Michigan Friday: What Do The Numbers Look Like Now?

When Commit-a-Palooza One happened, we took a look at the Wolverines recruiting board for the rest of the class.  Here is what we said on June 26th:


Here is what I believe the Recruiting Board looks like: (6/26)


OT = 1
DT=  1
DE = 1
WR = 2
TE=  1
RB = 1
LB = 1
DB = 1


Since then Michigan has picked up another RB, DE, and a DB/Viper (+ a 2020 DT) in Commit-a-Palooza Two.




Here is the breakdown per position:


QB = Done
RB = Done
OT = +1
TE = Maybe +1
WR = +2 Outside


DT/DE = +1
LB = +1
CB/DB = Done


Michigan now has 19 commits in the 2019 class with an expected class of 24 players.  That only leaves 5 spots.   As you can see, I have 6 spots to be added above for a buffer for any de-commits or players leaving the program.


There is also the 5 star factor.  If a 5 star wants to come to Michigan, the coaches will find room even if its a position they already have filled.


Ranking the needs in importance with top prospect for the position:

1. OT = IL OT Trevor Keegan
2. WR = CA Kyle Ford and CT Cornelius Johnson 
3. DT/DE (see the below bullets)
4. LB = NC RB Quavaris Crouch, might want to play LB in college or Kalen DeLoach
5. TE =  CA TE Isaiah Foskey

Michigan is also recruiting a couple DE's that could put the 5 Star rule in effect:

• Ohio Zach Harrison
• IN George Karlaftis (committed to Purdue)
• NJ Aeneas DiCosmo is a 3 star with an offer that I believe the coaches would take
• I don't see another DT on the board right now

Other players the coaches wouldn't turn down:

• NC RB Quavaris Crouch at any position 5 star
• OK S Dax Hill 5 Star
• TX S Lewis Cline 4 Star
• Wash DC OT Walter Rouse 3 Star
• CA Athlete Giles Jackson 3 star (might have lost his spot)

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/07/michigan-friday-what-do-numbers-look.html

Datawatch Systems expands headquarters in Bethesda

Datawatch Systems, one of the top commercial office security providers in the country, is relocating its headquarters in Montgomery County and adding 50 new full-time jobs over the next four years.

The company is moving its operations to a nearby space on East West Highway in Bethesda, where it will lease 25,000 square feet of space in the coming years. Datawatch Systems currently employs 200 workers in the county.

“Datawatch Systems appreciates the support of both Maryland and Montgomery County in helping us remain and expand our company in Bethesda,” said William F. Peel III, president of Datawatch Systems. “Although businesses have many opportunities in this region, we are beyond thrilled to remain in Montgomery County and look forward to the continued growth and expansion of our organization.”

Formed in 1981, Datawatch Systems remotely monitors hundreds of thousands of doors in more than 4,000 buildings throughout North America. The company began by providing services to customers throughout the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area and has since expanded to various international clients. Today, its portfolio includes Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and more. The company prides itself on protecting building owners, tenants, and property managers with its security systems for more than 30 years.

To assist with the expansion, the Maryland Department of Commerce is providing a $50,000 training grant through the Partnership for Workforce Quality (PWQ) program, and Montgomery County is providing an $80,000 conditional grant through its Economic Development Fund. The company is also eligible for various tax credits including the state’s Job Creation Tax Credit.

“We are happy to have Datawatch as part of the community of great cutting-edge companies that call Montgomery County home,” said County Executive Ike Leggett.

“This expansion is a powerful testimonial to our business-friendly climate here in Maryland,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Mike Gill. “We are thrilled to support Datawatch’s commitment to Maryland and we look forward to watching them grow the state’s security sector and talented technology workforce.”

The post Datawatch Systems expands headquarters in Bethesda appeared first on MDBIZNews.

from https://mdbiznews.commerce.maryland.gov/2018/07/datawatch-systems-expands-headquarters-in-bethesda/

Michigan Thursday: Moe and Duncan Playing Well In The Summer League

It seems the Miami Heat really wanted Duncan Robinson to join their summer league team:


"That was somebody that Chet went after right away as soon as the draft was over," Heat summer-league coach Eric Glass said of Heat Vice President of Player Personnel Chet Kammerer. "You can see why. Chet doesn't miss on too many guys."


