Thursday, 23 June 2011

Greetings from Berlin

My trip to Berlin is almost over; normal blog service should resume by tomorrow evening! In the mean time, here are a few quick nuggets:

- 2012 WR Bo Dever has decided to walk on at Michigan.His father, Dave Dever, is a former Wolverine player. Bo is 6'2 and 190lbs and by the sounds of it, has the potential to earn some scholarship offers from low level Div 1 schools, so this can only be seen as a positive since Michigan got him for 'free'.

- OL Eric Olson has committed to Northwestern over Michigan and a couple others. Michigan had their chance to win him over during his visit, but Northwestern is a great school, so no hard feelings. In the context of the whole class, this isn't a big loss, as Michigan certainly fancies their chances with some other OL prospects.

- speaking of OL prospects, Blake Bars is deciding soon and has a top five of Michigan, LSU, Florida, Vanderbilt and Penn State. Hopefully I'll have more of this soon.

60 comments:

  1. Benji,

    Thanks for the update. I hope you are having a good time.

    What do you think about the greyshirt offer to Jeremy Clark?

    I love it! I think this kid sounds like a phenomenal sleeper/late bloomer. MI may end up with the best of both worlds if Wilson commits, and seems to have solidified a legitimate Safety even if Wilson goes elsewhere.

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  2. Benji, Nice to hear from you and hope you are having a great time. And we are looking forward to having you back. We have been keeping ourselfs busy but still not the same without you.

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  3. Benji,

    Get off of here, and get back to your beer. Enjoy the rest of your trip.....but hurry back!!!

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  4. Surprised they didn't offer the Ohio safety prospect Sebastien Smith. 6'3" Safety/corner who won the Ohio Nike Combine DB MVP award, still listed with only 1 offer. Maybe we stand better with Wilson than they're letting on and don't want to scare him off. Wilson could be dropping tomorrow or this weekend, wherever that may be.

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  5. I saw a rumor that has Bars going to Vanderbilt! Crazy, I know. We'll see how reliable it is.
    Lots of visitors this weekend, I hope we have good news.

    I'd like to leave you with this interesting tidbit from ESPN Insider that's been floating around.

    "I do want say I'm finished but then I don't because anything can happen," Pittman said. "I want to be at Michigan State and I want to be a Spartan but the process isn't over and things might change between now and the time for me to sign."

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  6. Jay,

    Not that this will happen, but it would be quite entertaining to see Michigan come back into the picture and swoop in to pick off Pittman from Spartina. The couches in Lansing should be scared for that scenario.

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  7. Michael:

    I don't think MI coaches see Smith as a safety in the Big Ten. If he had bloomed a little earlier, he may have had a shot at a CB spot.....

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  8. Vandy's a great school and it's right down the street from where Bars lives. Franklin has done a good job getting high school kids excited about the future of vanderbilt football (much the same way Hoke has about Michigan). Being in the SEC, close to home, and the education, it won't be shocking if he does decide to commit. Franklin has pulled in a number of 4-star recruits already this year.

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  9. To be fair, "number of 4-star recruits" is using espn ratings. Bunch of 5.7-3 stars per rivals.

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  10. So we have accepted Jeremy Clark a 6'4 200 lb Safety from Kentucky as a greyshirt to the 2012 class and if we dont get Jarrod Wilson he will take that scholarship....

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  11. 4-star Chris Muller committed to Rutgers today.

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  12. Never mind on the greyshirt. But does the scholarship counts for the 2013 class?

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  13. Greyshirt basically means he pays his way to school for the first semester then he will get a scholarship ... I believe his scholarship will come off the next years recruiting class so we will still have 26 schollies for this year.. The SEC has been doing this for years but havent beem upfront with the guy about it they dont learn they are grey shirting till they get on campus .. Im glad we told the kid up front and he still decided to commit

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  14. If Wilson commits Jeremy Clark would still have a place, play in 2012, and count for 2013. If Clark gets more interest now and full scholarship offers he may take them, or he may stay. Wormley and Kalis are the ones to watch right now. Wormley is on commit watch and Kalis is considering Michigan but this visit could turn him commit-y too.

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  15. Wormley blah he needs to step it up this Sr year ... He was dominant his Soph year when noone paid attention to him cause they had someone else who needed more attention on the other edge but his Jr year when they were prepared he didnt show up..Not sure what the fuss is all about over him ,he can go elsewhere and I wouldnt care at all just open up a spot for someone who shows up

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  16. @UmFan323
    I agree about him needing to step up his game up for me to be completely sold on the kid.I wish he would delay his decision til after the season so other kids can visit and maybe we can find better prospects. I think we have a shot at noah spence once he visits.And we may be able to sway pittman away from michigan state.

