Michigan Wolverines: Virginia Cavaliers
Regional recruiters are not the ones coming in to see a prospect the size of Sterling Jenkins (Pittsburgh/Baldwin). Colleges are sending offensive line coaches directly instead to size up the fastest-rising 2015 prospect in Pennsylvania.
There are not too many 16-year-old sophomores who stand 6-foot-8 and weigh 295 pounds, so coaches are the ones traveling to the Steel City to see Jenkins to properly gauge his stature. Baldwin coach Pete Wagner said colleges are surprised to see he is the real deal.
There are not too many 16-year-old sophomores who stand 6-foot-8 and weigh 295 pounds, so coaches are the ones traveling to the Steel City to see Jenkins to properly gauge his stature. Baldwin coach Pete Wagner said colleges are surprised to see he is the real deal.
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The RN Top 10 will appear throughout the camp and combine season and rank prospects based strictly on their on-field performance at that particular event. It does not reflect their overall prospect ranking.
ASHBURN, Va. – The East Coast and mid-Atlantic states represented well on Sunday as eight players earned invites to The Opening at the Nike Football Training Camp outside of Washington, D.C. Defense ruled the day, led by two five-star prospects from Virginia.
10. Nick Scott
Fairfax (Va.) Fairfax |RB| 5-11, 180
Scott stood out among a field of backs who were overshadowed by the prospects at nearly every other position. He earned the attention of coaches for his strong play and versatility but missed the MVP award, which went to Vincent Lowe (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield), who also posted the top SPARQ score.
Scott committed to Penn State in February over an offer from Boston College.
ESPN national recruiting analyst Craig Haubert’s take: “He’s got a great frame, and what I like about him as a Penn State verbal, he’s a versatile player. He may not run by you, but he does a good job in route-running.”
ASHBURN, Va. – The East Coast and mid-Atlantic states represented well on Sunday as eight players earned invites to The Opening at the Nike Football Training Camp outside of Washington, D.C. Defense ruled the day, led by two five-star prospects from Virginia.
10. Nick Scott
Fairfax (Va.) Fairfax |RB| 5-11, 180
Scott stood out among a field of backs who were overshadowed by the prospects at nearly every other position. He earned the attention of coaches for his strong play and versatility but missed the MVP award, which went to Vincent Lowe (Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield), who also posted the top SPARQ score.
Scott committed to Penn State in February over an offer from Boston College.
ESPN national recruiting analyst Craig Haubert’s take: “He’s got a great frame, and what I like about him as a Penn State verbal, he’s a versatile player. He may not run by you, but he does a good job in route-running.”
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It won’t be much of a break for Braden Smith (Olathe, Kan./Olathe) in a few weeks.
Then again, one of the most sought-after offensive guards in the nation wants to make sure he’s making the right choice when it comes to colleges.
Then again, one of the most sought-after offensive guards in the nation wants to make sure he’s making the right choice when it comes to colleges.
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Watch List safety ready to reveal decision 
February, 20, 2013
Feb 20
2:25
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By
Corey Dowlar | ESPN.com
ESPN Watch List safety Quin Blanding (Virginia Beach, Va./Bayside) is ready to make his decision.
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PITTSBURGH -- At the beginning, all of the local usual suspects were on 2014 two-way lineman Alex Bookser (Pittsburgh/Mt. Lebanon). Maryland, Pittsburgh, Rutgers and West Virginia were among the first schools to offer.
But right before the contact period ended, new Florida State assistant coach Sal Sunseri came through Mount Lebanon and had good news for Bookser.
But right before the contact period ended, new Florida State assistant coach Sal Sunseri came through Mount Lebanon and had good news for Bookser.
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Malcolm Cook (Fork Union, Va./Fork Union) hasn't officially decommitted from Virginia following the firing of four assistants, but the safety said he's re-opening his recruitment.
In the last 48 hours, the prospect has received 11 offers and entertained visits and phone calls from the likes of Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State and USC. He planned to speak with the Trojans after basketball practice Wednesday, and he chatted in-person with Penn State assistant Charles London on Tuesday.
