Hello From The Future: Sean Parker? Comment Count

Brian

A special, oddly timed recruiting bit.

So Michigan is or was in on a few highly rated California prospects, most of whom seem ticketed elsewhere at the moment. The biggest one given Michigan's immediate need at safety was CA C Sean Parker, though, and plenty of grim resignation that he was headed to USC has given way to a strange new dawn where Parker says stuff like this*:

"I'm done with visits, it's USC, Michigan and Notre Dame right now," Parker said. "My plan is still the same as it has been the whole year, wait until Signing Day and then announce. I loved my visits to Michigan and Notre Dame and I've been to USC a number of times so I don't think I need to take another visit there.

"Michigan is recruiting me the hardest right now. That was also my favorite trip and I'm very high on them. I haven't talked to Brian Kelly at Notre Dame yet but he did leave me a message and I need to call him back.

A quick Google scour turns up some Irish fans having a mild freakout about a text eliminating ND and adding Cal sent to Irish Sports Daily shortly after that. Usually a late add like Cal is not a major factor, which leaves Michigan going head to head with USC.

Normally this would be bad, but USC has commits from Robert Woods, an "athlete" who projects to safety and is the #3 player in the country, Dion Bailey, the #7 safety according to Rivals, and pulled in a full class of four and five star defensive backs last year. So their depth chart is a tiny bit more crowded than Michigan's.

So… what I'm saying is that Sean Parker looks like an increasingly strong possibility in this class. Both premium sites have recently had an uptick in their optimism about his recruitment and I got a solid-seeming (but unconfirmed!) tip that Michigan was in excellent position.

That pickup would obviously be huge. Parker is a consensus four star at a position of extreme need, top 100 to Scout and the #26 player in the country to ESPN. But please don't break out the torches and pitchforks if this optimism doesn't come to fruition. The whims of high schoolers are fickle things.

*(This article is a free ESPN Insider preview at the moment, FWIW.)

Comments

m83econ

December 22nd, 2009 at 12:00 PM ^

Is looking better by the day. Obviously, 2010 comes first and a 7-5 record is probably minimum to avoid a coaching change that will set the program back another couple of years. Hopefully, the offense can carry what will be an extremely young defense.

soupsnake

December 22nd, 2009 at 12:39 PM ^

A couple years ago I got hit by a drunk driver and broke my femur and my foot. The doctors at UM Hospital fixed my femur but they left my foot to heal naturally. My foot healed a little funky and now two of my toes are permanently crossed. Thanks to the UM doctors I can keep my toes crossed for recruits 24/7 :D

Shalom Lansky

December 22nd, 2009 at 12:18 PM ^

On today's recruiting roundup Sam closed with "I have a gut-feeling that Michigan is the team to beat [for Sean Parker]."

Gut-feeling usually means silent commit BUT given the way it is used here I suspect the meaning is slightly different, just that Michigan currently leads. Kind of strange that Sam would use code for a kid's leader, code is usually reserved for a silent commit . . . Still, good overall.

champswest

December 22nd, 2009 at 12:25 PM ^

and hello Sean! Obviously, this would be huge, but taking him away from USC would make it even sweeter. It would help to make up for the loss of Muskegon's Johnson of a few years ago.

Bosch

December 22nd, 2009 at 2:14 PM ^

Actually, we ended up getting Warren to make up for the loss of Rojo.

Michigan wanted Rojo for D. USC gave him the chance to play O. If Michigan gets Rojo, we might not have gotten Warren.

However, we need someone to make up for the loss of Nick Perry.

joeyb

December 22nd, 2009 at 12:23 PM ^

Brian,
You have him listed as a "C" which I took to mean center, but later on gathered that it was probably supposed to be "CB" (I was thinking he was a safety). Just an FYI.

ThWard

December 22nd, 2009 at 12:26 PM ^

Head to head with USC was never a fun recruiting story... but given USC's potential issues (I know, I know, practice issues here, too), might not be so bad.

Parker would be enormous for this class. Would still love to finish with Hankins, Tex, Grimes/Murphy as well, but that would be 29, so unless there's a gray shirt in there (Jackson?), maybe not.

jg2112

December 22nd, 2009 at 2:07 PM ^

Michigan is already at 25 with Adrian Witty counting in the class of 2010. So, all the guys you want and Parker would bring Michigan to 30.

