22 days until early signing day
December 20-22 is the early signing period based on what I read online (so it must be true :) )
edit - as mentioned below the regular signing period is Feb 7 - April 1
hopefully most of our recruits sign so we can focus on the last puzzle pieces until February
anyone not signing could mean either they are looking elsewhere or we are
probably only room for 6 more recruits max (gets us to 22) unless we have further decommitments
My hope:
2 DT
2 OT
1 WR
1 TE or other
November 28th, 2017 at 8:52 AM ^
It will be interesting to see what recruits wait due to all the coaching changes.
November 28th, 2017 at 8:53 AM ^
The early period is three days only. After that, "regular" signing begins on February 7 and continues until April 1. So, a player can sign any time between those start and end dates.
November 28th, 2017 at 11:38 AM ^
All those planning on committing to one of the schools where the coach's job is in jeopardy or already gone will wait. But since our main coaches are likely not moving (except Pep?) hopefully, we can get some early commits. Either way, I live for countdowns!
GO BLUE!!
November 28th, 2017 at 8:51 AM ^
You want 4 tackles in this class?
November 28th, 2017 at 8:55 AM ^
can bump inside to G, Like Bredeson or Filiaga
we lose 2 OL in Kugler and Cole and the main issue we have on offense going forward is the tackle position, so the more options the better
getting 1 wouldn't be the end of the world, which is a minimum IMO
November 28th, 2017 at 9:17 AM ^
Plus, both current tackle committs are definitely projects on the lighter side. One is listed under 260 and as a TE. I know they are 'Frey-type' tackles, but we need more bullets in the chamber that are ready to play early.
The two we have are high-upside for sure. But no guarantees of course, and probably won't be ready at least until RS Soph years.
I don't know if Petit-Frere is more college ready or not, but his recruiting profile suggests he may be. But definitely would like at least one more in the class. Two maybe too much unless we can flip a stud.
November 28th, 2017 at 9:37 AM ^
Petit-Frere is higher rated than our two current committs - he's also listed at 6'6 272 lbs. Jalen Mayfiled as a 4 star and listed at 6'5 273 lbs, so he isn't than Petit-Frere. Hayes is the guy who is only 252 lbs right now, at 6'7. I don't know that any of them will be ready to play at those weights, however it seems that Sam Webb thinks that Petit-Frere would compete right away.
November 28th, 2017 at 9:39 AM ^
Petit-Frere is college ready and could possible play right off the bat. He's still going to be a freshman, so he likely would not be good but at least serviceable in case of emergency.
November 28th, 2017 at 11:20 AM ^
He's going to have to add about 25 pounds of mostly muscle before next season and maintain his athleticism, but yeah I agree that he is currently ready in terms of technique and athleticism. Would be a huge get and would probably be immediately in the two deep in 2018 and starting in 2019.
November 28th, 2017 at 2:14 PM ^
My ace-in-the-hole hope is that James Hudson really lives up to the expectations the coaches saw in him as a tackle and emerges quickly next spring/fall camp.
November 28th, 2017 at 9:23 AM ^
We were guard-heavy in recruiting last year too.
November 28th, 2017 at 8:52 AM ^
Need to rain Olinemen!
November 28th, 2017 at 9:00 AM ^
The programs that just hired, or have not yet hired, new coaches are really behind the eight ball in recruiting. Their verbal commits are getting poached with no time to respond. When Harbaugh came to Ann Arbor he had five weeks to put something together and it was not a great class. We are about three weeks out and Tennessee, Texas A&M, Arizona State, Nebraska, Arkansas and Mississippi State do not have coaches in place.
November 28th, 2017 at 9:04 AM ^
at those schools they can hold off until later to see what happens or jump ship - they have the option
November 28th, 2017 at 9:15 AM ^
True, but schools wanting some of those kid can also not want to wait and fill the spot with another recruit. Granted, if its a 5 star, schools will most likely wait.
November 28th, 2017 at 9:41 AM ^
There will also be a domino effect as those school you listed snag coaches from other programs.
November 28th, 2017 at 9:01 AM ^
Anyone think there will be any surprises? I mean there are some top guys like in the top 10 overall who have offers from us and are not committed anywhere yet.
November 28th, 2017 at 11:30 AM ^
Not surprises in the form of a five star out of nowhere type. Eyabi Anoma, Nicholas Petit-Frere are 41st and 42nd overall, Tyler Friday is 64th, Jamarr Chase is 69th (nice) - those are the top 100 players that we could realistically finish with. We are running top 2 or 3 for all of them.
November 28th, 2017 at 11:37 AM ^
Ok cool thanks man.
November 28th, 2017 at 9:05 AM ^
It would be good to get this class into the 20's, numberwise.
It'll be interesting to see fanbases across the country get nervous when certain recruits do not opt to sign early.
