Tag: Royce Jenkins-Stone

The 2012 In-State Recruiting Battle

Mario Ojemudia is Michigan’s top prospect, according to the Detroit News

Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio has claimed in recent years that he cares more about in-state recruiting than Michigan, and that might have been true in the years when Rich Rodriguez was the head man at Michigan.  But the arrival of Brady Hoke might have swayed the favor in-state toward Ann Arbor.  Let’s take a look at the top recruits in the state of Michigan, based on the Detroit News’ blue-chip list:

1. Mario Ojemudia – DE – Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 6’3″, 225 lb. end – who also played a lot of defensive tackle – had 104 tackles and 14 sacks.  He considered Michigan State early, but committed to Michigan on May 7, 2011, and stuck with Michigan to the end.

2. Terry Richardson – CB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 5’9″, 160 lb. cornerback made 5 interceptions during his senior season.  He was a little later in committing than his in-state friends James Ross and Royce Jenkins-Stone, but he hopped on board on May 19, 2011.  He entertained taking visits to other schools, but mostly he was considering heading to SEC country rather than East Lansing.  However, Michigan’s coaches told him that if he visited elsewhere, they wouldn’t necessarily reserve a spot for him in the recruiting class.  He did not visit elsewhere and signed with Michigan.

3. James Ross – LB – Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 6’0″, 210 lb. linebacker made 173 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks as a senior.  He had committed to Michigan back on May 2, 2011, and remained committed throughout the process.

4. Royce Jenkins-Stone – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 6’2″, 215 lb. middle linebacker made 115 unassisted tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions as a senior.  He had committed to Michigan on April 16, 2011, and remained committed until National Signing Day.

5. Aaron Burbridge – WR – Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 6’2″, 185 lb. wideout reportedly wanted to commit to Michigan along with teammates Ojemudia and Devin Funchess, but he didn’t have the grades to get into Michigan(that sentiment was confirmed by Michigan running backs coach Fred Jackson).  He committed to Michigan State on July 28, 2011, and signed with the Spartans on National Signing Day.

6. Matt Godin – DE – Novi (MI) Catholic Central
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 6’6″, 270 lb. defensive end/tackle made 70 tackles and 9 sacks as a senior.  He committed to Michigan on May 12, 2011, and signed with Michigan.

7. Devin Funchess – TE – Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 6’4″, 215 lb. tight end committed to Michigan on April 22, 2011, and signed with Michigan in February.

8. Danny O’Brien – DT – Flint (MI) Powers Catholic
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 6’2″, 293 lb. defensive tackle considered both in-state schools heavily, but committed to Tennessee on October 6, 2011, and signed with the Volunteers in February.

9. Ron Thompson – TE – Southfield (MI) Southfield
Offered by: Michigan only
The 6’4″, 230 lb. tight end made 57 receptions for 729 yards and 9 touchdowns as a senior.  He was offered by Michigan early in the process but the Wolverines reportedly backed off due to some classroom issues.  He committed to Syracuse on November 7, 2011, and signed with the Orangemen in February.

10. Ben Braden – OT – Rockford (MI) Rockford
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 6’7″, 320 lb. offensive tackle committed to Michigan on March 24, 2011.  He signed with the Wolverines in February.

11. Evan Winston – DE – Muskegon (MI) Muskegon
Offered by: Neither in-state school
The 6’4″, 255 lb. defensive end committed to Missouri on July 23, 2011, and signed with the Tigers in February.

12. Jamal Lyles – LB – Southfield (MI) Lathrup
Offered by: Michigan State only
The 6’3″, 215 lb. linebacker made 135 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 4 interceptions.  He committed to Michigan State on June 23, 2011, and signed with the Spartans in February.

13. Drake Johnson – RB – Ann Arbor (MI) Pioneer
Offered by: Michigan only
The 6’1″, 215 lb. running back ran for 2,805 yards and 38 touchdowns as a senior.  He committed to Michigan on November 10, 2011, almost immediately after receiving an offer, and signed with Michigan in February.

14. Dennis Norfleet – RB – Detroit (MI) King
Offered by: Michigan and Michigan State
The 5’6″, 180 lb. had 2,033 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior.  He was committed to Cincinnati for several months, but he switched his commitment to Michigan on the eve of National Signing Day.

