 |
| Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison TE/WR Devin Funchess is the #7 player in the state |
The Detroit News gives a rundown of their top 15 in-state players for the class of 2012, and the top four guys are headed to Michigan. On the list:
1. Mario Ojemudia
2. Terry Richardson
3. James Ross
4. Royce Jenkins-Stone
6. Matt Godin
7. Devin Funchess
10 Ben Braden
13. Drake Johnson
 |
| Lakewood (OH) St. Edward’s Kyle Kalis is Michigan’s top-rated player to Scout |
The Scout 300 was released on Wednesday. For a refresher on where kids used to be ranked, check out this post from April.
Michigan commits are in the following slots:
Michigan has offered 133 of these 300 players (44.3%). As is the custom ’round these parts, here’s a look at Michigan offerees in Scout’s final 300:
5-stars:
1. Dorial Green-Beckham – WR – Missouri
2. Arik Armstead – OT – California
3. Shaq Thompson – S – California (Cal)
4. Mario Edwards – DE – Texas (Florida State)
5. Noah Spence – DE – Pennsylvania (Ohio State)
6. Stefon Diggs – WR – Maryland
7. John Theus – OT – Florida (Georgia)
9. Ronald Darby – CB – Maryland
10. Adolphus Washington – DE – Ohio (Ohio State)
11. D.J. Humphries – OT – Florida (Florida)
12. Keith Marshall – RB – North Carolina (Georgia)
14. Kyle Murphy – OT – California
19. Jordan Jenkins – DE – Georgia (Georgia)
20. Darius Hamilton – DE – New Jersey
23. Ellis McCarthy – DT – California (Cal)
25. Brian Poole – CB – Florida (Florida)
26. Eli Harold – DE – Virginia (Virginia)
27. Avery Young – OT – Florida
31. Eddie Goldman – DT – Washington, D.C.
32. Bri’onte Dunn – RB – Ohio (Ohio State)
35. Kyle Kalis – OT – Ohio (Michigan)
38. Gunner Kiel – QB – Indiana (LSU)
39. Tee Shepard – CB – California (Notre Dame)
42. Joshua Garnett – OG – Washington
43. Bryce Treggs – WR – California (Cal)
45. Cyrus Jones – WR – Maryland (Alabama)
47. Jordan Diamond – OT – Illinois
48. Tommy Schutt – DT – Illinois
50. Sheldon Day – DT – Indiana (Notre Dame)
4-stars:
