Tag: Gareon Conley

Scout 300 for 2013 Updated

Ohio WR Jaron Dukes picked up a fourth star from Scout

Scout released its updated Scout 300 on Wednesday, which means I’m convinced – there’s been a conspiracy to give me carpal tunnel by 247 Sports, ESPN, and Scout.  They all released or updated their 2013 lists this week.

Here’s the movement of the Michigan commits since March.  What’s the point of updating the rankings if there’s this little movement?  A total of 14 Michigan commits moved a total of 13 spots.

– Shane Morris stayed put at #28
– Patrick Kugler dropped from #25 to #29
– Dymonte Thomas stayed put at #39
– Kyle Bosch stayed put at #49
– DeVeon Smith jumped from #58 to #53
– Chris Fox stayed put at #137
– Jake Butt stayed put at #147
– Logan Tuley-Tillman stayed put at #153
– Wyatt Shallman stayed put at #179
– Mike McCray stayed put at #202
– Gareon Conley jumped from #227 to #226
– Jourdan Lewis stayed put at #251
– David Dawson dropped from #264 to #265
– Jaron Dukes dropped from #287 to #289

Here is the entire list of Michigan targets:

5-stars:
3. Robert Foster – WR – Pennsylvania
4. Laremy Tunsil – OT – Florida
6. Su’a Cravens – S – California
9. Montravius Adams – DT – Georgia
12. Ty Isaac – RB – Illinois
13. Keith Ford – RB – Texas (Oklahoma)
14. Vernon Hargreaves III – CB – Florida
15. Eddie Vanderdoes – DT – California
16. Jaylon Smith – LB – Indiana
17. Justin Davis – RB – California
21. Justin Manning – DT – Texas
22. Kendall Fuller – CB – Maryland
24. Joey Bosa – DE – Florida
25. Adam Breneman – TE – Pennsylvania (Penn State)
26. James Quick – WR – Kentucky
27. Michael Hutchings – LB – California
28. Shane Morris – QB – Michigan (Michigan)
29. Patrick Kugler – OG – Pennsylvania (Michigan)
33. Priest Willis – S – Arizona
35. Dymonte Thomas – S – Ohio (Michigan)