15. Ruben Lile – LB – Detroit (MI) Cass Tech
Offered by: Neither in-state school
Lile committed to Iowa on August 27, 2011, and signed with the Hawkeyes in February.

NOT RANKED:
Riley Bullough – LB – Traverse City (MI) St. Francis
Offered by: Michigan State only
Bullough committed to Michigan State on April 30, 2011.

Kodi Kieler – OT – Gibraltar (MI) Carlson
Offered by: Michigan State only
Kieler committed to Michigan State on August 8, 2011.

SUMMARY
Ten players were offered by both Michigan and Michigan State.  Eight of them picked Michigan, including six of the top seven.  One picked Michigan State (although, as mentioned above, it sounded like Michigan wouldn’t accept his commitment so he went with Plan B).  The other picked Tennessee.

Michigan went after two players who were not offered by MSU.  One picked Michigan.  The other picked Syracuse.

Michigan State went after three players who were not offered by Michigan.  All three picked MSU.

I think it’s fair to say that Michigan kicked Michigan State’s tail when it comes to recruiting in the state.  Brady Hoke 8, Mark Dantonio 1.  I look forward to seeing what 2013 brings.  It’s already 1-0 in Michigan’s favor with Warren (MI) De La Salle quarterback Shane Morris pledging to be a Wolverine.

International Bowl Participants: Michigan

Terry Richardson, Royce Jenkins-Stone, Devin Funchess, and James Ross all paricipated in the 2012 International Bowl (image via MGoBlog.com)

2018
Gemon Green, CB – DeSoto, TX
German Green, S – DeSoto, TX
Hassan Haskins, RB – St. Louis, MO
Luke Schoonmaker, TE – Hamden, CT
Christian Turner, RB – Buford, GA

2017
None

2016
None

2015
Grant Newsome, OT – Vienna, VA

2014
Lawrence Marshall, DE – Southfield, MI

2013
Ben Gedeon, LB – Hudson, OH

2012
Devin Funchess, TE – Farmington Hills, MI
Royce Jenkins-Stone, LB – Detroit, MI
Terry Richardson, CB – Detroit, MI
James Ross, LB – Orchard Lake, MI

2011
Kellen Jones, LB – Houston, TX

2010
N/A

2012 International Bowl

International Bowl participants Devin Funchess, Terry Richardson, James Ross, and Royce Jenkins-Stone

International Bowl
February 1, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Austin, TX

USA Team targets:
Ronald Darby – RB – Maryland (Florida State)
J.J. Denman – OT – Pennsylvania (Rutgers)
Devin Funchess – TE – Michigan (Michigan)
Greg Garmon – RB – Pennsylvania (Iowa)
Mark Harrell – OT – North Carolina (Notre Dame)
Royce Jenkins-Stone – LB – Michigan (Michigan)
Trey Keenan – OT – Texas (Texas Tech)
Marcus Maye – S – Florida (Florida)
Ifeadi Odenigbo – DE – Ohio (Northwestern)
Moana Ofahengaue – LB – Utah
Jordan Payton – WR – California (UCLA)
Se’von Pittman – DE – Ohio (Ohio State)
Terry Richardson – CB – Michigan (Michigan)
James Ross – LB – Michigan (Michigan)
Tee Shepard – CB – California (Notre Dame)
D.J. Singleton – S – New Jersey (Wisconsin)
Caleb Stacey – OG – Ohio (Cincinnati)

World Team target:
Faith Ekakitie – DT – Illinois (Iowa)

ESPNU 150 Updated for 2012

Detroit (MI) Cass Tech cornerback Terry Richardson is Michigan’s top recruit, according to ESPNU

ESPNU released its top 150 players for the class of 2012.  Here’s what it looked like back in June 2011 and then October 2011.  Since October’s update, here are the Michigan-committed movers and shakers:

– Terry Richardson dropped from #67 to #68
– Royce Jenkins-Stone moved up from #115 to #113
– Kyle Kalis moved up from #135 to #132
– Joe Bolden was previously absent from this list but appears at #142

Following is a list of all of the players Michigan has offered during the recruiting cycle:

1. Mario Edwards – DE – Texas (Florida State)
3. Dorial Green-Beckham – WR – Missouri
4. Noah Spence – DE – Pennsylvania (Ohio State)
5. Keith Marshall – RB – North Carolina (Georgia)
7. D.J. Humphries – OT – North Carolina (Florida)
9. Andrus Peat – OT – Arizona
10. Eddie Goldman – DT – Washington, D.C.
13. Stefon Diggs – ATH – Maryland
16. Shaq Thompson – S – California (Cal)
20. Cyrus Jones – ATH – Maryland (Alabama)
24. Arik Armstead – OT – California
27. Kyle Murphy – OT – California
28. John Theus – OT – Florida (Georgia)
29. Kwon Alexander – LB – Alabama
31. Geno Smith – CB – Georgia (Alabama)
32. Zach Kline – QB – California (Cal)
36. Jabari Ruffin – LB – California (USC)
38. Ronald Darby – CB – Maryland
39. Devin Fuller – ATH – New Jersey
40. Yuri Wright – CB – New Jersey
42. Evan Boehm – OG – Missouri (Missouri)
43. Ellis McCarth – DT – California (UCLA)
44. Joshua Garnett – OG – Washington
47. Nelson Agholor – WR – Florida
51. Ifeadi Odenigbo – DE – Ohio (Northwestern)
52. Gunner Kiel – QB – Indiana (Notre Dame)
53. Jonathan Taylor – DT – Georgia (Georgia)
54. Dominique Wheeler – WR – Texas (Texas Tech)
57. Peter Jinkens – LB – Texas (Texas)
59. Dillon Lee – LB – Georgia (Alabama)
61. Avery Young – OT – Florida
63. Max Tuerk – OT – California (USC)
64. Durron Neal – WR – Missouri (Oklahoma)
65. Adolphus Washington – DE – Ohio (Ohio State)
66. Darius Powe – WR – California (Oklahoma)
67. Jordan Jenkins – DE – Georgia (Georgia)
68. Terry Richardson – CB – Michigan (Michigan)
69. Darius Hamilton – DE – New Jersey
73. Devonte Fields – DE – Texas (TCU)
82. Brian Poole – CB – Florida (Florida)
87. Reginald Davis – WR – Texas (Texas Tech)
88. Jordan Simmons – OG – California (USC)
90. Tee Shepard – CB – California (Notre Dame)
92. Dalton Santos – LB – Texas (Tennessee)
94. Jordan Diamond – OT – Illinois
96. Tyriq McCord – DE – Florida (Miami)
98. Se’von Pittman – DE – Ohio (Ohio State)
99. Drae Bowles – WR – Tennessee (Tennessee)
101. Deon Bush – S – Florida (Miami)
102. Jarron Jones – DT – New York (Notre Dame)
108. Tommy Schutt – DT – Illinois (Ohio State)
113. Royce Jenkins-Stone – LB – Michigan (Michigan)
115. Patrick Destefano – OG – South Carolina (Clemson)
120. Michael Starts – OT – Texas (Texas Tech)
122. Zach Banner – OT – Washington
124. Eli Harold – DE – Virginia (Virginia)
126. Dominic Ramacher – TE – Texas (Oklahoma State)
130. Connor Brewer – QB – Arizona (Texas)
132. Kyle Kalis – OG – Ohio (Michigan)
137. Derrick Woods – WR – California (Oklahoma)
142. Joe Bolden – LB – Ohio (Michigan)
143. Sheldon Day – DT – Indiana (Notre Dame)
146. Kent Taylor – TE – Florida (Florida)
148. Ty Darlington – C – Florida (Oklahoma)
149. Marcus Maye – S – Florida (Florida)

Final Rivals 250 Released for 2012

Joe Bolden is the nation’s 111th-best player

Rivals released its Rivals 250 on Wednesday.  This comes on the heels of yesterday’s Rivals 100, which I discussed yesterday.  Here’s what it looked like in May 2011, August 2011, and then November 2011.

Michigan commits have made the following moves since November:

– Joe Bolden moved from #152 to #111
– James Ross dropped from #163 to #172
– Royce Jenkins-Stone dropped slightly from #182 to #184
– Amara Darboh dropped from #208 to #215
– Terry Richardson dropped from #217 to #224

There are still a couple weeks remaining to recruit class of 2012 kids, but at this point, Michigan has offered 115 of the top 250 (or 46%) players in the country.  During the last recruiting cycle, Michigan offered 84 of the top 250 players (or 33.6%).  Brady Hoke has sent out 190 reported offers this season, while Rodriguez (with a small dose of Hoke at the end) offered 195 kids in the 2011 recruiting class.  This supports my opinion that I’ve held since last spring that Brady Hoke is targeting a higher level of talent than Rich Rodriguez did during his tenure.

