Return Of The Three-Star Mafia
So, about the reaction to Carter Dunaway's commitment. I realize Michigan is trying to pull its way out of a nearly decade-long stretch in which "trust the coaches" went from sage advice to, well, a reason to run away screaming in terror. I realize expectations for Jim Harbaugh are ample. I realize adding a sophomore tight end with one catch and no film may not align with some of those expectations.
All of that said, the zeal with which some commenters here questioned the choice to offer and accept the commitment of Dunaway caught me off guard.* There's obvious potential—he's got the frame to come to campus in the 6'6", 260-pound range. He's got two full years of high school left, and he won't be playing behind a pair of seniors—one a D-I recruit himself—any longer. The legacy angle shouldn't be the first reason to offer him, but it also shouldn't be discounted; as an early 2017 commit, Dunaway can now start recruiting other prospects with a perspective few other recruits have on the program. There's also the whole human decency thing, but this is the internet, which requires a detailed argument in favor of acting human before that'll be taken under consideration.
I'll go ahead and post the thoughts of one specific commenter who jumped into the discussion last night: Craig Dunaway, Carter's father and a former tight end under Bo Schembechler, who handled it all with more grace than anyone could reasonably expect.
As the least objective person on the board...
It's been quite an experience reading these comments.
I thank those who've shared kind and welcoming words (YoOoBoLloBaugh, True Blue Grit, The Mad Hatter, et al.). And I appreciate those who acknowledge he still has two more years of high school to show more tangible merits (True Blue Grit, bronxblue).
I also like the comments from HateSparty. (Or maybe I just like typing HateSparty. HateSparty.)
I understand those who doubt and question an offer to unproven talent (Danwillhor, The J Davis 1, pescadero). I realize you only have the best interests of the program in mind.
To those who attribute Carter's offer to his legacy status (HarBooYa, Big Mike), I hope you realize that's just not the case. If that's all it took, brother Jack wouldn't be dipping into his 529 plan, as WolvinLA2 also points out.
And to those concerned about the dearth of offers, please understand if Carter didn't love Michigan so much, he would've looked around and collected who knows how many others. Instead, he's avoiding the strain of the recruiting process, staying close to home and going to school with his brother.
The truth is there aren't a whole lot of 6'6-1/2" 233# 16-year-old kids who can run and catch out there. And that happens to be exactly the type of kid Jim and Jay Harbaugh want playing TE.Sure, Carter's lucky he's so big. He knows that. One of the first things he said after getting the offer is that it didn't seem fair he would be offered and his brother wouldn't, even after all Jack has accomplished.He's lucky to have camped at Michigan, and had so much exposure to the program while his brother was being recruited. But he also knows that means he's got to work harder now than ever before. He's got a target on his back that opponents and even Michigan fans will see every time he takes the field. It will only make him better.If you haven't met Carter or seen him play, I hope you get that chance soon. If not in the next 2 years, then in 2017 or 18, or whenever he gets to enjoy the privilege of playing for the greatest team in college football.Go Blue Forever
I'm not here to say the coaches are infallible, or that Carter Dunaway is a sure-fire All-American, or that there isn't a proper way to express dissenting opinions around here. There is, however, a time and a place, not to mention a certain amount of tact involved, and many of yesterday's comments—some of which have been cleared out by now—were disappointing in that light.
Anyway, Dunaway is in the class, and I expect this commitment will be questioned a whole lot less once he's showcased his ability on film. (People got really angry about this commitment without ever actually seeing the kid play. Which... yeah.) Brother Rice head coach David Sofran told The Wolverine's Brandon Brown that in addition to being a "coach's dream," Dunaway has plenty of potential and will be a critical part of their offense this fall ($):
"He's the type of talent that you can center your offense around. He's very athletic. He has really soft hands and catches the ball well. He can really accelerate after he catches it. I think that will separate him from a lot of tight ends. Once he catches it he can really run. Paul Jokisch (former Michigan wide receiver and Brother Rice standout) was like that. He was a huge guy (6-8, 239 pounds) that could catch and run and I think Carter will be in that conversation." ...
"I think he's probably still growing," he said. "I think once he stops growing taller he'll really start to fill out in his upper body and I think he'll keep his athleticism and be fast at about 255-260 in college down the line. He's still got some growing to do and I think he will get bigger and be even more of a problem."
Welcome to the program, Carter, and thanks for your understanding, Craig.
*Yes, I realize I should know better by now.
[Hit THE JUMP for the rest of the roundup.]
