I've been a bit busy lately, and I've only just seen that Ohio State did not get tagged with a failure to monitor charge by the NCAA. This is unbelievable. But alas, on with the recruiting updates.
- Brionte Dunn will still visit Michigan, but there's no doubt in my mind that Michigan's chances took a hit this weekend. It's been said in the past that a bowl ban would be very important to Dunn, and this latest news out of Columbus suggests that the Buckeyes will get away with that.
- Dwayne Stanford apparently named a top five that somehow does not include Michigan. Personally I'm not buying this. Visits have been delayed and canceled, but I still don't think Michigan is completely out of it. He's still trying to visit later this summer. Still, he has to be removed from the Projected Class list; Welcome back Aaron Burbridge!
- Ron Thompson is still making noise on the recruiting trail. According to numerous tweets and reports from the Grid Iron Kings event, he's been doing very well. He's also named a top three of Michigan, Maryland and Syracuse. This is interesting, as I think Michigan would probably take him if they had a free space on signing day.
I still say we are wasting our time with Dunn. We do not need a running back in this class. We have Shaw (senior) who, if he adds a few pounds over the offseason, (i'm sure he has) is my favorite of the backs. Cox (junior) who knows, could be productive. Fitz and Hopkins both *promising sophomores, and Rawls (people are raving about) and Hayes who are both promising freshman. I say we use Dunn's scholarship for something more important. As we all can assume, the top RB's would like to see Michigans offense before they make a pre-season commit, so we'll show them this year, and take a top RB next year.
ReplyDeleteStanford, although I'd like someone with his size (6'5), I've been feeling as though he's been leaning away for a while now, maybe its just me. I think we have a strong chance for Monty, Burbidge is also looking good, and I wouldn't count out Jordan Payton, he's got Michigan in his top choices, and with our coaches, we could win him over when he takes his visit.
Finally, Ron Thompson. I love this kid. 6'4, 210, great hands, good speed. I see him being a big WR wherever he goes because of his size. He reminds me of Junior Hemingway the way he is able to use his body to go up and grab balls away from defenders, and thompson could do it better being 3-4" taller than Hemingway. He's had Mich in his top since the beginning, so I like our chances.
Now all Dunn has to think about is who is going to be his long term coach, what kind of offense he will want to run, and who will be his OL and QB.
ReplyDeleteI still like Michigan's chances, but I'm not getting my hopes up. My prediction? AL.
And, Thompson has had an offer since Feb. It was once thought he would be the first verbal in the class. Are you writing that if he wanted to verbal they would not accept him/ have you heard he no longer has an offer?
He continues to make noise because the kid is an absolute beast WR that is on an exponential growth curve as a player. He has had limited looks by the major programs only because he has only played FB a couple of years. I bet you will see his offer list grow by the day, through the rest of the summer and fall.
also, sorry Desmond Howard, looks like UM isn't retiring the #21. You can thank incoming DB Raymon Taylor.
ReplyDeleteLa-
ReplyDeleteI don't know that they are wasting their time. Dunn is obviously the real deal, and Ohio still has major issues, known and unknown.
I would add, as I've posted before, that Dunn I. 2012 only means a top TB in 2013 will pass on MI for a shorter depth chart. Just like DR would have passed on MI if TP signed.
@ Blue Marrow
ReplyDeleteI'f I'm reading that correctly, than I agree. If we sign Dunn, than a top 2013 back won't be as likely to join because of the depth. But IMO I say leave the scholarship for a position we need depth at more than RB, and/or somebody who WANTS to play for Michigan. I know a lot of recruits are going to go where they feel they can excel, but he wanted to go to THEosu, the only thing holding him back is sanctions. To me, that says he's not "all in for michigan".
Coach Hoke:
ReplyDeleteTAYLOR!
Taylor:
Yes sir?
Coach Hoke:
Take Desmond Howard's jersey off. Right now. We're retiring that number. And I hope your biggest accomplishment for Michigan is not that you had the HONOR to be the last player to wear HIS number!
Taylor:
Yes sir.
Coach Hoke:
Now go find Vincent Smith, and tell him to get his butt in here.
Taylor:
Yes sir.
Hey Benji, can you make a "like" button for comments, cause I "like" BM's comment above. Speaking of Taylor and the #2 Woodson.
ReplyDeletehttp://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/
Raymon Taylor aspires to be like Charles Woodson. He wants to play DB, return punts, AND play on offense.
"I'm trying to be like Charles Woodson...I'm going to come in and play hard, workout hard, so I should touch the field [in 2011] -- I will touch the field. I know it. I'm good enough to play with anybody. I'm going to come in, take care of business, work out hard, and I'll be on the field this year."
