Tag: Kyle Berger

Recruiting Update: April 16, 2013

East St. Louis (IL) East St. Louis linebacker Kyron Watson (#32)

COMMITMENT
Grand Rapids (MI) Christian wide receiver Drake Harris committed to Michigan.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2014
Sugar Land (TX) Fort Bend Austin running back Vic Enwere was offered by Michigan.  He’s a 6’0″, 210 lb. prospect with offers from Colorado, Houston, Michigan State, and Utah, along with a few others.  As a junior in 2012, he had 210 carries for 1,509 yards and 16 touchdowns.  According to the 247 Composite rankings, he’s a 3-star, the #55 running back, and the #723 player overall.  He’s a big back who I could easily see reaching 225-230 lbs., but he has a little bit of a herky jerky running motion and isn’t a very smooth athlete.

Kenton (OH) Kenton outside linebacker Noah Furbush was offered by Michigan.  He’s a 6’4″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Bowling Green and Toledo, too.  Furbush’s offer came after a couple outside linebacker targets picked Ohio State, so Furbush appears to be a backup plan.  He’s not currently rated by any of the sites, and in my opinion, he looks more like a Brennen Beyer-style weakside end instead of an outside linebacker.  Kenton is the alma mater of former Michigan target Maty Mauk, a 2012 quarterback who’s now at Missouri.

Orange Park (FL) Oakleaf safety Darrion Owens was offered by Michigan.  He’s a 6’3″, 225 lb. player with offers from Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, North Carolina State, South Florida, and West Virginia, among others.  In the 247 Composite rankings, he’s a 3-star, the #45 safety, and the #558 player overall.  As a junior in 2012, he had 101 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 6 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.  He’s too thick and stiff to be a strong safety in college, in my opinion, but he does have some significant potential as an outside linebacker with his speed and vicious hitting ability.

East St. Louis (IL) East St. Louis linebacker Kyron Watson was offered by Michigan.  He’s a 6’1″, 220 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Michigan State, Missouri, Purdue, and TCU, among others.  As a junior in 2012, he had 142 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, and 3 interceptions.  The offer was extended in the days after Sam Hubbard and Kyle Berger committed to Ohio State, but Watson does not appear to be a SAM prospect like them.  He’s a stout kid with the size and hitting ability of a middle linebacker, or perhaps a WILL.  This may indicate that the coaches are looking for a third linebacker in this class, when it was previously assumed that Michigan would look for just one more guy to pair with Michael Ferns III.

Clairton (PA) Thomas Jefferson outside linebacker Chase Winovich was offered by Michigan.  He stands 6’4″ and 215 lbs. with offers from Florida State, Miami, Northwestern, Ohio State, Pitt, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia, among others.  According to the 247 Composite rankings, he’s a 3-star, the #44 outside linebacker, and the #588 player overall.  Winovich has visited Michigan a couple times previously, but it has been presumed that Ohio State and Pitt, at the least, were ahead of the Wolverines.

Fort Lauderdale (FL) University School outside linebacker Richard Yeargin III was offered by Michigan.  He’s a 6’4″, 225 lb. prospect with offers from Arkansas, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others.  247’s Composite ranking places him as a 3-star, the #34 outside linebacker, and the #458 player overall.  He played at Hollywood (FL) Chaminade, the home of 2014 defensive tackle target Khairi Clark and a few 2012 targets, including QB Jerrard Randall (LSU), WR Curt Evans (Boston College), and safety Jonathan Aiken (Rutgers).  Now Yeargin is transferring to the University School, which Michigan previously targeted with 2013 WR Jordan Cunningham (Vanderbilt) and DT Maquedius Bain (LSU).

OFF THE BOARD
Houston (TX) Cypress Falls outside linebacker Otaro Alaka committed to Texas.  Alaka had not visited Michigan and was not expected to factor into his recruiting process.

Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius outside linebacker Kyle Berger committed to Ohio State.  When Cincinnati (OH) Moeller outside linebacker Sam Hubbard committed to Ohio State last week, that was thought to have helped Michigan with Berger, since both play the same position and the Buckeyes have limited scholarships. However, Berger quickly made his decision to be a Buckeye before he truly ran out of chances, since players like Winovich are also high on Ohio State and play the same position.

Olney (MD) Good Counsel offensive guard Sam Mustipher committed to Notre Dame.  Mustipher had visited Michigan and was seriously considering the Wolverines, partly because of a friendship with the Countess family.