51. Andrus Peat – OT – Arizona
52. Kwon Alexander – LB – Alabama
55. Elijah Shumate – LB – New Jersey (Notre Dame)
58. Se’von Pittman – DE – Ohio (Ohio State)
61. Nelson Agholor – S – Florida
62. Jordan Simmons – OG – California (USC)
63. Aaron Burbridge – WR – Michigan (Michigan State)
65. Ondre Pipkins – DT – Missouri (Michigan)
68. Michael Starts – OG – Texas (Texas Tech)
69. Joe Bolden – LB – Ohio (Michigan)
72. Zach Banner – OT – Washington
73. Kent Taylor – TE – Florida (Florida)
75. Ifeadi Odenigbo – DE – Ohio (Northwestern)
76. Jonathan Taylor – DT – Georgia (Georgia)
77. Taylor Decker – OT – Ohio (Notre Dame)
78. Javonte Magee – DE – Texas
79. Armani Reeves – CB – Massachusetts (Penn State)
82. Erik Magnuson – OT – California (Michigan)
83. James Ross – LB – Michigan (Michigan)
84. Leonte Carroo – WR – New Jersey (Rutgers)
85. LaDarrell McNeil – S – Texas (Tennessee)
88. Devin Fuller – QB – New Jersey
91. Wes Brown – RB – Maryland (Maryland)
92. Marcus Maye – S – Florida (Florida)
93. Tom Strobel – DE – Ohio (Michigan)
95. Jordan Payton – WR – California (Cal)
96. Max Tuerk – OG – California (USC)
99. Dan Voltz – OG – Illinois (Wisconsin)
100. Jaquay Williams – WR – Georgia (Auburn)
104. D.J. Foster – RB – Arizona
105. Durron Neal – WR – Missouri (Oklahoma)
111. Royce Jenkins-Stone – LB – Michigan (Michigan)
116. Evan Boehm – C – Missouri (Missouri)
119. Devonte Fields – DE – Texas (TCU)
122. Geno Smith – CB – Georgia (Alabama)
123. Zach Kline – QB – California (Cal)
124. Greg Garmon – RB – Pennsylvania (Iowa)
127. J.J. Denman – OT – Pennsylvania (Wisconsin)
128. Ryan Watson – OG – Maryland (Virginia)
129. Brock Stadnik – OT – North Carolina (South Carolina)
130. Paul Thurston – OT – Colorado (Nebraska)
135. Peter Jinkens – LB – Texas (Texas)
137. Matt Jones – RB – Florida (Florida)
139. Jabari Ruffin – LB – California (USC)
145. Scott Starr – LB – California (USC)
146. Yuri Wright – CB – New Jersey
153. Reginald Davis – WR – Texas (Texas Tech)
159. Monty Madaris – WR – Ohio
162. Mario Ojemudia – DE – Michigan (Michigan)
164. Chris Wormley – DE – Ohio (Michigan)
167. John Michael McGee – OG – Texas (Oklahoma)
170. Dillon Lee – LB – Georgia (Alabama)
172. Camren Williams – LB – Massachusetts (Penn State)
173. Jonathan Williams – RB – Texas (Arkansas)
175. Sean Price – TE – Florida
176. Raphael Kirby – LB – Georgia (Miami)
178. Faith Ekakitie – DT – Illinois (Iowa)
181. Kyle Dodson – OT – Ohio (Wisconsin)
182. Dalton Santos – LB – Texas (Tennessee)
183. Terry Richardson – CB – Michigan (Michigan)
185. D.J. Singleton – S – New Jersey (Wisconsin)
188. Troy Hinds – DE – Utah (BYU)
191. Aziz Shittu – DT – California
192. Nick Davidson – OT – Minnesota (Stanford)
193. Deaysean Rippy – LB – Pennsylvania
196. Warren Ball – RB – Ohio (Ohio State)
198. Derrick Woods – S – California (Oklahoma)
199. Martin Aiken – DE – South Carolina (Clemson)
200. Connor Brewer – QB – Arizona (Texas)
202. Ken Ekanem – DE – Virginia
205. Amara Darboh – WR – Iowa (Michigan)
209. Keith Brown – LB – Miami (Louisville)
212. David Perkins – LB – Indiana
214. Jalen Overstreet – S – Texas (Texas)
217. Deontay McManus – WR – Maryland (West Virginia)
219. Kendall Sanders – CB – Texas (Texas)
221. Devin Funchess – TE – Michigan (Michigan)
222. Dominique Wheeler – WR – Texas (Texas Tech)
223. Vince Biegel – LB – Wisconsin (Wisconsin)
225. A.J. Williams – OT – Ohio (Michigan)
229. Jarron Jones – OT – New York (Notre Dame)
231. Deon Bush – S – Florida (Miami)
232. Derek Edinburgh – OT – Louisiana (LSU)
236. Evan Baylis – TE – Colorado (Oregon)
240. Maty Mauk – QB – Ohio (Missouri)
242. Tyler Orlosky – OG – Ohio (West Virginia)
243. J.P. Holtz – TE – Pennsylvania
244. Tyriq McCord – DE – Florida (Miami)
245. Jarrod Wilson – S – Ohio (Michigan)
247. Drew Harris – RB – Pennsylvania
250. Dalvin Tomlinson – DT – Georgia
251. Michael Moore – DE – Maryland (Penn State)
255. Danny O’Brien – DT – Michigan (Tennessee)