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  17. To be fair the video editing doesn't do him any favors. Half of the footage is after the whistle of him just walking around. He isn't a speed rusher, like a DE/LB tweener like Odenigbo or Ojemudia, he's more like a small 3 tech pushed outside. He pushes over the RT, pushes over the double team, gets around the RT, gets around the double team, puts explosive hits on RB's, and makes himself big to freeze the scrambling qb. Next year his DLine won't be smaller than him and he'll face fewer double teams. He needs to make a better video.

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  18. I hear Michigan just got a commitment from S Jeremy Clark from North Hopkins in Madisonville, Kentucky.

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  19. He was at the camp, and the coaches liked him, but they couldn't offer him a spot in this class, but he's a 2012 graduate who doesn't really have offers from anywhere.
    Easiest solution: they offered him a greyshirt. He'll go to Michigan and pay at first while playing in 2012. He'll earn a scholarship that will count for the 2013 class at a later date. We're all hoping Jarrod Wilson will commit soon.

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  20. Thurston signed with Neb.

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  21. @ Micheal

    I think we're looking at more than Wilson soon ;)

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  22. People keep saying things re going to happen and nothing. I won't hold my breathe but I will wait.

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  23. This is the first time all year Tom has been anything but cryptic and then?.................................................................................................................................................
    I have no doubt things are happening but talk about a false start to the day.

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  24. Running Back war.....

    While we wait to hear some good news on this front I see that W. Mahone is visiting MSU.....Does anybody know why we haven't offered him. I know that we have no lock on any RB right now and it is a position of need. It's just an RB question....failing Garmon or Dunn, what are we looking good for...

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  25. BIG NEWS From Scout, yes I have a subscription: Rumors on the scout board are flying that Kalis is probably going to commit by the end of the weekend! Bill Greene, Scout.com Ohio analyst, said earlier today, "I expect his commitment announcement before the weekend ends." also to add fuel to the fire is he is NOT talking to Alabama anymore. Get your popcorn ready!

    oh Kalis and Wormley are both currently on campus!

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  26. @GBN
    They've been talking about FB's and keep offering them, or hybrids who can play FB. It seems like the target is FB, and then if Dunn is interested we'll take him too. Thing is we already have 8 RB's, some of them young, and the upperclassmen are projected 2011/2012 starters so if Hokes taken 2 last year, and possibly 2 this year, and Rawls and Dunn are in that group then kids will get passed over, even with our bigger emphasis on the run. FB's to watch are Houma, Fatu, Hill, and maybe Garmon, or potentially Dunn.

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  27. I hope your right. I think it will help with other recruits. And is there any word on a offer for Seumalo?

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  28. I really don't think RB is a great need right now. If Dunn falls in UM lap they will take him. Just don't think they should go out of there way to get one. Specially if UM gets some of these big O Linemen. UM gets these O linemen the RBs will line up to go to AA.

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  29. It looks like if we had to run a 3 deep (which we might this year) our RBs would be Shaw, Cox, and Smith again, and the FBs which we'll finally start using again would be Hopkins, McColgan, and Toussaint with their size. I'd be surprised if we saw backs other than Shaw and Cox and Hopkins and McColgan in a 2 deep. Maybe other backs will get time against Eastern and but I imagine the first choice backs will play vs. Western in game one so they can get used to the new system before ND in game 2. Unless we see attrition I'd expect Hayes to redshirt and maybe Rawls. He could be an freshman impact player, but it'd have to come at the expense of a few others this year.

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  30. Jer89,

    You hit the nail right on the head with that post. I agree with u 100%, Let's get the linemen and the rb's will follow...

    Go Blue!!

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  31. Just read at: http://www.chatsports.com/michigan-wolverines/a/Kalis-Wormley-and-Wilson-set-to-commit-to-Michigan-10-2-167

    "According to our sources in Ann Arbor 5-star OT Kyle Kalis, a former OSU commit, Chris Wormley (DE) and Jarrod Wilson (S) are set to commit to Michigan this weekend, and they could become official verbal commitments tonight. Kalis de-committed from OSU earlier this week after attempts were made by new OSU head man Luke Fickell. Both Wormley and Wilson are highly sought after 4 star players from the state of Ohio. This is a big step in the right direction for Michigan and new coach Brady Hoke. Over the last several years, OSU has dominated the recruiting game, but now Michigan is taking full advantage of the turmoil in Columbus and is quietly putting together a stellar 2012 recruiting class. Stay tuned to your breaking Michigan football rumors source, ChatWolverines, in the coming hours for quotes for the players once they make their pledges to Hoke and his staff official."

