Rivals 250 for 2016 released

Tag: Messiah DeWeaver


29Jul 2014
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Rivals 250 for 2016 released

Messiah DeWeaver

Rivals released its top 250 players for 2016 this morning. Yesterday they released the top 100 (LINK). Offensive tackle commit Erik Swenson was #70, and Michigan’s only other pledge in the class is quarterback Messiah DeWeaver, who comes in at #210 overall. Here’s a list of the rest of Michigan’s offerees:

109. Joseph Jackson – DE – Florida
115. Binjimen Victor – WR – Florida
130. Elijah Holyfield – RB – Pennsylvania
133. Shaquille Quarterman – LB – Florida (Miami)
136. Kyree Campbell – DE – Virginia
145. Michael Menet – OT – Pennsylvania
146. Justin Layne – WR – Ohio
147. Michael Onwenu – DT – Michigan
157. Antonio Williams – RB – North Carolina
165. Luke Farrell – TE – Ohio
170. Austin Mack – WR – Indiana
182. Kentrail Moran – RB – Illinois
186. Dele’ Harding – LB – Maryland
197. Kaden Smith – TE – Texas
201. Steven Smothers – WR – Maryland
204. Richard Merritt – OG – Washington, D.C.
210. Messiah DeWeaver – QB – Ohio (Michigan)
213. Robert Washington – RB – North Carolina
216. Auston Robertson – DE – Indiana
222. Lavert Hill – CB – Michigan

22Jul 2014
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Visitors: 2014 BBQ at the Big House

Lincolnton (NC) Lincolnton defensive end Darian Roseboro

This year’s BBQ at the Big House for 2015 prospects will be on July 27th. Last year Michigan did two separate barbecues for seniors and then underclassmen, but I believe this year’s will be one combined event.

2015
Jalen Bates – DE – Kaplan (LA) Kaplan: Bates is a 6’4″, 240 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #22 weakside end, and #499 overall. Michigan is one of his top few schools, and his cousin is former Wolverine linebacker Jonas Mouton. Bates is aiming to visit Ann Arbor sometime around June 24-26, so he may miss the actual BBQ but will be in town at roughly the same juncture.

Chris Clark – TE – Avon (CT) Old Farms: Clark committed to Michigan in June (LINK).

Brian Cole – WR – Saginaw (MI) Heritage: Cole is a 6’2″, 190 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #5 athlete, and #65 overall. Cole may not be able to stay for Sunday’s BBQ, but he will be at Michigan on at least Friday and Saturday.

Kengera Daniel – DE – Raleigh (NC) Millbrook: Daniel is a 6’5″, 250 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Miami, Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wake Forest, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #21 strongside end, and #503 overall. He claims a 4.89 forty and had 89 tackles, 13 sacks, and 1 interception as a junior in 2013.

Jack Dunaway – DE – Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice: Dunaway is a 6’3″, 212 lb. prospect with no offers at this time. He’s the teammate of Michigan quarterback commit Alex Malzone. Dunaway is also the son of Craig Dunaway, a tight end at Michigan from the mid-1980’s.

Joshua Ellison – WR – Flint (MI) Carman-Ainsworth: Ellison is a 5’11”, 185 lb. prospect with no FBS offers at this time, as far as I know. He is a potential walk-on candidate.

Damien Harris – RB – Berea (KY) Madison Southern: Harris was committed to Michigan, but he then de-committed in January (LINK) after offensive coordinator Al Borges was fired. Michigan is still under consideration but is believed to have fallen behind Ohio State, if not Alabama and Kentucky. UPDATE: Harris no longer plans to attend the BBQ.

Amari Henderson – CB – Charlotte (NC) Mallard Creek: Henderson is a 6’1″, 182 lb. prospect with offers from Kansas State, Kentucky, Penn State, and Wake Forest, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #111 safety, and #1481 overall. He claims a 4.46 forty, a 41″ vertical, a 255 lb. bench, and a 355 lb. squat. He has not been offered by Michigan, but he has been in contact with area recruiter Roy Manning. The Wolverines are searching for someone to replace Shaun Crawford, who decommitted in favor of Notre Dame. UPDATE: Henderson committed to Wake Forest on July 19, but still wants to attend the BBQ.

Tyree Kinnel – S – Huber Heights (OH) Wayne: Kinnel committed to Michigan in August 2013 (LINK).

