2012 Recruiting Thoughts 2 DT vs. 1 QB
I read the interview with O'Brien, and he was quoted as saying Michigan only wants to sign one interior defensive lineman in the 2012 class. I also know Hoke stated he wants to come away with one QB in the 2012 class. We all know Michigan is limited on the number of scholarships available, and we also know there are two beasts at defensive tackle that are considering Michigan -- Danny O'Brien and Ondre Pipkins. While I think there is a strong chance to land both, I would hate to see one walk away after the first signs. I was thinking I would much rather see Pipkins and O'Brien commit, and then we could forego a QB in the 2012 class to compensate for taking an extra DT. With Denard, Gardner, and Bellomy on the roster and Morris coming in 2013, I feel we are strong at QB. Of course this would likely force Hoke into signing a 2nd QB in 2013 for depth, but that would be okay, because DT is a position of need coming up within the next two years. The worst case scenario occurring by not signing a qb in 2012 is Michigan would have to burn Morris' redshirt if there were a major injury at QB. Ultimately, I would rather see Pipkins and O'Brien at DT two or three years from now, as opposed to a QB who is sitting 3rd on the depth chart.
What are your thoughts on this?
They have nine or ten spots left...
If we have 15 kids that want to go blue, you can only take 10 -- who do you take? Michigan is looking really good with more than 10 kids, though you have to have options, if these kids end up going elsewhere. I can't see how Michigan says no to Adolphus Washington, and thus, Dwayne Stanford. I think, if we can get Kalis and Diamond, we could easily be done with the OL.
Not at all, I am fucking around. My clever point is that the size of the class doesn't make much sense as it is, so why not just take one more.
That being said, I do think that Godin will move down to a tackle position. We seem to be looking at a major log jam at DE if two more come in. Remember, no true DT were brought in for the 2011 class.
One of the biggest problems the team has had over the last 4 years has been a lack of balance and depth at ALL positions (okay, some misses on talent as well). I'm afraid that too many of us have been caught up lately with the idea of taking the top talent at various positions in spite of possible overloading.
Please take a QB, WR, 2 DT, S, 2 OL, 1 DE, and a RB/FB.
youre missing safety (jarrod wilson) and fullback (Fatu, Houma, Hill). Although Dunn could probably be instead of a FB
You forgot a FS prospect, Jarrod Wilson.
My Top Ten:
Kiel or Mauk
Dunn or Garmon
Stanford
Burbridge
Diamond
Kalis
Washington
Wormley
Pipkins or O'BRIEN (I assume)
Wilson
Wilson.........have u seen our secondary? He has to be NUMBER 1
1. Pipkins
2. O'Brien
3. Kalis
4. Wormsley
5. Diamond
6. WR
7. QB
8. Hold for random 5 Star
forgot wilson. slot him in at 4
Although we have 4 DEs in this class (I believe Godin will be moved to DT), there would be no doubt that if Washington and Wormley committed that Michigan should take them. I would like to imagine that Stanford is the WR, but his recent change of mind in visiting Michigan it has decreased my hopes of it happening. PSU has a boat load of offensive linemen that have committed to them in the last two years (2010, 2011), so I hope that influences Bars to commit to Michigan. I personally would not take a QB. The rest of your list seems realistic and, hopefully that is the list on signing day.
DT next year scares me without Martin.... I think it should be a priority... When Martin leaves we have ZERO surefire DT's..... When Denard is hurt or gone, we have Gardner at least
as a senior with a full year of 3 Dline coaches honing his skills, and yet all spring Hokehas been cryptic as to whether Campbell or Washington will start with Martin this year. 2012 we'll have Campbell and Washington, and Ash and likely Pipkins who looks ready to go as a High School Junior. We also have a supply of 2011 Linemen who might play both ways next year when the 2012 crop of OTs show up. Don't be bashing my guys, they aint zeros.
Maybe it's a Jedi mind trick. Maybe the staff is saying they only want one DT in order to push a recruit to make a decision sooner rather than later. Then, afterwords they contact the other guy and say they will still sign him if he wants to commit.
up in here
Everytime I see your avatar, I love it more.
Hey Guys,
Long time reader, first time poster.
God forbid, but what if something happens with Shane before he signs his national letter of intent. I know he is sold on Michigan and I know he seems like the man of the future, but you never know...I hate to put that thought out there, but I feel like we almost need to be better safe than sorry with a quarterback.
