Tag: Polls

Poll results: Who will be Michigan’s first commitment for the class of 2015?

Lakewood (OH) St. Edward cornerback Shaun Crawford

I posted this question a day before Michigan got their first commitment.

Jon Runyan, Jr. – OT – Natrona Heights (PA) St. Joseph’s: 70%
This was almost the right answer. Runyan was beaten by just a few hours.

Damien Harris – RB – Berea (KY) Madison Southern: 9%

Other: 7%
This was the right answer, since Massillon (OH) Washington kicker Andrew David got an offer shortly after I posted the poll and committed almost immediately.


Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. – TE – Buffalo (NY) Canisius: 4%

George Campbell, Jr. – WR – Tarpon Springs (FL) East Lake: 3%


Mikey Weber – RB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech: 3%


Brian Cole – WR – Saginaw (MI) Heritage: 0%


Shaun Crawford – CB – Lakewood (OH) St. Edward: 0%

Poll results: Who will be the best linebacker in the 2013 class?

Hudson (OH) Hudson linebacker Ben Gedeon

Ben Gedeon – LB – Hudson (OH) Hudson: 58%
There aren’t many options for the best linebacker in the 2013 class, but Gedeon wins out here.  Gedeon is a 6’3″, 220-pounder who finished the recruiting cycle as the #11 inside linebacker and the #214 overall player in 247’s Composite Rankings.  Also a well rounded offensive player in high school, he was recruited to play the weakside linebacker position; there’s also a chance that he could grow into the middle linebacker spot as he ages.


Mike McCray II – LB – Trotwood (OH) Trotwood-Madison: 41%
McCray is listed at 6’4″ in some places, although he measured in at last summer’s Rivals 5-star Challenge at just 6’1″.  He also reportedly weighs 230 lbs.  Michigan’s coaching staff has mentioned that they see him playing the SAM position this fall, and they surely know his actual height; but height and length are often desirable traits in a SAM, so perhaps McCray won’t stay at that position for his entire career.  Readers went away from the recruiting sites’ line of thinking in this vote, because McCray is considered the #4 athlete and #130 overall player by 247’s Composite Rankings.

Poll results: Who will be the best defensive lineman in the 2013 class?

Taco Charlton (left, with Shane Morris) has Michigan fans excited

Taco Charlton: 55%
The only early enrollee of the group, defensive end Charlton was listed on the spring roster at 6’6″ and 265 lbs.  Technique was a bit of an issue in high school, but he used his hands better in the spring game and notched a couple sacks against the offense’s backups.  Not bad for a kid who should be dealing with a bout of senioritis.  The physical attributes are present; his success depends on his work ethic and attention to improving his technique.

Henry Poggi: 32%
Poggi is almost the opposite of Charlton, although he’s not a bad athlete.  Poggi plays defensive tackle and has great technique for an incoming freshman, but he’s only listed at about 6’4″ and 265 lbs.  He probably won’t ever be a mammoth defensive lineman, but he’s athletic enough and stout enough to be a productive player at Michigan.

Maurice Hurst, Jr.: 12%
Hurst is a 6’2″, 305-pounder who also played running back in high school.  The lowest rated player of the trio, he played well in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl and showed some impressive quickness.  He could play nose tackle or 3-tech defensive tackle.

Poll results: Who will be the best offensive lineman in the 2013 class?

Wexford (PA) North Allegheny center Patrick Kugler

Patrick Kugler: 63%
The freshman from Wexford (PA) North Allegheny played in the Under Armour All-American Game.  According to the 247 Composite rankings, he’s a 4-star, the #68 player nationally, and the country’s top center.  He will enroll at Michigan in June and potentially be a backup to whoever wins the starting center job this spring.  His father is a former professional offensive line coach who is now UTEP’s head football coach.


Kyle Bosch: 19%
Bosch is a 6’5″, 307 lb. player who enrolled in January.  He attended Wheaton (IL) St. Francis and was 247 Composite’s #3 offensive guard and #87 overall prospect.  In spring practice videos, he has appeared to be running with the second team at offensive guard.  He may factor into the playing rotation in the fall.


David Dawson: 12%
The Detroit (MI) Cass Tech prospect stands 6’4″ and 280 lbs.  He’s the 247 Composite’s #4 offensive guard – one spot below Bosch – and their #95 player overall.  Dawson also played in the Under Armour All-American Game.


Chris Fox and Logan Tuley-Tillman: 1% (tie)
Fox comes from Parker (CO) Ponderosa, while Tuley-Tillman hails from Peoria (IL) Manual; they were selected for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and the Under Armour game, respectively, although Fox was unable to participate due to a knee injury.  Fox stands 6’6″ and 300 lbs. and was recruited to play tackle, while Tuley-Tillman enrolled in January and has been practicing at left offensive tackle, standing 6’7″ and 285 lbs.  Fox was 247 Composite’s #5 offensive guard and #111 overall player, and Tuley-Tillman was the #12 offensive tackle and #167 player overall.


Dan Samuelson: 0%
Plymouth (IN) Plymouth offensive guard Samuelson stands 6’5″ and 290 lbs.  According to the 247 Composite rankings, he’s the #21 offensive guard and #414 overall player in the nation.

Poll results: Best wide receiver in 2013 class?

Westland (MI) John Glenn wide receiver Da’Mario Jones

Last week I asked the readers to choose who would be the best wideout in the 2013 class.  Overwhelmingly, TTB readers chose Da’Mario Jones.  Here are the results:

Da’Mario Jones – WR – Westland (MI) John Glenn: 71%
Jones is a 6’2″, 185 lb., 3-star prospect.  He has a little more speed than the other two receivers in the class, but he was under the radar, partly because he bounced from New Jersey to Michigan before his senior year.  Jones was my choice for the top receiver in the class.  Here’s his commitment post.

Jaron Dukes – WR – Columbus (OH) Marion Franklin: 15%
Dukes is about 6’4″ and around 200 lbs.  He did not have a great senior season, which has been partly blamed (according to observers, not Dukes) on a lack of quality quarterback play at Marion Franklin.  My biggest question about Dukes is his lack of speed, which might limit him to being an occasional target as a possession receiver; of course, he could also be a good red zone target due to his size.  He has some upside, but his athleticism leaves a little to be desired. (Commitment post.)

Csont’e York – WR – Harper Woods (MI) Chandler Park: 13%
If I were ranking these guys, I would have put York second and Dukes third.  While York lacks some of Dukes’s length, I think York is a more natural pass catcher.  He’s still not an explosive target, but he adjusts well to the ball in the air and catches the ball with his hands away from his body.  I think he will be a quality target on jump balls and near the sideline, somewhat like a Brandon Lloyd (minus some speed) who can contort himself into making some difficult catches. (Commitment post.)