2010 Michigan Football Recruiting Board
Be sure to read the official mgoblog recruiting philosophy before committing suicide over anything you read here.
A Note on "Stars": These are my guesstimates. Players don't have stars associated with them yet. When the recruiting services add them I'll adjust my ratings. Half-stars appear to provide some additional accuracy. Generally a 4.5 star is a guy solidly in the top 100 on Scout/Rivals/ESPN and really highly rated by one. A 3.5 star is either a guy who is is a 3 on one site and a 4 on the other or a four-star that no one seems particularly excited about.
A Note on Premium Info: No illicit sharing of said material will appear on this site. Players are listed with interested schools in their profiles; this information is public. Commitments are by definition public. Any assertions as to schools in the mix, decision dates, or leaders I will back up with links to public information.
Projected Class Size:
| Names | Count | |
|---|---|---|
| Expired Eligibility | Ortmann, Mathews, McAvoy, Grady, C. Brown, Minor, Graham, S. Brown, Mesko, Moosman, Savoy | 11 |
| Transfer | Threet, Clemons, Wermers, O'Neill | 4 |
| Early Entry | Possibilities: Warren. | -- |
| Unrenewed Fifth | Possibilities: Cone, Wright, Banks | 2 |
| Other | Unused: 2 (Grady) Bad news: Feagin | 3 |
Total: Michigan has 17 to give right now and will probably see that swell to around 20 with normal attrition. More detail on the scholarship situation can be found at the depth chart by class.
The Board
Legend:
| Icon | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 |
Sad Josh | The genre of player with unrequited interest in Michigan. Unlikely to receive offers; most will eventually fade off the list and go to Duke or Michigan State or something. |
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Nefarious Eduardo | Player is a longshot. Either they've declared someone else a leader publicly or popular opinion holds that they're likely to go to another school. |
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Data | Either no opinion or Michigan is one of a fairly even group of chasing schools. Players in this category maintain no leader or change their leader frequently. The default category for players that we don't know much about yet. |
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Happy Teeth | Players who have Michigan in a small leading group or have Michigan as a tenuous favorite. Should be regarded as a good shot, not a slam dunk. |
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Mr. Blue | Player is either a verbal or is expected to be one sooner or later. Players with this designation are 65%+ to be Michigan commits. |
Additional note: (EE) next to a Michigan commit indicates the player intends to enroll early.
Quarterback
Needs: Major. Steven Threet's transfer leaves Michigan with two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster, which is one more than last year if you discount the Coner (and you should) but still dangerously short. Michigan is already pursuing a half-dozen prospects heavily and will definitely take two. They'd probably take three if they could get three.
Status: Michigan has a half-dozen offers out and looks good for a couple of guys you'd like to see as the second QB in the class. Devin Gardner is the big fish, and he's kept it close to the vest outside of very publicly dropping Ohio State.
Projected Commits: 2.
| Commitments | |||||
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devin Gardner | MI | ****.5 | Michigan (EE) | |
Inkster(Cam Gordon). Dropped OSU recently. Preliminary top prospect in state. Commit article. Highlights. Helmholdt article. "Ideal fit." Webb article. More highlights. Combine MVP. Yet more highlights. Faces off with Bolden, Boisture. Another article on that. Nike Combine one. Interview. Runnin' video. Smokin' it at camps. 7-on-7 video. More camp video. Lemming eeeee. Elite 11. Elite 11 performance reviews: one two three four. E11 awards. Interview. Freep fluff, featuring photo gallery. Lemming's #1 combo-passer. Likes Tate's game. Willing to compete for playing time. Not wavering. |
| Conelius Jones | SC | *** |
Michigan |
|
M his first big offer. Will wait for Signing Day. Recruited as ATH. M still leads. Commit article. Fake 40 here. Fluff. Video. Rivals AMP video. |
| Offered Prospects | |||||
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
| Unoffered Prospects | |||||
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
Running Back / Fullback
Needs: Major. Three players graduate this year and two transfers have stripped the depth considerably. There were three commits in the last class, but no blue-chippers. Michigan doesn't need a ton of quantity but one OMG shirtless recruit would be good.
Michigan might be in the market for a fullback, too. Rodriguez used Mark Moundros extensively last year and by the time this class arrives he'll be a senior. Vince Helmuth got moved to defense, so there's no heir apparent. Michigan might try to find a thick-necked walk-on to fill the spot (Moundros was a walk-on), but if they find a fullback sort who they like enough to offer you might see one in the class.
Status: Michigan has chucked a ton of offers out and is now waiting to see who sniffs at the bait. It's of note that they appear to be targeting some pounders this year.
