Inside With The Insiders: Allen Trieu

One of our staff members, @themblock_ryan, has started an interview series with some of the best insiders in the business. The first edition will be with Scout.com's Midwest analyst, Allen Trieu.

How did you get your start in scouting?

I actually started an NFL Draft site as an 8th grader. It ended up taking off pretty quickly and I started to move into recruiting a little bit and cover some local guys. Scout started having me do an article here and there and did that and worked my way up through college. I think I gave up the draft site around my junior year of college and that's when it really took off with recruiting.

Growing up were you a sports kid? Playing or watching?

Yeah, I loved sports. My mom says I used to recite scores and do play by play in my sleep as a kid. I'd record NFL Primetime every Sunday and rewatch it over and over again even as a toddler. I memorized the backs of all my football cards. I was an obsessive kid. In every picture of me as a kid, I had a football. I started playing football in 4th grade. It was always the sport I played. I picked up basketball and tennis in middle school, but football was always my main sport. But yeah, as a kid, sports was not even an interest, it was an obsession.

If you weren't working for Scout what other job could you see yourself doing?

I thought I was going to be a sports guy on TV, so I'd probably be trying to do that or at least behind the scenes. Maybe something involved in writing. I also wanted to be an A&R for a record company for awhile. Something about finding talent that I like, so I guess an A&R is kind of like the scout for the record companies.

I don’t think a lot of Michigan fans know this, but you’re quite the comedian. How far do you see yourself going with comedy? How did you get started in that?

I got started in comedy in college, just deciding to try out for the Last Laker Standing contest at Grand Valley and I was fortunate enough to win it and have some guys take me under their wing and help me get to the point where I'm able to travel around, perform and have some great opportunities there. It's secondary to Scout, so I can't advance as quickly as some of the other guys out there, but I'm fine with that. I see myself always doing it, because it's an outlet for me and I love it. I don't see myself becoming this big time comic or anything, but obviously, if that happened, it would be very cool.

Since working at Scout, what are your top 5 highlight videos of players?

That's tough. Now, remember that I don't watch everyone's, but I've seen most of them. Noel Devine's was entertaining, that has to be up there. Jadeveon Clowney, Jelani Jenkins, Jeff Luc and A.J. Green. Some of his one handed grabs and catches were amazing.

I have heard some Michigan and MSU fans say you root for Michigan or MSU. Do you actually have a favorite college team?

I really don't. You can't be in my position and have a favorite college team. You see things from the other side and you start to really build a good relationship with kids and parents and regardless of where they end up going, you want them to do well. So I have kids that I root for across the country. People don't believe me when I say that, I think, but the best argument I can give you is that, truthfully, covering a team is easier, because there are less recruits you have to keep up with and also, the upside financially is better covering a team, so I could have done that a long time ago, but I really do like covering everyone. It's a pain to try to keep up with an entire region of kids sometimes, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I think there are people who think I'm a Michigan fan because I started on that site. It was really them who found me and it was a job, so I'm always thankful for Tom Beaver and Sam Webb for giving me a shot. I told them early on that I wanted to be a regional guy though, so that's when I started doing the Midwest stuff. I like working with those guys and it's fun covering Michigan because the fans are maniacs when it comes to recruiting, but I'm no fan. The more I interact with people on Twitter and message boards, the more I realize I'm not a fan of anyone, because everyone takes it to a crazy level that I didn't think existed haha.

Speaking of interacting on Twitter, do you consider yourself more fair than other analysts? Would you agree that some other analysts seem to pick favorites and only focus on them? I've noticed that you often tweet out offers and commitments even for Division 2 recruits all over the midwest.

As far as covering everyone, I don't know that it's a fairness thing, I think it's more that I have an obsessive personality. I have a maniacal need to have to know every kid from every school who is anybody. I don't like missing guys, so that's why you see me digging so deep. There's only so much time you can spend though and I'd say other analysts concentrate on the big time guys and the guys subscribers generally want to know about, the blue chippers. I'd probably have a lot more time if I just did that haha, but I can't pull myself away. I have to feel like I leave no stone unturned or I can't sleep at night.

Since you cover the Midwest and not one certain team I think you can best answer this question out of any of the insiders. Since Hoke has gotten to Michigan, why do you think he has been so successful in recruiting?

