2018 Recruiting Class Appreciation Thread
I recall the teeth-gnashing and the rageful floor-pounding coming from the UNNACCEPTABLEs after signing day in early 2018. The 23rd-ranked class? No top-100 prospects? HOW DARE HARBAUGH DO THIS TO US!!!
Welp, two of these dudes are already in the NFL. The majority of the rest were prime contributors to the best Michigan team in decades. The possible first pick in the NFL draft is sitting in this list. The only guy to ever rush for 5 TDs is sitting in this list (fourth from the bottom). And let's not forget that the team's best receiver (second from the bottom) couldn't even contribute this season, and will be back next year to raise hell.
Team "Trust the Coaches" 'til I die!
November 29th, 2021 at 9:59 AM ^
Against all odds, one of the lowest-ranked classes in the recruiting ranking era of Michigan football has become one of the most successful classes in that era. You love to see it. Go Blue!
November 29th, 2021 at 9:59 AM ^
*rush for 5TDs against OSU, that is.
November 29th, 2021 at 10:04 AM ^
Haskins ran through that defense like shit through a tin horn. They could not stop it.
Also.. 5 of the top 6 players on this list aren't even on the team. That is beyond impressive.
November 29th, 2021 at 10:06 AM ^
Wow, it seems that almost 1/2 the class isn't even on the team.
November 29th, 2021 at 10:12 AM ^
5 transfers, and 2 in the League.
November 29th, 2021 at 10:15 AM ^
And the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th highest rated players aren't even on the team.
The majority of Michigan's best contributors were not highly rated recruits. In fact the only top 100 players I can think of who started were Hinton and Dax Hill. Unbelievable.
November 29th, 2021 at 10:58 AM ^
If you go with 247 (who actually updates their rankings and opinions in the last year of recruiting cycles) you can add Aidan and JJ. Also, there are a few right on the cusp in the composite like Blake Corum, AJ Henning, Mazi Smith, and Ryan Hayes. Do you count Donovan Edwards at all?
November 29th, 2021 at 10:22 AM ^
Jake Moody too! Damn what a class.
November 29th, 2021 at 10:27 AM ^
There are going to be diamonds in the rough. Sleepers. Dogs. Ballers. Whatever you want to call 'em. Recent databases and video data from recruits across the country enable (smart) coaches to find them. Recruiting analytics is a niche but important business.
Harbaugh likes multi sport, tough athletes. Guys who might be a bit raw but then grow and get coached up. I don't mind the approach. You need dogs on your team. You can't have only 5-stars believing the hype and expecting to play on name recognition alone.
Hutchinson was a consensus All American and just poorly ranked by the recruit industry in hindsight. He was a five star talent with few weaknesses in his game... everyone said with growth he was a first to second round pick, guaranteed.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:27 AM ^
Sam Webb has a really interesting story about the Aiden Hutchinson recruitment...
Cooper Batagna, was an analyst on the staff - now with 247, and said in an internal recruiting meeting that Hutch wasn't a P5 level recruit.
Greg Mattison then slammed his fist on the table and said "I have been doing this for a long time and this kid is coming to Michigan" (it was a lot more than just that but you get the gist).
As much of an a-hole that Mattison is, let's thank him for scouting, recruiting and starting the development of Hutch.
November 29th, 2021 at 5:04 PM ^
That's insane. Maybe that eval occurred back when Hutchinson was a junior? Because as a senior he was #1 in Michigan and eventually near top 100 nationally.
November 29th, 2021 at 10:28 AM ^
#HaskinsforHeisman
November 29th, 2021 at 10:30 AM ^
The bottom of that class is pulling some serious weight. Wow they pretty much batted 1.000 in the who dat range
November 29th, 2021 at 10:40 AM ^
The eight lowest rated guys have all played very meaningful minutes for this team!
November 29th, 2021 at 10:41 AM ^
Oh man! Where’s Maizen?!?
November 29th, 2021 at 10:49 AM ^
This is the Zach Novak and Stu Douglass class of football that will start this program's ascent.
November 29th, 2021 at 10:51 AM ^
Damn - ended up a great class!
November 29th, 2021 at 10:55 AM ^
Michael effin Barrett
November 29th, 2021 at 11:03 AM ^
Ronnie Bell still makes no sense to me. A nobody basketball recruit becomes impact true freshman for a blue blood football program, just wild.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:14 AM ^
Hutchinson - All-American and top 3 draft pick. Surpassed expectations
McGrone - Was on track for All-Big Ten but for the injury, NFL draft pick. I'd say a little underwhelming given the injuries and leaving without starting a full season.
Muhammed - Transfer out. Miss
Sims - Transfer out. Miss
Milton - Transfer out. Miss and not just talking about overthrows
Mayfield - HM All-Big Ten, NFL draft pick. Met expectations for 1 season
Hayes - Trending towards NFL draft pick and possibly some post-season awards. Surpassed expectations
Green - Decent CB but pretty much in line with recruiting profile
Turner - Transfer out
Upshaw - Rotational DE who has been ok
Faustin - Stepped away from the team for a personal issue
BVS - Transfer out
Welschof - Rotational DT who has had to move across the DL and been ok.
Gray - Looked real bad last year, but has turned into a solid CB in this system. Went from real bad to surpassing expectations
Barrett - Has been important in special teams and spot defensive duty. Given his versatility I'd say surpassed expectations
Schoonmaker - Turned into a good blocking TE with some receiving chops. Surpassed expectations
Haskins - Best career RB since Hart. Exceeded every expectation possible
Green - Special teamer
Bell - HM All-Big Ten in 2019, could be really good pending the injury. Surpassed expectations
Moody - Best kicker in my memory. Came in after Nordin and is better than him
Pretty good outcome given the classes ranking. I'd say:
5 home runs (Hutch, Hayes, Haskins, Bell, Moody)
6 great program guys (Barrett, Gray, Green, Schoonmaker, Welschof, Upshaw)
2 marginal guys (McGrone and Mayfield)
The rest were either transfers, underwhelming, or had low expectations to begin with.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:17 AM ^
Not so fun fact: Mustapha was accused of sexual misconduct by 4 women. He now seems to have a bizarre twitter page with just 22 followers where he talks about being in jail in Dallas.
November 29th, 2021 at 11:52 AM ^
I have to admit that I was very unimpressed with Hutchinson and Hayes and I honestly didn't even remember that Haskins was in that class. Couldn't be happier to be wrong.
Go Blue!
November 29th, 2021 at 12:50 PM ^
I like legacy recruits. They know the program, know what is expected. They seem to usually pan out.
November 29th, 2021 at 12:11 PM ^
So, Haskins does have at least one more year. That's what I was wondering about.
November 29th, 2021 at 1:06 PM ^
He redshirted in '18, and last year didn't count, so he technically has two years of eligibility left.
That said, he's got 4 years of taking unpaid hits under his belt already. He'll get a draftable grade for sure. If he doesn't declare, his mama should slap him.
November 29th, 2021 at 12:51 PM ^
Ahhhh…Cam McGrone….sigh. But yes thank you for Aiden and Hassan!!!
November 29th, 2021 at 12:55 PM ^
This is an amazing look at the class that just led us to the biggest victory since 1997. There are a large number of busts/transfers, and a large number of enormous contributors to the teams success. What a wild class!