Whether you were a fan of the Brady Hoke hire or not, you have to be impressed with what he's achieved in such a short period of time. We've certainly seen enough to suggest that recruiting is going to be just fine under Hoke's reign.
Michigan scored three commitments over the weekend, but I think there's at least four more guys out there who are destined to end up blue. So assuming six scholarships left, here's my prediction for where they are headed:
- Chris Bryant: Announcing on Friday, UM are big favorites
- Frank Clark: Also announcing on Friday, as mentioned earlier, Michigan lead right now
- Leilon Willingham: Had a great visit to Michigan, and whenever he does announce, it should in theory be for the Wolverines
- Thomas Rawls: It's always been Michigan for Rawls, and now that his academics are in order, it should be all sorted. He will announce on the 31st
- Chris Barnett: Potentially taking Clark and Heitzman on defense (when both could play TE) means Brady Hoke must be fairly certain he can land a TE in this class. Barnett is visiting next weekend and the depth chart doesn't look good for him at Arkansas. He went to Miami last weekend, and this week it's Michigan.
- RANDOM: I'd like to say Stefan McClure, because he's the top prospect left, but Michigan still doesn't have a DB coach, and that is sure to hurt their chances right now. With this last spot, it could literally go to anyone, a random QB from nowhere, maybe Jake Fisher rejoins the fold, maybe it's a surprise DT? Maybe it goes unfilled, it's so hard to predict it right now that I'll have to leave it open.
Word is that Darian Cooper will be making a trip to AA early this week. He has already meet coach Hoke and spoke on the phone with Mattison. There has also been some chatter that Thomas Lawrence is rethinking his commitment to MSU and Michigan may be getting some interest from him. Probably has to do with Mattison being brought in. Lawrence would be a stretch for Michigan, but Cooper has said that he is still open.
ReplyDeleteWhat are your sources on Lawrence Thomas I haven't heard any rumblings of this at all.
ReplyDeletemgoblog. Someone posted that they had read it on scouts MSU page.
ReplyDeletei was just at the Scout MSU page and i saw nothing about Thomas and Michigan i don't think it is true.
ReplyDeleteHence the word chatter.
ReplyDeleteThe person was talking about Thomas Rawls
ReplyDeleteI think we will take Shawn Conway as a WR in this class.
ReplyDeleteI heard we are looking at a few Pro Style QB'S
ReplyDeleteGardner is good! We should go after a really good QB next year.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't get too tied to the idea that that there would only be one spot left, even if all those assumptions hold true. I think theres flexibility in terms of available scholarships for some of the walk-ons and 5th year players.
ReplyDeleteMichigan isn't going to rescind offers and if McLure, Barnett, Fisher all want to come they'll take them.
Also, while Hoke may indeed prefer to have Clark and Heitzman on D, the fact that they were recruited in the first place (when LB and DE seem covered in this class) indicates that Hoke may be looking at them as Plan B for the TE position.
I'd say the chances that there is a QB in this class are greater than 50%. There is a screaming need for a 3rd QB on the roster. Furthermore, its unlikely Michigan attracts an elite recruit who has to sit behind Robinson or Gardner, even next year. They need a body and they need it now.
Barnett would be a huge land.
I don't understand the recruiting of a pro style QB. It's obvious that there are dual threat QB's that can throw the ball. I'm not saying that we need to recruit another Denard. But look at Garner? He has the prototypical size of a pro style QB but has the ability to escape from the pocket when need be and run when no one is open.
ReplyDeleteWhat is this I hear about a QB from TX? I hear he is a dual threat QB? I also heard UM is looking at bringing him in for visit. Who is he??
ReplyDeletePrince Holloway? Will he be the WR?
ReplyDeletehis name is Russell Bellomy, good looking prospect. looks like he could develop into a passer that also has the threat to run.
ReplyDeletewhen will we find out if Devin got his medical red shirt?
ReplyDeleteHavent heard any news on Devin receiving that med redshirt yet
ReplyDeleteRussell Bellomy is commited to Purdue but who knows maybe we can convert him
Skip a quarter-back this year, go after that Connor Brewer kid next year.
ReplyDeleteDevin and Denard can definately handle the load.
Does anyone know for sure if Jordan Paskorz left the team?
