Michigan recruit Demar Dorsey signs junior-college letter of intent as fallback
Demar Dorsey, one of the prizes of Michigan’s 2010 recruiting class, has signed a national letter of intent with junior-college football power Fort Scott Community College. But that doesn’t mean Dorsey won’t be attending Michigan.
Fort Scott coach Jeff Sims said Dorsey, a 6-foot, 175-pound cornerback from Lauderdale Lakes (Fla.) Boyd Anderson High, signed his letter of intent months ago as a fallback plan in case he does not get into Michigan.
There’s no timetable on his admissions process.
“He’s going to Michigan. He’s going to the University of Michigan,” Sims said Friday. “If something happens that he can’t, we’re an option. He’s going to Michigan, we’re just a backup plan if he doesn’t get his scores.”
Sims said he routinely recruits “Division 1 players that are at risk,” but never tries to sway them from their commitments. The ones forced to go the junior-college route enroll at Fort Scott.
He would not say if any other members of Fort Scott's recruiting class signed Division 1 letters of intent.
“Demar is going to Michigan, and he’s working very hard to do that," Sims said. "If he doesn’t get the scores that he needs, then he will end up here.
"We are his backup plan to cover his butt."
So does Sims think Dorsey will end up at Fort Scott?
"To be honest, Michigan would be able to tell you better about that," he said. "I don’t even really delve into that, I just kind of wait. Usually the way it works is I get a call in August and, ‘I didn’t make it, Coach.’ Fine, let’s get on a plane and get over here. That’s typically how it works."
Michigan cannot comment on a recruit's academic standing due to federal laws, though coach Rich Rodriguez said on signing he did not expect all of his recruits to qualify.
Dorsey did not return a phone call seeking comment.
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
Ted Bundy
Tue, May 4, 2010 : 7:40 a.m.
It blows me away that so many michigan haters have so much free time to troll around on a ann arbor news site and hate on the most winningest college football team of all time. Question: The USA hasnt won a world war since the 1940's but we're still the best country in the world right? haha
blue
Mon, Apr 5, 2010 : 9:40 a.m.
I don't believe Birkett has any decent right to cover Demar Dorsey stories at this point. AA.com already issued an apology for Birkett's message board comment. It should follow that he shouldn't be able to cover the kid.
81wolverine
Sat, Apr 3, 2010 : 4:45 p.m.
Michigan HAS signed players in the past who need to go to a JC first. I know both Carr and Moeller had such players. Some of them make it, some don't. I think 4 or 5 years ago, Marques Slocum (sp?) from Philadelphia was a top player Lloyd Carr signed who attempted to do the same thing and never made it here. But none of us should be surprised Coach Rod is signing borderline players. The negative media onslaught and 2 losing seasons has pretty much painted him into a corner. He MUST win this season and he needs talented players to do it. I don't have a problem with giving Dorsey an opportunity. If he screws up, that's the way it goes. He wasn't the first player Michigan took a chance on and he won't be the last - whoever is coaching us.
mgobluegold
Sat, Apr 3, 2010 : 12:21 p.m.
leathercouch... you have some very valid points, he chose Michigan... also Tater... is right, many of those athletes improve @ the JC level and make it to their preferred school... I think it is pretty clear, Dorsey wants to come to Michigan... maybe this wouldn't be that bad... let's hope....
georgegoright
Sat, Apr 3, 2010 : noon
Several years ago OSU signed a recruit named Maurice Clarett. Clarett, if I recall, did not have this much baggage during the recruiting and signing phase. Is this worth it?
leathercouch
Sat, Apr 3, 2010 : 11:53 a.m.
mgobluegold - same situations have happened under previous coaches and do happen all over the country. The difference is that local media isn't out on a mission to dethrone their head coach at most other schools like we have it at U of M. This is a small story that the media is making out to be "another questionable decision" by Rich Rod. Thing is he CHOSE Michigan over other top 10 schools. That in itself says something about this place that no media will ever follow.
skigrl50
Sat, Apr 3, 2010 : 8:20 a.m.
