Steve Threet Michael Ferns III. Seriously, tell me he doesn’t look like Threet with that #10.
St. Clairsville (OH) St. Clairsville linebacker Michael Ferns committed to Michigan on Thursday. He selected the Wolverines over offers from Illinois, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Stanford, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others.
Ferns is a 6’3″, 235-pounder. He had 136 tackles as a sophomore in 2011, plus another 88 tackles as a freshman. He also claims to run a leg of his high school track team’s 4×100 relay in 11.6 seconds.
A high-level prospect from the state of Ohio, many people thought Ferns was OSU’s to lose. However, he and his family thought better than to head to Columbus, so the pool was narrowed down to Michigan, Notre Dame, and Penn State. Ferns visited Michigan a couple times, including the BBQ in the Big House at the end of July, and decided that Ann Arbor was the place for him, despite the fact that his father is a Notre Dame fan. You can probably figure out for yourself why Penn State wasn’t the choice. The younger Ferns also has hopes of one day becoming a doctor, so academics weighed heavily on his mind; he currently has a 4.0 GPA.
I really like what I see on Ferns’s film. He plays both ways for his high school team, although keep in mind as you watch that St. Clairsville is a small school with fewer than 700 students enrolled; the competition is not excellent. Ferns plays some fullback, tight end, wide receiver, and linebacker. He shows very good instincts as a linebacker. Ferns the younger plays downhill nicely, showing quick initial reads and stepping up into holes that open. He keeps his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage and is a very solid tackler. He also does a nice job of side-stepping blockers and using his hands to shed when necessary. His change-of-direction skills are also apparent as an offensive player, where he swivels his hips pretty well to slither past defenders.
There’s not much to dislike on his film. He has a pretty advanced game for a high school sophomore. He does take a false step here or there as a linebacker, an occasional habit that he will hopefully rid himself of in the coming year or two; as a sophomore, that’s not a huge concern.
Ferns could project to a number of positions in college. He has the instincts to play MIKE linebacker, but I could see him outgrowing the position. I have my doubts that he’s already 6’3″ and 235 lbs. Sometimes heights and weights are exaggerated, and that would make him as big as Jake Ryan was as a redshirt freshman. If he outgrows the position, he has the length and athleticism to play SAM or even weakside defensive end. He also has the speed and receiving skills to play tight end if Michigan needs him there, although I think his upside is higher on defense. His all-around skills remind me of 2013 commit Ben Gedeon.
Ferns is Michigan’s first commitment for the class of 2014. The recruiting class currently looks to be about 17 strong, although that number will almost certainly rise between now and February ’14.
Devon Allen – WR – Phoenix (AZ) Brophy Prep: Allen is visiting on Saturday and won’t be around for the BBQ on Sunday, but his visit does indicate somewhat serious interest in Michigan. However, most analysts seem to believe that LaQuon Treadwell will take the final wide receiver spot in the class and that Allen will head elsewhere, anyway . . . possibly to Ohio State. I wrote up a scouting report on Allen a couple months ago.
Drew Barker – QB – Burlington (KY) Conner: Barker, a 2014 prospect, is a 6’3″, 204 lb. signal caller with offers from Illinois, Purdue, South Carolina, and a few others. He originally stated that he would visit for the BBQ, but this visit may will not take place now. (Highlights.)
Jimmy Byrne – OG – Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius: Byrne is a 6’4″, 275 lb. class of 2014 prospect with offers from Illinois, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and West Virginia. I believe there’s a good chance that he will offered when he visits. (Highlights.) UPDATE: Byrne will not be visiting this weekend.
Mason Cole – OT – Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake: Cole is a 2014 prospect who holds offers from Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State, South Carolina, Stanford, and USC. He stands 6’5″ and 267 lbs.
Nathaniel Devers – OG – Massillon (OH) Washington: Devers, a 2014 prospect, has a single offer from Toledo. He stands 6’3″ and 265 lbs. He claims a 385 lb. bench press and a 495 lb. squat, both of which are great numbers for a high school sophomore. Brady Hoke showed in the 2013 class that he’s willing and able to go after only elite prospects on the offensive line, and I’m not sure Devers fits in that category. Despite being teammates with 2013 commit Gareon Conley, I would not be surprised if Devers goes without an offer, at least until some other options on the offensive line shake out. (Highlights.)
