Kennedy says "Wait 'til Next Year"
An interesting read....Scout's Scott Kennedy is essentially "prophesizing" that Michigan (along with Fla and Miami) will have a top 10 class next year.
http://michigan.scout.com/2/1045749.html
Interesting that Saban's 1st makeshift class, after being also hired in January, finished 22nd similar to our 27th, and then the following year, with a full 12 months, landed the #1 class.
With the following FACTS....
1. Hoke and Mattison are sublime recruiters (Meyer calls Mattison the best in country).
2. The 2012 recruit pool in Michigan/Ohio is the deepest its been in a decade.
3. Michigan will be attractive to those recruits for early playing time, in addition to the normal reasons.
....it is NOT a stretch to think that Michigan can land the top overall recruiting class next year, is it ?
February 4th, 2011 at 10:00 AM ^
Sounds like the State of Michigan has some solid recruits, a few of which are Cass Tech guys and having Coach Wilcher there doesn't hurt.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:07 AM ^
It's not a stretch at all to think we could have a top ten class IF we can win some games this year. With great recruiters, success on the field will be followed by success in recruiting.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:53 AM ^
If we struggle with a new offense, our defense doesn't improve or we have serious injuries on either offensive or defensive line we won't do well in season and we won't get a good recruiting class, but if our offense is as good or better than last year, our defense makes the improvement you would expect from getting a year older and we are healthy, we will win a lot of games and our recruiting class should be good.
Hell, even just winning 7 games Rodriguez would have had a top 15 (maybe top ten) class with two five stars, (Hart and Frost) and maybe Zettel. Michigan still has pull with recruits and if we start winning top 10 classes will be the norm.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:57 AM ^
The biggest key to recruiting next year will be eliminating the illusion or threat of upheaval and/or uncertainty. A solid season will close the book on the last few years of nightmare. So sure, it's certainly okay to be optimistic, but we can't land an egg in the season and expect the blue chips to not notice.
February 4th, 2011 at 12:46 PM ^
February 4th, 2011 at 10:17 AM ^
He has the same first name and sort of looks like Scott Templeton. For that, I cannot take this guy seriously.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:28 AM ^
"A lie ain't a side of a story. It's just a lie."
February 4th, 2011 at 10:49 AM ^
I have nothing to add, but am contractually-obligated to respond to any posts that reference the Wire.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:19 AM ^
then i won't expect to get any LBs or DBs. depth chart has 9 LBs at freshman and sophmores this fall, DBs have 13.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:24 AM ^
Guarantee we're selling big to offensive and defensive linemen and then can just sell to elite players at the other spots.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:29 AM ^
They will be able to play for a DC who has coached, successfully, at the highest level and for arguably the best defense at said level. This is a huge sway for those defensive players we are going to be pursuing from here on out. If they are scared of the competition that they will face in order to see the field then I would be willing to bet that Hoke and co will see that as a weakness in their play Especially when you listen to them talk about how tough and hungry he wants the players to be. He's bringing an exciting mind set to the team that we should see transpire into the players that he recruits.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:50 AM ^
this would fall into item #1.
just wanted to point out that the immediate playing time or contribute idea is not going to be around forever. of 24 starting positions this fall, 8 are seniors, 8 are juniors, 7 are sophs and 1 is a fresh (wile) according to the depth chart. this means that in 2012 UM has 16 of 24 back, not including non-starting major contributors.
as i see it, the positions most likely for a freshman to come in and play immediately, DBs, RBs and WRs are pretty full, with the exception of a fast lanky WR. thankfully, could not say the same thing the past few years where we were actually counting on freshman to start before they even got to campus.
February 4th, 2011 at 1:43 PM ^
I was worried about our numbers at LB for the next recruiting cycle. I would hope we can land at leat Ross and Jenkins-Stone.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:22 AM ^
February 4th, 2011 at 10:38 AM ^
Our overall quality of recruit will have to be off the charts if we expect to land a number 1 class according to the recruiting services, considering their rankings are compiled using aggregate points, which will always favor the SEC and their 30+ recruit (over)signing classes.
I do think we'll have a great recruiting class this year, though.
February 4th, 2011 at 12:27 PM ^
Was explained on the radio this morning. They even used the word OVERSIGNING.
When they rank a class they only use the top 20 recruits. If someone signs 33 (Satan) only 20 of those count. But, if a class is less than 20 recruits then they get penalized when compared to 20.
Just an FYI. Continue bitching about the SEC oversigning now.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:28 AM ^
as Mark Mangino trying to get into a pair of Sansabelts that are two sizes too small.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:28 AM ^
Why are you comparing Brady Hoke to Nick Saban?
Saban had a NC and some NFL experience under his belt by the time he took over at Bama.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:35 AM ^
But Mattison is a monster recruiter, and from what I have read, Hoke is pretty damn good, himself.
Oh, and Mattison's NFL experience was a heck of a lot more successful than Saban's.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:36 AM ^
Comparing to Hoke may be a bad example, but Mattinson also has an NC and some (more successful) experience in the NFL.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:44 AM ^
I mentioned Saban because he also came to a powerhouse program that was struggling, and signed on late in January, and managed a 22nd overall class in three weeks, followed by a #1 overall class the next year. It is not a stretch at all to think, with all the reasons I mentioned, especially the prospect for early playing time, that this powerhouse can land the top class.
