INSIDE THE FORT: January 12
The latest edition of INSIDE THE FORT, including plenty of football, basketball and recruiting information.
Starting with football recruiting …
By now everyone seems to know that Sherrone Moore will be leaving Central Michigan’s coaching staff to take a position at Michigan. It’s believed that Moore will essentially replace Greg Frey in coaching tackles and tight ends and that he’ll have a huge role in recruiting.
While at Central Michigan, Moore served as the recruiting coordinator and is known as a very impressive young coach with a knack for connecting with prospects. He played big time football at Oklahoma and just “gets it” according to players he recruited and coached.
Moore was selected by the American Football Coaches Association to participate in 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute. The prestigious program is aimed at identifying and developing premier future leaders in the football coaching profession and Moore was reportedly one of the more impressive coaches in attendance just a few days ago.
Michigan is squarely in the mix for a couple of tackle prospects that Moore could end up coaching at U-M should they choose the Wolverines.
Mission Viejo (Calif.) High three-star offensive tackle Jarrett Patterson is down to Michigan and UCLA with Notre Dame getting involved within the past few days. Patterson is hoping to take an official visit to Notre Dame next weekend or the weekend after that but it might be too little, too late. He’s hoping to make a decision after that visit and it seems like the Bruins and Wolverines will be hard to pass.
Rivals.com national analyst Adam Gorney has been all over Patterson’s recruitment and thinks it’s really, really close for Patterson between U-M and UCLA.
"Patterson seems legitimately torn between UCLA and Michigan, with a sprinkling of Notre Dame in there especially if he ends up visiting South Bend,” Gorney said. “The Bruins have made him a top priority as coach Chip Kelly looks to rebuild the recruiting class, but he had an excellent visit to Ann Arbor, seemed to really hit it off with team members up there and turning down the opportunity to play for coach Jim Harbaugh is proving to be difficult.
“He's legitimately split on those two programs at this time and is not just playing things out for drama purposes."
Patterson has bonded well with Tim Drevno and is expecting him and Harbaugh in his home at some point between now and his decision. Director of recruiting Matt Dudek is serving as a temporary assistant coach and is actually on his way to see Patterson today. Dudek will also head down to Tampa, Fla. to see Berkeley Prep four-star offensive tackle Nick Petit-Frere.
The coaches are also still working on Valdosta (Ga.) Lowndes three-star offensive tackle Jalen Goss, and he too is considering Michigan among a top group. He’s down to a final five consisting of Michigan along with Auburn, Florida State, Mississippi State and Miami.
Greg Frey wasted no time getting involved with Goss after leaving U-M to join Willie Taggart at Florida State and it appears to have landed with Goss. He’ll now visit Tallahassee in an official capacity on Jan. 19.
Rivals.com southeast analyst Chad Simmons has been all over Goss’ recruitment and is having a tough time figuring him out, as well.
“I don’t really have a vibe on Goss,” Simmons said. “He’s tough to read and he doesn’t talk a lot. His high school has sent a lot of kids to Florida State over the years, so that is one to watch.”
That would be an impressive and speedy coup for Frey and the Seminole staff and it could play out that way with an OV coming up in a week for Goss. He took an official visit to Auburn (Dec. 15) and Michigan (Dec. 8) already and is at Mississippi State this weekend. He’ll be in Coral Gables to see the Hurricanes on Jan. 26 so each school is going to get its shot.
With rumors swirling as of late around a potential Pep Hamilton departure, it’s fair to wonder what impact it will have on recruits.
The reactions have been mixed.
One recently offered receiver admitted that while he certainly likes Hamilton and has built a relationship with him, it would not affect him if he were to leave. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for another high profile (just outside the top 100) receiver Michigan is heavily in the mix for.
This wideout also cited his relationship with Hamilton, and admitted it would probably have an impact on Michigan’s chances if he were to leave. He concluded by making it clear he’d “prefer it if Hamilton stayed at Michigan.”
On a lighter note, while Ohio State has pulled in several kids the two programs have gone head to head for in recent years, it looks like the Buckeyes won’t be a threat for a 2019 recruit the Wolverines are after.
Urban Meyer has been known to rub some recruits the wrong way in the past, and although this specific player didn’t come out and say that’s what occurred, it’s clear OSU turned him off.
“The Ohio State coach shot me a text, but I’m not a big Ohio State guy,” he laughed. “Don’t get me wrong, it’d be cool and everything …” he added, trying to be respectful, before tailing off. “I’m just not someone who’s going to go to Ohio State.”
