Welcome to Inside The Fort …
Typically ITF will have a wide-ranging breadth, but with the spring game (and a huge visitors list) on tap for tonight, we’ll instead go one-by one through the players who will be in town.
Any to watch in terms of a potential commitment?
Jordan Anthony – A Northeast native playing at IMG sounds like it’s right in Michigan’s wheelhouse, but the Maize and Blue are really still in the early stages of his recruitment. Hometown Maryland looks good early, and even schools in the Southeast, where he now plays ball, are possibilities. U-M can make a statement.
Corey Bolds/Drew Singleton – Any time a prospect from New Jersey is interested in Michigan you have to pay attention. If that prospect is from Paramus Catholic you really have to pay attention. Chris Partridge, Jabrill Peppers, and the whole Paramus gang will certainly be working on them throughout the weekend.
There is some bad news, though. Just as it almost resulted in Rashan Gary spurning the Wolverines at the altar, Clemson’s negative recruiting of the Michigan program is starting to make an impact on parents around Paramus Catholic (who are getting the same message from the Tigers). The Paramus Catholic coaching staff will combat it, but it means these guys aren’t the sure thing that they might otherwise be.
Stephen Carr – Carr is a soft USC commit but as soon as he was offered by Michigan he took notice. Getting him in town this weekend is huge and could lead to a much more serious relationship between the two parties. He wouldn’t be making this trip if Michigan wasn’t a serious option for him.
Nico Collins – Michigan is trying hard to infiltrate Alabama and it’s working. Collins is friends with recent Michigan commit and fellow Alabama native J’Marick Woods. The two of them will have time to hang out in Ann Arbor this weekend. That Collins has family in the Detroit area (and grew up something of a Michigan fan – though hometown Alabama was tops) is a bonus.
Meshael Custis – Custis has never been to Ann Arbor but has Michigan tied atop his list of favorites with Clemson and Florida. He won’t be committing this weekend but a solid visit could put Michigan firmly in the driver’s seat.
Robert Hainsey – Hainsey is originally from Pennsylvania but now attends IMG Academy in Florida. He’s very high on Michigan and is it’s entirely possible that he ends up in the class. A solid visit this weekend could cement that and give Michigan a crucial insider at IMG. Could he even make the call before the end of his spring break from IMG? If so, the Great Lakes State schools would be feeling nice.
Kahlee Hamler – Hamler is a local product that’s been to Michigan multiple times. However, an Oregon offer is likely to arrive for the slot in the next few weeks, and he’s (understandably) called it a dream school in the past. If the Ducks follow through, look for him to head West if he can bear the distance from home.
Fred Hansard – Hansard is a mystery at this point, just a few weeks from his May 13 commitment date. Penn State (who we’d believed to be the leader) does not feel good at all, and Ohio State is on the fence about whether they’d take him. Does that mean Michigan is battling Rutgers for the Garden State standout? A second trip to Ann Arbor could help tip the scales.
Elvis Hines – Hines is a nice prospect, but likely not a Michigan-caliber one. Ruiz and Hainsey are helping him get more attention by bringing him along on visits, but don’t look for a Wolverine offer, at least not soon.
James Houston – Houston and his mother both love Jim Harbaugh. He stopped by Notre Dame earlier this week and will get his first taste of Ann Arbor today. U-M has put a ton of emphasis on American Heritage School, and getting Houston on- campus could help the school’s other prospects warm up.
Corey Malone-Hatcher – The in-state product is certainly one to watch in terms of who could commit over the weekend. Malone-Hatcher has been close to pledging before so if he did pull the trigger, it wouldn’t be a surprise. Family is saying all the right things publicly, but behind the scenes, Michigan has to be feeling very good.
Brett Neilon – The West coast schools, specifically USC, seem to be leading the way for Neilon but a cross-country trip on his own dime shows he’s very interested in Michigan. He’s the teammate of Michigan 2016 signee wide receiver Dylan Crawford.
Phillip Paea – Another in-state product that could potentially pick Michigan. Paea is very high on Oregon but the recent offer from the Maize and Blue and a growing bond with the coaches could win out. Depending on just how much he likes the Ducks, an early – Maize and Blue – decision is possible.
Cesar Ruiz – Similar to Hainsey, Ruiz is an IMG transplant. The nation’s top center is originally from Camden, N.J., giving the Wolverines two former teammates, Brad Hawkins and Ron Johnson, on their side. He’s been VERY high on Michigan with several past visits
O’Maury Samuels – Recently offered stud running back out of New Mexico, Samuels immediately said that he had to see Michigan. Our folks in New Mexico point out that the Wolverines have a huge part of his mind right now (and his quickness in setting up a visit speaks to that). He is one of the top tailbacks still on the board – even though the Wolverines already have two pledged.