Tommy Doles – OT – Grand Rapids (MI) Christian: Doles is a 6’5″, 240 lb. prospect whose only offer comes from Michigan so far. His teammate is 2014 wide receiver Drake Harris, who picked Michigan State over Michigan. Doles is very athletic, but obviously needs some time to fill out his frame.
Deon Drake – LB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Drake is a 6’1″, 215 lb. weakside linebacker prospect. He has offers from Notre Dame, Pitt, and some others, but not from Michigan. If that changes this weekend, he would be one to watch for a commitment, just like most Technicians. Drake is considered to be the second-best 2014 prospect on the team behind wide receiver/cornerback Damon Webb. (Highlights.)
Michael Ferns III – LB – St. Clairsville (OH) St. Clairsville: Ferns is a 6’3″, 230 lb. athlete from the class of 2014. He looks like a SAM linebacker to me, but he could also play tight end or middle linebacker. He has already narrowed down his recruitment to a final three of Michigan, Notre Dame, and Penn State. Several insiders think Michigan is #1 on that list. (Highlights.)
Clifton Garrett – LB – Joliet (IL) Plainfield South: Garrett is a 6’3″, 220 lb. linebacker from the class of 2014. He already has offers from Illinois, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Wisconsin, and I would be surprised if he walks away from Ann Arbor without an offer from the Wolverines unless the coaches have off-the-field concerns. He has a very impressive highlight film and looks like a future middle linebacker, although he could also be utilized at the SAM position. UPDATE: Garrett will not be on campus this weekend.
Derrick Green – RB – Richmond (VA) Heritage: Green is a 6’0″, 215 lb. tailback with reported 4.37 speed, but he’s more of a two-down running back who struggles to catch the ball. He has offers from virtually every notable school in the country, including Michigan. Every other offered running back is off the board, so Green may be Michigan’s last chance to grab an “elite” tailback in the 2013 class.
Jay Hayes – OG – Brooklyn (NY) Poly Prep: Hayes is a 6’5″, 270 lb. lineman from the 2014 class. He could play either side of the line, but Michigan is recruiting him for offense. He also has offers from Notre Dame, Oregon, and Penn State, among others. UPDATE: Hayes is not attending the BBQ.
Jonathan Hilliman – RB – Jersey City (NJ) St. Peter’s Prep: Hilliman is a 6’0″, 201 lb. tailback from the class of 2014 who already holds offers from Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Rutgers, and Wisconsin. New Jersey has not been particularly kind to Michigan over the last several years, so I would be surprised if he ends up as part of Michigan’s class, and he might not make it to the BBQ. (Highlights.) UPDATE: Hilliman will not be visiting this weekend.
Corey Holmes – WR – Fort Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas: Holmes is a 6’1″, 172 lb. prospect from the class of 2014. He has offers from Florida, Michigan, and Wisconsin, among others. Despite being somewhat small-ish, Holmes looks more like a possession receiver than a blazing downfield threat. He grew up as a Michigan fan, and although I would be a little surprised if he commits to Michigan anytime soon, I would not be surprised if that occurs sometime down the road. (Highlights.) UPDATE: Holmes will not be visiting this weekend.
Jamarco Jones – OG – Chicago (IL) De La Salle: Jones is a 6’5″, 285 lb. guard prospect from the class of 2014. He already has offers from Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, among others. My guess is that he will end up at Ohio State, but Michigan has a chance to impress him at the BBQ. (Highlights.) UPDATE: Jones is not visiting for the BBQ.
Coleman Key – QB – Broken Arrow (OK) Broken Arrow: Key camped at Michigan in June and came away without an offer, but he still has a chance. He’s a 6’5″, 210 lb. prospect from the 2014 class. He won’t be one of the most highly recruited quarterbacks in the class, but with Shane Morris arriving in 2013, Michigan might have to take a second-tier quarterback to groom behind Morris. Key has zero offers so far. (Freshman highlights.)
Montae Nicholson – S – Monroeville (PA) Gateway: Nicholson is a 6’2″, 195 lb. safety with offers from Michigan, Penn State, Pitt, and a few others. Gateway has sent a lot of kids to FBS schools in recent years, but many have chosen Ohio State or Pitt. There was some buzz recently that Nicholson might commit to Michigan at the BBQ, but I think that was all it was – buzz. (Highlights.)
D’Andre Payne – CB – Washington (DC) H.D. Woodson: Payne is only 5’9″ and 172 lbs., but he’s a very smooth, dynamic athlete. Michigan has already offered him as a field corner, but most big schools in the country have offered him, too. Still, it’s a good sign that he’s planning to return to campus, since he was already in Ann Arbor back in June for summer camp. (Highlights.)