"It doesn't really matter to me about other schools looking at me," he said, when asked whether this new attention was a consolation. "The reason I committed to Virginia was because of the defensive coordinator, Coach [Jim] Reid. So I was really hurt by Coach Reid not being there.
In the last 48 hours, the prospect has received 11 offers and entertained visits and phone calls from the likes of Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State and USC. He planned to speak with the Trojans after basketball practice Wednesday, and he chatted in-person with Penn State assistant Charles London on Tuesday.
"It doesn't really matter to me about other schools looking at me," he said, when asked whether this new attention was a consolation. "The reason I committed to Virginia was because of the defensive coordinator, Coach [Jim] Reid. So I was really hurt by Coach Reid not being there.
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Tom Hauck for ESPN.comMax Redfield is out at USC -- is Leon McQuay in?
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You can also rank the battles this week in SportsNation.
CINCINNATI -- Baltimore Gilman sends several players to BCS colleges every year, and Melvin Keihn is already one of Gilman’s top 2014 players and guaranteed to have more than a dozen offers, likely by the end of this year.
A host of ACC programs including Maryland, Miami, North Carolina and Virginia have offered, and West Virginia has also extended a scholarship to the 6-foot-3, 225-pound outside linebacker.
One program yet to offer but looking at Keihn is Michigan, and there is a very good chance Keihn makes it to Ann Arbor this season with 2013 Wolverines commit Henry Poggi.
A host of ACC programs including Maryland, Miami, North Carolina and Virginia have offered, and West Virginia has also extended a scholarship to the 6-foot-3, 225-pound outside linebacker.
One program yet to offer but looking at Keihn is Michigan, and there is a very good chance Keihn makes it to Ann Arbor this season with 2013 Wolverines commit Henry Poggi.
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2014 CB D'Andre Payne working hard
August, 2, 2012
8/02/12
11:30
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By
Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
Never mind the height. Just play big.
It’s a simple mantra, but it’s what has made 2014 cornerback D’Andre Payne (Washington, DC/Howard D. Woodson) one of the most sought after defensive backs in the nation.
And though he has more than 25 offers, Payne is far from being done. He has yet to reach his goal of being the No. 1 cornerback in the country.
It’s a simple mantra, but it’s what has made 2014 cornerback D’Andre Payne (Washington, DC/Howard D. Woodson) one of the most sought after defensive backs in the nation.
And though he has more than 25 offers, Payne is far from being done. He has yet to reach his goal of being the No. 1 cornerback in the country.
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The 2014 class is already picking up offers and gaining interest from top programs, in what seems like a faster pace than ever. It's almost the norm now for sophomores to hear from schools and rack up the offers.
One prospect who is well on his way to building a long list of scholarship offers is 2014 safety C.J. Reavis (Chester, Va./Thomas Dale). The 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back already holds offers from Virginia, Virginia Tech and Boston College, but is hearing from other programs as well.
"I talk to Michigan a lot. They said they're supposed to offer me by the end of the month," he said. "Maryland said they would offer me soon, and Duke."
One prospect who is well on his way to building a long list of scholarship offers is 2014 safety C.J. Reavis (Chester, Va./Thomas Dale). The 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back already holds offers from Virginia, Virginia Tech and Boston College, but is hearing from other programs as well.
"I talk to Michigan a lot. They said they're supposed to offer me by the end of the month," he said. "Maryland said they would offer me soon, and Duke."
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Wisconsin commit exploring other options
February, 14, 2012
2/14/12
2:59
PM ET
By
Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
Tight end Scott Orndorff (Pittsburgh/Seton-LaSalle) was the first commit in Wisconsin's 2013 class.
But nearly four months after committing, without any hint or clue, he watched as Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, offensive line coach Bob Bostad and tight ends coach Joe Rudolph announced their departures for Pitt, where Chryst is the new head coach. It was a dead period in recruiting, and it would be another month until Orndorff would be able to talk to the coaches he had committed to.
