TomVH: Weekly Update: Decision Dates, Visits, and Who's Left

Submitted by TomVH on

We're in the middle of a recruiting dead period, and about a month away from signing day. I thought I would give an update on who's left on the board, time frames for when specific recruits will make their decisions, and who will be visiting in the near future. 

Who's Left?

2011 Michigan Commits
Name Position State Rivals Ranking
Demetrius Hart RB FL 4 Star
Justice Hayes RB  MI 4 Star
Brennen Beyer DE MI 4 Star
Blake Countess CB MD 4 Star
Dallas Crawford CB FL 3 Star
Jake Fisher OL MI 3 Star
Delonte Hollowell CB MI 3 Star
Kellen Jones LB TX 3 Star
Chris Rock DE/DT OH 3 Star
Greg Brown DB OH 3 Star
Jack Miller OL OH 3 Star
Desmond Morgan LB MI 3 Star
Tony Posada OL FL 3 Star
Matt Goudis K CA 2 Star

That's 14 current commitments, and for argument sake we'll just assume that Michigan will take 20 in this class. Rich Rodriguez has recently said they will take anywhere from 18-20 commits, so we'll go with 20. Here's a look at the most likely recruits left at each position, up to this point. There could be some new names pop up, but this list seems pretty solid for now.

Wide Receiver
Name State Decision Date Rivals Ranking
Kris Frost NC Army All American Game (Jan 8th) 4 Star
Hakeem Flowers SC Either January or Signing Day. May still take visits. 3 Star
Devin Lucien CA Signing Day. Visiting Michigan January 7th 4 Star
Prince Holloway FL January 15th. Recently said he will commit to Michigan on his January 15th visit. 3 Star

Frost is in this category because he will most likely get his chance to try wide receiver before potentially moving to linebacker. The situation for Michigan here is that they may just lead for all four of these receivers. 

Defensive Backs
Name State Decision Date Rivals Ranking
Wayne Lyons (S) FL Army All American Game 4 Star
Raymon Taylor (ATH) MI  Visiting January 7th. Decision after that. 4 Star
Sheldon Royster (S) NJ Visiting January 7th. 4 Star
James Richardson (CB) TX Deciding in January 3 Star
Roderick Ryles (S) FL Planning a visit, decision date unsure. 3 Star

Again Michigan is in great position for most of these recruits. 

Tight End
Name State Decision Date Rivals Ranking
Jack Tabb NJ January 3 Star
Frank Clark OH Visiting January 7th, decision date unsure. 3 Star
Tanner McEvoy NJ Visiting January 7th, decision date unsure. 3 Star

Tabb is thinking over his decision, and will be announcing sometime in early or mid January. The coaching situation had been factoring into his decision, and he was also hoping for an offer from Miami. He's not getting the Miami offer, so it will be between Michigan, North Carolina, and Arkansas.

Offensive Line
Name State Decision Date Rivals Ranking
Chris Bryant IL January, or Signing Day 4 Star

Bryant isn't sure if he wants to wait until signing day to make his decision, or just get it over with. He is waiting to see what happens with the coaches, but Michigan is likely to land Chris.

Defensive Line
Name State Decision Date Rivals Ranking
Anthony Zettel (DE) MI Likely to decide in January. 4 Star
Darian Cooper (DT MD Visiting January 7th, likely to decide signing day. 4 Star
Max Issaka (DE)  NJ May visit Michigan 3 Star
Deion Barnes (DE)  PA Visiting January 7th, decision in mid-late January or signing day 4 Star

As you can see, there are a lot of recruits left for only roughly 6 spots left. The good news is that there is a lot of quality left on the board. The recruits that are left and still have Michigan in the race are ranked highly, and more importantly could help Michigan in key areas. 

Visits

The next visit weekend will be January 7th, and will be host to a good amount of prospects. Here's the list so far, and as usual will be updated as we get closer. These visits aren't set in stone, so they could change from now until the 7th.

