*** Four-star Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech defensive tackle Deone Walker was dominant in a win over Southfield (Mich.) AT&T at yesterday's Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic. Walker starred on both sides of the ball and almost never came off the field, which was extremely impressive in its own right. Temperatures were in the 90s, and Walker is obviously carrying a ton of weight. For him to be consistently elite on both sides of the ball shows the work he put in this offseason. Walker received the Iron Man award after the game for his efforts. Walker is flexible in the sense that he can also move over to offensive tackle at the next level. One clip I tweeted has been playing on a loop as Walker uses his brute strength and size to make a Southfield defensive end fly in pass pro. However, I still love him as a defensive tackle.
*** Two plays really reaffirmed that for me. And they actually came back-to-back. On the first play, Walker knifed his way through a double team and swallowed up the Southfield ball carrier for a tackle for loss. Southfield was threatening to score from about the five, so that was a huge stop. The second play came right after as Walker exploded through the Southfield offensive line and destroyed the running back in the backfield. Walker moves extremely well for his size and has a tremendous motor. He uses his hands well, provides a pass rush from the interior of the defensive line and has the size/strength to overwhelm opposing offensive linemen. Walker has trained intensively at defensive tackle over the last two years, and I love what he's been molded into. Walker can be a very good offensive tackle. But I think he can be an elite defensive tackle. His height in no way hinders him.
*** Michigan is making 2023 Rivals250 Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech defensive end Jalen Thompson a top priority for next cycle. Thompson has plenty of speed when pass rushing from a traditional five-tech defensive end spot. I really like his length as well as his frame. He can add quite a bit of weight and be an edge rusher in a 3-4 or an end. I'm really excited to see how his body develops. I was enamored with Thompson's potential when I saw him practice this summer, but he is still a bit raw. While Thompson made some flash plays, including a huge tackle for loss, where he raced into the Southfield backfield and demolished the ball carrier, he wasn't consistent. I still think Thompson is a Top 250 player, though, and am interested to see how his junior year progresses.
*** While we've talked a ton about CJ Carr, Michigan also has an offer out to rising 2024 Southfield (Mich.) AT&T quarterback Isaiah Marshall, who visited on multiple occasions this summer. Marshall has a live arm and connected on a couple of beautiful deep balls. He was accurate and at his best in the quick game, hitting receives in stride on several high percentage throws. However, Marshall was under constant pressure. The Cass Tech defensive line dominated upfront and made his life hell. Most of Marshall's production came late when the game was out of hand. I do like Marshall's mechanics, arm strength and athleticism. But I am still concerned about his height. Marshall is still very much on the short side.
*** Michigan also has an early offer out to rising 2024 River Rouge (Mich.) High wide receiver Nick Marsh. It was tough to get a true evaluation as River Rouge completely beat the brakes off Eastpointe (Mich.) High. Marsh was hardly targeted early on in the blowout win. It wasn't until River Rouge was up by almost 50 that Marsh got involved and scored a touchdown — I missed it because there was a running clock and I didn't think he would be in, so I got in line for a pizza at the concession stand. Marsh has impressive size at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds and has the look of your typical big, outside receiver. But I just didn't get a ton out of this game. I hope to see him again down the line.
*** Two plays really reaffirmed that for me. And they actually came back-to-back. On the first play, Walker knifed his way through a double team and swallowed up the Southfield ball carrier for a tackle for loss. Southfield was threatening to score from about the five, so that was a huge stop. The second play came right after as Walker exploded through the Southfield offensive line and destroyed the running back in the backfield. Walker moves extremely well for his size and has a tremendous motor. He uses his hands well, provides a pass rush from the interior of the defensive line and has the size/strength to overwhelm opposing offensive linemen. Walker has trained intensively at defensive tackle over the last two years, and I love what he's been molded into. Walker can be a very good offensive tackle. But I think he can be an elite defensive tackle. His height in no way hinders him.
*** Michigan is making 2023 Rivals250 Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech defensive end Jalen Thompson a top priority for next cycle. Thompson has plenty of speed when pass rushing from a traditional five-tech defensive end spot. I really like his length as well as his frame. He can add quite a bit of weight and be an edge rusher in a 3-4 or an end. I'm really excited to see how his body develops. I was enamored with Thompson's potential when I saw him practice this summer, but he is still a bit raw. While Thompson made some flash plays, including a huge tackle for loss, where he raced into the Southfield backfield and demolished the ball carrier, he wasn't consistent. I still think Thompson is a Top 250 player, though, and am interested to see how his junior year progresses.
*** While we've talked a ton about CJ Carr, Michigan also has an offer out to rising 2024 Southfield (Mich.) AT&T quarterback Isaiah Marshall, who visited on multiple occasions this summer. Marshall has a live arm and connected on a couple of beautiful deep balls. He was accurate and at his best in the quick game, hitting receives in stride on several high percentage throws. However, Marshall was under constant pressure. The Cass Tech defensive line dominated upfront and made his life hell. Most of Marshall's production came late when the game was out of hand. I do like Marshall's mechanics, arm strength and athleticism. But I am still concerned about his height. Marshall is still very much on the short side.
*** Michigan also has an early offer out to rising 2024 River Rouge (Mich.) High wide receiver Nick Marsh. It was tough to get a true evaluation as River Rouge completely beat the brakes off Eastpointe (Mich.) High. Marsh was hardly targeted early on in the blowout win. It wasn't until River Rouge was up by almost 50 that Marsh got involved and scored a touchdown — I missed it because there was a running clock and I didn't think he would be in, so I got in line for a pizza at the concession stand. Marsh has impressive size at 6-foot-3, 180 pounds and has the look of your typical big, outside receiver. But I just didn't get a ton out of this game. I hope to see him again down the line.
