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Big Ten Recruiting Class Rankings 6-5-11
For the first time in approximately forever, the Wolverines do not have a new commit. Action since last rankings:
5-31-11 Michigan gains commitment from Allen Gant.
6-1-11 Ohio State gains commitment from Tyvis Powell. Michigan gains commitment from Anthony Standifer.
| Big Ten+ Recruiting Class Rankings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | School | # Commits | Rivals Avg | Scout Avg | ESPN Watchlist | 24/7 Avg |
| 1 | Michigan | 14 | 2.07 | 3.50 | 6 | 3.50 |
| 2 | Ohio State | 8 | 2.50 | 3.50 | 3 | 3.63 |
| 3 | Penn State | 8 | 2.88 | 3.25 | 4 | 3.25 |
| 4 | Notre Dame | 9 | 2.33 | 3.44 | 4 | 3.22 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 4 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3 | 4.00 |
| 6 | Minnesota | 3 | 2.00 | 3.00 | 1 | 2.33 |
| 7 | Northwestern | 4 | 1.50 | 2.50 | 0 | 2.00 |
| 8 | Michigan State | 4 | 1.00 | 2.50 | 1 | 3.00 |
| 9 | Nebraska | 2 | 1.00 | 3.00 | 1 | 2.50 |
| 10 | Illinois | 2 | 1.00 | 2.00 | 0 | 2.00 |
| 11 | Purdue | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0 | 3.00 |
| 12 | Iowa | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0 | 1.00 |
| 13 | Indiana | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0 | 1.00 |
24/7 Sports has gone through and ranked another round of 3-stars (and even added some 4-stars), so those numbers are updated. ESPN's initial rankings are expected to come out this Wednesday.
Big Ten Recruiting Class Rankings 5-29-11
For the first time in approximately forever, the Wolverines do not have a new commit. Action since last rankings:
5-22-11 Indiana gains commitment from Dion Witty.
5-24-11 Indiana loses commitment from Dion Witty. Also: HALOL.
5-26-11 Notre Dame gains commitment from CJ Prosise.
5-27-11 Notre Dame gains commitment from Deontay Greenberry.
| Big Ten+ Recruiting Class Rankings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | School | # Commits | Rivals Avg | Scout Avg | ESPN Watchlist | 24/7 Avg |
| 1 | Michigan | 12 | 2.25 | 3.58 | 6 | 3.08 |
| 2 | Ohio State | 7 | 2.71 | 3.57 | 3 | 3.14 |
| 3 | Penn State | 8 | 2.88 | 3.25 | 4 | 3.00 |
| 4 | Notre Dame | 9 | 2.33 | 3.44 | 4 | 2.89 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 4 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3 | 4.00 |
| 6 | Minnesota | 3 | 2.00 | 3.00 | 1 | 2.33 |
| 7 | Northwestern | 4 | 1.50 | 2.50 | 0 | 1.50 |
| 8 | Michigan State | 4 | 1.00 | 2.50 | 1 | 1.50 |
| 9 | Nebraska | 2 | 1.00 | 3.00 | 1 | 2.50 |
| 10 | Illinois | 2 | 1.00 | 2.00 | 0 | 1.00 |
| 11 | Purdue | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0 | 3.00 |
| 12 | Iowa | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0 | 1.00 |
| 13 | Indiana | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 | 0 | 1.00 |
Rivals has released their initial rankings, so instead of watchlist guys, I'm going on the 5-star system for them. Remember, currently-unranked prospects by any service receive 1 star.
Full data after the jump.
| #1 Michigan - 12 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Royce Jenkins-Stone | LB | MI | 4 | 4 | 150* | 4 |
| James Ross | LB | MI | 4 | 4 | 150* | 4 |
| Joe Bolden | LB | OH | 4 | 4 | 150* | 4 |
| Terry Richardson | CB | MI | 4 | 4 | 150* | 4 |
| Pharaoh Brown | DE | OH | 4 | 3 | NR | 4 |
| Devin Funchess | TE | MI | NR | 4 | 150* | 4 |
| Mario Ojemudia | DE | MI | NR | 4 | 150* | 3 |
| Kaleb Ringer | LB | OH | NR | 4 | NR | NR |
| Matt Godin | DE | MI | NR | 3 | NR | 4 |
| Ben Braden | OL | MI | NR | 3 | NR | 3 |
| Caleb Stacey | OL | OH | NR | 3 | NR | NR |
| AJ Williams | TE | OH | NR | 3 | NR | NR |
Michigan has the largest class in the league, and their averages will be helped bigtime when Rivals and 24/7 finally get around to ranking the rest of their prospects. Wolverines hoping for more commits very soon.
