Coach Brady Hoke suffers 1st recruiting departure at Michigan after Pharaoh Brown visited Oregon
Michigan tight end commit Pharaoh Brown took an official visit to Oregon — a big no-no for coach Brady Hoke, who has a policy of not allowing his recruits to take official or unofficial visits to other campuses.
Now, it appears Brown no longer is considered a commitment, even though he never formally decommitted to the Wolverines.
"For everybody who wants to know I never de-committed from Michigan," Brown tweeted this week. "They said they don't consider me a commit because my (official visit). That's their policy."
Brown is a 6-foot-6, 245-pound four-star prospect from Lyndhurst (Ohio) Brush High School. Although six players have left the Wolverines this season, Brown is the first recruit to exit the program.
It's possible Brown could still land at Michigan, but isn't likely.
"Yes I am changing my position and will be weighing all my options," Brown tweeted.
Brown did not respond to a text seeking comment.
Michigan's heralded recruiting class, ranked among the top five according to every major recruiting service, now stands at 23. The class features tight ends Devin Funchess (Farmington Hills Harrison) and A.J. Williams (Ohio), although Williams is projected by some to switch to tackle.
The Wolverines could target another tight end for their 2012 class, which now has about five spots left. One possibility popped up less than 24 hours after Brown announced his move.
San Diego product Taylor McNamara, the No. 2 tight end in the country according to Rivals, tweeted on Wednesday afternoon: "Considering canceling an official and taking one to #Michigan..."
Tight end is an attractive position for Michigan targets because of the pro-style offense installed by Hoke and offensive coordinator Al Borges. Tight end is accentuated in their scheme.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
rightmind250
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 4:15 a.m.
So it's possible Pharaoh could still land at Michigan? What, you think the kid is an idiot? You can still come if we don't find someone better? Kyle meinke, I sure hope this is you interjecting your thoughts here, because if this is Hoke, he's cutting his own throat.
10dz
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 12:08 a.m.
That's why kids should make their official visits in the fall and then make their decision. Committing in the spring or summer prior to your senior year is not a good idea. Until you have been on the campus and seen the facilities and spent time with players, you really don't know much. Not happy with the news, but not surprised either. I bet we get a kid who committed to another school. Until they sign, nothing is official.
1st Down
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 9:22 p.m.
Carl Fox: "There came into Egypt a Pharaoh who did not know." Gordon Gekko: I beg your pardon, is that a proverb? Carl Fox: No, a prophecy. The rich have been doing it to the poor since the beginning of time. The only difference between the Pyramids and the Empire State Building is the Egyptians didn't allow unions. I know what this guy is all about, greed. He don't give a damn about Michigan or the Winged Helmets. He's in and out for the buck and he don't take prisoners. Wall Street - 1987
DonAZ
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 9:21 p.m.
Love this part -- "San Diego product Taylor McNamara, the No. 2 tight end in the country according to Rivals, tweeted on Wednesday afternoon: "Considering canceling an official and taking one to Michigan"." Hoke has recruiting contacts in California. He pulled Magnuson from there. He got Wile from there. Let's hope he maintains those contacts and continues to pull good talent from there. (And no, rightmind250, a recruit canceling an official visit to make one to Michigan does *not* make Hoke a hypocrite.)
1st Down
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 9:19 p.m.
Taylor McNamara is a better TE prospect anyway.
heartbreakM
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 8:32 p.m.
I have very mixed feelings about this. I completely understand Hoke's "rule" and all. He is very clear about it, and doesn't play games. It also likely affects who they will continue to recruit once they have positions filled. Yet, these are 17 year old kids who are attempting to make decisions. I would think that to make a good decision, they must explore their options and really want to be here (or wherever) when they commit. I don't completely get why they want to look around after a verbal, if they were serious about the school, but this is a decision which will impact their whole life. (Don't commit if you're not sure). What I find most disturbing about this is that the school has all the leverage, and the player is really powerless once they are in a place. If a coach wants to up and leave (or gets fired), they can go wherever at whatever time frame they want. The player, though, is penalized by having to sit out for a year and then can't even easily transfer in conference without financial penalty I think giving the player some leeway shows compassion and respect.
1st Down
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 9:26 p.m.
Even the former Michigan coach who is now at Arizona said "if they are taking visits we dont consider them to be committed" In other words... its common practice for coaches to have this policy...btw that is one of the few commonalities that Coach Hoke and the former HC have
Mr. X
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 9:22 p.m.
I have no problem with Hoke's policy. A commitment is a pledge or agreement to do something in the future, in this case to attend Michigan in order to play football. If you make a commitment you should stick to it. Recruits can avoid this situation by making all of their official visits before making a verbal commitment. If Mr. Brown had visited Oregon before he committed to UM there would be no problem. Other recruits will learn from his mistake and will not make the same mistake.
