Tag: Grant Newsome

ESPN 300 for 2015 updated

Avon (CT) Old Farms tight end Chris Clark is Michigan’s highest rated commit (image via 247 Sports)

ESPN released an updated list of top 300 prospects for 2015. Here’s what it looked like back in April (LINK). Movement for Michigan commits:

– Chris Clark fell from #104 to #108
– Garrett Taylor fell from #106 to #110
– Tyree Kinnel fell from #182 to #188
– Grant Newsome fell from #235 to #240
– Darrin Kirkland, Jr. jumped from #265 to #263

Here are the rest of Michigan’s offerees:

5-stars:
3. Kevin Toliver II – CB – Florida (LSU)
4. Josh Sweat – DE – Virginia
6. Terry Beckner, Jr. – DE – Illinois
7. Mitch Hyatt – OT – Georgia (Clemson)
9. Tim Settle – DT – Virginia
10. Kendall Sheffield – CB – Texas
11. George Campbell – ATH – Florida
13. Justin Hilliard – LB – Ohio
16. Jashon Cornell – DE – Minnesota

4-stars:
17. Rasheem Green – DT – California
18. Keisean Lucier-South – DE – California
19. Josh Rosen – QB – California (UCLA)
20. Iman Marshall – CB – California
22. Shy Tuttle – DT – North Carolina
24. Jeffery Holland – LB – Florida
27. Tyron Johnson – WR – Louisiana
28. Damien Harris – RB – Kentucky
29. Preston Williams – WR – Georgia (Tennessee)
32. Minkah Fitzpatrick – CB – New Jersey (Alabama)
38. Jarrett Stidham – QB – Texas (Texas Tech)
39. Malik Jefferson – LB – Texas
43. Matt Burrell, Jr. – OT – Virginia
47. Christian Kirk – WR – Arizona
49. Deondre Francois – QB – Florida
50. Jacques Patrick – RB – Florida
52. Ronald Jones II – RB – Texas (Oklahoma State)
56. Blake Barnett – QB – California (Alabama)
57. Adonis Thomas – LB – Georgia
58. Hale Hentges – TE – Missouri (Alabama)
59. Drew Richmond – OT – Tennessee
63. Abdul Bello – OT – Florida
65. DaMarkus Lodge – WR – Texas (Texas A&M)
68. Jerome Baker – LB – Ohio
70. Devonaire Clarington – TE – Florida
71. Soso Jamabo – RB – Texas
74. Jaylon Lane – CB – Texas (Oklahoma State)
75. Rashad Roundtree – S – Georgia
77. Anthony Wheeler – LB – Texas
79. Dexter Williams – RB – Florida (Miami)
81. Johnny Frasier – RB – North Carolina
86. Jake Fruhmorgen – OT – Florida (Clemson)
90. Jalen Dalton – DE – North Carolina
94. Keenan Walker – OT – Arizona (Arizona)
97. Sterling Jenkins – OT – Pennsylvania (Penn State)
98. Christian Pellage – OT – Florida
99. Hjalte Froholdt – DT – Ohio (Arkansas)
104. Ryan Bates – OT – Pennsylvania (Penn State)
105. Clelin Ferrell – DE – Virginia (Clemson)
107. Tyler Jordan – OG – Florida (Florida)
108. Chris Clark – TE – Connecticut (Michigan)
110. Garrett Taylor – CB – Virginia (Michigan)
122. Osa Masina – LB – Utah
135. Ty’Son Williams – RB – South Carolina
136. Jordan Whitehead – CB – Pennsylvania
137. Brian Cole – ATH – Michigan
139. Devante Peete – WR – Florida
150. Marcus Lewis – S – Washington, D.C. (Florida)
153. Mike Weber – RB – Michigan
155. Ray-Ray McCloud III – RB – Florida
157. Shaun Crawford – CB – Ohio (Notre Dame)
159. Joshua McMillon – LB – Tennessee
161. Darian Roseboro – DT – North Carolina
164. John Reid – CB – Pennsylvania
187. Juwan Johnson – WR – New Jersey (Penn State)
188. Tyree Kinnel – S – Ohio (Michigan)
223. Rashard Causey, Jr. – CB – Florida (Florida Atlantic)
233. Isaiah Prince – OT – Maryland
235. Pat Allen – OT – Maryland
240. Grant Newsome – OT – New Jersey (Michigan)
255. Cameron Townsend – LB – Texas
258. Cameron Ordway – CB – Tennessee
263. Darrin Kirkland, Jr. – LB – Indiana (Michigan)

