Bowman's Football Planet: LB's....Who's next? Who I like!

Bowman's Football Planet: LB's....Who's next? Who I like!:    There has been talk about Michigan's LB recruiting.  Some are saying take one more, some say take two.  With Mike McCray already committe...

LB's....Who's next? Who I like!

   There has been talk about Michigan's LB recruiting.  Some are saying take one more, some say take two.  With Mike McCray already committed, who should be the next one or two they should pursue the most?  " Well ", as Brady Hoke would say, I don't think they are leaning towards one specifically, yet I could be wrong.  Michigan offers a group of kids and whoever wants to be a Wolverine first will get the spot.  Let's look at the three most obvious suspects and break down their game.  I think we will all see what the coaching staff does,  that all three are legit recruits and would fit just fine.

   
  Dorian O'Daniel - 6'1" 205 lbs OLB

http://youtu.be/Cvl1ZUTGdxE


   RB's have a hard time getting the corner against O'Daniel's speed and tackling ability.  He looks to find those holes in the offense and slips through to make plays in the backfield.  His closing speed is fantastic and he plays the screen well also, so matching up with slots and RB's doesn't seem to be a problem.   He's clearly not big enough to deal with the middle and his pursuit at times seems slow and timid.  He is clearly not at full speed on some of these plays. He is productive when blitzing off the edge but he's not dealing with any blockers. I also think he lacks that " killer instinct " as well.  Is he an elite LB?  I don't think so, but he will gain some size over the next year and with top notch coaching, like Michigan, he could become a gem.

  EJ Levenberry - 6'3" 217 lbs  OLB

http://youtu.be/ySw-USiZBjM


 This is the first time I have watched Levenberry on film and I'm not very impressed.  Levenberry is benefiting from being the biggest kid on the field.  His LB skills are questionable.  I honestly think he is more of a DE and after a year of growth, he could be 6'4" - 6'5" and 230 - 240 lbs.  He looks very slow, stiff and very upright in this film.  He hits hard and does make a couple plays down field but the balls were thrown directly at him.  I can't believe all the hype around this kid. Myself ?  I don't see it.  I'm just an evaluator of talent,  he does have size and strength but is quite a project.

 
  Ben Gedeon - 6'3" 220 lbs

http://youtu.be/J80jGHC5TBY

Look, I don't know if Gedeon is a better athlete than O'Daniel but he's the biggest of the three and can sniff the ball out better than the others.  O'Daniel is a true OLB and Gedeon looks to be more of a MLB.  What I like about Gedeon is his passion for the game, you can see it in just a few plays.  He doesn't just fill gaps but explodes through them before the RB gets to the hole.  Gedeon is a Michigan type of  player and reminds me of Bolden but let me make this clear,  Joe Bolden he is not.

In order
1.Gedeon
2.O' daniel
3.Levenberry

Bowman's Football Planet: BIG TEN TO BRADY HOKE " GIVE SOMEONE ELSE A CHANCE...

Bowman's Football Planet: BIG TEN TO BRADY HOKE " GIVE SOMEONE ELSE A CHANCE...:    Brady Hoke and the Michigan coaching staff have done it again folks.  Receiving commitment #16 today from Warren, Ohio RB, Deveon Smith...

BIG TEN TO BRADY HOKE " GIVE SOMEONE ELSE A CHANCE , PLEASE "?

   Brady Hoke and the Michigan coaching staff have done it again folks.  Receiving commitment #16 today from Warren, Ohio RB, Deveon Smith.  I predicted this commitment when RB Ty Isaac didn't commit on his visit last weekend.  Scout has Ty Isaac ranked the No.1 RB in the country but Smith isn't far behind at No.7.  Seriously though, I figured this was a done deal the minute he stepped on campus.  How difficult could it have been to convince Smith to join this 2013 class?  I'm paraphrasing here obviously, but could it have went something like this?  " We have offered five RB's and your one of them.  Our 2013 OL class is the best in the country and will end up the best when it's all said and done.  You want to be the one who runs behind them?  Today's your chance, if not today, the next guy up could get your spot".  Probably not, but that would have been my line.

  In the case of Deveon Smith,  my evaluation has  Richmond, Virginia RB Derrick Green as the only other offered Michigan RB I like better.  That's right,  even better than the explosive Ty Isaac.  You throw a bull like Smith behind that OL for 2013,  you have an unstoppable freight train.  What I love about Hoke and his staff is the way they are preparing for the pro-style offense with massive OL and powerful RB's,  just like the glory years.  Why run around defenses?  Just bury their asses with bigger, stronger kids.


http://youtu.be/Vd7kCeT60IM

I have already done an evaluation on Smith, along with all the other RB's Michigan has offered for 2013.  Check my blog archive, it was the last one.  Word is that Smith is 5'11" 215-220 lbs currently.  In addition to my initial evaluation on Smith, I picked up on a couple details that show signs of a responsible, mature RB that is beyond his years.  Watch the way he keeps the ball high and tight when running, very close to his body as if it is an important part of his life.  He switches the ball away from potential contact,  moving the ball from right hand to left or vice versa during runs to keep the ball from being stripped or fumbled.  Very productive stiff arm,  runs very low, picks up blitzes and doesn't just clip guys but stands them up.  Breakaway speed is a problem, well, unless nobody can tackle him and that looks to be the case.  Running style reminds me of Emmit Smith quite a bit.


 

Bowman's Football Planet: GAREON CONLEY IS #15!

Bowman's Football Planet: GAREON CONLEY IS #15!:    Michigan's 2013 recruiting class keeps it rolling today with the commitment of all-state Massillon CB, Gareon Conley.  Conley is the fi...

