Monday 5 December 2011

Commitment Profile: Amara Darboh

Name: Amara Darboh

Location: West Des Moines, IA

Position: WR

Ratings: ESPN – 3* (78), Scout – 4*, 247 Sports - 4*

Recruitment: He made a couple of visits in the spring and summer, but his recruitment really came down to his official visits in the fall. Michigan and Notre Dame were his final two visits, and it was clear to see that UM was his preferred choice. He had the chance to visit Florida too, but decided to commit to Michigan instead.

Offers: Michigan, Notre Dame, Florida, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Iowa State, Kansas State, Nebraska, Vanderbilt and Minnesota.

Stats: Currently stands at 6’2 and around 195lbs, with a reported 40 yard dash time of 4.42. He suffered a shoulder injury during his senior year and thus only played seven games, but he still racked up 48 catches for 765 yards and 11 touchdowns.

ESPN Analysis: Darboh is a combination of strength and quickness as a big receiver with a sturdy build, long arms and nice height. He is part playmaker and part possession player and against this level of competition he can really stand out.

Shows some physicality at the line of scrimmage and is generally quite a good blocker. Shows great ability to find the open spaces in zone coverage and help out his quarterback, but he can also go over the middle and make catches in traffic.

Makes good adjustments to the ball while its in the air, often bailing out his quarterback if the pass is inaccurate. Can often be a body catcher at times, but he secures the ball well. He knows how to use his size effectively, which should make him a good target in the red zone at the next level. The main concern is his top end speed, which doesn't look anywhere like his forty yard dash times would suggest. Needs some polish in his route running, but should be a solid BCS prospect.

Improvements: Speed? For the record, not many reports think he lacks top end speed, in fact others list speed as an asset of his. Route running is an area for improvement, along with other general WR tools.

Film Highlights: Link here.

Final Thoughts: Michigan needs WRs badly in this class, and Darboh is a commit that we should be really happy about. If that forty yard dash time is legit, then Darboh should have the speed and size to give Michigan a proper downfield threat to open up the deep passing game. His size will also come in handy for blocking.

When he gets to Michigan, he will have the chance to compete for playing time immediately along with the other WR prospect that Michigan will land. We're lacking depth at the position, and with Hemingway and Odoms departing, Darboh will have a really good chance to see the field early if he progresses in summer camp.

This commitment won't have a great affect on the rest of the class, as Jehu Chesson has already said that he's still going to visit Iowa, and Jordan Payton just seems like an unlikely option now. Chesson and Darboh did get on well at the OSU game though, and even talked about coming to UM together, so this commitment might help just a bit with him, although I think we will get Chesson anyway.

31 comments:

  1. Is darius powe still an option for us? I recall reading an article about his interest in Michigan within the past couple of weeks and we seem to be in his top two on espn, however reliable that is

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  2. Welcome to Michigan Mr. Darboh, hopefully you will be the next WR to wear the #1 jersey.

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  3. I'm thinking if Stonum does all the right things that he will get the #1 next year. I only say that because of the way Hoke answered a question about him at one of the pressers this year. All he said was "I like Stonum" but he had a grin on his face from ear to ear. Kind of the shit eating type that tells you he knows something we don't. It would work out well that he would only have it for one year and then it could be handed over to someone else (possibly Darboh as a soph).

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  4. The #1 jersey is earned, not just given to the top target WR.

    Stonum hasn't done a single thing to EARN the #1 jersey.

    It's a sacred and special honor given to a WR that excels both on and off the field.

    If it was up to me, I wouldn't let anybody on my team wear #1. It glorifies an individual when this sport is all about the TEAM. The TEAM. The TEAM.

    Go Blue.

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  5. I understand how the #1 jersey earned, I just meant that maybe he will turn into a AC or B. Edwards like receiver; that would be a great accomplishment.

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  6. I think you need to rethink saying that the #1 jersey is earned considering all of the guys to wear it minus Braylon Edwards got it when they came to college. They might have earned it, but if they did they earned it in practice and off the field aspects so it could have happened. so if they got it for things that didnt have to do with football playing then Hoke should look to give it someone next year to make a statement

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  7. I said earlier Stonum is going to have a huge year next year. He'll have had plenty of time to learn the new system and he's been doing nothing but work out and train to become better this whole season while he was suspended/red shirted. Stonum fits the build for a receiver in this offense, 6'2 200 lbs, and he's got 4.4 speed. However I don't think he gets the #1 Jersey for the reasons Logan mentioned. Yes Stonum could have a great spring and practices etc. but he has had plenty of off the field issues, and that is something Hoke is not going to reward him for.

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  8. But would he reward him for taking his punishment like a man and keeping his nose clean for a year and doing everything that is expected of him on and off the field? Rewarding him with the #1 might be a way to keep him on the right path through the football season. On the other hand it might be too much pressure on the guy and set him up for failure. There are arguments on both sides of the coin. It's just a thought I had, that's all.

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  9. DVery happy about this commit. Really good player who helps fill a big need.

    Hoping for Payton also but would be happy with Chesson. Anybody hearing anything on those guys?

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  10. Looking for a place to post this:

    Hoke is heading to the Dunn living room to have a sit down with Bri'onte and his family. You can't overemphasize how big this is. Coach Hoke is a genuine gentleman who seemingly says all of the right things. This should bode well and will have us on commitment watch early next week.