4-stars:
37. Jason Hatcher – DE – Kentucky
39. Darrell Daniels – WR – California
40. Elijah Daniel – DE – Indiana
42. Jake Raulerson – OT – Texas (Texas)
47. Sebastian LaRue – WR – California
49. Kyle Bosch – OT – Illinois (Michigan)
50. John Montelus – OG – Massachusetts
53. DeVeon Smith – RB – Ohio (Michigan)
57. Ethan Pocic – OT – Illinois
68. Evan Lisle – OT – Ohio (Ohio State)
70. Jake Oliver – WR – Texas (Texas)
74. Cameron Burrows – CB – Ohio (Ohio State)
76. LaQuon Treadwell – WR – Illinois
77. Greg Webb – DT – New Jersey (Penn State)
80. E.J. Levenberry – OLB – Virginia
82. Colin McGovern – OT – Illinois (Notre Dame)
83. Marquez North – WR – North Carolina
85. Standish Dobard – TE – Louisiana (Miami)
86. Alquadin Muhammad – OLB – New Jersey
90. Eli Woodard – CB – New Jersey (Ohio State)
92. Chris Hawkins – CB – California (USC)
93. Peter Kalambayi – MLB – North Carolina
94. Joe Mathis – DE – California
95. Leon McQuay III – S – Florida
99. Steve Elmer – OT – Michigan (Notre Dame)
100. Christian LaCouture – DT – Texas
102. Jonathan Allen – DE – Virginia
104. Tray Matthews – S – Georgia (Georgia)
110. Michael Hill – DT – South Carolina
111. Billy Price – DT – Ohio (Ohio State)
113. Cole Luke – CB – Arizona
118. Kevin Olsen – QB – New Jersey
124. Derrick Green – RB – Virginia
127. Kyle Hicks – RB – Texas (Texas)
131. Devon Allen – WR – Arizona
132. Larenz Bryant – OLB – North Carolina
133. Henry Poggi – DT – Maryland
136. Rob Wheelwright – WR – Ohio
137. Chris Fox – OT – Colorado (Michigan)
141. Shaquille Wiggins – CB – Georgia (Georgia)
142. Tashawn Bower – DE – New Jersey
144. Elijah Qualls – DT – California
147. Jake Butt – TE – Ohio (Michigan)
149. Alex Anzalone – OLB – Pennsylvania
152. Dorian O’Daniel – OLB – Maryland (Clemson)
153. Logan Tuley-Tillman – OT – Illinois (Michigan)
159. Ben Gedeon – OLB – Ohio (Michigan)
166. Ishmael Wilson – OT – Texas (Texas A&M)
167. Hunter Bivin – OT – Kentucky (Notre Dame)
173. Ryan White – CB – Kentucky (Louisville)
177. Eldridge Massington – WR – Texas
179. Wyatt Shallman – FB – Michigan (Michigan)
187. Antwuan Davis – CB – Texas
193. Scott Pagano – DT – Hawaii
202. Michael McCray – OLB – Ohio (Michigan)
207. Darius Latham – DT – Indiana
211. J.J. Gustafson – OT – Texas (Texas A&M)
222. Mike McGlinchey – OT – Pennsylvania (Notre Dame)
226. Gareon Conley – CB – Ohio (Michigan)
251. Jourdan Lewis – CB – Michigan (Michigan)
259. James Onwualu – WR – Minnesota (Notre Dame)
264. Marcell Ateman – WR – Texas
265. David Dawson – OG – Michigan (Michigan)
267. Cameron Walker – CB – California
277. Jacob Matuska – DE – Ohio (Notre Dame)
280. Yannick Ngakoue – MLB – Washington, D.C.
285. Demorea Stringfellow – WR – California
289. Jaron Dukes – WR – Ohio (Michigan)
297. Tim Harris – CB – Virginia (Virginia)

Initial ESPN 150 Released for 2013

Massillon (OH) Washington cornerback Gareon Conley surprised many by being ranked #63

ESPN released its top 150 players on Tuesday.  Here’s a list of all the Michigan offerees that made the cut:

– Shane Morris starts at #37
– Gareon Conley starts at #63
– Mike McCray starts at #75
– David Dawson starts at #92
– Logan Tuley-Tillman starts at #97
– Dymonte Thomas starts at #98
– Chris Fox starts at #105
– Jourdan Lewis starts at #107
– Kyle Bosch starts at #112
– Taco Charlton starts at #115
– Patrick Kugler starts at #121

3. Laremy Tunsil – OT – Florida
4. Vernon Hargreaves III – CB – Florida
12. Eli Woodard – CB – New Jersey (Ohio State)
14. Montravius Adams – DT – Georgia
15. Su’a Cravens – S – California
21. Cameron Burrows – CB – Ohio (Ohio State)
23. Robert Foster – WR – Pennsylvania
27. Kendall Fuller – CB – Maryland
34. Leon McQuay III – S – Florida
36. Keith Ford – RB – Texas (Oklahoma)

39. Adam Breneman – TE – Pennsylvania (Penn State)
41. Joey Bosa – DE – Florida
42. LaQuon Treadwell – WR – Illinois
46. Jaylon Smith – LB – Indiana
52. Darrell Daniels – WR – California
56. Eddi Vanderdoes – DT – California
57. Michael Hutchings – LB – California
59. James Quick – WR – Kentucky
62. Priest Willis – S – Arizona

68. Ty Isaac – RB – Illinois
69. Chris Hawkins – CB – California (USC)
72. Ethan Pocic – OT – Illinois
73. Dorian O’Daniel – LB – Maryland (Clemson)
74. Demorea Stringfellow – WR – California