New Orleans (LA) St. Augustine cornerback Jermaine Roberts committed to Texas.  Roberts is a solid prospect, but the prize player from St. Augustine is running back Leonard Fournette, who has offers from just about every noteworthy school across the country.

Mansfield (TX) Timberview safety Brandon Simmons committed to Stanford.  He had a passing interest in the Wolverines, but he had not visited and was expected to stay out west.

MISCELLANEOUS
Here’s a list of visitors for Michigan’s spring game.

Recruiting Update: April 8, 2013

Naples (FL) Barron Collier defensive tackle Brady Pallante

COMMITMENT
Naples (FL) Barron Collier defensive tackle Brady Pallante committed to Michigan.

OFF THE BOARD
Cincinnati (OH) Moeller outside linebacker Sam Hubbard committed to Ohio State.  Hubbard had been committed to Notre Dame as a lacrosse player, but he has started to realize his football potential and chose the Buckeyes instead.  As a probable strongside linebacker, this might open the door for Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius linebacker Kyle Berger to committed to Michigan; Berger’s recruitment appeared to have been a Michigan vs. Ohio State battle, but the Wolverines still need a SAM in the 2014 class while the Buckeyes have potentially filled that hole.

Wellington (FL) Palm Beach Central offensive tackle K.C. McDermott committed to Miami.  He had been expected to choose between Miami and Notre Dame, and he had not visited Michigan.

Washington (DC) Friendship Collegiate cornerback D’Andre Payne committed to Tennessee.  Michigan made Payne’s top ten list, but he never showed much interest.  Tennessee seemed to be the favorite for a while, so this wasn’t a surprise.

MISCELLANEOUS
Michigan hosted a ton of visitors over the past week, since it was spring break for a lot of high schoolers.

Coming out of the weekend, Michigan appears to lead for a few of those prospects: Jabrill Peppers, Juwann Bushell-Beatty, and K.J. Williams.

Scouting Report: Kyle Berger

Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius linebacker Kyle Berger

Name: Kyle Berger
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 210 lbs.
High school: Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius
Position: Linebacker
Class: 2014

Notes: Holds offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee, and West Virginia . . . As a junior in 2012, had 44 tackles for loss and 10 sacks . . . Rivals 4-star OLB, #204 overall . . . 247 Sports 4-star OLB, 90 grade, #22 OLB . . . Attends alma mater of Michigan linebacker Jake Ryan and former Michigan players Pat and Mike Massey, among others

Strengths: Good speed for a kid his size . . . Quickness is impressive, but straight line speed is even more so . . . Has good length . . . Plenty of room to fill out to 240 lbs. or so . . . Uses hands well to shed blockers . . . Very disciplined player . . . Stays home and doesn’t overpursue . . . Stays very balanced in pass rush and pursuit

Weaknesses: Has a tendency to false step . . . Needs to play more on balls of feet . . . Could work on hand placement and getting hands on inside of blocker’s frame rather than outside . . . Would ideally need a year or two to fill out physically . . . Can get outmuscled in the run game

Projection: Outside linebacker.  Berger is too long and lean to play inside, but he looks like an ideal fit at outside linebacker in a 4-3 Under defense.  He has good pass rushing skills and would be a disciplined run stopper.  He’s not the most explosive athlete, but he has good speed and plays with tenacity.  I like his demeanor on the field.  If he gets too big or is needed at weakside end, he could eventually play there, too.  He looks like a high level BCS player.

Reminds me of: Jake Ryan. I know it’s kind of an obvious pick, but the frame and playing style are very similar.

Here are Berger’s highlights on Hudl.

Visitors: February 22-24, 2013

Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake offensive guard Mason Cole

Kyle Berger – LB – Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius: Berger is a 6’3″, 205 lb. outside linebacker with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, and Tennessee, among others.  Most analysts seem to think that Berger’s choice will come down to Michigan vs. Ohio State.  He attends the same high school – and is being recruited at the same position – as Michigan’s current starter at SAM linebacker, Jake Ryan.


George Campbell – WR – Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake: Campbell, a 2015 prospect, is a 6’3″, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Arkansas, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, and several others.  As a sophomore in 2012, he had 30 catches for 766 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Brian Cole – WR – Saginaw (MI) Heritage: Cole, another 2015 prospect, is a 6’2″, 180 lb. cornerback with offers from Michigan and Michigan State.

