Exit Austin White
Michigan's 2010 recruiting class is now down a fourth member, as spring enrollee Austin White is no longer with the team. When he wasn't listed on the Media Day roster, I asked Michigan Football spokesman Dave Ablauf about it, and his answer was short and sweet: "That's permanent." Coach Rich Rodriguez expanded a bit in his statements to the media:
"Austin White is no longer in the program. So, we wish him well, we'll help him in that regard, but we're - he's no longer part of the Michigan football family.
From the tone of both Ablauf and Rodriguez's remarks, it sounds like the decision was more in the hands of the program than White himself.
Fortunately for me, I spent most of last fall following White around, so here are some highlights of his senior season of high school:
As for impact on the program, it shouldn't be a big factor. White was a lock to redshirt in 2010, and even then he was looking up at several players on the depth chart. Michigan can fill the void his departure creates in 2011 and 2012 recruiting.
August 22nd, 2010 at 5:26 PM ^
so, what are you getting at, Don? that it's on par with past classes at M, so don't worry? or that it IS on par with past classes at M, so DO worry?
August 22nd, 2010 at 5:30 PM ^
The losses from the 2005 and 2006 classes were a big cause of the lack of depth that Michigan suffered from over the past two years. I'm not sure it's a great argument to say that attrition now is no worse than it was then.
Also, the 05 and 06 classes had that attrition over four years. The 2010 class has been on campus for less than a month.
August 22nd, 2010 at 9:22 PM ^
Okay, you listed 15 guys who left the team over three classes (2004-2006).
There are 14 players from the 2008-2010 classes that are gone, and like we have stated, four of those kids didn't even make it to their freshman seasons.
If you add in all the players who left early due to the Carr-to-Rodriguez transition . . . yeah, that's a whole hell of a lot of players.
August 22nd, 2010 at 6:15 PM ^
are sometimes going to leave. If a kid believes in himself--or just loves to play and only has four years to do it--why wouldn't they leave if they think they'll be buried on the depth chart? (Not saying that's the case with White, but this is an important conversation.)
If Dave above is right we've got no less attrition than we had under Lloyd Carr. The difference is that RichRod's every move is being placed beneath the microscope.
If I Blue Myself, above, is right, however, then RichRod may be doing some oversigning himself. The truth is that SOME attrition IS to be expected. But how do you account for it and do right by the kids?
August 22nd, 2010 at 6:46 PM ^
not surprised. I am 95% positive that he stole my ipod at a party in may.
August 22nd, 2010 at 7:16 PM ^
August 22nd, 2010 at 7:40 PM ^
Maybe this kid just realized it wasn't a great fit for him, whatever the reason. Some kids stick it out, some don't. I transferred after my freshman year. I just didn't like where I was, and wanted to be at Michigan. Happens all the time. It's just that RR is being super scrutinized right now. Michigan football isn't for every player, and every player isn't for M football.
August 22nd, 2010 at 8:22 PM ^
It's a position of relative strength for now. Apparently this was not a big surprise to anyone - but hopefully that's the end of the defections for a while.
August 22nd, 2010 at 8:31 PM ^
I'll say a word.... just a word. He was a good, brave boy, he had a fine tenor voice and we'll all miss him. There's accidents in life, and he met with a bad one. We may all do the same if we ain't careful. Dust to dust. Now, let's the rest of us go on to Montana.
good luck austin.
August 22nd, 2010 at 9:40 PM ^
to match our "Hello Austin White" type threads. Goodbye Austin White, and good luck.
August 22nd, 2010 at 10:04 PM ^
It is never a good thing to sign a kid with an LOI and then have him never make it to campus. The only thing that will make things better, is to win. RR has done well with recruiting even though there have been bumps along the way. Once we start winning, the programs success will only exponentially increase from there. Dee Hart would help too!
August 22nd, 2010 at 11:31 PM ^
It always sucks to see guys leave...
August 23rd, 2010 at 12:17 AM ^
It's not "Those who don't get kicked off the team will be champions"
August 23rd, 2010 at 2:08 AM ^
Did he stay at Michigan? No! A player does not stay at Michigan if he is kicked off the team. Therefore, he we will not be a champion. Very simple.
August 23rd, 2010 at 8:54 AM ^
Denotatively you are right, but connotatively, culturally, you are wrong. Look up your history concerning why Bo used that phrase - it was because kids were leaving after his arrival and because of his installment of a 'you had better work your ass off' program'. It was his reaction to kids leaving of their own accord, not kids he dismissed from the team.
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:26 AM ^
in the Michigan segment of The Big Ten Network's camp special, Austin White makes a noticeable run through the Wolverine drill.
Noticeable both for some pretty good vision and decision making while picking his way through, and also for a lack of wings.
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