"It was somewhat of a surprise," Orndorff said. "But I knew Coach Chryst wanted to be a head coach and he found his opportunity at Pitt so he's following his dream and advancing his career. You can't blame him."
But nearly four months after committing, without any hint or clue, he watched as Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, offensive line coach Bob Bostad and tight ends coach Joe Rudolph announced their departures for Pitt, where Chryst is the new head coach. It was a dead period in recruiting, and it would be another month until Orndorff would be able to talk to the coaches he had committed to.
"It was somewhat of a surprise," Orndorff said. "But I knew Coach Chryst wanted to be a head coach and he found his opportunity at Pitt so he's following his dream and advancing his career. You can't blame him."
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Update: 2013 TE Scott Orndorff
February, 14, 2012
2/14/12
10:19
AM ET
By
Chantel Jennings | ESPN.com
Tight end Scott Orndorff (Pittsburgh/Seton-LaSalle) was the first commit in Wisconsin's 2013 class.
But nearly four months after committing, without any hint or clue, he watched as Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, offensive line coach Bob Bostad and tight ends coach Joe Rudolph announced their departures for Pitt, where Chryst is the new head coach. It was a dead period in recruiting, and it would be another month until Orndorff would be able to talk to the coaches he had committed to.
"It was somewhat of a surprise," Orndorff said. "But I knew Coach Chryst wanted to be a head coach and he found his opportunity at Pitt so he's following his dream and advancing his career. You can't blame him."
But nearly four months after committing, without any hint or clue, he watched as Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, offensive line coach Bob Bostad and tight ends coach Joe Rudolph announced their departures for Pitt, where Chryst is the new head coach. It was a dead period in recruiting, and it would be another month until Orndorff would be able to talk to the coaches he had committed to.
"It was somewhat of a surprise," Orndorff said. "But I knew Coach Chryst wanted to be a head coach and he found his opportunity at Pitt so he's following his dream and advancing his career. You can't blame him."
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With three defensive line coaches on the Michigan staff, it's inevitable that there will be a focus on recruits along the defensive line. The 2012 class was filled with top prospects at defensive end and tackle, and the coaches would like to continue that into the 2013 class as well.
There have already been multiple offers out to top defensive prospects such as tackles Henry Poggi (Baltimore/Gilman) and Billy Price (Youngstown, Ohio/Austintown Fitch), and defensive end Taco Charlton (Pickerington, Ohio/Central), among others.
There is now a new offer to add to that list as of last week.
There have already been multiple offers out to top defensive prospects such as tackles Henry Poggi (Baltimore/Gilman) and Billy Price (Youngstown, Ohio/Austintown Fitch), and defensive end Taco Charlton (Pickerington, Ohio/Central), among others.
There is now a new offer to add to that list as of last week.
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No. 15 Michigan trailed by just one point at halftime to Virginia, but a 15-0 run from the Cavaliers and Virginia’s ability to slow the pace of the game gave Michigan a 70-58 loss in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
Sophomore guard Tim Hardaway Jr. picked up two early fouls and spent about 15 minutes of the first half on the bench after Michigan coach John Beilein pulled him out of the game. But even without Hardaway Jr., the Wolverines were able to keep it close -- something they weren’t able to do against Duke when the sophomore had zero first-half points.
The Cavaliers, who had 16 assists to Michigan’s eight, executed their offense mechanically against Beilein’s 1-3-1 zone defense and exploited the mismatches in the man-to-man, specifically with fifth-year senior Mike Scott. The 6-foot-8 forward picked up his third double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Virginia’s defense kept Michigan from establishing any rhythm and kept the Wolverines from scoring for nearly seven minutes in the second half. It was Michigan’s first true road game of the season, as the Wolverines got a very rude awakening from a spirited Virginia crowd.
1. Beilein ran with a deeper rotation. Twelve different guys played for Michigan, but there was no real bench production for the Wolverines. Outside of the starting five and senior guard Stu Douglass, only six points came from the bench. And those six points came in the final minute on 3-pointers by juniors Blake McLimans and Eso Akunne both hit 3-pointers after Virginia had already solidified its victory.
