TVH Weekly: Signing Day Edition

Submitted by TomVH on

Signing day is almost upon us, and there are roughly six recruits to keep an eye on.This staff has done an excellent job keeping kids committed  and adding additional pieces to fill gaps. Here's a look at what to expect, and when to expect it.

As always you can find more updates from me on Twitter, and also feel free to email me with any tips or questions at [email protected].

Thomas RawlsThomas Rawls

5'10", 215 lbs.

Running Back

Flint, Michigan


Rawls is a three star prospect, which most people assume is because of the concern with his grades. Most people assumed he would not qualify, which led to a not so impressive offer list. Also, since his high school coach is Fred Jackson's son and he's made no secret of the fact that if he qualifies he's going to Michigan other schools may not have bothered.

Don't let that list fool you, because Thomas is the kind of back Brady Hoke is looking for in his offense. I can only imagine the conversations about Thomas between Fred Jr and Fred Sr. [ed: "Son, you are the greatest coach in the world and you have created a combination of Herschel Walker, House, and Bo Jackson."]

Rawls recently came back from his trip to Ann Arbor with an offer and a plan:

I wouldn't say it was the dream offer, Michigan is the dream school. I grew up watching them, and I just worked to get there. I basically had the offer, but I just didn't say much. I don't want to say too much about academics, but I will be eligible for the 2011 season. I want to keep some stuff for my press conference, which will be at 9:30am on signing day at Flint Northern.

Thomas is "deciding" between Michigan and CMU on signing day. This should be an excellent pick up for Michigan, and an excellent job by Thomas to get eligible.

Jacob FisherJake Fisher

6'7", 270 lbs.

Offensive Tackle

Traverse City, Michigan


Jake Fisher is fresh off a visit to Oregon, and it's coming down to the wire. Chip Kelly is pretty strict when it comes to prospects visiting and offers they hand out. They like kids to visit if they are seriously thinking about coming to Oregon, and I think Jake is. I spoke to him after his visit, and he had this to say:

Everyone is fair game right now. I'm going to sit down with my parents and talk everything over. I'm either going to announce the day before signing day, or on signing day.

He also told me the visit to Oregon went well, but not much more than that. Jake is really tough to read, so this could go one way or the other. The Michigan coaches have made him a priority. Will it be enough?

Who's Signing When

Signing day is Wednesday. As mentioned earlier there are roughly six prospects that Michigan has honed in on. They would have enough room for all six under certain circumstances. Here's who's left, and when they plan on announcing.

  • MI RB Thomas Rawls: Signing Day at 9:30am.
  • CO LB Leilon Willingham: Signing Day at 7pm MT. Michigan is in great shape still with Willingham. He'll be choosing between Michigan, ASU, Colorado, Washington, and UCF presumably.
  • OH LB Frank Clark: Signing Day around 10 or 11am.
  • MD DT Darian Cooper: Signing Day.
  • MI OL Jake Fisher: Either announcing the day before signing day, or on signing day. Visit to Oregon went well. He plans on talking it over with his parents and then deciding.
  • TX TE Chris Barnett: Will announce on Saturday. Wants to weigh out all the options rather than think on emotion. The Michigan visit went very well. He is deciding between Arkansas and Michigan.

Prediction: I don't like predicting, but Michigan has a legitimate shot at landing all six that are left. I don't know if they will, but they have a shot. I am confident about three of them, somewhat optimistic about one, and usure about two. I think when it comes down to it they will most likely land 3 or 4, if they get the 5th or 6th it's a bonus.

Extra: 

Comments

wolfnaps

January 31st, 2011 at 12:26 PM ^

They seem to be getting interest from quite a few high star recruits. Rivals has them in the top 50 which seems like quite a feat considering they are outside the automatic qualifying Bowl Championship Series conferences.

TorontoBlue

January 31st, 2011 at 12:32 PM ^

Looks like a snow day Wednesday - since we were'nt going to get any work done anyway, this should make it easier to explain our lack of productivity to the boss.

THANKS to Tom VH for the great info & summary. 

GO BLUE!

wlubd

January 31st, 2011 at 1:56 PM ^

Fisher's keeping it close to the vest but I'd be stunned if Sparty was even in the picture. Have to think UM and Oregon are the two choices.

As for Cooper, I've seen different "gurus" pick all 4 of Cooper's finalists as his destination. No one really knows anything at this point.

F5

January 31st, 2011 at 2:08 PM ^

I just watched his highlights for the first time and was extremely impressed. And while as impressed as I was with his running abitlity and style, lemme tell ya, their LT number 79 I believe is a beast. That guy has a Lewan style mean streak to him. Not sure what year he is but man oh man I would not mind seeing him don the maize and blue.