Bowman's Football Planet: LET'S TALK FOOTBALL

Bowman's Football Planet: LET'S TALK FOOTBALL: My God, I think I've seen it all now. There is a thread on an ohio recruiting site talking about the negatives of Michigan's fast pac...

LET'S TALK FOOTBALL

   My God,  I think I've seen it all now.  There is a thread on an ohio recruiting site talking about the negatives of Michigan's fast paced recruiting commitments.  What?  This is a bad thing?  How else do you reel in a top notch RB for the class of 2013? Receiving commitments from 5 blue chip OL is a terrible way to start , I'm sure of it.  Not to mention a stud TE, two DE's and a 6'5" WR who worked ohio's top CB and one of the (rivals 5 *) standouts of their 2013 class, Cam Burrows. All that without mentioning the star of the Michigan class, All-American QB, Shane Morris.  Michigan still has roughly 9-10 scholarships open for the class of 2013 and you can bet your sweet ass that it won't be a bunch of bottom feeders receiving offers at the last minute.

  With the depth of Michigans OL becoming nothing less than absolutely loaded over the next couple years, we should look at the RB's they have offered and which of them will have the privilege to run behind the potentially unstoppable force.  If your a top RB coming out of high school next year, what are you looking for?  A massive line? Well of course.  Who has landed the best OL from 2012 -  2013?  Say it out loud, Michigan has.  Michigan may not end up the top recruiting class when it's all said and done, but they don't care.  They get kids before sites even rank them, they do not need help evaluating talent, they know what they want and go get it.  Games are won in the trenches and no other college team understands that currently more than the Michigan Wolverines coaching staff.

Here are the nominees at RB

Ty Isaac - 6'2" 220 lbs, Joliet Academy, Illinois

http://youtu.be/D9_QuTL1HxI

A couple things here that standout.  First of all, he is running through some nice size holes.  Second, they know it's coming but still can't stop him.  Great size, speed and vision.  They run somewhat of a gimmick offense but Isaac shouldn't have a problem running out of I form.  Watch how smooth he is in the backfield before initial handoff  is made, it's just a split second but he is not anxious and in great control.  This is where his vision comes in, the transition from handoff to find a crease and go are set up perfectly for him not to deal with garbage in his path.  After he is through the first level is where he becomes more deadly, if the LB is out of position it then becomes "who can catch Isaac"?


Justin Davis - 6'1" 195 lbs,  Lincoln HS, Stockton CA.

http://youtu.be/kuPkap1oxbg

Davis doesn't impress me as much as Isaac but his agility is undeniable.  He stops on a dime and gets through the line and into the seondary very quick.  He's fast enough to get the corner and smart enough to see openings at full speed when he can't get there.  He doesn't look to be that big but Michigan's line won't need much help from a power back opening holes.  I like the way he runs out of a single set, I-form and spread formations also. 


Derrick Green - 5'11" 220 lbs, Hermitage HS, Richmond VA

http://youtu.be/TUC-Mu6Lswg

YOWZA, Is that how you say that?  Green is college ready right now.  He is ripping runs off left and right while breaking tackles and ankles.  He's a perfect RB size at 5'11" 220 lbs and runs low and violent while looking to be playing some legit competition. This is the type of back that an OL can get a rhythm going with, he can wear a defense down.  Can be a threat in the passing game also with screens and the size to pickup blitzing LB's.  If Isaac is the total package then Green is the guy delivering the package.  He's a 20-25 carry type of RB and would fit Michigan perfectly.


Deveon Smith - 5'11" 210 lbs, Howland HS, Warren OH.

http://youtu.be/Vd7kCeT60IM

Talk about under the radar.  While Green shows more quickness and speed, Smith breaks more tackles in that clip than all the others combined.  Has that low center of gravity and is physical as green, Warren, Ohio is no joke when it comes to talented teams either.  He looks to pickup a blitz in one clip and stop the defender dead in his tracks.  Also plays SS, so he has that defensive mentality, blue collar team player is what I see.  Being from Warren and somewhat close to Ann Arbor, this may be the leader for a spot in the backfield.  They can't go wrong with a player like that.

Jordan Wilkins - 6'1" 195 lbs, ST. Benedict At Auburndale, Cordova, TN

http://youtu.be/uCdxufS7Sbo

Wilkins may be the most athletic of all the backs here.  Taller, leaner and catches the ball like a WR.  I also like the way he sets up his blocks while still in the backfield, his vision keeps him from some potentially big losses. Wilkins could be lined up in the slot but I don't think he is that bruiser like Michigan RB's of old. 


