Jabrill Peppers Is Fast, Part Whatever
Oh, just Jabrill Peppers fielding a kickoff at the 0:21 mark, hauling down the far sideline—I like that sideline—and reaching the end zone at the 0:32 mark despite high-stepping the final few yards. 96 yards. 11 seconds. In full pads.
He's okay, I guess.
Weekend Visitors
This weekend marks the time when just about every 2014 commit will take their official visit to Ann Arbor, including Peppers, who'll presumably have a nice chat with Brady Hoke about taking other visits—if he hasn't already been talked out of them by the coaches and his family, who've reportedly expressed their desire for Peppers to stick to his commitment.
According to multiple outlets, one uncommitted 2014 prospect will also take his official this weekend: three-star TX RB Vic Enwere, a current Cal commit. Enwere committed to Cal without ever visiting Berkeley—he's slated to visit there in January, and otherwise has no officials set up, so this is looks to be a two-team battle that could go either way. Enwere is now the only feasible target at running back to hold an offer, as CO ATH Kalen Ballage made a surprise commitment to Arizona State this week; he'd been expected to pledge to either Boise State or Michigan State.
The other visitor to keep an eye on is 2015 commit Shaun Crawford, who's recently stated an interest in visiting Ohio State. He's maintained all along that he's "100% committed" to Michigan, so hopefully a quick discussion about Hoke's job security—like Peppers, Crawford cited rumors about a potential coaching change as reason to look around—will dispel any desire to visit the Buckeyes.
[Hit THE JUMP for the latest on Malik McDowell, Tim Settle, a couple of four-star 2015 tackles, and more.]
McDowell Takes, Sets Visits
Michigan's top remaining 2014 target, four-star Southfield DL Malik McDowell, took his first official visit last weekend to Alabama; he left with the Tide firmly in the mix and set the remainder of his official visits, per Josh Helmholdt ($):
"[The Tide] are a strong contender," McDowell said.
The three official visits McDowell will take in January will be to Florida State (Jan. 17), LSU (Jan. 24) and Ohio State (Jan. 31). He also may take unofficial visits to the two in-state contenders on his list - Michigan and Michigan State. But first, the nation's No. 33 ranked prospect will take an official visit to Florida this upcoming weekend.
The strong confidence that McDowell will end up at Michigan has obviously waned a bit now that he's taking all of his officials; that doesn't mean he's guaranteed to end up elsewhere, however. Sam Webb and Steve Lorenz have both posted message board threads recently expressing their belief that McDowell will end up at Michigan, and 247's Steve Wiltfong hints at the same in his latest post ($):
A source close to the situation confirmed Michigan is still in the “forefront,” for Southfield (Mich.) High Top50 defensive lineman Malik McDowell, however, the U.S. Army All-American is taking his official visits to be sure, and to see where he gets the best feel.
Michigan has to wait out four more visits to powerhouse schools, so a whole lot can change; for now, however, I still think the Wolverines have the best chance at landing McDowell.
2015 Updates
Five-star 2015 VA DT Tim Settle got his coveted Michigan offer last week, and despite having a who's-who list of suitors it sounds like the Wolverines will be very strong contenders for his services—he's already planning his next trip to Ann Arbor, per Steve Lorenz ($):
"My favorite part was the participation and enthusiasm of the crowd during the game," he said. "The atmosphere there was unbelievable. I know they struggled a bit on the field this year but they're going to be fine. I liked the food a lot too. We ate at Quickie Burger and that really hit the spot for me. That might be the first place I go when I come back up again."
That visit is likely to come in the spring sometime, probably during April but perhaps a bit later.
"My dad and I are going to do a lot of traveling around that time of the year," Settle said. "I have a lot of schools I need to see and that I want him to see. Michigan is going to be one of them as well. I want my dad to see Michigan. I loved it there the first time and I'd like him to see it as well."
This time, somebody please take the kid to Blimpy Bur--awww hamburgers.
The M Block's Eric Rutter caught up with 2015 four-star VA OT Matthew Burrell, who hasn't heard much from the coaches lately; if Michigan's interest picks back up, however, he'll be listening:
Despite the miscommunications so far, Burrell would be very interested in Michigan should they decide to pursue him. "I'm not going to say I'm waiting on it," said Burrell. "But it would be pretty cool to have it. I appreciate everybody's offers, but Michigan is a school that has a tradition that is one of its own. You don't have a program out there with the fans and alumni that is so strong."
He's gone so far as to tell Notre Dame's coaches that Michigan's win over them—which he was in attendance for—is what sticks out to him in his recruiting process. Burrell is a highly-regarded prospect with a great list of offers and obvious interest, but with Michigan taking a very small class—and focusing on PA OT Sterling Jenkins as their top tackle priority—it appears he'll have to wait for an offer.
That's not to say it won't come, however, as Darrell Funk dropped by to see another 2015 tackle prospect, NJ OT Grant Newsome, and told the consensus four-star that Michigan is "very interested," per Sam Webb ($). Newsome has also expressed interest; if he visits Ann Arbor, an offer could be on the way, and that could signal a new wave of offensive tackle offers to ensure that the Wolverines don't get left in the lurch if Jenkins goes elsewhere.
Etc.
I need a 30 for 30 on Jerry Glanville's recruiting escapades, STAT.
Rocky Top, amirite?
Here's how Top247 lineman Charles Mosley (@BigCharless) announced his commitment to the #Vols: pic.twitter.com/U5WXeimNOK
— Ryan Callahan (@RyanCallahan247) December 9, 2013