Austin Roberts – WR – Carmel (IN) Carmel: Roberts is a 6’2″, 195 lb. prospect from the class of 2014. He already has offers from Florida, Iowa, Miami, Purdue, and Stanford. UPDATE: Roberts is not visiting for the BBQ.
Artavis Scott – WR – Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake: Scott is a 5’11”, 180 lb. receiver from the class of 2014. He already holds offers from Florida, Florida State, Ohio State, and South Carolina, among others. Scott has not been offered by Michigan yet, but he will probably receive one on the visit.
Conor Sheehy – DE – Milwaukee (WI) Marquette University: Sheehy is a 6’4″, 255 lb. defensive end with a single offer from Wisconsin. He camped at Michigan in June and left without an offer, but since he’s been invited back for the BBQ, there’s at least a decent chance the coaches extend an offer in person.
Bentley Spain – OT – Charlotte (NC) Providence: Spain is a 6’6″, 285 lb. prospect from the class of 2014. He already has offers from Clemson, Florida, LSU, Miami, North Carolina, Penn State, South Carolina, and Stanford, among others. I have a feeling that South Carolina will be the team to beat. Spain indicated that he may or may not make it to the BBQ, and usually that means no, so don’t be surprised if he doesn’t appear. UPDATE: Spain will not be visiting this weekend.
LaQuon Treadwell – WR – Crete (IL) Crete-Monee: The recruitment of Treadwell has been well documented. He has offers from all over the country but wants to visit Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. However, Michigan is the front-runner, and there’s a decent chance that he will commit to Michigan at the BBQ. I wrote up a scouting report on him a few months ago. UPDATE: Treadwell will not be visiting this weekend.
Damon Webb – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: Webb is a 5’11”, 170 lb. wide receiver/cornerback from the class of 2014. The Wolverines are recruiting him for defense. Aside from Michigan, he holds offers from LSU, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Wisconsin, among others. Michigan is considered to be the heavy favorite for his services, although his recruitment may last beyond the BBQ.
Parrker Westphal – CB – Bolingbrook (IL) Bolingbrook: Westphal is a 6’1″, 181 lb. defensive back prospect with offers from Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ohio State, and West Virginia, among others. Michigan seems to be #1 on the 2014 prospect’s mind, and he’s coached by former Michigan cornerback Todd Howard. The Wolverines are recruiting him mainly to play boundary corner and the slot corner position currently inhabited by Courtney Avery. (Highlights.)
William White – LB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: White is a 6’1″, 215 lb. linebacker who currently holds no offers. He’s the son of former Detroit Lions safety William White. If an offer comes for White, it will likely be some time down the road. (Highlights.)
Class of 2014 linebacker Michael Ferns visited Michigan this weekend
(image via Twitter)
ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2014
Chicago (IL) De La Salle offensive guard Jamarco Jones was offered by Michigan on his visit to campus. He’s a 6’5″, 285 lb. prospect with offers from Illinois, Ohio State, and Vanderbilt. He plays left tackle for De La Salle, but his body type and pulling ability suggest more of a future at guard than tackle. I really like his athleticism, strength, and mentality.
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech cornerback Damon Webb received a Michigan offer on Thursday. The 5’11”, 170 lb. Webb transferred to Cass Tech this offseason and will play for the Technicians for the first time this fall. Similarly to future teammate Jourdan Lewis, it appears Webb could play either cornerback or receiver in college. The Wolverines want him for defense.
OFF THE BOARD
Somerville (NJ) Immaculata defensive end Tashawn Bower committed to Auburn. He said not long ago that he would visit Michigan this summer, but when he made his commitment, he said he was shutting down his recruitment and that he was 100%. You never know in recruiting, but it looks like that visit might not happen.
Avon (IN) Avon defensive end Elijah Daniel committed to Clemson. Daniel never strongly considered Michigan and always seemed to want to head south. Clemson just picked up defensive end Robert Nkemdiche, who is considered by some to be 2013’s top overall prospect, last week. If you go to Clemson, you might not win many games . . . but it does give you a good chance to get to the NFL.
Oakland (CA) Freedom wide receiver Darrell Daniels committed to Washington. Some people were surprised that Daniels picked the Huskies over USC, but those were his two leaders for a while. Daniels expressed early interest in seeing Michigan, but it never seemed like a serious flirtation.
