Exchanged a few more messages with new Michigan offer Darius Robinson (Canton, Mich.) today. Darius has one official visit remaining and still has not decided where/when he is going to take it. It's between Michigan and MSU, unless another school makes a strong late push and gets involved. Also, regarding position, tight end has definitely been discussed, but Michigan has talked DE/DT as possibilities as well. To Darius, they're recruiting him as an ATH.
Just before the start of the season Darius had a top five of Maryland, Colorado, Rutgers, Michigan State and Syracuse. He had scheduled a Sept. 1 official visit to Maryland, but cancelled that and dropped the Terrapins from consideration after Durkin's suspension. Darius took the Colorado and Rutgers official visits in September. He was supposed to officially visit MSU for the weekend they hosted Michigan, but Michigan State wanted him to officially visit after the season and that visit was changed to an unofficial late. That weekend was not a successful one for Michigan State - he ended up leaving early in part due to the delay, and overall came off that trip feeling he wasn't the priority he thought he was. Now, that was not the case from Michigan State's standpoint, circumstances just ended up leading to an unsuccessful visit experience for Darius. Those misunderstandings have mostly been cleared up now. Syracuse tried to take advantage and pushed for Darius to commit when he officially visited the Orange the following weekend. Darius actually had announced plans to commit on that Monday, before reconsidering and slowing the process back down.
Missouri jumped in with an offer in late October and secured a Nov. 9 official visit. Darius had a top four of Colorado, Michigan State, Missouri and Syracuse entering November. Colorado still sits in that group even though they are going through a coaching change. That may have been his most successful official visit so far - he really did like it out in Boulder. Darius could possibly graduate early and will sign in December. I do not expect we have to wait long on his decision about the fifth and final official visit destination.
Last February Darius attended the Big Man Camp and was underwhelming. The Devin Baldwin kid who is now committed to WMU was heads and tails better than Darius that day. In May Darius was out at the Rivals 3 Stripe Camp in Columbus, had put on 25 pounds and was a completely different player. Where he was soft at the point of attack in February, he was dominating it in May with the added weight/strength. And, his explosiveness improved even with the added weight. It is one of the most dramatic transformations in a three-month period I have ever seen from a prospect. And, he continued to play to that level throughout the summer and into his senior year.
We have considered the position question with Darius and see his highest upside as a defensive end. He measured 6-4.5 and had a wingspan of 84 inches at the Rivals Camp in May. If you move him inside that diminishes his length advantage. Darius does play tight end for his team, but doesn't possess the ball skills for that position that would sway me to play him on that side of the ball over defense. Michigan State is recruiting him for DT. Michigan is recruiting him for TE, primarily. Those schools have to recruit for their needs, but all things being equal DE is the strong preference for me with Darius at the next level.
Just before the start of the season Darius had a top five of Maryland, Colorado, Rutgers, Michigan State and Syracuse. He had scheduled a Sept. 1 official visit to Maryland, but cancelled that and dropped the Terrapins from consideration after Durkin's suspension. Darius took the Colorado and Rutgers official visits in September. He was supposed to officially visit MSU for the weekend they hosted Michigan, but Michigan State wanted him to officially visit after the season and that visit was changed to an unofficial late. That weekend was not a successful one for Michigan State - he ended up leaving early in part due to the delay, and overall came off that trip feeling he wasn't the priority he thought he was. Now, that was not the case from Michigan State's standpoint, circumstances just ended up leading to an unsuccessful visit experience for Darius. Those misunderstandings have mostly been cleared up now. Syracuse tried to take advantage and pushed for Darius to commit when he officially visited the Orange the following weekend. Darius actually had announced plans to commit on that Monday, before reconsidering and slowing the process back down.
Missouri jumped in with an offer in late October and secured a Nov. 9 official visit. Darius had a top four of Colorado, Michigan State, Missouri and Syracuse entering November. Colorado still sits in that group even though they are going through a coaching change. That may have been his most successful official visit so far - he really did like it out in Boulder. Darius could possibly graduate early and will sign in December. I do not expect we have to wait long on his decision about the fifth and final official visit destination.
Last February Darius attended the Big Man Camp and was underwhelming. The Devin Baldwin kid who is now committed to WMU was heads and tails better than Darius that day. In May Darius was out at the Rivals 3 Stripe Camp in Columbus, had put on 25 pounds and was a completely different player. Where he was soft at the point of attack in February, he was dominating it in May with the added weight/strength. And, his explosiveness improved even with the added weight. It is one of the most dramatic transformations in a three-month period I have ever seen from a prospect. And, he continued to play to that level throughout the summer and into his senior year.
We have considered the position question with Darius and see his highest upside as a defensive end. He measured 6-4.5 and had a wingspan of 84 inches at the Rivals Camp in May. If you move him inside that diminishes his length advantage. Darius does play tight end for his team, but doesn't possess the ball skills for that position that would sway me to play him on that side of the ball over defense. Michigan State is recruiting him for DT. Michigan is recruiting him for TE, primarily. Those schools have to recruit for their needs, but all things being equal DE is the strong preference for me with Darius at the next level.
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