Gary, Bush Jr. Set For Return Unofficials
The #1 overall prospect in the 2016 class, Paramus (NJ) Catholic DT Rashan Gary, took an unofficial visit to Ann Arbor in March. Now The Wolverine's Tim Sullivan reports Gary will be back on campus in May, accompanied by his mother:
Five-star DT @RashanGary33 plans to return to Ann Arbor next month, this time with his mother: https://t.co/j15rCxalD9
— Tim Sullivan (@TimS_Wolverine) April 21, 2015
Tim, who's been more skeptical than others regarding Michigan's chances with Gary, is "really coming around" on their odds after speaking with Gary and his mother. Paying his way for a second unofficial visit is a really good sign. Michigan also continues to pursue other Paramus Catholic prospects: they offered three-star 2016 WR Donald Stewart and four-star 2017 LB Drew Singleton last week.
Gary isn't the only top out-of-region prospect planning a second unofficial. 247's Steve Lorenz reports that four-star FL OLB Devin Bush Jr. is set to visit on June 14th along with teammate and fellow offer recipient Devin Gil, a three-star safety currently committed to Miami (YTM). While most expect Bush to end up at Florida State, he had a very positive visit experience the first time around, and it's apparent Michigan is under serious consideration.
The Terrance Davis Recruitment Is Going Well
Four-star MD OG Terrance Davis earned an invite to The Opening over the weekend, but most of all he'd really like you to check out those shorts (and his mom's hat, too):
BLESSED . Peep the shorts pic.twitter.com/5do78e9zmo
— R.I.P. MARY (@THEGIF7) April 20, 2015
Davis spoke to 247's Sean Fitz over the weekend and told him which four school are currently after him the hardest:
"I really think I'm gonna cut my list down right before my senior season. I am going to take all of my officials and decide after that," Davis said. "I'd say the four schools after me hardest are Alabama, Tennessee, Michigan and UCLA."
According to 247's Barton Simmons, Michigan is the team to beat, and they have Davis' mother in their corner.
New Offers
Michigan hosted three-star Lakewood (OH) St. Edward CB Tony Butler for a visit prior to the spring game, and on Monday they came through with an offer for the Pitt commit. Butler told 247's Steve Wiltfong that he'll make a return visit soon, and the presence of his former coach on campus is a draw for Michigan ($):
Committed to Pittsburgh since March, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Butler was offered by Michigan on Monday, where his former coach Rick Finotti is now working in an off-field role for the Wolverines.
"I mean he's been a big part of my life so he's definitely going to have an impact," Butler said when asked if that would help Michigan's chances.
Butler sounds like he's wrestling with the decision; the return visit, should it happen, would be a very good sign.
The Wolverines offered four-star IL DE Daniel Joseph, per Brandon Brown. Iowa and Michigan State are a couple offers standing out for him early. Three-star GA OLB Ja'Quain Blakely, who's still not close to narrowing his recruitment, also picked up an offer.
The coaches made a move for one of the top in-state prospects in the 2017 class, offering Detroit King ATH Ambry Thomas, who told Sam Webb that he'll be on campus soon as part of an in-state junior day of sorts ($):
“Coach Jedd (Fisch) came in the school,” said Thomas. “I was actually kind of excited because I wasn’t expecting a huge offer like that at this moment. My mom and my father were really excited because they weren’t expecting it either.”
The fact that Thomas comes from a family of Michigan fans made just added to the satisfaction. Now he has his sights set on a late May visit to Ann Arbor for a special recruiting day set aside for the top in-state prospects in 2017.
“We just confirmed that they want me to come down May 30th or May 31st.” stated Thomas. “My mom already confirmed (the visit). She loves the school.”
Thomas also holds offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Iowa, and Pitt.
Four-star 2017 TX TE Kedrick James was "speechless" when he received his Michigan offer, per Lorenz ($). As a Waco native with a Baylor offer, James won't be an easy pull from Texas, but his recruitment is at least off to a good start. Michigan also offered 2017 four-star CA WR/TE Taariq Johnson, per GBW's Kyle Bogenschutz ($).
Etc.
Michigan made the top 13 for four-star PA TE Naseir Upshur, and the general consensus has the Wolverines near—or perhaps at—the top of that list.
Four-star MD OT Devery Hamilton told 247's Ryan Bartow that Michigan, Wisconsin, and Stanford are the three schools currently standing out to him ($). Offered by the previous staff, Hamilton has built a strong relationship with Tim Drevno, and he plans to visit campus this summer.
Four-star TX DT Jordan Elliott has strong interest in Michigan, Florida State, and USC after decommitting from Baylor earlier this month, per Scout's Gerard Martinez ($). USC is the current leader.
After a good visit there, Utah joined Michigan and UCLA in the top group for three-star CA OT Alex Akingbulu, per Rivals' Adam Gorney ($).
Happy trails to 2017 Akron RB Todd Sibley, who committed to Ohio State in a move that surprised nobody.