Louisville head coach Charlie Strong has informed the administration that he’s accepting the Texas Longhorns head coaching job, meaning the Cardinals’ recruiting class is up for grabs. Here’s a look at the Louisville players Michigan has recruited:
2014 commits with Michigan offers: None Current roster players recruited by Michigan: LB Keith Brown (So.), RB Corvin Lamb (RS So.), TE Zeke Pike (RS Fr.), WR James Quick (Fr.)
As you can see, Michigan generally doesn’t have a big battle on its hands when it comes to Louisville. Strong’s connections in southern Florida have helped him land guys like Brown and Lamb, and Pike is a bit of a troubled soul who landed at Louisville. The most notable guy is wideout James Quick, who was highly touted in the class of 2013, played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, and had 73 yards receiving as a true freshman.
Former Michigan defensive backs coach Vance Bedford has been Strong’s defensive coordinator in Louisville, and I would expect him to head to Austin as well. He’s developed enough of a resume that he would probably not be a candidate to rejoin Michigan in anything other than a coordinator role, and Greg Mattison isn’t going anywhere soon.
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.
Notes: Holds offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, and Tennessee . . . Has visited Auburn and Kentucky . . . Teammate of 2012 defensive end and Michigan offeree Jason Hatcher . . . Scout 4-star . . . 247 Sports 4-star, 95 rating, #1 overall in Kentucky, and #3 receiver in nation . . . Timed at 4.41 in forty-yard dash . . . As a sophomore in 2010, had 88 catches for 1,115 yards and 15 touchdowns; also had 19 carries for 270 yards and 2 touchdowns . . . State champion in 200 meters . . . Named All-State as a junior in 2011 after grabbing 82 passes for 1,434 yards and 21 touchdowns
Strengths: Superb acceleration . . . Makes cuts at full speed . . . Good vertical and ability to high point the football . . . Catches football with his hands instead of his body . . . Shows good vision and ability to set up blocks . . . Decisive when running the ball . . . Dances very little . . . Shows desire to gain yards after catch instead of settling for just catching ball . . . Runs with good body lean . . . Shows a variety of moves to get open . . . Slithery body control allows him to get off the line cleanly . . . No discernible body language or attitude concerns
Weaknesses: Needs to add a bit of weight to help with running after the catch and blocking . . . Will have to work a little on route running
Projection: Wide receiver. Quick has excellent upside and could be an immediate impact kid at the next level. His speed and elusiveness could make him effective in the slot or outside. He could also be a kickoff or punt returner.
Reminds me of: Arkansas wide receiver/returner Joe Adams
Louisville (KY) Trinity DE Jason Hatcher
(image via Voice-Tribune)
ADDED TO THE BOARDS (2012, 2013, 2014)
Miami (OH) Norland inside linebacker Keith Brown de-committed from Illinois. He had previously been committed to Miami, flipped to Illinois before Ron Zook was fired, and now will announce his commitment during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl this weekend. He is expected to choose between Illinois, Louisville, and Miami, so Michigan is still out of the running.
Louisville (KY) Trinity defensive end Jason Hatcher, a 2013 prospect, received an offer from the Wolverines last week. He’s a 6’1″, 231 lb. athlete with offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. 247 Sports ranks him at #140 overall for 2013 and the #7 weakside end. Hatcher had 40 tackles and 12 sacks as a junior.
Salt Lake City (UT) Highland defensive tackle Bryan Mone, a 2014 prospect, was offered by Michigan. Mone is the first 2014 prospect to be offered by the Wolverines and is the teammate of incoming fullback Sione Houma. The 6’3″, 255 lb. Mone also has offers from Utah and Utah State. The 2014 Offer Board has been unveiled!
Louisville (KY) Trinity wide receiver James Quick, a 2013 prospect, has been offered by Michigan. He’s the teammate of Hatcher, obviously. Quick is a 6’1″, 180-pounder with a reported 4.41 forty time. He has offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisville, and others. This past season he had 82 receptions, 1434 yards, and 21 touchdowns, which was good enough to earn him the #42 overall spot for 247 Sports’ 2013 rankings. He’s also their #3 wide receiver and the top player in Kentucky.
OFF THE BOARD
Lyndhurst (OH) Brush tight end Pharaoh Brown committed to Oregon. This was not a surprise, since he went out to Oregon while he was committed to Michigan . . . without telling Michigan’s coaches. Michigan promptly dropped him from their recruiting board. I was not impressed with Brown’s attitude at various points throughout the recruiting process, so perhaps this is for the best.
Erie (PA) McDowell running back Greg Garmon committed to Iowa during the Semper Fidelis All American Bowl. Garmon is a 6’2″, 195 lb. runner with good speed and physicality who will likely present a problem for Michigan in the coming years. Outside of starter Marcus Coker, there is a huge void at running back for the Hawkeyes (backup Mika’il McCall announced on Tuesday that he was leaving the program), so Garmon’s choice makes sense. He will likely be able to play immediately as a freshman in 2012.
Columbus (IN) East quarterback Gunner Kiel committed to LSU. Kiel is widely considered to be the #1 quarterback prospect in the nation. There was a time back in the spring when people thought he might end up at Michigan, but that flirtation ended a long time ago. At one point Kiel had committed to Indiana, but the fact that the Hoosiers went 1-11 might have had something to do with him changing his mind.
San Diego (CA) Westview tight end Taylor McNamara committed to Oklahoma. This is clearly a better option than the school he was previously committed to, which was Arizona. The new Arizona coach is Rich Rodriguez, obviously, and Rodriguez doesn’t get the ball to his tight ends very much. Meanwhile, Oklahoma traditionally has a strong passing attack, and McNamara should fit in well there.
Olney (MD) Good Counsel defensive end Ryan Watson committed to Purdue. The 6’3″, 270-pounder is the former teammate of Blake Countess and the current teammate of Wes Brown (2012), Stefon Diggs (2012), Kendall Fuller (2013), and Dorian O’Daniel (2013), all of whom have Michigan offers. As one might expect from a kid with his size, the Boilermakers want him to play defensive tackle.
