2014 recruiting

If you're frustrated by last night's game - especially the refereeing - and want to think about football, this week's scouting report is on Oakley (CA) Freedom running back Joe Mixon.  When I was asked a month or two ago for my wish list of 16 recruits from the 2014 class, Mixon was neck-and-neck with Elijah Hood for my top choice of running back.  He has a good combination of speed, power, size, and receiving ability, and he just appears to be a very good all-around prospect.  Michigan made his top fifteen list not long ago, which means there's at least a chance.

http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/2013/04/scouting-report-joe-mixon.html

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This morning's scouting report is on Cleveland (OH) Glenville safety Erick Smith.  Glenville, obviously, has sent a couple guys to Michigan in recent years after a long drought.  Word is that Smith likes the Buckeyes, just like many Glenville products; but if Urban Meyer screws things up or if Brady Hoke turns on the charm, then Michigan is right in that next group of teams who could make a move.

http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/2013/03/scouting-report-erick-smith.html

This week my scouting report is on Gardena (CA) Junipero Serra cornerback Adoree' Jackson, who is originally from Illinois and is familiar with the midwest.  Michigan offered him a few weeks back, and he has shown interest, although he has also said that LSU is his dream school.  He's an electrifying player who could play a few different positions in college.

http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/2013/03/scouting-report-adoree-jackso...

This week's scouting report is on Cleveland (OH) St. Ignatius outside linebacker Kyle Berger.  The battle for Berger's services is reportedly down to Michigan vs. Ohio State.  He is a SAM linebacker all the way, and Michigan needs to replenish the ranks of its SAM linebackers with just two certain ones on the roster right now - Cam Gordon (who will graduate after the upcoming season) and Jake Ryan (who is a redshirt junior).  A couple other guys (Mike McCray II, Michael Ferns III) could play there, too.  Berger's highlight reel on Hudl is a little long and could probably be condensed a little bit, but if you watch all the way through, you'll see him showing some impressive speed, an ability to hold the edge, and some pass rushing ability.

http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/2013/02/scouting-report-kyle-berger.html

I have appreciated the articles by Ace on recruiting and offers going out. However, it would be helpful to have this information all in one place. In past years, there was a helpful tab with the recruiting board for that year. Here, for instance, is 2013's recruiting board.

LINK:  http://mgoblog.com/content/2013-michigan-football-recruiting-board

Seth, or Ace, (or Brian or Heiko,) will this be done for 2014? If so, when might we expect to see this up?

The reason I ask is because with maybe 100 offers out, it is hard to keep them all straight. More than that, it is difficult to know who should be categorized as "Nefarious Eduardo." I'd love to get a better sense of who is legitimately interested in Michigan, and vice versa.

If you go over to Michigan's Scout site (LINK:  http://michigan.scout.com/a.z?s=162&p=9&c=4&yr=2014 you can see a ton of offers. However, many of these don't seem to be realistic. For example, in today's front page, Ace tells us that Michigan's chances with Quin  Blanding are "slim and none." There have been positive reports here at mgoblog on LB Prospect Berger out of Cleveland St. Ignatius, but Ohio site 11 warriors sees things differently. I still don't know whether or not we have a legit chance to land Da'Shawn Hand at Michigan.

I also am a bit unclear on how good the recruits are. Bars, Mixon, and Doles are all way down Scout's list in the meh 3 star territory. I thought all of them were better than that. EDIT:  I know that the 3 star - 4 star thing is over-played. I know all ratings are somewhat subjective, but it would be great to have help comparing recruits to each other. I'm just a fan:  if Hoke and Mattison and Borges want to accept commitments from Bars, Mixon, and Doles, that's good enough for me.

If any of you have compiled a list of say 15 - 25 recruits you think we are strongly in the running for, I'd love to see it.