Projected Commits: 2 RB, 1 FB.
| Commitments | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
| Stephen Hopkins | TX | ***.5 | Michigan (EE) | |
Offer. TomVH interview. Michigan leads. Commit article. Board poster talked to him. Best RB in North Dallas-Fort Worth? Lemming's #6 big back. |
| Austin White | MI | **** | Michigan (EE) | |
Two brothers at MSU; some disciplinary issues; may or may not get heavily recruited by the instate powers because of it. Offer. ESPN article. Offered by LSU. Combine MVP. "Heavy" M lean. Indiana offer. Highlights. Commit article. Athlon profile. Interview. Lemming's #23 tailback-slotback. |
| Offered Prospects | |||||
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
| Unoffered Prospects | |||||
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
Wide Receiver
Needs: Moderate. Michigan picked up Je'Ron Stokes late and Jeremy Gallon early, filling holes on the outside and at slot. Cameron Gordon also signed up, though he may get moved to linebacker. But the spread requires at least three WRs at all times and the talent level at WR is still pretty low.
Status: Miller, Jackson, and Robinson are an excellent trio on the outside; they're still looking for a slot. And they're still recruiting a number of other outside WRs; acquiring one might mean Robinson ends up a safety.
Projected Commits: 3… well, four, I guess, since they've already got three and don't appear to be done.
| Commitments | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
| Ricardo Miller | FL | **** | Michigan (EE) | |
Ninja awesome. Interview. Moving to MI this fall. Rivals AMP. More fluff on the move. Brief interview. Lemming's #13 wideout. |
| Jeremy Jackson | MI | ***.5 | Michigan (EE) | |
Son of RB coach Fred Jackson. Florida and LSU offers. Some youtubery. Changing HS positions? Lemming's #19 wideout. |
| Jerald Robinson | OH | ***.5 | Michigan (EE) | |
ATH S. TomVH interview. SI blurb. BP thread. Video. Offer article. Video interview. Picked up a bunch of offers. Scouting report. |
| DJ Williamson | OH | *** | Michigan | |
Offer. Manningham fan. Video. Lifelong M fan. Commit article. Fast 100 time. Track ninja. OH 100M champ as junior. Scouting report. Had ankle surgery. |
| Drew Dileo | LA | *** | Michigan | |
Offer(?!). Slot guy. MGoBlog on Dileo. Jim Stefani on Dileo. Freep article; commit article. Tiger Rag rankings. Fluff. More fluff. |
| Offered Prospects | |||||
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
| Prospects | |||||
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
Tight End
Needs: Minimal? Michigan didn't pick anyone up last year but has four underclassmen in Kevin Koger, Steve Watson, Martell Webb (all sophomores) and Brandon Moore (a redshirt freshman). They might take a guy this year, or they might not.
Status: Eh.
Projected Commits: 0.
| Offered Prospects | |||||
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unoffered Prospects | |||||
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
Offensive Line
Needs: Moderate. Michigan will have nine freshmen on campus this fall, but Moosman, Ortmann, and McAvoy graduate and Michigan should endeavor to keep the numbers on the line at about the current level. Two or three are likely; only one tackle is needed so there might be a slight emphasis on the interior.
Status: They're being considerably pickier with the offers here; with no slam-dunk sorts in-state there aren't a whole lot of guys high on the radar yet.
Projected Commits: 3-4.
| Commitments | |||||
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Pace | OH | ***.5 | Michigan (EE) | |
Offer. Rivals AMP. Interior prospect. "Very interested." BBQ visitor. Freep article. Great AMP video. Early enroller. Fluff. Lemming's #20 guard. |
| Offered Prospects | |||||
| Prospects | |||||
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
Defensive Tackle
Needs: High. No one graduates but there are just four DTs on the roster, one of them a converted fullback.
Status: Yikes. Hankins is a guy who grew up an M fan but may or may not end up offered; other than that the board is bare. It's a bad year for DTs.
Projected Commits: 2.
| Committed Prospects | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terry Talbott | OH | *** | Michigan | |
Offer. Scouting Ohio video. Possible OSU offer coming? Not close to a decision. Scout article. Visited unofficially. Tom VH interview. Visit reaction. |
| Richard Ash | FL | **** | Michigan | |
Offer. Pahokee. Likely to stay in state. Speculation is UF leads. Webb on Pahokee. Visiting for OSU game. |
| Jibreel Black | OH | *** | Michigan | |
Cincy commit opened up after Kelly left. Visiting M in January. Committed 1-24. |
| Offered Prospects | |||||
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
| Prospects | |||||
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
Defensive End
Needs: High. Michigan picked up two last year to replace an outgoing two; they'll need two again with Brandon Graham and Greg Banks on their way out.
Status: Michigan looks good for OH DE Derrick Bryant and is chucking out offers to national prospects otherwise.
