TACO AND BUTT!

         Jake Butt - DE/TE - 6'4" 210 lbs,  Pickerington North HS, Columbus, Ohio

   http://youtu.be/nsAsJOEnlhk

    The Touchdown Club Of Columbus banquet was a great place to talk to some blue chip HS football players and their parents as well.  Two people that I talked to for quite a while was the parents of Michigan recruit Jake Butt.  When I seen Jake, the first thing I thought was QB, this was before I was introduced to the young man.  He is 6'4" and not 6'6" but his dad told me he was placed a grade ahead as a youngster instead of the typical holding them back.  Some parents hold their kids back so they will be ahead of other players physically and also in the maturation process.  This kid is actually 16 yrs old currently, he has some filling out to do to catch his height and his dad told me that he was informed by his DR that he is going to grow.  Your looking at a kid who could be a legit 6'6" -6'7" and 230 lbs by the time he graduates.


  I think Jake is a TE even know this clip is of all defensive highlights.  He is a standout basketball player, he is a great athlete and has hands to go with it.  He has the ability to play DE with some weight gain but doesn't have that killer instinct of a SDE of doesn't look to be a pass rusher.  I noticed he gets stood up and pushed back before he can get off his blocks and make plays.  I got a feel that TE is where he wants to play as well.  His dad loves Ohio but had nothing but great things to say about Hoke ( he focused on the Hagerup muffed punt during the Ohio game, Hoke took Hagerup aside and consoled him and told him to shake it off )  that type of coaching is respected by people and parents also.  He pointed out he didn't like the way coach Kelly screams at his players, even know Jake likes ND quite a bit.  Jake's mom said she was headed up for this weeks visit and loves Ann Arbor and coach Hoke.  Her quote was " I have not found a flaw yet about Michigan ".  It seems that Michigan is favorite currently but when I asked him about ND, he said " if they would offer me I might go there".

     

      Taco Charlton- DE - 6'6" 250 lbs, Pickerington Central HS, Ohio



http://youtu.be/hnSYLLyPYNE

 Charlton plays at the rival school of friend Jake Butt.  Pick Central was also the high school of all the Boren brothers, Jamie wood , Raymon Taylor of Michigan to name a few.  I am skeptical about Charlton.  He isn't 6'6" 250 lbs first of all, he's nut much bigger than Jake Butt. I've heard rumors about his desire for the game and it shows on the highlights.  He doesn't play with that sense of urgency of a blue chip player. He seems slow and lethargic at times and then shows glimpses of  playing hard and with an attitude.  When watching a player that is a major D1 DE, I would like to see him either blow his man away with speed or just manhandle his opponent, both seem to be missing. 

http://youtu.be/cmAI_feqxEs

This is the 2011 D1 state football championship between Pick Central and Cleveland St. Ignatius.  I wanted to see Charlton on a big stage against equal talent.  This is my concern with him, no penetration or ability to get past the OL.  He's good on sweeps and stretch plays as far as getting away from his man and chasing RB's down.  He lacks upper body and hand strength.  The Michigan coaching staff sees potential in him and so do I but currently he's a risk.  Regardless, both these kids have Michigan offers.