Michigan Monday: Recaps a Busy Weekend

Lets start with the Spring Game.   I thought it was the most competitive spring game that I can remember.  The only Spring Game in recent memory that stands out to me was the time we first saw Tate Forcier.   What could have been.  

Here are some of my thoughts on the game:

• All the QB's are solid.   We finally have a roster with depth at QB.   I really wondered out loud why Gentry would become a TE and now it makes a lot of sense.   The other QB's are really good and steady.   O'Korn is mobile (maybe is a bit too quick to run), Morris has a cannon for an arm (but can make some bad reads/decisions), Speight is steady and Malzone looked really good for a redshirt freshman before coming out with an ugly hand injury.   Even Peters looked decent but can tell he is still learning the system and for sure heading for a redshirt.   It's going to be a tough decision on who starts.  Not sure what they are doing with Morris at WR, maybe he is just filling in because of the injuries at that position.

• Marshall at DE could be really good, but is the type of guy that will get some sacks but also some roughing the passer penalties on third down.

• The Dline and Secondary might be the best in the nation

• I thought the LB's played well, saw some flashes from McCray and it seemed Devin Bush was always around the ball.  He is for sure going to play this year.

• Our TE's are world class.   Michigan under Jimmy is going to be TE U.   Wheat is 280 pounds and can play, Butt is an All American, Bunting could be all Big Ten and Gentry is learning the position and has a huge upside.   Play them all at the same time!!

• WR Ahmir Mitchell didn't do much in the game, but looks like the real deal at WR.

• The offense line was a little iffy for both teams, but I think it's because the starters were split between the teams.

• Ty Isaac looks lighter and ran very hard.   Smith, Isaac, and Johnson are going to give Michigan some great options for Coach Wheat.   I also like what I saw from Kingston Davis and even though I would like to see him redshirt he could be in the mix. 

I enjoyed the game and it was nice to see this team improve in all most every aspect.  The punting seemed a little suspect. 

Recruiting:

Michigan had a very nice and somewhat surprising weekend on the recruiting trail as well.  

• 2018 OH DE Leonard Taylor committed right after the game on Friday.  Yes, it's still very early for a 2018 commit but LT will be one of the top players in Ohio in this class.   The Wolverines will have to work hard to keep him away from OSU and others but they are in a great position right now.   Expect him to be a high 4 star or even a 5 star in the 2018 class.

• 2017 instate Berrien Springs 3 star DT Phil Paea.  PP is 3 stars but has a 4 star offer list that includes the likes of ND, USC, Oregon, Nebraska, MSU, Minnesota, BYU, Arizona, and Miami.   He lives a 1/2 an hour from South Bend and still picked the Wolverines this weekend.   He has some good intel on the team as his cousin is Bryan Mone. 

• 2017 RB from New Mexico O'Maury Samuels.  He is a 5'10, 188 pounds and runs a 4.45 in the 40.   He is rated 4 stars by Scouts but not rated with any stars from Rivals (which I'm sure will be fixed soon).   He tore up a Nike Opening camp last month in Dallas, he earned position MVP, an invite to the finals and also set the SPARQ record for the year so far.  His offer list included Arizona, TCU, and New Mexico State.  He loved everything about the Michigan program, the spring game and decided to pull the trigger on a commitment.   This is the 3rd commit at RB and I'm guessing Michigan is done at the position. 

Michigan now as 11 commits in the 2017 class.   This is expected to be a small class with around 20 total spots.  So space is becoming a premium and one of the reasons we are seeing a ton of commitments. 

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2016/04/michigan-monday-recaps-busy-weekend.html