Collin Smith – With a safety in the fold, and Michigan looking good for others, it’s unclear where Smith is on the board – though unlikely that he’s on top of it. The Wolverines will keep lines of communication open (especially since the dual-threat QB in high school might be a nice “second” prospect at that position before switching down the line), but won’t push him.
Major Tennison – Currently committed to Texas, Tennison decided he’d like to see what Harbaugh and Michigan are all about — a very smart move for a versatile tight end. The Longhorns are understandably the huge favorite, but rule out the new “Tight end U” at your own peril.
Deontre Thomas – Thomas is quite inexperienced when it comes to the recruiting scene but as soon as Michigan offered, he started looking at plane tickets. The Oklahoma native is wide open in terms of his recruitment and Michigan should have as good a shot as any to reel him in.
Jayson/Justin Ademilola – Although they play for one of Paramus Catholic’s rivals (and there’s some bad blood between coaching staffs going back to the Partridge days), these two are very high on Michigan. They’re amassing very impressive offer lists, but the Wolverines should remain on top – albeit with nearly two years before Signing Day.
Jackson Carman – Carman is very close with 2018 Michigan commit Antwuan Jackson. The committed linebacker said that he plans to work hard on Carman over the weekend. Wisconsin has been a favorite for him, but Michigan and Ohio State may battle after both entering his recruitment.
Kalon Gervin – A growing name on the recruiting trail, Gervin will be at Michigan this weekend, a visit he’s taken many times. In the long run, it’s hard to see the Wolverines missing him if they want him.
Trenton Gillison/Xavier Henderson/Jeremiah Wood – The Pickerington trio holds a single offer between the three of them (Gillison has it), and that they take most of their visits together indicates that Gillison probably won’t speed things up until he’s helped his buddies build their offer lists. Henderson seems most interested in the three when it comes to the Wolverines.
Dorian Hardy – One of New Jersey’s top 2018s will be a Michigan priority – and the Wolverines gave him his first offer. It’s still early, but that he’s making it to campus should position U-M in the top spot.
Aidan Hutchinson – The legacy offer has just two offers, Michigan and LSU, and the Wolverines seem to be in great shape. He’s just getting started in his recruitment but for now, Michigan is presumed to be the favorite for him. As long as they want him, it’s unrealistic to see him elsewhere.
Marquan McCall – High school teammate of committed 2017 offensive tackle Ja’Raymond Hall, the two of them will pal around Ann Arbor over the weekend giving the big sophomore an opportunity to feel like a Michigan pledge. He’s not ready to commit, but the comfort that he’s been building in Ann Arbor only continues, and for the time being, there doesn’t appear to be another realistic contender.
Merlin Robertson – This is mostly a leisure trip for Robertson, but he should be highly recruited and it’s not easy to head across the country at the drop of a hat. This could be the beginning of a meaningful relationship.
Bartek Rybka/Shayne Simon – Friends of the Ademilolas, neither holds a Michigan offer yet (and may not be particularly close). Rybka is a DE/LB tweener who has potential down the road, and Simon should be recruited himself, but serious Michigan attention is probably in the distance.
Leonard Taylor – Another good friend of committed 2018 linebacker Antwuan Jackson, Taylor will return with his teammate and see what Michigan has to offer during a game like experience. It would not be surprising to see him join his buddy Antwuan among the 2018 class before long.
Malik Vann – Like with the Pickerington group, Vann tags along with Carman on most visits (but has started to really build momentum – a sign that method pays off). He’s a potential offer this weekend.
Nolan Rumler – The 2019 offensive lineman has one offer, says he’s only being recruited by one school, etc. Eventually, he will announce a commitment to Michigan, barring major changes in his mindset.
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Moving on to football now …
The Michigan spring game kicks off at 6pm tonight, and for many U-M fans, this will be their first opportunity to see what the 2016 version of the Wolverines might look like. However, don’t expect to see all the tricks Michigan has up its sleeve.
In fact, we’ve been told that tonight’s game will be relatively short compared to some of the scrimmages U-M has held this spring, and that the defense will sit back, with little blitzing, as the blitz package is a huge part of Don Brown’s attack plan this fall and he has no intention of showing rivals (with the Big Ten Network feed) what he has in store.
We may not even seen redshirt sophomore Jabrill Peppers play linebacker tonight. Of course, that means nothing in the long run as Peppers is the most important player on this defense, though not the only great athlete ready to be unleashed.