****
To football now …
Many people have wondered if Jim Harbaugh has ‘lost his edge,’ wondering, ‘where’s that fire breathing dragon we were all expecting?’ There’s no question he was more subdued on the sidelines this year and less animated, and there have been several different explanations for it.
Some point to his hip problems as holding him back, and it’s clear he was struggling with it a bit. Some close to him say he was getting different forms of treatment for it all season, and while others recommended a hip replacement (if necessary), he’ll probably stick to physical therapy first to see if that can resolve some of the issues.
Others close to him believe he’s still as competitive as ever, adding he’ll be more motivated than ever to prove this was a one-year aberration.
It’s clear, though, that despite the disappointing season, he’s not ‘feeling the heat.’ Those close to it say he’s not on any hot seat, and those in positions of power feel (strongly) he’s the right man for the job.
He’s also not planning on going anywhere. We’ve gotten panicked texts from people saying they’re hearing on Chicago radio that he was talking to the Bears, etc., but there’s zero chance Harbaugh leaves before he accomplishes something at U-M.
We reported plenty on the coaching carousel in yesterday’s ITF EXTRA, and as noted, linebackers coach Chris Partridge is expected to stay put, having turned down Alabama. Others are pursuing him, but again, we expect him to stay.
We’ve said for weeks Hamilton has offers and was likely to leave for an NFL position. We still believe that, and that Dan Enos (who, as we reported, was told he had a ‘line on a coordinator position,’ and then it was written into his contract that he’d make $600,000 more if he got one) would be the passing game coordinator.
There are still moving parts here, and nothing is settled.
We it comes to dismissals, etc., we stand by our policy … it’s not for us to say who has been kicked off the team. That’s up to Michigan. For one, guys might be on ‘thin ice’ but get another chance (or two), coaches might change their minds, etc. It happens.
But we don’t pass on what we hear unless it’s from impeccable sources. Not all of what we share is going to be rainbows and unicorns, but it is going to be good information. Sometimes mistakes are made … if there are, we’ll acknowledge it.
Our goal, first and foremost, is to report responsibly to protect the kids. There is nobody we want to see fail (on the contrary, we want them all to succeed), but if something happens … while it isn’t our duty to report every detail, we are going to tell you what we know to be true through good sources, verified a few times over.
We aren’t in the business of damage control, and we are not P.R. for the program. We have been, and always will be, responsible in how we report, and not throw something up here or on twitter like ‘hearing so and so has been dismissed from the team.’
That said, we stand by everything we’ve written over the last several weeks (months, even). We’ll continue to offer strong opinions, as well, even if it’s not what you want to hear.
Some of them will be wrong (and we’ll admit when they are), but all of them will be based on great information.
****
To basketball now …
Michigan head coach John Beilein was less than forthcoming when asked about junior center Moritz Wagner’s injury today, only saying he was ‘not 100 percent.’ There have been rumblings that Wagner reinjured his foot, which is why the question was asked … Beilein responded, “I’m not at liberty to say.”
Wagner said later he plans to play against the Spartans, but that might be optimistic. Even if he gave it a try, he’d be limited … not ideal, obviously, for a road game against a big rival.
We wouldn’t be surprised to see less of him and more of Isaiah Livers Saturday. Livers is quickly earning his way into the starting lineup, and “it’s only a matter of time.” Beilein did say he saw Mitch McGary get eaten up in his first trip to the Breslin Center, so maybe he eases Livers in.
We’ll see.
On the opposing sideline, Tom Izzo is challenging Miles Bridges to take over games, Spartans insiders tell us, and become more aggressive. That’s a good idea, up to a point. There is a fine line between being heroic in trying to take a game over, and being too aggressive to the point of being out of control. He was out of control on the first possession of the second half in the Rutgers game after an intermission of being challenged to take over, and coming out of the of the locker room with the noble desire to have more of an impact on the game.
Again, his heart is in the right place, he is a hard-worker with excellent shooting ability and power to finish at the rim in amazing fashion. But the smoothness in getting from Point A to Point B off the dribble against small forwards with six eyes of defenders guarding him, and doing so while making proper decisions, is still a work in progress for him.
Also, Izzo is in “Michigan Week” form. He doesn’t always win against the Wolverines but almost always gets a strong, efficient effort from the Spartans for this game.
As for Izzo’s harsh words for East Lansing’s Brandon Johns, as Johns relayed through the Lansing State Journal, once Johns told him he was going to Michigan …
Let’s just say it’s not the first time. DeShawn Sims once shared that he got the same treatment when he informed Izzo he was going to U-M, showing just how personally Izzo takes the rivalry (we guess).
