Jamar Adams, Michigan safety ordinaire, has been named to the preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the best defensive back in the country.

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Posted under Personnel

Bruce Feldman from ESPN has some impressions from the annual Elite 11 quarterback camp. Going along with consensus, he finds Blaine Gabbert (Neb) the best in attendance, followed closely by ND-bound Dayne Crist.

Michigan’s John Weinke has been stated to be in the next tier of campers, above such players as FSU’s E.J. Manuel (who Tom Beaver of GBW calls vastly overrated by Scout at #5).

The best arm in attendance? Counselor Chad Henne. Feldman says his arm stands out far above such other players as Chase Daniel of Mizzou and Colt Brennan.

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For those worried about the transfer of Steven Threet scaring off 2008 QB commit John Wienke, fear not. The Free Press is reporting today that Wienke has no intention to renege on his commitment to Michigan.

The more interesting question is whether or not Michigan will recruit a “super” QB in the 2009 class, as originally expected. Having a suddenly full stable of young talent may mean Michigan does not pursue a top prospect at the QB position unless someone has a particular interest in the Wolverines despite a full depth chart.

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Steven Threet has pledged to become a Michigan Wolverine, after attending Georgia Tech for a semester and realizing that Chan Gailey is a mediocre (perpetually 7-5) coach.

Threet would have been a huge Michigan target last year, but with Ryan Mallett on the radar, he was not offered, and Michigan recruiting fans forgot about him. Thuogh Michigan fans paid him little mind, he is probably the best HS QB in the state since Drew Henson. Experts peg him on approximately the same level as this year’s Dayne Crist (ND).

Threet will have to redshirt next year, then have four years to play. An interesting factor in his commitment is the fact that Michigan promised Ryan Mallett they would only take one quarterback in the 2007 class, when they have now taken two.

Depth and Eligibility Charts updated accordingly.

Posted under Personnel, Recruiting

Steven Threet, a 4* quarterback from this past (2007) class, has announced that he intends to transfer from Georgia Tech. He was widely considered to be Michigan’s second choice if they did not land Ryan Mallett. Internetz (and fairly reliable sources, to go along with tons of not-so-reliable sources) say that Michigan is a likely destination.

Threet also considered Michigan State in his recruitment, so it is likely that they may be a factor in his transfer destination, especially since they lost their top recruit, Keith Nichol, to the Oklahoma Sooners after firing John L. Smith.

Whichever school lands Threet, he will have to redshirt the 2007 season, and have four years of eligibility, putting him a year behind Mallett, and a year ahead of Wienke, assuming he redshirts his freshman year. The results of his decision will be known in the next couple days.

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Carson Butler and Chris Richards, dismissed from the football team for being monumentally stupid, have completed their trials in the St. Patrick’s Day assault case. Butler was found not guilty, whereas Richards was guilty of aggravated assault and assault and battery.

Though found not guilty in the court of law, Butler was still deemed a troublemaker by the Michigan football program, so don’t get your hopes up about a return to the Wolverines.

Coming Soon: My thoughts on the Nike/Adidas situation, though it’s nothing more than my opinion, and even that isn’t anything particularly original.

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Incoming freshman WR Toney Clemons participated in the Big 33 All-Star game last night, helping Pennsylvania defeat Ohio 28-10.

Clemons had 3 catches for 72 yards, and a kickoff return for 35 yards. He also returned 3 punts, though the results on those were less than stellar, as he lost ground trying to go for a big play.

Possible highlights coming later in the day.

Posted under Personnel

Though I never really believed he was in serious danger of being kicked off the team (save further misbehavior), Adrian Arrington has participated in his first activity as a football player since being indefinitely suspended. This indicates that he is either out of the doghouse, or as close to it as possible (i.e. no longer near the brink of elimination).

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Lamarr Woodley is looking very good in Steelers practices. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, his improvement is unprecedented for someone going through his position change (DE to 3-4 OLB) when making the jump to the NFL. Woodley has thus far outshone the Steelers’ first pick, ILB Lawrence Timmons from Florida State.

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This recruiting class is likely to have between 20 and 23 recruits in it (check out the breakdown of the eligibility chart). The list is far from inclusive, but rather consists of the guys about whom there has been the most noise. It is also likely that a couple of sleepers will be uncovered at camp, which takes place June 17-21.

Offense:

QB (1):
possibilities:
Brendon Kay
Zack Stoudt
longshots:
Terrelle Pryor
E.J. Manuel

RB (1 RB, 1 HB/FB):
likely:
Sam McGuffie (RB)
Christian Wilson (HB)
possibilities:
Covaughn Deboskie (RB)
Michael Shaw (RB/HB)
longshots:
Darrell Scott (RB)

OL (2OT, 3OG/OC):
commits:
OT Dan O’Neill
OG Elliot Mealer
OG Kurt Wermers
likely:
OT Zebrie Sanders or
OT Graham Pocic
OG Zach Schlink
longshots:
OT Lucas Nix
OG Vaughn Dotsy

TE (1-2):
commits:
Brandon Moore
possibilities:
Kevin Koger (could be DE)
Tyler Hoover
longshots:
Kavario Middleton

WR (2-3):
likely:
Darryl Stonum
Jon Baldwin
possibilities:
Fred Smith
Jermaine Kearse

Defense:

DE (1-2):
possibilities:
Nick Perry
Kevin Koger (or TE)

DT (1-2):
likely:
Omar Hunter
possibilities:
Mike Martin
longshots:
Garret Goebel

LB (2-3):
possibilities:
Marcus Witherspoon
J.B. Fitzgerald
Steve Filer
Brandon Beachum
longshots:
Jon Major

CB (2):
commits:
Boubacar Cissoko
possibilities:
Robbie Green
Jared Holley
Rahim Moore (UCLA)

S (2):
possibilities:
Spencer Adams
Will Hill
E.J. Woods (UCLA)
longshots:
Robert Blanton

Most of my information comes from scout, and I pay little to no attention to Rivals. Also, I do not follow religiously, so I’m sure I’ve missed out on a couple of guys. If you have any questions, additions, etc., please feel free to leave them in the comments.

Posted under Personnel, Recruiting