Now on top of that thought, I do not want us to take an average joe and pass on Pipkens or O'Brien.
Thoughts???
Agree, he just finished his sophomore year. If the Alabamas and Auburns AKA SEC come to town and take him away, then we no longer have 5 Star Morris. Plus I'm not sold on Bellomy...
The worst case scenario would be that Denard somehow ends up in the NFL draft (either plays really well and goes pro or struggles and gets past by Devin so he goes to the draft as an Athlete). Then Devin gets hurt the following year in the game against Bama and we have Bellomy and a bunch of walkons as our QB depth for the rest of 2012.
Odds of that happening are low, but it's one of the reason coaches try to take a QB every year, which Magnus points out we've done for 14 years straight.
And what if Maty Mauk wants to commit? Do you turn him away trying to hold a spot for Dunn or another defensive kid, then if those don't work you take a flier on a low-rated QB right before signing day?
If those two want to commit you take them both and drop OL need from 6 to 5 and take a QB. We took 0 DTs for 2011- not good.
If Denard struggles as a qb, wouldn't it make sense to stick around another year and try another position before going into the draft?
Don't underestimate Jack Kennedy. He can fly and shoot lasers from his eyes.
There are clearly needs at all of the positions mentioned, but at this point my order of concerns is:
1. DT
2. WR
3. QB
Every year.
A plausible scenario:
Denard suffers a career-ending injury sometime this year. Your two-deep is now Gardner and Bellomy. A strained muscle for Gardner puts Bellomy into a game or games. Bellomy then gets dinged himself or doesn't play well, and you can turn to...a walk-on. Remember the '06 Michigan-PSU game of an example of two QBs for the same team going down in the same game.
The chances of the above happening are small but the fall-out if it did happen would be catastrophic. You take a QB this year for the same reason that you insure your home against total destruction from a fire.
But what if that QB tears an ACL? We clearly need two extra QBs in this class to avoid catastrophy.
Zoidberg: All six thousand hulls have been breached.
Fry: Oh the fools! Why didn't they build it with 6001 hulls?
Disclaimer: I advocate taking a QB in this class.
The following exchange from the Simpson's explains my response to that scenario:
Yeah, but if we get down to 4th string we're screwed regardless. If we rerun that scenario, but with a frosh qb sitting 4th string it's not a slam dunk he plays anyway. A 4th string freshman is presumably redshirting and you have to ask how much better is he than the best walk on, how close is the game, are we playing a rival and how late in the season is it. Not a slam dunk at all.
Trust the coaches. Thats really all there is too it...
Everyone is making Bellomy sound like a 4 or 5 star prospect. You have to remember Robinson and Gardner seem to be way more physically talented and gifted than Bellomy. He could be a hidden gem, but to my knowledge I don't think we can count on him as a starter by any means. If we get a player like Kiel or Mauk, we won't have to worry about him contributing.
I agree with you about Bellomy and it would be an extremely nice surprise if he came out to be a hidden gem. The problem for me is that if we feel like we HAVE TO take a quarterback in this class, and we miss out on Kiel and Mauk, then which direction we go? People have said Appleby, but would he be much better option than Bellomy? I do not feel like we should take a quarterback to just take a quarterback. It needs to be with a purpose. So, if we do not get Kiel or Mauk, who fits that purpose?
The purpose is to have another viable option at quarterback if he needs to play.
Am I the only person who watched Bellomy's tape and thought we got a really good player. I could honestly see him playing his senior year over Morris. Kid looked like a very good athlete.
I think he could be good later in his career. I'm not under the impression that Bellomy is dead weight at all. Not a superstar, but he could be a decent starter in college.
Example: Sophomore John Navarre left something to be desired but he still gave Michigan a much better chance of winning than did Nick Sheridan (who did his best, don't get me wrong).
I know Shane very well and he has told me repeatedly there is no chance he would decommit. This is his dream school (See Bo for reference) and told me he doesnt even want to talk to other schools. He is 100% committed.
That makes me feel warm and fuzzy. Tell Shane to stay healthy and keep practicing
This is awesome. I hope he knows how excited we all are to see him at Michigan.
that no matter how the recruiting plays out there will be top prospects that we cannot take, even though some may have interest
Here's how it will go down
http://thewinged-helmet.blogspot.com/2011/06/recruiting-whos-next.html
Here's how it will go down
http://thewinged-helmet.blogspot.com/2011/06/recruiting-whos-next.html