Darrin Kirkland, Jr. – LB – Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence Central: Kirkland committed to Michigan in May (LINK).

Marcus Lewis – CB – Washington (DC) Gonzaga: Lewis is a 6’1″, 187 lb. prospect who committed to Florida in April. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #8 athlete, and #118 overall. He claims a 4.38 forty and will be at The Opening this month. Lewis has said that, while he remains committed to Florida, he wants to explore his options, and one of them is playing in Ann Arbor. There was recently some news that he would transfer to IMG Academy in Florida for his senior year, but it appears he will remain at Gonzaga Prep.



Alex Malzone – QB – Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice: Malzone committed to Michigan in May (LINK).

Iman Marshall – CB – Long Beach (CA) Poly: Marshall is a 6’1″, 170 lb. prospect with offers from LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Stanford, UCLA, and USC, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 5-star, the #2 cornerback, and #8 overall. He will also be attending The Opening. Marshall’s presumed leader is USC, but he worked out with Michigan freshman Freddy Canteen in the off-season and wants to check out Michigan’s campus. He attends the alma mater of former Michigan corner Donovan Warren. UPDATE: Marshall did not make the trip.





Joshua McMillon – LB – Memphis (TN) Whitehaven: McMillon is a 6’3″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #16 outside linebacker, and #215 overall. He visited Michigan this spring and is very high on Michigan, although the SEC pull is strong in the state of Tennessee. UPDATE: McMillon will not be attending the BBQ because his parents can’t come, but he will try to visit with them prior to his August 22nd announcement date.

Tyrone Miller – S – Saline (MI) Saline

Grant Perry – WR – Bloomfield Hills (MI) Brother Rice: Perry is a 6’0″, 185 lb. prospect with offers from Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, and Kent State. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #131 wide receiver, #1051 overall, and #15 in the state of Michigan. He camped at Michigan and did well, although the Wolverines have not extended an offer. He is Malzone’s top receiving target at Brother Rice.

Patrice Rene – CB – Alexandria (VA) Episcopal: Rene is a 6’1″, 180 lb. prospect with offers from Indiana, Ohio State, Rutgers, and Syracuse, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #27 cornerback, and #212 overall. Rene is moving from Ontario to Virginia for his senior season.

Mook Reynolds – CB – Greensboro (NC) Northern Guilford: Reynolds is a 6’0″, 175 lb. prospect who committed to Virginia Tech in February; he also has offers from Georgia, Michigan, and Notre Dame, among others. Despite being committed to the Hokies, he wants to explore his options and has made a good connection with cornerbacks coach Roy Manning. UPDATE: Reynolds did not make the trip but remains interested in the Wolverines.

Drew Richmond – OT – Memphis (TN) University School: Richmond is a 6’5″, 320 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 offensive tackle, and #75 overall. Richmond will likely not be in attendance at the BBQ, but he has mentioned an interest in visiting, despite Michigan not making his initial top 10 list. UPDATE: Richmond did not make the trip.

Darian Roseboro – DE – Lincolnton (NC) Lincolnton: Roseboro is a 6’3″, 293 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Duke, Michigan, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Ohio State, and Tennessee, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #8 strongside end, and #122 overall. As a junior in 2013, he made 125 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. Michigan recruiting guru Sam Webb has been speaking very confidently about Michigan’s chances of landing Roseboro, who has developed a solid relationship with his recruiter, cornerbacks coach Roy Manning.

Jon Runyan, Jr. – OG – Philadelphia (PA) St. Joseph’s: Runyan committed to Michigan in June 2013 (LINK).

Auden Tate – WR – Tampa (FL) Wharton: Tate is a 6’4″, 195 lb. prospect with offers from Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, and South Carolina, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #40 wide receiver, and #319 overall. As a junior in 2013, he caught 49 passes for 815 yards and 5 touchdowns. Michigan may have been in front at one point, but an offer from the Seminoles in late May might have changed the tide in his recruitment. Tate is a possibility to attend the BBQ but has not yet purchased airline tickets, so it is unlikely. UPDATE: Tate did not make it to the BBQ.

Garrett Taylor – CB – Richmond (VA) St. Christopher: Taylor committed to Michigan in March (LINK).

Tyriq Thompson – LB – Detroit (MI) King: I wrote a scouting report on Thompson in January (LINK).

