Is anyone else worried about losing more recruits?

Submitted by YoungGeezy on

Since Campbell and Newsome have left, I find myself increasingly worried that some of our top recruits will have a change of heart. Especially if this season gets even uglier (which it sure could), and this starts looking like a 24 month project instead of a 1 year project, I worry if some recruits will  want to come to a school where morale is lowest its been for a really long time. To be honest, i never considered this year to be a rebuilding year, but now that its is pretty evident that this is the case, I really wonder about our recruits...

 

Does anyone else feel this way?

 

 

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Recruiting

turbo cool

September 15th, 2008 at 10:54 AM ^

yeah, i have some fears that recruits will lose. but really, if you thought that this was only a 1 year process you're crazy. it will take AT LEAST 2  years to be back where we can actually strike fear into other teams. remember, its a rebuilding process, not year.

Joined: 07/10/2008

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sca1zi

September 15th, 2008 at 11:00 AM ^

If a kid really wants to play for RR, he'll have watched the games. If he's watched the games, he'll see what's going on: improvement and good coaching.

If he can't see that, then maybe it's not the type of player RR would have wanted. At worst, he would see that there is an opportunity to start if he can beat anyone on the current roster. That is porved by the amount of freshmen actually playing.

Safeties should be chomping at the bit to get to UM.

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Magnus

September 15th, 2008 at 11:03 AM ^

I don't worry about this very much at all.  The recruits know it's a bit of a rebuilding project.  But they also saw what Rodriguez did at WVU.  A lot of recruits want a chance to play early, and I'm sure they see that at Michigan.  Rodriguez plays the guys who give him the best chance to win - thus Minor, Brown, and Grady on the bench watching a couple freshmen dominate the carries.  Martin is getting playing time over Jason Kates, etc.  That has a lot of appeal to an 18-year-old kid who wants to be the next big star.

By the way, Newsome decommitted because he wants to play QB in the NFL.  He doesn't want to be the next Pat White or Michael Robinson and have to face a position change in 4 years.  I thought it was a strange fit from the time he committed, so I wasn't surprised at all when he decommitted.  If I were him, I'd do the same thing.

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mjv

September 15th, 2008 at 11:04 AM ^

Recruits look at a team in a number of ways.  Some view it as I get to play ASAP.  Others take down years negatively.  The over riding factor is the ability of the head coach and staff to recruit in general.

This season is only 3 games old.  The offense is making a lot of progress.  All is not lost.

And this was ALWAYS going to be a rebuilding year.  losing five offensive starters to the draft and four other starters to graduation and quitting defines rebuilding.

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Farnn

September 15th, 2008 at 11:15 AM ^

I actually had the opposite reaction about this game.  Aside from the turnovers I felt that for the first time, there were flashes of what this offense is capable of.  As Threet improves, I expect to see the run game improve as well, since up until this point other teams have been able to virtually ignore our long passing game.  If recruits are smart, they will look beyond the fumbles and see that we are moving beyond RR's run oriented spread, to a more mixed offense that should put up a lot of points in the years to come.  If you noticed, we had almost 400 yards of offense.  Watching the team two weeks ago that amount was unimaginable.

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Marques Slocum…

September 15th, 2008 at 11:17 AM ^

If I were Bryce I would be running for the hills. Two options in his future at M; 1) Threet is the QB... 2) Shav'd or Tate is the QB... if I were a top flight WR recruit I would let somebody else "see how things work out" at Michigan in the next couple of years because both options look rather terrible.

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jblaze

September 15th, 2008 at 12:34 PM ^

1) you can't judge a young offense after 3 games

2) Threet looked pretty good passing against ND

3) A taller faster true WR like McNeil will play day 1, and will get a lot of balls thrown his way because he is not a 5'8" small quick slot guy

4) Forcier and Beaver are both good QBs (Forcier is really accurate, and the Beav looked great on Thursday).

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oriental andrew

September 15th, 2008 at 2:06 PM ^

The offensive GAMEPLAN looked good, even if the offense did not execute well. 

Also, ask Stonum how the whole "prototypical WR" thing is working out for him so far.  He's played every game and gotten some looks as a true freshman.  McNeal is in the same mold.  If you've got an awesome WR, you use him.  I trust RR on this.