GAREON CONLEY IS #15!

   Michigan's 2013 recruiting class keeps it rolling today with the commitment of all-state Massillon CB, Gareon Conley.  Conley is the fifteenth commitment to Michigan's class and the sixth from Ohio. At roughly 6'2" 170 lbs, Conley is arguably the best at his position in the state.  Scout has him as a 4* ranking and the 20th CB in the country.  This is Michigan's second DB in this class, he has the cover skills to play field corner and with some weight can play bench corner as well.  Let's look at a clip and evaluate conley's skills.



http://youtu.be/Mwc0r5sSEo4

 There are two plays that define conley in this clip and what he is capable of.  The first is at the :54 second mark.  Conley looks to sniff this play out immediately.  He gives up the outside receiver to the safety and approaches the line aggressively to pick up the middle receiver.  His man runs an out, Massillon is in a zone here, Conley reads the QB and comes off his man before he even comes out of his break.  He then drops quickly and jumps the inside receivers route, INTERCEPTION and nice return.  It seems long and drawn out with the way I break it down but it is executed with precise mechanics.  Watch only his footwork during this play,  his hips are extremely fluid and his agility is smooth. 

 The second play is at 2:45.  He is so confident this is a run play that he doesn't front either receiver and pursues the RB immediately.  He then runs him down and makes a tackle for a huge loss.  If a player of his caliber makes one great play, a college coach believes he can make those plays consistently with good coaching.  That is Conley's upside.  He also comes off the edge well on kicks and CB blitzes.  Does Conley blow my mind?  No, but the CB position is the most difficult position to play and he is solid all the way around.

 

Bowman's Football Planet: OHIO LOVES MICHIGAN!

Bowman's Football Planet: OHIO LOVES MICHIGAN!: There has been a rumor about how "Michigan won't get any top recruits from Ohio as soon as Urban Meyer gets in there". Well folks, t...

OHIO LOVES MICHIGAN!

 
   There has been a rumor about how "Michigan won't get any top recruits from Ohio as soon as Urban Meyer gets in there".  Well folks, those rumors were misleading to say the least.  Today Michigan received a verbal commitment from 2013 Trotwood Madison LB Mike McCray JR.,  arguably Ohio's top LB.  That would make five commitments from the state that Michigan wasn't suppose to get any more players from.   Ohio fans may want to take a look at Michigans 2013 recruiting class if your getting bored with Meyers recruiting process.  Not only has Michigan received 14 commitments already but their list of recruits is a blue chip who's who.  What Hoke is doing, once again,  is building a team from kids who have not even started their senior season in high school.  When it comes to recruiting, Hoke and his staff take a backseat to no other team in the country.

  Mike McCray - LB, 6'4" 230 lbs, Trotwood Madison

http://youtu.be/YN_YWhgcvjU

 Look at McCray, 6'4" 230 lbs, jumping routes like a CB and devouring RB's like the top notch LB that he is.  Is there any question about this kid's potential? Michigan will probably only take two LB's considering they have possibly the NO.1 LB class for 2012, but McCray is a must have.  Don't be surprised if the other 2013 LB is an ohio kid as well.


 

Bowman's Football Planet: LOCAL RADIO HOSTS MUST DO HOMEWORK

Bowman's Football Planet: LOCAL RADIO HOSTS MUST DO HOMEWORK: There is this perception with local radio hosts that ohio was more talented in football than every team they played last season. Conside...

LOCAL RADIO HOSTS MUST DO HOMEWORK

   There is this perception with local radio hosts that ohio was more talented in football than every team they played last season.  Considering they were 6-7, this is a false statement.  Not that they were not more talented than a few teams they lost to, but that team wasn't loaded by any means.  These same guys are starting it again by saying they will face no team as talented as they are in this upcoming season.  With ohio's schedule being awfully favorable for 2012, I cannot speak for every team.  Obviously they are not allowed to say Michigan is more talented in their contract I'm sure.  You see, Michigan is better at every unit other than DL, that's giving them the benefit of the doubt.  Why is it so hard to admit when a team has more talent or is just better than your hometown hero's are?  If you want me to prove it to you I will, here it goes.

QB - Denard Robinson

QB - Braxton Miller

Enough said

RB - Fitz Touissant - 1200 yd rusher and didn't even start every game.

RB - Hall? HYde? - don't know, it doesn't matter.

WR's - Roundtree, Gallon, Dileo, Jackson, newcomer Funchess, Darboh and chesson

WR's - did anybody catch more than 10 balls in this unit?

OL - Molk and huyge are gone but they brought in the best OL haul in the big ten, LT Lewan is the best in the big ten this tear.

OL - lost three on a poor OL, brought in a couple OL for 2012 but depth is an issue.

Defense
DL - Michigan loses Martin, Van Bergen, but return Roe, Black, Campbell, Clark and the addition of Strobel, Wormley, Godin, Henry, ojemudia, and Pipkins adds ridiculous depth

DL - Simon, Hankins, Mike Bennet and the return of Nate Williams is as solid as they come in the conference.  They also brought in a stellar DL class for 2012.


LB's - Michigan returns all three starters and depth with Gordon, Ty poole.  All that without mentioning arguably the NO.1 LB group from the 2012 recruiting class.

LB's - Shazier is a stud, Sambino is good also but Storm Klein is a dud and always will be.  Their 2012 class is good but pales in comparison to Michigan's group.

DB's - Michigan returns the whole crew. Period.

DB's - Roby is a potential all big ten player, but they lost some kids also.


 Like I said, only DL is in ohio's favor currently.  All this is without a game played and things can change during the season.  Let's get this straight though, Michigan has more talent than ohio does.