Report: Quarterback Shane Morris is Michigan's first football commitment for 2013
Shane Morris hasn't yet finished his sophomore year of high school. But the Warren De La Salle quarterback reportedly told Michigan football coach Brady Hoke on Tuesday that he plans to spend his college years in Ann Arbor.
Tom VanHaaren, recruiting analyst for MGoBlog.com, reported on Twitter that he spoke with Morris shortly after the 6-foot-3, left-handed quarterback became the Wolverines' first recruit for the 2013 class.
Morris, who plays for former Huron High School coach Paul Verska at De La Salle, threw for 1,139 yards and 14 touchdowns during his sophomore season.
Although he's 21 months from being eligible to sign an official letter of intent, Morris already had scholarship offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Syracuse and others according to Scout.com.
Comments
wolfman
Sat, May 14, 2011 : 2:28 a.m.
To me and am sure there are others this proves to me Kids want to play for Brady
umgoblue47
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 4:01 p.m.
this is a huge pickup for michigan. . . this kid grew up a michigan fan and it's great msu did not get him. the kid was brought up to varsity as a freshman and played in 3 playoff games which he helped get the team into the semifinals, losing to inkster playing against devin gardner. this kid has a lot of upside in the next 2/years. . . GO BLUE. . .
David Vande Bunte
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 3:39 p.m.
Obviously, highlight reels only show you the highlights, so its difficult to accurately gauge how good the kid is when you know you are only getting one side of the story. However, with that being said, after watching the video, I think we can get a sense of what type of player they want schools to think he is, based on what clips the video makers chose to include. It appears as if Morris isn't afraid to scramble if he has to, but he is definitely a pocket passer at heart. It looked to me like even when a running situation presented itself, that he chose to stay put and find a receiver the majority of the time. He did a good job stepping into his throws, looked like he had good technique, and he made some nice sideline throws that showcased his touch. I saw quick decision making, getting rid of the ball before facing pressure, unlike a QB like Ben Roethlisberger, who tends to hold on to the ball way too long, and consequently takes the sack. I was a little concerned by the fact that it seemed like DeLa Salle runs a shotgun offense, almost exclusively. I know that a lot of QBs in high school play in the shotgun and then transition to under center in college, but I didn't notice any plays from center at all. It would be nice to know if Morris already has experience playing in that style of offense. All in all, he looks like he could be the real deal, but, it is high school. I will be interested in seeing if DeLa Salle can make it to one of the MHSAA championship games over Thanksgiving, to be able to watch him live, rather than a highlight reel that hides any issues.
tater
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 2:43 p.m.
Morris is ahead of the curve for a sophomore, but he still has two years of HS ball to play. He may end up actually signing with Michigan and he may not. For right now, the politics of his "commitment" are more important than whether or not he actually puts on a Michigan uniform. Instate recruiting in football is much more important to Sparty than it is to Michigan, because Michigan does a lot better job nationally than MSU does. Consequently, Michigan can profoundly affect MSU by getting a few extra instate recruits. Every decent instate prospect that goes to Michigan is another one who doesn't go to MSU. Also, the perceptions of HS coaches mean a lot. If this staff can finally undo the sabotage the Carr-tel did the last three years by jumping on the "we love instate recruits" bandwagon, more power to them. But they really aren't working the state any harder than RR and staff did. They are just hearing the word "yes" more often because the Carr-tel is no longer working against "their" own school's efforts.
Blu n Tpa
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 4:27 p.m.
tater I have to tell you that I was enjoying this post until your detour to "Fantasyland" on "Candycane Lane". Come on already. Coach Hoke is a product of his years with Coach Carr so you either have to cut the cord about the "Carr-tel" a-thon or lump him in with the same group. Which is it? This type of behavior is borderline "historic" stalking. Well, good luck with that. TiM Go Blue!
missionbrazil
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 2 p.m.
# 12 ... left handed ... is young Shane Morris another Ken Stabler ? It is obvious that Michigan, under Coach Hoke and his crew, is once again a place where highly talented players want to come to learn and play. Go Blue !
heartbreakM
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 12:42 p.m.