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Magnus

September 15th, 2008 at 11:18 AM ^

Yeah, I meant to make that point, too.  The offense looked pretty darn good on Saturday.  If it weren't for the rain, we would have a) won the game and b) thrown for 250+ yards, along with the 100-yard game from McGuffie.

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Marques Slocum…

September 15th, 2008 at 11:35 AM ^

This is so very true. I mentioned this on another board and I was flamed for it. We have to look passed our biased opinion of Michigan and realized that this was messed up and the young man got screwed because Michigan didn't do their job. Rich needs to have people in there that don't let this crap happen.

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goody

September 15th, 2008 at 12:25 PM ^

for the NCAA or Michigan is the question.  If his grades or credits did not meet Michigan requirements than applaud the coaches/AD/admissions for not lowering their standards for an athlete no matter how talented he is. 

Also a about future recruits.  No matter what Michigan's record is this year recruiting will still flurish and becuase of the atmosphere the coaches bring and the fact that this is still Michigan.  Recruits know that this will be a one maybe two year bump in the road because each week the team gets better. 

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West Texas Blue

September 15th, 2008 at 12:17 PM ^

Yeah, cuz you know, ND's recruits fled for the hills after a 3-9 season.  Oh wait, the only one who decomitted was Omar Hunter, who left for Florida due to negative recruiting by Urban Meyer.  Our offense is improving every week and we had 200+ yards of passing. McNeal won't be going anywhere but Michigan.  Get a grip people; this season is going to show who is a loyal Michigan fan and who is a fair-weather fan.

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turbo cool

September 15th, 2008 at 4:33 PM ^

I agree wih most of that. but recruits are not always 'fans' of michigan like we are. obviously if WE were being recruited by michigan we'd go. but they don't see it the same way. most the guys i know on the team aren't nearly the 'fan' of michigan that we are. to be honest,  most of them could care less.

 i have said in almost all of my posts that i think we will do better and i'm not worried about things. we are rebuilding and will be great again. however, i still think it is fair to say we could lose a few recruits. and i understand ND did that with a 3-9 season but, and i hate to say this, but i don't think we have the same top level pull in terms of recruiting that ND has currently. Charlie Weis can still get off on his whole 'i'm an NFL guy and i can get you there'. but yes, i agree in the long-run we will be fine. 

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WolvinLA

September 15th, 2008 at 12:18 PM ^

I'm not concerned about losing recruits.  Campbell was wavering well before this season started (he committed under Lloyd, remember) and the Newsome situation, which I agree was not surprising, was explained above.  We are Michigan, we have a great coach doing exciting things, it will take a lot for that appeal to fade.  Look at ND, they've been anywhere from mediocre to disgusting the last few years and they're still getting great recruiting classes.  Unless our futility really continues, and I don't think it will, recruiting will continue to flourish.  

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Onas

September 15th, 2008 at 12:25 PM ^

Thankfully, for all their faults, 17-18 year old kids aren't as short sighted or panicky as some of the fans here.  I mean, Good God, Michigan lost 2 games!  It's fitting to mention the NCAA clearinghouse in this discussion because any recruit that decommits after realizing that UM wasn't going to win every game in Rodriguez's first year is surely too stupid to qualify.

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Ziff72

September 15th, 2008 at 12:26 PM ^

Rod's staff is just getting up to speed and they are getting a lot of good recruits.  I feel pretty confident that come 2010 we will be housing teams and recruits will be flocking.  Campbell sounds like he has a decent shot of staying.  Plus if you look at it think  of this even with nobody coming onthe scene this offense will have 11 returning starters 4 wide formation.....for 2 years. 

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Marques Slocum…

September 15th, 2008 at 2:51 PM ^

Notre Dame recruits well every year whether they are great or not. Nationally televised games (all of them) = national audience/ fandom. Michigan has to get a kid up to Michigan (through ND and o$u country to accomplish this) just for a visit... not to mention we have another Big Ten school in state. I think the ND argument is void.

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turbo cool

September 15th, 2008 at 4:36 PM ^

i agree about ND. also, look at USC when pete caroll first got there. they all of a sudden weren't getting the star-studded classes that they are getting now. they had to build their way up.. ND is definitely the exception. for example, i unfortunately live on the east coast currently and it's disgusting how many people have a hard-on for ND cause they're 'irish' or 'catholic' that's BS. i'm irish and hate ND.

