*** Three-star Tampa (Fla.) Gaither defensive tackle Tawfiq Thomas has obviously delayed his decision. Now, here is the situation from both sides. One, Michigan wanted Thomas to visit as expressed in numerous threads. Thomas was planning to make his visit in September. The Mario Eugenio tweet from a couple of weeks ago was about Thomas. Of course, Thomas moved up his decision, which surprised the staff. Again, they made their plan clear to him. At this point, the staff had discussions about whether or not to take him. I confirmed with someone close to the Michigan program yesterday right after my flight from Amsterdam that they were still having discussions about it. On the flip side of the coin, Thomas and his camp planned a big celebration and had a cookout set with family members and friends.
*** This morning, Thomas was still set to commit to Michigan and had his party ready to go. He was set to go live at 4-5 ET. Before that happened, Michigan made it clear that they wanted him to wait and obviously he put out his delay tweet. Now, this is recruiting. There is no perfect way to handle this. I have no problem with Michigan for waiting on Thomas or passing on him completely. The only issue I have is with communication. There is a mutual connection between Thomas, Eugenio, Deone Walker and recent DT offer Shone Washington. They all run in the same circle. That is what makes this recruitment in particular more sensitive.
*** Before I say what I'm going to say, I want to make it clear that this was in no way Shaun Nua's fault. He did a great job of recruiting Thomas and would have landed his commitment if everything lined up. I think Nua has done much better with communication this cycle and is also doing a really nice job with Kenneth Grant, who raved about Nua yesterday when I saw him. However, Nua doesn't have all the say. As a collective, I feel like Michigan should have gotten on a call with Eugenio and Thomas and expressed that the latter needed to stick to the plan as soon as he announced his decision date. Don't even have discussions about taking him or not. Just say we like you but need to see you first. This would have saved a few minor headaches and stopped the party. On the flip side of the coin, Thomas should have never moved up his announcement without talking to Michigan first. Still, it's better to be proactive.
*** I talked to someone very close to the Thomas camp. This person is also close to Eugenio, Walker and Washington. He told me that he has no problem with Michigan and understands that it's a business. He just didn't like the way things were communicated — this person talks to thee staff all the time and was very involved with Eugenio. He added that Eugenio, who is probably hurt, still loves Michigan. I wouldn't be too concerned there right now. This situation doesn't help if more teams come calling this fall, but Eugenio picked Michigan for various reasons and wants to be a leader this class. Ultimately, I don't think the Thomas situation will hurt Michigan much, but recruiting is a relationship building business and little details are everything. You never want to hurt yourself — no matter how minor — if you don't have to.
*** Like I said, I have no issue with Michigan having Thomas wait or just not taking him at all. Yes, nose tackle is a need. No, Grant and Walker aren't guarantees. But I think it's okay for Michigan to bet on itself with the big dogs they've put in non-stop work with. I'm also not too high on Thomas. I think he serves his purpose as a gap stuffer and gives you a safety net if you don't land Grant or Walker, but he has to reshape his body and work on various parts of his game. I'm a gambler and if Michigan wants to gamble, all power to them.
*** I'll have more on Grant in Into The Blue. Not much has changed with him. He talks to Nua all the time and is in the process of setting up his fall OV. His only concern with Michigan is stability, so the Wolverines will need to impress early. You can basically say the same about Walker. I think his preference is to stay at home, but he'll go south if he doesn't feel comfortable with the way things go this season. Michigan is in the Top 2 for Robby Harrison, who is coming in for an OV next month. A lot will depend on whether or not Georgia pushes. Michigan is in the mix for Isaiah Hastings and got him on campus this summer. Still some work to do, but he is realistic. Both of these guys can also end up being ends. Everyone mentioned here is a top tier target.
*** Then you have the aforementioned Washington. Michigan is still working on him but not as hard as the guys mentioned. I am told that he is looking to make an OV in September. I expect him to stay south, though. Rivals250 prospect Derrick Shepard is another option. Michigan wants to continue monitoring him this season. He is currently committed to Cincinnati, but he's flippable if Michigan decides to push.
*** This morning, Thomas was still set to commit to Michigan and had his party ready to go. He was set to go live at 4-5 ET. Before that happened, Michigan made it clear that they wanted him to wait and obviously he put out his delay tweet. Now, this is recruiting. There is no perfect way to handle this. I have no problem with Michigan for waiting on Thomas or passing on him completely. The only issue I have is with communication. There is a mutual connection between Thomas, Eugenio, Deone Walker and recent DT offer Shone Washington. They all run in the same circle. That is what makes this recruitment in particular more sensitive.
*** Before I say what I'm going to say, I want to make it clear that this was in no way Shaun Nua's fault. He did a great job of recruiting Thomas and would have landed his commitment if everything lined up. I think Nua has done much better with communication this cycle and is also doing a really nice job with Kenneth Grant, who raved about Nua yesterday when I saw him. However, Nua doesn't have all the say. As a collective, I feel like Michigan should have gotten on a call with Eugenio and Thomas and expressed that the latter needed to stick to the plan as soon as he announced his decision date. Don't even have discussions about taking him or not. Just say we like you but need to see you first. This would have saved a few minor headaches and stopped the party. On the flip side of the coin, Thomas should have never moved up his announcement without talking to Michigan first. Still, it's better to be proactive.
*** I talked to someone very close to the Thomas camp. This person is also close to Eugenio, Walker and Washington. He told me that he has no problem with Michigan and understands that it's a business. He just didn't like the way things were communicated — this person talks to thee staff all the time and was very involved with Eugenio. He added that Eugenio, who is probably hurt, still loves Michigan. I wouldn't be too concerned there right now. This situation doesn't help if more teams come calling this fall, but Eugenio picked Michigan for various reasons and wants to be a leader this class. Ultimately, I don't think the Thomas situation will hurt Michigan much, but recruiting is a relationship building business and little details are everything. You never want to hurt yourself — no matter how minor — if you don't have to.
*** Like I said, I have no issue with Michigan having Thomas wait or just not taking him at all. Yes, nose tackle is a need. No, Grant and Walker aren't guarantees. But I think it's okay for Michigan to bet on itself with the big dogs they've put in non-stop work with. I'm also not too high on Thomas. I think he serves his purpose as a gap stuffer and gives you a safety net if you don't land Grant or Walker, but he has to reshape his body and work on various parts of his game. I'm a gambler and if Michigan wants to gamble, all power to them.
*** I'll have more on Grant in Into The Blue. Not much has changed with him. He talks to Nua all the time and is in the process of setting up his fall OV. His only concern with Michigan is stability, so the Wolverines will need to impress early. You can basically say the same about Walker. I think his preference is to stay at home, but he'll go south if he doesn't feel comfortable with the way things go this season. Michigan is in the Top 2 for Robby Harrison, who is coming in for an OV next month. A lot will depend on whether or not Georgia pushes. Michigan is in the mix for Isaiah Hastings and got him on campus this summer. Still some work to do, but he is realistic. Both of these guys can also end up being ends. Everyone mentioned here is a top tier target.
*** Then you have the aforementioned Washington. Michigan is still working on him but not as hard as the guys mentioned. I am told that he is looking to make an OV in September. I expect him to stay south, though. Rivals250 prospect Derrick Shepard is another option. Michigan wants to continue monitoring him this season. He is currently committed to Cincinnati, but he's flippable if Michigan decides to push.
