Recruitaholics: Go Blue Baby!

This Week's Dose: Commits in Action, Prospects in Action, The Next Episode, Bye Week Visits, and New '15 QB Names

Commits in Action
As always, check out our 2014 and 2015 recruiting boards to see latest rankings and profiles

Future Wolverines headed back to the gridiron, closing in on the halfway mark of their senior/junior season. They didn't disappoint.  Once again, big thanks to my guy Steve Lorenz over at 247 Sports for providing us all with a big 'ol list of all current commits in  the '14/'15 classes:

QB Wilton Speight: 18-29, 247 yards, 3 TDs
RB Damien Harris: 8 carries, 114 yards, 4 TDsWR Drake Harris: Did not play; will debut next week 
WR Fredd Canteen: 5 catches, 90 yards, two touchdowns. 
WR Moe Ways: 5 catches, 100 yards, one touchdown (approximate) 
WR George Campbell: 7 catches, 120 yards, 1 TD (W 49-6) 
TE Ian Bunting: 
OL Mason Cole: W (49-6) 
OL Juwann Bushell-Beatty: Plays Saturday at 2 PM 
OL Jon Runyan Jr.: 
DE Lawrence Marshall: Southfield won 20-19 over Farmington Hills Harrison
DT Bryan Mone: 3 tackles 
DT Brady Pallante: 12 solo tackles; 31 yard fumble return for a TD 
LB Michael Ferns: Two TDs on offense; around 20 tackles (estimate) 
LB Chase Winovich: 4 tackles; PD; 2 carries, 130 yards, two TDs 
LB Noah Furbush: W (46-0) 
LB Jared Wangler: 4 tackles; DLS beat Orchard Lake St. Mary 7-0 
DB Brandon Watson: 
DB Jabrill Peppers: Plays today at 2 PM 
DB Shaun Crawford: 7 carries 98 yards, 1td, 1 recept. 15 yes, 56 yard punt return, 4 solo tackles, 4 assists tackles, FG blockDB Tyree Kinnel: 6 tackles; pick-six INT

A couple chilled shots for you cats:

-Jabrill Peppers, man child and Go Blue supporter:


Peppers was also nominated for The Gatorade Player of the Year, high school's Heisman equivalency.

Freddy Canteen shows off his signature route running skills in last week's contest:


A (very familiar looking) big hit from "he's to little to be elite" (so they say), Shawn Crawford:



-MGoBlog's Ace took the time to breakdown some film on Bryan Mone's performance so far this season:




Prospects in Action

Cass Tech is loaded once again for the '15 class, led by RB Michael Weber, a kid with significant interest in the Wolverines, although a running back (Harris) has already committed.  A spot is there for him if he wants it, and watching his highlight from this season, you'd welcome him in with open arms too:


Here's some highlights from the first 3 games of foreign phenom '15 DT Hjalte Froholdt via Hudl. It may be against European competition, but don't let that fool you.  This man is a BEAST.  Huge frame, high motor and most importantly, has major interest in Michigan.  Feeling is more than mutual; at the top of  '15 recruiting board.

More highlights to tickle your fancy; These courtesy of  '16 MI Desmond Fitzpatrick from his Hudl page.


The Next Episode

Episode five of "First and 17", highlighting Da'Shawn Hand and his Woodbridge (VA) sqaud, aired this past week, titled "Friends and Foes", where Hand takes on fellow visit mate '15 DT Tim Settle:

(the end of the video features a sad note about a teammate of Hand's being killed during a drug deal gone wrong.  Our prayers go out to Kenny Diaz and his family during this tough time)

Settle is also featured in an article by ESPN's Tom VH, discussing these two's relationship and how Settle leans on Hand for advice:

“Da’Shawn tells me the rights and wrongs and what I need to watch out for in recruiting. He’s giving me advice like a big brother, or mentor,” Settle said. “He told me to just go somewhere that fits me. He said it’s going to be me going there for four years so it has to be where I want to be.” 

And gotta love the food connoisseur himself working in a tidbit about Hand and Settle's most memorable moment from their visit to Ann Arbor:

The two prospects are both originally from Philadelphia and naturally they share a love for food, noting a trip to Quickie Burger while in Ann Arbor, Mich., as the highlight of their visit to Michigan. 

Big guys enjoying big burgers...now that's how you bond recruitaholics.


Bye Week Visits

The staff was down to see '15 OH LB Justin Hilliard, says TomVH, who may just end up being the #1 player out of Ohio this year.  Next up on a busy road trip for Hoke and co, '15 OL David Moorman (also Tom VH) out of Northville (MI).  And lastly, a stop over at Brother Rice (MI) to take a look at '15 QB Alex Malzone (Allen Trieu) among others.

The week didn't stop there as Eric Gardner (247) saw Michigan in Southport (IN), watching future prospects '16 Joey Brunk and '17 Paul Scruggs the next day.  The train -- or airplane/jet -- rolled (flew?) on, where the coaches found themselves down in Akron visiting '15 CB Tymeon Ollison. Oh, but that's not it folks. A visit to Mr. Lebron James' alma mater, St. Vincent St Mary was next up.  Main person of interest: '16 Tyrece Speaight.

The following day, coaches hopped down to Muskegon Mona Shores (MI) to check in on '14 ATH Asantay Brown and '15 QB Tyree Jackson. 

Now to a visitor list for the Minnesota game (3:30 Saturday), from the latest edition of "Big Ten Recruiting Notes" courtesy of 247's Steve Wiltfong:

As of now, it looks like a low-key weekend at Michigan as the Wolverines are close to finished with what is currently ranked as the nation’s No. 8 recruiting class in 2014. A pair of in-state underclassmen are expected at the Big House for the game against Minnesota in 2015 quarterback Alex Malzone and 2016 athlete Stefan Claiborne. Malzone is arguably the top player at his position in the state in his recruiting class and Claiborne may very well be the top overall player in the state in his class.

Malzone is a name that has come up a lot, but still sits without an offer.  Wouldn't expect one soon either.

Rivals Brandon Hunter added to this small list today, reporting Chandler Park Academy's (MI) '16 WR Jalen Martin will take in The Big House atmosphere on Saturday.


New '15 QB Names

As noted above, the only consistent name that keeps popping up regarding this situation is Alex Malzone. Well, seems as though a few new names are coming onto the scene and the first is a doozie.  I'm speaking of CA QB Kevin Dillman.  Looking at his 247 player page, you can see that Dillman's interest has been changed to "warm" recently and he even has a "Crystal Ball Prediction" to -- you guessed it -- Michigan.

Michigan has yet to offer the dual threat QB; but don't let either one of those fool you.  Dillman has excellent size (6'4" 225) and arm for the position, but still has good wheels and even lined up at WR a lot in his sophomore highlight reel, so the athleticism is there.  And with regards to an offer.  One will come eventually.  Not sure when or where, but if his interest is legit, the staff won't pass on the 5-star, #1 rated dual-threat QB in the class.

Another name to keep an eye on is IN QB Riley Neal.  Neal is more of your typical pocket passer with great size as well (6'5" 200).  He has yet to receive a scholarship offer from any school (hence his non-ranking), but Michigan has substantial interest here.  Neal has visited a few times, for summer camp and an unofficial a few weeks back.  He's is having a solid year so far, passing for 1,379 yards, 18 TD's, and 2 INT's.  Look for Neal to gain more interest as his season moves on.