You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 4:01 p.m.

Michigan football gets 2011 commitment from Delonte Hollowell

By Dave Birkett

With its 2010 recruiting class all but finished, MIchigan is starting to turn its attention to 2011.

The Wolverines hosted about 30 prospects for a junior recruiting day Sunday, and got their second commitment for next February from Detroit Cass Tech cornerback Delonte Hollowell.

Cass Tech coach Thomas Wilcher said the 5-foot-9, 170-pound Hollowell had one other offer, from Central Michigan, but would have been highly sought after had he let his recruitment drag into next year.

"He's aggressive, tough," Wilcher said. "He's smart, good head on his shoulders."

Hollowell had 6 interceptions last fall as a junior, and 8 as a sophomore playing opposite Dior Mathis, who recently committed to Oregon.

He's the latest in a long line of Cass Tech standouts to commit to Michigan, following the likes of Will Campbell, Boubacar Cissoko and Teric Jones.

Cissoko, who was kicked off the team in October, planned to transfer to Grand Valley State this semester, but never enrolled in school, a Grand Valley State official confirmed Monday.

Jones, who saw spot duty at cornerback last year, will move back to running back/slot receiver this spring, Wilcher said.

Freemont (Ohio) Ross defensive back Greg Brown also is committed to Michigan for 2011.

Rivals.com reported that Michigan also picked up a 2010 commitment from Cleveland St. Ignatius linebacker Jake Ryan on Monday. The Wolverines have 26 verbal commitments and are expected to enroll 26 recruits this year.

Michigan could oversign next month and ask some recruits to grayshirt - enroll in 2011 - or if some prospects are academically ineligible.

Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.

Comments

buzz

Tue, Jan 19, 2010 : 8:24 p.m.

outside form gardener? there other players that were highly recruited. Robinson, furman, Miller, White, Jackson, Rogers..... May i go on. If u guys think his recruiting sux then why did he have the #10 class wit 3-9 record. THATS REALLY IMPRESSIVE. As for this Jake Ryan kid yeah i know he wasnt a highly recruited player but he maybe a sleeper LB u never know so i welcome him and wish him the best luck and hopes he can hlp the D. And this Hollwell kid looks promising. Speed is wat RR wants. And im sure this kid is physical enough for BigTen so thats an even bigger plus. RR Always steals a few top recruits last second. Count on him doin it this year and till he retires;D GO BLUE!!!!

NoBowl4Blue

Tue, Jan 19, 2010 : 2:36 p.m.

Outside of Gardner it seems RR is content to sign MAC players.

Macabre Sunset

Tue, Jan 19, 2010 : 11:50 a.m.

If Jake Ryan is such a talent, then why do the services rate him around 40th in all of Ohio and why was he only offered by MAC schools? I'm not saying the kid's a dud. I've never seen him play, how do I know? What I am saying is that RichRod's spending a scholarship in a place where other major conference schools would not. As for the defense, um, any kid can pop another kid in the mouth if that's what he's looking to do. Michigan did have great athletes on the field on defense last year (RichRod appears to be slowly changing this). We did have one of the best players (Brandon Graham) in recent memory, trying to win games all by himself. But what we didn't have was a defense, and the results the last two years were the two statistically worst seasons Michigan has ever put together. We are headed in the wrong direction, quickly.

Sparky79

Tue, Jan 19, 2010 : 8:37 a.m.

Second rate talent? Way to welcome another kid to Michigan... Jake Ryan played at a tradition Ohio power house that is sending two kids to Pitt and one to Ohio State, and he was named First Team All-State. Their team crushed Devin Gardner and Inkster 49-20 this past season. His video looks good, and the recruiting sites (i.e. Allen Trieu at Scout) and their almighty star rankings some of you love to solely base your opinion on even admitted that they missed this kid. Then again, this is the same place where many of you were jumping down the coaching staff's throat and acting negative towards Carvin Johnson when he originally gave his verbal commitment (another kid who flew under the radar), so I guess I shouldn't be surprised by the negativity of some. At least some of you offered some positive comments about Johnson when A2.com did an article on him last week.

Chango

Tue, Jan 19, 2010 : 7 a.m.

Not far off as in inconsistent. At times they played with sense of urgency and lookeded like they were punching the other teams in the mouth. They would then get burned by a run up the gut or a bombs away play. Not far off as in close to having a run stopper like will Campbell in the middle with Mike Martin and much better corners and safetys to stop the passes. I'm smoking the koolaid LOL but I also know they will be a heck of a team this season. HAILMICHIGAN!

LakeErieMaize&Blue

Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 10:28 p.m.

Yeah Chango I don't know what you are smoking saying the D is not far off!!? But (here's that word again) HOPEFULLY the guys RR is recruiting will be coachable and get the job done for us.Maybe play better than they are rated!!One things for sure,these will be all RR's recruits!His show!!Better get it right;looks like job is already on the line(which I think is a little hasty.Gotta give him at least 4yrs.)GO BLUE!!! No more EXCUSES!!!

heartbreakM

Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 9:41 p.m.

The defense was not far off last year? Not far off from what? From record number of yards given up in the history of M football? From tackles missed? From what? I hope that you all are right that the D will improve with more coaching and recruiting. In 2 years, though, the track record is not looking good, and that was with relatively experienced defenders.

Chango

Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 8:30 p.m.

Nothing 2nd rate about it. It's all about the scheme and making plays. The defencse was not far off last year. Expect improvements this year. nuff said.

tulsatom

Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 7:06 p.m.

Delonte Hollowell reminds me a little of Louis Delmas of the Lions. As far as Jake Ryan is concerned, he hopefully can become a good Big Ten linebacker. I am also a little concerned that some of the U-M commits are not being offered by the Ohios States, USCs, Alabamas, and Floridas of the world. I hope this reflects that the coaching staff sees diamonds in the rough with these kids and is not a case of settling for the good teams' leftovers.

Macabre Sunset

Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 6:36 p.m.

Wow! We stole Ryan away from five MAC schools who had offered him. This completes our trio of mediocre Ohio linebackers who no one else wanted in the BCS conferences. Marvin Robinson of Florida is the only real hope there. RichRod ends the recruiting season far outside the top ten - a failure Carr never experienced. So talent is quickly trickling out of Ann Arbor. A good recruiter would be able to finish top five based on obvious opportunity here alone. I have no idea what RichRod intends here, but he's offering scholarships to players who otherwise would have to decide between walking on at a major school or taking a MAC scholarship. Is he so arrogant he thinks he can win with second-rate talent? Or is just the worst recruiter we've ever had - which seems about par for the course given he's certainly the worst coach we've ever had.

Fresh121

Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 5:01 p.m.

Well with tony drake not making it we have 1 spot left for parker or knight but you never know with kids.