Tag: Justice Hayes

Final Recruiting Rankings



Justice Hayes (Rivals #85, Scout #131) is Michigan’s highest-ranked recruit

 Players offered by Michigan in the final Rivals 250 (the top 26 were given 5-star rankings, the rest 4-stars):

1. Jadeveon Clowney, DE
2. Curtis Grant, LB
3. George Farmer, WR
4. Cyrus Kouandjio, OT
6. La’El Collins, OT
7. Ha’sean Clinton-Dix, S
8. Karlos Williams, S
9. Ray Drew, DE
11. James Wilder, Jr., RB
15. Sammy Watkins, WR
18. Jarvis Landry, WR
19. Demetrius Hart, RB
20. Kris Frost, LB
25. Mike Bellamy, RB

27. Christian Westerman, OT
29. Timmy Jernigan, DT
34. Braxton Miller, QB
36. Marqise Lee, S
40. Mike Blakely, RB
41. Michael Bennett, DT
44. Anthony Chickillo, DE
45. Lamar Dawson, LB
55. Lawrence Thomas, LB
56. Jay Rome, TE
58. Savon Huggins, RB
64. Aundrey Walker, OG
65. Anthony Zettel, DE
66. Brandon Shell, OT
67. Tyler Moore, OG
70. Matt Hegarty, OT
72. Brett Hundley, QB
77. Bobby Hart, OG
80. Delvon Simmons, DT
83. Charone Peake, WR
84. DeAnthony Arnett, WR
85. Justice Hayes, RB
88. Christian LeMay, QB
89. Kiehl Frazier, QB
90. Gregory Robinson, OT
92. Demetrious Nicholson, CB
97. Trey DePriest, LB
100. Charles Jackson, CB
102. Doran Grant, CB
107. Wayne Lyons, S
109. Quan Bray, RB
110. Cyrus Hobbi, OG
114. Andre Yruretagoyena, OT
117. Nick Waisome, CB
118. Stefan McClure, CB
127. Miles Shuler, WR
129. Andrew Buie, RB
132. Ray Hamilton, TE
133. Blake Countess, CB
136. A.J. Johnson, LB
139. Giorgio Newberry, DE
151. Floyd Raven, CB
153. Garrett Greenlea, OT
155. Brian Miller, TE
158. Deion Barnes, DE
161. Josh Turner, CB
162. Brandon Fulse, TE
165. Sheroid Evans, S
166. Kiaro Holts, OG
167. Steve Miller, DE
171. Travis Hughes, LB
175. Kyshoen Jarrett, CB
178. Davaris Daniels, CB
179. Jordan Walsh, OG
181. Avery Walls, S
189. Sheldon Royster, S
190. Devin Lucien, WR
191. Darius Jennings, WR
192. Nick Vannett, TE
195. Mickey Johnson, DT
199. Tre Mason, RB
201. Brennen Beyer, LB/DE
203. Chris Bryant, OG
213. Remound Wright, RB
214. Dondi Kirby, S
225. Austin Traylor, TE
234. Bill Belton, RB
241. Shawn Oakman, DE
245. Josue Matias, OG
247. Marquise Williams, QB

Players offered by Michigan in the final Scout 300 (the top 50 were given 5-star rankings, the rest 4-stars):

1. Jadeveon Clowney, DE
2. Cyrus Kouandjio, OT
6. Trey DePriest, LB
7. Ha’sean Clinton-Dix, S
8. Karlos Williams, S
11. La’El Collins, OT
13. Anthony Chickillo, DE
15. Delvon Simmons, DT
17. Christian Westerman, OT
18. Kiaro Holts, OG
19. Curtis Grant, LB
23. Savon Huggins, RB
24. Bobby Hart, OG
27. George Farmer, WR
29. Jarvis Landry, WR
30. Timmy Jernigan, DT
33. Ray Drew, DE
35. Brandon Shell, OT
36. Braxton Miller, QB
37. Lawrence Thomas, LB
39. Brett Hundley, QB
41. Sammy Watkins, WR
42. Steve Miller, DE
47. James Wilder, Jr., RB
48. Jalen Grimble, DE

