Shane Morris still recruiting hard for Michigan football team, California DL Joe Mathis nearly joined 2013 class
Spring break at Warren De La Salle High School started on Thursday. In his free time, Pilots' quarterback Shane Morris was doing a little recruiting for his future school.
The first Michigan football verbal commitment for the 2013 recruiting class, Morris was wooing potential classmates while also being named quarterback MVP at the Adidas Best of the Midwest Invitational on Saturday.
"I'm trying to get to (Upland, Calif., defensive lineman) Joe Mathis, I haven't had a chance to see him. I heard he was up at Michigan and liked it a lot so I'll try and get with him," Morris told CBSSports.com college football recruiting blogger Bryan Fisher. "I heard (Fort Wayne, Ind., linebacker) Jaylon Smith is about to commit to Notre Dame but I don't know about all that. I'll definitely talk to him and see how things are going."
Morris was one of several Michigan commits at the event, which included more than 200 prospects.
Tim Sullivan, recruiting editor of TheWolverine.com, evaluated the play of Morris, Detroit Crockett tight end Khalid Hill, Detroit Cass Tech cornerback Jourdan Lewis, Detroit Cass Tech offensive lineman David Dawson and a number of Michigan recruiting targets.
Of Morris, Sullivan wrote:
The 6-3, 190-pound lefty ... bounced back from an up-and-down performance at the Dallas Elite 11 tryout in a big way. His arm strength is well-known, but his accuracy was picture-perfect the entire afternoon, and he showed more ability to put touch on passes than he has at times in the past. Although it seems unlikely, Morris might have raised his stock even higher than it already was.
Dawson was voted the camp's best offensive lineman and Lewis was the best defensive back.
CBSSports.com reported that Michigan recruit Kyle Bosch was also at the event to "hang out with" his fellow future Wolverines, but didn't compete.
One of Morris' primary recruiting targets nearly joined that group this weekend. Mathis, a 4-star Rivals.com recruit, combined the invitational with an unofficial visit to the Michigan campus.
He told CBSSports.com that he came close to committing to the Wolverines.
"I was going to (commit) but I said that would be selfish because I didn't see other schools," he said. "Michigan is number one on my list. I don't have a top five, it's Michigan and that's it. I did have a top five with USC but I was like, that's selfish of me because I didn't see other schools. Coming out here, my mom was saying it was going to be too cold out here but this is me. I love the coaches and this is me out here."Mathis added that the visit was much better than recent unofficial trips to USC and UCLA as well. He'll take in Nebraska in the coming weeks and hinted that the Cornhuskers could be in his top three, which has shifted East quite a bit over the past week. The Michigan coaching staff left a very good impression for the 6-foot-4, 250-pounder this week however and will have others with a tough fight in their hands for the versatile California athlete.
Update: Mathis also spoke to Wolverine Nation reporter Chantel Jennings in this video report, telling her Michigan was among his top five college choices and that he'd make an official visit during the season.
Comments
observer
Mon, Apr 9, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.
remember, everyone looks good in shorts and shirts........tone it down some......the kid hasn't even taken a snap yet.....my goodness.....
Steve McQueen
Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 9:28 p.m.
Mathis is a stud. In the camp videos, no one can take him on. Kid is a massive talent and if Michigan can land him and ad to the #1 class in college football...wow...look out.. NC rings are coming boys.
Scott Laux
Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 8:52 p.m.
Never in the history of mankind have more articles been written about a high school junior than Shane Morris. I'm waiting for one on what his favorite foods are or how he combs his hair and brushes his teeth. It's nauseating.
Terry Star21
Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 7:20 p.m.
Shane bounced back really well at the Midwest adidas, from his earlier Dallas Elite and that is the sign of a great competitor. Mathis would be a great catch, pun intended - once arriving on campus these kids know where the want to play and no one can blame them. Sorry Ted, Mathis not going to your ohio - he is coming to Michigan, will stay and become champion. MgoBlueForTiM....making Michigan warm fot Mathis...
ted
Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 6:55 p.m.
I would have to disagree with you 81wolverine. Mr. Mathis in my expert opinion looks pretty over-rated. The clip of him in the camp from this weekend shows him getting destroyed in every drill. I just don't see it happening. It is best Michigan looks elsewhere.
GoBigBlue
Mon, Apr 9, 2012 : 12:36 a.m.
Disgruntled spread fan.
Scott Laux
Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 8:47 p.m.
Who is Ted? Is he a Wolverine who hates Borges? A fan of the spread? Is he an OSU fan in disguise? A stealth Sparty? Is he Theo?
Terry Star21
Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 7:22 p.m.
Don't expect Mathis at your ohio, he is a smart kid - nada gonna happen !
ted
Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 7:06 p.m.
I also believe Ohio St. is recruiting him, so it seems as though that is where he is destined. Let them have him and we will find someone else.
Patrick
Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 5:16 p.m.
I love the job that Shane has done recruiting. He may help with this one, but Taco Charlton is the reason Mathis came to visit. They formed a good relationship when Taco was just out west. The love that these recruits already have for Michigan is very nice to see.
Scott Laux
Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 8:44 p.m.
Yup. OSU is about show me the bling and the tats and the summer job where I get paid without showing up.
Terry Star21
Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 7:29 p.m.
I agree on that relationship of Michigan recruits, so cool....down @ urban's ohio team, they have a special relationship too - but they always come back with tattoos and cash in their pocket.....
rensational
Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 4:34 p.m.
Um, there's more than "occasional cold rain" in Michigan, haha. Even still, I'm from the South and spent three winters in Michigan when I was in law school at Michigan. I have never understood all the whining about Midwestern cold. You can go around naked in the summer in the South...not gonna help ya. Just put the right clothes on up in Michigan during the winter and move along--you'll be fine. The university has way too much amazing stuff to offer to not want to go there just because of the winter weather. I actually enjoyed the seasons in Michigan--fall is beautiful, the snow is beautiful and spring time on campus is a lot of fun because everyone is outside enjoying themselves and the weather.
Hailmary
Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 4:11 p.m.
Yes, football season can get chilly in the great state of Michigan on the other hand, it can get dangerously hot out here on the W. coast. If I had to make a choice between the extreme desert hot conditions vs cool and occasional cold rain I'd prefer the cool. That heat can sap your strength and create sub-par performances.
GoBigBlue
Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 3:51 p.m.
Is anybody else as excited as I am about Shane Morris?? It seems this kid has as much passion for Michigan as Brady Hoke himself! I am willing to bet there's not another kid anywhere in the country taking the initiative this kid is in recruiting his peers and building relationships. Now add in the talent factor that he possesses and it's hard not to love what the future holds for him and this program. GO BLUE!!
DB
Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 4:42 p.m.
My exact semtiments BBG. Shane is doing work! on and off the field. I'm driving from Birmingham, Alabama for the Spring Game. GO BLUE!!!
vi4mi4
Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 2:24 p.m.
..yep, it gets cold Joe...but Wolverines are built for that.. Go Blue! v
81wolverine
Sun, Apr 8, 2012 : 11:17 a.m.
Joe Mathis would be a HUGE get for Michigan in this class. He has premier talent and is one of the best defenders on the West Coach.