Michigan football commit Shane Morris' stock rises, while fellow pledge Taco Charlton's falls at The Opening
There were some ups, downs and in betweens last weekend for a few future Michigan football players in Beaverton, Ore.
Seven Michigan commits competed in "The Opening," a three-day Nike sponsored football recruiting combine that featured some of the top talent for 2013.
Future Wolverine defensive back Jourdan Lewis appeared to make a name for himself, but he wasn't the only player to stand out.
Rivals.com recruiting analyst Mike Farrell recently unveiled his best and worst lists for the prestigious event -- and two future Wolverines, quarterback Shane Morris and defensive lineman Taco Charlton, made the cut.
For Morris, there was some good and some bad.
The 6-foot-3 four-star signal-caller earned Farrell's "Spin It" award, given to the player with the best arm at the event.
"It was very clear that Warren (Mich.) De La Salle quarterback Shane Morris had the best arm at the event," Farrell wrote. "He has a cannon of an arm and there's not a throw he can't make. With some of the other quarterbacks showing funky mechanics or not spinning the ball that well, it was fun to see him rear back and let it rip.
"He has a hose, as they say in the quarterback business."
Morris also received criticism from Farrell for having "tunnel vision" on the field. Farrell said Morris spent too much time focusing on one side of the field, rather than spreading the wealth to all his teammates -- something that eventually cost his squad in the 7-on-7 event.
Charlton -- a 6-foot-6, 240-pound four-star defensive end -- wasn't as fortunate, though.
Farrell labeled him as the most "Bear Market" player at the event, earning Charlton the distinction of being the player whose stop dipped the lowest after the weekend.
"He really struggled," Farrell wrote of Charlton. "He has great size, long arms and he is very athletic. However, he is also very upright, only has an outside move and when coaches tried to teach him misdirection or crossover, he didn't grasp it well at all.
"He was beaten on almost every 1-on-1 rep he took."
Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.
Comments
Greg
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 2:23 p.m.
Well, the defense under Rich Rod had good athleticism, as well. Too bad the coaching was inadequate and non productive in capitalizing on individual strengths to elevate them closer to their true potential. That didn't happen until Brady Hoke and company took over. As far as Taco goes, I wouldn't judge him too harshly yet. He has a lot of learning to do and technique to work on, as does everyone looking to reach a higher level of their true potential. I don't believe in the saying "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." Can't teach a dumb dog, perhaps. However, he can't be lacking in the intelligence department, otherwise he would not have been recruited by Michigan. He's just a puppy. Just needs some Brady Hoke/ Greg Mattison attention and a box of "Scooby Snacks" to encourage him...LOL
unclemercy
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 1:20 p.m.
taco 'stop dipped' made me hungry.
Tom
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 5:59 a.m.
The real question is how will these stiffs even get within 2 TDs of MSU or 4 TDs of Bama? They won't. There is no threat! Dantonio was caught doing his Shane Morris impersonation over the weekend. I had no idea that Shane would look so good laying flat on his back buried in green and white jerseys! There is no threat.
umgoblue47
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 8:56 p.m.
this is what happens when both parents have to work! his post's remind me of the movie "home alone". he knows something is out there, he just can't see or believe it is coming!! GO BLUE!!!
tulsatom
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 12:18 p.m.
While Alabama and MSU will both be tough games and U-M could potentially lose one or both of them, there is no denying that the Michigan football program is on the rise and should soon be a perennial Top Ten team again. Your repeated statement "There is no threat" reminds me of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz when she says "There's no place like home" over and over again. Keep telling yourself that if it helps you feel better but you if didn't view U-M as a threat, you wouldn't be on the U-M site talking down U-M football. You'd be on your team site talking about how great your team is/will be.
AnnArBo
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 1:55 a.m.
Camps are fun for fans, but when these kids get to UM, school will really start. If there is one thing going for M, it's the teaching of the coaching staff. Just look what they did with the defense, same players, way different results.....why? Coach/teaching. These kids will make huge strides in technique and field sense. Most freshmen come in with raw pure physical talent, and great coaches turn them into complete great players. Future looks bright, Meechigan football is back!
tulsatom
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 12:25 p.m.
I couldn't agree more, AnnArBo. The U-M coaching staff knows what they are doing in teaching the fundamentals and they will help mold these players into good, all-around players. Some might flop, but there will be those who will pleasantly surprise everyone and turn into stars, too.
umgoblue47
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 12:47 a.m.
taco has all the tools to be successful at the college level. . .he will be coached up and this kid is going to be a beast! GO BLUE!!!
Sparky79
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 9:57 p.m.
Farrell says Taco was "beaten on almost every 1-on-1 rep he took," yet at one point during the week there was a photo posted on Twitter showing a scoreboard that had Taco tied with the most 1-on-1 wins among d-linemen. Something doesn't add up here.
ThoseWhoStayUofM
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 7:56 p.m.
I don't think Taco Charlton's stock really dropped all that much. Taco is a freak athlete with insane upside that is only an average rush end at the moment. That's why scout rated him a 3 star recruit. Charlton can jump out of hi shoes and he is as fast as a high school DE can get but doesn't have the skill set required to play at the next level... yet. Everybody already knew this going into The Opening last weekend.
rightmind250
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 6:35 p.m.
Now you know why Meyer didn't want any Tacos.
umgoblue47
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 : 1:59 a.m.
in a year or two he is going to really wish he had a TACO!! GO BLUE!!!
GoBigBlue
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 8:45 p.m.
Yeah your right. Hoke should pull the offer and quit on the kid based on this one camp. Plus I'm sure every kid that Meyer offers will have flawless camps the whole way through.
heartbreakM
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 5:18 p.m.
Good thing that these players don't stop playing after such camps. The amount of scrutiny that high school students get is mind-boggling. At that age, I was lucky to get my reports done and maybe get a date. I would have imploded had the national media been all over me, micro-judging my every move. Though I enjoy seeing the recruiting information, I say enough already. Let these guys grow up a little bit.
Scott
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 4:31 p.m.
The Nike camp. Wow. I think I'll go to the Taco Bell camp today. Anybody try the tacos in Doritos shells? Go for the supreme. Delicious. I think they are still selling Shane Morris bobble head dolls. Super cool. Got his hat on sideways. Pants down low. Push it's tummy and he talks like Dantonio with a Jersey shore accent. Awesome.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:31 p.m.
SC...is that really possible for a defensive lineman?
StopCrying
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 3:36 p.m.
True that
StopCrying
Wed, Jul 11, 2012 : 2:16 p.m.
Too many tacos apparently..