Recruiting Summary: Offense
Hi. It's more recruiting for, like, maybe the next day or two. If this bores you to tears, sorry.
Frequent commenter and recruiting aficianado WolverineKeith was kind enough to provide a general overview of each recruit in this year's class. His comments follow below along with handy summarizing tables. I interject on occasion.
Cone fits the classic definition of a sleeper recruit. He was virtually unknown in recruitnik circles before coming to camp and performing on par with, if not better than bigger name QB recruits (Pat Devlin, Neil Caudle, others). Played on a running team in HS, so has very little experience throwing the ball. Has excellent size and reportedly has good raw tools. This is could be Loeffler's greatest accomplishment. Michigan was his only major offer.
[I still say "John Navarre, functioning quarterback" stands as Loeffler's Sistine Chapel, but to each his own.]
Projection: Redshirt. Will be behind Jason Forcier on the depth chart.
Context: UM brought in Jason Forcier last year and Cone this year. Neither is considered a sure bet, although some are very high on Forcier. UM will have only 3 scholarship QBs next year, so QB will be a major focus next year.
[Michigan hopes to hammer out this issue sooner rather than later.]
Definitely this year's most out-of-the-blue recruit. [The Justin Fargas award?] Most recruitniks didn't consider him a real possibility for UM, especially after he eliminated them from contention. Brown is a true speed back, something that has been missing in recent years. Played QB in high school. Very highly-regarded as a prospect. Chose Michigan over Georgia, South Carolina, and much of the SEC.
[Many similarities between Antonio Bass and Brown, from the sounds of it. Has the inside track on Minor since he enrolled early.]
Projection: Will play next year. Will compete for carries with Michael Hart and Kevin Grady.
Context: UM brought in RBs Kevin Grady and Mister Simpson last year. They didn't really need a running back, but you can't turn down superstars.
[The midwest appears to be looooaded with running backs of all shapes and descriptions next year, so Michigan will probably take one even though the depth chart is forbidding at the moment.]
Big, bruising back. Excellent between-the-tackles runner. Rated highly by all and even higher by (creepy) ["creepy" in original -ed] Tom Lemming. Listed as a fullback by most major recruiting services, but will start out at tailback at UM. Had an incredible junior season but suffered from some injuries his senior year which may have hurt his stock as a recruit. Chose Michigan over Tennessee, Miami, Virginia Tech.
[Also of note: Michigan offered Minor on or around signing day last year, which speaks highly of his ability. At that time Hart, Grady, and Martin were looking like a troika of doom and this recruiting class was looking like it was going to be really small. That's a major vote of confidence in him.
Will they move him to fullback? Doubtful: their first '07 commitment is FB Vince Helmuth.]
Projection: Probable redshirt, especially if any nagging injuires remain.
Context: See Brown above.
Recruiting stock rose dramatically over the course of the year. Took over most HS games he played in. Initially favored childhood favorite Miami over Michigan, but didn't like being slow played and committed to Michigan. Eventual Miami offer was turned down. Has excellent size and has been mentioned as a possible recipient of the #1 jersey. Chose Michigan over Miami, Florida State, Ohio State.
[Lack of a Miami offer was really strange and probably caused by his slow 40 times at the camps he attended. Who gets recruited by Michigan, Ohio State and Florida State but doesn't get a Miami offer, especially when the Hurricanes' recruiting class isn't exactly overflowing with talent? Some major disagreement between scouting services on him: Scout says 3*; Lemming and Rivals say Top 100.]
Projection: Will enter the large pool of talented WRs with limited experience. Amongst will compete for time with Adrian Arrington and LaTerryal Savoy. Redshirt possible but unlikely. [Personally, I disagree. With Arrington, Bass, Savoy, Manningham, Dutch, and Tabb in front of Mathews I'd bet he redshirts.]
Context: UM brought in 3 WRs last year, the aforementioned Manningham, Bass, and Savoy. Manningham and Bass played extensively as freshman. Mathews will have to compete for time. WR was not a position of need this year, but it's nice to get Mathews as a bonus.
Least hyped of the linemen Michigan is bringing in, although [all together now] linemen are the hardest position to project. Continues Michigan's tradition of bringing in Illinois linemen. Has the frame to adding another 30-40 pounds. Chose Michigan over Illinois, Northwestern, Nebraska.
[Lloyd said he was a true 6'7", so he'll probably get tossed in the LT heap with the three guys from last year. They'll fight to the death; one will replace Kolodziej next year.]
Projection: Redshirt. PhD-level courses in the weight room. We'll see you in two years, Perry.
Context: Three players projected at tackle came in last year (Zirbel, Ortmann, McAvoy). Dorrestein will start behind them. Look for Michigan to try and grab a pair of tackles (Josh Oglesby!) next year. [Not likely!]
