TomVH: Michigan Prospects in the Rivals 250

This list only includes prospects that I think are worth mentioning at this point. Meaning that I think there's still a chance for Michigan. If you think I missed someone, let me know.

Add me to the list of folks who really appreciate all of your hard work. This is a very helpful and easy to follow table.

Which is good.  I would expect that the commitment train to slow a bit now, outside of the possibility of Richardson, just because these kids have so many offers and are trying to take all the visits and everything in.  Nice to be in good position early though, and seems we should be able to pick some up eventually.  And it seems that we have a shot at at least 1 RB out of the ones listed above, even if it isn't Dunn.  

I'm still a little worried about DT though, which is a huge position of need and some interest, but everyone DT is almost always a need for every school, so it's very difficult to get a good number of those guys in as that many more schools are vying for them.

With Beckham, I find it kind of odd that he would only come if we had an elite QB commit this year. He'd most likely end up catching passes from Gardner, who was an elite QB last year and by all indications will be a good one.

Otherwise, I'm very happy with our class thus far and the prospects we're after. Hoke is going after top flight talent. Great post, Tom. Very informative and interesting.

what's the deal with wormley not being included? overhyped?

EDIT: not being included on the 250.

Thanks this was awesome, nice to see where you think we stand with a lot of these guys. Just two quick questions though. First, does your list at the bottom suggest that you think it is more likely that OL Jordan Simmons will stay out west than the other OL's you named?

Second, I am very curious as to what you think our chances are with the Washington and Stanford combo. I guess I am just wondering what your "2nd list" would look like if you were to make one. 

Thanks for the info Tom. One typo though for #96 Jordan Payton state is listed as WR... should be CA unless the USPS is coming up with new state abbreviations that I'm behind on.

Tom, it seems like we are in good standing with Wayne, Richardson, Reeves, and Standifer.  I assume that a spot stays open for Richardson no matter what because he is in-state, but I am assuming we only take one more after him.  Is there a preference or is it just first come, first serve kinda thing?

Tom - are you surprised that Pirsig didn't make the top 250?  He definitely has the offers.

This is a great list:  informative, functional, concise.  I think it should remain at the top of the side bar until signing day. 

Go Blue, recruits.  GO Blue.

I have seen a few comments that this class is so heavy on both lines and too light at the offensive skill position players.  My thoughts:

Hoke said from day 1 that winning the battle in the trenches was going to be his top priority.  There is a school of football thought - to which I somewhat belong - that the effectiveness of your offense is impacted more by your offensive line than any other position.  So, you could have the top QB and receivers, but if the offensive line doesn't maintain protection, the WRs don't have time to run their routes.  Similarly, the QB will constantly be under pressure, leading even a good QB to throw more bad passes and picks.  Along these lines, even a good RB will not be effective with a crappy line, and a merely mediocre RB can be very effective running through holes and open running lines created by a good OL.

Now, I am sure that Hoke and company are working their asses off to bring in the top OL skill position players, but they are obviously most concerned with stocking the lines with talent and depth.

But whatever happened to the recruitment of Cyler Miles? I see he checks in at #160 and a couple months ago it seemed like there was a lot of interest from both parties, as noted in your Feb 14th update

glad to see we're in w/ so many OLs.  we neeeeed mooooooar OLs.

every class should have at least 3 offensive linemen.  not sure why we got away from that rule.  from the looks of the list tom put together, it seems like we're going after bigger OLs than RR did, which probably signifies a full shift away from zone blocking down the road.  borges has indicated that we won't do much zone blocking this year, but also that he'll play to his players' talents.  i think this list shows he likes bigger road graters.

I'm sure this list, and Tom's work in general, gets picked apart and/or stolen by the rest of the college football world.  MGoBlog is lucky to have this madman at our disposal.

That's a very comprehensive and solid analysis of Rivals 250 and impications for Michigan.  Cannot think of anyway to thank you other than this blog + referring any top high school prospect your way. 

would it be possible to edit this post to include the old smiley faces?  i miss nefarious eduardo.  even though he's clearly up to no good.

Great work, Tom. I didn't see Sheldon Day mentioned anywhere above. I am assuming he didn't make the top 250 list, which doesn't bother me in the least, I'm as big on the guy as ever. How do you see U-M fitting into his plans, and him fitting into ours ?