Grant Newsome, Wolverine

Grant Newsome (image via 247 Sports)

Lawrenceville (NJ) Lawrenceville School offensive tackle Grant Newsome committed to Michigan this morning. His other top choice was Penn State, and he also held offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Ohio State, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, among others.

Newsome is listed at 6’6″ or 6’7″ and 280-290 lbs.

RATINGS
ESPN: 4-star, 81 grade, #25 OT, #235 overall
Rivals: 4-star, #21 OT, #199 overall
Scout: 4-star, #20 OT, #215 overall
247 Sports: 4-star, 92 grade, #22, #192 overall

Newsome, who is originally from McLean, VA, attends private school in New Jersey. He was offered just before National Signing Day 2014, which immediately catapulted the Wolverines up near the top of his list. In the meantime, he took visits to some east coast and midwest schools, including a couple to Ann Arbor and a couple to Penn State. His most recent visit to Penn State allegedly included a message from head coach James Franklin that Brady Hoke would not be Michigan’s coach by 2015, which rubbed Newsome the wrong way a little bit. He went ahead and publicly committed to Michigan via Twitter, where he posted a letter thanking various family members and coaches.

I wrote up an in-depth scouting report on Newsome back in March (LINK), so there’s not much to add regarding his playing style.

As for how he fits at Michigan, the Wolverines are somewhat low on tackles. Redshirt sophomore Erik Magnuson will presumably hold the job for the remainder of his career, which takes us through 2016. After him on the left tackle depth chart is redshirt freshman Logan Tuley-Tillman or true freshmen Juwann Bushell-Beatty and Mason Cole. I believe Bushell-Beatty and Cole will be best suited playing guard or right tackle, but they are possibilities to succeed Magnuson. Tuley-Tillman could also play right tackle. Out of that group, Newsome fits the blind-side tackle prototype best, and he could be starting by his redshirt sophomore year in 2017.

Newsome gives Michigan seven commits in the class of 2015, which is currently scheduled to consist of twelve players. He is also the second lineman, joining guard/center prospect Jon Runyan, Jr. The Wolverines have been handing out several offers along the offensive line over the past couple months, so I would expect them to continue recruiting the line.

TTB Rating: 84 (ratings explanation)

Highlights are available on Hudl.

Visitors: June 6-8, 2014

Ty Isaac

TRANSFER
Ty Isaac – RB – Joliet (IL) Catholic: Isaac, who is visiting on Tuesday, is a transfer prospect from USC. He was offered as part of the 2013 class and was a 247 Composite 4-star, the #8 all-purpose back, and #54 overall. As a true freshman, he carried the ball 40 times for 236 yards (5.9 yards/carry) and 2 touchdowns, but there are three Trojan running backs returning who were ahead of him on the depth chart last season. Furthermore, Isaac has an ill mother, so he wants to play closer to home. Northwestern and Northern Illinois are both within the 100-mile radius the NCAA has established for players hoping to get a waiver to play immediately; otherwise, he would have to sit out the 2014 season. Illinois, Michigan, and Notre Dame are the other three schools supposedly in competition, but he would have to sit out the 2014 season and wait until 2015 to be eligible. Michigan nabbed Derrick Green and De’Veon Smith in the 2013 class, but more competition would be welcome for a team that is still looking for someone to step up and grab the starting running back job by the horns. Here is my scouting report on Isaac from when he was in high school (LINK). He’s now up to 6’3″, 225 lbs. UPDATE: Isaac committed to Michigan (LINK).

2015
Grant Newsome – OT – Lawrenceville (NJ) Lawrenceville School: I wrote up a scouting report on Newsome back in March (LINK). He has since picked up an offer from Tennessee, but the general line of thinking is that he is currently trying to decide between Michigan and Penn State. This will be Newsome’s second visit to Michigan.

