Running Back Situation Remains Fluid
It didn't look like Michigan would attempt to find a running back for the class of 2014, as it had backs Derrick Green and DeVeon Smith already on campus and five-star prospect Damien Harris waiting in the wings. That recently changed when multiple prospects committed elsewhere, leaving room for another ball carrier. An offer to three-star Texas product Vic Enwere ensued, and for a while it looked like the Wolverines would get their chance to flip the powerful back. That didn't turn out to be the case:
I have decided to part ways with Michigan,Mizzou,TCU, and Boise for various reason and i will SOLIDIFY my commitment to Cal Berkeley
— January 9th!!! (@A1_Pericoo) January 12, 2014
Michigan didn't beg Enwere to leave and now has all of its chips riding on four-star speedster and Minnesota commitment Jeff Jones. As you might expect, things are also changing on that front:
Florida just landed RB Brandon Powell, that might help Minnesota and Michigan with RB Jeff Jones, who has a Florida offer.
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) January 10, 2014
This does help. It also helps that Jones will visit Michigan last and will certainly be intrigued by Michigan's hiring of Alabama's offensive coordinator. Minnesota will fight this tooth and nail, but expect the Wolverines to win the war in the long haul.
General Notes and Multimedia Items
Our very own Eric Rutter has Michigan's new offer to Juval Mollette covered, to go with plenty of other material. Make sure to check it all out and give him a warm welcome to the staff.
Michigan OL commitment Jon Runyan now has full junior highlights available, and he would like you to check them out:
Junior year highlights http://t.co/xgdP4fH4Sd
— Jon Runyan Jr. (@Jon_Run1) January 11, 2014
247's Clint Brewster says that Runyan is improving rapidly($) and should grow into a solid offensive lineman.
Five-star quarterback prospect Torrance Gibson would be interested in Michigan if they were to offer:
If Michigan offered you what would your reaction be? — They would go on my list http://t.co/m5vbBujLmP
— Torrance Gibson (@quick_tg6) January 13, 2014
This means next to nothing, and Gibson would go on to state that Michigan hasn't even been in touch. That said, let's go ahead and watch his extremely impressive highlights and dream a little bit:
Gibson has it all: speed, elusiveness and a natural feel for escaping the pocket, arm strength and touch on intermediate to long balls. Where is he predicted to land? Ohio State. I apologize.
Finally, check out Drake Harris' new locker:
Expect to hear his name called early and often next season.