77. Kevin Olsen – QB – New Jersey
78. Jake Raulerson – OT – Texas (Texas)
82. Jonathan Allen – DE – Virginia
83. Derrick Green – RB – Virginia
85. Justin Manning – DT – Texas
86. Shaq Wiggins – CB – Georgia (Georgia)
88. Elijah Daniel – DE – Indiana
91. Colin McGovern – OT – Illinois (Notre Dame)

95. Hunter Bivin – OT – Kentucky (Notre Dame)

104. Matt Rolin – LB – Virginia

119. Tashawn Bower – DE – New Jersey
120. Joe Mathis – DE – California

123. Greg Webb – DT – New Jersey (Penn State)
130. Marquez North – WR – North Carolina
131. Standish Dobard – TE – Louisiana (Miami)
142. Evan Lisle – OT – Ohio (Ohio State)
145. Alquadin Muhammad – DE – New Jersey
147. Antwuan Davis – CB – Texas
149. Sebastian Larue – WR – California

Gareon Conley, Wolverine

Massillon (OH) Washington’s Gareon Conley is Michigan’s newest commit

Massillon (OH) Washington cornerback Gareon Conley committed to Michigan on Saturday.  He chose the Wolverines over offers from Northwestern, Toledo, and West Virginia.

Conley is 6’2″ and 165 lbs.  As a junior in 2011, he made 26 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 4 interceptions.  He also had 3 receptions for 10 yards, 3 punt returns for 39 yards, and 4 kickoff returns for 142 yards.

Ratings:
ESPN: Unranked CB
Rivals: Unranked ATH
Scout: 4-star CB, #20 CB, #227 overall
247 Sports: 3-star CB, 88 grade

Conley was offered by Michigan in mid-February and the word out of Massillon was that he would be a Wolverine – it was just a matter of when.  Even though the Wolverines have zero other commitments at the boundary corner position, it’s quite possible that Conley saw all the other commitments going down and wanted to hop on the train before it got full.  The coaches likely want to take two or three total corners in this class.

Conley is listed as being 6’1″ or 6’2″ on all the recruiting sites, and he’s a long, lanky kid.  He has good speed but he’s not lightning fast.  He does accelerate pretty well for a kid with such long legs, and it’s going to be hard to beat him over the top because of his speed and length.  His wingspan will allow him to jam receivers at the line and reach around receivers to tip away passes without having to interfere with the offensive player.

My concerns with Conley are twofold.  First of all, how quickly will he be able to add weight?  He’s very thin at his height and only 165 lbs.  Michigan is lacking in big corners, so much so that incoming freshman Jarrod Wilson might get a shot to play cornerback instead of free safety.  J.T. Floyd will have graduated by the time Conley arrives, so that will leave Raymon Taylor as the only sizable cornerback; Blake Countess, Delonte Hollowell, and Terry Richardson are all small-ish field corner types, although Countess could probably play the boundary if necessary.  This goes hand-in-hand with Conley’s size questions, but will he become more aggressive with added size?  There are times in his highlights where he seems afraid of contact.  He’s tentative when tackling, tries to drag guys to the ground, and shies away from contact when running the ball. 

Overall, Conley is a very good athlete whose mentality and aggression need to catch up to the rest of what he has to offer.  Once he adds the necessary weight and strength, he should improve as a tackler and run supporter.  I have never seen a kid come to Michigan and fail to add weight; it’s just a matter of how quickly that can happen for him.  But if he doesn’t become a more physical player, he will have a hard time seeing the field.

Massillon Washington is the alma mater of former Michigan linebacker Shawn Crable and former Michigan cornerback (late of Scottsdale Community College) Justin Turner.

TTB Rating: 75 (rating system)

Weekend Visitors: March 9-11, 2012

Rumors have been swirling that Massillon (OH) Washington cornerback Gareon Conley (#21) might be the next recruit to drop for Michigan (image via Friday Night Ohio)

Zach Bradshaw – WR – Damascus (MD) Damascus: Bradshaw is a 6’3″, 205 lb. wideout with 4.56 speed.  He has an offer from Michigan, along with Maryland, South Carolina, West Virginia, and several others.  He had 28 receptions for 395 yards and 6 touchdowns last season, plus 250 rushing yards for 2 touchdowns, and 2 punt return touchdowns.  (Highlights here.)