Michael Weber – RB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Weber is a 5’10”, 205 lb. prospect who has a top group that includes Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #13 running back, and #108 overall. Over the last two seasons, he has 3,359 rushing yards and 45 touchdowns. Weber is visiting USC this weekend and is attempting to fly back in time for the BBQ. UPDATE: Weber did return from California in time to get to the BBQ.

Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. – TE – Manlius (NY) Canisius: Wheatley is a 6’6″, 275 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Miami, Michigan, UCLA, and USC, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #10 tight end, and #231 overall. While he has grown to a mammoth size, Michigan is still recruiting him as a tight end, although he could play defensive end or even offensive tackle if he continues to grow. UPDATE: Wheatley will miss the BBQ.

Hit the jump for 2016 and 2017 prospects.

2016
Ben Bredeson – OT – Hartland (WI) Arrowhead: Bredeson is a 6’4″, 255 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 5-star, the #2 offensive tackle, and the #11 player overall. He picked up his Michigan offer in April and unofficially visited around the same time. Bredeson is visiting Notre Dame the same weekend as the BBQ, and he may not be able to make it to Ann Arbor that weekend, too.

Tuf Borland – LB – Bolingbrook (IL) Bolingbrook

Devante Brooks – DE – Washington (DC) St. John’s: Brooks is a 6’5″, 220 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, and Virginia Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #6 strongside end, and #94 overall. He claims a 4.7 forty.

Cameron Chambers – WR – Sicklerville (NJ) Timber Creek: Chambers is a 6’3″, 195 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Ohio State, Pitt, Rutgers, and Virginia Tech, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #29 wide receiver, and #142 overall. Chambers claims a 4.59 forty.

Messiah DeWeaver – QB – Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison: DeWeaver committed to Michigan in June (LINK).


Liam Eichenberg – OT – Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius: Eichenberg is a 6’5″, 280 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, which comprise his top three. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #8 offensive tackle, and #51 overall. He named Michigan his top school after visiting campus in June, only to name Notre Dame his leader the next week upon a visit to South Bend. St. Ignatius is the alma mater of Michigan senior linebacker Jake Ryan. UPDATE: Eichenberg will not attend the BBQ.

Luke Farrell – TE – Perry (OH) Perry:
 Farrell is a 6’6″, 219 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio State. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #13 tight end, and #394 overall. He earned the offer from the Wolverines in June when he camped at Michigan.

Daelin Hayes – LB – Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s: Hayes is a 6’3″, 225 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, and Notre Dame, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #5 outside linebacker, and #101 overall. He originally set an announcement date for late April when he was expected to commit to Michigan, but he postponed that so he could explore other options. UPDATE: Hayes did not make the trip, as he was in California committing to USC.

Lavert Hill – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Hill is a 5’11”, 165 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Miami, North Carolina, and North Carolina State, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #32 cornerback, and #300 overall. Hill is the younger brother of Michigan sophomore safety Delano Hill. I have yet to see film of the younger Hill, but he has been impressive at numerous camps recently.

Elijah Holyfield – RB – Atlanta (GA) Woodward: Holyfield is a 5’11”, 190 lb. prospect with offers from Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Ohio State, and Ole Miss, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #27 running back, and #291 overall. Holyfield earned his Michigan offer at camp in June, and he’ll be bringing both of his parents (you may have heard of his dad, Evander Holyfield) with him this time.

Michael Jordan – OT – Plymouth (MI) Plymouth: Jordan is a 6’5″, 278 lb. prospect with a lone offer from Michigan, which he earned at camp in June. He’s a 247 Composite 3-star, the #32 offensive tackle, and #429 overall.

Khalid Kareem – DE – Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison

Josh King – DE – Hinsdale (IL) South: King is a 6’6″, 250 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Michigan State. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #4 strongside end, and #59 overall. King is relatively quiet about his recruitment. He comes from the same town (but not the same school) as freshman tight end Ian Bunting, and his team plays 2016 Michigan tackle commit Erik Swenson’s.

Justin Layne – WR – Cleveland (OH) Benedictine: Layne is a 6’3″, 173 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #11 wide receiver, and #65 overall. Layne attends the same school as 2015 linebacker Jerome Baker, who just committed to Florida last week.

Thiyo Lukusa – OG – Traverse City (MI) West: Lukusa is a 6’5″, 300 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Wisconsin, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #21 offensive tackle, and #264 overall. He is thought to be a Michigan lean.