February 4th, 2011 at 5:43 PM ^
February 4th, 2011 at 10:29 AM ^
Illinois has a good amount of talent this year too, should be added to the list in terms of Ohio and Michigan having good classes.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:32 AM ^
What makes you think Brady Hoke is a "sublime" recruiter? I like his promise, and he certainly seems to be a good cultural fit (for what that's worth), but I think it's too early to give him that crown.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:36 AM ^
I hear that early in the morning he rises to the street, lights up a cigarette and straps shoes on his feet (deedle deedle dee)
February 4th, 2011 at 10:46 AM ^
I guess you aren't versed on the job Hoke did in California, taking away a ton of stars from USC and the Pac-10. That is no easy feat.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:55 AM ^
There's a missing sarcasm tag on this, right?
February 4th, 2011 at 10:37 AM ^
Yes, it's a stretch to think Michigan can land the top overall class next year. I'm not saying it's not possible, but those are some lofty expectations/goals.
Consider the fact that Alabama already has 6 commitments for 2012. LB Reggie Ragland is going to either be the best or second best player in Alabama, and he's already committed.
LSU has 3 commitments so far, one of which is Avery Johnson, who will be ranked as one of the best receivers in the country out of Florida.
Ohio State has 5 commitments for 2012. Two of which are the top running backs in Ohio, Brionte Dunn and Warren Ball.
I'm not saying Michigan's class is going to be bad, because it's not. I think they're going to do really well in 2012. They only, as of right now, have around 16-17 spots available though. The midwest is loaded and they'll have a good shot at getting a highly ranked class, but I wouldn't start throwing around "Top overall class" yet.
February 4th, 2011 at 11:03 AM ^
Tom, that 16-17 spots available is assuming no real attrition, right? Just the outgoing seniors and maybe one or two guys who don't receive a fifth year?
I'd be surprised if we don't end up with a number of available spots in the low 20's. I'd expect a couple transfers out of the slot receivers and the massive amount of young secondary and linebackers.
February 4th, 2011 at 11:11 AM ^
Yeah, I'm sure that number will move up but it's impossible to predict. So right now there's only 16-17 spots.
February 4th, 2011 at 12:04 PM ^
Based on the depth chart on this here blog, I believe we start with15 spots, and that number could increase with attrition. 20 would be about right, I bet.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:37 AM ^
If we win 9 games next year. That simple.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:46 AM ^
Clemson had 6 wins this year and, per rivals, finished with the 8th best class.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:49 AM ^
Clemson is weird. They always do that. Are the girls down there so hot it justifies playing for a shitty team or something?
February 4th, 2011 at 10:58 AM ^
Yea I don't know, I guess Clemson should be an exception. I don't understand how they continually land great classes and then it doesn't transpire onto the field. Don't they see the common trend? Nah, they probably do just see the amazing girls that are on the campus. I hear this is how they greet their recruits.
February 4th, 2011 at 3:07 PM ^
I picked on you in another post this afternoon, but I would like to warmly and graciously thank you for this contribution. +10,000
February 8th, 2011 at 8:03 PM ^
YES I WOULD LIKE TO SUPERSIZE THAT PICTURE FOR 25 CENTS
oh, wait....shit
February 4th, 2011 at 11:00 AM ^
Living not far from Clemson, I can say that even the Clemson fans are mystified by this. How do their underachieving teams continue to recruit so well, and why do they remain underachieving if they have such great recruits? I will say, however, that Clemson, SC is a gorgeous college town. Finally, there is already talk here of bringng Rich Rod back as head coach.
February 4th, 2011 at 11:21 AM ^
Another underachieving season and its almost assures their coach would be fired. In that case there's a good chance RR will be there. Recruiting ties in the south sure helps that. All he would need is to find a Denard. Scary thought.
February 4th, 2011 at 12:33 PM ^
When, not if that happens Clemson and FSU will own the ACC for a long time. Don't like wishing for Dabo to washout, but RR is a perfect fit there.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:37 AM ^
Nice thought, but I'll start believing when I start seeing some results.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:48 AM ^
You need to go to a dictionary and look up the definition of the word "fact".
February 4th, 2011 at 10:48 AM ^
fired some people up at a recent press conference - but - let's start by having the #1 recruiting class in the big 10 then see what happens after that. You gotta win the conference to be #1 nationally.........
February 4th, 2011 at 10:55 AM ^
Wait, there's recruiting next year too? I thought after this past signing day, we never had to worry about it again.
February 4th, 2011 at 10:56 AM ^
February 4th, 2011 at 11:01 AM ^
I thought this would be a thread about how Jack Kennedy would be a big part of the new offense.
February 4th, 2011 at 11:07 AM ^
I don't think we'll have the #1 class for 2012, but I think we can be ranked higher than Notre Dame was for 2011.
And Notre Dame had a pretty damn good class this year.
February 4th, 2011 at 11:11 AM ^
any opinions on the best websites for looking at 2012 recruiting, specifically rankings for state of michigan and midwest recruits? I did a quick search of rivals and scout; nada.
February 4th, 2011 at 11:16 AM ^
doesn't really matter.
After the kids come to campus it is how they personnally mature, handle pressure and grades, stay healthy and out of trouble, how they are coached, what position they actually play and the support of teamates and senior leadership..
Read this article if you can:
http://insider.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/insider/news/story?id=606210…
(I read it at the barbershop)
More than half the #1 ranked HS players in the last 25 years ended up flameouts.
February 4th, 2011 at 1:46 PM ^
it sure matters in perception, and future recruiting.