Yesterday, before the game even started, Michigan fans received some great news as big time Offensive Tackle Denzel Ward from the 2014 class pledged his commitment to Michigan. This kid is 6'9" and 300 pounds. He's just an absolute monster and what many are calling a huge pick up for the Wolverines. Denzel made his first trip to Ann Arbor last weekend for the Illinois game and came away very impressed and with a scholarship offer from the coaches. I had a good feeling about him because he struck a very good bond with 2013 Commit Logan Tuley-Tillman. Sam Webb alluded to it this week that a commitment this weekend was certain and he was right. There's not a ton of coverage on Ward yet, but what scouts have said is that he is very raw and has a ton of upside. He joins Michael Ferns in this class and Michael is one of the top linebackers in the state of Ohio so with the addition of Denzel, Team 135 is off to a great start.
What next for the 2014 class? Well Michigan, has made it clear they want to be deep on the offensive line. Look for the staff to take at least 3 more offensive linemen, if not 4. Depth at the OL is important and I know Coach Hoke is a firm believer in that. The 2012 and 2013 classes were both very loaded and with this Denzel Ward commitment, that's a good start. A Top-50 player in the country, OL Mason Cole visited as well and Michigan sits very well with him. In my opinion, I think he's blue in the end, but it could be down the road. It was a big time list of visitors and Cole's teammate, WR Artavis Scott, has Michigan high up there and these two could possibly be a package deal. 2014 DB Damon Webb was also on hand and he came away impressed. I think he's one of the coaches' top priorities for this class. He's a big time player and would be a huge get for Michigan.
So coming off of the horrible loss to Notre Dame last night, I figured I'd share my opinion on whether or not I think the game hurt us in recruiting. Right off the bat, I'm going to have to say no and I'll state my reasons why. There were lots of recruits at the game with interest in both teams such as Damon Webb, a 2014 DB/WR out of Detroit Cass Tech. However, most of the responses that we heard were in regards to recruits believing that could have an earlier impact at Michigan, which is definitely not a negative sign.
It was a great atmosphere, but a guy like Webb has visited Michigan the last two weeks for needless to say not very big games. Michigan hasn't had a big game atmosphere at home yet and I believe that come October 20th when the Spartans come to town, it could be huge. A vast majority of the 2013 commits have scheduled their official visits for this game along with big time 2013 target RB Derrick Green. Michigan is 2-2 right now, which isn't the start that we had all hoped for, but let's face it, we did lose to Alabama who is I think far and above the best team in college football. We gave away the game to the #11 team in the country so it's not like we have been upset in any means.
As we all know, the Detroit Sound Mind/Sound Body Camp was this past weekend and was loaded with top Midwest prospects, which included many Michigan commits. Among the participants were Shane Morris, David Dawson, Logan Tuley-Tillman, Khalid Hill, Jourdan Lewis, and Csont'e York. This camp was specially unique because coaches were actually able to be there and coach the prospects. Coach Hoke and his full staff were present, along with Ohio State, Michigan State, Eastern Michigan's staffs. It was a good chance for the coaches to get an extra look at commits and actually coach them up.
Shane Morris
Well not much that we need to go in depth as far as Shane goes. From what I'm hearing and reading he was the best quarterback there as was expected. Coach Borges coached him the whole day and clearly liked what he saw. As always, Shane threw hard, but ever since the Elite 11 in Dallas, he has improved significantly on his touch passes. This is a great sign with the national Elite 11 competiton coming at the end of the summer in Los Angeles.
David Dawson
Yet again Mr. Dawson shows up and dominates at camp. Easily the best offensive lineman on site and he showed why. He did get beat a few times, but he was spectacular for the most part. On the outside is where he got beat when he did but when the coaches moved him inside to guard, which is where he is expected to play in college, he won the matchups with ease. His technique was top notch, displaying great footwork and hand placement.
