TomVH: Best Guess List 2011

Submitted by TomVH on

This is a prediction/guesstimate on what the 2011 recruiting class could potentially look like. Please don't read too much into any of this, and don't freak out either. (I know you will anyway, but it makes me feel better to tell you not to). I'm only going to put recruits that I think Michigan will get as of right now. This doesn't factor in kids with grade issues, or anything else.

Quarterback:

  • Commit - Kevin Sousa, 6'2", 213 lbs, 3 star, Orlando, Florida
  • Marquise Williams 6'3", 218 lbs, 3 star, Charlotte, North Carolina: Committed to UNC right now, but assuming that North Carolina is about to implode due to NCAA sanctions Michigan has a good shot with Marquise. It will be either Sousa or Williams, most likely not both.

Running Back:

  • Commit - Demetrius Hart 5'8", 190 lbs, 4 star, Orlando, Florida

Slot Receiver:

  • Devondrick Nealy 5'10", 175 lbs, 3 star, Monticello, Florida: Recently named Michigan as his favorite after his visit. He also struck a friendship with Demetrius Hart, and has said he would like to team up with Hart in college. 
  • Prince Holloway 5'9", 155 lbs, 3 star, Cape Coral, Florida: Nealy is more of a priority than Holloway, but I have heard that Michigan leads for Prince right now. We'll see how this plays itself out if both want to choose Michigan. I would expect Nealy to be in the class before Holloway.

Wide Receiver:

  • Commit - Shawn Conway 6'4", 180 lbs, 3 star, Birmingham, Michigan
  • Sammy Watkins 6'1", 180 lbs, 4 star, Fort Myers, Florida: The more I hear about Sammy, the more I think he will be in this class. I have heard it's between Michigan and Miami right now. Miami is having some problems with transfers, and as I've said before losing some commitments. If they lose QB commit Teddy Bridgewater (which could happen) I think it may turn Michigan's way.
  • Chris Gallon 6'4", 185 lbs, 3 star, Orlando, Florida: If he gets offered, Michigan will be the leader. Teammates with Demetrius Hart, he will be visiting for the Illinois game.
  • Still in it with: Hakeem Flowers (6'2", 173 lbs, 3 star)

Tight End:

  • Drew Owens 6'5", 227 lbs, 3 star, Charlotte, North Carolina: Owens or Jack Tabb seem like the few options left still listing Michigan very high on their list. It's a toss up between the two, as of right now.
  • Jack Tabb 6'4", 230 lbs, 3 star, Red Bank, New Jersey: Same goes for Tabb. They're working on getting him in for an official. it's most likely one or the other of these two.

Linebackers:

  • Commit - Kellen Jones 6'1", 210 lbs, 3 star, Houston, Texas
  • Commit - Brennen Beyer 6'4", 222 lbs, 4 star, Canton, Michigan
  • Antonio Kinard 6'4", 215 lbs, 3 star, Youngstown, Ohio: 2010 commit, may still be included in this class.
  • Kris Frost 6'3", 210 lbs, 4 star, Matthews, North Carolina: For argument sake I'm just going to put Frost under this category. He'll get a chance to play wide receiver.
  • Sean Duggan 6'4", 215 lbs, 3 star, Cincinnati, Ohio: I think Michigan is moving up Duggan's list the more he is around the program. He recently came up for a visit, and will be in for his official in early December. He's down to Michigan, Duke, Boston College, and Virginia.
  • Darryl Monroe 6'1", 215 lbs, 3 star, Orlando, Florida: He will be visiting with his Dr. Phillips teammates for the Illinois game. If Michigan offers I would expect us to lead.
  • Still in it with: Austin Traylor (6'4", 210 lbs, 4 star, Columbus, Ohio)

Cornerbacks:

  • Commit - Greg Brown 5'11", 180 lbs, 3 star, Fremont, Ohio: Recently took a visit to Syracuse. We'll see what happens.
  • Commit - Delonte Hollowell 5'9", 165 lbs, 4 star, Detroit, Michigan
  • Dallas Crawford 5'10", 185 lbs, 3 star, Fort Myers, Florida: I've heard nothing but positive things towards Dallas and Michigan. He might even be working on his teammate Sammy Watkins for Michigan.
  • Still in it with: Daren Kitchen (6'1", 172 lbs, 3 star, Houma, Louisiana)

Safeties:

  • Roderick Ryles 6'1", 185 lbs, 3 star, Orlando, Florida: Visiting with Dr. Phillips teammates for the Illinois game. If the visit goes well I would expect Michigan to take the lead.
  • Avery Walls 5'11", 185 lbs, 4 star, McDonough, Georgia: I'm still optimistic with Avery, but his visit to Oregon makes me a little nervous. I still think he ends up with Michigan as of right now.
  • Still in it with: Byron Moore (6'1", 205 lbs, JUCO, Wilmington, California), Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix (6'2", 190 lbs, 5 star, Orlando, Florida), Karlos Williams (6'2", 210 lbs, 5 star, Davenport, Florida), Wayne Lyons (6'0", 190 lbs, 4 star, Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

Offensive Line:

  • Commit - Tony Posada 6'6", 315 lbs. 3 star. Tampa, Florida
  • Commit - Jake Fisher 6'7", 260 lbs, 3 star, Traverse City, Michigan
  • Commit - Jack Miller 6'4", 268 lbs, 3 star, Perrysburg, Ohio
  • Chris Bryant 6'5", 330 lbs, 4 star, Chicago, Illinois: Just set up his official visit for the Big Chill game.
  • James Elliott 6'4", 305 lbs, 3 star, Pensacola, Florida: He'll be back up to Michigan for his official in December. He's waiting for his official offer from Michigan. If he gets it, he will commit.

Defensive End:

  • Commit - Chris Rock 6'5", 250 lbs, 3 star, Columbus, Ohio: May move to defensive tackle.
  • Anthony Zettel 6'4", 247 lbs, 4 star, West Branch, Michigan: If Michigan can continue to show improvement, and Rich Rod isn't fired then I would expect Anthony to pick Michigan
  • Still in it with: Ray Drew (6'5", 243 lbs, 4 star, Thomasville, Georgia), Deion Barnes (6'5", 220 lbs, 4 star, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Damon Knox (6'5", 265 lbs, 3 star, Muskegon, Michigan)

Defensive Tackle:

  • Darian Cooper 6'3", 275 lbs, 3 star, Hyattsville, Maryland: Will be visiting in December. Michigan needs to continue to improve and win a few more to make Darian feel comfortable. 
  • Still in it with: Kevin McReynolds (6'2", 281 lbs, 4 star, Washington DC), Tim Jernigan (6'2", 275 lbs, 4 star, Lake City, Florida), Mickey Johnson (6'1", 310 lbs, 4 star, Covington, Louisiana)

Comments

TomVH

October 21st, 2010 at 5:17 PM ^

You'll notice that if all of these prospects committed the numbers would be off, so don't take this as who we will 100% get. This is a guideline, and these names will obviously change as we go. 

kvnryn

October 21st, 2010 at 10:11 PM ^

I have a co-worker who is a big FSU fan, avid reader of their boards, etc. and he's told me Karlos is 99.9% FSU. He (Karlos) writes a blog for Warchant documenting his visits and impressions of the team. My co-worker has sent me some and Karlos reminds me of Ricardo Miller in terms of his early buy-in to the program (always referring to FSU as "we") and talking about trying to get other guys to join his class at FSU. His dad also apparently posts on Warchant a lot (and has for a long time because he went through this process with Karlos' older brother). It sounds like the chances are slim, but I do have fun bugging my co-worker about that small chance it changes.

Disclaimer: I am not TomVH

WolvinLA2

October 21st, 2010 at 5:25 PM ^

The "still in it with" section under safeties is downright dirty.  If we get any one of those four life is good. 

That said, a little disappointed at OL and DL.  I think Beyer will be a true DE, so I'm less concerned with DE, but DT and OL in general looks a little thin, especially considering our needs for bodies there.  If we get 2 of the DT's you list, any two, and we're good.  I hope another solid OL guy pops up out of nowhere.

kmanning

October 21st, 2010 at 9:58 PM ^

Agreed, DT is one spot I'd like to see at least two commits from. With Campbell looking like a possible OL, I fear for our depth here. Just a couple guys to take up some space and give guys like Martin a breather would be nice. 

I really think our defense will evolve into a 3-4... it's becoming more and more popular in the NFL, it makes sense for colleges to use it as an easy way for guys to transition from college to the pros. Our recruiting seems to point to this, with guys like Roh and maybe Beyer as 3-4 rush OLBs, but we need a couple space eating nose tackles to take up space so when we get the Mike Martin's of the world, they can play outside and wreak havoc instead of having to play slightly out of position due to need. Similar to guys like JaJuan Johnson/Deshawn Sims having to play the 5 when they're more suited for the 4(or even 3 in Sims' case) in basketball. 

NomadicBlue

October 22nd, 2010 at 1:08 PM ^

I think I am actually pulling for Lyons the most.  Hs-Ha would obviously be a tremendous acquisition, but I remember reading an article on lyons a while back that left me very impressed with that kid.  He's got crazy smarts (I think > 4.0 GPA) and is planning on enrolling in engineering.  Student athletes who decide on engineering as a major impress me a great deal.  Plus, having that kind of smarts would definitely improve his chances on making an immediate impact for the team. 