Matthews (NC) Butler quarterback Riley Ferguson committed to Tennessee. Michigan already has its 2013 quarterback in Shane Morris, but Ferguson was one of only three guys that the Wolverines offered in the process. Michigan’s staffs have gone after Butler hard in recent years, trying to reel in guys like linebacker Kris Frost, linebacker Peter Kalambayi, and both Christian and Uriah LeMay; however, the coaches have struck out ever since they got Jamar Adams back in 2004.
Akron (OH) Firestone wide receiver Kevin Gladney committed to Nebraska. Michigan was pursuing him early and it was rumored that Gladney was close to committing, but that buzz went away and so did Michigan’s recruitment of him. He was originally reported to be 6’3″ or 6’4″, but it turned out that he’s only 6’1″. Gladney’s not particularly fast or elusive, and Michigan needs a playmaker as its third wide receiver, anyway, so it wouldn’t have been a great match.
Washington (DC) Friendship Collegiate Academy inside linebacker Yannick Ngakoue committed to Maryland. He was offered just prior to Michigan filling up on linebackers, so it doesn’t seem like Michigan got too far into the process of going after him. Regardless, Ngakoue appeared to want to stay close to home, he has a couple classmates committed to the Terps, and Randy Edsall is doing a nice job of recruiting since coming over from UConn. Friendship Collegiate Academy has been churning out some quality talent in the last few classes (such as DT Eddie Goldman in 2012), so it’s good to try to develop a relationship there.
WEEKEND VISITORS
Michael Ferns – LB – St. Clairsville (OH) St. Clairsville
Jamarco Jones – OG – Chicago (IL) De La Salle
Josh Malone – WR – Gallatin (TN) Station Camp
Christopher Murphy – CB – Kennesaw (GA) Harrison
St. Clairsville (OH) St. Clairsville linebacker Michael Ferns
ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2013
Tampa (FL) Spoto athlete Eric Moate was offered by Michigan. Moate is a very productive high school running back (111 carries, 1224 yards, 14 touchdowns), but at 5’11” and 170 lbs., Michigan probably prefers him for the cornerback position. He’s a very quiet recruit and doesn’t talk much to the media. Iowa, Purdue, South Florida, West Virginia, and others have also extended offers.
ADDED TO THE BOARD: 2014
Charlotte (NC) Christian tight end Jeb Blazevich received a Michigan offer. Blazevich is a 6’5″, 240 lb. tight end who had 32 catches for 513 yards and 6 touchdowns as a sophomore. He already holds offers from Georgia, LSU, North Carolina, Ohio State, and South Carolina, among others. (Highlights here.)
Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake offensive tackle Mason Cole was offered by Michigan. He’s 6’5″, 267 lbs. and has offers from Florida State, Ohio State, and South Carolina, among others. Most of his interest seems to lie in the south, so I wouldn’t get my hopes up for him.
St. Clairsville (OH) St. Clairsville linebacker Michael Ferns was offered by Michigan. He’s 6’3″, 235 lbs. and has been offered by Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Stanford, and several others. As a sophomore in 2011, Ferns had 130 tackles. He also plays tight end and could play there in college.
Florissant (MO) Hazelwood Central offensive tackle Roderick Johnson was offered by Michigan. He’s a 6’7″, 310 lb. tackle with offers from Iowa and Missouri. (Highlights here.)
Wiley (TX) Wiley safety T’Kevian Rockwell received a Michigan offer. The 6’1″, 190 lb. defensive back already has offers from Nebraska and Virginia.
OFF THE BOARD
Ashburn (VA) Stone Bridge defensive end Jonathan Allen committed to Alabama. I did a scouting report on him a few months ago, and I wasn’t particularly impressed with what I saw.
Wayne (NJ) Wayne Hills quarterback Kevin Olsen committed to Miami. I stopped paying much attention to Olsen a long time ago since Michigan has Shane Morris in the fold, but he does look like a capable quarterback. If you look at the list of the top quarterbacks in the country for 2013, the vast majority of them have already committed somewhere. That often seems to be the case, since once a quarterback – frequently the leader of a team – gets on board, he can start recruiting other guys.
Ashburn (VA) Briar Woods linebacker Matt Rolin committed to South Carolina. Rolin never strongly considered Michigan, and the Wolverines are supposedly done with linebacker recruiting, anyway, so it’s not a significant loss.
