Recruitaholics: Slow It Down

This Week's Dose: Commits In Action/Highlights Galore, Prospects in Action/Highlights Galore, PSU Visit List?, and OT

Commits in Action/Highlights Galore
As always, check out our 2014 and 2015 recruiting boards to see latest rankings and profiles
The season rolls on recruitaholics and this week, you're in for a treat.  Unfortunately, the stats for our '14/'15 commits/prospects were a little bare this week, but no fear...loads of mid-season highlights hit the shelf over the week to tide us over.

QB Wilton Speight

Last week stats (via TomVH): 39-67 297 yards, 2 TD's, 1 INT.  67 throws??? Save that arm for us coach!
Mr. Speight has a couple different highlight videos recapping his performance so far this season.  The first recaps games one and two:


And now games three through five:


The comparison to Ben Roethlisberger I referenced to a few weeks back is even more uncanny after watching these highlights.  His movements and throwing motion mirror that of "Big Ben".  Speights accuracy has always been his forte and it is more-than-on display in these two films.  Looks as though his release has sped up quite a bit helping him get the ball out quicker, something he needed to work on in the off-season.

LB Michael Ferns

Senior Year Highlights via Hudl
Ferns is a MONSTER!  Watch those highlights and try to disagree.  You can't!  He is a man amongst boys out there, throwing away defenders on defense and running through them on offense.  His ability to shed blocks and get to the ball carrier is exceptional.  Playing in the middle (where's he's projected at the next level), there is no quality more important.

LB Chase Winovich

Senior Year Highlights via Hudl
Stats from last week: Six tackles, two sacks, and four forced fumbles via Steve Lorenz, who says this kid could arguably be having the best season of any '14 commit so far.  I have to agree.  The more I hear about this kid (and now have visual proof), the more excited I get.  He posesses unreal athleticism for a kid his size, and his speed/closing speed is very deceiving; can really move from sideline to sideline.  His coverage skills will be a strong point once he hits campus as will his blitzing ability.

DB Brandon Watson and WR Freddy Canteen

No highlights here folks, but Watson was able to record an INT, while Canteen showed off his speed with multiple deep catches.

RB Damien Harris

Junior Year Highlight via Hudl
Last week stats (via Steve Wiltfong): 274 yards and 4 TD's in a win.  Only three quarters of work for him. I don't have to tell you anything new here.  You already know the story.  Harris is an elite prospect with elite speed and elite running ability.  His season so far: 118 carries, 1,339 yards and 23 TD's (!!!).  So you do the math, or let TomVH do it for you:
How many non-real video game players are allowed on each college roster.  Michigan's gotta be pushin' the limit here with two (Peppers the other, duh!) with a possible third in the mix (Crawford).

DB Shawn Crawford

Last week stats ( thanks to TomVH): 184 yards on the ground, two TD's.
No highlights were found on the game or for his season so far, but this article via Cleveland.com hits on Crawford's unbelievable performance in his team's blowout victory.  Ace from MGoBlog has an in-depth look at the mutli-purpose OH athlete.  Quality stuff in there, check it out.

S Tyree Kinnel

According to 247's own Steve Lorenz, Kinnel had a good showing in his team's victory on Friday.  On defense, he recorded 7 tackles while contributing 100 yards in the return game.


Prospects in Action/Highlights Galore

'15 MI RB Mike Weber

Last week's stats: 5 TD's, with one being called back.


Quick, elusive, fast - all things you want to hear when describing a running back.  But not so fast my friend. Weber is a smaller guy and seems more suited for a spread attack.  Not sure how effective he can be in a downhill running scheme at this point.  Pick up some weight, and a pro-style offense could be more suitable.

'15 QB Kevin Dillman



Needs to improve on footwork and arm strength, has a funky release (really curls the ball over) although he gets the ball out quick.  No questions asked concerning his athleticism and size.  Check out the throws between the 2:00-2:30 mark.  These will excite Hoke and co. as they show some potential in the passing game; something that has been a concern of Dillman's.

'15 IN QB Riley Neal

Junior Highights via Hudl
Neal is more of your prototypical pocket passer.  He's got decent footwork, good vision, and not afraid to step up in the pocket and deliver a strike. Big kid, has some athleticism, and possesses just enough speed to get away from pass rushers.  I think Neal gets a very serious look from this coaching staff.  Resembles Wilton Speight a bit.

'15 FL RB Jaques Patrick updates us on how his season is going so far:
Yeah he's doing ok.  His ability at his size is exactly what the staff is looking for at the RB position.

'16 QB Messiah DeWeaver - The young prospect has been putting together a nice season so far, gaining more interest from all over the country, including Michigan.  Last week was no different: 13-17 322 yards and 1 TD in only three quarters of work.  That's 25 yards per completion.  Impressive.


PSU Visit List? 

Although our beloved Wolverines are on the road this week in Happy Valley, they're still is some recruiting expectations to live up to.  Lots of top talent will be on hand at Beaver Stadium, and although they may be visiting on the opponents sideline, they will still notice if Michigan comes in and handles business.  Hopefully Coach Hoke can get some young guys in as well, to show these recruits that playing early is a possibility. Here's the two biggest:

'15 OH LB Justin Hilliard - The newly ranked 5-star (247) will be in attendance.  Hilliard is one of the top, if not the top player in OH and this one may come down to another bloody OSU/Michigan battle.  You can never count out Linebacker U though.  247Sports' Steve Helwagon has a great must read, detailing Hilliards playing style and recruitment.  Here's one comment I just had point out along with his reaction to UTL II:
“He’s starting to understand the game,” Specht said. “Justin’s biggest issue right now is he plays too fast, if there is such a thing. We have to slow him down – I wish I had to say that about every kid I have ever coached. Justin’s problem is he will overrun a lot of things because he plays so fast. As he gets to know the game and understand the game better, that will help take care of itself.”
* On Michigan – “That game was crazy. They had like a Super Bowl halftime show. The fans were showing their love. I got to talk to one of their coaches.”
What?? Never though you'd ever hear a coach say that.  "Son, your going to fast out, slow yourself down." In all seriousness, Coach Specht is right, it's something that will come along as he learns the game more and is definitely not a concern.

'15 OL Sterling Jenkins - Jenkins sits a top the '15 recruiting board at the OL position.  This game could have the biggest impact of all on Jenkins.  Being from PA, Penn St. is a major place of interest for Jenkins and could be the largest competition.


OT

American Family Insurance, yes you read that correctly, started a series called "Get 2 The Game", which features a two minute look at the top players in HS football.  This week, ya boy, "The Commish", Jabrill Peppers is the main attraction.  Go ahead and guess what highlight play was shown, here's a little hint (I'm to easy on you guys):


Peppers is the definition of team player.  He's a natural born leader and always doing what's best for the team.  This video and this quote says is all.

Your weekly episode of "Fourth and One" courtesy of ESPN's TomVH and Brad Galli of WXYZ Sports. This week's discussion hits on Peppers, Tyriq Thompson, and Damien Harris.


No comments

Post a Comment

Home