Before we dive into what's next for Michigan linebacker recruiting, I want to take a moment to give you a behind the scenes look at what happened in the recruitment of three-star linebacker Tenaha (Texas) High linebacker Jeremy Patton.
*** At the beginning of the month, I was told by those on the Texas side first not Michigan that Patton had given the Longhorns a silent commitment. This news was expected, at least on my end, as I put in a FutureCast in March. A couple of days later I got a call from someone close to the Michigan program. They wanted to know more about Sebastian Cheeks. We talked Cheeks, and I later brought up Patton. I said just a heads up, Patton is a silent to Texas. The person responded by saying he was also a silent to Michigan. On this day, TOS put in a pick for Michigan. I called bullshit. I'm from Texas, UT is my old beat and I have the best plug ever in Patton's home area. I checked in with those on the Baylor side. They also received a silent commitment. I was cautious in how I presented this to you but made it clear that I didn't agree with TOS.
*** About a week or so went by and was told by multiple people on the Texas side and the Patton side that Patton was absolutely going to Texas. He had a video made, scheduled a visit to Austin and set July 31 as a commitment date. This date was significant because it matched up with friend Derrick Brown, who committed to Texas today — they were supposed to commit together. At this point, I started to be even more pessimistic on the board. Michigan, regardless of what others said, continued to recruit Cheeks and still felt like Patton was onboard hence TOS optimism. My source in Patton's area even triple confirmed that Patton was all set for UT.
*** A couple of days later, I was told LSU showed some interest. Patton loves LSU and if an offer came he could end up there, the source said. Still, he was set for Texas. This week came along and Patton gave our Texas Rivals site commitment quotes. Nothing had changed on my end either — that is until Thursday. I got two calls telling me Patton had cancelled his visit to Texas and was picking Michigan. I was stunned. Steve Wiltfong, who I very much respect, must have gotten the same info because we put in Michigan picks at the exact same time. Of course, TOS touted that they were right all along, but that wasn't the case. Patton didn't decide until that day that Michigan was going to be the pick. Of course, things changed again.
*** Before we move along any further, I want to say this. I may sound arrogant or like a prick at times, but that's my competitive nature. I took this one hard. I was legit depressed over the last 48. One, I knew I had the right info. Two, my own board was calling me out. Three, TOS was parading around. I can't put into words how mad and upset I was. Nobody is harder on myself than me. I hope you guys know that I care about this shit a lot. It means everything to me. It's more than just a job. That's why I travel as much as I do and try to bring new things to the board so you can directly interact with me. It's why I met up with Cheeks on Tuesday to get photos of him around the city even though he was going to UNC. I care about the kids, I care about our members and I care about being accurate.
*** Anyway, I was drinking a coffee on Michigan Ave this morning in downtown Chicago when I got this text 'Patton told me he's going to Baylor.' I spat out my coffee. I called my source and asked what the hell happened. His response: 'Patton had a long talk with his grandmother, prayed on it and said he got a sign from God to go to Baylor this morning.' I put in a Baylor pick and Patton made it official by siding with the Bears this afternoon, ending one of the most bizarre recruitments we've had, and that's saying something with Worthy, Rocco, Kendall, etc.
*** Okay, so what's next? Look guys, there aren't a ton of targets on the board right now. The Cheeks recruitment started going down the tank after his OV. Cheeks and the staff did not mesh well at all. In fact, Cheeks informed all the staffs of his decision to pick UNC the day I went with him to downtown except Michigan. I don't think he'll flip to U-M later on unless something crazy happens. If you're thinking about Joshua Burnham, don't get your hopes up. I've been told he's solid with Notre Dame. The top guy on the board right now is four-star Salt Lake City (Utah) Brighton product Lander Barton. Remember, Jim Harbaugh flew out to see Barton in Utah last month, and he's looking to make an official in September — likely for the Washington game. U-M has been going all in on Barton, but he'll be a tough pull from Utah. Right now, Utah is the favorite to keep him home. Texas, which also missed on Cheeks and Patton, is going to go all in for Barton as well. UCLA is a sleeper, and Oregon is involved as well.
*** Of course, we have to talk about three-star Huntsville (Ala.) Madison Academy prospect Deuce Spurlock. I switched my pick from Michigan to Mississippi State on Thursday after Patton appeared Michigan bound. However, I would now move it to foggy if I could. Mississippi State is showing more interest, but it's not a guarantee that they'll take him. Michigan may win by default as I expect Aashon Larkins and company to ramp up their recruitment of Spurlock soon. If Mississippi State does push, the fighting Matty Dudeks will be tough to beat. MSU gives him an opportunity to stay south and play in the SEC. Syracuse just offed and is trying to make a move fwiw.
*** If Michigan can't get Barton, which appears like an uphill battle that will last into the fall, or Spurlock, then the staff is going to have to expand its board. They could circle back with Ohio linebacker Mani Powell, who picked up a U-M offer last month and abruptly committed to Arkansas. I'm don't think they would go back to former commit Tyler Martin, but it's worth noting he's still on the market. West Bloomfield's Michael Williams is intriguing but he's a tweener that may spin down and is coming off injury. Overall, we'll just have to sit and wait for more information to come as Patton is officially staying home.