51. Charles Jackson, CB
52. Garrett Greenlea, OT
57. Michael Bennett, DT
59. Travis Hughes, LB
60. Mike Bellamy, RB
61. Demetrious Nicholson, CB
63. Demetrius Hart, RB
64. DeAnthony Arnett, WR
66. Jordan Walsh, OG
68. Jay Rome, TE
69. Stefan McClure, CB
70. Doran Grant, CB
73. Charone Peake, WR
76. Brennen Beyer, DE/OLB
78. Marqise Lee, S
81. Ryan Shazier, LB
85. Bill Belton, WR
86. Mike Blakely, RB
88. Josh Turner, CB
92. Nick Waisome, CB
101. Christian LeMay, QB
105. Matt Hegarty, OT
112. Andre Yruretagoyena, OT
115. Tyler Moore, OG
116. Cyrus Hobbi, OG
121. Miles Shuler, WR
129. Lamar Dawson, LB
131. Justice Hayes, RB
132. Damiere Byrd, WR
133. Gregory Robinson, OG
143. Corey Marshall, DE
144. Anthony Zettel, DE
146. Giorgio Newberry, DE
149. Sheldon Royster, S
151. Valdez Showers, CB
153. Wayne Lyons, S
154. Quan Bray, RB
161. DaVaris Daniels, WR
165. Darian Cooper, DT
169. Ron Tanner, S
178. Remound Wright, RB
182. Kyshoen Jarrett, CB
183. Ryan Kelly, OC
187. Devin Smith, WR
193. Sheroid Evans, S
195. Shawn Oakman, DE
196. Jabriel Washington, CB
200. Javares McRoy, WR
204. Aundrey Walker, OG
210. JaJuan Story, WR
213. Blake Countess, CB
216. Mickey Johnson, DT
217. Jerrard Randall, QB
222. Quinta Funderburk, WR
226. Kellen Jones, LB
241. Brandon Phelps, CB
248. Jake Fisher, OT
250. Dexter Staley, LB
253. A.J. Johnson, LB
254. Everett Golson, QB
263. Marquise Williams, QB
268. Kris Frost, LB
275. Brandon Fulse, TE
279. Darius Jennings, WR
282. Tre Mason, RB
283. Devin Lucien, WR
290. Josue Matias, OT
291. Nick Vannett, TE
292. Zach DeBell, OT

Justice Hayes, Wolverine

Grand Blanc running back Justice Hayes

Running back Justice Hayes, from Grand Blanc, MI, committed to the Wolverines on Monday night.  Hayes is a 5’10”, 182 lb. running back/slot receiver who’s a 4-star recruit to all three recruiting services.  Rivals is the biggest fan of Hayes, giving him the #84 ranking overall and placing him as the #3 all-purpose back in the nation.  Those are pretty high accolades.

Up until a couple days ago, Hayes was a Notre Dame commitment.  He committed to the Fighting Irish in July 2010 and seemed solidly in their corner.  However, after attending a recent game in South Bend, he stated that there were a “couple situations” in South Bend that made him uncomfortable.  It didn’t take him long to call his recruiter at Michigan, running backs coach Fred Jackson, and make a commitment to the Wolverines.

As for Hayes’s high school production, he injured his wrist three games into his senior season and missed the majority of his final year due to that injury.  However, he had solid seasons as a sophomore and junior.  As a tenth grader in 2008, Hayes carried the ball 163 times for 1,122 yards and 10 touchdowns.  He followed that up with 175 carries for 1,295 yards and 12 touchdowns.  Hayes also caught 41 passes for 447 yards over those two seasons.

According to GoBlueWolverine.com, Hayes committed to Michigan as an “athlete.”  This does not surprise me.  Michigan has a similar (but better) back already in the fold for the Class of 2011, Demetrius Hart.  Hayes catches the ball out of the backfield well, and he runs with kind of a slashing, herky jerky motion.  He has a variety of moves and looks nearly impossible to tackle one-on-one.  In some ways, he reminds me of a taller Jeremy Gallon.

What Hayes lacks is ideal size and top-end speed.  He doesn’t exactly run away from defenses, and while he runs through some tackles by picking up his feet and keeping them moving, he won’t run over anybody.  When I ranked uncommitted backs in June, Hayes checked in at #5 on my list (Dee Hart was #2).