| #2 Ohio State - 7 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Bri'onte Dunn | RB | OH | 4 | 5 | 150* | 4 |
| Kyle Kalis | OL | OH | 4 | 5 | 150* | 4 |
| Joshua Perry | LB | OH | 4 | 4 | 150* | 4 |
| Warren Ball | RB | OH | 4 | 4 | NR | 4 |
| Jacoby Boren | OL | OH | NR | 3 | NR | 4 |
| Frank Epitropoulos | WR | OH | NR | 3 | NR | NR |
| Blake Thomas | TE | OH | NR | NR | NR | NR |
No change for Ohio State.
| #3 Penn State - 8 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Jarron Jones | DT | NY | 4 | 5 | 150* | 5 |
| Camren Williams | LB | MA | 4 | 4 | 150* | 4 |
| JJ Denman | OL | PA | 4 | 4 | 150* | 4 |
| Brent Wilkerson | DE | MD | 4 | 3 | NR | 4 |
| Jamil Pollard | DT | NJ | 4 | 3 | NR | NR |
| Brian Gaia | OL | MD | NR | 3 | 150* | NR |
| Anthony Stanko | OL | OH | NR | 3 | NR | 4 |
| Jesse James | TE | PA | NR | NR | NR | NR |
No change for Penn State.
| #4 Notre Dame - 9 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Ronald Darby | CB | MD | 4 | 5 | 150* | 4 |
| Tee Shepard | CB | CA | 4 | 4 | 150* | 4 |
| Deontay Greenberry | WR | CA | 4 | 4 | NR | 4 |
| Taylor Decker | OL | OH | 4 | 4 | NR | NR |
| Nick Baratti | S | TX | NR | 4 | NR | 3 |
| Justin Ferguson | WR | FL | NR | 3 | 150* | 3 |
| Mark Harrell | OL | NC | NR | 3 | 150* | 3 |
| CJ Prosise | S | VA | NR | 3 | NR | 3 |
| Scott Daly | LS | IL | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Though the Irish pick up two commits, they still have lower averages than Penn State, and inertia keeps them behind for now.
| #5 Wisconsin - 4 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Dan Voltz | OL | IL | 4 | 4 | 150* | 4 |
| Vince Biegel | LB | WI | 4 | 4 | 150* | 4 |
| Vonte Jackson | RB | WI | 4 | 3 | NR | 4 |
| Bart Houston | QB | CA | 3 | 4 | 150* | 4 |
No change for Wisconsin.
| #6 Minnesota - 3 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Andre McDonald | WR | MN | 4 | 3 | 150* | 3 |
| Philip Nelson | QB | MN | NR | 3 | NR | 3 |
| Maxx Williams | TE | MN | NR | 3 | NR | NR |
No change for Minnesota.
| #7 Northwestern - 4 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Malin Jones | RB | IL | 3 | 3 | NR | 3 |
| Kenton Playko | OL | OH | NR | 3 | NR | NR |
| Ian Park | OL | PA | NR | 3 | NR | NR |
| Joseph Jones | S | PA | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Wildcats barely ahead of Michigan State.
| #8 Michigan State - 4 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Benny McGowan | OL | OH | NR | 3 | 150* | NR |
| Riley Bullough | LB | MI | NR | 3 | NR | 3 |
| Zach Higgins | OL | OH | NR | 3 | NR | NR |
| Evan Jones | TE | OH | NR | NR | NR | NR |
No change for MSU. Another instate prospect with a Spartan offer has picked Michigan.
| #9 Nebraska - 2 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Michael Rose | LB | MO | NR | 3 | 150* | NR |
| Jordan Westerkamp | WR | IL | NR | 3 | NR | 4 |
No change.
| #10 Illinois - 2 Commits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Elliot Faerber | WR | KS | NR | 3 | NR | NR |
| Jason Richardson | WR | IL | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Nothing new for Illini.
| #11 Purdue - 1 Commit | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Jordan Shine | S | IN | NR | NR | NR | 3 |
No change for the Boilers.
| #12-t Iowa - 1 Commit | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Position | State | Rivals | Scout | ESPN | 24/7 |
| Mitch Keppy | OL | IL | NR | NR | NR | NR |
No change for Iowa.