The confidence sounds like Woodson too, I love it.
I have to agree, I think it might be time to just move on from Dunn. This guy wants osu bad so let him go.
ReplyDeleteAs far as retiring numbers, Michigan should approach this very slow, nothing against Howard or Woodson, great Michigan players, but I have a problem with setting a precedent and the players’ not playing for (4) years. I know that might seem petty but that’s just my opinion.
On another note, I see Kris Frost, who ended up committing to Auburn, is out for the season with a shoulder injury. I wish the best in his recovery.
@BlueMarrow
ReplyDeleteWhere are you getting Alabama from? Dunn has said the only other schools he's looking at (other than OSU) are Michigan, Miami, and Penn St. Nothing at all has mentioned Alabama.
WOW, is that Karma or something. Both of the commits that were heavy maize and blue leans that ended up going elsewhere after the firing ended up injured and probably out for the season. I do wish them all the best and hope they can make it back from their respective injuries.
ReplyDeleteThe god of manball and his son Michiganman both cursed Richrod with bad coordinators and injuries. They assumed that Dee and Kris would go to Michigan, so they cursed them. These curses are irreversible so there was nothing to stop the curse even when they were seduced by the SEC.
ReplyDeleteIn all seriousness it is a shame that both guys got injured and hopefully this doesn't hurt their chances of developing into NFL caliber players.
West Des Moines (Iowa) Dowling wide receiver Amara Darboh is visiting Michigan today...
ReplyDeleteWhat do u guys think of this guy?
I like him, he like most of the other newer WR targets is 6'2". I would not be disappointed or surprised if we got him very soon. It sounds like he is going to be here all week and go to the BBQ.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear!!...According to TomVH: There has been some scuttlebutt among Ohio State fans that Kalis would eventually switch back to the Buckeyes despite the fact that a good amount of their fans trashed him on the internet for making the switch in the first place. Kalis has been saying all along that he is solid to Michigan and won't re-think his decision no matter what happens with the sanctions at Ohio State. Today he had this to say about the situation:
ReplyDelete"Despite all the speculation about the limited sanctions that Ohio State will receive, I've grown to love Michigan too much to ever consider going back. I'm excited to get up there next season and to start what I know is going to be a new chapter in Michigan history, and with the amazing class that my head coach Brady Hoke is putting together."
BlueFan,
ReplyDeleteThere has been quite a bit of banter on Scout.com. "Both he and Wormley are considering another shade of red."
Of course all of this is shear speculation. My speculation: Dunn is well aware of AL's situation at TB, and he remembers watching Mark Ingrahm win the Hesiman.
Saban is a proven winner, at one of the most storied programs in the game, and in the premier conference. He's also showing young Bron'te lots of love.
Everyone needs to remember that signing day is in February 2012. the recruiting is relentless, and the recruiters are very good at what they do.
Thanks Monique. I had not seen that. Great quote, but disturbing to me that high school Seniors to be are putting out press releases that sound better than what comes out of the White House Press Room.
ReplyDeleteThat's great news on Kalis if it does hold true all the way to signing day. Honestly, it had to turn him off hearing all the stuff that osu fans were saying about him as soon as he committed to Michigan. Kind of messed up since he isn't technically even a high school senior yet with everything they were saying. Pretty classless imo. It's nice to come on here and see the class that fans of U of M display. When you hear things like Hart and Frost being injured and possibly out for the season, we still all with them well and truly mean it. That's what sports and life are about. BTW, if Stanford doesn't want us then that's fine. Darboh looks like a stud. Over 6'2" and runs a 4.42 40yd dash according to Scout. I love that he has speed AND size and there's a highlight where he makes a game winning touchdown and he makes a TOUGH AS NAILS run after the catch to score. I definitely like how he looks a lot and he's highly rated and must be interested if he's staying here all week until the BBQ at the BH.
ReplyDeleteNorthernmi,
ReplyDeleteI get your point about the four years, but I think it's a factor that should be weighed in the balance, not tip it over.
They will proceed glacially slowly. Count on it.
And the first numbers to be retired will be numbers unfamiliar to a lot of fans, not 21 and 2.
You can take that to the bank.
WR and TB are the least on my concerns.
ReplyDeleteIt's being built, and they are coming. 2012, or 2013, they are coming.
DT.
DT.
DT!?!
O'Brien gets the most love this weekend, and becomes, what is it? 20?
Go Blue!
Has anyone heard if we picked up our 20th commit....
ReplyDeleteRumor is we picked up fullback Sione Houma....
We got another commit Utah sione houma 5'11 210# info from tomvh
ReplyDelete