I think he has kind of an every man quality about him. He's a down to earth, lunch pal kind of guy that kids and parents identify with. And look, recruiting comes down a lot to the assistants. He has great assistants when it comes to recruiting. Having Greg Mattison on your staff helps, no doubt about it and some of the other coaches are great recruiters too.

A lot of fans (or maybe I should say fanatics) think they know how to evaluate talent and they could do rankings better. Do you ever get mad at fans always telling you that you’re wrong? What could you tell them now that would help understand the process better?

The only time I get mad is when people say we're wrong and we've ranked a kid a certain way because of where he's going to school. If you've watched a kid or seen a kid and disagree with me, that's perfectly fine. I enjoy debating those things, but when there's no basis other than, 'he's going to Michigan so he should be ranked higher' that's when I have an issue with it. The biggest piece of misinformation, I think, is that a three-star is "average." It's not. There is a wide range of three-stars, so not every three-star is equal. Look more at the position ranking and the state ranking etc., than stars. And just understand that, we put a lot of time and effort into the process. It doesn't mean our rankings will be right or that they'll be the best, but respect that we work at it. We're not just looking at offer lists and where a kid is committed and then tossing a number out there. But I'm very used to people telling me I'm wrong! It comes with the territory and I think the great thing is that we can have discussions about it. A message board full of people agreeing with me and telling me I'm right would actually be very, very boring.

Piggy backing off of that last question, give your best sales pitch why you think Scout is the best scouting service?

As an employee, I have to think we're the best right? I mean, I know everyone has their opinion on which of the sites is the best and I don't like to get into that whole thing. What I do know, is that Scout has a really big team of people covering the whole country, so you get a lot of voices and opinions. I think we have really hard working people who get out and see a lot of kids, so even when you may not agree with us, we can at least back it up with first hand observations. I always say, we're never going to always be right, but I think we give ourselves a better chance to be right by getting out and seeing guys, getting second opinions, watching film, etc. I also think we have some really good insiders at the team sites. I mean, you're a Michigan fan, and I think you'd be hard pressed to find many guys as tuned in as Sam Webb is. So, I won't say we're the best, but I'd like to think we keep the people who subscribe to us happy.

What I've noticed through the years with GBW Scout is, when information is given through Sam Webb or yourself, it always seems to be spot on. Why would you say that GBW information is always accurate and always keeping the recruits in mind to not put out misinformation?

We try to make sure we check everything through before we post it. There's a big rush to be first a lot when it comes to reporting, but we try to be accurate when it comes to stuff. If I get Michigan news, usually I'll check with Sam to see if he's hearing the same thing and he does that with me too and it's the same on our other team sites.

With all the free blogs and information out there today what advice would you give to younger people or new guys trying to get a foot in the door?

It all comes down to how hard you work. You have to be willing to travel and have a tolerance for driving around. You have to be versatile. Know how to write, how to cut video and be able to build relationships with kids, parents, coaches etc. And the main thing is to understand that it's not like other jobs. You don't put in an application and sit down for an interview. You have to network and truthfully, you have to be willing to work for free or small pay for a little bit to prove yourself. Very few people, if any, get full time salaries off the bat. All of our regional guys started in low positions, basically doing it as a labor of love. It's not a job that people do to make ends meet. It's a job people do because they love it. And the biggest thing is, you have to be a professional, and when you look at the guys who have gone from bloggers or interns to full time guys, they all did it because they conducted themselves in a professional manner.

I have to ask you something personal to your heart that most Michigan fans don't know. How in the heck did you become a Pittsburgh Steelers fan while living in the state of Michigan? Do the Steelers have a shot at the Super Bowl this year? Let's hear the fanatic in Allen.

My dad moved to America from Vietnam in 1975. He started learning the culture and obviously football is a big part of that. One of his first jobs was working for a steel company, so he started to like the team. Low and behold, they win the Super Bowl and he was hooked and passed it on to me. If I'm being honest, I think the Super Bowl is a long shot. They're in a minor rebuilding mode here. They were a pretty old team last year. You never count them out, because they do find ways to win and there's still a good talent base there, but on paper, a lot would have to go right. I'm a fan, but I'm a realist too.