264. Ty Darlington – C – Florida (Oklahoma)
270. Avery Johnson – WR – Florida (LSU)
277. Kenny Lawler – CB – Washington, D.C.
278. Jaleel Johnson – DT – Illinois (Iowa)
280. Jason Croom – WR – Georgia (Tennessee)
282. Zeke Pike – QB – Kentucky (Auburn)
285. Jake Rodrigues – QB – California (Oregon)
286. Pharaoh Brown – TE – Ohio (Oregon)
287. Hiva Lutui – C – California
292. Devan Bogard – S – Ohio (Ohio State)
297. Vonte Jackson – RB – Wisconsin (Wisconsin)
298. Ron Thompson – TE – Michigan (Syracuse)
299. Shane Callahan – OT – Colorado (Auburn)
 |
| Joe Bolden (#27) helps tackle Wes Brown in Thursday’s Under Armour All-America Game (image via Cincinnati.com) |
Magnus –
This week there has been a lot of buzz about how well Joe Bolden is playing. Of the four incoming linebackers (all of which you list on your site as inside linebackers) I’m wondering how you see them fitting into the scheme and depth chart. More specifically: Demens is a solid multi-year starter who will anchor the middle next year and be replaced by someone the following year – who do you think is the best fit? Morgan is limited athletically but as a freshman proved to be a quality contributor and should only get better – do you see any of the freshmen threatening his starting spot next year or beyond that? Do you see any of these recruits changing positions to DE or OLB? Has Bolden’s performance this week changed your rating of him?
Also, could you maybe talk about the differences in physical traits that you’d want between the Will and Mike positions? My understanding is that the 4-3 under is pretty similar to a 3-4 defense and that both the MIKE and WILL are essentially classic middle linebackers. Is that true?
Adam Gurnee, IL
Thanks for the question, Adam. I list all four incoming linebackers as “inside linebackers” because in the 4-3 Under, there are two inside linebackers and one outside linebacker. Against a base offense, both the WILL and MIKE playing between the tackles and are mostly interchangeable. They essentially have the same responsibility against the run, although obviously offensive formations and plays change things a little bit. If Michigan ran a 4-3 Over or a Tampa Two defense, then I would consider the WILL an outside linebacker and the MIKE an inside ‘backer. For further schematic explation, check out this post from last spring.
Both Joe Bolden and Royce Jenkins-Stone have been recruited to play MIKE. James Ross and Kaleb Ringer have been recruited to play WILL.
I believe the best fit to replace Demens in a couple years is Desmond Morgan. Morgan is already 220-225 lbs. and a good height (in other words, not too tall) to take on lead blocks from fullbacks. Brady Hoke clearly values experience (why else would Troy Woolfolk start for the entire season?), and I think that will give Morgan the upper hand in the fight for the middle linebacker job, even if a guy like Joe Bolden is hot on his heels. I also think Morgan lacks the necessary athleticism to start at WILL for the next three years, because he’s too slow to cover running backs and slot receivers in space. He’s a short-term plug at WILL, not a long-term answer, in my opinion.
I do not think Morgan’s starting spot at WILL is etched in stone for next season. He had a solid year but not a great one, and as I said above, his skill set isn’t perfect for the position. If incoming freshman James Ross can add just a little bit of weight, I think he has a decent shot at unseating Desmond Morgan or at least getting some snaps as a backup. Ross diagnoses plays as quickly as I have ever seen a high schooler, and that’s a key component of playing WILL in this defense. The weakside ‘backer is often unblocked or targeted on play action passes, so it’s very important that he’s an intelligent player. I think that’s why Morgan found time there as a freshman, and I think that’s why Ross has a shot there, too.