The Hoosiers finally joined the commitment party, but Dion Witty decommitted within two days of pledging to Indiana.
Big Ten Recruiting Class Rankings 5-22-11
The Michigan commitment train never stops. Back to the front page we go! Action since last rankings:
5-17-11 Ohio State gains commitment from Blake Thomas. Northwestern gains commitment from Joseph Jones.
5-18-11 Penn State gains commitment from JJ Denman.
5-19-11 Michigan gains commitment from Terry Richardson. Notre Dame gains commitment from Mark Harrell.
| Big Ten+ Recruiting Class Rankings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | School | # Commits | Rivals Avg | Scout Avg | ESPN Watchlist | 24/7 Avg |
| 1 | Michigan | 12 | 2.25 | 3.58 | 5 | 3.08 |
| 2 | Ohio State | 7 | 2.71 | 3.57 | 3 | 3.14 |
| 3 | Penn State | 8 | 2.88 | 3.25 | 4 | 3.00 |
| 4 | Notre Dame | 7 | 2.29 | 3.43 | 3 | 2.71 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 4 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3 | 4.00 |
| 6 | Minnesota | 3 | 2.00 | 3.00 | 1 | 2.33 |
| 7 | Northwestern | 4 | 1.50 | 2.50 | 0 | 1.50 |
| 8 | Michigan State | 4 | 1.00 | 2.50 | 1 | 1.50 |
| 9 | Nebraska | 2 | 1.00 | 3.00 | 1 | 2.50 |
| 10 | Illinois | 2 | 1.00 | 2.00 | 0 | 1.00 |
| 11 | Purdue | 1 | 0 | 1.00 | 0 | 3.00 |
| 12 | Iowa | 1 | 0 | 1.00 | 0 | 1.00 |
| 13 | Indiana | 0 | - | - | - | - |
Rivals has released their initial rankings, so instead of watchlist guys, I'm going on the 5-star system for them. Remember, currently-unranked prospects by any service receive 1 star.
Full data after the jump.
Big Ten Recruiting Class Rankings 5-15-11
The Michigan commitment train never stops. Back to the front page we go! Action since last rankings:
5-9-11 Penn State gains commitment from Brian Gaia.
5-12-11 Michigan gains commitment from Matt Godin. Illinois gains commitment from Jason Robertson.
| Big Ten+ Recruiting Class Rankings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | School | # Commits | Rivals Avg | Scout Avg | ESPN Watchlist | 24/7 Avg |
| 1 | Michigan | 11 | 2.09 | 3.55 | 4 | 3.00 |
| 2 | Ohio State | 6 | 3.00 | 4.00 | 3 | 3.50 |
| 3 | Notre Dame | 6 | 2.50 | 3.50 | 2 | 2.67 |
| 4 | Penn State | 7 | 2.71 | 3.14 | 3 | 3.17 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 4 | 3.75 | 3.75 | 3 | 4.00 |
| 6 | Minnesota | 3 | 2.00 | 3.00 | 1 | 2.33 |
| 7 | Michigan State | 4 | 1.00 | 2.50 | 1 | 1.50 |
| 8 | Northwestern | 3 | 1.67 | 3.00 | 0 | 1.67 |
| 9 | Nebraska | 2 | 1.00 | 3.00 | 1 | 2.50 |
| 10 | Illinois | 2 | 1.00 | 2.00 | 0 | 1.00 |
| 11 | Purdue | 1 | 0 | 1.00 | 0 | 3.00 |
| 12 | Iowa | 1 | 0 | 1.00 | 0 | 1.00 |
| 13 | Indiana | 0 | - | - | - | - |
Rivals has released their initial rankings, so instead of watchlist guys, I'm going on the 5-star system for them. Remember, currently unranked prospects by any service receive 1 star.
Full data after the jump.
Lacrosse: MCLA Tournament Favorite
When last we left our beloved Wolverines, they had wrapped up a 3rd undefeated regular season in the past 4 years, and were getting ready to gear up for the CCLA Conference tournament. On the line at the tournament was the Conference Championship, and The #1 overall seed in the MCLA National Tournament.
Central Michigan
So, this wasn't much of a contest. Michigan is a lot better than Central Michigan in pretty much every way, and it showed on the scoreboard. The Wolverines emerged 23-1 victors over the Chips - who are in up-and-coming program.
If you want more details on the game, check them out here.