*** At the beginning of the month, I was told by those on the Texas side first not Michigan that Patton had given the Longhorns a silent commitment. This news was expected, at least on my end, as I put in a FutureCast in March. A couple of days later I got a call from someone close to the Michigan program. They wanted to know more about Sebastian Cheeks. We talked Cheeks, and I later brought up Patton. I said just a heads up, Patton is a silent to Texas. The person responded by saying he was also a silent to Michigan. On this day, TOS put in a pick for Michigan. I called bullshit. I'm from Texas, UT is my old beat and I have the best plug ever in Patton's home area. I checked in with those on the Baylor side. They also received a silent commitment. I was cautious in how I presented this to you but made it clear that I didn't agree with TOS.
*** About a week or so went by and was told by multiple people on the Texas side and the Patton side that Patton was absolutely going to Texas. He had a video made, scheduled a visit to Austin and set July 31 as a commitment date. This date was significant because it matched up with friend Derrick Brown, who committed to Texas today — they were supposed to commit together. At this point, I started to be even more pessimistic on the board. Michigan, regardless of what others said, continued to recruit Cheeks and still felt like Patton was onboard hence TOS optimism. My source in Patton's area even triple confirmed that Patton was all set for UT.
*** A couple of days later, I was told LSU showed some interest. Patton loves LSU and if an offer came he could end up there, the source said. Still, he was set for Texas. This week came along and Patton gave our Texas Rivals site commitment quotes. Nothing had changed on my end either — that is until Thursday. I got two calls telling me Patton had cancelled his visit to Texas and was picking Michigan. I was stunned. Steve Wiltfong, who I very much respect, must have gotten the same info because we put in Michigan picks at the exact same time. Of course, TOS touted that they were right all along, but that wasn't the case. Patton didn't decide until that day that Michigan was going to be the pick. Of course, things changed again.
*** Before we move along any further, I want to say this. I may sound arrogant or like a prick at times, but that's my competitive nature. I took this one hard. I was legit depressed over the last 48. One, I knew I had the right info. Two, my own board was calling me out. Three, TOS was parading around. I can't put into words how mad and upset I was. Nobody is harder on myself than me. I hope you guys know that I care about this shit a lot. It means everything to me. It's more than just a job. That's why I travel as much as I do and try to bring new things to the board so you can directly interact with me. It's why I met up with Cheeks on Tuesday to get photos of him around the city even though he was going to UNC. I care about the kids, I care about our members and I care about being accurate.
*** Anyway, I was drinking a coffee on Michigan Ave this morning in downtown Chicago when I got this text 'Patton told me he's going to Baylor.' I spat out my coffee. I called my source and asked what the hell happened. His response: 'Patton had a long talk with his grandmother, prayed on it and said he got a sign from God to go to Baylor this morning.' I put in a Baylor pick and Patton made it official by siding with the Bears this afternoon, ending one of the most bizarre recruitments we've had, and that's saying something with Worthy, Rocco, Kendall, etc.
*** Okay, so what's next? Look guys, there aren't a ton of targets on the board right now. The Cheeks recruitment started going down the tank after his OV. Cheeks and the staff did not mesh well at all. In fact, Cheeks informed all the staffs of his decision to pick UNC the day I went with him to downtown except Michigan. I don't think he'll flip to U-M later on unless something crazy happens. If you're thinking about Joshua Burnham, don't get your hopes up. I've been told he's solid with Notre Dame. The top guy on the board right now is four-star Salt Lake City (Utah) Brighton product Lander Barton. Remember, Jim Harbaugh flew out to see Barton in Utah last month, and he's looking to make an official in September — likely for the Washington game. U-M has been going all in on Barton, but he'll be a tough pull from Utah. Right now, Utah is the favorite to keep him home. Texas, which also missed on Cheeks and Patton, is going to go all in for Barton as well. UCLA is a sleeper, and Oregon is involved as well.
*** Of course, we have to talk about three-star Huntsville (Ala.) Madison Academy prospect Deuce Spurlock. I switched my pick from Michigan to Mississippi State on Thursday after Patton appeared Michigan bound. However, I would now move it to foggy if I could. Mississippi State is showing more interest, but it's not a guarantee that they'll take him. Michigan may win by default as I expect Aashon Larkins and company to ramp up their recruitment of Spurlock soon. If Mississippi State does push, the fighting Matty Dudeks will be tough to beat. MSU gives him an opportunity to stay south and play in the SEC. Syracuse just offed and is trying to make a move fwiw.
*** If Michigan can't get Barton, which appears like an uphill battle that will last into the fall, or Spurlock, then the staff is going to have to expand its board. They could circle back with Ohio linebacker Mani Powell, who picked up a U-M offer last month and abruptly committed to Arkansas. I'm don't think they would go back to former commit Tyler Martin, but it's worth noting he's still on the market. West Bloomfield's Michael Williams is intriguing but he's a tweener that may spin down and is coming off injury. Overall, we'll just have to sit and wait for more information to come as Patton is officially staying home.
