TVH Weekly: Weekend Visitors, Upcoming Decisions, and More

Submitted by TomVH on

This Weekly Update is going to be a little tough because so much can change within a matter of days. Here's what's potentially happening in the near future. With Demetrius Hart decommitting to Alabama that leaves Michigan with roughly seven spots to fill. 

January 7th Visitors

As of right now most, if not all, of the visitors plan on making it in this weekend. I have received two texts from prospects asking if they should reschedule their visit, though. I'm going to make sure that everyone understands that anything can change at any time. That even goes for the comment I made the other day about current commitments sticking with Michigan. Tony Posada and Dallas Crawford both said they will "most likely" stick with Michigan. That most likely is their way out, so it's not 100%. Dallas is being actively recruited, so that's something to watch. [Ed. He did say he was "solid" on Facebook today, FWIW.]

Anyhow, here's the list of recruits expected to be in this weekend.

  • S Sheldon Royster - Royster will be a tough pull for Michigan. Considering Michigan, Rutgers, South Carolina, Miami, and North Carolina.
  • ATH Raymon Taylor - Decommitted from Indiana because of a coaching change. He loves Michigan, but ya know, they might have a coaching change. 
  • WR Devin Lucien - Devin was just offered by Miami today. He really likes Michigan though. He'll be making his announcement on January 30th at his school. He could be making his final decision soon though. Decision is different than announcement. He's said Michigan's standing does not depend on their coach.
  • DT Darian Cooper - I spoke with Darian last night, and he said "he thinks" he's still coming this weekend. We'll see if that changes.
  • WR Shane Wynn - Glenville product, potentially coming this weekend.
  • QB Cardale Jones - Same situation as Wynn. The visit might not happen.
  • TE Frank Clark - Same as the two above.
  • DE Deion Barnes - This visit looks like it's leaning towards not happening, but I haven't confirmed it yet. I'll still include him here, just not expecting him to be there.
  • TE Tanner McEvoy

Army Game Decisions

There are 13 total prospects making their decision public at the Army All American Game on Saturday January 8th. The two that apply to Michigan are LB Kris Frost, and DB Wayne Lyons.

Kris Frost: 

Kris has been consistent with his public stance, and who he names in his top group. I have been in very close contact with Kris the entire time, and it's my understanding that he had his final decision made up around 3 weeks or a month ago. Frost is an early enrollee, and has told me he's comfortable with his decision. 

Wayne Lyons:

Wayne has kept a lot of his recruitment close to the vest, but the rumor is that it may be between Michigan and Stanford, with potentially Nebraska in there as well. This provides an interesting scenario with Michigan and Stanford's current situation. I don't think anyone can predict the outcome of this one, so we'll have to wait and see what hat Wayne picks up on Saturday.

Chris BryantChris Bryant

Offensive Line

6'5", 330 lbs.

Chicago, Illinois


I put this on the board a few days ago, but Chris Bryant has decided to hold a press conference to announce his decision on January 21st. 

Chris has always been very high on Michigan, and has been out to Ann Arbor a few times. The interesting scenario here is that Bryant is likely down to Michigan, Arizona, and Ohio State (if they offer). Stanford was also a school that Chris was very interested in, and he's aware of the potential coaching changes that could take place at Michigan. All of this could obviously change from now until January 21st, but I think Michigan is in strong position right now.

Extra:

  • The silent commits that I've alluded to are still intact. I know of two for now, and potentially a third soon. Some of them could decide to go elsewhere. They're still in place for now.
  • If Michigan makes a coaching change, and makes it fast, there could be opportunity for that coach to bring in some of their recruits. Specifically Jim Harbaugh with his current commitments. I've spoken to a few Stanford commitments that are going to wait to see what happens, and make a decision from there. I've spoken to four, and only one has said he will stay with Stanford 100%. 
  • Early enrollee Greg Brown is in Ann Arbor, and ready to go.
  • Again, all of this information could easily change in the next few days, so don't take it as 100%.

Comments

um4life

January 3rd, 2011 at 1:26 PM ^

Thanks, as always, Tom.  No surprise that this is a very fluid situation at the moment, only time will tell.  I certainly hope a decision is made (and announced), by mid-week, so these visits can still take place.

Dreisbach1817

January 3rd, 2011 at 1:26 PM ^

for the first time. 

Thanks Tom.  I honestly think our recruiting situation is not as dire as people would think (as I wrote in my post yesterday).  I think January-Feb will end up placing us with a top 15 class.

thesauce2424

January 3rd, 2011 at 2:43 PM ^

I don't think I'm being a downer to think that it's verrrrry unlikey for us to jump approx. 20 spots in the rankings. I would love for it to happen, but again I'm not sure there's enough talent still out there that would be willing to give us a look to jump that much.

Elwood

January 3rd, 2011 at 6:59 PM ^

Thank god we have a defensive need during this situation and not an offensive need. An offensive depth problem would be a disaster in recruiting

ish

January 3rd, 2011 at 1:28 PM ^

tom, what happens if we have no coach this weekend?  do these kids still come?  and if so, who hosts them, who do they speak to, etc.?

