Recruiting Update: January 4, 2016
Michigan RB Kareem Walker (#6)
THOUGHTS ON UNDER ARMOUR ALL-AMERICA GAME
Hartland (WI) Arrowhead offensive lineman Ben Bredeson played right tackle, even though he said he would begin his Michigan career at left guard. Bredeson was mentioned throughout the week as one of the more impressive linemen during practices, and he did a good job for Team Highlight, who won the game in a 27-0 blowout. Team Highlight had the more impressive running game, and they protected the quarterback better than team Armour. Bredeson was able to get to the second level, and he did not look out of place among the nation’s elite players. I think this week was confirmation of his ranking.
Pembroke Pines (FL) Flanagan linebacker Devin Bush, Jr. didn’t get quite the same hype as Bredeson throughout the week, but he was mentioned multiple times for his physicality. I didn’t count snaps, but Bush did not seem to play as much as some other guys. That’s probably a fair allotment of playing time. I think Bush is a good linebacker prospect, but he’s not the type of athlete who outshines a lot of people at these types of events. He’s a guy who needs to get in the weight room and learn a system before he can really be effective, in my opinion.
Wayne (NJ) DePaul Catholic running back Kareem Walker had a bit of a rough week. Rivals’s Mike Farrell didn’t really mince words when he said that Walker did not look like the #1 running back or the #41 prospect in the country, which…like…duh. I’m not sure how he got that ranking in the first place. That being said, Walker earned the start for the Armour team that included Miles Sanders (Penn State), so he must have done a few things right. One criticism as a senior was Walker’s indecision, and I saw more of that when he got the ball in space, as opposed to when he was running up the middle. It’s tough to gauge players in this type of situation, especially running backs behind a porous offensive line. However, I think I saw confirmation of what I have said previously, that Walker’s not the best back in the class. Sanders is more explosive, Devway Whaley (Arkansas) is more powerful, and B.J. Emmons (Alabama) is more elusive. I still think Walker is a welcome addition to a class and a team that needs help at the running back position.
Hit the jump for several players who committed elsewhere and some random tidbits.
