Michigan Thursday: The Phone Keeps Ringing for Dee Hart

ESPN did an article today on Orlando's Dr. Phillips' players. You may recognize some of the names like Demetrius Hart and Michigan Freshman Ricardo Miller. This article gives us some insight into Demetrius' recruitment and how many teams are after him. "'It can be a little crazy,' Hart added. 'The phone never stops ringing.'"

Current teammate, and Alabama verbal, Clinton Dix is calling Dee everyday, and Ricardo is doing his best to recruit the young man to Ann Arbor as well. "'Yeah Ricardo is always calling me up and talking up the Wolverines,' Hart said. 'It's all in good fun. Everyone knows it's my decision and they respect that. We are just a big family at Phillips and we want to support each other.'"

What's the next for Dee and another Dr. Phillips prospect LaQuentin Smith?  "He is planning to take in the Michigan-UConn game at the beginning of the season with teammate LaQuentin Smith, and both might also go to Ann Arbor for the Michigan-Iowa contest. Smith, a linebacker/safety product who has more than a dozen offers himself, might have tipped the hand of both players."

"'You know we've always wanted to play together,' Smith said. 'I mean if we get up to Michigan and everything is going well and we feel comfortable… you never know.'"

I like the sound of that!

Sam Webb gives us a Detroit News update on the State of Michigan prospects.  Most of the article focuses on Jake Fisher. 

Here is Scout's analysis on the young man that just got his fourth star and continues to move up the rankings: "'He is a high-school tight end growing into a tackle,' Scout.com Midwest regional analyst Allen Trieu said.

"'He is already strong, considering he still has room to fill out, and he uses that strength to drive and finish defenders. He sets up with a good base in pass protection and does well against the bull rush. He is also a high-effort, high-intensity, tough guy who looks to bury his man. He has a great frame, is a good athlete for his size, and really only needs to learn the position.'

"'He could move up even further,' said Trieu. 'He has great upside and his summer performance was incredible considering he hadn't played tackle. This may sound crazy, but if we had a draft, and the pool of players was just kids from Michigan, I can't say I wouldn't take Fisher in the top three. That's simply because of his upside and the position that he plays. He has made tremendous strides this summer, and I think he will have an outstanding college career not only because of his physical tools, but the toughness and work ethic he has shown this summer.'"

Meet The Rookies on Patriots.com: Zoltan Mesko

"Around 9 a.m. Saturday morning, April 24—the third and final day of the 2010 NFL draft—Tony Gibson was heading to his office on the University of Michigan campus. As the Wolverines Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs Coach/Special Teams Coordinator approached the doors of the facility, out came punter Zoltan Mesko. Coach and player stopped to chat.

"When Gibson inquired what Mesko was doing there so early on a weekend—draft weekend, no less—the top-ranked punter in this year’s draft class said he’d just finished a workout and was headed back home to wait by the phone.

"'You haven’t been drafted yet?' Gibson asked.

“'No, not yet,' Mesko replied, 'but I’m hoping to hear something this morning.'  Shortly after their brief exchange, Mesko’s phone rang, a 508 area code on the other end. It was the Patriots, welcoming him as their fifth-round draft choice."