Big Ten Recruiting Class Rankings 8-28-11
Under new management, obviously. The B1G (plus Notre Dame) must've known there were changes going on at MGoBlog, because barely anything happened on the recruiting trail these past couple weeks. Thanks, everyone! Action since last rankings:
8-14-11 Purdue gains commitment from Jordan Roos.
8-21-11 Wisconsin gains commitment from D.J. Singleton.
8-24-11 Penn State gains commitment from Malik Golden.
8-25-11 Northwestern gains commitment from Greg Kuhar.
8-27-11 Iowa gains commitment from Ruben Lile.
Chart? Chart:
| Big Ten+ Recruiting Class Rankings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | School | # Commits | Rivals Avg | Scout Avg | ESPN Avg | 24/7 Avg |
| 1 | Michigan | 22 | 3.45 | 3.64 | 3.41 | 3.59 |
| 2 | Notre Dame | 13 | 3.31 | 3.77 | 3.46 | 3.46 |
| 3 | Penn State | 17 | 3.18 | 3.29 | 3.29 | 3.00 |
| 4 | Ohio State | 12 | 3.25 | 3.42 | 3.17 | 3.33 |
| 5 | Michigan State | 14 | 3.00 | 3.14 | 3.07 | 3.00 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | 10 | 3.10 | 3.40 | 3.20 | 3.20 |
| 7 | Indiana | 17 | 2.47 | 2.82 | 2.63* | 2.76 |
| 8 | Northwestern | 14 | 2.71 | 2.64 | 2.43 | 2.36 |
| 9 | Iowa | 10 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 3.00 | 2.90 |
| 10 | Minnesota | 18 | 2.22 | 2.38 | 2.12* | 2.11 |
| 11 | Nebraska | 6 | 3.17 | 3.33 | 3.00 | 3.33 |
| 12 | Purdue | 12 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.45* | 2.67 |
| 13 | Illinois | 8 | 2.13 | 2.63 | 2.75 | 2.50 |
*ESPN doesn't rate JUCOs, so Isaac Fruechte (Minnesota), Darius Stroud (Indiana), and Steffon Martin (Purdue) are exluded from their respective team averages.
On to the full data, after the jump.
| #1 Michigan - 22 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Kyle Kalis | OL | OH | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Royce Jenkins-Stone | LB | MI | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| James Ross | LB | MI | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Joe Bolden | LB | OH | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Terry Richardson | CB | MI | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Erik Magnuson | OL | CA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Jarrod Wilson | S | OH | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Tom Strobel | DE | OH | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Ondre Pipkins | DT | MO | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Pharaoh Brown | DE | OH | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Blake Bars | OL | TN | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Devin Funchess | TE | MI | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Chris Wormley | DE | OH | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Mario Ojemudia | DE | MI | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Kaleb Ringer | LB | OH | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Matt Godin | DE | MI | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Ben Braden | OL | MI | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Anthony Standifer | CB | IL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Caleb Stacey | OL | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Allen Gant | S | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| A.J. Williams | TE | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Sione Houma | FB | UT | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
Michigan remains solidly at the top of the rankings. Sione Houma picks up three stars from 24/7 after previously being unranked.
| #2 Notre Dame - 13 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Ronald Darby | CB | MD | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Tee Shepard | CB | CA | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Sheldon Day | DT | IN | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Deontay Greenberry | WR | CA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Taylor Decker | OL | OH | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| David Perkins | LB | IN | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Nick Baratti | S | TX | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| C.J. Prosise | S | VA | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Justin Ferguson | WR | FL | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Mark Harrell | OL | NC | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Romeo Okwara | DE | NC | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| John Turner | S | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Scott Daly | LS | IL | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
No change for the Irish.
| #3 Penn State - 17 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Tommy Schutt | DT | IL | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Camren Williams | LB | MA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| J.J. Denman | OL | PA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Eugene Lewis | WR | PA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Armani Reeves | CB | MA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Joey O'Connor | OL | CO | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Brent Wilkerson | DE | MD | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Brian Gaia | OL | MD | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Skyler Mornhinweg | QB | PA | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Anthony Stanko | OL | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Nyeem Wartman | LB | PA | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jesse James | TE | PA | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Austin Johnson | OL | NJ | 3 | 3 | NR | NR |
| Malik Golden | ATH | PA | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Jake Kiley | CB | NH | 2 | 3 | 2 | NR |
| Derek Dowrey | DT | VA | 2 | 2 | 3 | NR |
| J.P. Holtz | TE | PA | NR | 3 | 3 | 3 |
ATH/WR Malik Golden COMES TO PENN SCHTAAAAATE. He isn't quite enough to bump the Nittany Lions past Notre Dame, but they're hot on the Irish's heels for the #2 spot.
