can make big plays, unlike a couple offerees who look like pound-the-rock type guys only.

FULLBACK (Need = 0)
Michigan doesn’t need anyone here.

WIDE RECEIVER (Need = 2)
Touch the Banner: Louisville (KY) Trinity wideout James Quick  would be #1 on my list because of his gamebreaking ability.  He’s similar to former Michigan wide receiver Steve Breaston because he’s a skinny guy who can take it the distance at any given time.  Crete (IL) Crete-Monee’s Laquon Treadwell  is a big, physical kid who also has a little bit of speed and can stretch the field.  Michigan could use a couple big-time receivers to pair with Morris.
Tremendous: Jaron Dukes, Laquon Treadwell – Dukes loves Michigan and has the physical tools necessary to fit the old Michigan receiver mold. He’s a bit of a project, but kids who love the program and want to be here are the types of kids that tend to succeed at Michigan. Treadwell is a five-star talent. Not much else to be said about him.

TIGHT END (Need = 2)
Touch the Banner:  Camp Hill (PA) Cedar Cliff tight end Adam Breneman  is considered by many to be the nation’s top tight end for the 2013 class, and again it would be nice to find a good passing target for Morris.  Breneman is the type of tight end who could do damage as a traditional tight end or lined up in the slot.  Meanwhile, Pickerington (OH) North Pickerington’s Jake Butt  is a tough, physical kid who has some good athleticism.  And if things didn’t work out on offense, he has the athletic ability and demeanor to help out on defense, too.
Tremendous: Jake Butt, Adam Breneman – Butt is a likely commit who seems to be somewhat of a rising star within the rankings. I’d still say Breneman is better, but Butt has the frame to bulk up and remains quick enough on his feet for his size to do real damage in the passing game. Breneman is the real deal, a potential Gronk clone if he builds up properly. No reason not to choose a guy like him. Fast as hell for a TE, but more than big enough to block up front.

OFFENSIVE LINE (Need = 5)
Tremendous: Logan Tuley-Tillman, Chris Fox, Kyle Bosch, David Dawson, Laremy Tunsil – Four of these lineman are obvious choices based on ability alone. We really love Dawson though; he’s a pancake machine who would be an epic addition to the run blocking game. The good news? Outside of Tunsil, Michigan has a good shot at all four of these guys.
Touch the Banner: I’m going to take one guy for each position.  Give me Lake City (FL) Columbia’s Laremy Tunsil  at left tackle, Dallas (TX) Bishop Dunne left guard Ishmael Wilson, Parker (CO) Ponderosa right guard Chris Fox, and Lemont (IL) Lemont right tackle Ethan Pocic.  And then I’ll take Wheaton (IL) St. Francis’s Kyle Bosch  and move him inside to center, just because Michigan needs a center and I think Bosch could handle it.

Recruiting Update: October 30, 2011

Lemont (IL) Lemont OT Ethan Pocic (#77) would be a welcome replacement on the offensive line if he plays like Michigan’s other Lemont alumnus

ADDED TO THE BOARD

Lemont (IL) Lemont OT Ethan Pocic, a 2013 prospect, was offered by Michigan.  Pocic is 6’7″, 285 lbs. and has offers from Nebraska, Notre Dame, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others.  Lemont is the same high school that David Molk attended, and much like Molk, Pocic doesn’t seem to like opposing defensive linemen or reporters.  His film shows him destroying various high schoolers, and he’s not very open about the recruiting process.  He’s not a bad athlete, but he’s a little less athletic than some of the other offensive tackle prospects Michigan has recruited recently.  I would slot Pocic in as a right tackle prospect.

Austintown (OH) Fitch OL/DL Billy Price, a class of 2013 player, received an offer from Michigan this past week.  Price is a 6’4″, 280 lb. strongside end prospect with offers from Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others.  He looks like an absolute physical specimen with good musculature and very little bad body weight.  While some of the recruiting sites list him as a defensive end, most schools are recruiting him to play offensive line.  Fitch attends the same high school as 2012 Notre Dame commit Will Mahone, a running back that was on Michigan’s radar but whom Michigan never offered.

PURDUE VISITORS

Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison TE Devin Funchess (2012).  Committed to Michigan.  Funchess has 18 receptions for 412 yards and 4 touchdowns this season.

Sylvania (OH) Southview SS Allen Gant (2012).  Committed to Michigan.  He has 67 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 3 pass breakups, and 2 forced fumbles.

Birmingham (MI) Seaholm OT Dan Gibbs (2012).  Gibbs is a 6’7″, 320 lb. mammoth with offers from Ball State and Eastern Michigan.  He’s not athletic enough to be a contender for a scholarship offer from the Wolverines, but he could be a preferred walk-on type if he chooses.  I don’t imagine he’ll choose to pay for school instead of taking a scholarship, and he doesn’t look like someone who would be in danger of cracking the lineup at any point, anyway.  Gibbs is too stiff to be a high-level prospect.

Joliet (IL) Catholic RB Ty Isaac (2013).  Isaac already holds an offer from Michigan, in addition to Illinois, Iowa, Notre Dame, and several other schools.  Through six games this season, Isaac had 92 carries for 983 yards (10.7 yards per carry) and 13 touchdowns.  Current rumblings suggest that Michigan and Notre Dame are his two early leaders, and he has made unofficial visits to both schools already.

Muskegon (MI) Muskegon RB Juwan Lewis (2012).  Nothing much has changed with Lewis, a 5’11”, 208 lb. runner with offers from Buffalo, Toledo, and Western Michigan.  He keeps hoping that Canton (OH) Glenoak RB Bri’onte Dunn sticks with his Buckeye commitment, because Lewis might be in line for an offer if the Wolverines can’t reel in another running back.

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech LB Royce Jenkins-Stone (2012).  Committed to Michigan.

Grand Blanc (MI) Grand Blanc DE Luke MacLean (2013).  MacLean hasn’t been offered by anyone other than Buffalo, but more offers are surely on the way.  I’m not sure that Michigan will go after him, but he has visited Michigan a couple times and also been to East Lansing.

Baltimore (MD) Gilman DT Henry Poggi (2013).  Every team up and down the east coast has offered Poggi already, in addition to Michigan.  He’s the son of Gilman’s head coach and already has two brothers playing FBS football, one at Duke and one at Iowa.  The 6’3″, 250 lb. Henry has been offered to play several positions, including tight end and defensive tackle.  Michigan is recruiting him as a defensive tackle.

Toledo (OH) Central Catholic FS Jayme Thompson (2013).  Thompson is a 6’2″, 182 lb. free safety prospect with a single offer, that from Bowling Green.  While the offers haven’t started flowing yet, they undoubtedly will for a kid his size and with his speed.  I would not be surprised to see Thompson earn a Michigan offer at some point, although the current roster might preclude very many offers to safeties for the 2013 class.

Springboro (OH) Springboro OG Sean Welsh (2013).  Welsh is 6’3″, 275 lbs. and has offers from Bowling Green, Ohio, and Toledo.  From the looks of his film, I think offers from Big Ten schools are bound to be coming soon.  He moves very well for a guy his size and looks like he already has pretty good strength for such a young player.