  • S Sheldon Royster - Michigan is in Royster's top four with North Carolina, Rutgers, and South Carolina
  • DE Deion Barnes - Michigan is in Barne's top group with Penn State, South Carolina, and Georgia.
  • WR Devin Lucien - Michigan is in a very favorable spot for Lucien. This visit could determine where he ends up.
  • DT Darian Cooper - Cooper still lists Michigan in his top group, but definitely has concerns about the coaching situation. He should have some answers by this time.
  • ATH Raymon Taylor - Recently offered by Michigan, and recently decommitted from Indiana I suspect that Michigan leads. 
  • TE Tanner McEvoy
  • TE/LB Frank Clark - The Glenville prospect always speaks highly of Michigan, and is excited about the visit. 
Football
TomVH
Anthony Zettel
Kris Frost
Darian Cooper
Raymon Taylor
Prince Holloway
Wayne Lyons
Chris Bryant
Jack Tabb
Roderick Ryles
Devin Lucien
Sheldon Royster
Frank Clark
James Richardson
Hakeem Flowers
Max issaka

Comments

WolvinLA2

December 27th, 2010 at 5:12 PM ^

Look, I'm not saying I don't want Kinard to succeed wherever he ends up.  But I don't think it's a bad thing to say that there are 6 guys I'd prefer in this class over him.  Was it a bold statement when the poster listed the 6 guys he wants and he left off Kinard and Holloway?  He's saying the same thing I am. 

I'm all for guys working hard and doing the right things to succeed in life.  I'm proud of Antonio for what he has done, and I think it will benefit him greatly.  That said, there are a lot of players who have done great things that aren't my first choice to come play football at UM. 

We have a 6 spots left, and more than 6 quality guys who could fill them.  I didn't say I'd rather leave a spot open than take Kinard, just that I think there are guys who will do a better job of helping us win football games than him, because outside of his work eithic off the field, which is admirable, I haven't heard a whole lot about how good he is at football, whereas many of the other guys who could take his spot have been much more heralded and sought after.

So Duderino, who would your six be if you could pick?  When you're done, tell me why you want Kinard over guys like Royster or Tabb or Lucien or Barnes or Taylor another QB because you'd have to leave most of them off, assuming you include Zettel, Frost, Lyons, and Bryant and Cooper.  Good guy or not, I have a hard time saying I'd rather us sign a low 3-star guy with offers from no one but us than a 4 star at a position of need who is being courted by a number of other big programs.

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

WolvinLA2

December 27th, 2010 at 9:26 PM ^

No doubt he's a good prospect.  I never said anything negative about him, just that most of the other guys are better. 

So maybe skip the personal dig, and answer the question.  It's really easy to say that we'd like him, but the same can be said about a lot of our prospects.  Tell me which of the many 4 star guys at positions of greater need you'd say "no thanks" to to get Kinard.  Not a dis on him, but we just don't have room for everyone.

Joined: 11/13/2009

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WolvinLA2

December 28th, 2010 at 11:21 AM ^

Honestly.  I'm certainly against the "WTF why did we offer this scrub?" kind of post, but there's nothing wrong with saying "At the end of the recruiting cycle, I'd prefer we don't offer or accept a commitment from ______ because I think there are a number of guys we could get who would be better fits."

I didn't say he sucks and I didn't attack his character.  People have no problem saying shit about Obi Ezeh sucking balls and being an idiot, and he's on our team.  Seriously, people.

Joined: 11/13/2009

MGoPoints: 58191

umhero

December 28th, 2010 at 12:16 PM ^

Using your list, here's my order of preference:

DT Darian Cooper  6-1/290 - An explosive D tackle is a big need in this class.

WR/LB Kris Frost 6-3/210 - Versatile athlete who could play one of two positions of need.

S Wayne Lyons 6-1/190 - Elite STUDENT athlete who will be a playmaker on the field and a role model off.

DE Anthony Zettel 6-4/255 - Physical D end who can stop the run and collapse the pocket.

DE Deion Barnes 6-4/225 - Lanky speed-rusher to get to the QB.

OG Chris Bryant 6-5/330 - Big physical O lineman that is a major need in this class.

LB/DE Antonio Kinard 6-4/230 - Mature, versatile athlete who can play three positions of need OLB, ILB, or DE

WR Devin Lucien 6-1/190 - Classic wideout with good speed, good hands, and high jump ability.

TE Jack Tabb 6-4/235 - With Martell Webb departing and Kevin Koger entering his senior year, TE is a position of need and Tabb offers the skills of a solid TE.

S Sheldon Royster 5-11/190 - RB converting to the defense, solid athlete without a clear position.

CB/Ath Ramon Taylor 5-10/175 - Talented corner would add depth to a position with depth but question marks.

This list isn't intended as a slight to any of the listed players, but instead to prioritize by combining need with talent.

BTW - We are still listed as an option with Jernigan and he would be number one on the list.