Michigan State
This was a much better contest. In fact, I'd go so far as to say Michigan's 11-10 thriller over the Spartans was one of the most exciting Michigan Lacrosse games I've seen in the past three years or so.
The Wolverines built up an 8-4 lead in the second quarter, but Michigan State managed to capitalize on a couple broken rides (essentially a full-court press), and knot the game at 10 late in the third quarter. However, with just seconds to go in the frame, Trevor Yealy put in the 11th goal, and the teams were scoreless throughout the fourth (despite up-and-down play and several exciting moments).
The game featured the standard chippiness of a rivalry, plus a semi-brawl on the sidelines that lasted 30-some seconds.
For more on the State game, click here.
MCLA Tournament
Going forward, Michigan has earned the #1 overall seed in the MCLA National Tournament. They'll take on #16 Seed Lindenwood in Denver on Tuesday the 17th at 4PM Mountain Time. The Lions earned a tournament berth by virtue of winning the GRLC Playoff.
Should seedings hold throughout, Michigan would face Oregon in the second round. The Wolverines beat Oregon in overtime in a neutral-site game earlier this season. The semifinal opponent would be Chapman, again a past Michigan victim this season. In the finals, Michigan would face Colorado State who, you guessed it, they've already beaten this season. The full bracket is here:
Michigan is the overwhelming favorite in what should be their last MCLA Tournament...
Varsity News
(They call that a segue, kids). Though there hasn't been much movement since the initial Inside Lacrosse report a couple weeks back, all the evidence seems to point in the direction of Michigan plying its trade as an NCAA Varsity team in the spring of 2012.
A couple interesting statements happened following the CCLA Tournament that lead me to believe everything is still on track. First, when presenting Michigan Coach John Paul with the conference championship trophy, the announcer said something along the lines of: "probably for the last time ever, Michigan wins the CCLA Trophy." JP played it cool when accepting the trophy, but certainly wasn't in a hurry to deny anything. Following the game, the official @UMichLacrosse twitter account dropped the following:
"Michigan finishes FINAL MCLA regular season with a 103-2 all-time record in CCLA competition."
While it may seem (or ultimately be) inconsequential, it is the first public statement from any official, on-record source that something is definitely going to happen for next season. For the record, Michigan Athletic Director David Brandon was in attendance at Saturday's victory over Central Michigan.
I'm covering the hell out of this story over at GreatLaxState.com, so if you're into every minute detail, check out my posts over there.
Big Ten Recruiting Class Rankings 5-8-11
The Wolverines are truly reeling them in now. Three new commits this week. To the front page again! Action since last rankings:
5-2-11 Michigan gains commitment from James Ross. Notre Dame gains commitment from Justin Ferguson. Wisconsin gains commitment from Bart Houston.
5-5-11 Northwestern gains commitment from Ian Park.
5-6-11 Nebraska gains commitment from Jordan Westerkamp.
5-7-11 Michigan gains commitments from Mario Ojemudia and Pharaoh Brown. Michigan State gains commitment from Evan Jones.
| Big Ten+ Recruiting Class Rankings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | School | # Commits | Rivals Watchlist | Scout Avg | ESPN Watchlist | 24/7 Avg |
| 1 | Michigan | 10 | 2 | 3.60 | 4 | 2.90 |
| 2 | Ohio State | 6 | 4 | 4.00 | 3 | 3.50 |
| 3 | Notre Dame | 6 | 2 | 3.50 | 2 | 2.67 |
| 4 | Penn State | 6 | 1 | 3.17 | 1 | 3.17 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 4 | 3 | 3.75 | 3 | 4.00 |
| 6 | Minnesota | 3 | 1 | 3.00 | 1 | 2.33 |
| 7 | Michigan State | 4 | 0 | 2.50 | 1 | 1.50 |
| 8 | Northwestern | 3 | 1 | 3.00 | 0 | 1.67 |
| 9 | Nebraska | 2 | 0 | 3.00 | 1 | 2.50 |
| 10 | Illinois | 1 | 0 | 3.00 | 0 | 1.00 |
| 11 | Purdue | 1 | 0 | 1.00 | 0 | 3.00 |
| 12 | Iowa | 1 | 0 | 1.00 | 0 | 1.00 |
| 13 | Indiana | 0 | - | - | - | - |
All rankings will be on the 5-star scale this year (when available) for easier comparing across services. Rivals rankings come out this week. Full data after the jump.
