I've got my final exam of the semester tomorrow, so expect a lot more updates from then on. For now, here are some quick fire updates.
- I tweeted a couple of days ago that Michigan was no longer recruiting Floyd Raven, and yesterday he committed back to Ole Miss. Makes sense.
- Things are still looking good right now for Leilon Willingham, despite the fact he's visiting UCF this weekend. The Hoke-Mattison combination should win this battle, so unless things go wrong from now on, expect Willingham to go blue on signing day.
- Michigan is also still leading for LB/S Frank Clark. He's a Glenville kid and they usually announce on signing day together, but there's an outside chance he might get it over with tomorrow.
- Stefan McClure picked the Cal Golden Bears this morning; I'm somewhat surprised - I guessed UCLA. The combination of distance and weather was what held Michigan back.
- Chris Bryant is still announcing tomorrow, and that should be for Michigan. It'd be a huge upset otherwise. Announcement is set for 7.30PM ET.
- Chances are Jake Fisher won't be signing with Michigan. Oregon seem to be recruiting him well, and he visits the Ducks this weekend. Michigan still has a good shot, but even if we assume all four schools (UF, UM, MSU & UO) have an even chance (25%), that's still a 75% chance he won't pick Michigan.
- FB Trayion Durham is expected on campus this weekend and is rumored to be very high on Michigan. However his academics might not be in order, and that could be why Wisconsin dropped him.
*UPDATE*: He won't be visiting anymore. Could be academics.
- Thomas Rawls changed his schedule slightly, he'll still visit Michigan officially this weekend, but his announcement has been delayed until signing day. If he's qualified, he's in the class, no question.
- TE Chris Barnett is also going to be a visitor this weekend. We haven't heard much from him lately regarding his interest in UM. He could absolutely love the visit and commit on the spot, we don't really know.
- OT Ryan Nowicki had his in home visit on Wednesday, and now should be on campus tomorrow for his official visit. He's a Penn State commit.
*UPDATE*: Rivals are reporting that Nowicki won't be visiting this weekend, he's sticking with Penn State.
- Darian Cooper is probably the most important target left on the board. He'll also be taking his official visit, and probably announcing on signing day along with some of his teammates. The fact that he's visiting gives UM a chance, but it might just be too late. If Hoke was hired a month earlier, I reckon he'd be blue.
There have been 3 OL in the last 2 classes and are only 2 OL commitments in this class. Five OL across 3 classes is an unmitigated disaster. Especially since one of them (Lewan) looks like he could be an early NFL entrant if he wants.
ReplyDeleteIf Fisher is off to Oregon or Florida, then Bryant and the other OL prospects becomes priority 1, 2, 3, through 10.
I know that OL is pretty set for 2011 and is even in decent shape for 2012, but 2013 looks like a disaster and its not something than can be fixed easily in future recruiting because OL generally take time to develop.
The major pressing matter was all around the field on defense and Hoke-Mattison seem to be addressing that first. The offense was on a functional level so they probably felt they could put it off until next year.
ReplyDeleteRich-Rod really tried to set up roots in florida and really had a relatioonship with Demetrius Hart's school, do you think hoke will try to keep those relationships or do you think he will pick a diffrent state to really focuse on besides the ones around michigan.
ReplyDeleteI think California will be our new Florida, an area where we really focus on. Michigan will keep recruiting in Florida though, in fact the OL coach is in Florida today visiting Tony Posada and taking a look at some juniors.
ReplyDeleteWe still have Texas and Louisiana too.
@Benjimichigan
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on recruiting Cal and Fla. in the years to come. Michigan will have formed relationships in both states. I think that they will really focus on Michigan in the years to come. There is going to be a ton of talent in Michigan next year. I personally don't put alot into recruiting class rankings. To me it's more about filling the needs. But I think that we can expect to be back in the top 10 for recruiting next season.
The midwest is loaded as we all know, what the passion in recruiting that these guys have shown and the passion to win, good things are going to come our way. GO BLUE!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen is Signing Day?
ReplyDeletefeb. 2nd its always the first wensday of feb.
ReplyDeleteAnyone know what time Bryant is announcing today?
ReplyDelete7:30 Central Time
ReplyDeleteWe will know in less than (3) hours if Bryant is part of the recruitment class. CB go blue baby !
ReplyDeletesomeone please post when bryant announces ??!!??
ReplyDeleteHopefully this Iowa fiasco sways Darian Cooper to choose Michigan over Iowa. I know I would be thinking twice about sending my kid there.
ReplyDeleteI think Ferentz is done and he will be either fire or resign after signing day. He will end up with a NFL job -- Perhaps the Titans.
ReplyDeleteLets hope Bryant goes Blue! We will know soon.
Why would Ferentz be done? Because his strength and conditioning coach went hay wire? Ferentz was out on the road when this thing happened. All he has done is make Iowa a power team with national relevance. If he gets fired over this thing I would be shocked and Iowa would be making a huge mistake.
ReplyDeleteHe is ultimately responsible. Ferentz failed to return, as he should have, when the incident happened -- the parent of the players are incensed and they let the present of the University know it. Not helping is the highest arrest rate in the conference. And a virtual drug ring run under his nose.
ReplyDeleteWell here is to hoping you are right. Ferentz out of Iowa would sure be good for everyone else in the Big 10
ReplyDeleteChris Bryant signed with the Maize and Blue
ReplyDeleteBryant is Blue.
ReplyDeleteBryant's junior video at mgoblog makes him look like a beast at the DL position
ReplyDeleteGREAT NEWS!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to have commits commit to us for a change lately, before Hoke all we heard was, Zettel to PSU,Wayne Lyons to Stanford, Arnett to Tennessee etc.
ReplyDelete