| #4 Ohio State - 12 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Bri'onte Dunn | RB | OH | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Joshua Perry | LB | OH | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Warren Ball | RB | OH | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| De'Van Bogard | S | OH | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Pat Elflein | OL | OH | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Jacoby Boren | OL | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Frank Epitropoulos | WR | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Blake Thomas | TE | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Roger Lewis | WR | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Luke Roberts | LB | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Tyvis Powell | S | OH | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Najee Murray | CB | OH | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
No change for the Buckeyes, despite the rumored Adolphus Washington commit. He's not in this class... yet.
| #5 Michigan State - 14 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Se'Von Pittman | DE | OH | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Aaron Burbridge | WR | MI | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Benny McGowan | OL | OH | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Tyler O'Connor | QB | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Riley Bullough | LB | MI | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Zach Higgins | OL | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jamal Lyles | LB | MI | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Josiah Price | TE | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Nick Tompkins | RB | GA | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Kyle Kerrick | WR | PA | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| MacGarrett Kings | WR | FL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jermaine Edmondson | S | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Evan Jones | TE | OH | 3 | 3 | NR | 3 |
| Kodi Kieler | OL | MI | NR | 3 | 3 | NR |
Kodi Keiler is upgraded from unranked to three stars on ESPN.
| #6 Wisconsin - 10 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Dan Voltz | OL | IL | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Vince Biegel | LB | WI | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Kyle Dodson | OL | OH | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Vonte Jackson | RB | WI | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Bart Houston | QB | CA | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| D.J. Singleton | S | NJ | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Walker Williams | OL | WA | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Hugs Etienne | CB | CA | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Reggie Mitchell | CB | PA | 2 | 2 | 2 | NR |
| Arthur Goldberg | DT | PA | NR | 3 | 2 | NR |
The Badgers pick up safety D.J. Singleton. Hugs Etienne goes from unranked to three-stars on 24/7. Hugs all around, I guess (sorry, that was too easy). If Wisconsin can pick up a couple more commits, they have a good shot of passing MSU in the rankings.
| #7 Indiana - 17 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Gunner Kiel | QB | IN | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Nick Mangieri | DE | IL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Dan Feeney | OL | IL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jordan Wallace | LB | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Kevin Davis | WR | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Adam Kranda | TE | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Wes Rogers | OL | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Mike Cotton | LB | IL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Sebastian Smith | S | OH | 3 | 2 | NR | 3 |
| Jason Spriggs | TE | IN | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Tanner Kearns | TE | OH | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Caleb Cornett | WR | IN | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Alex Todd | OL | OH | 2 | 3 | 2 | NR |
| Jacob Bailey | OL | IN | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Dawson Fletcher | S | OH | 2 | 2 | NR | 2 |
| Shawn Heffern | DE | IN | NR | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Darius Stroud | LB | KS | NR | NR | JC | NR |
The Hoosiers add Sebastian Smith. Tanner Kearns gets 3 stars from 24/7. Four players (Kearns, Cornett, Todd, and Fletcher) earn two-star rankings from Rivals after being previously unranked. Alex Todd upgraded to three stars on Scout and 24/7, and Dawson Fletcher gets two stars from 24/7.
| #8 Northwestern - 14 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Adam DePietro | OL | PA | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Greg Kuhar | DT | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Dean Lowry | DE | IL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Kenton Playko | OL | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Eric Olson | OL | MA | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jack Schwaba | TE | PA | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Ian Park | OL | PA | 3 | 3 | 3 | NR |
| Malin Jones | RB | IL | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Mike McHugh | WR | PA | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Dwight White | CB | TX | 3 | 2 | 2 | NR |
| Connor Mahoney | OL | PA | 2 | 3 | 3 | NR |
| Dan Vitale | S | IL | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Joseph Jones | S | PA | 2 | 2 | NR | NR |
| Chris Fitzpatrick | OL | KY | 2 | 2 | NR | 2 |
The Wildcats grab Greg Kuhar. Chris Fitzpatrick picks up two stars from Rivals and 24/7, and Mike McHugh gets his two stars from 24/7 as well. Northwestern inches closer to Indiana, but, well, Gunner Kiel.
| #9 Iowa - 10 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Jaleel Johnson | DT | IL | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Ryan Ward | OL | IL | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Maurice Fleming | CB | IL | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Ruben Lile | ATH | MI | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Cameron Wilson | WR | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Mitch Keppy | OL | IL | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Michael Malloy | RB | IA | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Drew Ott | DE | NE | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Laron Taylor | LB | MI | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Connor Kornbrath | K | WV | 2 | 3 | 2 | NR |
The Hawkeyes picked up a commit from Cass Tech ATH Ruben Lile last night, which vaults them ahead of Minnesota (larger class, far lower quality) and Nebraska (still stuck on six commits).