    Alsoo a big welcome to Amara.

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  11. There is currently no one on the team that deserves the #1 jersey. There should be a rule like you have to have a 1000 yards receiving before you can wear it :P

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  12. I mean 1000 yards receiving in a single season*

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  13. The way our offense shares receiving duties it will be hard to have 1000 yarders. You would pretty much have to add #1 and #2 together to break that mark.

    How about......hell.....I can't come up with a number of yards!!!! Something lower that 1,000, be a great leader and walk on water. I know we use the last two criteria for #16 and our coach of the year.


    Damn.....gotta get ready for work!!!

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  14. Benji,
    I have been hearing rumors about Evan Goodman and Evan Boehm both taking a second look at UM. Is there any chance they are serious about UM?

    GBN,
    I seen that on 24/7 about Dunn as well. Hopefully Hoke can work his magic. I said yesterday that if Dunn does not commit by X-mas he will not be coming to UM.

    Does anybody know when the NCAA will be slapping OSU on the wrist?

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  15. Per Scouts Jordan Diamond has set a OV for OSU.

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  16. @Jer89
    OSU should hear from the NCAA anytime now, probably no more than a week. I know some think osu will just get their hands slapped. If that is the case then the NCAA should be put out to pasture. I mean, their coach lied to the NCAA. They should get a 2 year bowl ban and take a hit on scholarships along with 3 years of probation.

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  17. I would like the NCAA to give them what they gave USC aleast. But I think it will be more like 1 more year of probation added to the there self imposed santions.

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  18. What does putting a program on probation all encompass? Because from my perspective it seems like the equivalent of putting a 4 year old in time out. However, bowl bans and loss of scholarships seems like a real penalty, i just don't see the harshness of probation.

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  19. Jer, The NCAA gave Michigan 3 years of probation for practicing 15 minutes too much. They would have to get more than 1 year.

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  20. I just have this feeling OSU is going to get away with all the violations they committed. I hope I am wrong. I really do.

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  21. Just so you all know, C-Note will be at the Sugar Bowl this year. Got mah Tickets now working on my airfare. Bourbon St and Superdome here we come! GEAUX BLUE!!!!

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  22. If you have not seen this, check it out:

    http://www.thesurvivorsclub.org/extreme/crime/amara-darboh-sierra-leone-civil-war-survivor-recruited-football

    Welcome home, Amara! As you will soon see, it's great to be a Michigan Wolverine!

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  23. @Northernmi: TSIO self imposed a two year probationary period, so one more year might be all they get, if they even get that, unfortunately.

    In truth, I hope all those in denial below the border get what they deserve, and that would be along the lines of what USC got: a more significant scholarship reduction, a bowl ban, and more probation. The additional penalties would make a statement and add credibility to the NCAA--something the NCAA needs to do to remain fair with others' recent punishments. However, if the NCAA goes along with TSIOs plan (which they best not), the current scholarship reduction can basically be ignored, which is even more of a joke than I thought according to this site:

    http://www.the-ozone.net/recruiting/2011_12/wherethingstand_11_12_04.html

    Regardless of what TSIO gets, we're Michigan. We need to just focus on ourselves, on getting back to smash mouth football week in and week out. We are closer than we have been in years to kicking those TSIO jennies around regularly--and everyone else around--like we always have. And we won't settle for less after what we went through this last decade. We are Michigan for god's sake. We need to man up and show the world we're back, that this season and the win of TSIO wasn't a fluke, and Jan.3rd could be that day. It best be that day! Go Blue!

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  24. @cnote congrats on tickets! Represent down there! Wish I could go...so if neone wants to donate to my cause just let me know lol

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  25. On a sad note, Taylor McNamara has scheduled his final Official to Cal. Why Cal such a hotspot right now..Payton, Diggs, and now McNamara? Dang.

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  26. Cal has VERY good recruiters, along with nice academics. Plus McNamara is a California guy in the first place, can't blame him if he wants to stay near home.

    I guess they are a bit like Clemson, always get good recruits but rarely produce results on the field.

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  27. Ok Darboh gave us his verbal great but we still need another wr. I know everyone is sayings it's going to be chesson but Diggs looks dynamic to say the least. He would be assured playing time as a true freshman, apparently his grades have improved, his former teammates Countess starts as a true freshman...am I missing something here??? I know we made his final 8 or whatever it was but I saw somebody on here wrote that "we have no chance"..Why in lords name would that kid NOT want to come to AA? We need an explosive playmaker to mesh with all these dominant o lineman we have coming in, not to mention Morris in '13 is perhaps the best qb in America and would be throwing the kid the football. Anybody have news for me??

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  28. jpark I think the recruiters showed up at his house and his parents had said he already left for Cal...people tend not to like it when people do that...

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  29. 4 spots left. My finale predictions are:


    1. RB-Brionte Dunn
    2. CB-Yuri Wright
    3. WR-Jehu Chesson
    4. OL- Jordan Diamond or Joshua Garnett

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  30. About Diggs. Could be a scheduling mistake, at least i'd hope thats why. It wouldn't make sense to blow off recruiters of a school that you chose to show interest in. Guess we'll see.

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  31. oh I did not know this player before and I liked I read about him on your blog and not on a price per head bookmaking related blog hehe :D

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