I do not foresee any of these linebackers playing defensive end, but there is a possibility that Jenkins-Stone could turn into a SAM. He’s a tall, lean guy and if he can get in the weight room and pack on some pounds, then he could be an attacker in the mold of Jake Ryan. However, depth is needed at middle linebacker, so my guess is that he stays there, at least for a couple seasons. Bolden is a talented kid but has less position flexibility, so if Jenkins-Stone presses for playing time, then I could see him playing SAM to get all the talent spread out among the three linebacker positions.
 |
| Uriah LeMay (#81) was offered by Michigan late last week (image via Mint Hill Times) |
ADDED TO THE BOARD
Wylie (TX) East wide receiver Marcell Ateman, a 2013 prospect, was offered on Saturday. Ateman is a 6’5″, 180 lb. kid with offers from Arizona, Baylor, and Tennessee. Last season he caught 67 passes for 1,047 yards and 10 touchdowns. Ateman isn’t a burner, but he’s a legitimate jump ball threat with his size
Washington (D.C.) H.D. Woodson cornerback Kenny Crawley de-committed from Tennessee. Crawley is rumored to be unhappy with the coaching situation for the Volunteers and will likely go elsewhere for college. His destination probably won’t be Michigan, however.
Oxon Hill (MD) Potomac cornerback Ronald Darby de-committed from Notre Dame. Darby is a 5’11”, 172 lb. athlete with elite speed (a reported 4.37 forty). Darby has never shown much interest in Michigan and instead plans to concentrate on Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, and LSU.
Monaca (PA) Central Valley wide receiver Robert Foster, a 2013 prospect, was offered by Michigan. Foster is a 6’3″, 170 lb. speedster with offers from Florida, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, and USC, among others. He has been named a 5-star already by Scout.
Matthews (NC) Butler wide receiver Uriah LeMay, a 2013 prospect, received an offer from Michigan. The 6’2″, 188 lb. prospect attends the alma mater of former Michigan safety Jamar Adams and 2011 linebacker Kris Frost, and he’s also the younger brother of class of 2011 quarterback Christian LeMay, whom Rich Rodriguez offered and now plays for Georgia. Uriah has offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Virginia Tech, among others.
Charlotte (NC) Mallard Creek wide receiver Marquez North, a 2013 prospect, received his offer from the Wolverines. North’s former teammate is D.J. Humphries, a class of 2012 offensive tackle who is committed to Florida. The 6’3″, 205 lb. receiver has offers from Clemson, Florida, South Carolina, and many others.
OFF THE BOARD
Miami (FL) Norland linebacker Keith Brown committed to Louisville at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Brown had been committed to Illinois at one point, but the firing of Ron Zook sent him southward.
Olney (MD) Good Counsel running back Wes Brown committed to Maryland at the Under Armour All-America Game. The 6’1″, 200-pounder is the former teammate of Michigan cornerback Blake Countess and uncommitted 2012 wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
Miami (FL) Columbus safety Deon Bush committed to Miami at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The 6’1″, 185-pounder picked a Hurricanes hat over those from Alabama and Auburn.
Baltimore (MD) Gilman cornerback Cyrus Jones committed to Alabama at the Under Armour All-America Game. Jones is an all-around athlete with the ability to run (948 yards, 13 touchdowns), catch (635 yards, 6 touchdowns), return (4 return touchdowns), and cover (3 interceptions).
Monrovia (CA) Monrovia defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy committed to Cal at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. McCarthy is listed at 6’5″, 311 lbs. but was quick enough to play defensive end for the West Team.
Tampa (FL) Jefferson defensive end Tyriq McCord committed to Miami at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The 6’3″, 222 lb. edge rusher was praised this week for his speed around the corner and how quickly he got after the quarterbacks.
Centerville (OH) Centerville defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo committed to Northwestern on Saturday. Odenigbo mentioned repeatedly that he would be choosing his school based largely on academics, and he couldn’t really go wrong with become a Wildcat. Odenigbo did an excellent job of rushing the passer in the Under Armour All-America Game.
