First, the Safety. Jarrod Wilson stands 6'2" and weighs 190 pounds and comes to Ann Arbor from Akron, OH. His coach in high school is someone who you might be familiar with: Ricky Powers. Yes, that Ricky Powers. Coach Powers insists that he did not guide his star safety to A2, and I believe him, but I'm sure it didn't hurt either. Let's have a look:
Rivals profile.
A few things I took away from his film here. First, he plays the ball very well. You hear people talking about a Safety prospect and you will hear the phrase "ballhawk" or "nose for the football" just about every time. Just because a kid has a lot of interceptions, doesn't make him a ballhawk IMO. True ballhawks really anticipate the quarterback's throw and time their arrival perfectly. They also highpoint the football and snatch it out of the air, using their body to shield away the receiver in many cases. Ed Reed is the definition of ballhawk. This kid shows some of that potential. Understand, I am not saying OMG Jarrod Wilson = Ed Reed! All I'm saying is this kid has the potential to be good. Better than any FS Michigan's had in a long time.
Notre Dame and PSU were the other finalists for Wilson. He also held offers from UConn, MSU, Stanford, Tennessee, UCLA, and West Virginia among others. Jarrod is a four star to both sites, with Rivals rating him the #13 Safety and Scout #10. Here's what he had to say about his commitment to Michigan ($):
This kid is smart and one of the biggest additions to this class. I could see him being the star of this class when we take a look back in 4-5 years and that's not a small statement considering the caliber of some of the other kids in this class. This also should close out the defensive backfield for the class of 2012.I went back and forth for a very long time, especially after I made my very last visit to Notre Dame," Wilson said. "I was thinking that all three of these schools were great, so I was trying to decide which one I could see myself living at for the next three to four to five years. That's what made Michigan stand out. When I got there, right away I had that gut feeling. Then, as I started to walk around the campus I just fell in love with it. It was just the family atmosphere down there. It felt like home to me, to be truthful.
The second recent pickup came last Sunday in the form of big Kyle Kalis from Lakewood, OH (St. Edward's). When I say big, I mean it on several different levels. First of all, he is a large human standing 6'5" and 305 pounds. Second of all, he is big in the fact that he is the highest ranked recruit Coach Hoke has landed in this already impressive class. Rivals rates him as four stars, the #4 OT, and #18 overall and Scout lists him as a five star, the #6 OT, and #21 overall. I'd bet good money that he gets his fifth star from Rivals as he is the very first four star on their list. The last reason Kalis is such a big pull is, of course, because he comes over from the dark side having previously been committed to OSU. Not only does Michigan get a very highly rated prospect but OSU loses out on him? Yes please. All day, yes please.
He also had offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Miami, MSU, ND, PSU, Pitt, Rutgers, WVU, and Wisconsin to name a few. Again, yes please.
Let's take a look:
Rivals profile.
This film clip doesn't show you much (and how could it as it is absurdly short) and there isn't much else out there. Offensive linemen don't usually have a lot of film out there on YouTube or elsewhere, but usually someone this highly touted has more than a one minute clip.
So, my observations here will come mostly from some game film I've seen on Rivals and couple other places that I can't post here. Overall, he looks pretty damn good. He excels in the run game more than in pass pro, but that's not to say he looks bad in pass blocking. He really plays the part of a mauler on running plays, driving his man backwards and often pancaking him entirely. He doesn't always fire off the ball like I'd like to see, but he gets into his man and uses his strength and leverage very well. The only other thing I'd say is I'd like to see him keep his hands inside a little more. He tends to let his hands get too far outside and that's something he'll get flagged for at the next level (think Taylor Lewan). On his pass pro, he needs to work on his kick, especially the first step. Maybe it's because the guys he's blocking aren't fast enough to test his edge and he doesn't want to outstep and open an inside lane, but his first step is too short and too slow. More likely, he has never really been tested much on his edge so he hasn't had to work on that much.
That assessment may sound a little harsh and nitpicky about a 17 year old that hasn't even started his senior year in high school, but I am naturally more critical of guys ranked so highly. That and there really isn't that much to pick at honestly. The limited film I've seen is just him destroying guys and taking them 25+ yards downfield or planting them on their backs or both. This kid is good. Very good. He is going to be a fixture on the OL for several years and will come in close to being ready to contribute. He's good enough to maybe even bypass the almost automatic redshirt just about every freshman OL receives. We'll see. I do not, however, see him ultimately ending up at OT. I think he will be a Guard in the mold of a Steve Hutchinson. He looks the part of a Guard more than a Tackle to me and he has the footwork and pulling ability Coach Hoke wants from his Guards to run his beloved power play. I think with Stacey, Magnuson, and Bars already in the fold at OT and the last (possibly?) OL spot likely to another Tackle, Kalis as a Guard makes since there too. Obviously, we have a long time until we find out for sure, that's just my projection.
Looking Forward
At 19 commits now, the class is getting close to full. I am still taking Coach Hoke's word on this class being at 26, so we're looking at 7 more spots available. As I mentioned above, if another OL was to choose Michigan it would most likely be an OT. The most likely from that group would probably be Jordan Diamond, but he said once again today that he will take all five of his official visits and won't make a decision until after his season ($). Other possibilities for that spot include Adam Bisnowaty, Josh Garnett, Zach Banner, and Andrus Peat. I think anyone but Bisnowaty from that list may be a pipe dream, but all five of these guys are showing at least some genuine interest. After that, we're looking at probably two WR, two DT, a RB/FB, and a wild card. I'm still hearing a lot that Michigan will only take one interior defensive lineman (DT). Even if they have already decided that they are going to move Godin inside to DT, I still think they have to take two more DT in this class. It is just too thin at that position.
In my dreams the last seven spots would consist of Banner or Peat (take your pick), Ondre Pipkins, Danny O'Brien, Aaron Burbridge, Dwayne Stanford, E.J. Fatu (MUST have a FB, RB is a luxury...okay, maybe Dunn here), and Adolphus Washington. Yes another DE. He's too good to pass on and although package deals rarely work out, I think this one happens. You may be surprised to see Diamond is not on my list. I have cooled on him a little myself, but ultimately I think he ends up waiting too long and someone else will take his spot. Honestly, I'd be happy with any of those five OT I listed though.
TomVH also put out a possible scenario or three today on how the class may finish up that you should definitely check out.
It should be exciting to see how this class finishes off. Oh and I almost forgot, no I'm not worried about RJS and TRich taking official visits to other schools ($). Yes it makes me nervous anytime you have recruits on another school's campus, but it's kinda like when your girlfriend goes out with her friends and there's a bunch of guys there. You don't like it, but you're not going to throw a hissy fit about it and tell her she can't go. Or if you do, she won't be your girlfriend much longer anyway. As always, stay tuned and Go Blue.
Good post. This class had the potential, depending upon how it finishes, to be a top 5 class for Michigan. They need it to build on! My biggest concern is that it is still almost 7 months until signing day. The kids seem so fickle these days and there are lots of other good programs out there. 9-4 or better this fall would certainly help secure the fort! Thanks for your thoughts!
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