As everyone likely knows by now, Michigan commit Kevin Newsome has decided to transfer from Western Branch High School, and will instead enroll at Hargrave Military Academy for his senior football season. Despite still being a high schooler, Newsome will participate on the post-graduate football team.

Most recruiting fans are only familiar with Hargrave Military Academy because of prospects who graduate from high school, but don't have the grades to qualify for college. Hargrave has a post-graduate program for "5th-year seniors" to improve their grades enough to qualify for college, while still playing football. Newsome doesn't have this issue because:

1. He is going to Hargrave for his senior year, not after he graduates (the first time).
2. He is a good student (NHS member, class president, etc.)

It seems like he has a good head on his shoulders, so I doubt it's because he needs to get grade or discipline issues sorted out. I would think it's something more along the lines of being prepared for college football (and Barwis!).

As for whether this is good for Michigan, I'm not sure. Hargrave seems to be pretty good about keeping college coaches away from already-committed players, but at the same time, they have a good relationship with Virginia Tech's coaching staff (3 cadets moved on to Virginia Tech just last year). Obviously, since Virginia Tech is one of the main competitor's for Newsome's services, that is slightly worrisome. However, Newsome's former high school coach seems to be putting some pro-VT pressure on Newsome:

"I thought when he picked Michigan, he jumped the gun a little bit, and I was disappointed," Johnston said. "I told him that."
"We're very close, and I've told him I'd like to see him stay closer to home," Johnston said. "I'm not going to push it, but there's something about playing in your home state."

It seems like Kevin might be trying to avoid those around him giving him undeserved grief for not picking their favorite school. Without knowing for sure why Newsome is moving to Hargrave, and how well-received Michigan's coaches are at that school (Rodriguez did get a commitment from a Cadet before moving on to Michigan last year), it is impossible to know whether this move impacts Michigan positively or negatively. Of course, down the road, it will be interesting to see whether this also affects Newsome's younger brother, Keevon.

And of course, the Free Press takes this as incontovertible evidence that Newsome's commitment to Michigan will not be honored.

Labels: commitments, football, kevin newsome, recruiting

This entry was posted by Tim, on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. You can leave your response.

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