All these guys are good looking backs but here are my choices in order.  You never know, they could take two backs in this class.

1.Green
2.Smith
3.Isaac
4.Davis
5.Wilkins

Bowman's Football Planet: NEW RECRUIT AND TIDBITS

Bowman's Football Planet: NEW RECRUIT AND TIDBITS: Most of my thoughts are not original but my evaluations are. According to Scoutingohio.com, which I visit often to look at ohio's best...

NEW RECRUIT AND TIDBITS

     Most of my thoughts are not original but my evaluations are.  According to Scoutingohio.com, which I visit often to look at ohio's best talent,  Michigan's latest recruit Jaron Dukes is ranked somewhere around 23rd in the state.  Now the top ranked player will probably be CB and ohio recruit Cam Burrows from Trotwood.  Now here is my tiff.  Last time Dukes and Burrows matched up against each other when Marion Franklin faced Trotwood, Dukes had 6 receptions for 173 yds and two TD's.  Burrows could not deal with him, plain and simple.  Burrows is supposively 6'2" 180 lbs, I stood right next to him and I predict 6'0" - 6'1" tops, maybe 175lbs.  I am not saying Burrows is a bum by any means, he had an impressive offer list before commiting to ohio.  Scoutingohio is somewhat of a homer site to say the least. 

    Before the rankings come out of their top ten players in the state,  I will give you their top two before it happens. 1. Burrows 2. Jalin Marshall, both ohio commits.  Last years rankings at the end of the season had 8 of the top ten as ohio commits and NO.1 being OLB, Josh Perry.  Now if you watch highlights of Perry you see potential but far from a polished LB and definitely not the top player in the state.  Putting him in front of Bolden is somewhat amusing, go look at the highlights, Perry's not even in the same building as Bolden.  They also ranked Dodson and Decker higher than Kalis, resentment possibly?  A matter a fact, Decker is ranked higher than both Dodson and Kalis and he is the least impressive of the three.  Adolphus Washington was 11th and should have been no.1, and he is an ohio recruit, what gives? How about Frank Epitropolous from Arlington in Columbus?  A top 20 player?  Hysterical.  Get it together or higher me to do your evaluations. 

  By the way, here is Jaron Dukes highlights.  Look for Burrows to be worked by the Michigan commitment in a couple of these babies.  Trotwood wheres the ram looking helmets.

http://youtu.be/D9_QuTL1HxI

Bowman's Football Planet: FULL STEAM AHEAD

Bowman's Football Planet: FULL STEAM AHEAD: "YOU TALKING TO ME"? What Brady Hoke and staff have done in the last day and a half is...

FULL STEAM AHEAD

                                                "YOU TALKING TO ME"?

   What Brady Hoke and staff have done in the last day and a half is nothing less than mind boggling.  With three commitments for the 2013 recruiting class headed into Saturday,  Michigan wrapped up the weekend with an additional 8 commits,  bringing the total to 11.  There were people calling Michigan's 2012 class "a fluke",  saying that Hoke benefited from ohio's unfortunate situation with a coaching change and the scandal.  What was just witnessed over the weekend leads many to believe that was not the case,  Hoke and his staff can flat out recruit.  They have just become the class that others will be compared to.  Do some of these kids have time to change their mind and go elsewhere?  Yes, no doubt,  but only one player decommitted from the 2012 class and has yet to sign with anyone.  This leads me to believe that, if you leave Michigan then you are lost.


   Those who follow this blog probably understand my theory on why Hoke and his staff land so many early commitments.  They don't sit around waiting for recruiting services to rank players and then offer the 5 stars. Michigan understands what they want in a player regardless of services rankings, they recognize  a "Michigan type of player" and pursue with confidence that is who they want.  Hoke and his staff throw out a ton of offers and if you want to be a Wolverine, then you best commit early.  They want to build a team now, and plant that "Michigan way" ASAP,  get that bond started immediately.  These kids will return to Ann Arbor repeatedly for games and to help recruit new prospects, and when they do,  they will be comfortable and familiar with each other already.   Who questions Hoke now? 

Look at these 8 players that committed this weekend.  This includes 4 highly touted OL that have offer sheets that  leave no top program off the list.  1 player who is a FB/DE/LB,  1 TE/DE, 1 DE, 1 ATH.  Everyone of them are no less than a 4 star player and that is after their JR seasons.  Half of them could become 5 star players and that is the beauty of the coaching staff. You don't wait until a kid becomes a  5 star player to offer them,  you offer a four star player who has 5 star potential,  then you mold them.