Robinson, who was personally recruited by Heat coach Erik Spoelstra after going undrafted, could be making a case for a two-way contract or even the roster spot held at the end of last season by Babbitt, who again is a free agent.


Duncan is playing well so far:  he is averaging 25 minutes a game, 11 points and shooting 62%.


Mo is also playing well and is averaging 27.5 minutes and scoring 15 points per game. 


Derrick Walton Jr. is playing 33 minutes per but averaging less then 5 points per game but averaging 5 assists.

• One of  the best players in the 2019 class is from Ohio and very interested in the Wolverines. Zach Harrison is a 5 star DE from Ohio and has 100% crystal balls to OSU.  He visited Michigan and OSU in back to back weekends prior to Nike's Opening and now says "he is as confused as ever".    It seems like its a two team race between the Wolverines and the Buckeyes.  Both have very good head coaches and great defensive line coaches.  One is 20 minutes away from home and another is a few hours:  "There are positives and negatives," Harrison said. "The positives are that I'd be the hometown hero. Everybody loves Ohio State, and who's not a Buckeye that lives 20 minutes from Ohio State? The negative is sometimes you just wanna get away from home, be on your own a little bit. When your parents are 20 minutes away that's kind of hard to do."  Zach is planning to announce his decision on 8/14 which is his birthday.  Zach being confused on where he wants to go, is a positive right now for the Wolverines who still has to convince the 5 star to leave home.   The third team he is considering is Penn State.

Any guess which number Zach is wearing in the above photo from twitter and Michigan's big June visit weekend?


Yes, he is #13 in the above photo.   Yes, Please!



from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/07/michigan-thursday-moe-and-duncan.html

Happy 4th of July and Quinten Johnson Commits

Commit-a-palooza doesn't stop it just pauses for a few days!


Michigan landed Nike Opening Invite and 3 Star DB Quinten Johnson on Tuesday.  QJ seems a bit under ranked at the moment getting 3 stars across the board but receiving an invite to the premier camp/event of the summer.  


He got to the Opening doing this a the Nike camp in Vegas:   He started the day off with a bang and had the top testing score in the event with a 125.70 Rating. At a rocked out 5-11, 195 pounds, Johnson clocked a 4.48-40, 4.17 shuttle, threw the power ball 47.5’ and jumped 35” in the vertical.


He was equally impressive in the position and one on one drills and showed the ability to play corner or safety. He has a safety frame but showed very good feet and quickness and plays with a nice physical edge to his game.


That doesn't sound like a 3 star player to me?  But the best way to confirm is the offers.   He has offers from the likes of Alabama, Arizona, UNC,  Penn State, Maryland, BC, Virginia and others.   His offer list was growing and his Bama offer came after preforming at their camp.   So the coaches got to see him up close and personal.


After the Bama offer and the Opening performance, I expect Johnson is headed to a 4th star on one or two of the services.


Johnson is also an athlete that can play offense or defense and can line up at CB, Safety, or even Viper for the Wolverines in the future.   A player with that type of flexibility is a Harbaugh trade mark  His main recruiter is Coach Partridge which might show that the Wolverines are thinking Viper for young man from DC.









I expect the Wolverines and Commit-a-palooza is done for awhile, but you never know!  

• Shea Patterson signs a tiny contract with the Texas Rangers for some reason.   I guess if football doesn't work out, he can go Tim Tebow or a reverse Drew Henson.

Enjoy the 4th everyone!

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/07/happy-4th-of-july-and-quinten-johnson.html

Michigan Tuesday: More Help For The Perfect Vision Class

I'm a big fan of building your football team with strong offensive and defensive lines.   I believe having a strong offensive line can make your running back look great and your QB an accurate passer.   A strong defensive line can make the opposing offense struggle for first downs and scoring points.


