Name: Sione Houma
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Ratings: ESPN – NR* (45), Scout – 2*, 247 Sports NR*
Recruitment: Houma is a pretty under the radar prospect, as most fullbacks are. So we don't know too much about him, apart from the fact he visited Michigan very early in the summer, and had offers from Utah and Washington. I think leaving the state was a pretty big deal for him, so I guess Utah would have been his second choice.
Offers: Michigan, Utah, Washington, Utah State.
Stats: Currently stands at 6'0 and 215lbs. Runs the forty yard dash in around 4.6-4.7. As a junior Houma rushed for 1,211 yards and 9 touchdowns.
ESPN Analysis: None available.
Improvements: Pending analysis, but definitely needs to get bigger if he wants to play FB in college.
Film Highlights: Link here.
Final Thoughts: Michigan tried to take a FB at the end of last year's class, so it only makes sense that they take one in this class. Michigan doesn't have many fullbacks on the roster for this year, and unless walk on Joey Kerridge really impresses, Houma will definitely get his chance to get on the field early in his career.
As for the rest of the class, this doesn't have to big of an impact. When I did the live chat, I projected 7 free spaces in the class, with one of them going to a random offensive skill player; which we now know is Houma.
My initial thought about him was pretty bad. His is short, he is too weak, he doesn't even play fullback in high school, and his ratings are disastrous. But after looking into it more I am *sigh* fine with his commitment. While I did believe we could find a fullback by moving someone on the roster or via walk-on. This guy is excactly what we need. At SDSU Brady Hoke had his fullback was third in rushing and fourth in receiving. And guess what, he is slightly faster, has the same height, and weighs just a little more. And I believe that he will benefit from that recruiting sites saying he is a RB, I believe he will be a consensus 3 star when it's all said and done.
ReplyDeleteDid we score another recruit? If so who did we get?
ReplyDeleteRivals has us with 21 commitments...also dropped us to #3 after we were #2 yesterday....
@justin
ReplyDeleteRivals probably has clark as number 21
ESPN has this kid ranked as the #3 FB in the country, seems like a pretty good pick up IMO.
ReplyDeleteU have him confused with ej fatu. I did the same thing.
ReplyDeleteNope, Sione Houma - Grade of 74 on espn, #3 FB in the country. Espn has Ej fatu as the #4 FB
ReplyDeletehttp://insider.espn.go.com/college-football/recruiting/school?id=130&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fcollege-football%2frecruiting%2fschool%3fid%3d130
That's amazing!! Just yesterday he was not ranked and ej was the #3 fullback. I knew his stock would go up just not this fast. Thanks for the info Kevin.
ReplyDeleteI am finally back. I just got back from a 2 week vacation back home in Michigan.LOVED it. I have lots of questions and a statement. First the statement. I was back home in Flint went up north and it did not matter where I went in the UP I went from Mackinaw Island,Tahquamenon Falls,Whitefish Bay and the Soo Locks and I was out numbered by MSU fans in there gear I evan seen a few Lucknut fans. Where are all the UM fans in there gear?I am just asking all the UM fans to wear the UM gear load and proud.
ReplyDeleteNow for the questions.
What is going on with Kellen Jones? What did he do?I had high hopes for him.
If Jones,Pace Talbott and Jones are off the team or have career ending injuriers and I hope thats not the case will that open up more scholarships? And I know about the 85 scolarships for the team just don't know how this all fits in. And I hear some 5th. year seniors are not on the roaster.
I watched some film on Houma he is faster then he looks,good hands,needs to add 20 lbs and did not see much blocking so he may need to work on that don't know.I am happy with his commit.
I think we can kiss Dunn,Diamond,Washington and Stanford goodbye!!! I think UM will end up with a great class filled with kids that want to go to UM.
How can OSU get away with not evan a slap on the wrist? I think USC may file a law suit againist the NCAA.
@jer I love going up there, it is so nice and peaceful. The ironically named town of Paradise always cracks me up. Kellen Jones ALLEGEDLY did some illegal actions that are frowned upon, he hasn't been charged for anything, but it must have been enough for Hoke to say goodbye. Right now we have 15 seniors and 78 on scholarship. That means as of right now we have room for 22, one or two redshirt juniors will most likely not be asked back next year and I think there could be something that gives us 1 scholarship kicker as opposed to two. One or two guys will probably leave the program in the next 7 months, so we are in good shape to have 26 available scholarships.
ReplyDeleteTheres talk about maybe opening up for 27 scholarships available...its just a rumor though.
ReplyDeleteMark and Davon
ReplyDeleteThanks
I am still new to recruiting and the the whole scholarship thing. And it is completly wonderful Up North.
It would be nice if UM could pick up a extra O or D linemen this year.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I've read, Kellen Jones' scholarship is now up for grabs, which is nice considering we used one on a fullback. Houma looks pretty good dont get me wrong, but we could probably have gotten a walk-on. Either way, It's almost like considering Houma a freebie since we have an extra scholarship now.