Gareon Conley – CB – Massillon (OH) Washington: Conley is a 6’1″, 170 lb. cornerback with an offer from Michigan, plus from the likes of Northwestern, Toledo, and West Virginia.  He had 26 tackles and 4 picks as a junior in 2011.  There is a good chance that Conley will be committing to Michigan on this weekend’s visit.



David Dawson – OT – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Dawson is a 6’4″, 305 lb. offensive lineman who committed to Michigan in mid-February.  Despite being projected by most as an offensive guard, he says that Michigan’s coaches want to start him out at right tackle and see how things go.  (Commitment post here.)

Jaleel Hytchye – CB – Cincinnati (OH) LaSalle: Hytchye is a 5’11”, 170 lb. cornerback who does not yet hold an offer from Michigan.  He does, however, have offers from Kentucky, Kent State, and Western Kentucky.  Last season Hytchye made 30 tackles, 14 pass breakups, and 4 interceptions.  Because Michigan is generally looking for corners who are 6’0″ or taller, chances are slim that he will get an offer at this point.  (Highlights here.)

Ty Isaac – RB – Joliet (IL) Catholic: Isaac is a 6’3″, 215 lb. runner with offers from all over the country, including Michigan.  He is generally thought to be #1 on Michigan’s running back board and early leaders seem to be Michigan and Notre Dame.  He carried the ball 178 times for 2,114 yards and 45 touchdowns as a junior in 2011.  (Highlights here.)

Shane Jones – LB – Cincinnati (OH) Moeller: Jones is a 6’1″, 220 lb. ‘backer from the same high school as 2012 wide receiver target Monty Madaris (Michigan State).  He made 89 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks as a junior in 2011.  He looks like a weakside linebacker or possibly a MIKE.  He holds an offer from Michigan, along with Michigan State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Penn State, among others.  (EDIT: Jones, like Anzalone below, also canceled his trip to Michigan due to the linebacker position being full.) (Highlights here.)


Colin McGovern – OT – New Lenox (IL) Lincoln-Way West: McGovern is a 6’7″, 280 lb. tackle with offers from Alabama, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Wisconsin, among others.  He also had an offer Michigan, although the Wolverines are currently full at the offensive line positions unless something changes.  (Highlights here.)

Shane Morris – QB – Warren (MI) De La Salle: Morris committed to Michigan in the summer of 2011.  (Commitment post here.)

Dylan Roney – DE – Novi (MI) Catholic Central: Roney is a 6’2″, 215 lb. defensive end from the class of 2014.  He has no scholarship offers at this point.  Roney made 75 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery as a sophomore in 2011.  He is the teammate of incoming freshman defensive end Matt Godin and 2013 running back commit Wyatt Shallman. (Highlights here.)

NOTE: Wyomissing (PA) Wyomissing Area linebacker Alex Anzalone was originally scheduled to visit Michigan this weekend, too.  However, he stated that Michigan told him they were full at his position, which could mean several things.  Since Anzalone looks like a SAM to me, it might mean that recent commit Mike McCray took that spot.  It could also mean that Michigan has received a silent commitment from another player.  And another possibility is that the coaches are saving a spot for E.J. Levenberry.

Recruiting Update: February 20, 2012

Placer (CA) Placer defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes (image via Bleacher Report)

COMMITMENTS
Wheaton (IL) St. Francis offensive guard Kyle Bosch committed to Michigan.

Pickerington (OH) North tight end Jake Butt committed to Michigan.

Pickerington (OH) Central defensive end Taco Charlton committed to Michigan.

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech offensive guard David Dawson committed to Michigan.

Parker (CO) Ponderosa offensive tackle Chris Fox committed to Michigan.

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech cornerback Jourdan Lewis committed to Michigan.

Novi (MI) Catholic Central running back Wyatt Shallman committed to Michigan.