In a perfect world, student athletes should have to have the same academic records to get into Michigan as any other student. Is Michigan really doing anyone of favor by accepting students that can't handle the academics?
NoBowl4Blue
Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 5:04 p.m.
Let the truth be known.
mgobluegold
Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 4:35 p.m.
I don't comment a lot here but jeez, this kid sure seems like he is going to be in the news a lot (already has) about (possible) negative things. Is UM really ready for more controversy?
Terry Star21
Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 3:50 p.m.
Dorsey will be taking summer classes, I think it is no secret he couldn't get here in January, and also that he has struggled academically. I say if he tries really hard, does well in the summer classes, makes the grade then it is a non-story... wait, second thought - he would be a great story to show our younger generation - he wanted something worth while, he struggled academically, but he worked hard and made the grade. As far as Birkett and the Media... I don't like these stories anymore then others, fact is - they are going to make the news. Birkett is our UM FB reporter, imagine how it looks for Birkett/annarbor.com if he passes on this story and other papers/media cover it. It looks bad for everyone, and coaches, players, parents & faithful suffer - as we are ridiculed. Birkett my friend, you knew it wasn't going to be easy -all we ask is that you give us every piece of detail in every story, and do follow-ups when more info is available. Good Luck.
MetricSU
Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 3:25 p.m.
One reason this is a story is because it seems to set a new precedent at UM. I haven't followed it closely, but have top recruits had to sign JC LOIs in the past? Let's face it. RR is taking kids who, ex ante, do not appear to fit the Michigan image of being good students and solid citizens. The kid deserves a chance to show he can get things together. But in the past that chance would not have been at M.
azwolverine
Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 3:02 p.m.
voice, I have a better idea. How about you read a headline, decide BEFORE you read it if it will have the slant you want to read about, then either read it or don't. Or, better yet, stop reading articles by Birkett altogether. It's called a choice. And, while you may choose to remain in the dark and pretend everything is pixies and roses, many (including me) consider this a newsworthy story that should therefore be written. Thanks Birkett, keep up the good work!
voiceofreason
Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 1:54 p.m.
1998pa, This is a non-story because it doesn't actually mean anything. If he qualifies, this was all for naught. How about waiting to see if this actually becomes news, instead of following the lead from the Detroit "publications"?
chosen1
Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 12:50 p.m.
Hoping this kid is cramming and is focusing on ensuring he will be a part of the team this year. A lot of fans are counting on his contributions this fall on defense and even special teams. It would be a major dissappointment if he were to not qualify. Though it was intelligent of him to have a fallback option.
leathercouch
Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 12:48 p.m.
semperfi - more than likely it means that his academic scores do not meet UofM's requirements even for student athletes. so he is in complete understanding that he may not make it into UofM so hes simply providing himself the means to play college football should he not be able to get his grades up enough. this same thing would have happened at whatever college he chose to go to (outside of USC) all in all i bet he has some sort of special tutoring to get his extra summer courses completed and he makes it into michgan. and i expect the freep to have a huge article about how he shouldnt have made it into admission and that richrod should be fired for bringing in these type of kids.
1998pa
Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 12:43 p.m.
what IS a story, voice? please educate us all. here's my guess of your criteria: if an article is unapologetically pro-michigan, then it's a story. if it's negative -- or even if it's completely balanced -- it's a lie and should not be considered for publication by any news source whatsoever. how sad...
Sean T.
Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 12:42 p.m.
Voice, How is this a non-story when it's about one of our prized recruits? Further, I wouldn't say it's a negative story by Birkett, it's showing the kid has a backup plan because he may not qualify.
voiceofreason
Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 12:32 p.m.
Alright! Even Birkett is jumping to get in on this non-story. If Annarbor.com had any sense of decency, they would no longer allow Mr. Birkett to write stories about a kid he has shown bias towards in the past.
SemperFi
Fri, Apr 2, 2010 : 12:30 p.m.
So, does the fact that this kid is entertaining a back-up plan mean that he's garnering some mature thinking or that he's not serious about attending M?