Tag: If I Had My Druthers

If I Had My Druthers . . . 2016 Tight Ends

Devin Asiasi (image via Maxpreps)

As I like to do on occasion, I took a look at the remaining tight end targets on the board for Michigan and created my pecking order. These are my opinions of which players I would rank highest for Michigan’s needs. I specifically avoid referring to recruiting rankings for guidance, although as an avid follower of recruiting, I do have a general idea of the players’ general star ratings. I posted my list for receivers on Sunday (LINK).

1. Devin Asiasi – TE – Concord (CA) De La Salle:
Asiasi, at 6’5″ and 275 lbs., looks like a slightly taller version of former Arizona and NFL tight end Brandon Manumaleuna. He fancies himself as a skill player, and it’s tough to argue. De La Salle lines him up out wide or in the slot sometimes, and they count on him to make plays in space. He shows soft hands and some delightful agility. He doesn’t have blazing speed, but he is an effective and pretty strong runner after the catch. His blocking skills are also impressive at times; he bends well and looks for contact. He could probably afford to lose some bad weight, but he can contribute early while he reshapes his body.

Hit the jump for the rest of the list.

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If I Had My Druthers . . . 2016 Wide Receivers

Mecole Hardman

This is the order in which I would rank the uncommitted wide receivers Michigan has offered. Star rankings don’t matter, the likelihood of a commit doesn’t matter, etc. These rankings are purely based on my ideal team:

1. Mecole Hardman – ATH – Elberton (GA) Elbert County:
Hardman isn’t a pure receiver. He might end up at cornerback at the next level, and he’s not very big at 5’10”, 171 lbs. If he were to get polished up as a receiver, though, he could be a big-time player. He also has value as a kickoff and punt returner.

2. Nate Craig-Myers – WR – Tampa (FL) Catholic:
There’s no question that Craig-Myers is big, strong, and fast at 6’2″, 210 lbs. and with a 4.4 forty. He could probably even play running back with his build. There have been some reported issues with drops and a lack of concentration at times, so he may not be a guy who can star right away in college. But with a year or two of development, he could round into a college standout.

3. Demetris Robertson – ATH – Savannah (GA) Christian: 
Another player who could end up at a few different positions, Robertson is 6’0″, 172 lbs. He’s maybe not as shifty or agile as Hardman, but both are similar prospects with very good speed.

Hit the jump for the rest of the list.

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2016 Recruiting Wish List

Dontavious Jackson

Michigan has 23 commitments in the 2016 class, which is expected to reach a size of 27. That leaves room for four more prospects (and perhaps more if there are other departures from the commit list). So here on Christmas Day 2015 is my wish list to fill out the four remaining spots. I only included players who seem to still have some interest in coming to Michigan, plus Michigan’s latest offer who has yet to indicate much about his interest level.

1. Rashan Gary – DT – Paramus (NJ) Catholic: Gary is a tackle/end tweener. While the position itself does not seem like a huge need because of all of Michigan’s returning talent on the defensive line, it’s actually a pretty big gap to fill. Michigan did not take any tackles in 2015 and has just one in the 2016 class so far (Jordan Elliott). The Wolverines have a couple weakside end prospects lined up in this class, but Rashad Weaver is the only SDE/DT prospect, and he has been poking around other schools. If Michigan wants to stay strong up front in 2017 and beyond, they need contributors in the 2016 class. Gary is the top target and perhaps some assume that he will end up signing with Michigan, but I think the Wolverines might be scrambling to fill his spot if they get stiffed at the end.
2. David Long, Jr. – CB – Los Angeles (CA) Loyola: Long is a true cornerback prospect who has the skills to be elite, and not just another guy. Long is physical and speedy, and he can do some things with the ball in his hands, too. He could be a guy who plays slot receiver and returns kicks along with his defensive duties. Michigan does not have any super-athletic corners available after Jourdan Lewis leaves, except maybe the unproven, position-switching Keith Washington, who redshirted this past season.
3. Dontavious Jackson – LB – Houston (TX) Alief Elsik: Michigan has a shortage of linebackers available next year, and they got their small-ish, quick space player in the form of Devin Bush, Jr. a week ago. Now it would be nice if the Wolverines could pull in a true, thumping middle linebacker to stuff the run. Jackson could certainly be that guy, and he’s someone who could play as a freshman.
4. Jean Delance – OT – Mesquite (TX) North: You can never have enough athletic left tackle prospects on a roster, and Delance is someone who could fill that role. A top-100 prospect, he has some filling out to do. He probably won’t be needed in 2016, but he could slide right in when Michigan loses several seniors going into 2017.