| #10 Minnesota - 18 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Jonah Pirsig | OL | MN | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Isaac Hayes | OL | MN | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Philip Nelson | QB | MN | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Jack Lynn | LB | IL | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Dinero Moss | S | FL | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Dominic Twitty | DT | NJ | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Brian Nicholson | LB | FL | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Jordan Hinojosa | DT | FL | 3 | 2 | NR | NR |
| Mitch Leidner | QB | MN | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Drew Davis | LB | NC | 2 | 2 | 3 | NR |
| Samad Hinds | TE | FL | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Josh Ballesteros | LB | FL | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Eric Murray | CB | WI | 2 | 2 | NR | NR |
| Scott Ekpe | DT | TX | 2 | 2 | NR | NR |
| Nick Rallis | S | MN | NR | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Maxx Williams | TE | MN | NR | 3 | NR | NR |
| Isaac Fruechte | WR | MN | NR | 2 | JC | NR |
| Rodrick Williams | RB | TX | NR | NR | NR | NR |
No new commits for the Gophers. Mitch Leidner gets three stars, and Brian Nicholson and Samad Hinds each two stars, from 24/7.
| #11 Nebraska - 6 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Paul Thurston | OL | CO | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Greg McMullen | DE | OH | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Michael Rose | LB | MO | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Jordan Westerkamp | WR | IL | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| Sam Cotton | TE | NE | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Deion Jones | LB | LA | 2 | 3 | NR | NR |
No change for the Huskers.
| #12 Purdue - 12 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Jordan Shine | S | IN | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Ryan Morris | TE | NJ | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Austin Appleby | QB | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jordan Roos | OL | TX | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Jonathan Curry | TE | AL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Andy Garcia | LB | FL | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| B.J. Knauf | WR | FL | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Anthony Brown | CB | FL | 3 | NR | NR | 3 |
| Paul Griggs | K | NC | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Thomas Meadows | K | VA | 2 | NR | 2 | 2 |
| Jimmy Herman | S | IN | NR | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Steffon Martin | LB | AZ | NR | 2 | JC | NR |
The Boilermakers land Jordan Roos, although 24/7 has yet to catch on despite the fact that they have him as a three-star and he committed two weeks ago. B.J. Knauf gets a third star from Scout and 24/7, Jonathan Curry gets bumped up a star by ESPN, and Anthony Brown and Paul Griggs get three stars from 24/7. Scout is still missing Andy Garcia, Steffon Martin, and Knauf from their commitment list -- thanks for making this task easy, guys. At this point, I'd say Purdue is pretty close to leaping Nebraska, but the lack of a single four-star player (on any service) makes it tough to justify that move unless they pick up a couple more commits.
| #13 Illinois - 8 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Tajarvis Fuller | LB | FL | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Cody Quinn | CB | OH | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Elliot Faerber | WR | KS | 3 | 3 | 2 | NR |
| Tyler Barton | S | FL | 3 | NR | 2 | NR |
| Jason Robertson | WR | IL | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Zach Jackson | S | FL | NR | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Joseph Spencer | OL | OH | NR | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Joey Warburg | OL | KY | NR | 2 | 3 | 3 |
No new commits for the Illini. Joseph Spencer picks up a three-star rating from ESPN. Zach Jackson and Joey Warburg each get three stars from 24/7.
August 28th, 2011 at 11:08 AM ^
ND's class has a higher Scout and ESPN average - any chance they leapfrog us once their class size increases?
August 28th, 2011 at 11:10 AM ^
I'd have to say yes, but that's assuming those averages stay the same and Michigan doesn't pick up any new commits of their own. I think it's going to be a while before anyone seriously challenges U-M's top spot in the rankings, but as we near signing day the gap will certainly close.
August 28th, 2011 at 12:06 PM ^
First, our class will likely be pretty big at this point, possibly 27 or 28, and I don't think ND will have that much room.
Also, ND is way behind us in commits right now, so to catch us they would need their remaining recruits to be at the same level as the ones they have so far. Totally possible, but having a high star rating for 13 recruits is not as easy as doing it for 25. Considering we have a pretty good idea who our last 4-6 recruits will be, our averages won't fall.
August 28th, 2011 at 1:23 PM ^
August 28th, 2011 at 10:06 PM ^
I think the consensus right now is closer to 7-8, although if ND has a couple of transfers at some point this year that could change. ND is clearly targeting high skill guys, so I do agree with Irish that ND will be taking more 4/5 star type talent than 3 star from here out - but some of that will depend on how good of a year ND actually has. The Keith Marshall's of the world are probably going to need ND to "prove it" before jumping on board.
I doubt ND can catch UMs ranking this year, although some of that will have to do with the difference in the sizes of the classes (21-22 vs. 27+).