Our inside sources have noted that while last year Peppers and senior cornerback Jourdan Lewis were on another level, there are more athletes this season capable of impacting.
That’s not to say new names have arrived (though in redshirt junior linebacker Mike McCray’s case, he has) but that a number of returning players that have always possessed raw physical skills are now executing within the framework of the defense, raising the standard.
Who? Senior cornerback Channing Stribling and senior safety Dymonte Thomas to name two. Add in senior defensive ends Taco Charlton and Chris Wormley, and redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Bryan Mone, and Michigan has elite athletes at all three levels of the defense.
“The coaches do a ranking of players, 1-100 or however many guys they have on the team, and last year your top two was so far ahead of the next guy on the list, and especially the 10th guy, but when they do the ranking now, you have Jabrill Peppers and Jourdan Lewis 1-2 and then your No. 3 is pretty damn good,” one of our insiders shared.
“And No. 4, and No. 5, and No. 6. There is a feeling inside the building that they’ve got about 15-18 guys right now that are as good as the top 15 for the best teams in the country. Where Michigan still is lacking is from 20-40.
“Ohio State might still be better in the Big Ten there, and then Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, and when you get to the 13th, 14th, and 15th games, that’s when you need players beyond your top 15-20.
“Here’s the good news, no one is better at developing talent than Jim Harbaugh. I mean last year, Jehu Chesson would have been one of those guys in the 20-40 range and now he’s top 10, maybe top five, and you could say he was top 10 by the end of the season, so by December, he could have another 10-15 guys that are really good.”
While the defense is loaded, the offense still has a few big question marks as Michigan prepares to close out the spring, largely at quarterback and along the offensive line.
U-M trotted out three QBs – redshirt juniors John O’Korn and Shane Morris, and redshirt sophomore Wilton Speight – to the media on Tuesday but our sources continue to say it’s between O’Korn and Speight right now, while freshman Brandon Peters is the wildcard no one is talking about.
Speight is the safe choice presently. From what we hear, he makes the fewest mistakes, he understands the playbook, and he’s accurate. Our sources have compared him to the quarterback that Jake Rudock was for the first seven weeks of the season, and that’s a quarterback that Harbaugh can win with, with a smothering defense, a stronger running game, and receivers/tight ends as talented as the Michigan corps is.
However, this might be the best tight end group the Wolverines have ever had, and some with an intimate knowledge of Michigan history thinks that the top two of Amara Darboh and Chesson has the potential to be the second-best duo ever at U-M behind Braylon Edwards/Jason Avant.
That’s incredibly high praise for a tandem that was seen as placeholders heading into 2015, and speaks both to the development capabilities of the coaches but more to the work ethic, desire to improve, and physical talent of Darboh and Chesson.
With that in mind, O’Korn is the best quarterback to take advantage of the weapons, but his consistency, or inconsistency, has been a little frustrating for the coaches.
“When he’s been good, he’s been last-five-games-of-the-year Jake Rudock good, with even better feet and playmaking ability outside the pocket, but there are moments, too many, where he throws into coverage or takes the sack instead of getting rid of it,” our source shared.
“He played scout-team quarterback last year and was a little, reckless is not the right word, fearless is better, and maybe he developed a few bad habits because there was no consequence for making a bad decision. So they’re trying to root that out of him.
“The good news is there is time, but if Speight is steadier in fall practice … the one positive is that with their first four games, they could throw O’Korn out there and live with a few of the mistakes, but if he’s not taking better care of the ball by week three, they could go back to Speight and win with defense and the running game.”
Peters could be a factor if he develops more maturity and confidence in himself. He doesn’t have any bad habits and is throwing a nice ball, but he doesn’t provide the required leadership in the huddle right now, a little too intimidated by his setting. With more time on campus, around the guys, working out in the summer, the hope is he will become more comfortable taking the reins like a QB must.
The offensive line is the other unknown. Sort of. Michigan feels really good about its starting five, though U-M would still like more from its right guard, fifth-year senior Kyle Kalis.
“He’s better than he was at the end of last year, and there will be times where he just looks outstanding, but my goodness he can still make some real scratch-your-head type plays that just kill a play before it can get started because he’ll allow the defender he was supposed to block come unblocked,” one of our insiders said.
“It’d be one thing if he was just getting beat physically, but it’s the mental side. He’ll just get completely lost, take the wrong route to his point of contact or get confused when they audible into a different protection scheme, and it’s, boom, quarterback sacked, or running back hit four yards in the backfield.”
The problem is Michigan still doesn’t have a good option to replace Kalis in the lineup, or a right tackle that could allow fifth-year senior Erik Magnuson to slide into guard.