We have been friends for awhile now and have had many conversations through the years. But the one that stuck out to me was about your father and who his favorite Michigan recruit was. Do you remember who it is and why?

My dad is a big Devin Gardner fan. Devin played in my home town, Zeeland, his junior year and my dad went out to the game as well as when he played at East Kentwood as a senior. He also met him a couple times and just really liked him as a kid first and then once he saw him play, he decided he was going to be a fan of his wherever he went.

And for you? What current Michigan commit or player was the best player you saw personally coming out of high school?

For me, the one that impressed me most was Devin Gardner as well. He had a maturity to him in high school you don't see a lot in addition to his athleticism.

It seems that Michigan is set at the QB position with Gardner being eligible for 2 more years and 5-star Shane Morris coming in as a freshman this year. One of the biggest concerns with Michigan recruiting the last few years has been WR talent. There are two WR I'd like to talk about 1. Damario Jones is a guy the coaches seemed to pounce on late in the process last year and seemed really excited about. How good can he be? 2. Drake Harris, what's his ceiling?

I think Da'Mario could end up being the steal of last year's class. He's very athletic, has great ball skills and really emerged as a senior. I think he will surprise some people. Drake Harris could end up being a star in Ann Arbor. He has that kind of athleticism and natural ball skills and big play ability. I think he has to get stronger, but as far as position specific skills and base athletic ability, he has exactly what you want.


Thanks for your time, Allen! We'll have an interview with another insider in the coming days.

Why adidas Isn't As Bad As You Think

A couple days ago, Sam Webb tweeted this:

Naturally, that made an already hot topic even hotter. As an avid follower of Michigan athletics on social media networks, I've seen many complaints about adidas. Some say that the maize isn't the same and that now they use a yellow that's too bright or that the jerseys rip too easily. Many want to go back to Nike or even give Under Armour a chance. Let me show you a few things that should debunk all of that nonsense.

First, the football uniforms.

As you can see, in every picture the maize color seems like a different shade of yellow. Woodson's Nike maize looks like Pittsburgh Steelers or Iowa yellow in that picture. I could even argue that the top picture of Denard is the closest-looking color to maize out of any of them.

Now, you may be thinking "BUT, what about the neon-looking basketball uniforms?"

Again, each picture has a different shade of yellow, depending on the camera, the lighting, etc. Keep in mind that back when you used to watch the Fab 5 or Charles Woodson that TV's weren't as high tech as they are nowadays. Most likely, the more faded maize looking color you remember was due to the cameras or TV's not being able to produce such vibrant colors as they can now. 

"But... but... the jerseys rip!"

 A ripped Nike jersey from the new NFL material, a ripped Nike jersey from Woodson's era and also a torn Under Armour jersey from Hawaii. These things happen in sports. I think people are remembering one game from 2011 at Northwestern. Michigan was trying out some jerseys with a new material. A couple of the jerseys tore so they had to go back to the 2010 away jersey. However, in 2012, I don't recall there being any problems with torn jerseys for football. During basketball, Trey's jersey tore one game and Glenn Robinson III's jersey tore against VCU. If you recall, the Michigan players were complaining to the refs all game about VCU tugging on their jerseys. As I said, these things happen in sports, and not just to adidas.

And last, but not least, "everyone knows you gotta have black Nikes"

Personally, I think the white and blue cleats with blue socks is a flashy touch and would like to see them with white socks for away uniforms. The only no-no is that the lineman decided to wear black ankle braces over blue socks. Everyone knows the first rule of matching colors is that black and blue don't go together. As far as the basketball shoes, I think the white on white looks clean and fresh, and the maize and blue shoes look nice too. And did you remember that, when they wear the maize uniforms, they typically have black shoes too?

 

Let me first say that I'm in favor of neither Nike nor adidas. I would be happy with either. I will agree that Nike does some pretty cool things with some of the pro-combat uniforms for the teams like Oregon or TCU who don't have much tradition. But I also must say that not one of OSU's pro-combat uniforms has ever looked cool. I've also never seen Alabama, Oklahoma, Texas, USC, Penn State, etc. make any noticeable changes to their uniforms. Sometimes you just can't change a classic look. We're under contract with adidas for 3.5 more years so why worry about something so unimportant? But, please, Dave Brandon, don't sign a contract with Under Armour. Can you imagine our basketball players playing with Under Armour shoes? So, now that you can look at it from a different angle and take off the Nike name brand familiarity goggles, is the most lucrative apparel contract in college sports really so bad with adidas? After all, at least they didn't produce these atrocities below.