J. Lichty

January 3rd, 2011 at 1:50 PM ^

Brandon has stated that we will hear from him the second half of the week - it will before the weekend - and it will include who the new coach is going to be.

From a recruiting standpoint, it will be strange if new coach comes in with respect to the visit, but Singletary will still be there, Brandon will be there, Fred Jackson will likely be there - and the new coach who will also be getting acclimated will be there, but that can often lead to excitement and momentum as well.  Minnesota, which is not Michigan has gained numerous committments since Kill was hired a couple weeks ago.

With a new coach in place, there is still time to not only salvage the class but to improve it.

If RR is retained, it will have to be more than "we'll give him one last chance next year" to salvage the class - there will have to be a committment in terms of adding two years to the contract (this happens all the time and buyouts make the extensions meaningless anyhow)

Wolverine0056

January 3rd, 2011 at 2:17 PM ^

Yeah agreed. But I think that has to do with the offense we were running. The last three years haven't been the best for our RBs, for whatever reason. And I don't understand why Smith was used so much toward the end of the season when Fitz was healthy. Either way, there is no denying the success that RBs have had under Jackson (Thomas, Perry, Hart, etc.) 

Blue in Seattle

January 3rd, 2011 at 5:37 PM ^

do they never make it to the next level?

OK, Anthony Thomas and Tyrone Wheatley are the only ones I know of who made significant starts in the NFL.

Michigan on the other hand has many Offensive Linemen successful in the NFL, and that is usually why the running backs were so productive, despite their good and consistent, but not great quality.

Not saying Fred Jackson is a bad coach at all, but not irreplaceable.

 

WolvinLA2

January 3rd, 2011 at 7:42 PM ^

Let's not say they don't make it to the next level, because he's had as many RBs in the NFL as about any other RB coach.  Mike Hart is currently in the NFL and so is Askew.  Chris Perry was a starter for a bit and a back-up for a few years as well.  

That's not a bad bunch of guys sent to the league.

M-Dog

January 3rd, 2011 at 8:06 PM ^

he will at least be able to show recruits around the place, or at least the parts of it that look the same as '86. 

How awkward would it be to show recruits around a new place that you've seen less than they have?  "And over here is the new, um, uh, locker room . . . no wait, that's the weight room . . . how the hell do we get to the locker room?"

MEZman

January 3rd, 2011 at 1:44 PM ^

I know some (specifically Magnus but there were a couple of others) were down on Cardale Jones as a QB in RR's offense. If we were to get JH does that change the opinion of him at all?

This is of course excluding the usually stuff about Glenville recruits and UM.

Wolverine0056

January 3rd, 2011 at 1:47 PM ^

Thanks as always Tom. You bring good news in the wake of this bad weekend. Between the horrible loss on Saturday and losing Dee (which came as little surprise) I have confidence in landing Frost and still having a decent recruiting class for 2011.

Leaders And Best

January 3rd, 2011 at 1:51 PM ^

No news on his upcoming decision?  I haven't heard anything about what he is going to do yet.

But serioiusly, thank you Tom.  I could use any topic not related to CC right now.  Glad to hear the core of our recruiting class and targets are waiting the "evaluation" out with us.  Sounds like they are handling it much better than our fanbase is as well.

WolvinLA2

January 3rd, 2011 at 7:45 PM ^

If he had an OSU offer, I'd agree with you.  But if UM is his best offer and he thinks it's the best fit for him, Ginn will encourage him to come.   He's not going to push M when a kid can go anywhere, but he's also not going to prohibit a kid from coming here if it truly is the best fit.

profitgoblue

January 3rd, 2011 at 1:54 PM ^

Sorry, Tom.  No time to read this with all the "CC" threads going at once.  Maybe I'll get to your Diary entry later.

Obviously joking.  Thanks as always for the update!

mackbru

January 3rd, 2011 at 1:58 PM ^

I've got to believe that Harbaugh/Fitzgerald/Miles would significantly improve our current class. Fresh blood. Excitement. Stability. Direction. Hope.

oakapple

January 3rd, 2011 at 1:59 PM ^

Harbaugh has two QB commits in his current incoming class, Evan Crower and Kevin Hogan. They’re both three-star guys, but presumably Harbaugh thinks they can play his system. Might either of them follow him to Michigan?

With both Forcier and Robinson as known transfer risks, the QB need in this class is suddenly more acute.

J. Lichty

January 3rd, 2011 at 2:38 PM ^

the way he is often depoloyed.  His real downfall to me is that he is not fast enough or shifty enough when actually given a hole.  He is a good receiver and surprisingly good blocker, but a guy his size needs the extra gear and moves that Smith does not have -- at least post knee injury. 

He often gets the ball on plays that are doomed from the beginning, and he cannot move a pile or get yards after contact, and that is why many of us wanted to see mor Hopkins.

I think RR makes some curious personnel decisions, and none more questionable that Smith.

This is not intended to be a rag on Smith.  I think he can be an effective role player, and certainly I think he will get better with another offseason of rehab.