Michigan has also struggled in recruiting these two areas for the last 10 years or so.  The offensive line has gotten 4 and 5 star guys that didn't work out.  The defensive line (tackles) for awhile was full of 3 star guys that Greg Mattison turned into NFL players. 


That is why I get excited when OT's and DT's commit to the Wolverines.  Last night, Michigan took a peek into the future when DT Denver Warren committed to the 2020 class.  He is 6'2 and 318 pounds and hasn't played his junior year of high school football yet.   He is listed as a 4 star to 24/7 composite with early offers from  Michigan State, Penn State, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Duke and more.


Welcome Big Man and enjoy your high school experience for two more year and we will see you in Ann Abor soon!


That is 3 commits for the Wolverines in the last two days.   Is it over?





Nope!  Quinten Johnson is expected to announce today at Nike's Opening.  He is a 3 star Safety from DC.

• Michigan is in the final 5 for 2020 five-star OL Myles Hinton.  Myles of course is the brother of 2019 commit Chris.   Georgia, Clemson, Stanford and Northwestern round out the 5.

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/07/michigan-tuesday-more-help-for-perfect.html

Michigan Monday: Eric Gray and Breaking News David Ojabo Commits To Michigan

Eric Gray is one of the top "All Purpose Backs" in the 2019 class.  His skill set allows him to run off tackle or catch passes down field for first downs.   Which is exactly the type of RB that Jimmy loves.   See Chris Evans on the roster for an example of Eric's doppelganger. 


Eric is a 4 star rated to all the services minus Rivals which lists him as a 3.  He is 5'10 and just under 200 pounds.  He is also at Nike's Opening this weekend and already lighting up the drills.   His offer list is a crazy one with the headliners being: Bama, Ole Miss, PSU, Tennessee, Texas, A&M, Arkansas, Miami, and many more.   Eric has been named Mr. Tennessee in back-to-back years and clearly a big loss for the Tennessee's program not keeping him at home.


Michigan now has 2 RB's in the 2019 class and probably the best duo in the country.  They are completely done at RB, unless 5 star Quavaris Couch wants to play at the Big House.  (even though he can play a handful of positions).











While I was writing up the Eric Gray commitment, Dave Ojabo committed to the Wolverines this morning.    Dave is a pure athlete at DE and maybe the recruit with the highest ceiling in the country.  He has been playing football only for a year and could sky rocket in his skills as he continues to learn the game.


Here is his path to the football field:


“(David Ojabo) was born in Nigeria, then he moved to Scotland when he was about seven, eight-years-old,” Saylor said. “Parents live in Scotland now but goes back and forth from Scotland to Nigeria – works for Shell Oil.
“He came to Blair Academy two years ago. As a junior, he played basketball and soccer. He was on the basketball team with [2018 top-100 Penn State DE] Jayson (Oweh), saw how Jayson was blowing up, came into my office and said, ‘hey coach. I’m more athletic and I’m tougher than Jayson. Do you mind if I play football next year?’ He’s 6-5, 240-pounds. I looked at him and said, ‘Oh yeah. You can play some football next year.’


As you see David has the frame at 6'5 and 240 pounds but lacks experience playing football which  pretty much guarantees him 3 stars.   His offer list is impressive which rounds out over 30, with the likes of BC, Harvard, Ohio State, Clemson, ASU, Baylor, ND, MSU, Ole Miss, PSU, Duke, Nebraska, and many more.


Remember when I wrote about Michigan needing a DE if Stephen Herron Jr. decides to go to Stanford over Michigan?  This commit feels that void.   If Herron stays in the class, Michigan still has a guy they can develop in his football skills and in weight room. Don't be surprised if Coach Mattison turns David into a strong NFL prospect.


Welcome both Eric and David!!!

• Nik Stauskas signed a free agent deal to play with the Trial Blazers.

• GR3 is coming home and signed with the Pistons.

I will leave this here as commit-a-palooza part 2 could continue today and/or Tuesday. 









from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/07/michigan-monday-eric-gray-and-breaking.html

Michigan Weekend Update

Sunday Night:

Monday:

Tuesday:

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2018/07/michigan-weekend-update.html