It seems like Michigan is in a great position for several really good linebackers in this class, but with only 16 scholarships currently available, are they going to have to turn away some possible commitments?
Whilst the linebacker play from UM has been poor over the last few seasons, Michigan did address this in the 2011 class with four linebacker commits. So with a class of 16 this year, they probably don't want to take more than two LBs. This is because the bulk of the scholarships will be spent on lineman (at least 5 OL, at least 3 DL).
So let's say for now that Michigan only has two places for LBs in the class, who do you take? Well the two top linebackers on the board are probably James Ross and Royce Jenkins-Stone, part of the Detroit trio that are still strongly considering Michigan. However, both Ross and RJS plan late decisions, nearer their senior year...
The question is, will the scholarships be available for those two in the fall?
If you read this blog often, you should know all about Kaleb Ringer, and how he's going to commit to Michigan on April 15th. But one guy I haven't talked a whole lot about is Ohio LB Joe Bolden. Joe is an ESPN150 watch list recruit, who's already visited Michigan and considers himself a Michigan lean! He'll be visiting again this weekend with his coaches, which means a commitment could happen.
So, it's actually quite likely that Michigan comes out of the spring with two LB commits, which might leave RJS and Ross out in the cold. UM will expect some attrition this offseason, but I doubt Brady Hoke will want to take four LBs again, there are other positions with much greater needs. It's going to be real interesting to see how this unfolds.
You know recruiting is going well when you have to turn four star kids away...
God it feels good to finally start talking about having to turn 4 star recruits away again. The continuous signing of 3 star recruits by the previous regime was a BIG slap in the face to the Michigan faithful. Thank you Brady Hoke for re-establishing Michigan Football on the recruiting trail, and thanks Benji for providing this platform.
ReplyDeleteBut is that good for Michigan? Because Ross and RJS are better than Joe and Ringer.
ReplyDeleteYes thankgoodness RR is gone. Now we dont have to worry about getting those terrible players he recruited like Shoelace,Lewan,Omameh,Roh,J.Black,well I think you gwt the picture. Recruiting was not RR downfall.
ReplyDeleteAgree with @Worm and @Asad here. Turning down 4-stars is a good sign, sort of, but ultimately we'd rather have Ross and RJS right now. Hoke/Mattison are stuck between a rock and a hard place; they have shots at some highly-rated recruits but can't turn their back on these Michigan leans and pretty damn good LBs too.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the RR bashing is getting old and quite honestly not applicable when it comes to recruiting. He recruited a bunch of 4-stars and was about to land 2-3 5-stars this past class had he not gotten fired that have panned out on the field under his system.
And as Benj pointed out, this most recent class has addressed a lot of the struggles on the field--he just won't be able to actually coach them. It always has been and always will be his defensive hires, too much loyalty on that side of the staff, and never giving them full ownership to run the schemes they know best (i.e. must teach 3-3-5 even if you don't know it well)
I do see this as an excellent problem to have. Yes we want Ross and RJS. If there is a probability that we will not have scholorships available because they waited, I'm sure Hoke and staff are addressing that with them. We definitly want the best. However, these seem to be studs we are getting interest from. We wondered why we were getting early recruits??? Hoke is creating a place kids will want to play. If they want in, they'll learn to jump on board. As much as we want these players, our staff can not wait out unil signing day for positions of need.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me why we are happy to get kids that are on some website watch list and we are going to end up passing on 4 star player? I know we are limited on open spots but come on. 3 weeks ago we were crying we had no commits now we have 2 and there not very high commits.Are we the fans going to have to settle for 3 star and lower because Michigan runs out of open spots again? And why does Michigan only have 16 scholarships and some other big schools have 25 to 30 every year?
ReplyDeleteJer89
ReplyDeleteI dont know how solid a lot of the star/ranking systems go as far as OL/OT positions. These guys don't really have stats and are often missed. I would say Wisconsin has had a good eye on the OLine in the past and Braden was holding offers form them as well as other D-1 schools such as MSU and Syracuse. I don't believe we are looking at scrubs.
I also took a list at last years commits. A few of those guys are already gone from the team. Attrition will happen. I don't know how many scholorships we'll have, but you got to believe it is going to be more than the 16 we are hearing now.
Sam Webb mentioned that he thinks Mich will take 3 to 4 LBs in this recruting class. We have already lost one player. There is a good chance a few more drop out before all is said and done.
ReplyDeleteWhen someone transfers out does that open the scholarship this year? And can Michigan reject a early verbal for a late verbal?
ReplyDeleteHow bout some DT's!!, we need the big boys to stop the run!
ReplyDeleteWorm.. I'll give you D.R., but the rest are just "nice" players. Recruiting wasn't a problem? Since when did landing a class ranked in the 20's become acceptable? Yes, the scheme's that were ran put the kids @ a disadvantage from the start, but the talent disparity btwn Michigan & the elite programs was very evident. You know the recruiting has been a problem when you watch them play a team like Indiana & can't see a noticeable difference in talent.... Outside of the before mentioned Mr. Robinson.
ReplyDeleteI really hope one day we can recruit like Alabama and USC. Dreaming :-)
ReplyDeleteMichigan can not recruit like the sec teams. Michigan has a higher academic standard.
ReplyDeleteReally Brandon you think recruiting is what did RR in? The classes ranked in the 20's dont hold water.RR's 1st class was ranked 8 on rivals,his 2nd class ranked 10. Only his last class ranked 20. By the way if he wouldnt have been fired we would have brought in the 2 highest ranked players UM has landed in years with HArt and Frost. RR's down fall was defense,you cant blame him for player bust like Big Willand Justin Turner who both were 5* guys.
ReplyDeleteWell, I think RR would've lost Hart and Frost anyway. Disaster of a bowl game finished RR. He would've had no momentum/support going into the offseason. It was his fault putting all of his eggs on Pryor and throwing '08 season out of the window. People's patience basically ran out.
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