It's always nice to hear good news, like that of a star player who wants to join our team. BUT....he is a high school sophomore. As we have seen repeatedly, high school accolades mean nothing until they wear the actual winged helmet. I would caution the champagne bottle popping and grandiose statements for a few years.
Blu n Tpa
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 1:58 p.m.
heartbreakM Nothing like a dose of reality to the Pollyannish moment. I understand the feeling though. Seeing promising HS players talking up Michigan and the coaching staff out making inroads to the finest recruits is like a drink of cool water to a thirsty man on a hot day. So let us have our little football rush and if you want, come along for the ride. No harm, no foul. TiM Go Blue!
RJ12688
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 6:17 a.m.
The kid already looks like a stud as a sophomore.. and hes only going to get bigger, faster, and stronger over the next couple years. And not to mention, its always nice to see a kid say yes to UM and no to MSU. Goes to show he's smart too. Go blue.
Jaysham
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 6:16 a.m.
Whats up Mick and 1rst Down? I agree Bellomy is gonna be a stud and he played his high school ball in Texas and when it comes to real deal high school football Texas, California, and Florida have a noticeable advantage cause of a warmer climate which lets them states have spring practice for high school and what I'm getting at is it gives those states a upper hand to develope talent during their high school days and if Bellomy put up those numbers in high school in Michigan say at Orchard Lake St. Marys, East Grand Rapids, Jackson Lumen Christi, D C C, or Farmington Hills Harrison he would of had been rated a 5 star QB or 4 star top 150 at the very least. Plus if you look at this years crop of QBs in the class of 2012 it isn't what you call a banner class of elite talent so I agree with Mick and lets just focus on getting talent of position needs cause were tight at the QB position and Shane Morris is only gonna get better and will be a bona fide stud going into his SR year in high school. GO BLUE!!!!!!
Mick
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 3:36 a.m.
I still don't get your assertion, aarox, He's gonna be a big time QB. Plus, I'm sure if he's gonna be a Junior next year that he's older than 14, probably turning 16 this year if he hasn't already. BTW, I will say this, I looked at Bellomy's film again and that is one impressive guy, he is gonna be one of heck of a QB. He will factor in that position, mark my word, I wouldn't be surprised if he became a starter a lot earlier than people expect. Hey 1st Down, thanks for producing future M QB's, good on ya mate!
1st Down
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 3:16 a.m.
Shane Morris' scout profile: <a href="http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=4880399" rel='nofollow'>http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&c=1&nid=4880399</a> His photo looks like he is 14 going on 26.
1st Down
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 3:14 a.m.
Shane Morris is a stud QB... maybe the best QB in the country at his age...total 5 star...and another win for Hoke and Michigan. This is Michigan. National Champs 2012, 2014. OT: My yet unborn first son has committed to Michigan as well...class of 2029. Go Blue.
treetowncartel
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 3:03 a.m.
I'll have to wait and see what Bill King thinks about this. Is he goiong to be a five star?
Mick
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 1:49 a.m.
So what, talent is talent, doesn't matter how old you are. So what are you saying, you'd rather he didn't commit? If you're a U-M fan, I don't get it, if you're not, well than your comment makes sense. Which are you?
aarox
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 2:47 a.m.
he can't commit for 21 months. that's a lifetime when you're 14. this is a non-article.
aarox
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 1:24 a.m.
"Shane Morris hasn't yet finished his sophomore year of high school." nuf said.
Mick
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 12:28 a.m.
How great is this, U-M recruiting like we should be, not slot receiver ninjas either, but big time players instead! To me, this is Shane Morris' way of tell 2012 QB's not to bother committing to U-M because he's gonna be the guy to beat in the future. I think we're good at QB for now, with DR, DG and Bellomy coming in the Fall. We should use the scholly to build depth at other positions. I love it, TiM Go Blue!!!
aarox
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 2:53 a.m.
not sure that is good for us.
Terry Star21
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 12:11 a.m.
Again, although too early to make judgement - this is some of the great things happening to Michigan Football....student/athletes can't wait to get on campus to be part of MgoBlue fot TIM !