The big news from last night is that Antonio Poole is expected to announce for Michigan tonight, after having an in-home visit with the new LB coach and Greg Mattison. Sam Webb announced Michigan has another silent commit in the form of a four star LB, which means it has to be Poole really. TomVH is also hinting everyone should tune in tonight for the press conference.
Poole would be a fine addition to the class, and his commitment would confirm just how good a recruiter Greg Mattison really is. Poole wasn't even a lock to visit Michigan this weekend, let alone commit.
My only query is what does this do to Frank Clark and Leilon Willingham? With Kellen Jones and Brennen Beyer already committed, would Michigan take five LBs? Or would Beyer move back to DE? Clark is being recruited as a S/LB hybrid, so that might be why they can take all three.
*EDIT*: Thanks Will, forgot about Desmond Morgan; so that's a potential six LBs in this class.
Frank Clark will now announce on signing day along with the rest of the Glenville bunch. His final three are Michigan, MSU and UNC; and right now Michigan has the edge.
As for Willingham, he'll announce this Wednesday, so look out for that too.
Other News:
- Michigan offered Trayion Durham, a FB from Ohio. He's a former Wisconsin commit and a consensus top five FB in the country. He's rumored to be high on Michigan right now, and should take a visit to Ann Arbor this weekend.
- OT Ryan Nowicki is also a candidate to visit Michigan. He's a current Penn State commitment from Arizona. Things aren't looking that good with Jake Fisher right now, so the staff are looking to find a replacement before signing day. Fisher is quite high on Oregon apparently.
Nice recruiting update. Apparently we really want/need some LB's. By the way, do you know anything about the malware issue on mgoblog?
ReplyDeleteThanks
aren't you forgetting Desmond Morgan :)
ReplyDeleteare you going to do a commitment profile on taylor, heitzman, and wile?
ReplyDeleteAhh yeah, Desmond Morgan makes six possible LB's! Outrageous!
ReplyDeleteI will do the commitment profiles shortly, I've done one already (not yet posted).
And Hank, I haven't heard anything about that issue on MGoBlog.
ReplyDeleteThis just affirms that we are headed for the 3-4 sooner or later..
ReplyDeleteSeems they are running out of room in this class in a hurry. What is their plan if all of these new recruits decide to commit and they don't have enough scholarships?
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with stacking LB's because some of them will grow into DE's by the time they leave
ReplyDeleteI believe that our base defense will be a 4-3. But will switch into a 3-4 and 3-3-5 when it calls for it. Running with a base 4-3 will allow us to recruit the more elite DT's in the country as well as the elite LB's. It will also match up better scheme wise against the powers of the big ten (Wisc., Iowa, etc.)
ReplyDeleteMichigan will have 12 LB's on scholarship next season with 4 of them being seniors. Take into account that they might try some of them at safety. Then that leaves a need to be some bodies in the door with this years and next years recruiting class.
yea i think mgoblog got hit with a virus...wont load for me
ReplyDeleteThis is great! How can a kid say no to someone who coached Ray Lewis...just wish the 5 star kid commited to MSU would hop over, but ill take a 4 star anytime
We need linebackers more than we need WRs, so I am pretty stoked about any filling of the defensive front seven. Roh, Demens and Fitgerald don't have a lot of back-up help. Now the Gordons can both go to being Strong Safeties -- or at least we can get fast linebackers at the hybrid (think Urlacher) instead of short safeties like Stevie Brown or Gordon. When we run the 3-3-5 I would rather have that hybrid player be able to tackle the Big Ten's big players.
ReplyDeleteI also see the loading up of need positions as a good strategy, because that means competition. Traditionally, there's been yearly competition at RB and even QB at Michigan, but the defense has seemed to be under-recruited (even during Carr's last years). The more linebackers, the more they will all be challenged to live up to their fullest potential. Same with the DBs.
I am looking forward to hearing whether players like Marvin Robinson, Josh Furman, Cornelius Jones and Jake Ryan will be ready. Robinson was a four-star, and I read UM players say that Jake Ryan is a tackling machine and is gonna tear it up next year.
If recruits that redshirted, like the above, and Richard Ash step up, the defense is going to surprise. I saw Brandon Graham/Woodley potential in Jibreel Black last year. He's fast, has a motor, and with some technique and a year in the program -- he's my breakout for Spring Ball and the fall.
PS: Flloyd Raven committed to Texas A&M via ESPN.
So you know I'm just curious, ESPN has a lot of guys who are termed as "considering" UM. Are any of those guys actually even possible? There are four 4-star recruits and a 6'5'' QB from Ohio I would imagine the team would love to have just to name a few. Can't go wrong with a 6'3'' WR or 6'1 safties, especially considering the obvious need for improvement in the secondary from last season.
ReplyDeleteAlot of mixed messages on The Floyd Raven commiting ..Scouts says he didnt commit ESPN says he did so im not sure who to believe..
ReplyDeleteCornelius Jones is not with the team he never qualified. Raven said last night that he has not commited.
ReplyDelete@Brian
ReplyDeleteWhen ESPN says considering I usually think some of it may be true and some not..Those 4* may have considered Mich at some point but have either dropped them or Mich stopped recruiting them..ESPN doesnt update and remove players fast enough once they have said their preference..
Does anyone who what times Poole is announcing? And is it going to be on ESPN U?
ReplyDeletePer TomVH the following players are announcing this week. Michigan looks very good for all of them.
ReplyDeleteAntonio Poole - Today
Leilon Willingham - Wednesday
Frank Clark - Friday
Chris Bryant - Friday
Know
ReplyDeleteESPN says that Floyd Raven commited to Texas A&M so i think hes out
ReplyDeleteAny rumours on a QB for this class?
ReplyDeleteRussell Bellamy a duel-threat from Texas is in AA today visiting. Currently commited to Purdue.
ReplyDeleteMichigan will also be hosting a 4 star OL from the west coast this week as well. This name hasn't been released because he is currently commited to a different team.
ReplyDeleteThat would be Nowicki, a Penn St commit.
ReplyDeleteNo chance of getting back Anthony Zettel and Arnett? :(
ReplyDeleteZettel and Arnett are out of the picture.
ReplyDeleteNowicki is a 3 star on both services. Sam Webb said that he was a 4 star.
ReplyDeletewhat about this Shawn Conway(WR)...espn says he is only considering Michigan.
ReplyDeleteMichigan will not be taking a WR in this class. We have 17 already on scholarship.
ReplyDeleteConway is going to a Juco .. Maybe he will get back with us next year cause the kid is a good WR
ReplyDeletePer Rivals Floyd Raven has stated that he never commited to A&M and that he will be visting AA this weekend. Has a top 3 of Mich, A&M and Ole Miss.
ReplyDeleteIsn't Frank Clark being looked at as a TE also? I thought I read that somewhere, but maybe I'm wrong...
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense to stack up on linebackers, especially if you can bring in some talent, but i thought Clark was being looked at for Tight End as well...