Earlier this week, offensive line coach/offensive coordinator Tim Drevno told the media that a true freshman could start along the line, and he’s not joking.
“The message to the three incoming guys has been very clear – be in the best shape of your life and work harder on the playbook and watching film than you’ve ever worked before. If Ben Bredeson or Michael Onwenu really gets after it this summer, I would not be surprised if one of them starts.
“Michigan really, really likes its left side, and is pretty happy with the job [junior] Mason Cole has done at center. The right side of the line is the only thing holding this line back from being like one of Harbaugh’s Stanford lines. Magnuson isn’t a mauler but he doesn’t make many mistakes.
“Eventually you want five guys across the front that are mistake-free and just bullies, but with the power of their running backs, they just need guys that open holes and don’t make the bonehead play.”
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To basketball now, and the latest on possible defections and recruiting …
Sophomore big man Ricky Doyle’s transfer was one of potentially three we might have expected to hear about this week (or possibly a bit later), but so far his is the only one to come to fruition. Kids aren’t in a hurry to leave even if they understand they have a long way to go to see significant playing time … that can be a plus or a minus.
We should know in the next week or so, we believe, whether or not they’ll have room for a grad transfer, etc., this fall.
Head coach John Beilein, meanwhile, has made it clear that this summer is big for a lot of guys. Players need to work on their weaknesses if they want to play significant minutes, whether it’s in the weight room, finishing at the rim, etc., and he expects the leadership to rival that of former captain Zack Novak.
The program will also explore every possibility when it comes to the recent slate of injuries, from workouts to what shoes they wear, to ensure they are doing everything right.
On the recruiting trail, things are positive. Any speculation that 2017 pledge Jordan Poole (6-4 now, Rivals.com’s No. 104 junior nationally) is wavering on his commitment is garbage, he told us today. Every time he comes to visit further solidifies he made the right choice, he said, and he knows (his words) they would have had a better year had Caris LeVert and Spike Albrecht been healthy.
He loves the class he’s coming in with and sees great opportunity, believes strongly in the coaching staff. Watch for a story on that soon.
Junior forward Kyle Young of Massillon, Ohio (No. 136) is about to blow up this spring and summer, we believe. He’s a top 100 in our opinion, shot 45 percent from long range and has a lot of positive influences who believe U-M is the best place for him. He lost his father last year and has had some difficulties to deal with in addition to that, but he’s a great kid – he and Beilein have been talking for quite some time, he told us this week, and continue to build the relationship.
We like where Michigan stands with Jamal Cain, as well. The Pontiac, Mich. junior (6-7, No. 70), really likes Beilein, and the kid has the Trey Burke/Xavier Simpson work ethic, always in the gym trying to improve. We should see him next week in Grand Rapids, but we like where that one is trending.
On the 2018s … watch for a list soon. There’s some positive news there, including another NBA player’s son who is really starting to blossom.
This year was a struggle at times, for everyone involved. But there is also optimism that next season could be a good one, and that help is on the way.
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Finishing up with hockey …
We still expect freshman left wing Kyle Connor to sign with Winnipeg, but he is not expected to make any decision until after next weekend’s Hobey Baker Award ceremony.
While Connor is the favorite to win the award, if he were to sign with the Jets before the April 8 event, the committee could steer the results toward forward Jimmy Vesey, who makes so much sense as a senior at Harvard.
We’ve been told that Connor is entertaining the idea of returning for his sophomore season. The pressure to sign will be immense, but he relies heavily on the advice of his two linemates, juniors JT Compher and Tyler Motte, and their guidance will go a long way towards Connor’s decision.
For instance, if both decide to return for their senior seasons, it would definitely increase the odds of Connor returning. We’re still thinking it’s 90-10 that Connor goes pro but if Compher/Motte announce they’re return, we’ve been told that percentage could fall all the way to 60-40 that he will leave.
Unfortunately, we’re hearing that Compher is leaning towards signing with the Colorado Avalanche, and that the only hang-up right now is figuring out how it would work with school, as he is in the prestigious Ross Business School.
Motte is expected to return for his senior year and will not be influenced by what everyone else does.
If only one of the three return (and after defenseman Zach Werenski and Michael Downing have already left) would that be enough for Red Berenson to return?
We don’t think so. Everything we’ve been told is that he is more inclined to return if he has a strong foundation to work with, and can build off this year’s success. Not that Berenson would ever run from a challenge, but a rebuilding project would be the perfect time for Berenson to step aside and hand off to the program to an heir.
We contemplated an April Fool’s Day joke but left it out as to not cause widespread panic among the fan base. If only for a moment.