ReplyDeletePer gobluewolverine.com we just got another LB commit, but the player is not announced yet. Has to be Willingham. Can't be Poole. Go Blue.
ReplyDeleteCan we stop saying we only have 20 spots please? Every year there is attrition and with a new coaching change you can expect more than usual. If we have 20 spots but take 23 I think we can still safely fit them under the 85 requirement without anything shady. I mean if a guy was a 4th or 5th string slot in 2010 and his position just disappeared (and hes from the South) why would he stick around? I would hope for his sake that he would find a school that could better utilize his talents.
ReplyDeleteLooks like great news on Poole. Per Tom VH. ! Dang, this past 72 hours has been a BANG !
ReplyDeleteWow seriously hats off to coach Hoke and crew they have been doin work for real
ReplyDeleteAntonio Poole is announcing tomorrow night for Michigan!
ReplyDelete>Will Jordan has not left the team don't know where that rumour came from!
ReplyDeleteCoach Hoke flew to Cali to visit with McClure. I really hope it works out for us. I am really starting to like this guy!!
ReplyDeleteIf it is Poole, then I'm happy we stuck it back to the U of Miami *THUG U*
ReplyDeleteI really can't express how much respect I have for Hoke, the situation he was brought in, 2 wks ago I think we had 6 to 8 solid verbals not only has he sold all those kids to stay he has had a few wks to sell these new kids who have been recruited hard from other school, Michigan is in good hands
ReplyDeleteIt is Poole who commited just to let you guys know!
ReplyDeleteMan just to imagine that 2 weeks ago it was a mad HOUSE ! when Hoke got hired and a lot of folks wanted miles. I will admit I was one of them, just going crazy over our incoming class.
ReplyDeleteGo Blue.
Hoke is doing very well for only having two weeks imagine what he Mattison and Fred Jackson will do after a great season of 9+ wins, eat shit all of you haters that say Michigan will lose to the Irish or Iowa....Side note to Benji and whoever else it pertains too; Did you know Justice Hayes comes from the same High school Mark Ingram played for before transferring to South Western. Here in Grand Blanc we "recruit" alot of our players for the high school team. we bus kids all over the Flint area to come to Our high school and play sports, I too was one of these people who lived far away and came here to play Lacrosse for two years, but what im trying to get at is, we need to focus in on schools that "recruit" such as GB Detroit Country day etc and focus in on winning these instate prospects. which im not to concerned with now that Hoke is at the helm, while Mattison is his first mate and Jackson manning the torpedoes. I think Michigan is on the rise, 2012 Big Ten Champs!!
ReplyDeleteI think that its a good possibility We will get willingham, poole, clark & Bryant. Then there is a chance we may still have a shot with McClure, Raven(untrue commitment to Texas a&m), Brandon Alexander and Cooper. Cant wait untill signing day and to see what will happen. Super excited to be a Wolverine fan!!!
ReplyDeleteI love what d-rich is saying! establish a guaranteed pipe line from the top 3/4 hs teams in the state! then work from there. Just like we have with cass tech..
ReplyDeleteThanks Matt, in theory if we start taking these top in state recruits we could start to put Michigan state back where they belong.....bottom feeding picking up whats left after we are done with it. The sooner we start doing that the sooner we will start beating MSU... same goes for OHIO we have a great pipeline there. But lets start focusing on these kids in the Midwest.
ReplyDeleteThe program never stopped focusing on the midwest. Rodriguez recruited the midwest just as frequently (if not more frequently) as Carr's staff and his recruiting classes were ranked on par with Carr.
ReplyDeletehttp://ourhelmetshavewings.com/2011/01/20/retrospective-recruiting-under-rich-rodriguez-2008-2011/
"On the other hand Rodriguez actually recruited more from the Midwest than Carr did. Rodriguez’ first class (2009) was the second lowest percentage since 2002, and only beat by the year that Michigan got smoked in recruiting. However, after his first full class Michigan rebounded with a nearly 67% and 62% classes from the Midwest 5 states. Whereas Carr built just over half of his teams from the Midwest, Rodriguez was actually building just under 2/3 from the Midwest. That’s pretty amazing when you consider all the comments about Rodriguez non recruiting the Midwest."