How Peppers Could Spice Things Up For 2014

There are a lot of naysayers about ESPN's recruiting rankings, such as "they're biased towards southern recruits" or "it's just a sports network trying to cover recruiting." You can say what you want but, at the end of the day, they catch the most attention from the recruits themselves. Most likely because of the whole signing day special that they do. Recruits want to see their name on the ESPN 150 list and to especially see their name on national television (Who wouldn’t?). ESPN is actually notorious for giving out the fewest amount of 5-stars every year. If you look at any site: Rivals, Scout, 24/7 or ESPN, there is consistency among the sites in regards to how the elite talent is rated.  In my opinion, talent recognizes talent and talent wants to play with talent. It just so happens that Jabrill Peppers has plenty of that, being rated the #2 overall player in the country with a 95 grade in ESPN's 150.

ESPN has changed their ranking system a couple of different times since they started rating players in 2006, but no other Defensive Back has ever been rated higher than Jabrill Peppers. From 2006-2009 they didn’t use stars and just graded players on a stricter 100-scale system. From 2010-2012 they added stars but graded players on a 90-scale system. In 2013 and 2014 they then re-upped it to a 100-scale again, but seem to be more generous with their grades for the non-elite players.

In 2006, Safety Myron Rolle was the #1 overall player in the class; however, he only received a 94 grade. Let’s look at the top rated DB’s from 2007-2013 to give you an idea of the company that Peppers is in:

2007- CB Eric Berry, 90 grade, #4 overall player
2008- S Will Hill, 94 grade, #3 overall player
2009- CB Dre Kirkpatrick, 92 grade, #4 overall player
2010- CB Lamarcus Joyner, 87 grade (90-scale), #6 overall player
2011- S Carlos Williams, 86 grade (90-scale), #5 overall player
2012- S Landon Collins, 85 grade (90-scale), #6 overall player
2013- CB’s Vernon Hargreaves III and Mackensie Alexander, 91 grade, #3 and #4 players, respectively

Berry, Hill, and Kirkpatrick have all gone on to the NFL and have started pretty successful careers. Joyner and Williams are still at FSU, while Collins is at Alabama and Hargreaves and Alexander are just graduating high school.

Barring one of the biggest upsets in recruiting history, The M Block staff has reason to believe that Peppers will announce his decision to go to Michigan on May 26^th. Expect other top recruits to take notice. One of our sources has stated they believe Peppers has already started recruiting Michigan’s other top targets; such as Defensive End Da’Shawn Hand.

The commitment of an elite prospect like Peppers in itself is huge for this class. But what could be even bigger is the fact that his high profile can help reel in other top talents to Ann Arbor. Talent recognizes talent.

The M Bag 5/18

Each week readers of The M Block can submit questions about the team, recruiting, or anything you are curious about and have the chance for your questions to be answered. Here are this week’s answers to selected questions that were sent. To submit a question for Coach Brown you can email questions to themblock@gmail.com or tweet questions @CoachBrown3 with the hashtag #TheMBag.

With the studs we got last year and 2 great backs in Weber and Harris next year. Do we really need a back in this class? - Dave Reese

Coach:  Right now, running back seems to be a position with pretty solid depth and with a talent like Derrick Green arriving in the Fall, hopes are high.  I think you need a lot of able running backs on the team when you are planning to use them like the coaches hope to.  I know they like to have "the guy" handle the bulk of the carries, but if that guy goes down there needs to be a competent replacement.  Right now the running back position seems to be in good shape but I think it would be good to take at least one each recruiting cycle.  That being said there doesn't seem to be a very likely option right now.  There are really only three prospects that currently have offers that I think are realistically considering Michigan.  Michigan is arguably Kalen Ballage's best offer to date but he just doesn't seem to be that high on the Wolverines.  Jonathan Hilliman is someone who consistently mentions Michigan as being a school of interest, but I'm not sure the coaches are really recruiting him that hard.  Finally, Shai McKenzie is built a lot like Derrick Green but isn't rated nearly as high, although his offer list shows that he's pretty coveted.  I still think there's a chance that Richard Wilson, high school teammate of Moe Ways, could get a late look if no one else pans out, and the coaches want to snag a running back in this class.