Typically ITF will have a wide-ranging breadth, but with the spring game (and a huge visitors list) on tap for tonight, we’ll instead go one-by one through the players who will be in town.
Any to watch in terms of a potential commitment?
Jordan Anthony – A Northeast native playing at IMG sounds like it’s right in Michigan’s wheelhouse, but the Maize and Blue are really still in the early stages of his recruitment. Hometown Maryland looks good early, and even schools in the Southeast, where he now plays ball, are possibilities. U-M can make a statement.
Corey Bolds/Drew Singleton – Any time a prospect from New Jersey is interested in Michigan you have to pay attention. If that prospect is from Paramus Catholic you really have to pay attention. Chris Partridge, Jabrill Peppers, and the whole Paramus gang will certainly be working on them throughout the weekend.
There is some bad news, though. Just as it almost resulted in Rashan Gary spurning the Wolverines at the altar, Clemson’s negative recruiting of the Michigan program is starting to make an impact on parents around Paramus Catholic (who are getting the same message from the Tigers). The Paramus Catholic coaching staff will combat it, but it means these guys aren’t the sure thing that they might otherwise be.
Stephen Carr – Carr is a soft USC commit but as soon as he was offered by Michigan he took notice. Getting him in town this weekend is huge and could lead to a much more serious relationship between the two parties. He wouldn’t be making this trip if Michigan wasn’t a serious option for him.
Nico Collins – Michigan is trying hard to infiltrate Alabama and it’s working. Collins is friends with recent Michigan commit and fellow Alabama native J’Marick Woods. The two of them will have time to hang out in Ann Arbor this weekend. That Collins has family in the Detroit area (and grew up something of a Michigan fan – though hometown Alabama was tops) is a bonus.
Meshael Custis – Custis has never been to Ann Arbor but has Michigan tied atop his list of favorites with Clemson and Florida. He won’t be committing this weekend but a solid visit could put Michigan firmly in the driver’s seat.
Robert Hainsey – Hainsey is originally from Pennsylvania but now attends IMG Academy in Florida. He’s very high on Michigan and is it’s entirely possible that he ends up in the class. A solid visit this weekend could cement that and give Michigan a crucial insider at IMG. Could he even make the call before the end of his spring break from IMG? If so, the Great Lakes State schools would be feeling nice.
Kahlee Hamler – Hamler is a local product that’s been to Michigan multiple times. However, an Oregon offer is likely to arrive for the slot in the next few weeks, and he’s (understandably) called it a dream school in the past. If the Ducks follow through, look for him to head West if he can bear the distance from home.
Fred Hansard – Hansard is a mystery at this point, just a few weeks from his May 13 commitment date. Penn State (who we’d believed to be the leader) does not feel good at all, and Ohio State is on the fence about whether they’d take him. Does that mean Michigan is battling Rutgers for the Garden State standout? A second trip to Ann Arbor could help tip the scales.
Elvis Hines – Hines is a nice prospect, but likely not a Michigan-caliber one. Ruiz and Hainsey are helping him get more attention by bringing him along on visits, but don’t look for a Wolverine offer, at least not soon.
James Houston – Houston and his mother both love Jim Harbaugh. He stopped by Notre Dame earlier this week and will get his first taste of Ann Arbor today. U-M has put a ton of emphasis on American Heritage School, and getting Houston on- campus could help the school’s other prospects warm up.
Corey Malone-Hatcher – The in-state product is certainly one to watch in terms of who could commit over the weekend. Malone-Hatcher has been close to pledging before so if he did pull the trigger, it wouldn’t be a surprise. Family is saying all the right things publicly, but behind the scenes, Michigan has to be feeling very good.
Brett Neilon – The West coast schools, specifically USC, seem to be leading the way for Neilon but a cross-country trip on his own dime shows he’s very interested in Michigan. He’s the teammate of Michigan 2016 signee wide receiver Dylan Crawford.
Phillip Paea – Another in-state product that could potentially pick Michigan. Paea is very high on Oregon but the recent offer from the Maize and Blue and a growing bond with the coaches could win out. Depending on just how much he likes the Ducks, an early – Maize and Blue – decision is possible.
Cesar Ruiz – Similar to Hainsey, Ruiz is an IMG transplant. The nation’s top center is originally from Camden, N.J., giving the Wolverines two former teammates, Brad Hawkins and Ron Johnson, on their side. He’s been VERY high on Michigan with several past visits
O’Maury Samuels – Recently offered stud running back out of New Mexico, Samuels immediately said that he had to see Michigan. Our folks in New Mexico point out that the Wolverines have a huge part of his mind right now (and his quickness in setting up a visit speaks to that). He is one of the top tailbacks still on the board – even though the Wolverines already have two pledged.