I think Parker, Grimes and Murphy will end up Blue. I'm not too sure of the other two, and frankly, won't cry if neither shows up.

wiscwood

December 22nd, 2009 at 12:29 PM ^

I'm seeing that RR and Co. are getting athletes late in process. In the future UM is going to have to be patient in early commit verbals. Getting these kind of kids late is exciting. Patience is beginning to pay off now. The power of that ND win is now evident too.

NHWolverine

December 22nd, 2009 at 12:38 PM ^

Definitely noticed the same with this year's recruiting class. I didn't follow 2010 much or WVU at all when Rodriguez was there. Does anyone know if this is consistent behavior throughout RR's coaching career?

I agree completely though it is exciting to see these "late" pushes and strong finishes. Throw in bowl speculation and excitement and in the coming seasons December could become my second favorite Michigan football month (obvs. Nov takes the cake).

jg2112

December 22nd, 2009 at 2:14 PM ^

Last year Vladimir Emilien announced the day after the Ohio State game.

This year Cullen Christian did the same.

This year Will Hagerup moved up his announce date once he had seen Michigan. He visited the weekend of the Indiana game and committed soon thereafter.

Josh Furman visited in September and ended his recruitment right around the end of the season. His commitment has been in the bag for about a month. So has Grimes and Murphy.

Carvin Johnson also committed during the season.

Furthermore, the team had about 18 commitments entering fall practice.

Sean Parker visited for The Game, didn't he? That's in season, right?

Furthermore, part of recruiting is KEEPING your players. Knock on wood - how many de-commits this year as opposed to 2008?

Your point confuses me. He kept all recruits on board, brought in Hagerup, Furman, Carvin during the season, set up Christian to announce three days after the season. You really think this means he can't recruit during the season?

Simi Maquoketa

December 22nd, 2009 at 2:27 PM ^

The RichRod Nazi is up and at 'em and armed with a full can of Apologizm Spray on this fine day.

Once again, the full force of the "No Opinions But Ours" brigade leader resonate loud and clear: Rich Rod can do no wrong and to dare question his 8-16 genius will lead to banishment! Ostracizing! Get thee behind jg2112, Satan!

JC3

December 22nd, 2009 at 3:26 PM ^

I don't understand why I was negged. I did not say this staff can't recruit during the season, I just said they're not as efficient. One of the biggest criticisms of this staff is their lack of organization with recruiting.

There are number of documented occasions where official visits were messed up when kids arrived. I mean, it's bound to happen, I'll give them that. But even worse, there have been numerous times where kids have said "Michigan hasn't talked to me in a while" - and they're not being ignored, rather the staff lost their contact information etc.

There are a number of kids (I'm not going to list them) that would probably have been signed in the past year and a half that never got contacted early or contacted enough, and they've since gone elsewhere.

Now I'm not a college football coach and no expert, I'm just giving you the information that is out there.

BleedingBlue

December 22nd, 2009 at 4:18 PM ^

You got negged because this statement: "They can't really seem to be able to coach and recruit in-season." is idiotic.

Do you think that a player is recruited for a only week before he commits or something? Some of the players that give 4 or 5 years of their life to the Michigan football program take 2 years or more making that choice. By your logic, official visits to actual football games basically don't happen either.

JC3

December 22nd, 2009 at 5:46 PM ^

I wasn't implying that one week would make the difference in a recruit coming to Michigan, but when you lose said recruits number and he loses interest then that hurts recruiting. I worded my statement wrong, but the intention wasn't that the coaches can't do it. They just are disorganized, that's what I'm pointing something out for people to know.

stmccoy

December 22nd, 2009 at 2:08 PM ^

I think we let RR recruit the kids he needs to and let the chips fall where they may. Worrying about who commits and when is counter-productive. With an obvious problem with depth, especially on defense, the focus should be getting the recruited kids in uniform and on the practice field. Holding out offers to some kids in hopes of getting the nod from top recruits in CA, FL, or wherever is going to give Michigan small total recruiting numbers as a whole class more often than not. Always plan for contingencies.

jg2112

December 22nd, 2009 at 2:16 PM ^

First off - please tell me who you consider to be "no name early commits." Go ahead and insult hard working high school kids who fulfilled a dream of playing at Michigan.

Second, would you prefer that Michigan has zero commits as of November 21st and then races to fill 28 spots in three months? If so, you have absolutely no idea as to how the recruiting process works.