Austin Mack – WR – Fort Wayne (IN) Bishop Luers: Mack is a 6’2″, 205 lb. prospect who also has a top three of Michigan, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #12 wide receiver, and #78 overall. Mack earned a Michigan offer after camping in Ann Arbor in June, and there is some confidence among recruitniks that the Wolverines currently hold a lead for Mack’s services.

David Reese II – LB – Farmington (MI) Farmington: Reese is a 6’1″, 235 lb. prospect with offers from Akron, Ohio, and Toledo. He may be more of a defensive end prospect, and with his height, that would probably be at a smaller school than Michigan. His teammate is Desmond Fitzpatrick, a 2016 wide receiver on Michigan’s radar with several FBS offers.

Auston Robertson – DE – Fort Wayne (IN) Wayne: Robertson is a 6’5″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Akron, Indiana, Notre Dame, and Toledo, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #15 weakside end, and #198 prospect overall. He will be traveling to Ann Arbor with Mack (above), and an offer would give Michigan a very good chance.

Erik Swenson – OT – Downers Grove (IL) South:
 Swenson committed to Michigan in November (LINK). He recently participated in the Rivals 100 Five-Star Challenge, where he performed solidly but not spectacularly; most participants were a year ahead of him as part of the 2015 class. UPDATE: Swenson will probably not be able to make it to Ann Arbor.

Naseir Upshur – TE – Philadelphia (PA) Imhotep: Upshur is a 6’3″, 231 lb. prospect with offers from Arizona State, Michigan, Michigan State, and South Carolina, among others. He’s a 247 Composite 4-star, the #9 tight end, and #311 overall. Upshur is a devastating blocker and earned his Michigan offer at camp last month.

Abdullah Yaseen – CB – Oak Park (MI) Oak Park

2017
Corey Malone-Hatcher – DE – St. Joseph (MI) St. Joseph

Josh Myers – OT – Miamisburg (OH) Miamisburg: Myers is a 6’5″, 275 lb. prospect with offers from Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio State, among others. His father played at Kentucky, and his older brother is an offensive lineman for the Wildcats now.

Donovan Peoples-Jones – WR – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech

Joshua Ross – LB – Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s: Ross is a 6’0″, 194 lb. prospect with offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Oklahoma, among others. He’s the younger brother of junior linebacker James Ross III and the teammate of 2016 Michigan offeree Daelin Hayes (above).

Jonathan Sutherland – WR – Ottawa (Ontario) Pearson: Sutherland is a 5’10”, 175 lb. prospect with a lone offer from Rutgers.

Luiji Vilain – DE – Ottawa (Ontario) Pearson: Vilain is a 6’3″, 230 lb. prospect with offers from Minnesota, Penn State, Rutgers, and Syracuse. Both he and Sutherland will be traveling with 2015 prospect Patrice Rene.

8Jul 2014
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ESPN 300 for 2016 released

Messiah DeWeaver is Michigan’s top ranked commit for 2016

ESPN released its initial top 300 for the class of 2016. Two current Michigan commits appear on the list, along with a host of offerees. There are no 5-stars to begin their recruiting cycle, so there are only 4-star and 3-star guys listed here. There are also several Michigan natives and guys with Michigan ties on the list, so you may want to click through and look at the complete list.