Peoria (IL) Manual offensive tackle Logan Tuley-Tillman committed to Michigan.

ADDED TO THE BOARD
St. Peters (MO) Fort Zumwalt South running back Chase Abbington received a Michigan offer on Tuesday, depending on whom you believe.  The Wolverine’s Tim Sullivan says yea, and Wolverine Nation’s TomVH says nay.  Regardless, I’m adding him to the list because I include anyone who has a check mark next to his name on any of the big sites.  He had 1,459 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns as a junior in 2011.  At 6’4″ and 210 lbs., he could play several positions.  His offer list includes Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and UCLA.

Damascus (MD) Damascus wide receiver Zach Bradshaw received a Michigan offer on Friday.  Bradshaw is a 6’3″, 205 lb. wideout with offers from Maryland, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers, South Carolina, West Virginia, and several others.  As a junior in 2011, he had 35 catches for 470 yards and 11 touchdowns; 25 carries for 220 yards; and 2 punt return touchdowns.  Michigan pursued cornerback Brandon Phelps out of Damascus back in 2011, but Phelps picked Virginia instead.

Massillon (OH) Washington cornerback Gareon Conley was offered by Michigan on Thursday.  Conley is a 6’2″, 170 lb. corner who reminds me a little bit of former Michigan commit Anthony Standifer.  His only other offer so far is from Northwestern.  He attends the alma mater of former Michigan players Shawn Crable and Justin Turner.

Bastrop (TX) Bastrop cornerback Antwuan Davis was offered by Michigan last week.  He’s a 5’11”, 170 lb. cornerback who only played a portion of the 2011 season due to a stress fracture in his back.  He sat out one game with the injury, but then returned the following week, thinking it was only a muscle injury.  That might be a hint about how tough he is and how much he likes to play football.  He also has offers from Alabama, Baylor, LSU, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech.

Arlington (TX) Martin running back Kyle Hicks was offered by Michigan on Thursday.  He’s a 5’10”, 170-pounder with offers from Arkansas, Baylor, TCU, Texas, and Texas A&M, among others.  As a junior in 2011, he ran the ball 212 times for 1,685 yards and 26 touchdowns.  He attends the alma mater of redshirt freshman quarterback Russell Bellomy, as well as 2012 target Devonte Fields (TCU).

Santa Monica (CA) Santa Monic wide receiver Sebastian Larue got offered by Michigan on Wednesday.  Larue is a 5’11”, 185 lb. kid with offers from Arizona State, Boise State, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, and UCLA, along with a few others.  Larue is a 247 Sports’ #193 overall prospect and the #15 athlete, while he’s a Rivals 4-star and their #141 overall prospect.  He claims a 4.42 forty and scored 17 touchdowns as a junior in 2011.

Randolph (NJ) Randolph offensive guard Brendan Mahon was offered by Michigan last week.  He’s a 6’5″, 302-pounder with offers from Florida, Miami, Rutgers, West Virginia, and several others.  Mahon is an early 4-star to Rivals and the #190 player in the country,  while on 247 Sports, he’s the #9 guard nationally and a 3-star prospect.

Dallas (TX) Kimball defensive tackle Justin Manning received a Michigan offer.  He’s a 6’3″, 275 lb. kid with offers from Arizona, LSU, Miami, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UCLA, and USC, among others.  He had 43 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles despite missing four games due to a torn meniscus.  His preference would be to play the 3-tech defensive tackle spot.  Rivals ranks him as the #89 player in the country.

Upland (CA) Upland defensive end Joe Mathis was offered by Michigan on Thursday.  He’s a 6’4″, 250 lb. strongside end with offers from Arizona, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, UCLA, USC, Utah, and Washington, among others.  He was previously committed to Washington, but the coaching changes caused him to re-open his recruitment.  He made 79 tackles and 6 sacks as a junior in 2011.