    What a sweeeeet package if it happens!! GO BLUE!!

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  32. Is this someones opinion or is a fact?

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  33. The blogger's name is Ace William and he just posted this update:

    ***Update*** I have had a few people question my sources on some of these things. Now that RichRod is gone, my insiders are giving me all the gossip again like pre-RR. I posted the first article on what I have been told recently here . . . and for the doubters on the Harbaugh story, like I said, from best source on the planet. Use your imagination. -AW

    Like many bloggers/reporters who report breaking news or rumors based on their "inside sources", we won't know the real truth until it's official. Let's just hope it's true!

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  34. @ Jer89: Another updated was just posted by AW:

    ***Update #2*** Kalis may not make it official in the press until after the weekend but he told multiple players and recruits that he is coming to Michigan today. Consider him committed.

    I'm feeling pretty good about it now!! What a coup Hoke and Co. is making on Ohio commitments/recruits!! GO BLUE!!

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  35. I don't mean to doubt your source but sense Benji has been on a well deserved vacation we have all heard rumors so we just want to hear more fact then maybe. So thanks for the update.

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  36. @ Jer89: No worries, just keeping the fire going while Benji is away. I stumbled across the post and thought I'd share it with the group. We'll know for sure in a couple of days.

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  37. I feel like I am almost sitting on my hands with excitement. If some type of news does not break tonight, I will be very sad!

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  38. I am having a hard time finding Ace William can you tell me where to find his blog?

    I read Bengi is back in England so maybe he will be back Saturday?

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  39. This will be a big weekend. I would be surprised if what we all expected to happen today doesn't happen soon. Even the trustworthy sources were expecting today to be a big recruiting day, but personally I believe they're holding off to make this an announcement in honor of my birthday this weekend. I'd like to thank our 3 favored prospects for thinking of me during this process.

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  40. In other news, Dunn commits to Michigan State.

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  41. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  42. @ Jer89: I posted the link in my first post above, but the site is: www.chatsports.com/michigan-wolverines

    Sorry I can't copy and paste the whole link again, but I'm using my phone right now. Hope you're able to find it.

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  43. Why are you talking about Dunn committed to Michigan state?

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  44. What site did you find out that Dunn committed to michigan state.

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  45. Just messing around man, a icebreaker. Most Um Fans are all tensed up bout Kalis, Wormley & Wilson. Wilson has set a announcement date for 2:30 pm est July 8, 2011 - refer to TVH twitter.

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  46. I will admit that was a good icebreaker. I just didnt think msu was in good standing with dunn.

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  47. Ive looked everywhere i know of with no word about Dunn. Must have been meant as a joke.

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  48. If you post that on a msn blog.Now that would be funny.Specially sense I think Pittman will decommit from there.

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  49. I may just do that. East Lansing would go on a uprise like the Vancouver Canuck fans when they lost the cup.

    @ Charles Tindle - it was a joke man. And I do agree, even Pittman said that anything can happen between now and NSD. Also if any truth to his grades, amd he does the work, if there is a spot open don't count us out until nsd 2012 either .

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  50. Dudes,,, Chilll,,,,

    This is a process, not a result.

    It's a journey, not a destination.

    Silently observe in respectful wonderment.

    The flower will bloom.

    The petals unfolding to a clock unknown, and unseen....

    You should have learned long ago...wishing Christmas morning to come faster only makes it seem to dawn later.

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  51. Mihael/Jer89,

    I agree that we have some depth at RB but would like to just land one. If our RBs don't improve a bit, I think we could see at least a bit of Rawls. This is just me missing a power running back. I agree that if we build our Oline we'll have backs lined up to play behind them. I also agree that they'll try to land a FB or good all purpose back.

    And Jer,

    I don't get Seumalo thing. I'm begining to think they may not like what they see. He's had interest here since Magnuson came on board and they want to play together. They know better than we do??? His ranking are great but his offer list is so-so and west coast.

    You guys have a good weekend.....

    Phil

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  52. BlueMarrow.....Too Deep!!!!

    We want commits and we want them now, we want Sept. and kick-offs and football and......OMG....I sound like my kids.....

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  53. Just noticing that they've dropped Kalis' interest in Michigan to medium after his visit???

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  54. hey, do you guys think that reciever from last year, Conway will make it to michigan?

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  55. That was dropped right before he visited. Don't know why. The kid had a great visit. Sit back and lets see what happens.

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