Quick question; any idea why the coaching staff have decided not to offer Illinois 4* LB Clifton Garrett?  He is ranked very high nationally and has offers from just about all of the major programs. - Alan Nelson

Coach:  Alan, I think this one is pretty simple.  Garrett has been very open with me that he does NOT like Michigan.  If I know that, I'm sure the coaches do too.  About a month ago one of the Michigan coaches stopped by to see him, but that's about the extent of the interest.  I do believe Garrett is a very solid player, but sometimes Michigan just isn't going to have a chance and I think that's the case with him.

Where does Michigan stand with Malik McDowell, Da'Shawn Hand and Jabrill Peppers?  Also if Malik McDowell commits will that affect Da'Shawn Hand's decision on Michigan because of all the defensive end commits? - Brad in Easpointe 

Coach:  McDowell is an interesting prospect.  I recently spoke with his trainer from HYPE, John Vickers, and he said that McDowell is wide open, with no favorites and that he plans to take all of his officials which won't be to any close-to-home schools.  This means he won't be deciding for quite a while and he really could commit to a number of different schools.  He even said that Malik is amused when he hears that Michigan is his leader because he has never said that or even hinted at it.  Obviously he's an in-state kid and he's visited multiple times, but I really do think he's pretty open to whoever.  With Da'Shawn Hand I believe Michigan is in a very close 2nd place behind Virginia Tech.  Hand is getting a lot of home-cooking from his friends and family to stay home and play for the Hokies, and he himself has said that he absolutely loves Bud Foster.  To answer your second question, I don't think McDowell and Hand will play the same position in college so neither of their recruitments/commitments should affect each other, plus you make room for talents like them.  Lastly, Jabrill Peppers is all Blue.  I was given some information a couple of weeks ago that virtually guaranteed he will commit to Michigan, which we now know will be on May 26th.  Once he enters the fold, if he tries to recruit other players like the rest of Team 135 has, anything is possible.  Great players want to play with other great players and achieve great things.

With Clint Trickett deciding to go to West Virginia and Brandon Mitchell, although considering Michigan as an option, stating that he wants to be a starter at his next school of choice, do you honestly think that Hoke and Co. will go to the JUCO ranks for another quarterback? And if so, who? Because it seems like it would be awfully late to get a player of quality (being that most quality players would have signed months ago). Thanks for taking my question, and Go Blue! - Matt Saffold 

Coach:  Honestly Matt, this is not my area of expertise.  I am not very familiar with who is looking to come out of the JUCO ranks or who might be looking to transfer for grad school or whatever other situation might be an option to find a backup QB.  I've heard Mitchell wants to start, but also played some wide receiver at Arkansas so he's intriguing, but I don't see that happening.  I know Coach Borges has said that they will be keeping their options open for JUCO kids or transfers, but any scenario where a new player comes in this late is difficult due to familiarity issues, reps, and just the logistics of getting a kid to campus and enrolled, etc.

Who do you think the 2015 quarterback targets are shaping up to be? I'd imagine Jayru Campbell, Jake Johnson. Any others you could see as potential signal callers? - Will Wallace 

Coach:  I think Campbell and Johnson are naturally on the list to watch just because they are both in-state kids, especially with Campbell being from Cass Tech.  I think the coaches have identified Kevin Dillman from La Mirada High School in California as maybe their top target at QB for 2015.  He has a very impressive offer list already and the coaches have been in pretty regular contact with him.  Other names to watch are Brother Rice (MI) QB Alex Malzone, South Fayette Township (PA) QB Brett Brumbaugh, St. Bonaventure (CA) QB Ricky Towns, Foothill (CA) QB Kyle Kearns, and Comm Dist 99 - North (IL) QB David Edwards.  To my knowledge all of those prospects have been contacted to some extent by the coaches.