I think the position in which Hayes would be most effective is slot receiver.  Hart is a more dynamic runner and has better speed, so I’d like Hart to get more touches from the backfield.  However, as I said above, Hayes is spectacular in open space.  I would like to see him catching some bubble screens and getting to the edge one-on-one.  That would also give the team the slot receiver they desired in the 2011 class, as evidenced by the offers to Prince Holloway, DeVondrick Nealy, and Shane Wynn, among others.

Hayes is commitment #13 in the Class of 2011.  Barring any early departures or transfers, there should be approximately nine spots left in the class.

TTB Rating: 72

2011 Offer Board Update

New Jersey offensive tackle Josue Matias

The 2011 Offer Board has been updated:

If I had My Druthers . . . Running Backs

I’m not sure what this guy’s name is . . .

Okay, here’s the list of running backs Michigan has offered. Players who have committed elsewhere are barred from my prestigious list. It’s a dog eat dog world out there, my friends, and you’re wearing Milkbone underwear.

1. Mike Bellamy
Only 5’9″ but has good speed and is extremely slippery. He shrugs off arm tackles.

2. Demetrius Hart
He might be pictured above. He’s fast, tiny, and will run you over if you’re not ready.

3. Mike Blakely
Great speed and quickness, but doesn’t break as many tackles as Bellamy.

4. Savon Huggins
Slightly above average speed, but runs hard and has tremendous balance.

5. Justice Hayes
Good speed and decent power. Good pass receiver, too. Runs a little high.

6. Bill Belton
Tiny, quick-twitch high school quarterback. Extremely elusive, but I’d like someone with a little more power.

7. Malcolm Crockett
Runs hard and makes cuts at full speed.

8. Remound Wright
Only average speed, but runs with purpose. Most impressive: the kid sprints through the goal line, even when nobody’s close to him. I’d love to have him on my team. His video got me pumped.

9. DaVondrick Nealy
Very good speed and moves, but dances a little too much for my liking.

10. Quan Bray
Good speed, but very thin. Doesn’t run as hard as I’d like to see him run.

11. Jarrell Oliver
Just doesn’t have the explosion I’d like to see in a running back. Not the gamebreaker Michigan needs.

12. Demetrius Williams
Good initial burst, but not a natural breakaway runner. Seems to be running in quicksand when he gets into the open field.

13. Melvin Gordon
Good size. Decent speed. Could also play safety.

Mailbag: 2011 RB and DT Recruiting

Jacksonville running back Andrew Buie

Out of the RB’s we have already offered in 2011, who do you think has the most potential in our offense? How many DT’s will we sign and which DT has shown a lot of interest in Michigan.
Sincerely,
Anonymous from Maldives

Unlike certain blogs out there, I won’t make up mailbag questions. I’ll use the mailbag posts to answer questions posed to me in e-mail. I’ll also place some questions here that are asked in comments sections that might interest a broad range of people.

However, I will make up locations for those e-mailers.

Michigan has offered six superbacks so far: Demetrius Hart, Demetrius Williams, Allan Wasonga, Andrew Buie, Jarrell Oliver, and Justice Hayes. In my opinion, the one who projects best to Michigan’s offense is Andrew Buie. Buie is from Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, FL, the same high school that 2010 recruit Rashad Knight attended. The competition at TCA is questionable, but Buie’s 5’9″, 188 lbs. and has very good speed and acceleration. He also has good vision and gets upfield rather than dancing, which is necessary for a good read option runner.

As far as defensive tackles go, I think Michigan will take two in the class of 2011 – one nose tackle and one defensive tackle. Ryan Van Bergen will likely move to defensive end, so current tackles with eligibility remaining after 2010 will be Mike Martin, William Campbell, Richard Ash, and Terry Talbott. By the time 2011 recruits get on campus, Martin will be a senior and Campbell will be a junior, so it’s imperative that Michigan gets some more depth on the interior defensive line. Unfortunately, none of the four defensive tackles Michigan has offered seem likely to be Wolverines. Desmond Jackson already committed to Texas, and Timmy Jernigan is considered a lock to attend Florida. That leaves Vincent Croce (Olney, MD) and Kevin Williams (Holland, OH). Croce plans to visit for Michigan’s next Junior Day on February 20, but I’m not sold on Rodriguez’s ability to recruit the Atlantic region. Williams seems the most likely and also plans to visit on February 20, but I have a feeling that Williams will head south.