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kgh10

September 15th, 2008 at 6:48 PM ^

Yeah, however, USC was really, really bad for quite a few years and hadn't even gone to bowl games for a while. Plus, the fan support in LA isn't near what it is in the Midwest. USC has been winning BIG for 5 years now and they still don't sell out the Coliseum. Even though fan support isn't the only reason why a recruit would go to a school, it does play a role in how they feel about the game atmosphere. Basically, neither ND or USC will give us a good predictor of how our recruits will feel about sticking around, but if I had to choose who we more likely resemble in this situation, it's definitely ND. Something special about those winged helmets.

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Desert Blue

September 16th, 2008 at 5:29 PM ^

Plus, the fan support in LA isn't near what it is in the Midwest. USC has been winning BIG for 5 years now and they still don't sell out the Coliseum.

This is patently false. They sell out the Coliseum and have a terrific fanbase, not to mention the tradition and all that. USC can, and does, get any kid they want. And besides, what do sell-outs mean to recruits? On the list of wants from a kid, sell-outs might be last.

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kgh10

September 16th, 2008 at 6:25 PM ^

They sold out two home games last season, out of what, 7 or 8? They only sell out games that have a huge appeal (like when they play a BCS out of conference opponent). Big deal. Southern and Midwestern powerhouse teams sell out every year, every game (even in down years). For a team as good as they are, it is surprising and can diminish the game atmosphere to recruits. I'm not suggesting they care about actual sell-outs, but the atmosphere and excitement around campus and the town have to have an effect on recruits. You often hear about how recruits love how "the whole town shuts down on gameday" and all about the gameday atmosphere. A sell out crowd has something to do with that. Whether that's the sole reason one chooses a school, I'm certainly not arguing that, but does it make an impact to some? Probably.

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WolvinLA

September 17th, 2008 at 3:16 PM ^

I don't know how many USC games you've been to Desert Blue, but I go to a few a year, and they rarely sell out.  I went to 3 Pac Ten games last year, and the only one that was full was UCLA.  USC is in the heart of one of the biggest cities in the country, and they still rarely sell out a game.  I agree that this isn't a make or break point for a recruit, but it says something about the culture at USC when they are rarely within 20,000 fans of a UM game, despite there being 15 millions people within a decent radius.  Emphasis: rarely.

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BlueJellow

September 15th, 2008 at 1:57 PM ^

There should be very little worry in our recruiting, the Barwis factor alone will bring in the players we want. On that point do we really want the kids who are afraid of having to earn their rep?

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baorao

September 15th, 2008 at 6:58 PM ^

decides the temporary upheaval is "not worth the risk" there will be another that sees a chance for immediate playing time. I think the "best players will play" approach that the coaching staff seems to be taking will pay enormous dividends in the long run.

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Desert Blue

September 17th, 2008 at 11:59 AM ^

I'm not attacking you personally kgh, but this type of thinking is ignorant and common on this board and among Michigan and Big Ten fans in general. USC is, hands down, the best program in the country - they have the best, most fun coach; campus is gorgeous and great; they are the only 'pro' team in town, so they are treated like one; players are stars in Hollywood; the song girls...I could go on and on. And, oh yeah, they've won a shit-ton of Rose Bowls. 

Michigan's sell-out streak is very commendable, but like the 'all time winning percentage' or 'all-time wins' records, they aren't as important as U-M fans make them out to be. Sure, kids are lured by traditions in many cases, but they aren't as important as we fans take them. I was bothered b/c Michigan was losing recruits before - and I'm a huge Lloyd Carr guy - because we were banking too much on the past. Rich Rod and his offense, Barwis, etc etc is FUN. More kids are looking at Michigan than ever before, many the type of player we always saw and said 'why can't we have a guy like that?' The future's bright. 

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Musket Rebellion

September 18th, 2008 at 12:53 AM ^

I'm not attacking you, but you're ignorant.

KGH stated a fact, that USC does not sell out their home games unless they are marquee matchups despite the last 6 or so years of unparalleled success that they've had. You attacked KGH and called her a liar. Others pointed out that what KGH said was true and yet she is ignorant. Probably everyone on here agrees that USC has more working for it than any other school out there, but to criticize and tell someone they are wrong when you are in fact wrong, is the same type of ignorant behavior that you are critiquing.

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