Tag: Jeremy Jackson

Recruiting Roundup: Wide Receivers and Slot Receivers

Kenny Shaw

So far the most successfully recruited position group for the 2010 class has been wide receivers and slot receivers. In total, Michigan’s coaches have secured six commitments from that group. Four of them are wideouts (Ricardo Miller, Jeremy Jackson, D.J. Williamson, and Jerald Robinson); the other two are slots (Drew Dileo and Tony Drake).

Five of those commitments came very early on in the process, and I have maintained since then that not all of these wide receivers would end up signing with Michigan in February. Whether someone is slow-played into decommitting, doesn’t qualify, or chooses another school instead, not all six of these kids will end up wearing a Michigan uniform. Fitting with that theory, recent rumors suggest that slot receiver Tony Drake has yet to qualify for admission to the University of Michigan. Although cornerback Adrian Witty from the Class of 2009 did eventually qualify, he had to sit out the 2009 season; the coaches will surely try to avoid a similar situation in 2010.

The only two uncommitted receivers who have Michigan offers are Kenny Shaw (Orlando, FL) and Chris Dunkley (Pahokee, FL). Dunkley received an early offer from Michigan, but he never had much interest in coming to Ann Arbor. Shaw, on the other hand, is still being actively recruited by the Wolverines. His former teammate is none other than Ricardo Miller, who has perhaps been Michigan’s best recruiter. I expect that Shaw will end up staying down south, but there’s a possibility that he could take the spot of Drake (if the latter fails to qualify) or another wide receiver who might decommit.

Drew Dileo, Wolverine

Louisiana slot receiver Drew Dileo has committed to the University of Michigan. I wrote a scouting report on Dileo at the end of March, so I won’t rehash what I already said there.

However, in the meantime, Dileo had picked up offers from Stanford, Rice, Tulane, Virginia, and Northwestern.

In regards to the rest of the class, Rich Rodriguez and Co. have to be nearing the end of their wide receiver recruiting. This gives Michigan six potential wide receivers in the class of 2010, which is an astronomical number, especially considering that the class currently should hold only about 19 players. However, Michigan has recently sent out offers to outside wide receivers such as Andrew Carswell and Adrian Coxson, so I wouldn’t bet any considerable amount of money that Michigan is done recruiting WRs.

A quick run-through of the six current commits:

1. Jeremy Jackson – At 6’4″, he’s destined for outside WR . . . or TE. However, he would probably take his talents elsewhere if the coaches put him at TE, so he’s either a WR or gone.

2. Ricardo Miller – At 6’2″ and 205 lbs., I think Miller is headed for outside WR. There’s been some talk that he could move to tight end, but I just don’t see it.

3. Jerald Robinson – He’s 6’2″ and 175 lbs. but could play safety. I honestly think there’s a very good chance he’ll end up on defense . . . or he’ll decommit, much like Dewayne Peace last year.

4. D.J. Williamson – Williamson is 6’1″ and 172 lbs. He could play outside or in the slot. He could potentially add depth at CB, too, but he won’t make an impact there. I think Williamson is the most likely to decommit of the aforementioned group.

5. Tony Drake – Drake is headed for slot or running back. He reminds me of Odoms, which makes me think he’ll be a slot.

6. Drew Dileo – Dileo has good hands and normally I’d say he’s headed for slot receiver. However, with the increasing number of wide receivers in this class, maybe the coaching staff is liking his potential at RB more and more. That’s pure speculation and I doubt its voracity, but it’s possible. I think his biggest contribution will be as a kick/punt returner.