The news came out this morning that Lane Kiffin, head coach of the USC Trojans, is now . . . well . . . the ex-head coach of the USC Trojans. The Trojans lost to Arizona State on Saturday by a score of 62-41 and dropped to 3-2 on the year. It’s open season on their recruits, one of whom (2014 linebacker Derik Calhoun) has already opened up his recruitment. They have just six remaining commits in the current class, and none of them had been offered by Michigan. La Jolla (CA) Country Day offensive tackle Jordan Poland talked at one time about being highly interested in Michigan, but the Wolverines haven’t reciprocated that interest up to this point. And on a side note, class of 2015 quarterback David Sills – who committed to Lane Kiffin a few years ago – is the teammate of 2014 Michigan commits Freddy Canteen and Brandon Watson, which may be something to watch as the Wolverines search for more quarterback targets in the next class.
Transfers might be unlikely in the future, but here’s a list of the current USC non-seniors who held offers from the Wolverines at one point:
WR Nelson Agholor (So.) S Dion Bailey (RS Jr.) S Su’a Cravens (Fr.) RB Justin Davis (Fr.) LB Lamar Dawson (Jr.) WR Jordan Farmer (Jr.) CB Chris Hawkins (Fr.) C Cyrus Hobbi (RS So.) LB Michael Hutchings (Fr.) RB Ty Isaac (Fr.) WR Marqise Lee (Jr.) S Leon McQuay III (Fr.) LB Jabari Ruffin (RS Fr.) CB Joshua Shaw (RS Jr.) DT Delvon Simmons (Jr.) OG Jordan Simmons (RS Fr.)
TE Randall Telfer (RS Jr.) OT Max Tuerk (So.) OG Aundrey Walker (Jr.)
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.
Richmond (VA) Hermitage running back Derrick Green
(image via 247 Sports)
COMMITMENTS
Birmingham (MI) Seaholm offensive tackle Dan Gibbs, a class of 2012 kid, committed to Michigan as a preferred walk-on. I drew some ire for this October post that said he probably wasn’t worthy of a scholarship offer, and it turns out he’s a preferred walk-on, as I suggested. He’s just not the kind of athlete that Michigan is recruiting at this point. (Highlights here.)
Detroit (MI) Crockett tight end Khalid Hill committed to Michigan on the spot when he got an offer. (Commitment post here.)
ADDED TO THE BOARD
St. Louis (MO) DeSmet offensive tackle Andy Bauer, a 2014 prospect, was offered on his visit to Michigan this weekend. Despite being just a high school sophomore, he is 6’5″ and 290 lbs. I discussed Bauer in Friday’s weekend visitor post (with highlights).
Jersey City (NJ) St. Peter’s Prep cornerback Tre Bell was offered by Michigan this weekend. Bell is a 5’11”, 170 lb. defender with offers from South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others. He had 36 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 10 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions as a junior in 2011. Michigan has also pursued other St. Peter’s Prep kids in recent years, such as safety D.J. Singleton (2012), running back Savon Huggins (2011), and safety Sheldon Royster (2011).
Somerville (NJ) Immaculata defensive end Tashawn Bower was offered by Michigan on Tuesday. He’s a 6’5″, 230-pounder with offers from Florida State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Rutgers, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia, among others.
Stockton (CA) Lincoln running back Justin Davis was offered by Michigan on Monday. He’s a 6’1″, 195 lb. speedster who ran for 2,599 yards and 38 touchdowns as a junior in 2011. Cal, Oklahoma, and UCLA have also extended offers.
Cypress (TX) Cypress Ranch running back Keith Ford picked up an offer from the Wolverines. He’s a 5’11”, 195 lb. speedster who has offers from Alabama, Florida State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech, among others. He only had 140 carries as a junior, but they went for 915 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Richmond (VA) Hermitage running back Derrick Green picked up a Michigan offer on Tuesday. He’s a 6’0″, 215 lb. back who reports a 4.37 time in the forty. He ran for 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior, and has been offered by Arkansas, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, USC, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others. Hermitage is the alma mater of big-time class of 2011 recruit Curtis Grant, who was pursued by Michigan but ultimately chose Ohio State.