2. Foul trouble made major trouble for Michigan. Hardaway’s two early fouls kept him out of the first half and sophomore Evan Smotrycz, who scored 10 points, only played nine minutes in the second half after picking up his fourth foul early. He ended up fouling out with 1:35 remaining in the game, but Virginia was up 11 by that point. The Cavaliers attacked the paint and Scott drew fouls from several Wolverines. Virginia shot 17-for-22 from the charity stripe, while the Wolverines only got to the free-throw line seven times.
3. Hardaway Jr. never got going. Even when he came back into the game after halftime, the sophomore didn’t make up for lost time. The 6-foot-5 guard, who was averaging 15 points a game before Virginia, finished the game with five points off 2-for-9 shooting. He didn’t grab a single rebound despite playing 25 minutes. In Michigan’s loss to Duke, when Hardaway Jr. was held scoreless in the first half, he came out and exploded for 19 second-half points, but against Virginia there seemed to be a lid on the basket for the sophomore, as he struggled to produce.
Sophomore guard Tim Hardaway Jr. picked up two early fouls and spent about 15 minutes of the first half on the bench after Michigan coach John Beilein pulled him out of the game. But even without Hardaway Jr., the Wolverines were able to keep it close -- something they weren’t able to do against Duke when the sophomore had zero first-half points.
The Cavaliers, who had 16 assists to Michigan’s eight, executed their offense mechanically against Beilein’s 1-3-1 zone defense and exploited the mismatches in the man-to-man, specifically with fifth-year senior Mike Scott. The 6-foot-8 forward picked up his third double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Virginia’s defense kept Michigan from establishing any rhythm and kept the Wolverines from scoring for nearly seven minutes in the second half. It was Michigan’s first true road game of the season, as the Wolverines got a very rude awakening from a spirited Virginia crowd.
1. Beilein ran with a deeper rotation. Twelve different guys played for Michigan, but there was no real bench production for the Wolverines. Outside of the starting five and senior guard Stu Douglass, only six points came from the bench. And those six points came in the final minute on 3-pointers by juniors Blake McLimans and Eso Akunne both hit 3-pointers after Virginia had already solidified its victory.
2. Foul trouble made major trouble for Michigan. Hardaway’s two early fouls kept him out of the first half and sophomore Evan Smotrycz, who scored 10 points, only played nine minutes in the second half after picking up his fourth foul early. He ended up fouling out with 1:35 remaining in the game, but Virginia was up 11 by that point. The Cavaliers attacked the paint and Scott drew fouls from several Wolverines. Virginia shot 17-for-22 from the charity stripe, while the Wolverines only got to the free-throw line seven times.
3. Hardaway Jr. never got going. Even when he came back into the game after halftime, the sophomore didn’t make up for lost time. The 6-foot-5 guard, who was averaging 15 points a game before Virginia, finished the game with five points off 2-for-9 shooting. He didn’t grab a single rebound despite playing 25 minutes. In Michigan’s loss to Duke, when Hardaway Jr. was held scoreless in the first half, he came out and exploded for 19 second-half points, but against Virginia there seemed to be a lid on the basket for the sophomore, as he struggled to produce.
ABOUT WOLVERINE NATION
Michael Rothstein
Michael Rothstein joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for AnnArbor.com, Notre Dame for the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Journal Gazette and a host of colleges for the Daily News-Record (Harrisonburg, Va.). A Syracuse graduate and an East Meadow, N.Y., native, he lives in Ann Arbor, Mich. He can be reached at michaelrothsteinespn@gmail.com.
Tom VanHaaren
Tom VanHaaren joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the University of Michigan for three years at MGoBlog.com. VanHaaren and his wife currently reside in Royal Oak, Mich. He can be reached at TomVHESPN@gmail.com.
Chantel Jennings
Chantel Jennings joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering University of Michigan athletics for three years at The Michigan Daily. Chantel graduated from the University of Michigan with degrees in English and Spanish and lives in Ann Arbor. She can be reached at jenningsespn@gmail.com.