ReplyDeleteWho do you think is going to be our attrition
ReplyDeleteI know I've talked about him before, but I think Cam Gordon is going to be the guy who gets in the backfield, which is what Kellen Jones was predicted to be. I think we all agree he needs to add some weight (muscle) but he's got the speed and athleticism to do some damage back there. I'm keeping my eyes open for him to break out this year. Brian Bennett (espn B1G blogger) seems to agree with me, saying Cam Gordon is Michigan's X factor.
ReplyDeleteIs anybody else starting to worry about the D now that the season is getting so close?
ReplyDeleteI'm not expecting a huge improvement. I've been hearing from fans they're expecting the defense to fall around 50th in the country. I'm thinking more like 70th? I know they'll be better, and I would love to see them jump up to 50's, but I still think our offense will be the only way we win games this year.
ReplyDeleteSome of you may see me to be blinded by hope but I honestly think our defense will be vastly improved. Our D-Line is going to be very strong, we all already know their talent but now they have better coaching, a better system, and even more of a drive to succeed. When you are nationally criticized anytime the team is mentioned that provides fuel to the fire. I see our four starting linemen to be nasty and really bother opposing offenses. I am still weary about the depth of the D line, but I trust the coaches will be able to take care of it. Our linebackers will be interesting, Demens and Gordon will be great but I am not sure about who else will step up. If we can get one or two guys to step up then our line backers will be very dangerous. Our secondary will have another year of experience and better coaching/system, if we can create pressure in our front seven then our DBs will not have to cover as long and benefit from rush throws. This will add up to a defense that will be able to create many more turnovers and be able to stop alot of offenses. As a summary, if we can get a few guys to step up on the line our defense will be greatly improved. If they can hold up then there is no way of knowing how far the team can go.
ReplyDelete@mark well said well said indeed..GO BLUE!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree Mark.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm expecting improved special teams play. Having a kicker who can kick a field goal, improved punt returns and coverage, and a little more ball/clock control offense will all help the D out immensely.
And, I'm not asking for much.
I look forward to being able to watch Michigan's punt return team without holding my breath during the hang time. It seemed like it was a fumble every other attempt!
Yup well said. Were Michigan it's not like we've recruited bums. Mattisons defences have been killer everywhere he's went. The big prob last year was inexperience, injurys, and RR made Greg Robinson run the 3-3-5 which will not work in the big10. 5 db's is to cover the spread, not prostyle power football.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with your point about turnovers. putting a 4th lineman down with the 4-3 vs 3-3-5 will increase our pressure on the QB especially if we stack the box with one or two line backers, and that will vastly help our secondary. However, I am not holding my breath that the defense as a whole will be stellar, I'll hope, but not hold.
ReplyDeleteMark,
ReplyDeleteWell said. I am concerned about the depth and giving up the big play.With Mattison I am sure there will be inprovment because Robinson should not have been able to coach a High School D.I worry about injuries in the secondary as well.
And don't get me started on what I am worried about on the O side of the ball.
You hit the nail on the head Jer89. People keep saying that our O will be fine, but has everyone forgot how bad and inconsistent our O was towards the end of the year? Hopefully with another year of maturing, and better coaching, we'll be able to be solid from start to finish. I think the change in philosophy in the weight room will increase the likelihood that we'll be able to sustain.
ReplyDeleteIf WR Amara Darboh is still in AA that has to be a good thing.
ReplyDeleteMy concerns on offence is UM has told everyone that they will be a power downhill running Offence. So everything depends on the O line moving the D out of the way and DROB hitting the WR. Oh and the WR catching the ball when they are wide open.
ReplyDeleteI know this is old but does anybody know when Kiel will annouce?
GUNNER to visit Indiana tomorrow with his family.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment- do we even have a chance at getting Gunner at all?
ReplyDeleteI believe that the defense will be drastically improved. I feel that mattison will have them ready each week, along with finally running the correct defense, 4-3. The defense will really benefit from the offense. Michigan will no longer be completely dominated in time of possession. The offense will be more efficient and no longer rely on the big play.
ReplyDeleteCorrection gunner visiting indiana today with family and articlecstated pretty much down to them and alabama.
ReplyDelete@ mrluke
ReplyDeleteI think we have a shot, but its probably not gonna happen. I think he is worried about shane morris, who imo is going to be alot better then gunner. I have family in columbus indiana, where he plays, and everyone there feels he is staying instate to Indiana.
The reason our O struggled was because all of our plays were qb runs, bubble screens, qb option. There was no plays thrown down field, the few that were was either a poor throw or a dropped pass. We struggled at the end because all you have to do to defend all the above is stack the line of scrimage. Everyone in the nation knew the plays that were gonna be called! If u can't keep the d honest by plays down field, there gonna sit there and wait for drob. Which they did. When the whole team knows your gonna run 4 differant plays, it's not that hard to stop. All that will change this year.
ReplyDeleteAnd for the record Greg Robinson coached in the NFL. He wanted to run a diff d but RR made him run 3-3-5. You can't blame him, he couldn't even do what we all knew had to do.
Gunner Kiel is Indiana bound.
ReplyDeleteyeah you are totally right bout Sione Houma, he is a very interesting promise and that is why is under radar of several recruiters and I read on a per head service blog that he is about to sign for a big club
ReplyDelete