Mason Cole – OG – Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake: I did a scouting report on Cole a few weeks ago.  Michigan is one of his leaders (along with Notre Dame), if not the outright front-runner.


Shaun Crawford – CB – Lakewood (OH) St. Edward’s: Crawford, a 2015 prospect, is a 5’9″, 165 lb. corner with offers from Illinois and Tennessee.  As a sophomore in 2012, he had 66 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery.  He claims a 4.51 forty and a 10.8 time in the 100 meters.  Crawford attends the alma mater of Michigan offensive guard Kyle Kalis.


Michael Ferns III – LB – St. Clairsville (OH) St. Clairsville: Ferns committed to Michigan late in last year’s regular season, becoming the first member of the 2014 class.  He put together some “Team 135” T-shirts that he plans to hand out/send to each of the other players who commits to Michigan, and he’s combining with quarterback commit Wilton Speight to head up Michigan’s recruiting efforts for the class.


Drake Harris – WR – Grand Rapids (MI) Christian: Harris is a 6’4″, 180 lb. wideout with offers from Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others.  He’s currently “committed” to Michigan State because he originally intended to play both basketball and football, but he will likely end up elsewhere because he has recently realized that football holds a better career future.


Elijah Hood – RB – Charlotte (NC) Catholic: Hood is a 6’0″, 205 lb. running back with offers from Clemson, Florida State, Michigan, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, USC, and Virginia Tech, among others.  He will be visiting Michigan on Sunday right after a visit to Notre Dame, his current leader.  As a junior in 2012, he ran for 3,309 yards and 48 touchdowns on just 278 carries.  Hood is neck-and-neck with Joe Mixon for my most desired running back in the class of 2014.


Lawrence Marshall – DE – Southfield (MI) Southfield: Marshall is a 6’3″, 225 lb. defensive end with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State, and he was committed to Ohio State for a few days recently.  However, he followed that up with visits to the former two schools and decommitted.  As a sophomore in 2011, he had 79 tackles, 15 sacks, and 4 interceptions.

Malik McDowell – DE – Detroit (MI) Loyola: McDowell is a 6’7″, 290 lb. strongside defensive end with offers from Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, USC, and others.  As a junior in 2012, he had 63 tackles, 15 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.  Michigan and Notre Dame appear to be the two front-runners.


Wilton Speight – QB – Richmond (VA) Collegiate: Speight committed to Michigan on National Signing Day.

Recruiting Update: January 21, 2013

Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius linebacker Kyle Berger

COMMITMENT
Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison cornerback Reon Dawson committed to Michigan.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2013
Cordova (TN) St. Benedict running back Jordan Wilkins decommitted from Auburn. He is now considering Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Vanderbilt.  While Michigan was on his list early in the process, he has expressed reservations about playing in the cold.

ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2014
Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius linebacker Kyle Berger was offered by Michigan. Berger is a 6’3″, 205 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, and West Virginia, among others; Ohio State appears to be his current leader.  He current plays outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, and he looks like a SAM linebacker.  As a junior in 2012, he had 44 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. St. Ignatius is the alma mater of Michigan linebacker Jake Ryan.

Chatham (IL) Glenwood tight end Daniel Helm was offered by Michigan.  He’s a 6’5″, 220-pounder whose only other offer comes from Illinois.  As a junior in 2012, he had 44 catches for 821 yards and 17 touchdowns.  Based on his film, I’m surprised he doesn’t have more offers.  I doubt John Beilein is interested in getting him on the basketball team, though.


OFF THE BOARD
Peoria (IL) Peoria defensive tackle Josh Augusta committed to Missouri.  It’s unclear whether Augusta ever held an actual offer from the Wolverines, but one site (Rivals) listed him, so I include him.  He’s the cross-town rival of Michigan offensive tackle commit Logan Tuley-Tillman, but it looks like their personal rivalry will end now that Augusta is SEC-bound.

Philadelphia (PA) West Catholic offensive tackle Jaryd Jones-Smith committed to Pitt.  The 6’7″, 300-pounder is considered to be quite a project, but his size and athleticism make him a nice developmental prospect for the Panthers.

Crete (IL) Crete-Monee wide receiver LaQuon Treadwell committed to Ole Miss.  At one time Michigan was his leader, but he kept holding off on committing.  Anytime a player has a stated leader but won’t commit for a long time, that’s a bit of a red flag.  Treadwell joins former class of 2012 teammate Anthony Standifer, a cornerback who was committed to Michigan at one time; Standifer redshirted this season.