August 28th, 2011 at 11:22 AM ^
August 28th, 2011 at 11:44 AM ^
Much appreciated. Doing the best I can -- trust me when I say I've worked as hard as I ever have in my life this past week, and I hope that shows in the content.
August 28th, 2011 at 1:10 PM ^
And I see you've gotten a well deserved mgopoints bump. Either that or you went on an EPIC POSTING SPREE this past week.
August 28th, 2011 at 4:24 PM ^
Already in the 10K club I see.
August 28th, 2011 at 11:52 AM ^
August 28th, 2011 at 12:03 PM ^
Why would attrition cause recruits to leave? Wouldn't that be even more reason for them to stay on since there are fewer guys in the class ahead of them?
August 28th, 2011 at 4:25 PM ^
Unless Richardson takes any visits, I'm not worried about him leaving this class. Not saying that won't happen, but I don't think there's any point in worrying about it until he starts seriously looking around, and he's not doing that right now.
If anything, the attrition of the incoming freshmen probably helps recruiting ... more spots, more playing time.
August 28th, 2011 at 7:19 PM ^
August 28th, 2011 at 12:15 PM ^
August 28th, 2011 at 12:51 PM ^
He was 278 lbs. and coming off a knee injury. If you mean "early" as in 2012, then yeah, he had a chance to play early. But he wasn't going to be a big contributor this season, if at all.
August 28th, 2011 at 1:09 PM ^
August 28th, 2011 at 12:22 PM ^
well in my humble opinion adding a combination of Banner, Garnett, Diamond, Darboh,Maderis, Payton, Obrien, Wright, Dunn, will make it very hard for anyone in the BIG to pass us. Ok A-Holes tell me who i forgot to add.....
August 28th, 2011 at 1:01 PM ^
How about Jerry rice, red grange and mean Joe Greene?
August 28th, 2011 at 1:43 PM ^
I heard Tom Brady might have found a loophole to transfer back, but we might have to backdate him to 1997.
August 28th, 2011 at 5:07 PM ^
Good call on Grange. I seem to remember reading a recruiting piece on Rivals that people try to hit him and it's like they grab nothing but air.
August 29th, 2011 at 4:58 PM ^
Next time trust your instincts and don't give the joke away in the title. You'll receive a coveted El Jeffe appreciative head bob for your efforts.
August 28th, 2011 at 1:41 PM ^
How important is on-the-field performance going to be this season in bringing our top remaining targets to Ann Arbor? It seemed like last year we were in on a lot of big time recruits who fell off when we started losing. I can see where kids want to go somewhere where they are going to win, but I can also see the angle where they want to go somewhere where they are going to have a shot at playing early. I think it was a bigger deal last season because a dissapointing season = coaching instability, whereas this year a dissapointing season = transitional year (not that that would happen because, like Hoke said, this is Michigan). My thought is that a good season this year would help sway some of our remaining targets our way and help lock-up the top B1G recruiting class, but I am curious to hear how big of an impact, if any, you think this will have?
August 28th, 2011 at 4:33 PM ^
Doc, that type of effect will be on a recruit-by-recruit basis -- it really depends on the kid. I think most of the players in this class are sold on the coaching staff and helping rebuild the program, so I don't think some on-field struggles will change that; if anything, it gives them more reason to think they can come in and have an immediate effect on the field. These guys know that Michigan is coming off a rough three-year stretch and this is the first year for the new coaching staff. If they committed expecting the Wolverines to contend for/win a Big Ten title this season or they would go elsewhere, then Brady Hoke has a very dumb recruiting strategy. I highly doubt that is the case.
As for the uncommitted guys, I'm sure success on the field can only help bring in some of the bigger names left on the board. Again, however, I think Hoke is selling these guys on a chance to restore a great program at a great school, so wins are not the only thing these recruits will be looking at when making their choice. The staff is selling the whole package that Michigan offers, and I'm not sure how much effect it will have if Michigan finishes 7-5 instead of 9-3, just to throw out a hypothetical.
August 28th, 2011 at 10:50 PM ^
Tremendous!
Still I miss my Sunday night ritual of waiting for certain Mr. VH's weekly update. Hope you will get that going soon.
August 29th, 2011 at 9:22 AM ^
I wonder if it makes sense to use their ESPN ranking from when they were in high school? I know it's not ideal (Cam Newton at 21 after two seasons at Florida ≠ Cam Newton at 17), but it might better represent the classes with regard to each recruit's ESPN-perceived potential as of when they were in high school.
August 30th, 2011 at 5:14 PM ^
Should boost NDs rankings. I look forward to seeing us close strong in recruiting picking up 4 or 5 stars. Go Blue!!
September 1st, 2011 at 9:32 AM ^
David picked up his 4th star on Rivals. He is listed above as a 3 star Rivals.
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