Other players considered: TE Chase Allen, WR Dylan Crawford, OG Terrance Davis, ATH Jordan Fuller, ATH Khaleke Hudson, TE Jacob Mathis, TE Isaac Nauta, DE Levi Onwuzurike, C/DT Boss Tagaloa, DE Joshua Uche (the newest 2016 offer)

If I Had My Druthers . . . Offensive Linemen

Scottsdale, AZ offensive lineman Cyrus Hobbi

Here’s a breakdown of my wish list for offensive linemen in the 2011 recruiting class.  It disregards how likely each player is to commit to Michigan (for example, #1 Cyrus Hobbi is a severe longshot to come to Ann Arbor).  I favored players with the ability to play tackle because Michigan needs tackle prospects more than guards or centers.

Just to stem any questions, I have been asked in the past to rank each offered player.  However, Michigan has offered 31 offensive linemen in this recruiting cycle, and I don’t intend to analyze/rank that many kids.  Sorry.

On to the list:

1. Cyrus Hobbi – Guard/Tackle – Scottsdale, AZ
Hobbi has great feet but he’s excellent with his hands.  His initial punch is stellar, and he does a good job of getting extension with his arms, which prevents defenders from getting their hands on him.  He reminds me of Patrick Omameh.

2. Chris Bryant – Guard/Tackle – Chicago, IL
Bryant is thickly built, has good feet, and looks like a demoralizing blocker.  He would be an ideal guard, but has the length and athleticism to play tackle at the next level, as well.

3. Aundrey Walker – Tackle – Cleveland, OH
Walker is about 350 pounds and an absolute mauler. He has surprisingly nimble feet for someone his size, but doesn’t necessarily fit the mold of a zone-blocking tackle. Some of that bulk would have to be sacrificed to play at Michigan, and I’m not sure if that’s in Walker’s future.

4. Josue Matias – Tackle – Union City, NJ
Matias has a thinner frame than Walker, but he’s not as good of an athlete.  He doesn’t move his feet very well laterally and lets defenders slide off his blocks at times.

5. Errin Joe – Guard – Lakeland, FL
Joe is a bit more lumbering than the tackle prospects, and at only 6’4″, he’s more of a guard.  He does stay on his blocks well, but he’s not an extremely aggressive blocker.

If I Had My Druthers . . . Tight Ends

Tight end prospect Jack Tabb

The following list is a wish list of tight end prospects in the Class of 2011.  This list takes into account Michigan’s needs, its offensive system, and the depth chart.  For example, Jerell Adams is a very good overall athlete, but Michigan’s lack of depth at tight end means that any tight end in this class has to be ready to contribute by 2012 at the latest.

1. Jay Rome – Valdosta, GA
Big (6’5″, 255 lbs.), fast, and physical.  Reminds me of Alge Crumpler.

2. Ray Hamilton – Strongsville, OH (Iowa commit)
Catches the ball well in traffic.  Doesn’t have great speed, but very shifty after the catch.

3. Brian Miller – Andover, MA (Boston College commit)
Good frame for adding weight to 6’4″, 215 lbs.  Excellent feet and a very tough runner after the catch.

4. Jeff Heuerman – Naples, FL (Ohio State commit)
Very good size and body control.

5. Darien Bryant – Pickerington, OH
Small-ish tight end, but a very willing and fundamentally sound blocker.  Very good speed but needs to add weight.

6. Brandon Fulse – Fort Meade, FL
Large tight end (6’4″, 247 lbs.) who’s a powerful runner.  Not an extremely adept blocker despite size.

7. Jack Tabb – Red Bank, NJ
Solid but unspectacular all-around athlete.  Could also play outside linebacker.

7. Nick Vannett – Westerville, OH (Ohio State commit)
Good size and frame.  Average speed.  Seems a bit undisciplined and doesn’t finish routes.

8. Frank Clark – Cleveland, OH
Large wide receiver/small tight end prospect.  Needs to add weight to 210 lb. frame.  Could also play outside linebacker.

9. Jerell Adams – Summerton, SC
Tall, rangy athlete with decent speed.  Serious developmental prospect who played quarterback and safety in high school.  Generally looks like one of those kids who’s tall, long, and somewhat fast . . . but isn’t really a great football player.

No video on which to judge: Taques Franklin, Drew Owens