DonAZ
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 9:19 p.m.
Hoke is not a "complete hypocrit" (sic) ... he set a rule and made clear the implications. The recruit violated the rule. The implications were enforced. How is that being a hypocrite? As for Kalis ... Michigan had an offer out to Kalis just as many schools did. Kalis chose to break his verbal to OSU and accept Michigan's offer. Do you know for a fact that Hoke or anyone on his staff continued to actively recruit Kalis while he was still operating under his verbal commit to OSU?
rightmind250
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 8:49 p.m.
Hoke is a complete hypocrit on this matter. Recruits are supposed to honor the "verbal committment" but Hoke doesn't honor it at all. He is full of BS on this and someone has to call him on it. Kalis and Dunn both gave verbals to OSU just to name 2. Hoke doesn't honor thier verbals. No recruit should be intimidated by his bs. They have a right and a responsibility to get all the info they need to make a decision. Hoke is wrong on this. It will be used against him on the recruiting trail.
Howard the Duck
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 8:30 p.m.
Sounds like he's cutting off his nose to spite his face!
Mick
Thu, Nov 24, 2011 : 1:32 a.m.
If memory serves me correct, wasn't "Howard The Duck" one of the worst movies of all time and a big flop?
Lorain Steelmen
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 7:47 p.m.
rightmind250...Hmm, there will be a lot of 4 and 5 star guys at the Big House saturday, wearing Scarlet and Grey, playing against bunch of walk-ons & 3 star kids, wearing Maize 'n' Blue. Coaching and character can overcome just about anything that comes out of Columbus. And I have a hunch that Hoke & Co. may be on the way to a nice 15 year win streak in this series. It won't matter whether Meyer is the HC, or they re-hire Jim Tressel... .......Michigan is Baaack........
michboy40
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 7:14 p.m.
Bummer...but I like Brady Hoke's position. If you commit to me, then you have no reason to be taking official visits to other schools...unless you intend on breaking that committment.
D21
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 7:11 p.m.
One have to be aware of the shady connection between Phil Knight & Nike and his alma mater, the Quacks! TiM
rightmind250
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 7:10 p.m.
I think we are starting to find out why Hoke had 6 guys leave the program after the season started. God knows AA.com wouldn't try to find out. Hey AA.com, why did Will get suspended at the beginning of the year?
Wally the Wolverine
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 7:01 p.m.
Could this discourage future recruits from verbally committing early?
DonAZ
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 9:36 p.m.
"It's not going to help" Depends on the nature of the recruit. For those recruits who don't know the value of a man's word and don't care ... then such a policy might serve to discourage. But I'm sure Hoke doesn't want those kind of young men. They usually end up at schools that have looser standards of integrity and strength of character. Then they finish, fail to make it to the NFL and find out that lo and behold the rest of the world DOES value honor and integrity. Bad things happen when that reality smacks them in the face. I like what Macabre Sunset wrote -- "Players like knowing there are limits and that the coach isn't just desperate to fill slots." That sends a POWERFUL signal to recruits who have skills AND a sense of honor and integrity. That signal is this -- "Michigan is where I want to play." For as vocal as you are about Hoke I have to assume you're more worried about him at Michigan than we are about Meyer at OSU.
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 8:57 p.m.
No. It shows Hoke takes his offers seriously. Players like knowing there are limits and that the coach isn't just desperate to fill slots. Why reserve a slot for a player who is still looking elsewhere?
rightmind250
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 7:02 p.m.
It's not going to help.
David Vande Bunte
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 6:57 p.m.
When it's the school revoking the scholarship, it's not the school suffering.
DonAZ
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 6:54 p.m.
Good for Hoke ... having principles and sticking to them is a life-lesson young men of good character yearn to learn and emulate. It is better to have a 3-star recruit who has a good attitude and good character than a 4-star who dismisses those qualities. Sadly, the value of personal attributes such as attitude and character is lost on some people. I think my mind is right on that.
Kim Patrick
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 6:50 p.m.
If I read the story correctly, Michigan escorted him to the door and gave him his walking papers. You are either a Michigan Man or you're not. By taking an official visit to another school, obviously you're not. As far as Urban Meyer goes. Big Whoop. He has left fans heartbroken everywhere he has been. What makes you think he won't bail on OSU? Michigan football is back and we will fear no one.
gjdodger
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 6:41 p.m.
Pharoah has decommitted? That really Sphinx!
DonAZ
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 6:55 p.m.
*groan* :-)
rightmind250
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 : 6:48 p.m.
That's alright the 3-star guy Williams better fits the talent level at michigan.