Michigan Thursday: Some Good Injury News

New DL coach Shaun Nua took to the mike yesterday and said that both Mike Dwumfour and Donovan Jeter are a go against Army this weekend.   That is great news as having strong defensive lineman is an important key to stopping the triple option.   I'm not sure how he graded out but I don't think Ben Mason had a very good game against MTSU.  I also expect we will start seeing freshman Mazi Smith and Chris Hinton more often.

No word on DPJ yet and I wouldn't be surprised if he sat another game with a bye coming up and Wisconsin on the road.  Rumor is he has a high ankle sprain.

• Seems that Michigan Basketball trip to the Bahamas for a tournament in November is still on. 

• Two guys were arrested for flying a Drone over Michigan Stadium.  I wish we could hear what Bo thought of that.  

• Juwan Howard stet up shop in the Diag yesterday to hang out with the students and give-a-way free donuts.   A man of the people!

• Rashan Gary starts his professional career tonight in Chicago for the first NFL game of the year. 

Michigan Tuesday: I Was Close But Picked the Wrong Guy

Prior to the draft, I predicted the Green Bay Packers would take Chase Winovich in the second round, give him #52, and have an able replacement for Clay Matthews (who signed with the Rams).    I was close, they actually used their 1st round pick on a Michigan Wolverine DE Rashan Gary, who now is expected to wear #52.

Good luck to Rashan and Chase in New England.

• Speaking of former Wolverines, TE Ian Bunting is getting a shot in the NFL with a UDFA contract with the Chicago Bears.  Ian did a grad transfer to CAL this past season. 

• Michigan finally has a better QB room then OSU.  Case in point, OSU has just accepted a grad transfer from UK QB Gunnar Hoak.   Gunnar is from Columbus and will have 2 years to play or actually back-up.  The kid gets free grad school, so you can't blame him. 

• The Michigan Football Team leaves for Africa this week.  Photo below is an example of the Jordan gear they will be wearing on the trip.  

• Peppers sponsored an Adidas shopping spree in NYC yesterday. 

Michigan Friday: Happy For #10 & #3

If you asked me to rank Michigan's defensive players on performance last year.   This is how I would have ranked them:

1. Devin Bush 
2. Chase Winovich 
3. David Long
4. Rashan Gary 

The NFL Draft research coverage is getting much better.   I used to scratch my head when it came to Wolverines in the Draft.  It seemed the analysts didn't watch enough tape on the Wolverines and had strange takes on former Michigan players.   I have also been wrong, I never expected Frank Clark to sign a $100M contract.   

The reviews on Gary is spot on, he didn't have the production numbers he should have, but he commonly was double teamed (which freed up Winovich) but he also played through a shoulder injury that he injured in that disastrous practice prior to the ND game that also took out Black.    Green Bay is considering playing Gary at LB in what I expect is the Clay Matthews role.   Gary is still an athletic freak and I can see him doing big things in Green Bay.  

Devin is just a missile and a great pick for the Steelers who pride themselves on great LB play.  He is a perfect fit for the Steel City and Chase Winovich's home town.

Congrats to both Devin and Rashan on getting drafted by legendary NFL franchises. 

I expect we hear Winovich and Long's name in the second round tonight.

• I wasn't surprised about Haskins dropping but was surprised that Daniel Jones went #6.   The Giants have had a head scratching off season. 

• Coach Gattis and Coach Brown are traveling this week visiting recruits in the 2020 and 21 classes.  

Michigan Tuesday: Recruiting News and Gary Heads To The NFL

The Michigan coaches don't have time to drown their sorrows on a beach somewhere after the train wreck on Saturday.   They have to hit the recruiting trail as home visits are now available and signing day is quickly approaching.   

Here is what we know so far:

• Coach Washington was out to see Gabe Newburg 
• Coach Moore out to see Erik All 
• Coach Mattison is expected to visit Purdue commit George Karlaftis this week

Michigan is also on commit watch as someone is expected to announce they are attending Michigan real soon. 

Michigan also lost a couple of recruits that won't cause any concern.   The first was Michigan's lowest rated recruit in the 2019 class DE Tyrece Woods who de-committed on Thanksgiving.  Many believe Michigan asked Woods to look for other options with a number of top ranked guys still considering Michigan for the 2019 class.   This strategy probably doesn't help Michigan's relationship with Belleville High School moving forward.  