Here are the rest of Michigan’s 2012 offerees on the Rivals 250:

103. Aaron Burbridge – WR – Michigan (Michigan State)
105. Dillon Lee – LB – Georgia (Alabama)
111. Joe Bolden – LB – Ohio (Michigan)
113. Elijah Shumate – S – New Jersey (Notre Dame)
127. Peter Jinkens – LB – Texas (Texas)
128. Scott Starr – LB – California (USC)
130. Drae Bowles – WR – Tennessee (Tennessee)
133. Keith Brown – LB – Florida (Louisville)
137. John Michael McGee – OG – Texas (Oklahoma)
138. Bri’onte Dunn – RB – Ohio (Ohio State)
147. Paul Thurston – OT – Colorado (Nebraska)
148. Evan Boehm – OG – Missouri (Missouri)
149. Dalvin Tomlinson – DT – Georgia
153. Dan Voltz – OT – Illinois (Wisconsin)
154. Pharaoh Brown – DE – Ohio (Oregon)
158. Sean Price – TE – Florida (South Florida)
159. David Perkins – ATH – Indiana (Ohio State)
161. Danny O’Brien – DT – Michigan (Tennessee)
163. Ty Darlington – C – Florida (Oklahoma)
164. Dwayne Stanford – WR – Ohio (Oregon)
165. Jake Rodrigues – QB – California (Oregon)
166. Leonte Carroo – WR – New Jersey (Rutgers)
167. Camren Williams – LB – Massachusetts (Penn State)
169. Deontay McManus – WR – Maryland (West Virginia)
170. Devonte Fields – DE – Texas (TCU)
171. Dominique Wheeler – WR – Texas (Texas Tech)
172. James Ross – LB – Michigan (Michigan)
173. Jaleel Johnson – DT – Illinois (Iowa)
175. Michael Starts – DE – Texas (Texas Tech)
178. Kyle Dodson – OT – Ohio (Wisconsin)
184. Royce Jenkins-Stone – LB – Michigan (Michigan)
188. Wes Brown – RB – Maryland (Maryland)
189. Taylor McNamara – TE – California (Oklahoma)
190. Matt Jones – RB – Florida (Florida)
191. Michael Moore – DE – Maryland (Virginia)
192. Greg McMullen – DE – Ohio (Nebraska)
193. Warren Ball – RB – Ohio (Ohio State)
195. Jonathan Williams – RB – Texas (Arkansas)
199. Jarron Jones – DT – New York (Notre Dame)
203. Adam Bisnowaty – OT – Pennsylvania (Pitt)
209. Ken Ekanem – LB – Virginia
212. Shane Callahan – OT – Colorado (Auburn)
215. Amara Darboh – WR – Iowa (Michigan)
216. Derrick Woods – WR – California (Oklahoma)
218. Latroy Pittman – WR – Florida (Florida)
219. Armani Reeves – CB – Massachusetts (Penn State)
221. Taylor Decker – OT – Ohio (Ohio State)
222. Kenny Lawler – CB – Washington, D.C.
224. Terry Richardson – CB – Michigan (Michigan)
226. Darius Powe – WR – California (Cal)
230. Jody Fuller – WR – North Carolina (South Carolina)
237. Reginald Davis – WR – Texas (Texas Tech)
239. Troy Hinds – DE – Utah (BYU)
244. Sheldon Day – DT – Indiana (Notre Dame)
246. Jason Croom – WR – Georgia (Tennessee)
247. Avery Johnson – WR – Florida (LSU)
249. Faith Ekakitie – DT – Illinois (Iowa)

Michigan offerees who fell out of the top 250 are:
– Indiana QB Zeke Pike (Auburn)
– Arizona QB Connor Brewer (Texas)
– North Carolina OT Brock Stadnik (South Carolina)
– Louisiana OT Derek Edinburgh (LSU)
– South Carolina DE Martin Aiken (Clemson)
– Tennessee RB I’Tavius Mathers (Ole Miss)
– Colorado OG Alex Kozan