The latest edition of INSIDE THE FORT, including plenty of football, basketball and recruiting information.
Starting with football recruiting …
By now everyone seems to know that Sherrone Moore will be leaving Central Michigan’s coaching staff to take a position at Michigan. It’s believed that Moore will essentially replace Greg Frey in coaching tackles and tight ends and that he’ll have a huge role in recruiting.
While at Central Michigan, Moore served as the recruiting coordinator and is known as a very impressive young coach with a knack for connecting with prospects. He played big time football at Oklahoma and just “gets it” according to players he recruited and coached.
Moore was selected by the American Football Coaches Association to participate in 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute. The prestigious program is aimed at identifying and developing premier future leaders in the football coaching profession and Moore was reportedly one of the more impressive coaches in attendance just a few days ago.
Michigan is squarely in the mix for a couple of tackle prospects that Moore could end up coaching at U-M should they choose the Wolverines.
Mission Viejo (Calif.) High three-star offensive tackle Jarrett Patterson is down to Michigan and UCLA with Notre Dame getting involved within the past few days. Patterson is hoping to take an official visit to Notre Dame next weekend or the weekend after that but it might be too little, too late. He’s hoping to make a decision after that visit and it seems like the Bruins and Wolverines will be hard to pass.
Rivals.com national analyst Adam Gorney has been all over Patterson’s recruitment and thinks it’s really, really close for Patterson between U-M and UCLA.
"Patterson seems legitimately torn between UCLA and Michigan, with a sprinkling of Notre Dame in there especially if he ends up visiting South Bend,” Gorney said. “The Bruins have made him a top priority as coach Chip Kelly looks to rebuild the recruiting class, but he had an excellent visit to Ann Arbor, seemed to really hit it off with team members up there and turning down the opportunity to play for coach Jim Harbaugh is proving to be difficult.
“He's legitimately split on those two programs at this time and is not just playing things out for drama purposes."
Patterson has bonded well with Tim Drevno and is expecting him and Harbaugh in his home at some point between now and his decision. Director of recruiting Matt Dudek is serving as a temporary assistant coach and is actually on his way to see Patterson today. Dudek will also head down to Tampa, Fla. to see Berkeley Prep four-star offensive tackle Nick Petit-Frere.
The coaches are also still working on Valdosta (Ga.) Lowndes three-star offensive tackle Jalen Goss, and he too is considering Michigan among a top group. He’s down to a final five consisting of Michigan along with Auburn, Florida State, Mississippi State and Miami.
Greg Frey wasted no time getting involved with Goss after leaving U-M to join Willie Taggart at Florida State and it appears to have landed with Goss. He’ll now visit Tallahassee in an official capacity on Jan. 19.
Rivals.com southeast analyst Chad Simmons has been all over Goss’ recruitment and is having a tough time figuring him out, as well.
“I don’t really have a vibe on Goss,” Simmons said. “He’s tough to read and he doesn’t talk a lot. His high school has sent a lot of kids to Florida State over the years, so that is one to watch.”
That would be an impressive and speedy coup for Frey and the Seminole staff and it could play out that way with an OV coming up in a week for Goss. He took an official visit to Auburn (Dec. 15) and Michigan (Dec. 8) already and is at Mississippi State this weekend. He’ll be in Coral Gables to see the Hurricanes on Jan. 26 so each school is going to get its shot.
With rumors swirling as of late around a potential Pep Hamilton departure, it’s fair to wonder what impact it will have on recruits.
The reactions have been mixed.
One recently offered receiver admitted that while he certainly likes Hamilton and has built a relationship with him, it would not affect him if he were to leave. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for another high profile (just outside the top 100) receiver Michigan is heavily in the mix for.
This wideout also cited his relationship with Hamilton, and admitted it would probably have an impact on Michigan’s chances if he were to leave. He concluded by making it clear he’d “prefer it if Hamilton stayed at Michigan.”
On a lighter note, while Ohio State has pulled in several kids the two programs have gone head to head for in recent years, it looks like the Buckeyes won’t be a threat for a 2019 recruit the Wolverines are after.
Urban Meyer has been known to rub some recruits the wrong way in the past, and although this specific player didn’t come out and say that’s what occurred, it’s clear OSU turned him off.
“The Ohio State coach shot me a text, but I’m not a big Ohio State guy,” he laughed. “Don’t get me wrong, it’d be cool and everything …” he added, trying to be respectful, before tailing off. “I’m just not someone who’s going to go to Ohio State.”
