National Underclassmen Combine: Michigan top 20 for 2013

Tag: Khalid Hill


13Mar 2012
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National Underclassmen Combine: Michigan top 20 for 2013

Shallman is NUC’s 15th-best prospect in Michigan

National Underclassmen Combine released its top 20 in-state prospects for the class of 2013.  All of the players are notable, I guess, since they’re in-state kids . . . but the order in which they’re ranked might be a bit surprising.  Click through for the full list, but here are the Michigan offerees:

1. Steve Elmer – OL – Midland (MI) Midland (Notre Dame)
2. Shane Morris – QB – Warren (MI) De La Salle (Michigan)
4. David Dawson – OL – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech (Michigan)
6. Jourdan Lewis – DB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech (Michigan)
10. Khalid Hill – LB – Detroit (MI) Crockett (Michigan)
15. Wyatt Shallman – DL – Novi (MI) Catholic Central (Michigan)

18Feb 2012
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Weekend Visitors: February 17-20, 2012

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech offensive guard David Dawson will likely get a Michigan offer during his weekend visit.  Here
he is (left, #55) standing over a demolished opponent when he was a sophomore.
(image via Future College Athlete Association)

Sam Webb, from Scout and the Detroit News, has stated that Michigan will receive some “good news” today at noon on WTKA.  And I’m pretty sure he’s not talking about someone getting pregnant.

Anyway, who’s visiting Michigan this weekend?  These guys:

Kyle Bosch – OG – Wheaton (IL) St. Francis: I wrote a scouting report on Bosch a few weeks ago.  Bosch visited Michigan twice during the 2011 season and is headed back to Ann Arbor for more.  He’s the #44 player to 247 Sports and the #60 player to Rivals, so he’s an upper echelon recruit.  Do not expect a commitment from him in the near future, though.

Jake Butt – TE – Pickerington (OH) North: Butt has also visited Michigan previously and has stated that Michigan is his leader “by far.”  Butt wants to take other visits, but the general feeling is that the Wolverines will be difficult to beat.  He could pair with 2013 commit Khalid Hill to make a nice combo of tight end prospects who complement each other.

Taco Charlton – DE – Pickerington (OH) Central: Charlton is a 6’6″, 240 lb. prospect who could play either weakside or strongside end for Michigan.  The Wolverines are considered to reside at the top of his list, and there’s a shot that he will commit to Michigan soon.

Rod Crayton – DT – Dadeville (AL) Dadeville: Crayton is coming all the way from Alabama in pursuit of an offer.  Scout lists him as already holding an offer, but MGoBlog’s Ace Anbender spoke with him recently, and Crayton said Michigan’s coaching staff wants to get him on campus first.  Regardless, I would be surprised if he walked away from Ann Arbor without an offer.  He projects to the nose tackle position for Michigan.

David Dawson – OG – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Dawson has not yet been offered by Michigan, but there’s a very good chance he will be offered when he’s on campus this weekend.  He played the 2011 season in Houston but has returned to Cass Tech, a traditional pipeline to Ann Arbor.  Dawson recently picked up an offer from Alabama, so Michigan may want to get on the offer bandwagon before any other teams have a chance to build up an insurmountable lead in pursuit of the 6’5″, 305 lb. interior lineman.

Ross Douglas – CB – Avon (OH) Avon: Douglas has not yet been offered by Michigan.  He has offers from Connecticut, Minnesota, Northwestern, and Tennessee, among others.  The 5’10”, 180-pounder also plays running back for Avon.  Michigan is recruiting a couple other small-ish athletes, but mostly the Wolverines have been pursuing bigger corners and bigger running backs.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he picks up an offer this weekend, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t.

Kenton Gibbs – DT – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Gibbs is a 6’2″, 290 lb. nose tackle prospect with MAC offers so far.  There’s a chance that Michigan will offer him this weekend, but I’m not sure that they should.  With over eleven months to go until signing day, I think Michigan ought to give elite defensive tackles a chance to get to Michigan.  Gibbs seems like the type who might jump on a Michigan offer almost immediately.

Khalid Hill – TE – Detroit (MI) Crockett: Hill committed to Michigan a couple weeks ago.

De’Niro Laster – WR – Shaker Heights (OH) Shaker Heights: Laster will be visiting Michigan on Monday.  He has yet to receive an offer from Michigan, and I wouldn’t necessarily expect one soon.  More so than wide receiver, it seems like he would be a prospect for the U position at Michigan, which already has one commitment in the form of Khalid Hill.  He does not seem to have the speed to play wideout for the Wolverines.