Yesterday, 2020 RB Tim Baldwin de-committed after committing a few weeks ago during a visit for the Penn State game.   This is a clear example of a kid getting excited during a visit and pulling the trigger a bit too early.

This time of year I guess Michigan's Board for top recruits in order of importance:

1. 5 Star DE Zach Harrison 
2. 4 Star DE George Karlaftis 
3. 5 star Athlete Quavaris Crouch 
4. 4 Star OT Trevor Keegan 
5. 4 Star LB Kalen DeLoach
6. 3 Star OT Dawand Jones 
7. 4 Star WR Cornelius Johnson

Michigan has 24 commits but Eric Gray is considered a "soft" commit and is expected to de-commit unless something changes.    I expect Michigan will take 4-6 more players in this class.  

Speaking of things that did come as a surprise, Rashan Gary announced he is entering the NFL Draft on Monday. Gary was Michigan's highest ranked recruit in the recruiting services era per 24/7.

He was a quiet leader at U of M and had a quiet productive 3 years.  He is ranked #8 on Mel Kiper's Big Board and is making the right decision.   I don't expect he will play in the bowl game, even though he hasn't announced his bowl game intentions yet. 

Wolverine Wednesday: Gary's Mom Clears The Air and a New BBall Commit

Remember the final scrimmage where Black got hurt?  The rumor was the Gary and Higdon also got injured.   That rumor was quickly considered false as both played against Notre Dame.  Guess what?  Gary did get hurt and his mom goes on the record on what's going on:


I guess that clears up that situation and hopefully with two weeks of rest, he will be ready for Penn State.


Michigan Basketball also got an important 2020 commit yesterday.  4 Star PG from OH Zeb Jackson committed to the Wolverines.  Zeb is 6'3 and known as a shooter, he is tight with Zavier Simpson and his family.   Rivals has him ranked as the #72 player in the nation and 24/7 has him ranked #58.    Both services have him ranked as a top 20 PG.

His commitment also comes with a very cool video:

CO〽️〽️ITTED...💙 pic.twitter.com/9uTdZEKqio

— Zeb Jackson (@iamzebjackson1) October 23, 2018

Michigan Thursday: Game Day

Michigan Basketball Twitter

Michigan takes the floor tonight again at 7:37 EST against a Texas A&M team that got to #5 in the polls this season and just beat UNC on Sunday. 


Texas A&M did beat Penn State early in the year 98-87 and then hit some rough road when they lost 5 games in a row which included losses to ranked Kentucky and Tennessee teams.  They also had a late in the season 3 game losing streak, which included losses to Mizzu, Arkansas, and Mississippi State.


A&M beat UNC by going down low to Tyler Davis and Robert Williams and then mixing in the 3 ball.   Texas A&M also might have played the best game in the tournament so far.   Michigan hasn't played decent since the Big Ten tournament which seems like a month ago now. 


The low post will be a challenge for the Wolverines and getting rebounds.  Michigan will not win this game if they continue to give A&M second or third chance points.   Michigan didn't even try to get offensive rebounds against Houston.   Expect a ton of Teske and Wagner needs to stay out of foul trouble and stay on the floor. 


A&M does have a tendency to turn the ball over and plays very good defense.  Even though they shot well against UNC, that are not known as a deep shooting team and will probably score a ton of 2 point baskets with put backs.


The bottom line is, did Michigan get its shooting touch back?  They will not be able to play like they did last weekend and win this game. If Michigan can run their stuff and shoot the ball well, I like their chances against the A&M defense.   A&M can be a little hot and cold as a team and lets hope we get the colder version tonight.


 Michigan needs to get their flow back and lets hope Jordan Poole helped with that.

• Sam Webb has a free article up on an interview with new WR coach Jim McEwain and his approach to making the young and talented Wolverine Wide Receivers better.   I'm still on the fence with this hire, but I have to admit he is over qualified for this role and its really good to have a full time coach working with this position.

• Michigan's Pro Day is Friday and Big Mo has been cleared to participate.

• Looks like Rashan Gary has changed his number to the legendary #98.