Son of former UM linebacker Mike Boren. Potential UM/OSU recruiting battle that never was - committed to UM early on. [Though not before his brother Zack paid a visit to the Rivals premium board and posted something along the lines of "Michigan better get on Boren!!! He's slipping away!!! This can't happen!!!" Yes, exclamation points and all. Little Boren is true blue... and not little at all. You can probably consider him Michigan's first 2009 recruit.] Rated Rivals' #1 center and will play on the interior of the line at UM. Jaw-dropping performance at the US Army AA Game. [Spent the game kicking LSU recruit Al Woods' ass.] Has enrolled early and many recruitniks are clamoring to see him next year. Chose Michigan (very early in the process) over Ohio State.
Projection: I tend to think he'll redshirt, but may/will win a spot the year after that. [Earmarked for center, so it will be hard for him to beat out then three-year-starter Adam Kraus as a redshirt freshman.]
Context: It's good to have a player who's going to be a center from day one. Michigan has gotten by the past few years by moving players from guard (Baas), tackle (Kraus), and even defensive tackle (Pearson).
One of the year's biggest recruiting coups for Michigan. Considered one of the top two or three linemen in the nation. Played for a Wing-T team in HS, so has extensive experience in run blocking but will have to learn how to pass block. Analysts have noted his athleticism, footwork, speed and long arms as strengths. At this point, opinions seem split on whether he is best suited for guard or tackle. Unknown wher
e exactly UM sees him fitting in. Chose Michigan over Washington, Cal and USC.
[What he said about the coups and stuff. Offensive linemen are notoriously hard to project, but when I researched "The Big Schill" (link at right) there was nothing but effusive praise for the guy... and I know that excessive hype is the foundation of all recruiting, but this had a different tenor to it. I hope he can play RT.]
Projection: Redshirt due to that lack of pass blocking experience. Could compete for a spot as a redshirt freshman.
Context: Will start somewhere on the line for a long time.
Thanks to Keith for the capsules. Defense (and kicker!) tomorrow. Basketball coming up in a bit.
Frequent commenter and recruiting aficianado WolverineKeith was kind enough to provide a general overview of each recruit in this year's class. His comments follow below along with handy summarizing tables. I interject on occasion.
QB David Cone
Statesboro, Georgia - 6'6" 201 | |||
Scout | 3*, #23 QB | ||
---|---|---|---|
Rivals | 3*, #33 QB | ||
ESPN | 6.2, #83 QB | ||
Lemming | NR | ||
Stupid Nickname | "Head" | ||
YMRMFSPA | John Navarre | ||
Previously On MGoBlog | Stunned by the turn of events; Down By The River | ||
Notes | Option QB in HS; GA state champs |
[I still say "John Navarre, functioning quarterback" stands as Loeffler's Sistine Chapel, but to each his own.]
Projection: Redshirt. Will be behind Jason Forcier on the depth chart.
Context: UM brought in Jason Forcier last year and Cone this year. Neither is considered a sure bet, although some are very high on Forcier. UM will have only 3 scholarship QBs next year, so QB will be a major focus next year.
[Michigan hopes to hammer out this issue sooner rather than later.]
RB Carlos Brown
Franklin, Georgia - 6'0", 205 | ||
Scout | 4*, #24 RB | |
---|---|---|
Rivals | 4*, #39, #5 RB | |
ESPN | 7.2, #59, #10 RB | |
Lemming | #85 overall | |
Stupid Nickname | Space | |
YMRMFSPA | Tyrone Wheatley (Keith sez Kelly Baraka) | |
Previously On MGoBlog | They Are On Fire | |
Notes | Can't live without eyesight; Jan. enrollee. |
[Many similarities between Antonio Bass and Brown, from the sounds of it. Has the inside track on Minor since he enrolled early.]
Projection: Will play next year. Will compete for carries with Michael Hart and Kevin Grady.
Context: UM brought in RBs Kevin Grady and Mister Simpson last year. They didn't really need a running back, but you can't turn down superstars.
[The midwest appears to be looooaded with running backs of all shapes and descriptions next year, so Michigan will probably take one even though the depth chart is forbidding at the moment.]
RB Brandon Minor
Richmond, Virginia - 6'0", 213 | ||
Scout | 4*, #29 RB | |
---|---|---|
Rivals | 4*, #1 FB | |
ESPN | 6.8, #33 RB | |
Lemming | #73 overall | |
Stupid Nickname | Minor Minor Minor Minor | |
YMRMFSPA | Leroy Hoard (Keith: BJ Askew) | |
Previously On MGoBlog | Smash face! Car safety! | |
Notes | Senior year hip flexor injury may have depressed rankings. |
[Also of note: Michigan offered Minor on or around signing day last year, which speaks highly of his ability. At that time Hart, Grady, and Martin were looking like a troika of doom and this recruiting class was looking like it was going to be really small. That's a major vote of confidence in him.