– Messiah DeWeaver is #115
– Erik Swenson is #256

4-stars:
1. Greg Little – OT – Texas (Texas A&M)
2. Malik Henry – QB – California
4. Jacob Eason – QB – Washington
5. Kareem Walker – RB – New Jersey
6. Nate Craig – ATH – Florida
8. Brandon Jones – S – Texas
17. Rashan Gary – DT – New Jersey
22. Levonta Taylor – CB – Virginia
24. Dwayne Haskins – QB – Maryland
31. Jauan Williams – OT – Washington, D.C.
32. Scott Bracey – WR – Virginia
33. Dexter Lawrence – DT – North Carolina
34. Sam Bruce – WR – Florida
35. Shea Patterson – QB – Louisiana (Arizona)
39. Liam Eichenberg – OT – Ohio
40. Kaden Smith – TE – Texas
42. Isaac Nauta – TE – Georgia
44. Ben Cleveland – OT – Georgia
61. K.J. Costello – QB – California
75. Janarius Robinson – DE – Florida
81. Jake Hausmann – TE – Ohio
82. Justin Layne – WR – Ohio
83. E.J. Price – OT – Georgia
87. Richard Merritt – OT – Washington, D.C.
89. Steven Smothers – WR – Maryland
115. Messiah DeWeaver – QB – Ohio (Michigan)
119. Ben Bredeson – OT – Wisconsin
123. Shaquille Quarterman – LB – Florida (Miami)
125. Josh King – DE – Illinois
137. Elijah Holyfield – RB – Georgia
145. Cameron Chambers – WR – New Jersey
156. Clark Yarbrough – OT – Virginia
162. Josh Imatorbhebhe – WR – Georgia
190. Miles Sanders – RB – Pennsylvania
199. Collin Johnson – WR – Texas (Texas)
205. Tavares Chase – WR – Florida
210. Daelin Hayes – LB – Michigan
219. Kyree Campbell – DT – Virginia
224. Jaquan Yulee – LB – Virginia
239. Brad Hawkins – WR – New Jersey
256. Erik Swenson – OT – Illinois (Michigan)
262. Thiyo Lukusa – OT – Michigan

3-stars:
277. Mike Williams – DT – Texas
293. Naseir Upshur – TE – Pennsylvania
297. Malek Young – CB – Florida

18Jun 2014
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Messiah DeWeaver, Wolverine

Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison quarterback Messiah DeWeaver

Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison quarterback Messiah DeWeaver committed to Michigan today. He chose the Wolverines over offers from Cincinnati, Kentucky, and Louisville, among others.

DeWeaver is 6’3″, 202 lbs. As a sophomore in 2013, he passed for 2,300 yards and 21 touchdowns while also rushing for 6 touchdowns.

RATINGS
ESPN: Unranked
Rivals: Unranked
Scout: Unranked
247 Sports: 4-star, 90 grade, #9 pro-style QB, #244 overall, #12 in-state

DeWeaver has been visiting campus regularly for a couple years due to Trotwood-Madison’s connections to Michigan. The school sent former Wolverines Michael Shaw, Roy Roundtree, and Brandon Moore to Ann Arbor, and DeWeaver’s teammates Mike McCray II and Reon Dawson will be redshirt freshman Wolverines in the fall. DeWeaver will hit Michigan’s campus in 2016 when they will presumably be redshirt juniors. DeWeaver has been his varsity team’s starting quarterback since his freshman season.

Trotwood-Madison runs a diverse, modern pro-style offense that involves some single-back plays, some I-formation, and a lot of shotgun, five-wide, bunch formations, etc. DeWeaver does a good job of directing the offense. There’s a play roughly 5:25 into his Hudl highlights where he makes and adjustment with his slot receiver, who runs a drag route across the field, catches the ball, and turns it up the sideline for a 60+ yard touchdown. DeWeaver seems to know where to go with the ball rather quickly, so he doesn’t take a lot of time sitting in the pocket waiting for the rush to get to him. Accuracy is difficult to gauge from a highlight film, but he does seem to manage putting the ball in a place where only his receiver can catch it. He also is willing to take a hit in order to get rid of the football and does not seem jumpy in the pocket. The mental aspect of playing quarterback seems to be there. As for his athleticism, he keeps his feet active in the pocket but does not appear to be a huge threat on the move.

The biggest issue I have with DeWeaver is (to quote the great Trent Dilfer) his “arm talent.” DeWeaver lacks a great arm, and he tends to drop his elbow, which can make the ball sail a little bit. He does not put great spin on the football, and he has a tendency to step to the left of his target, which affects the zip on his passes. I would also like to see him speed up his dropback from under center, but that is easily coached.

Overall, I think DeWeaver has considerable potential if his body and arm strength mature. It’s difficult to keep in mind that the highlights available show an athlete who is entering his junior year of high school. If that arm strength matures with age, then he could be a very good college quarterback. If he does not get stronger in that area, I think he will have some serious issues completing passes against tighter coverage and quicker defenses. This will be something to watch over the next two years.

DeWeaver is the second commitment in Michigan’s 2016 class, joining Downers Grove (IL) South offensive tackle Erik Swenson. The class is scheduled to be roughly 16 players strong right now.

TTB Rating: I will not release TTB Ratings for the 2016 class until the 2015 class is completed.