Class of 2017 CB Ifeatu Melifonwu (MA) COMMITTED & SIGNED TO SYRACUSE

[IthacaBarrel]

yeah not looking good by any means. I hate the Don Brown connection too.

 

[NoXcuse99]

And when is hiring/firing season? Its pretty much that exact timeframe as well.

I read that the signing period would be the 3rd week of December, or some date in the 3rd week. One of the big reasons is the coaches want one last look at grades. By the 3rd week of Dec. the vast majority of teams making coaching changes have named their guy.

 

[storange]

yeah not looking good by any means. I hate the Don Brown connection too.

gone, just my opinion.

 

[rackman18]

I hope for his sake that Michigan told him if he visits there, they will offer him.

The 3 day visit in the middle of the week is strange. Makes me think they are bringing in a few recruits and will use all that time to try and get their favorites to verbal first, then let the others go home empty handed.

Michigan is a good school in a decent conference. But they haven't offered. They have ignored him until the last minute, when players they liked a lot better went elsewhere. In terms of games that are an easy drive away for family and friends, it would go from 60-65% for Syracuse to maybe 5% if he went to Michigan.

The B1G offers considerably worse competition than the ACC does. It will take him considerably longer time to get on the field as well.

Syracuse has a lot of advantages that the family might want to consider.

This is the best post in here. "sutomcat" nailed it in my opinion. When we get the last visit this weekend, providing he stays to his plans, all HCDB has to do is to repeat this whole post to IM . Everything in it is right on and to the point. jmo

 

[kcsu]

Can you say with 100% certainty that SU has not talked to any other CB's in the past few months?

Apples to oranges

 

[rackman18]

Apples to oranges

Even if we did, we still would honor this kids offer.

 

[illi3]

Apples to oranges

You said "We both gave our word". Your post indicated that it was apples to apples. Don't go moving the goalposts now.

 

[kcsu]

We did and would honor his commitment.

 

[Finwad32]

We did and would honor his commitment.

Just not true. Grown men turned recruiting into what it is, not 17 yr. olds.

If the top 1-2 DB's in the country suddenly really liked Syracuse, they'd drop him in a heartbeat. It's not difficult.

When one of the top teams in the country comes calling, the kid listens.

Such is life, big fish eats small.

 

[Whitey23]

Jeremy Clark Not Granted Sixth Year | mgoblog

Clark started seven games at cornerback in 2015 and three in 2016 before tearing his ACL against Penn State. The former three-star safety recruit was a critical component to the last couple secondaries, battling Channing Stribling to a relatively even draw for playing time until the injury.

Without Clark, Michigan will be very inexperienced at cornerback in 2017. Redshirt junior Brandon Watson, who's seen scattered snaps at nickel, is the only upperclassman at the position. Sophomore Lavert Hill and David Long are the favorites to earn starting spots; they'll compete with redshirt sophomore Keith Washington and freshmen Ambry Thomas and Benjamin St-Juste. Unless Michigan picks up another corner in the 2017 class—it looks like they'll get one more—that is the entire group of scholarship corners for next season.

 

[Noexcuse]

Jeremy Clark Not Granted Sixth Year | mgoblog

Clark started seven games at cornerback in 2015 and three in 2016 before tearing his ACL against Penn State. The former three-star safety recruit was a critical component to the last couple secondaries, battling Channing Stribling to a relatively even draw for playing time until the injury.

Without Clark, Michigan will be very inexperienced at cornerback in 2017. Redshirt junior Brandon Watson, who's seen scattered snaps at nickel, is the only upperclassman at the position. Sophomore Lavert Hill and David Long are the favorites to earn starting spots; they'll compete with redshirt sophomore Keith Washington and freshmen Ambry Thomas and Benjamin St-Juste. Unless Michigan picks up another corner in the 2017 class—it looks like they'll get one more—that is the entire group of scholarship corners for next season.

Gotta feel sorry for Michigan. You think they would have planned better than this. (Said nobody, ever).

 

[Orangello]

How many players on UM's two deep hail from Mass = 0

 

[bnoro]

How many players on UM's two deep hail from Mass = 0

A true freshman from MA got snaps last season, they're recruiting a few others currently as well.

Also, one of their better DTs hails from MA.

 

[retro44]

A true freshman from MA got snaps last season, they're recruiting a few others currently as well.

Was it against Rutgirls,or real game time play.
Never mind I found his game log...Burned his redshirt 1st. game in a 63-0 blowout of Hawaii and zero stats after that.But played in a few other games after that
cfbstats.com - Sean McKeon 2016 Player Statistics - Michigan Wolverines

 

[billsin01]

Just not true. Grown men turned recruiting into what it is, not 17 yr. olds.