2015 Names to Watch: Tyler Woodley

Position: Cornerback
Ht/Wt: 5'10"/172 lbs.
Location: McEachern High School - Powder Springs, GA
Class: 2015
Offers: None

The name Woodley should remind Michigan fans of NFL caliber talent donning the Winged Helmet.  Tyler Woodley is the cousin of former Michigan great, defensive end LaMarr Woodley and cousin LaMarr has definitely rubbed off on the young defensive back.  Hailing from Georgia, Tyler is a huge Michigan fan and he's not shy about it.  "I love Michigan!  I've been a fan since birth.  I love everything about Michigan, the academics, athletics, the diversity, just the whole atmosphere.  My father is from up there, Port Huron.  My cousin LaMarr went there too so it's only right I fall in his footsteps."  Woodley doesn't have any offers yet but he's hearing from schools like Stanford, Princeton, and Ole Miss and Michigan is showing early signs of interest being in his school and making contact.  If Michigan decides to get more involved in Woodleys recruitment won't last long.  "When Coach Hecklinski stopped by my school we didn't talk that much, it was brief, but we shook hands and smiled.  I could tell he liked what he saw.  If Michigan offered me though, I would commit right after it happened with the biggest smile on my face.  Call me crazy but that's how it would happen."   

On film Woodley looks solid to me but not special but keep in mind he just turned 16.  He describes his game as smooth and relaxed but he will gamble and break on every pass he can.  He said his coaches say he is quick off the ball and will come up and hit which I definitely agree with.  His willingness and ability to tackle are two very noticeable things when watching him.  Woodley is a kid who loves Michigan, understands what the Wolverines are about, and has family ties to the university.  Mentally he is the type of player Brady Hoke likes to bring in, it just remains to be seen if he has the talent to match.      

2014 Names to Watch: Jimmie Swain

Position: Linebacker (WILL)
Ht/Wt: 6'3"/230 lbs.
Location: Lee's Summit High School - Lee's Summit, MO
Class: 2014
Offers: Indiana, Kansas State, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska

Michigan definitely wants to take at least one more linebacker in the 2014 class and with what happened with Kyron Watson it's pretty clear they want bigger WILL or SAM type.  Jimmie Swain is a highly athletic WILL linebacker out of Lee's Summit High School in Missouri who definitely fits that bill.  The Michigan coaches were just in Swain's high school a few days ago to check on the rising senior and let him know that they are indeed interested.  Swain admitted to not knowing much about the Wolverines at this point, which he said isn't a good thing or a bad thing.  He had this to say about his feelings on Michigan, "I don't have enough information to form an opinion on them at the moment.  I know they have a great academic and football tradition though.  I have no idea right now if an offer is coming but I'd be excited if it happened."  Swain currently has a pretty solid offer list but you could make a pretty strong argument that Michigan would be his biggest one if the coaches decide he's worthy.  Swain said as of right now he doesn't have a leader or a top list but that Michigan is just as in the mix as anyone else.  "I still have to do much more research, but my recruiting process is still open so, yes sir, Michigan has a chance."

Right now the linebacker situation is a bit fluid.  I still feel confident that Chase Winovich will choose Michigan when he decides and there is a possibility that Noah Furbush is still part of the equation as well.  The coaches have shown legitimate interest in Swain and I would not be surprised if he was offered regardless of what happens with Winovich and Furbush.  Swain is highly athletic and passes the eyeball test with flying colors.  He flashes great quickness and is intense in pursuit of ball carriers.  It will be interesting to see what happens with this linebacker situation.   

The M Block Shirt

A while back I put out some feelers to see who would be interested in purchasing an official shirt of The M Block. The response was very positive and I've since gained quite a few followers and traffic on the site continues to increase. I have launched a Kickstarter project to try and gain funding for the project. There is no risk involved for me this way, and if you donate at least $20 you'll receive a shirt, which is the cost of the shirt anyways. If you have expendable money and can donate $50 or more, not only will it help me out even more, you'll receive more than 1 shirt and a chance for tickets to the Michigan vs. Minnesota game on October 5th. Obviously that is the Battle of the Little Brown Jug, but it's also Homecoming and the B1G opener. I feel very blessed to have the loyal following that I do, and would be very grateful for any help I can get. If you'd like to show some support from $1 to as much as you can afford, click HERE and check it out! Thanks guys and spread the word!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Brady Hoke