2013 Incoming: recruiting

Incoming: Delano Hill and (Again) David Dawson

Joint commitment post are way more fun and efficient than just doing one at a time.  Take notes recruits!


Commit #23

http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/recruiting/ncf/players/full/141481.png&w=350&h=254
Image via here






Meet David Dawson
Scout: 4-star, 188 OVR, #8 OG
ESPN: 4-star, 87 OVR, #1 OG
247Sports: 4-star, 108 OVR, #6 OG
Rivals: 4-star, 151 OVR, #6 OG
MGoHello 

 He's back ladies and gentlemen!  All the way back in February, David Dawson decided to pledge to Michigan, making him commitment #8 on the season.  It was so long ago, that Brad was in charge of recruiting news still!  So I give you, Brad's Incoming: post on Dawson's original commitment.  Then we all know the story.  Dawson was one of Michigan's biggest recruiters (player wise) until he became a top national prospect and other teams came a callin'.  Next was a de-commitment when Florida really wanted him to visit, as highlighted in my Sayonara post a few months back.  

 Dawson's recruitment really took some crazy twists and turns throughout the process (he had OSU, MSU, and Wisc. as his top 3 at one point), but after a heart to heart with Hoke and co., he was re-extended a scholarship and then decided to visit AA on this day (today), knowing that almost all of the '13 class would be visiting as well.  

 I had a hunch all week, as I noted in this week's Recruitaholics post (as well as his senior highlights), that Dawson would end up pulling the trigger during his visit for a few reasons, and here we are welcoming the young kid back to Michigan.  I'm glad Dawson did it his way throughout the process and made sure that Michigan is where he wanted to be.  Welcome back, David!  Here's a few tweets from Mr. Dawson on his excitement to be back and once again, a part of Team 134:
Something Scary to Think About
Dawson now reaffirms and brings Michigan's OL class back to the top.  One 5-star and four 4-star commits in the class is already making Michigan's future opponents cringe at the thought of facing the Wolverines in the future.  But that's not even the most scary part.  Dawson has built a very strong relationship with RB Derrick Green and one has to think that the slight edge Michigan already held in Green's recruitment, has got to be more than slight at this point.  And Rivals Mike Farrell agrees:
 


Commit #24, and #2 on the Day

http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/recruiting/ncf/players/full/151225.png&w=350&h=254
Image via here
Meet Delano Hill
Scout: 4-star, 270 OVR, #24 S
ESPN: 3-star, #23 S
247Sports: 4-star, #22 S
Rivals: 4-star, #23
MGoHello    

The talent that Detroit Cass Tech possesses is arguably the best in the state, and Michigan is reaping the benefits.  Hill is just another example, and the second example of the day after seeing Dawson re-commit (above), to pledge to the Wolverines.  Hill was previously committed to Iowa, but made the switch while on campus today.  ESPN's Tom VanHaaran breakdowns the commitment of both prospects:
"On a big visit weekend for Michigan, the Wolverines have picked up two big-time prospects in offensive lineman David Dawson (Detroit/Cass Tech) and his teammate, defensive back Delano Hill. Dawson, the one-time Michigan commit, was on his official visit, while Hill had only recently been offered by Michigan.
The two are big commitments for Michigan as they both come at positions of need, and they also happen to be very good prospects. Dawson is a four-star and the No. 1-ranked guard, while Hill is a solid three-star safety who had been committed to Iowa until flipping to Michigan on Saturday.
The two commitments now give Michigan 24 total for the 2013 class, and will likely give the Wolverines a boost in the ESPN class rankings as well. With the NCAA and Big Ten rules, Michigan is still able to sign three more prospects in this class. With plenty more options on the board, Michigan should be in good shape to land a few more top prospects"
And Scout's Allen Trieu gives us his analysis of what Hill can do on the field:
A good sized safety and a sure tackler in the open field. Does a good job of diagnosing plays, finding the football and coming in under control when attacking ball carriers. In coverage, he can play over the tight end and slot and cover man to man or in zone. Continuing to improve his footwork and quickness will allow him to cover faster slot receivers in the future. Good overall ball skills and athleticism to go with his size. - Allen Trieu
I think Hill is an under the radar player although he was considered a 4-star prospect by most.  Cass Tech's Coach Wilcher has been quoted saying Hill was the most talented of the 3 committed prospects (Lewis and Dawson) so that's definitely saying something.  His future position is not 100% set in stone; there's a possibility he is being brought in to play DB and not S, but that's something we won't know til he hits the field.

That brings me to everyone's next question:  Does this affect the recruitment of S Leon McQuay?  Now that Michigan has had a few players leave the team, a couple more spots have opened up in this years class (I'll have more on that in next week's update).  I believe, and have heard as well, that Michigan may be able to take up to 28-29 commits in this class.  So with 4-5 possible spots left (technically), if McQuay were to pick Michigan in a couple weeks, the coaches would welcome him in with tea and scrumpets (you can thank Lloyd Christmas for that one).


Other Offers
Hill had a total of 4 offers from Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, and Syracuse.  Since he was under the radar because of an early commitment to the Hawkeyes, ir resulted in limited offers.

Hype Video

The above is just from a few games during his senior season, click here for his junior highlights.


Something Scary to Think About
Hill is the fourth DB to commit to Michigan hailing from Cass Tech (Hollowell, Richardson, and Lewis) and with Michigan being in good position to pull in '14 DB Damon Webb, the Michigan defensive backfield could be an all Cass Tech unit.  And my head can't even process thinking of all the DB talent Hoke and co. have compiled in the last couple recruiting classes.  Take a look if you dare, but don't say I didn't warn you...



Related from:
Home