Collin Smith – With a safety in the fold, and Michigan looking good for others, it’s unclear where Smith is on the board – though unlikely that he’s on top of it. The Wolverines will keep lines of communication open (especially since the dual-threat QB in high school might be a nice “second” prospect at that position before switching down the line), but won’t push him.
Major Tennison – Currently committed to Texas, Tennison decided he’d like to see what Harbaugh and Michigan are all about — a very smart move for a versatile tight end. The Longhorns are understandably the huge favorite, but rule out the new “Tight end U” at your own peril.
Deontre Thomas – Thomas is quite inexperienced when it comes to the recruiting scene but as soon as Michigan offered, he started looking at plane tickets. The Oklahoma native is wide open in terms of his recruitment and Michigan should have as good a shot as any to reel him in.
Jayson/Justin Ademilola – Although they play for one of Paramus Catholic’s rivals (and there’s some bad blood between coaching staffs going back to the Partridge days), these two are very high on Michigan. They’re amassing very impressive offer lists, but the Wolverines should remain on top – albeit with nearly two years before Signing Day.
Jackson Carman – Carman is very close with 2018 Michigan commit Antwuan Jackson. The committed linebacker said that he plans to work hard on Carman over the weekend. Wisconsin has been a favorite for him, but Michigan and Ohio State may battle after both entering his recruitment.
Kalon Gervin – A growing name on the recruiting trail, Gervin will be at Michigan this weekend, a visit he’s taken many times. In the long run, it’s hard to see the Wolverines missing him if they want him.
Trenton Gillison/Xavier Henderson/Jeremiah Wood – The Pickerington trio holds a single offer between the three of them (Gillison has it), and that they take most of their visits together indicates that Gillison probably won’t speed things up until he’s helped his buddies build their offer lists. Henderson seems most interested in the three when it comes to the Wolverines.
Dorian Hardy – One of New Jersey’s top 2018s will be a Michigan priority – and the Wolverines gave him his first offer. It’s still early, but that he’s making it to campus should position U-M in the top spot.
Aidan Hutchinson – The legacy offer has just two offers, Michigan and LSU, and the Wolverines seem to be in great shape. He’s just getting started in his recruitment but for now, Michigan is presumed to be the favorite for him. As long as they want him, it’s unrealistic to see him elsewhere.
Marquan McCall – High school teammate of committed 2017 offensive tackle Ja’Raymond Hall, the two of them will pal around Ann Arbor over the weekend giving the big sophomore an opportunity to feel like a Michigan pledge. He’s not ready to commit, but the comfort that he’s been building in Ann Arbor only continues, and for the time being, there doesn’t appear to be another realistic contender.
Merlin Robertson – This is mostly a leisure trip for Robertson, but he should be highly recruited and it’s not easy to head across the country at the drop of a hat. This could be the beginning of a meaningful relationship.
Bartek Rybka/Shayne Simon – Friends of the Ademilolas, neither holds a Michigan offer yet (and may not be particularly close). Rybka is a DE/LB tweener who has potential down the road, and Simon should be recruited himself, but serious Michigan attention is probably in the distance.
Leonard Taylor – Another good friend of committed 2018 linebacker Antwuan Jackson, Taylor will return with his teammate and see what Michigan has to offer during a game like experience. It would not be surprising to see him join his buddy Antwuan among the 2018 class before long.
Malik Vann – Like with the Pickerington group, Vann tags along with Carman on most visits (but has started to really build momentum – a sign that method pays off). He’s a potential offer this weekend.
Nolan Rumler – The 2019 offensive lineman has one offer, says he’s only being recruited by one school, etc. Eventually, he will announce a commitment to Michigan, barring major changes in his mindset.
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Moving on to football now …
The Michigan spring game kicks off at 6pm tonight, and for many U-M fans, this will be their first opportunity to see what the 2016 version of the Wolverines might look like. However, don’t expect to see all the tricks Michigan has up its sleeve.
In fact, we’ve been told that tonight’s game will be relatively short compared to some of the scrimmages U-M has held this spring, and that the defense will sit back, with little blitzing, as the blitz package is a huge part of Don Brown’s attack plan this fall and he has no intention of showing rivals (with the Big Ten Network feed) what he has in store.
We may not even seen redshirt sophomore Jabrill Peppers play linebacker tonight. Of course, that means nothing in the long run as Peppers is the most important player on this defense, though not the only great athlete ready to be unleashed.