Westlake Village (CA) Oaks Christian wide receiver Jordan Payton committed to Cal on Friday. At one time Payton looked like a lock to Michigan and there were rumors that he had committed to the Wolverines, but as time wore on, he also became enamored with Notre Dame and then Cal. Payton was committed to USC at one time, too.
Ramsey (NJ) Don Bosco Prep safety Elijah Shumate committed to Notre Dame at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Shumate is the teammate of Michigan target Yuri Wright, who also played in the game but did not announce a college destination.
Sacramento (CA) Grant safety Shaq Thompson committed to Cal at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Thompson is 6’1″, 195 lbs. but played like a man child in Saturday’s game. Thompson was considering an official visit to Michigan at one point, but that seemed to be in connection with Jordan Payton’s interest in the Wolverines. Once Payton’s interest waned, Thompson’s did, too.
ALL-STAR GAMES
Cincinnati (OH) Colerain linebacker Joe Bolden was named a captain and starter for the Black Team in the Under Armour All-America Game. Bolden was praised throughout the week of practice for his instincts, intensity, and hitting. In the game he was once again solid, making 7 total tackles. Rivals crowned him the best tackler at the game, which bodes well for his future as a middle linebacker at Michigan. The 6’2″, 225-pounder graduated early and is enrolled at Michigan, where he’ll take part in spring practices. Perhaps more importantly, he will join Jake Ryan in the ranks of dreamy, long-haired linebackers.
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech linebacker Royce Jenkins-Stone started at middle linebacker for the West Team in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He made 1 tackle but showed good speed and was hustling on special teams. The East ran the ball outside most of the time, so he didn’t get a ton of chances to make plays in the middle.
Lakewood (OH) St. Edward’s offensive guard Kyle Kalis played about half the game at right guard for the East Team and looked quite capable. He was among the East’s top performers on the offensive line throughout the week, and several national observers noted that his technique looks solid. They also noted that he looked more comfortable at guard than tackle, which Kalis himself acknowledged at one point. I have always maintained that he looked like a future guard to me, so I’m glad national scouts – and Kalis – seem to agree.
Carlsbad (CA) La Costa Canyon offensive tackle Erik Magnuson started for the West Team in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The 6’6″, 280 lb. future left tackle played all five positions during West Team practices this past week, but started the game at left guard and held up very well against the East. He looked a little uncomfortable in his stance, but he kept his feet moving well and made some impressive seal blocks in a game that defensive linemen usually dominate.
Farmington Hills (MI) Harrison defensive end Mario Ojemudia played defensive end for the East Team in the inaugural Semper Fi All-American Game. He did not get off the ball as well as I expected him to, but that may be because he was playing a new position. Despite being headed for DE or OLB at Michigan, he mostly played defensive tackle in high school. Without the ball right under his nose, he seemed to be a little slow off the snap. However, he was very good at using his hands to get off of blocks.
Kansas City (MO) Park Hill defensive tackle Ondre Pipkins didn’t start the game, but was named a captain for the West Team in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He was somewhat inconsistent with his pad level and seemed a little out of shape, which is understandable for a 330 lb. kid at the beginning of January. However, when he decided to hustle, he was very good. Pipkins chased down East quarterback Chad Voytik on the sideline and crushed him, and he also chased down wide receiving/running back Stefon Diggs and forced a fumble. Overall, the hype on Pipkins was justified and with a little conditioning, he should be at least backup material next season.
Detroit (MI) Cass Tech cornerback Terry Richardson played defense and also returned kickoffs and punts for the Black Team in the Under Armour All-America Game. Richardson showed good speed and decent elusiveness in returning a kickoff 32 yards and another 28 yards, but unfortunately he carries the ball a little loosely and fumbled the 28-yard return; his punt returns were iffy with one muff and one poor decision to catch the ball at the 6-yard line. He also showed the ability to hang with the nation’s best receivers, although Richardson didn’t have any big plays on defense. He was beaten for a touchdown in the third quarter, but had pretty good coverage and reached his hand across just a split second too late to deflect the pass. The 5’9″, 165 lb. Richardson needs to get a little bit thicker, because he tends to get pushed around by some of the bigger receivers.
Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary’s linebacker James Ross started for the West Team at weakside linebacker in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Ross made 3 total tackles and flashed what I think is his biggest strength, which is diagnosing plays. If it’s a run, he knows it’s a run. If it’s a pass, he knows it’s a pass. Ross took some poor angles at times, which may be partly due to adjusting to faster competition. But he does have the speed to make those plays when he takes the proper angles, so I’m not too concerned there.
Overall, it was a very good showing for the Michigan players who participated in the all-star games, especially the guys in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. This looks to be the best crop of Army Bowl participants Michigan has snagged in years.
 |
| Kyle Kalis (#67) is one of five Michigan commits playing in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl this afternoon |
U.S. Army All-American Bowl
January 7, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. on NBC
Past Michigan commitments to have participated in the USAAB can be found here.
East Team targets:
Drae Bowles – WR – Tennessee (Tennessee)
Keith Brown – LB – Florida (Louisville)*
Deon Bush – CB – Florida (Miami)*
Leonte Carroo – WR – New Jersey (Rutgers)
Ty Darlington – C – Florida (Oklahoma)
Stefon Diggs – WR – Maryland
Kyle Dodson – OT – Ohio (Wisconsin)
Devin Fuller – QB – New Jersey
Darius Hamilton – DE – New Jersey
Eli Harold – DE – Virginia (Virginia)
D.J. Humphries – OT – North Carolina (Florida)
Jarron Jones – DT – New York (Notre Dame)
Kyle Kalis – OG – Ohio (Michigan, commitment post here)
Gunner Kiel – QB – Indiana (LSU)
Raphael Kirby – LB – Georgia (Miami)
Dillon Lee – LB – Georgia (Alabama)
Tyriq McCord – DE – Florida (Miami)*
Chris Muller – OT – Pennsylvania (Rutgers)
Tommy Schutt – DT – Illinois (Ohio State)
Elijah Shumate – S – New Jersey (Notre Dame)*
Geno Smith – CB – Georgia (Alabama)
Dwayne Stanford – WR – Ohio (Oregon)
Kent Taylor – TE – Florida (Florida)
John Theus – OT – Florida (Georgia)
Dan Voltz – OT – Illinois (Wisconsin)
Adolphus Washington – DE – Ohio (Ohio State)
Yuri Wright – CB – New Jersey
West Team targets:
Arik Armstead – DE – California
Zach Banner – OT – Washington
Vince Biegel – LB – Wisconsin (Wisconsin)
Dorial Green-Beckham – WR – Missouri
Royce Jenkins-Stone – LB – Michigan (Michigan, commitment post here)
Javonte Magee – DE – Texas
Erik Magnuson – OT – California (Michigan, commitment post here)
Ellis McCarthy – DT – California (Cal)*
Taylor McNamara – TE – California (Oklahoma)
LaDarrell McNeil – S – Texas (Tennessee)
John Michael McGee – OG – Texas (Oklahoma)
Kyle Murphy – OT – California
Durron Neal – WR – Missouri (Oklahoma)
Jordan Payton – WR – California (Cal)*
Zeke Pike – QB – Kentucky (Auburn)
Ondre Pipkins – DT – Missouri (Michigan, commitment post here)
James Ross – LB – Michigan (Michigan, commitment post here)
Jabari Ruffin – LB – California (USC)
Kendall Sanders – WR – Texas (Texas)
Aziz Shittu – DT – California
Jordan Simmons – OG – California (USC)
Michael Starts – OG – Texas (Texas Tech)
Shaq Thompson – S – California (Cal)*
Max Tuerk – OT – California (USC)
Dominique Wheeler – WR – Texas (Texas Tech)
Derrick Woods – WR – California (Oklahoma)
*Announced commitment during game