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Does anyone remember NBA Showtime for the Nintendo 64? Well I do, and I distinctly remember creating fictional characters and using all of my attribute points to make unstoppable 3-point shooters with a hotspot that was in the corner of the floor. Since going out of bounds was impossible this meant I could force the player to the corner and shoot, hitting a crisp 95% of my attempts. After three attempts I was on fire, and after four I was deemed "unconscious" by the commentators.
Brady Hoke is on fire. He's unconscious.
Class of 2014 LB Michael Ferns is Hoke's latest swish, and it comes from his shooting hotspot: Ohio. Right now the recruiting trail is Michigan's court and anyone stepping on it is bound to death by 3-point baskets.
Breaking Down the New Commitment
Ferns is a great start to the class. Right now he stands at 6'3", 235 and still has plenty of time to grow. I broke down his tape in a much earlier version of the Monday Roundup and compared him to Joe Bolden but the best comparison is probably to Jake Ryan. Maize n Brew author DGDestroys projects him as a SAM linebacker in his New Blue post.
Why SAM? He's big, and could even grow into a weak side defensive end if he grows too much. Much like Jake Ryan he's athletic enough to play the SAM position yet big enough to fill in as a weak side end if the situation calls for it. Many believe 2013 commitment Mike McCray projects to SAM as well, and Ferns might be too good to keep off of the field for too long so MLB isn't totally out of the question if McCray pans out. Wherever he plays he will make Michigan's run defense stronger, and that's priority number one to Greg Mattison.
Laquon Treadwell is the 2013 News
The class is nearly finished and only has a handful of true options remaining, which obviously includes WR Laquon Treadwell. He intends to take his time in making his college choice. This might not be to the liking of the Michigan fan base but it's what's best for Treadwell and we often put our fanhood in front of the real purpose of recruiting: giving gifted young athletes a chance to see their options before making the biggest decision of their lives. As long as Michigan actually holds a spot for him the other official visits will only reaffirm his commitment once he makes it.
2014 Notes
Cass Tech LB Gary Hosey is now being recruited as a running back. This might have something to do with Michigan's situation at linebacker. If he does end up blue I'm guessing he'll play a role similar to that of Stephen Hopkins.
Tremendous also caught up with ATH Omar Truitt and OL Mason Cole, who says Michigan will take around four offensive lineman in his class. He's a lineman with a mean streak and is a top priority.
Trusted Michigan recruiting reporter Sam Webb has tabbed Orchard Lake St. Mary's product CB Jalen Watts-Jackson as a recruit to know. He played on the same defense that produced Michigan LB James Ross. He has been in touch with Purdue, Michigan and Michigan State and could be a three-star type that lands an offer later down the road.
Michigan target and once presumed Wolverine lean DE Malik McDowell showed up to his practice decked out in Michigan State gear, but that shouldn't be seen as too much of a message. He's 6'6" and closing in on 300 pounds but could still very well end up at defensive end. His weight matches that of a tackle but his height doesn't, and he's still plenty athletic enough to end up at defensive end. The combination of size and athleticism will make him a priority to high-level schools across the country.
Finally:
2014 OL Jimmy Byrne told me Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State make up his top three (no order). He's one of the top recruits in Ohio.
— Mark (@Mgobluegr) August 8, 2012
What it Feels Like to Open an Official Michigan Offer
My official full scholarship offer from The University of Michigan!!
— Shane Morris (@S_Morris12) August 6, 2012#GoBlue#MichiganMan instagr.am/p/N_l50OmEGw/
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