Joined: 07/26/2009

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WolvinLA2

December 28th, 2010 at 5:41 PM ^

I agree with a lot of this, except I would put Bryant higher - we are in major need for another OL, specifically an OG, in this class, and he's a good one.  I don't know of another OL we're in on.  I would also put Royster higher, we need a true FS and I think he could be one.  I'd be OK with him not in the class, Bryant - not so much.

Joined: 11/13/2009

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4godkingandwol…

December 27th, 2010 at 12:03 PM ^

... I see a lot of Jan 7th visits, which is great.  What happens in a visit situation if there is no coaching staff in place to greet them?  I REALLY don't want to turn this into a CC string, but I'm curious how visits go in general if there is a coaching transition. 

Joined: 08/06/2008

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J. Lichty

December 27th, 2010 at 8:58 PM ^

what HC.  The assistants will remain under contract until relieved.  If you recall, Singletary, the recruiting coordinator and Fred Jackson stayed from the Lloyd era, but the assistants were not let go until sometime after the bowl game.

Typically in coaching transitions the recruiting coordinator will stay and at least one assistant.

The recent coaching change at Minnesota should give you some idea.  The NIU coach brought in most of his assistants but left one of the holdovers from Brewster's staff along with the recruiting coordinator and some GA's.

I would expect that if Harbaugh is hired, he will spend much of his initial time trying to salvage current commits, and he will come for the recruiting weekend to greet whatever recruits decide to keep their visits, along with the other recruits that he has relationships with who are now interested in MI, just as RR did when he was hired. 

Joined: 06/30/2008

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GhostPoster

December 27th, 2010 at 1:15 PM ^

I think Zettel, Cooper, and Lyons are must haves.  Bryant is right up there too.  

I would also put a large amount of money on Frost being one of the silent commits which is great.  Taylor and Lucien would be very nice additions to this class as well.  Just wish we had 27 spots like we did last year, we would easily have a top 15 class.

Joined: 10/04/2010

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Logan88

December 27th, 2010 at 2:30 PM ^

UM could certainly use a TE and a QB in the class, but I don't think they are quite as important as some of the other needs.

My wish list:

  • Bryant -- need a 4th OL with only 10 OL on scholarship next season
  • Lucien -- need a true SE in the class (Hayes will be a slot and I want Frost at LB)
  • Zettel -- stud in-state DE and UM fan == must get
  • Cooper -- DT is the most important need left in the class
  • Frost -- OLB not WR...please
  • Lyons -- Lyons at SS and Crawford at FS in my dream scenario

Joined: 01/05/2009

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funkywolve

December 27th, 2010 at 12:15 PM ^

With only 6 scholarships remaining and about 17 recruits on your board, what happens if they have more guys who want to come than scholarships to hand out?  Do you have any guestimate as to which position groups would get the nod?

I'm assuming if Bryant and a TE say 'Yes', that would be two scholarships gone with 4 remaining.  I'm assuming the dline would be a priority but any idea on the remaining scholarships might break down by position group?

Joined: 10/08/2008

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Section 1

December 27th, 2010 at 12:21 PM ^

It seems to me as though we are competing for kids with a number of schools whose classes have already been nearly filled up.  That would seem to bode well for Michigan.  How many more kids can OSU, Florida, UNC and MSU, etc., take?

And, looking at the numbers and the individual kids, apart from the notable stories of Dee Hart and Dallas Crawford, it seems really hard to make a case that any uncertainty over Rich Rodriguez has "hurt" recruiting.  I say that, from the standpoint of pure recruiting strategy, not as an attmept to threadjack this into a repeat of the 541st 'Coaching Change' topic.

Joined: 06/29/2009

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TomVH

December 27th, 2010 at 12:29 PM ^

I think the biggest thing for me with the coaching uncertainty is that they potentially could have already had this class filled up by now. If there was no controversy or uncertainty, they may only be looking for 1 more spot to fill, rather than 6 while having a few commits potentially looking around. 

I can't really say for sure if it has hurt us or it hasn't, because we would need to go back in time and run the same scenario without any coaching uncertainty to see who certain recruits would pick. Obviously impossible unless you're Marty McFly.

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Section 1

December 27th, 2010 at 1:09 PM ^

That was the answer I was expecting.  That is, while none of us can know for sure, the net effect of the RR-uncertainty seems to be more of a delay in filling this class, as opposed to any real net harm to the quality of the class.

Thanks for your thoughts.

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