Logan Tuley-Tillman
Logan seemed to play well, but definitely not as well as Dawson. He weighed in at 315 so he's dropped some weight, but still needing to lose a bit more. Still has plenty of time before he arrives in Ann Arbor so he will without a doubt have time to get into better college shape. He got beat a few times in drills but Coach Funk was on site to help him out with footwork and technique. Logan will most likely play tackle at Michigan because of his size and it's definitely exciting to imagine Dawson and Logan playing alongside one another.
Jourdan Lewis
Jourdan's stock has began to rise with his recent dominance in camps. He has been playing very well on both sides of the ball, but the coaches have let him know he will play CB at Michigan. Lewis is 5'11" and has very good recovery speed. He also has phenomenal ball skills, which is what helps him to excel at WR. There's nothing wrong with a great two-way player, but I definitely think he's better on the defensive side of the ball and that's where we should all look to see him in Ann Arbor.
Khalid Hill
Khalid is rated as a 3* across the board, but is one of the lower rated players in Michigan's 2013 recruiting class. Khalid has good size and good skills when it comes to going up and getting the ball. As he showed at camp, he runs good routes and uses his body very well when it comes to going after the football. As he continues to play well in camps he may move up the rankings and get some more love from the scouting services. I'm not sure if he'll become a 4* by time he gets on campus, but he could be a decent pick-up for Michigan.
Csont'e York
C'sonte showed up late, so he didn't get a ton of time at the camp. When he did play he showed why he is largely considered the most underrated recruit in Michigan's class.
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The biggest story coming out of the day to me was 2014 Cass Tech WR/CB Damon Webb who received an Michigan offer. A couple weeks ago, he literally shut down touted 2013 WR Laquon Treadwell (who Michigan is recruiting hard). Now, I know Damon is very young and is just finishing up sophomore year, but he does go to Cass Tech and we know the quality of player that comes out of that school. Along with that, the school is essentially a Michigan pipeline. He's got great size, athletic ability and good speed.
Can't forget about 2015 Cass Tech QB Jayru Campbell. Kid is very good and already has some offers, but most notably received an offer from Alabama after his performance at the camp. Another Cass Tech player, Jayru did throw 3 interceptions, but all were off of drops so can't really blame him for those. He has been blowing up as of late and Michigan hasn't offered yet, but I expect they will very soon. At only finishing up freshmen year some argue its way too early to evaluate a kid and extend an offer but he is very good. He's definitely not the prototypical pocket passer and we know Michigan is looking to go back into the more pro style of offense so we will see how that plays into his recruitment. Jayru is very good and you should all get to know him because he will only improve as time comes.
Not only were the players there, but as I mentioned, all of the coaches. Brady Hoke got to speak to campers as well as evaluate top prospects, targets, and commits. Pretty neat to see the coaches get to be at the camp and with the recent restrictions on basketball recruiting being lifted as far as texting recruits 24/7, I think that football will begin to follow suit.
It was definitely a great showing at this camp from Michigan commits and prospects. The coaches extending an offer to Damon Webb shows a lot about him and how good he could be in the future. I'll be trying to get in contact with Damon to talk about his offer and where Michigan stands with him. Be sure to keep track on all of these prospects and pay attention to the Elite 11 next month to see how good Shane Morris performs.
Yesterday, before the game even started, Michigan fans received some great news as big time Offensive Tackle Denzel Ward from the 2014 class pledged his commitment to Michigan. This kid is 6'9" and 300 pounds. He's just an absolute monster and what many are calling a huge pick up for the Wolverines. Denzel made his first trip to Ann Arbor last weekend for the Illinois game and came away very impressed and with a scholarship offer from the coaches. I had a good feeling about him because he struck a very good bond with 2013 Commit Logan Tuley-Tillman. Sam Webb alluded to it this week that a commitment this weekend was certain and he was right. There's not a ton of coverage on Ward yet, but what scouts have said is that he is very raw and has a ton of upside. He joins Michael Ferns in this class and Michael is one of the top linebackers in the state of Ohio so with the addition of Denzel, Team 135 is off to a great start.