B

December 22nd, 2009 at 2:45 PM ^

Many of RRods no names have turned out pretty well for Michigan. For instance, Tony Drake and Cornelius Jones were both no names who now look like pretty decent recruits. Jerald Robinson is another guy who was a no name and looks pretty strong.

stmccoy

December 22nd, 2009 at 2:54 PM ^

There is a reason these kids are recruited by RR and the staff to come to Michigan. They aren't just pulling names out of a hat. I have a hard time writing off "no names" before giving them a chance to hash it out in the weight room and the practice field. These kids have the potential to make an impact on the program or we would let the Bowling Greens and Minnesotas of the world have them all. Getting as many commits as possible gives them all the opportunity to prove their mettle on the field, which will only better the competition level and program as a result.

mgovictors23

December 23rd, 2009 at 9:41 AM ^

I'm talking about Antonio Kinard, Drew Dileo, and Dj Williamson that's exactly who I'm talking about. It's not like I hate three stars or anything though I think Carvin Johnson, Ray Vinopal, and Tony Drake can be really good players for us. I know how recruiting works I'm not stupid, I just don't understand why we load up at the beginning so we limit ourselves at the end. I think the majority of this class can be good, just some players I don't understand why we got them early in recruiting.

jamiemac

December 22nd, 2009 at 12:41 PM ^

He would be a much needed steal.

C'mon RichRod, close the deal.

The class wont be ranked as highly as last year's, but I really like the possible makeup of it.

This would be a nice cherry on top.

jg2112

December 22nd, 2009 at 2:21 PM ^

JamieMac -

This class currently sits at 12 on Scout. If Parker were to commit, the rank would probably jump to 8-9 (Michigan, with 24 listed recruits, is 97 points behind #9 Okie State, with 27 recruits). Add Grimes and Murphy to this class and it will probably end up around #10.

Further, Michigan's average star rating per recruit is #19. So, quantity and quality exists in this class. Compare it to Minnesota's, and that vaunted recruiter Tim Brewster. Brewster's class is currently ranked #51, and his average star rating per recruit is #88, by far the worst in the Big Ten.

All in all, these Michigan guys can recruit. I'm very pleased.

Irish

December 22nd, 2009 at 12:44 PM ^

I would have loved to add him to ND's class, high character, understands why the academics are important and is obviously a great football player.

Woods is going to be a WR at USC. Plus USC lost Telfort (2009 recruiting class) from a genetic disorder, so depth won't be big issue.

Also a key part of the Sean Parker equation is Byron Moore Jr. and Sr.

GVBlue86

December 22nd, 2009 at 2:14 PM ^

scour this sit like I do for Sam Webb "GUT FEELINGS"? It's like a drug at this point and I feel as though I constantly chasing the high that phrase gives me. lol.

uminks

December 22nd, 2009 at 6:30 PM ^

Sean, you will have a much better chance starting with UM than USC! Plus, we have a young team that will soon be dominating the b10 with the spread offense. You will be part of the revamp UM defense that will hopefully send us back into national prominence in the next few years! USC has peaked and they're on their way down! I hope to see you on the field here breaking up opponents passing plays...making some interceptions and stopping RB who make it through our LB!

desmonsm

December 22nd, 2009 at 6:58 PM ^

I just read that Torrian Wilson decommitted from Stanford and is considering Michigan, Tennessee and South Florida. I wonder if Sam has "a gut feeling" on this too?

kenfizzle

December 22nd, 2009 at 10:43 PM ^

I'm sure I'll get negged for this which obviously doesn't affect me because I don't have any points anyways, but I shit you not I was just having beers with a credible manager whose a good friend and said Parker texted Denard, told him he was a silent commit and to not tell anyone because he wasn't going to announce until signing day. take it FWIW but look at my posts I have no reason to bullshit you guys.

wiscwood

December 23rd, 2009 at 9:17 AM ^

This team is on the cusp of something great. Every Michigan fan senses it. I can't seem to leave my computer alone for any extended length of time. "When is Furman committing?", "Is Parker coming to Michigan" or "Torrian Wilson is back on the list, is he considering UM?" all these recruiting events show that the future of UM is quite bright. Our bowl, for now, is this recruiting war. This will be the last year of this. The recruits will continue to come to Michigan, like this for years to come.

Next year Michigan will be bowl eligible, and they will be in a New Year's Day bowl game. And they will win it!

BILG

December 23rd, 2009 at 11:46 AM ^

Coming off of 3-9 and 5-7 it's hard to criticize these last two recruiting class. That being said, it's time to start seeing some results on the field. The Michigan brand name carries a lot of weight, so we are bound to get decent recruits regardless. Let's not be ND and have top 15 classes every year and a .500 record.

Build it and they will come!!! Win some championships RR!