Will they move him to fullback? Doubtful: their first '07 commitment is FB Vince Helmuth.]
Projection: Probable redshirt, especially if any nagging injuires remain.
Context: See Brown above.
WR Greg Mathews
Orlando, Florida - 6'2", 189 | ||
Scout | 3*, #39 WR | |
---|---|---|
Rivals | 4*, #93, #8 WR | |
ESPN | 6.8, #34 WR | |
Lemming | #100 overall | |
Stupid Nickname | T Minus | |
YMRMFSPA | Marquise Walker | |
Previously On MGoBlog | Mention in the "Van Down By The River" for offense. | |
Notes | Sentinel article on a fourth quarter explosion; Jo
ey talks Greg Mathews face; Parade All-American; Central Florida Offensive player of the year. |
[Lack of a Miami offer was really strange and probably caused by his slow 40 times at the camps he attended. Who gets recruited by Michigan, Ohio State and Florida State but doesn't get a Miami offer, especially when the Hurricanes' recruiting class isn't exactly overflowing with talent? Some major disagreement between scouting services on him: Scout says 3*; Lemming and Rivals say Top 100.]
Projection: Will enter the large pool of talented WRs with limited experience. Amongst will compete for time with Adrian Arrington and LaTerryal Savoy. Redshirt possible but unlikely. [Personally, I disagree. With Arrington, Bass, Savoy, Manningham, Dutch, and Tabb in front of Mathews I'd bet he redshirts.]
Context: UM brought in 3 WRs last year, the aforementioned Manningham, Bass, and Savoy. Manningham and Bass played extensively as freshman. Mathews will have to compete for time. WR was not a position of need this year, but it's nice to get Mathews as a bonus.
OT Perry Dorrestein
Plainfield, IL - 6'6", 283 | ||
Scout | 3*, #81 OL | |
---|---|---|
Rivals | 3*, #43 OT | |
ESPN | 6.0, #76 OT | |
Lemming | NR | |
Stupid Nickname | Mason | |
YMRMFSPA | Adam Stenavich | |
Previously On MGoBlog | Eh, he's okay. | |
Notes | Scout article. |
[Lloyd said he was a true 6'7", so he'll probably get tossed in the LT heap with the three guys from last year. They'll fight to the death; one will replace Kolodziej next year.]
Projection: Redshirt. PhD-level courses in the weight room. We'll see you in two years, Perry.
Context: Three players projected at tackle came in last year (Zirbel, Ortmann, McAvoy). Dorrestein will start behind them. Look for Michigan to try and grab a pair of tackles (Josh Oglesby!) next year. [Not likely!]
C Justin Boren
Pickerington, Ohio - 6'3", 319 | ||
Scout | 4*, #42, #7 OL | |
---|---|---|
Rivals | 4*, #64, #1 C | |
ESPN | 7.2, #71, #2 OG | |
Lemming | #66 overall | |
Stupid Nickname | Boron The Destroyer | |
YMRMFSPA | David Baas | |
Previously On MGoBlog | Ha ha Buck suxor. | |
Notes | Son of 80s linebacker Mike, brother Zack is a 250 pound HS freshman. Scout interview. |
Projection: I tend to think he'll redshirt, but may/will win a spot the year after that. [Earmarked for center, so it will be hard for him to beat out then three-year-starter Adam Kraus as a redshirt freshman.]
Context: It's good to have a player who's going to be a center from day one. Michigan has gotten by the past few years by moving players from guard (Baas), tackle (Kraus), and even defensive tackle (Pearson).
G/T Steve Schilling
Bellvue, Washington - 6'5", 290 | ||
Scout | 5*, #19, #3 OL | |
---|---|---|
Rivals | 5*, #26, #2 G | |
ESPN | 7.2, #105, #9 OT | |
Lemming | #40 overall | |
Stupid Nickname | The Big Schill | |
YMRMFSPA | Steve Freakin' Hutchinson | |
Previously On MGoBlog | General effusion. "None of these guys is in his class." | |
Notes | Seattle Times article; Seattle PI article; News Tribune article; Rivals "Breakdown" segment. |
[What he said about the coups and stuff. Offensive linemen are notoriously hard to project, but when I researched "The Big Schill" (link at right) there was nothing but effusive praise for the guy... and I know that excessive hype is the foundation of all recruiting, but this had a different tenor to it. I hope he can play RT.]
Projection: Redshirt due to that lack of pass blocking experience. Could compete for a spot as a redshirt freshman.
Context: Will start somewhere on the line for a long time.
Thanks to Keith for the capsules. Defense (and kicker!) tomorrow. Basketball coming up in a bit.