2013 WR Laquon Treadwell To Announce Decision Soon

With a flurry of recent announcements, it's been reported that one of 2013's most heralded wide receivers, Laquon Treadwell, will be announcing his college decision in the near future.  Although he did not name an exact time or date, he did say "my decision coming soon."  This was a little surprising since I got the sense that his recruitment would be a long one, but there's no doubt about the importance of this development to Michigan's 2013 recruiting class.  As we discussed in our breakdown of 247Sports' Top 247 Players, Treadwell is probably Michigan's most likely elite recruiting pick-up in 2013.  Michigan can certainly gain another major commitment in 2013, but Treadwell is probably the most likely.


Treadwell has been dominating several recent camps and has remained as one of the nation's elite players.  Michigan already has two wide receiver commitments in their 2013 class, Jaron Dukes and Csont'e York, and signed two wide receiver recruits in 2012, Jehu Chesson and Amara Darboh, but none of these recruits have matched Treadwell's rankings.  Yes, they may certainly outperform Treadwell in college, but if you are just going off the rankings, Treadwell would easily be Michigan's most heralded recruit since the 2009 recruiting class and probably even beyond that.

Random Musings

Usually I tend to stick with one topic for an article, but I'm going to branch out tonight and touch on multiple topics.

1. I know my colleague wrote about Brady Hoke's comments about bringing back the No. 48 jersey, for whatever reason, here. While I do agree with what he says, I want to emphasize a couple things.

1a. Gerald Ford's #48 is a retired number. Save for MLB and every player wearing Jackie Robinson's No. 42, I don't think I've ever heard of any team, in any sport, un-retiring a number for this purpose. I've agreed with most decisions that Hoke has made so far, but I can't agree with this one.
       
1b. It's President Gerald Ford. Now, I support every retired number Michigan has, and I think there should be a couple more. Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson for example. But, President Ford holds a hallowed space in Michigan lore for being the President. No other player in the Big Ten has been able to say that, and unless Tom Brady decides to run for prez when he's done with the NFL, I don't see it happening again. I gotta say it would help having Gisele Bundchen as a First Lady---we would be the envy of other countries in that aspect.
         
1c. I know the football off season is long, both college and pro, but please stop putting emphasis on what number a certain player is going to wear. I know in the age of media now things can become blown up a lot faster than they used to, but does it really matter outside of who might wear the No. 1? Not really.
   

Commit #18 WR Csont'e York

Photo Credit: 247 Sports

A day after his visit to Michigan and receiving a scholarship offer, WR Csont'e York out of Chandler Park, MI pledged his commitment to the University of Michigan. He's a tall kid with 247 rating him at 6'3, with great size at 190 pounds. Runs a 4.58 in the 40, so not crazy elite speed, but as he showed in the NFTC last weekend, he can break away from defensive backs. Word is that he was a Michigan State fan, wanted to go to Michigan State but the coaches wowed him and changed his mind. I love it!

York is the 18th commit in this amazing 2013 recruiting class and the second receiver in this class along with Jaron Dukes. I like that the coaches continue to add great weapons for Shane Morris. I have to think they are going to add at least one more receiver in the class, which will probably be Laquon Treadwell. The offense with these weapons is shaping up to be something special in the future. All the major reporters say that York has an amazing ability to catch the ball away from the body with his hands, which is such a great habit. Love a guy that will go out there and get the ball. He's already built up some chemsitry with Shane Morris and I think that will continue to grow with their continued contact and as they keep going to camps in the offseason.

I'm particulary a big fan of his because he didn't wait long to pull the trigger with his commitment. He made the visit with his high school football coach, the Michigan coaches offered him, and then the next day he commits. I'm a huge fan of this. He knew what he wanted, so he made the decision. Sure, he grew up a Sparty fan, but he is now a Michigan Man. If you haven't seen his highlight tape I've added it here so you can see what type of weapon we are getting. He is rated as a 3* on most boards, but I believe as he continues to perform well at summer camps his stock will continue to rise, as well as his offer sheet so I'm glad that Michigan got him now. Going to be great in the future and a welcome addition to this group of young receivers. Welcome to Michigan, Csont'e and can't wait to see you in the Big House.

Commitment #12: WR Jaron Dukes

Jaron Dukes, a 6’5” wide receiver out of Marion Franklin (Columbus, OH), visited Ann Arbor for the first time on February 10th. He, however, has been a lifelong Michigan fan. Dukes is an emerging star out of the Midwest and will probably be one of the top wide receivers out of Ohio for the class of 2013. When Michigan offered him on Signing Day, he was ecstatic. 