Michael Weber – RB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Weber has been on Michigan’s radar for a long time. The 247 Composite 4-star, #9 running back, and #90 overall player recently named a top five that included Michigan, but he also listed a top three inside the top five that did not include the Wolverines.

2016
Justin Layne – WR – Cleveland (OH) Benedictine: Layne is a 6’3″, 173 lb. prospect with offers from Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Pitt, and West Virginia. He’s a 247 Sports 4-star, the #18 wide receiver, and #88 overall. He claims a 4.44 forty time. Layne will be visiting Ann Arbor for a basketball camp, but he will also be visiting Michigan’s football facilities with the coaches. The Wolverines are pursuing Layne’s teammate, 2015 linebacker Jerome Baker, but Baker is thought to be leaning toward Ohio State.

Visitors: April 18-20, 2014

Avon (CT) Old Farms tight end Chris Clark

2015
Chris Clark – TE – Avon (CT) Old Farms: Clark is a 6’6″, 247 lb. prospect who recently decommitted from North Carolina; he also has offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, along with many others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #3 tight end, and #130 overall. As a junior in 2013, he caught 39 passes for 417 yards and 6 touchdowns. Recruiting gurus are picking Notre Dame, where he visited a couple weekends ago, but he has yet to visit Columbus or Ann Arbor.

Clelin Ferrell – DE – Richmond (VA) Benedictine: Ferrell is a 6’5″, 225 lb. prospect who recently named a top eleven of Clemson, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Ohio State, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #8 weakside end, and #84 overall for the class. He plays in the same league as freshman QB Wilton Speight and 2014 cornerback commit Garrett Taylor, and his teammate is 2016 wide receiver offeree Scott Bracey.

Grant Newsome – OT – Lawrenceville (NJ) Lawrenceville School: I typed up a scouting report on Newsome at the end of March. He recently picked up an Arkansas offer and visited Penn State.

2016
Ben Bredeson – OT – Hartland (WI) Arrowhead: Bredeson is a 6’5″, 275 lb. prospect with offers from Iowa State, Michigan, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. He visited Michigan for the spring game a couple weekends ago and also took a swing through Columbus and Knoxville. The Badgers are considered to be the leader.

Recruiting Update: March 31, 2014

Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius defensive end Dre’Mont Jones (#86) (image via 247 Sports)

COMMITMENT
Richmond (VA) St. Christopher’s cornerback Garrett Taylor committed to Michigan last Monday.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2015
Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius defensive end Dre’Mont Jones was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’5″, 250 lb. prospect with offers from Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Ohio State. He’s also a 247 Composite 4-star, the #14 strongside end, #294 overall, and the #15 player in the Buckeye State. Jones is quick off the ball but he could be one of those guys who grows into a 3-tech defensive tackle. Michigan has gone after several St. Ignatius prospects in recent years, but the last one they landed was linebacker Jake Ryan in the 2010 class. Jones himself appears to be leaning heavily toward Ohio State.

OFF THE BOARD
Merrillville (IN) Andrean linebacker Josh Barajas committed to Penn State. Michigan had been in his top three, but Penn State pulled ahead on a recent visit. This may open the door for a player like Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence Central linebacker Darrin Kirkland, Jr. to be offered, and Michigan would likely jump to the top of Kirkland’s list.

Dallas (TX) South Oak Cliff safety Prentice McKinney committed to Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish and Michigan were supposedly his top two, but obviously, the Irish pulled ahead. He has yet to visit South Bend, and sometimes those types of commitments are a little iffy before all is said and done.

MISCELLANEOUS
Here’s a short list of this past weekend’s visitors.

I did a scouting report on Lawrenceville (NJ) Lawrenceville School offensive tackle Grant Newsome.

Over at Recruiting Season, I profiled Avonte’ Bell, Parker Underwood, Shahid Bellamy, Cameron Lewis, and Thiyo Lukusa. If you have a teammate or player who’s a Division I prospect and has yet to be profiled, drop me an e-mail or leave a comment.