Our inside sources have noted that while last year Peppers and senior cornerback Jourdan Lewis were on another level, there are more athletes this season capable of impacting.
That’s not to say new names have arrived (though in redshirt junior linebacker Mike McCray’s case, he has) but that a number of returning players that have always possessed raw physical skills are now executing within the framework of the defense, raising the standard.
Who? Senior cornerback Channing Stribling and senior safety Dymonte Thomas to name two. Add in senior defensive ends Taco Charlton and Chris Wormley, and redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Bryan Mone, and Michigan has elite athletes at all three levels of the defense.
“The coaches do a ranking of players, 1-100 or however many guys they have on the team, and last year your top two was so far ahead of the next guy on the list, and especially the 10th guy, but when they do the ranking now, you have Jabrill Peppers and Jourdan Lewis 1-2 and then your No. 3 is pretty damn good,” one of our insiders shared.
“And No. 4, and No. 5, and No. 6. There is a feeling inside the building that they’ve got about 15-18 guys right now that are as good as the top 15 for the best teams in the country. Where Michigan still is lacking is from 20-40.
“Ohio State might still be better in the Big Ten there, and then Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, and when you get to the 13th, 14th, and 15th games, that’s when you need players beyond your top 15-20.
“Here’s the good news, no one is better at developing talent than Jim Harbaugh. I mean last year, Jehu Chesson would have been one of those guys in the 20-40 range and now he’s top 10, maybe top five, and you could say he was top 10 by the end of the season, so by December, he could have another 10-15 guys that are really good.”
While the defense is loaded, the offense still has a few big question marks as Michigan prepares to close out the spring, largely at quarterback and along the offensive line.
U-M trotted out three QBs – redshirt juniors John O’Korn and Shane Morris, and redshirt sophomore Wilton Speight – to the media on Tuesday but our sources continue to say it’s between O’Korn and Speight right now, while freshman Brandon Peters is the wildcard no one is talking about.
Speight is the safe choice presently. From what we hear, he makes the fewest mistakes, he understands the playbook, and he’s accurate. Our sources have compared him to the quarterback that Jake Rudock was for the first seven weeks of the season, and that’s a quarterback that Harbaugh can win with, with a smothering defense, a stronger running game, and receivers/tight ends as talented as the Michigan corps is.
However, this might be the best tight end group the Wolverines have ever had, and some with an intimate knowledge of Michigan history thinks that the top two of Amara Darboh and Chesson has the potential to be the second-best duo ever at U-M behind Braylon Edwards/Jason Avant.
That’s incredibly high praise for a tandem that was seen as placeholders heading into 2015, and speaks both to the development capabilities of the coaches but more to the work ethic, desire to improve, and physical talent of Darboh and Chesson.
With that in mind, O’Korn is the best quarterback to take advantage of the weapons, but his consistency, or inconsistency, has been a little frustrating for the coaches.
“When he’s been good, he’s been last-five-games-of-the-year Jake Rudock good, with even better feet and playmaking ability outside the pocket, but there are moments, too many, where he throws into coverage or takes the sack instead of getting rid of it,” our source shared.
“He played scout-team quarterback last year and was a little, reckless is not the right word, fearless is better, and maybe he developed a few bad habits because there was no consequence for making a bad decision. So they’re trying to root that out of him.
“The good news is there is time, but if Speight is steadier in fall practice … the one positive is that with their first four games, they could throw O’Korn out there and live with a few of the mistakes, but if he’s not taking better care of the ball by week three, they could go back to Speight and win with defense and the running game.”
Peters could be a factor if he develops more maturity and confidence in himself. He doesn’t have any bad habits and is throwing a nice ball, but he doesn’t provide the required leadership in the huddle right now, a little too intimidated by his setting. With more time on campus, around the guys, working out in the summer, the hope is he will become more comfortable taking the reins like a QB must.
The offensive line is the other unknown. Sort of. Michigan feels really good about its starting five, though U-M would still like more from its right guard, fifth-year senior Kyle Kalis.
“He’s better than he was at the end of last year, and there will be times where he just looks outstanding, but my goodness he can still make some real scratch-your-head type plays that just kill a play before it can get started because he’ll allow the defender he was supposed to block come unblocked,” one of our insiders said.
“It’d be one thing if he was just getting beat physically, but it’s the mental side. He’ll just get completely lost, take the wrong route to his point of contact or get confused when they audible into a different protection scheme, and it’s, boom, quarterback sacked, or running back hit four yards in the backfield.”
The problem is Michigan still doesn’t have a good option to replace Kalis in the lineup, or a right tackle that could allow fifth-year senior Erik Magnuson to slide into guard.