“I’m already ready to be in Blue,” he said when he got offered. Dukes has an offer from the University of Toledo, and has been hearing from Ohio State. Surprise, surprise. Dukes had said he would consider Ohio State at one point. He says his strengths are being able to focus on the ball, keeping a level-head, being able to read the DB and the secondary, and of course having fun and competing. Seems like the typical high-character player Michigan coaches like to go for. 

Wide receiver is a great position of need for Michigan in 2013. Multiple wide receiver offers have already gone out, but Dukes is one of special interest. Michigan was one of the first schools to offer him, and he has really appreciated that. Not to mention the man is 6’5” and 197 pounds. What’s not to love? Dukes will probably be one of the tallest wide receivers to ever wear the Maize and Blue. 

As Michigan DE commit Taco Charlton (@thekidTC33) recently tweeted, "If Michigan gets Jaron Dukes, that would be a great addition to the 2013 class 'cause the kid can play! And you can't teach 6'5"." He makes a really good point. And Michigan got him.  

Interestingly enough, when Marion Franklin played Trotwood-Madison, it was said that Dukes torched Ohio State defensive back commit Cameron Burrows multiple times to the tune of six catches, 173 yards, and two touchdowns. If that isn’t foretelling of future match-ups against Ohio State, I don’t know what is. 

Dukes said that he loved his Michigan visit. His parents came along so they could experience it too, and he said it was everything he expected and more. 

"It went great! I saw everything...the facilities, academic programs...just everything! It was everything I expected it to be plus more. I thought the town was going to be very small, but it's not that small. I liked it...I liked it a lot!"

Dukes also said that he has a great vibe with the coaches and that he can tell they really care about their players. Dukes has been saying he wanted to take his time with his recruitment but with the flurry of commits this past weekend (8!) he probably realized it's now or never.

Dukes is Michigan's 12th commit of the 2013 class. He is currently unranked but projected to be a 4* wide receiver. My favorite tid bit? We plucked him right out of Columbus! He is the 4th commit from the state of Ohio. He is also the first offensive skill player from Columbus to (potentially) play for Michigan. Ever. Crazy.

Could Jaron Dukes Be Commit #4?

Jaron Dukes, a 6’5” wide receiver out of Marion Franklin (Columbus, OH), visited Ann Arbor for the first time this past weekend. He, however, has been a lifelong Michigan fan. Dukes is an emerging star out of the Midwest and will probably be one of the top wide receivers out of Ohio for the class of 2013. When Michigan offered him on Signing Day, he was ecstatic. 

“I’m already ready to be in Blue,” he said when he got offered. Even though he’s not ready to commit, you can tell he’s very pumped about his Michigan offer. He has an offer from the University of Toledo, and has been hearing from Ohio State. Surprise, surprise. Dukes said he would consider Ohio State. He says his strengths are being able to focus on the ball, keeping a level-head, being able to read the DB and the secondary, and of course having fun and competing. Seems like the typical high-character player Michigan coaches like to go for. 

Wide receiver is a great position of need for Michigan in 2013. Multiple wide receiver offers have already gone out, but Dukes is one of special interest. Michigan was one of the first schools to offer him, and he has really appreciated that. Not to mention the man is 6’5” and 197 pounds. What’s not to love? If Michigan were to land Dukes, he would probably be one of the tallest wide receivers to ever wear the Maize and Blue. 

As Michigan DE recruit Taco Charlton (@thekidTC33) recently tweeted, "If Michigan gets Jaron Dukes, that would be a great addition to the 2013 class 'cause the kid can play! And you can't teach 6'5"." He makes a really good point. 

Interestingly enough, when Marion Franklin played Trotwood-Madison, it was said that Dukes torched Ohio State defensive back commit Cameron Burrows multiple times to the tune of six catches, 173 yards, and two touchdowns. If that isn’t foretelling of future match-ups against Ohio State, I don’t know what is. 

Dukes said that he loved his Michigan visit. His parents came along so they could experience it too, and he said it was everything he expected and more. 

"It went great! I saw everything...the facilities, academic programs...just everything! It was everything I expected it to be plus more. I thought the town was going to be very small, but it's not that small. I liked it...I liked it a lot!"

Dukes also said that he has a great vibe with the coaches and that he can tell they really care about their players. Although many Michigan fans were on commitment watch this weekend, Dukes has been consistent with his decision to wait to commit. He admits that Michigan is his leader, but he wants to take his time. 


Dukes plans on visiting Cincinnati, West Virginia, and possibly Indiana. 




Photo Credit: Scout