Everett (MA) Everett offensive lineman John Montelus received a Michigan offer.  Montelus is a 6’5″, 295 lb. kid who looks to me like an offensive guard but is listed as a tackle.  He has offers from Connecticut, Florida, Virginia, West Virginia, and others.

Washington (DC) Archbishop Carroll linebacker Yannick Ngakoue was offered by Michigan on Saturday.  He’s a 6’2″, 226 lb. linebacker who has offers from Florida State, Maryland, Rutgers, Tennessee, and West Virginia.  He had 87 tackles and 9 sacks as a junior in 2011.

Forestville (MD) Bishop McNamara offensive tackle Damian Prince, a 2014 prospect, was offered by Michigan.  He’s a 6’7″, 300 lb. sophomore who already claims offers from Iowa, Maryland, North Carolina, Rutgers, and Virginia, along with a few others.

Petaluma (CA) Casa Grande defensive end Elijah Qualls was offered by Michigan.  He’s a 6’2″, 265 lb. athlete who could play defensive line or fullback in college.  As a junior in 2011, he ran the ball 166 times for  1,139 yards and 13 touchdowns.  He also made 76 tackles and 4 sacks.  He holds offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, Iowa State, Oregon State, UCLA, and Washington.

Belton (TX) Belton tight end Durham Smythe was offered by Michigan on Wednesday.  He’s a 6’6″, 230 lb. kid with a limited offer list, but it’s a list that includes Baylor, TCU, Texas, and Texas Tech, so there are some other significant programs who are after him.

Moreno Valley (CA) Rancho Verde wide receiver Demorea Stringfellow received a Michigan offer.  He’s a 6’2″, 185 lb. wideout with offers from Arizona State, Nebraska, UCLA, and Washington State. Rivals thinks he’s the #107 player in the country.

Placer (CA) Placer defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes received a Michigan offer on Tuesday.  He’s a 6’4″, 285 lb. kid whom Rivals projects as a strongside defensive end, but when you’re that size as a high school junior, you’re probably not headed for defensive end.  He’s the #21 overall player to Rivals and #44 overall to 247 Sports, although his offer list (Cal, Ole Miss, Oregon State, UCLA, Washington, Washington State) is pretty thin for being so highly ranked.

Los Angeles (CA) Loyola cornerback Cameron Walker was offered by Michigan last week.  He’s a 5’10”, 180 lb. kid with a San Diego State offer.  247 Sports ranks him as the #210 player overall and the #15 cornerback.

Tempe (AZ) Marcos De Niza cornerback Priest Willis was offered by Michigan on Thursday.  He’s 6’2″ and 200 lbs. with offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Cal, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, UCLA, USC, and Washington, along with several others.  He’s a 4-star and the nation’s #89 player to Rivals, while 247 Sports ranks him at #167 overall and the #13 cornerback.

OFF THE BOARD
Arlington (TX) Martin running back Kyle Hicks committed to Texas (see above for more info).

Dallas (TX) Jesuit wide receiver Jake Oliver committed to Texas.  Oliver is a big, 6’4″, 194 lb. kid who has caught 193 passes combined in his sophomore and junior seasons.  He was offered by the Longhorns at their junior day last weekend and committed a couple days later.

Austintown (OH) Fitch defensive end Billy Price committed to Ohio State.  The writing was on the wall when he visited Michigan for the Ohio State game at the end of the regular season and started tweeting smack talk about the Wolverines while standing on the sideline.  Here’s a hint for all the children out there: if somebody hosts you at their house, workplace, facility, etc., it’s bad form to insult them while you’re there.  An analyst whom I respect says Price is “soft” – and that was well before he committed to the Buckeyes – so hopefully that’s true and Kyle Kalis turns him into roadkill for a few years.

Dallas (TX) Bishop Dunne offensive guard Ishmael Wilson committed to Texas A&M.  He was offered by Michigan a couple weeks ago but never expressed interesting in visiting.

Voorhees (NJ) Eastern cornerback Eli Woodard committed to Ohio State.  Michigan offered him a couple weeks ago, but even then, it was assumed he would end up in Columbus.