Michigan Thursday: Impact On Defense 2017

Betthomas

It's pretty clear on who we expect to make an impact on defense next year.  I will give you my take and also look at guys that could surprise us as well.


Impact Expected:

1. Rashan Gary - #1 Recruit got a ton of playing time as a true freshman.  His ceiling could be a very high NFL draft pick.   We all expect a "Clowney" type of year from this talented young DE.
2. Mo Hurst - Big Mo could have elected to go to the NFL Draft but decided to come back for his senior year.   He is expected to be All Big Ten type of player a run stopper and get a few sacks.
3. Chase Winovich surprised a few of us last year on how fast he got to the QB. He could have a great year with double digit sacks.
4. Mike McCray - How many of you thought he was senior last year?  I did!  He is back and should be even better with a year playing experience under his belt.  

Could Surprise A Few of Us:

1. Devin Bush - He hits guys like a missile!  I think he could have a break out year.
2. Khaleke Hudson - Could he be a poor mans Jabrill Peppers?  Reports are the light has gone on and this redshirt freshman could be the starter at Viper.
3. Bryan Mone - Injuries have killed the upside of this talented DT.  If he can stay healthy, we might see a dominant player.
4. Lawrence Marshall -  It's time to see what he has on the field!
5. Keith Washington - I just have a feeling about this guy.  I think he could have a break out year and might steal some of the spotlight from Long and Hill at the CB position.
6. Aubrey Solomon - Is he the real deal?  He will get a chance to play and expect he will have a similar year to what Gary had as a true freshman.

In Don Brown and Greg Mattison we trust!  Could Michigan have better defensive coaches?  I think not!


Who are you expecting to make an impact?

Michigan Monday: Headlines From The Nike Regional Opening Event

• A good article on Rashan and his mom for Mothers Day.  Freep Alert.

CBus Regional Opening Event Headlines:

• Michigan will be getting an official visit from 2017 five-star CA ATH Darnay Holmes

• Cass Tech 2017 OG Jordan Reid won MVP at the Opening Regional in CBus and got an invite to the Opening in July on Nike's campus.

                           

• Other players of interest getting invites includes:  CB Ambry Thomas, CB Jamyest Williams, LB Antjuan Simmons, WR K.J. Hamler, WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, and TE Matt Dotson.

 

• Speaking of Matt Dotson TE from Cincinnati Moeller, he has a final 3 of Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State.  Everyone knows which school is now TEU.

 

• Cass Tech's Jaylen Kelly-Powell has accepted an invite to play in the UA All American game in January.

 

• Detroit MLK CB Ambry Thomas ran a 4.48 in the 40.

Michigan Thursday: Too Close For Comfort

Sam Webb has a nice piece with Rashan's mom on how close the decision really was a week ago. 

"He was really indecisive even on our way (to the announcement),” Coney recalled. “I said 'Rashan we're gonna have to pray on it, and if you can't figure it out, it's OK. You don't have to decide. You don't owe anybody anything except for yourself.’ But something I couldn’t do (at that point) was I couldn't tell Rashan what I thought was best for him. Rashan can never say 'well, mom, if I would've went here such and such would happen.’  I couldn't do that, so I said, ‘if you can't decide then that's OK, you don't have to sign today.’ We went, he ate and he was by himself. He stepped away for like 10, 15 minutes and he came back and he said he got it. I never asked him. I know he prayed, I know he got on his knees. I never asked him what happened or how he decided it.”

Glad he picked the good guys.  It's nice to win a close recruiting battle for the #1 player for a change!

• Michigan Basketball is struggling at the moment, they were blowing out the now 0-12 (in BIG10) Minnesota Gophers last night and then struggled at the end of the game for a close win. 

• The Jimmy vs. SEC war continues.  Since they're few sports stories at the moment this twitter war is getting more media attention then it really needs.

• The rumor mill is spinning hard that Devin Bush Sr. is about to take a job on Jimmy's staff.  Probably a roll similar to what Chris Partridge was doing last year.  If Devin Sr. can pull top talent out of South Florida, I'm all for it.   Chris BTW was named the Scout's recruiter of the year for the landing all the NJ kids including Gary.    Chris also just signed a new contract with a nice pay bump. 

• The Spring Game will be April 9th, I'm pretty sure they will have it in Michigan Stadium but you never know!  :)