****
To football now …
Many people have wondered if Jim Harbaugh has ‘lost his edge,’ wondering, ‘where’s that fire breathing dragon we were all expecting?’ There’s no question he was more subdued on the sidelines this year and less animated, and there have been several different explanations for it.
Some point to his hip problems as holding him back, and it’s clear he was struggling with it a bit. Some close to him say he was getting different forms of treatment for it all season, and while others recommended a hip replacement (if necessary), he’ll probably stick to physical therapy first to see if that can resolve some of the issues.
Others close to him believe he’s still as competitive as ever, adding he’ll be more motivated than ever to prove this was a one-year aberration.
It’s clear, though, that despite the disappointing season, he’s not ‘feeling the heat.’ Those close to it say he’s not on any hot seat, and those in positions of power feel (strongly) he’s the right man for the job.
He’s also not planning on going anywhere. We’ve gotten panicked texts from people saying they’re hearing on Chicago radio that he was talking to the Bears, etc., but there’s zero chance Harbaugh leaves before he accomplishes something at U-M.
We reported plenty on the coaching carousel in yesterday’s ITF EXTRA, and as noted, linebackers coach Chris Partridge is expected to stay put, having turned down Alabama. Others are pursuing him, but again, we expect him to stay.
We’ve said for weeks Hamilton has offers and was likely to leave for an NFL position. We still believe that, and that Dan Enos (who, as we reported, was told he had a ‘line on a coordinator position,’ and then it was written into his contract that he’d make $600,000 more if he got one) would be the passing game coordinator.
There are still moving parts here, and nothing is settled.
We it comes to dismissals, etc., we stand by our policy … it’s not for us to say who has been kicked off the team. That’s up to Michigan. For one, guys might be on ‘thin ice’ but get another chance (or two), coaches might change their minds, etc. It happens.
But we don’t pass on what we hear unless it’s from impeccable sources. Not all of what we share is going to be rainbows and unicorns, but it is going to be good information. Sometimes mistakes are made … if there are, we’ll acknowledge it.
Our goal, first and foremost, is to report responsibly to protect the kids. There is nobody we want to see fail (on the contrary, we want them all to succeed), but if something happens … while it isn’t our duty to report every detail, we are going to tell you what we know to be true through good sources, verified a few times over.
We aren’t in the business of damage control, and we are not P.R. for the program. We have been, and always will be, responsible in how we report, and not throw something up here or on twitter like ‘hearing so and so has been dismissed from the team.’
That said, we stand by everything we’ve written over the last several weeks (months, even). We’ll continue to offer strong opinions, as well, even if it’s not what you want to hear.
Some of them will be wrong (and we’ll admit when they are), but all of them will be based on great information.
****
To basketball now …
Michigan head coach John Beilein was less than forthcoming when asked about junior center Moritz Wagner’s injury today, only saying he was ‘not 100 percent.’ There have been rumblings that Wagner reinjured his foot, which is why the question was asked … Beilein responded, “I’m not at liberty to say.”
Wagner said later he plans to play against the Spartans, but that might be optimistic. Even if he gave it a try, he’d be limited … not ideal, obviously, for a road game against a big rival.
We wouldn’t be surprised to see less of him and more of Isaiah Livers Saturday. Livers is quickly earning his way into the starting lineup, and “it’s only a matter of time.” Beilein did say he saw Mitch McGary get eaten up in his first trip to the Breslin Center, so maybe he eases Livers in.
We’ll see.
On the opposing sideline, Tom Izzo is challenging Miles Bridges to take over games, Spartans insiders tell us, and become more aggressive. That’s a good idea, up to a point. There is a fine line between being heroic in trying to take a game over, and being too aggressive to the point of being out of control. He was out of control on the first possession of the second half in the Rutgers game after an intermission of being challenged to take over, and coming out of the of the locker room with the noble desire to have more of an impact on the game.
Again, his heart is in the right place, he is a hard-worker with excellent shooting ability and power to finish at the rim in amazing fashion. But the smoothness in getting from Point A to Point B off the dribble against small forwards with six eyes of defenders guarding him, and doing so while making proper decisions, is still a work in progress for him.
Also, Izzo is in “Michigan Week” form. He doesn’t always win against the Wolverines but almost always gets a strong, efficient effort from the Spartans for this game.
As for Izzo’s harsh words for East Lansing’s Brandon Johns, as Johns relayed through the Lansing State Journal, once Johns told him he was going to Michigan …
Let’s just say it’s not the first time. DeShawn Sims once shared that he got the same treatment when he informed Izzo he was going to U-M, showing just how personally Izzo takes the rivalry (we guess).
