Recruitaholics: Commit on Deck?

This Week's Dose: Commit Watch, '14 RB Possibility??, Crunch the Numbers, Scout's Updated '15 Top300, '15 QB Update, New '15 DE Target, and ETC.

Commit Watch

The '15 class made some major headlines last month as FL WR George Campbell and KY RB Damien Harris became members of Team 136.  Another big domino looks to fall this week.   OH DB Shawn Crawford has been high on Michigan for some time now.  Following last month's BBQ event, Crawford named Michigan his leader and Tuesday he announced his decision will take place on August 23rd (what a half b-day present that could be for this guy).  Now read those last three sentences again, and tell me this headline isn't true.  I may even throw my superstition out the window, and write a pre-incoming post for the hard-hitting defender.  Don't think I can jinx this one lads. 


'14 RB Possibility??

Not many spots left in the '14 class (more on this below) and unless #1 RB Leonard Fournette were to blow everyone away and join this class, doesn't look like a RB will be taken.  Or will it?   Newest member of MGoBlog, Brandon Brown, caught up with another RB who may take an official to Michigan this fall in Kalen Ballage.  Ballage hails from Colorado and has the size to be a feature back in Borges' downhill running attack.   Although no visit has been made to AA at this point, Ballage knows plenty about Michigan and has a decision timeline in mind:

"Oh man all of the attributes they have! I still have not taken a visit there, but I speak with the coaches as often as I can. You know The Big House, the facilities, they just have so many things to offer a football player beyond football and academics to take care of you as an athlete. 

To be honest, ideally, I’d like to make my final decision soon after my football season. I’m one to focus on what I’m doing and I don’t want any distractions out side of football even though it’s more football, I just want to focus on the season at hand and then focus on my commitment. It’s my last high school football season ever and I learned from the seniors on my team last year that your senior season is one of your most special seasons of your football career. No matter if you’re still in high school, college, or even playing in the NFL, no one ever forgets their high school senior year."

Whether this official to AA actually goes through still seems to be up in the air.  Spots are limited and barring some surprise non-commitments, don't expect to see Ballage a part of this class.


Crunching the Numbers

The Wolverine breaks down the scholarship situation for the '14 class, determining there are currently three open spots.  Looks to be down to DE Da'Shawn Hand, DE Malik McDowell, and more than likely a safety; either Montae Nicholson, Parrker Westphal, or Juju Smith.  The latter two look to be a long shot at this point. Don't sleep on Glenville (OH) S Erick Smith though.  Ohio State may be full at the position and Smith enjoyed his time at the BBQ. 


Scout's Updated '15 Top300

Scout.com is the latest to update their rankings for the 2015 class.  2 of 4 current commits made the list as well as many targets Michigan has their eye on:

5-stars
#1 DT Tim Settle
#10 LB Rick DeBerry
#13 George Campbell
#14 QB Josh Rosen
#17 DB Iman Marshall
#18 DE Keisean Lucier-South

4-stars
#22 Damien Harris
#47 DE Jashon Cornell
#48 LB Osa Masina
#53 DE Kamonte Carter
#54 LB Justin Hilliard
#59 ATH Brian Cole
#62 OT Sterling Jenkins
#76 DB Minkah Fitzpatrick
#86 RB Jacques Patrick
#87 OLB Jerome Baker
#98 DB Shawn Crawford
#140 DE/TE Tyrone Wheatley
#220 DB Tyree Kinnel
#239 RB Mike Webber
#252 DL Josh Alabi
#265 OLB Tyriq Thompson


'15 QB Update

Only one offer has been extended to a quarterback in the '15 class in CA QB Josh Rosen, arguably the nation top QB at this point.  However, doesn't look like Rosen is interested in leaving the west coast (or in Michigan at all).  Hoke and co have other guys in mind, and one is MI QB Alex Malzone of Brother Rice High.  He recently took a visit to Ann Arbor and came away very impressed.  MGoBlog'sBrandon Brown (workin' overtime!) has more:

"It was good. I didn't watch a practice, I just went to the media day. I talked to one of the QB assistants and I got Coach Borges' number. I loved the campus and everything. The QB assistant said they were going to get me down to a game. I'm not sure which one, but I think it will be one of the first 3 games."

Brown goes on to mention that he doesn't believe Malzone is the #2 option for Michigan in this class and I have to agree.  If you can't tell, the '15 class will be small and the coaches are mainly going after the big fish.  Malzone could be the back-up plan, but look for Hoke and co. to look elsewhere first.


New '15 DE Target

There is big interest from arguably #1 prospect DE Jashon Cornell regarding Michigan.  But who may be plan B at the position?  West coast DE Keisean Lucier-South, that's who!  Lucier-South was quoted by 247's Steve Lorenz saying "Michiagan is my dream offer." ($)  This young man is a very intriguing player: 6'6" 215 with a solid offer list to this point.  There may be a little problem here though.  Cornell has made it clear that being the only offer at his position for Michigan is special to him and means a lot.  Not sure how the coaching staff will handle this situation re: extending an offer to Lucier-South.  You don't wanna upset the top remaining guy on your board.  It'll be interesting to see how this situation plays out.

ETC.

'15 offeree DE Jashon Cornell tell 247Wolverine's Steve Lorenz he is playing RB, FB, TE, OLB, and DE this season.  ESPN's Tom Van Haaren gives us a '15 WR to keep an eye on; receiving early interest from Michigan, 'Bama, and OSU.  Jabrill Peppers says "chill...I'm a Michigan man all the way!"  The Detriot Free Press has a featured article on new DE tandem Malik McDowell and commit Lawrence Marshall.