Jourdan Lewis – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Hill is a 5’11”, 170 lb. cornerback whose recruitment will likely take off in the very near future . . . if he doesn’t commit to Michigan before then.  The general feeling is that he will commit to Michigan in the relatively near future.

Malik McDowell – DE – Detroit (MI) Loyola: The 6’6″, 260 lb. McDowell was supposed to visit Michigan on Thursday, but he did NOT make the trip to Ann Arbor due to illness.  He’s a 2014 prospect who does not have an offer from the Wolverines yet, but Michigan has selectively tossed out offers to a handful of 2014 prospects and McDowell could be the recipient as soon as he reschedules the trip.

Nyles Morgan – LB – Crete (IL) Crete-Monee: Morgan, another 2014 prospect, is a 6’2″, 200 lb. inside linebacker who goes to the same school as 2013 target Laquon Treadwell and former 2012 Michigan commit Anthony Standifer.

Shane Morris – QB – Warren (MI) De La Salle: Morris, one of the top few quarterbacks in the country, committed to Michigan last May.

Donovan Munger – DT – Shaker Heights (OH) Shaker Heights: Munger is a 6’3″, 278 lb. defensive tackle who will be visiting Michigan on Monday along with teammate De’Niro Laster.  He has not yet been offered by Michigan, but with an offer list that includes Auburn, Illinois, Penn State, Tennessee, and West Virginia, it’s not hard to imagine that he’ll get one on his visit.  He could play nose tackle or perhaps offensive guard for the Wolverines if they were to throw their hat into the ring.

Ethan Pocic – OT – Lemont (IL) Lemont: Pocic is a 6’7″, 285-pounder who holds offers from almost the entire Big Ten, including Michigan, and various schools around the country.  He doesn’t speak much to the media, much like fellow Lemont product David Molk.  A commitment should not be expected in the near future, but this is a return trip for Pocic, so his interest in Michigan is serious.

Logan Tuley-Tillman – OT – Peoria (IL) Manual: Tuley-Tillman is a 6’7″, 280 lb. lineman with offers from almost every major program in the country.  He is not expected to commit anywhere soon, but Michigan is considered to be his outright leader, especially since this will be his sixth or seventh visit to Ann Arbor over the last few months.

13Feb 2012
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Recruiting Update: February 13, 2012

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.

6Feb 2012
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Khalid Hill, Wolverine

Detroit (MI) Crockett TE Khalid Hill

Detroit (MI) Crockett tight end Khalid Hill committed to Michigan on Monday during a visit to Ann Arbor.  He picked the Wolverines over an offer from Central Michigan.

Hill is a 6’2″, 235 lb. kid who plays tight end and defensive end for Crockett.  As a junior in 2011, Hill caught 29 passes for 448 yards (15.4 yards per catch) and 6 touchdowns.  On defense he made 55 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and 6 sacks.

Ratings
ESPN: Unranked TE
Rivals: Unranked WDE
Scout: Unranked TE
247 Sports: 3-star TE, 86 grade

Hill is a little on the short side for a tight end, which is one reason why I thought it might take a while for him to get big-time offers.  He’s reportedly a little taller than 6’2″ when you might expect early offers only to guys who are 6’4″ or taller.  But Hill displays soft hands, good agility, and excellent route running skills.  He sells his routes well and shows a knack for eluding jams at the line of scrimmage.  He also shows pretty good speed and some elusiveness as a runner after the catch, more so than many of the bigger tight ends.

With a short frame, it’s likely that he’s headed for the U position, which is an H-back type role.  His size might be an advantage when playing in space or lead blocking from the move position, but he may struggle to add enough weight and strength to be an every-down tight end.  He gets a little bit lackadaisical with his blocking at times, and he’s going to have to be more consistent with his effort in the running game.  That can be fixed with coaching, though.

Hill has the body to be able to play as a freshman if needed.  He’s not the most fundamental or explosive player, but he’s not wispy like Devin Funchess and might be more college-ready immediately.  I expect him to play a role somewhat like that of former Michigan tight end/H-back Aaron Shea.

This gives Michigan three commitments for the class of 2012.  Hill is Michigan’s first commitment out of Crockett since Brandon Graham in the class of 2006.