OL

Logan Tulley-Tillman - 6'7" 285 lbs, Peoria, Illinois

http://youtu.be/L3qnJdSVmSc

20 offers as a JR with every school on board.  Why?  He's a  massive left tackle prospect with all the tools.  Who knows, he could move to right tackle if necessary to protect southpaw Shane Morris's blindside.  He was looking to take all his official visits this summer but a couple hours ago decided to be a part of something special.  He chose Blue.  His highlights show nothing but sound skills and no risk factor.


Kyle Bosch - 6'5" 280 lbs, Wheaton, Illinois

http://youtu.be/mldlqXERw4g

Will Bosch be the center they are looking for?  He could transition over I'm sure.  If  he stays at guard, no problem.  This kid is a bulldozer to say the least.  He moves DL and if there happens to be a LB in his way when he gets to the second level, he will be flattened.  He's a very physical run blocker and seems to win a majority of the battles up front.  With the depth that Michigan has added on the OL, there will be plenty of battles to be won and loss in the next couple years.

Chris Fox- 6'6" 290 lbs, Colorado

http://youtu.be/e6ugsCrICbo

It makes you wonder with all those defensive highlights if Fox may transition over to DL if necessary.  With the depth issues being answered, he seems to be a a nice defensive prospect.  Watch him deal with double teams and cut blocking with nice technique.  Hoke wants massive lineman and Fox fits the bill. He's capable of playing on both sides of the ball.


David Dawson - 6'4" 295 lbs, Detroit Cass Tech

http://youtu.be/fiz_2Z9FBh0

Dawson is another who could play the center position.  He looks to be as athletic as any of the OL and is equally productive in run blocking and pass protection.  He opens holes with excellent timing, and runs his man totally out of the picture.  In pass protection he doesn't let him near the QB,  his man is no threat whatsoever.  Another stud and all of these kids are quality OL and be honest with you ,  can't find many flaws with any of them.

Jourdan Lewis - 5'9" 165 lbs, Detroit Cass Tech

http://youtu.be/zZFJOJV7EUs

Lewis is one of those freakish athletes with exceptional quickness, agility and speed.  Obviously not very physical but is a prototypical field corner who can deal with man to man coverage.  He also is a return specialists with the open field vision and moves that make him a threat to make big plays.  He's a special teams nightmare for opposing teams.


Wyatt Shallman - 6'3" 245 lbs, Detroit Central Catholic

http://youtu.be/ziraqwcsJNs

Shallman is a FB/DE/LB at the next level.  He's a blue collar guy who makes plays but doesn't impress me with anything imparticular.  My guess would be that he's a FB in college, he can block and can catch the ball out of the backfield.  I am sure it is possible that DE or LB could also be his future position but Shallman looks to be a role player and not a star.

Jake Butt - 6'6" 220 lbs, Pickerington North HS, Columbus, Ohio

http://youtu.be/nsAsJOEnlhk

When evaluating Jake Butt last week, I made a prediction that he would be a TE at the next level but Michigan may have different ideas.  He is a blue chip player on both sides of the ball. Here is is the thing with Butt,  he is only 16 yrs old and a legit 6'4" currently.  I have met this young man and his frame could hold 30 to 40 lbs with no loss of atleticism whatsoever.  He shows up to Michigan campus at 6'6" - 6'7" 240 lbs with his athletic ability and aggresiveness?  You possibly have the makings of a tremendous WDE/rush end.  If not, then you have a massive athletic blocking TE with exceptional receiving skills.  You can't go wrong with this commitment.  Jake Butt was already closing in on 20 offers with more to come in the near future.


Taco Charlton - 6'6" 240 lbs, Pickerington Central HS, Columbus, Ohio

http://youtu.be/hnSYLLyPYNE

There is a few things about Charlton that have made me skeptical of his game.  Yes, I know he passes the eyeball test, long and athletic with good speed.  He doesn't show the physicalty to penetrate the OL from the SDE position.  He is inconsisitent, there are times where he is quick off the ball, sheds a blocker and is in the QB's face in a split second.  Then there are times where he takes plays off, looks slow and lethargic and his desire to play is in question.  That's why his offer sheet is a bit smaller than Jake butt's,  he is a combine monster but in game situations there is no time for relaxing.  Michigan's staff see's the potential and to be honest with you, Charlton's frame is made to hold some serious weight as well.  Looks to fit the weakside better, either at WLB or WDE.

Bowman's Football Planet: TACO AND BUTT!

Bowman's Football Planet: TACO AND BUTT!: Jake Butt - DE/TE - 6'4" 210 lbs, Pickerington North HS, Columbus, Ohio http://youtu.be/nsAsJOEnlhk The Touchdown Clu...