November 28th, 2017 at 9:14 AM ^
I think it will go the other way actually. I think a lot of recruits will get nervous and sign early not knowing if their spot will be available. If you're a 3 star recruit you can go ahead and sign early and that 4 or 5 star who wanted to hold out for all of the attention may end up without a spot in certain programs. I like the change because it allows some coaches to fill up spots early and concentrate on fewer recruits going into February.
November 28th, 2017 at 10:05 AM ^
You make a good point. But I can see where coaches will start to offer non-commitable (is that really a word?) offers to anyone not a high 4 or 5-star croot, to offset the early signing period filling up on 3-stars. I hope that isn't the case, and I don't know how the rule is crafted as to maybe avoid that. It'll be interesting to watch this develop over the next couple of years to see how different coaches adapt to it.
November 28th, 2017 at 10:17 AM ^
It's a signing period though, not an offer period. So they will get and sign offers, meaning the first coaches to try to do that will be absolutley crushed in the press. I know what you're saying but those guys who sign early will be just that, signed.
November 28th, 2017 at 9:10 AM ^
Where are the swim lanes?
November 28th, 2017 at 9:17 AM ^
I had a dream that we played USC in the bowl game. Any way that's possible??
November 28th, 2017 at 9:23 AM ^
We will see any real differences. Most kids are still playing football, and that means kids still have official visits to take, so we be able to "squeeze" kids to make an early decision.
November 28th, 2017 at 9:24 AM ^
Who are the early enrollees?
November 28th, 2017 at 10:20 AM ^
I also believe the class will be in the low 20s considering all the attrition we'll be going through. UMBIG11 posted some tidbits in other threads about some of the guys that won't be back next season. Need to finish this recruiting cycle strong.
November 28th, 2017 at 10:44 AM ^
names I am thinking of are
Malzone
Wangler
Ways
Bunting
Marshall
November 28th, 2017 at 10:54 AM ^
Thought umbig11 said Marshall is being asked to come back...
I'd add Drake Harris to your list. Obviously Speight is gone, and also big11 reported Mbem-Bosse has been gone for a few weeks already.
November 28th, 2017 at 10:58 AM ^
forgot about Harris - has not heard about Mbem-Bosse - what happenned there?
November 28th, 2017 at 11:21 AM ^
Honestly no clue. His locker was cleared weeks ago. I don’t want to speculate anything but maybe he needs a new opportunity elsewhere to find playing time.
November 28th, 2017 at 12:07 PM ^
That is good news imo. 5th year senior contributer on the DL is always needed. Even if it is in a "just don't mess up while our ones get some rest" capacity. DL is also a place where experience does help. Someone like Godin can start over Hurst and carry more snaps per game over him while Hurst puts up ungodly numbers that make PFF say he would be a 1st round pick.
November 28th, 2017 at 12:35 PM ^
I could’ve swore I saw him on the sidelines on Saturday in several behind the bench tv shots. Could be wrong but I thought I saw his name on a jersey.
November 28th, 2017 at 1:12 PM ^
Yesterday on the radio.
When talking next year’s OL, Sam noted we will be looking for 2 tackles to take over next year. When a caller noted he liked the improvement from JBB Sam didn’t really respond and later reiterated M looking for 2 new tackles next year. It could be the staff just doesn’t see a starter potential in JBB but it seemed like Sam was hinting at a possible non renewal. Tifwiw
November 28th, 2017 at 1:45 PM ^
Yup. I would guess both tackles will be different next year. Bredeson, Ruiz, and Onwenu and two new tackles is my guess but we'll see. Newsome in a miracle comeback and a RT that pleasantly surprises would really have me confident about where things are headed. Having guys like Bredeson playing in positions suited to them by size, ability, etc. would really help and Bredeson and Onwenu could be a monster guard combo.
November 28th, 2017 at 1:51 PM ^
some options
LT-LG-C-RG-RT
Newsome-Filiaga-Ruiz-Onwenu-Bredeson
Stueber-Bredeson-Ruiz-Onwenu-JBB
Bredeson-Ruiz-Spanellis-Onwenu-Stueber
Stueber-Filiaga-Spanellis-Ruiz-Bredeson
I mean, there are a lot of possibilities and no one is guaranteed anything
November 28th, 2017 at 2:33 PM ^
How about some Big Fellas?
November 28th, 2017 at 3:09 PM ^
I feel like I never hear Honigford getting discussed. Is he a nonfactor?
November 28th, 2017 at 8:14 PM ^
I would be thrilled with a big time OT.
I believe in the kids we have. They're super athletic and tall. Couple years from now, who knows. That's what Eric Fisher was when he showed up at CMU.
But, it sure wouldn't hurt.
Big time RB would be nice one of these years. Again, love the kids we have.
Basically, I want the top 20 recruits to just dump their current schools and go here.