Dallas (TX) Jesuit offensive tackle J.J. Gustafson received an offer on Tuesday. He’s 6’6″ and 260 lbs. with offers from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech, among others. Receiver Jake Oliver, also from Jesuit, has been offered by Michigan, too.
Tampa (FL) Wharton cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III grabbed an offer during Monday’s flurry. He’s a 5’11”, 177 lb. with a report 4.45 forty under his belt. At the Under Armour Junior Combine in January, Rivals named him the “Most Athletic” prospect due to his forty, a 34″ vertical, and a 4.12 shuttle. Florida, Florida State, Miami, Notre Dame, and Ohio State have all offered. He’s an early 5-star on Rivals and 247 Sports.
Richmond (VA) Varina cornerback Tim Harris was offered by Michigan on Tuesday. He claims 4.48 speed and offers from Ohio State, Rutgers, Tennessee, Virginia, and Virginia Tech. Virginia is the early leader for his services. Varina is the alma mater of former Michigan running back Brandon Minor.
College Station (TX) A&M Consolidated defensive end Christian Lacouture received an offer from Michigan, despite being committed to Texas A&M. He’s a 6’5″, 255-pounder with offers from LSU, Missouri, and Texas Tech.
Centerville (OH) Centerville offensive tackle Evan Lisle was offered by Michigan last week. He’s lean at 6’6″, 265 lbs. but benches 285, which is fairly impressive for a kid with long arms like him. He packs a good punch off the line, but he obviously needs to add some bulk so he can make his body match his demeanor. He also has offers from Illinois, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and West Virginia, among others.
Philadelphia (PA) William Penn Charter offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey got an offer from the Wolverines. He’s 6’9″ and 280 lbs. with offers from Maryland, Rutgers, Wisconsin, and a few others.
Pittsburgh (PA) Seton-La Salle tight end Scott Orndorff was offered by Michigan, despite having committed to Wisconsin last August. He’s 6’5″ and 240 lbs. but other information on him is limited. However, offensive coordinator Paul Chryst’s departure for Pittsburgh, along with other staff changes, have opened the door for some other schools to perhaps snatch him away from the Badgers.
St. Paul (MN) Cretin-Derham wide receiver James Onwualu grabbed a Michigan offer on Monday. He’s a 6’1″, 205 lb. athlete who could play multiple positions in college. He’s got a 4.53 forty and a 37″ vertical leap. Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Purdue, and Stanford are all pursuing him. Cretin-Derham is the alma mater of class of 2011 offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson (Miami), class of 2009 wide receiver Michael Floyd (Notre Dame), and Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer.
Cordova (TN) St. Benedict running back Jordan Wilkins was offered by Michigan on Wednesday. He’s a 6’1″, 193 lb. tailback who has offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt, among others. He’s the #238 player in the country, according to 247 Sports. Wilkins carried the ball 196 times for 1,546 yards (7.9 yards per carry) and 18 touchdowns. He also had 17 catches for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus one touchdown each on punt returns and kick returns.
OFF THE BOARD
Olney (MD) Good Counsel wide receiver Stefon Diggs, a 2012 prospect, committed to Maryland. He’s a 5-star recruit, Maryland’s first such prospect since 2007 (Bruce Campbell). Many experts expected Diggs to choose the Florida Gators, but the buzz around Maryland picked up a couple days before his Friday night announcement.
Sandy Creek (GA) Sandy Creek cornerback Shaquille Wiggins committed to Georgia. Michigan was an early leader and he even hinted that he wanted to commit when he made an unofficial visit to Ann Arbor late in the season, but that sentiment wore off pretty quickly. He even fell in love with the University of Virginia, too, before getting offered by the home state Bulldogs in late January.