If the top 1-2 DB's in the country suddenly really liked Syracuse, they'd drop him in a heartbeat. It's not difficult.

When one of the top teams in the country comes calling, the kid listens.

Such is life, big fish eats small.

Yup -- not really difficult to understand particularly when the big fish is a good school as well and coached by a great coach (raving lunatic? Perhaps. Total ? Absolutely. But great coach nonetheless) and likely to be competing for a title for the duration of your time on campus.

 

[TheCusian]

Yup -- not really difficult to understand particularly when the big fish is a good school as well and coached by a great coach (raving lunatic? Perhaps. Total . . . . . ? Absolutely. But great coach nonetheless) and likely to be competing for a title for the duration of your time on campus.

The difference is in the chance you think you'll get and if playing time is enough of a sure thing or not. If you're a late add to a big school, that has to play into your decision.

Would you rather cheer on your teammates to a playoff birth or actually play? (I know athletes all think highly enough of themselves to believe they'll win every job - but ...)

 

[billsin01]

The difference is in the chance you think you'll get and if playing time is enough of a sure thing or not. If you're a late add to a big school, that has to play into your decision.

Would you rather cheer on your teammates to a playoff birth or actually play? (I know athletes all think highly enough of themselves to believe they'll win every job - but ...)

Yeah, I suppose. But running thru the tunnel onto the field at the big house has to be amazing. And with the way things work now, I feel like half of these guys factor at least one transfer into their plans anyway. I'm exaggerating, obviously, but there is a ton of mobility in college sports even compared to five or 10 years ago.

 

[CuseLegacy]

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

Looks awfully familiar to how the UCONN game went

 

[rackman18]

Looks like Obi had his hand on his shoulder pad for quite a few yards to me.

 

[Whitey23]

Tuesday Recruitin' Isn't Even Trying To Pronounce That | mgoblog

Weird guy watch


Michigan's been casting around for a fifth DB in the class and may have struck upon their guy: MA S Ifeatu Melifonwu, a Syracuse commit. Per Sam, Melifonwu is in town currently and is staying through Thursday. The vibe is that an offer will be followed by a flip.

Melifonwu is a deep cut New England recruit who is no doubt directly attributable to Don Brown's connections in the area. Specifically, Brown recruited Melifonwu's brother Obi to UConn. Ifeautu was a who-dat two star until recently, when 24/7 took a new look at his tape and bumped him into the low-to-mid three star range. (He's #874 if you want to get specific.) He's a true sleeper with a max of four articles on any of the sites, none of which scout him. Mostly they say "this person committed to Syracuse" in slightly different ways.

ESPNBoston comes in with the save:

Athleticism

Melifonwu ran a 4.58 in the 40 last year, so he has legitimate Division 1 speed. He plays even faster than that on tape. He moves well in space and he gets in and out of cuts with ease. Melifonwu is a long strider and he can accelerate quickly when running with or without the ball.

Ball Skills

Melifonwu is also a receiver, so the ball skills are evident on both sides of the ball. He can high point the ball one on one in coverage and he's strong with the ball in his hands. Melifonwu has long arms and a wide catch radius which enables him to win jump ball situations.

Bottom Line

Melifonwu has the size and the athleticism to be a productive press corner at the next level. Teams at the NFL and college level want corners with length that can jam and re-route receivers out of Cover 2. Melifonwu can do that and effectively support the run. The 40 time might not be ideal, but Melifonwu plays faster than his time and his athleticism is evident on tape. There no question that Melifonwu has the physical tools to be a multi-year starter at Syracuse.

Jeremy Clark-esque.

If Melifonwu is anything like his brother he'll be a steal. Obi redshirted and then was a four year starter at UConn, earning All AAC honors this year. He's set to get drafted, possibly very high:

Executive 2: UConn safety Obi Melifonwu

"The UConn safety is really intriguing. He's freaky athletic and he's going to put up big-time testing numbers. He'll run low 4.4s (in the 40-yard dash) and jump over 40 inches. He can play in the slot as well. Huge upside."

While everyone prefers bigger names with more proven ability, Melifonwu is deep in Don Brown's wheelhouse. I'll ride with him.

 

[PhatOrange]

feautu was a who-dat two star until recently, when 24/7 took a new look at his tape and bumped him into the low-to-mid three star range.

lol what a coincidence.

 

[Toga]

If he didn't sleep over he doesn't really want you.

 

[Trueblue25]

Hope Melifonwu, the elder, ends up on the phins.

 

[care taker]

Parents do a poor job in most cases concerning loyalty ! Especially this late in the process.