Projected Commits: 3.
| Commitments | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
| Ken Wilkins | PA | ***.5 | Michigan | |
Offer. Up to 27 offers now. Deciding soon between M and Pitt. TomVH interview; second one. MGoBlog on Wilkins. Helmholdt commit article; local commit articles. More commit articles. |
| Jordan Paskorz | PA | *** | Michigan | |
Offer. Older brother @ ND. Commit article. |
| Davion Rogers | OH | *** | Michigan | |
Former WVU commit who switched to Michigan following his official visit. |
| Offered Prospects | |||||
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
| Prospects | |||||
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
Linebacker
Needs: Michigan picked up three outside linebackers and maybe a fourth depending on the final disposition of MI WR Cameron Gordon, but middle linebacker went unfilled and will be a priority.
Status: the most prominent target right now is TX MLB Caleb Lavey, who's already got offers from Oklahoma and most of the rest of the Big 12.
Projected Commits: 2.
| Commitments | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
| Antonio Kinard | OH | *** | Michigan | |
Youngstown Liberty (Bell, Toussaint). Offer. BP thread. Video. Article. MGoBlog on Kinard. Vindy profile. Deathbacking? Lemming's #24 inside 'backer. |
| Josh Furman | MD | **** | Michigan | |
ATH S, WR. Offer. Did well at camp. WVU interested. Scout article. Blowin' up. Will visit M officially. Webb says M is in a good spot. Visiting M for ND game. Visit confirmed. Furman-as-RB fluff. ND visit. Might decide in October. M-ND visitor. Decide December 19 between M and VT. |
| Jake Ryan | OH | **.5 | MIchigan | |
Super-sleeper from the storied Cleveland St. Ignatius program. |
| Offered Prospects | |||||
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
| Prospects | |||||
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
Cornerback
Needs: High. Two corners in last year's class but one might end up at safety and the other was a two-star.
Status: Fortunately, Michigan looks to be in good shape with four different prospects, two of whom have declared Michigan their outright leader.
Projected Commits: 2.
| Commitments | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
| Courtney Avery | OH | *** | Michigan | |
Stanford decommit got camp offer. MGoBlog on Avery. Commit article. Another one, another one. |
| Terrence Talbott | OH | *** | Michigan | |
Offer(?) [ed: no]. Brother of Terry Talbott. Now offered. Wants to go to school with brother. Visit and offer reactions. |
| Cullen Christian | PA | **** | Michigan | |
Offer. Ifill's teammate. Video; part 2. Webb article. UCLA offer. M at 85%. M still leading. Moved into the Rivals 100. M still leads. Likes Michigan still. Will only visit M and UCLA. September visit with teammate Ifill. Still favors M. |
| Offered Prospects | |||||
| Prospects | |||||
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
Safety
Needs: Moderate. Two in the last class and only one outgoing this year.
Status: Hopefully Marvin Robinson doesn't do a 180—though at this point it would be a 170 or so—and leave us hanging; get him and picking up one other good prospect probably won't be too hard.
Projected Commits: 2.
| Commits | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
| Marvin Robinson | FL | ****.5 | Michigan (EE) |
|
BP thread; OSU fans are still resigned that he will commit to M. UNC supposed to be coming on. M still leads. Has reconfigured his list; Michigan still leads. Foregone conclusion. Rivals AMP. "Stood out." Highlights. Lemming's #4 safety. |
| Carvin Johnson | LA | **.5 | Michigan |
|
Commitment post. |
| Ray Vinopal | OH | *** | Michigan | |
M Offers. |
| Offered Prospects | |||||
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
| Latwan Anderson | OH | ****.5 | WVU, USC, OSU, M |
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Verbal to West Virginia, but did not sign. He will visit USC and maaaybe Michigan, then decide. |
Kickers
Needs: Zoltan the Inconceivable graduates, so Michigan will be in the market for a punter if they don't have any walk-ons they think can handle the job. Freshman Brendan Gibbons will take over the kicker duties, so they should be set there.
Projected commits: 1 punter.
| Commits | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | State | Stars | Schools | Y/N | Notes |
| Will Hagerup | WI | *** | M, OSU lead UF, Bama, UW, Ill, Indiana |
|
Offer. Probably the #1 punter in the country. Highlights. OSU offer. Decision soon, probably between M and OSU. Fluff, will decide at end of Sept. Will visit M for the Indiana game. Commits to M following the game. |
Projected Commits: 0, though if someone wants to walk on they'll take him.
A reminder: the Star Scale for Rumor Credibility.
- 0-star: incoherent ravings.
- 1-star: clearly biased speculation without backing.
- 2-star: Some guy saying something on some board that claims insider info due to a chance occurence.
- 3-star: Information from someone less established as an insider but a frequent poster who seems sane and useful.
- 4-star: recognized insider-type person with no ax to grind who has established his bonafides on past recruits.
- 5-star: actually verified by an article and a quote from the player, a family member, or a coach.
So. Cutoff is two stars... sometimes three. Played by feel. In the future there will be denotations as follows:
UV: the information in sum(star rating).
Links will be provided so you can judge for yourself; posts that will fall into the memory hole will be copied for posterity.