Let me be clear, I am not intending to look down upon Ha-Ha's academic chops - I just don't recall reading anything about his current academic status or intended major.  He may be just as impressive in that field as Lyons and I may just be an ignoramous. 

MGolem

October 21st, 2010 at 5:26 PM ^

Why Raymon Taylor did not get more love from the coaches? He fits both the CB and slot spots and with Greg Brown talking about going elsewhere he seems like a good fit. Indiana can't be hard to beat for his services.

Yooper

October 21st, 2010 at 5:30 PM ^

What is most striking about this list is the number of Florida kids.  What a change over the past couple of years.  It shows that Rod has a plan, and it is bearing fruit. 

umhero

October 21st, 2010 at 9:56 PM ^

20 is probably a good number to assume.  If a couple of studs want to be squeezed in above that, then we will have to tell a couple of RS juniors they won't be offered a fifth year or we will have to let one or two of the walkons who have earned scholarships know that they will have to pay their own way next year (that has to be an unpleasant conversation, so I assume the fifth year conversation is the first choice).

Young Pretty a…

October 21st, 2010 at 5:50 PM ^

Overall I like the potential of the class.  Coach Rich Rod is a wonderul recruitor and has a great eye for talent. I can just imagine the recruiting classes they will put together, once the team consistently wins 9-12 games a year.

Go Blue

cadmus2166

October 21st, 2010 at 6:03 PM ^

You are the best!!  I love your updates.  Do you think if Marquise Williams were to decommit from NC and choose Michigan that Michigan coaches would push Sousa to look elsewhere?

Captain Obvious

October 21st, 2010 at 6:13 PM ^

My only complaint is the lack of giant DLs.  I'd like 2-3 since we lose Banks, Sagesse and Patterson and Martin will be a senior (assuming he stays).  That pretty much leaves us with Ash, a 90% chance of Martin and possibly Campbell if he doesn't move to OL.  Plus, DLs almost always need a redshirt year and most need a pretty good deal of rotation after taking on doubles all day, etc.

DT/NT position for 2011 is on a razor's edge and 2012 is truly frightening.

FrankMurphy

October 21st, 2010 at 7:06 PM ^

As good as Martin has been this year, his stock could only rise from sticking around another season. He's not a first rounder right now, but he has the potential to be with another year under his belt.

There's also the added benefit of playing on a defense that (hopefully) isn't at the bottom of the Big Ten in every statistical category. Remember that Brandon Graham wasn't on anyone's first round radar at the end of last season and probably wouldn't have been a first round pick were it not for his dominating performance in the Senior Bowl. 

WolvinLA2

October 21st, 2010 at 7:07 PM ^

Yeah, I don't think Martin leaves.  He's had a couple injury bugs in the last year, and he's still pretty young - he didn't redshirt and IIRC he's young for his grade anyhow.  He doesn't seem like a guy who would be easily swayed to bail early (I'm looking at your Warren), and he really loved Michigan.  I think he puts everything he has into his senior year and in the end he's better for it.

Webber's Pimp

October 21st, 2010 at 6:40 PM ^

I'm looking at DT. We haven't signed one in over 2 years. We really need to fortify the defensive line. Part of the problem wih the defense is we're getting pushed around.

WolvinLA2

October 21st, 2010 at 7:43 PM ^

They're true freshmen who need to redshirt.  They won't even need to start until their third year in the program.  A lot can happen between now and then.  Richard Ash is a big, strong player who needs to get himself into shape, and Terry Talbott is a very athletic DT who needs to put on weight before he plays against Big Ten OL's.  By next fall they'll be ready for back-up duty, I have no doubts.

But that's not the point.  The poster didn't say that we had poor talent at DT, he said we hadn't signed a DT in over 2 years.  That is just plain false.

mejunglechop

October 21st, 2010 at 8:27 PM ^

I'm not sure those guys are NTs though. Obviously Campbell is/was, so the guy is wrong. But look, Martin is a small NT at 299. He makes up for being extremely strong and fast for his size. But even if you take Martin's weight as the benchmark, Terry Talbott is listed at 248 right now. There's no way he could put on enough good weight this year to contribute at NT next year. In fact, I doubt any amount of time would be enough. 

Richard Ash is listed 320, that's 60(!) pounds more than when he was getting attention from USC and Florida. Very little of that can be muscle. Maybe he can be a NT down the road, but his body needs a LOT of work in the gym. It would be nothing short of a miracle if he were physically ready for time at NT next year.