Earlier this week, offensive line coach/offensive coordinator Tim Drevno told the media that a true freshman could start along the line, and he’s not joking.
“The message to the three incoming guys has been very clear – be in the best shape of your life and work harder on the playbook and watching film than you’ve ever worked before. If Ben Bredeson or Michael Onwenu really gets after it this summer, I would not be surprised if one of them starts.
“Michigan really, really likes its left side, and is pretty happy with the job [junior] Mason Cole has done at center. The right side of the line is the only thing holding this line back from being like one of Harbaugh’s Stanford lines. Magnuson isn’t a mauler but he doesn’t make many mistakes.
“Eventually you want five guys across the front that are mistake-free and just bullies, but with the power of their running backs, they just need guys that open holes and don’t make the bonehead play.”
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To basketball now, and the latest on possible defections and recruiting …
Sophomore big man Ricky Doyle’s transfer was one of potentially three we might have expected to hear about this week (or possibly a bit later), but so far his is the only one to come to fruition. Kids aren’t in a hurry to leave even if they understand they have a long way to go to see significant playing time … that can be a plus or a minus.
We should know in the next week or so, we believe, whether or not they’ll have room for a grad transfer, etc., this fall.
Head coach John Beilein, meanwhile, has made it clear that this summer is big for a lot of guys. Players need to work on their weaknesses if they want to play significant minutes, whether it’s in the weight room, finishing at the rim, etc., and he expects the leadership to rival that of former captain Zack Novak.
The program will also explore every possibility when it comes to the recent slate of injuries, from workouts to what shoes they wear, to ensure they are doing everything right.
On the recruiting trail, things are positive. Any speculation that 2017 pledge Jordan Poole (6-4 now, Rivals.com’s No. 104 junior nationally) is wavering on his commitment is garbage, he told us today. Every time he comes to visit further solidifies he made the right choice, he said, and he knows (his words) they would have had a better year had Caris LeVert and Spike Albrecht been healthy.
He loves the class he’s coming in with and sees great opportunity, believes strongly in the coaching staff. Watch for a story on that soon.
Junior forward Kyle Young of Massillon, Ohio (No. 136) is about to blow up this spring and summer, we believe. He’s a top 100 in our opinion, shot 45 percent from long range and has a lot of positive influences who believe U-M is the best place for him. He lost his father last year and has had some difficulties to deal with in addition to that, but he’s a great kid – he and Beilein have been talking for quite some time, he told us this week, and continue to build the relationship.
We like where Michigan stands with Jamal Cain, as well. The Pontiac, Mich. junior (6-7, No. 70), really likes Beilein, and the kid has the Trey Burke/Xavier Simpson work ethic, always in the gym trying to improve. We should see him next week in Grand Rapids, but we like where that one is trending.
On the 2018s … watch for a list soon. There’s some positive news there, including another NBA player’s son who is really starting to blossom.
This year was a struggle at times, for everyone involved. But there is also optimism that next season could be a good one, and that help is on the way.
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Finishing up with hockey …
We still expect freshman left wing Kyle Connor to sign with Winnipeg, but he is not expected to make any decision until after next weekend’s Hobey Baker Award ceremony.
While Connor is the favorite to win the award, if he were to sign with the Jets before the April 8 event, the committee could steer the results toward forward Jimmy Vesey, who makes so much sense as a senior at Harvard.
We’ve been told that Connor is entertaining the idea of returning for his sophomore season. The pressure to sign will be immense, but he relies heavily on the advice of his two linemates, juniors JT Compher and Tyler Motte, and their guidance will go a long way towards Connor’s decision.
For instance, if both decide to return for their senior seasons, it would definitely increase the odds of Connor returning. We’re still thinking it’s 90-10 that Connor goes pro but if Compher/Motte announce they’re return, we’ve been told that percentage could fall all the way to 60-40 that he will leave.
Unfortunately, we’re hearing that Compher is leaning towards signing with the Colorado Avalanche, and that the only hang-up right now is figuring out how it would work with school, as he is in the prestigious Ross Business School.
Motte is expected to return for his senior year and will not be influenced by what everyone else does.
If only one of the three return (and after defenseman Zach Werenski and Michael Downing have already left) would that be enough for Red Berenson to return?
We don’t think so. Everything we’ve been told is that he is more inclined to return if he has a strong foundation to work with, and can build off this year’s success. Not that Berenson would ever run from a challenge, but a rebuilding project would be the perfect time for Berenson to step aside and hand off to the program to an heir.
We contemplated an April Fool’s Day joke but left it out as to not cause widespread panic among the fan base. If only for a moment.
