Best Guess List - Michigan Recruiting - 5/7/2013
I'm interested to hear what you guys would like to see as a recruiting class. Here are the rules. I'm going to assume 18 as a class size. Guesses must be realistic. For instance, you can include Peppers or Hand because we have a real shot at them. Putting down something such as, say, Raekwon McMillian is not realistic. Current commits are in bold, along with my hopeful realistic finish. (Ranking is 247 composite)
QB (1): Wilton Speight, 367th overall
This position is done.
RB (1): Kallen Ballage, 454th
Other top option is Jon Hilliman. If the staff can't land one of these two, would they just wait until next year to take another? (Damien Harris, Jaques Patrick, Mike Weber are top 2015 options).
WR (3): Drake Harris, 45th
Mo Ways, 615th
Artavis Scott, 75th
I think they look just for one more WR here. KJ Williams and Corey Holmes are other top options, but Scott is the one I most want.
TE (1): Ian Bunting, 301st
This position is done.
OL (3): Mason Cole, 106th
Juwann Bushell-Beatty, 284th
Alex Bars, 92nd
Probably looking for one tackle to finish OL recruiting. Jamarco Jones and Rod Johnson are other possible options, though OSU and Mizzou probably currently lead for them.
DL (3): Bryan Mone, 73rd
Da'Shawn Hand, 2nd
Malik McDowell, 26th
This has the potential to be a monster year for DL recruiting. I feel like Michigan is 50/50 for Hand and currently leads for McDowell. Hand is probably versatile enough to play either SDE or WDE. McDowell could play SDE or DT. Mone is a NT. Brady Pallante gets moved to the 2015 class on a grayshirt.
EDIT: I forgot to include Lawrence Marshall on the list of potentials. He is visiting soon. I believe he's still an MSU lean, but there's a chance to sway him still.
LB (3): Michael Ferns, 90th
Kyron Watson, 340th
Chase Winovich, 551st
Ferns is a MIKE. Watson would be the WILL. Winovich would be the SAM. I believe OSU leads for Winovich, but we'll have a chance to change his opinion this weekend. If not, they'll target another SAM. It remains to be seen if the staff even wants 3 LB's and if they'd even accept Watson's commit if Winovich decided for M. That should be more clear after this weekend.
DB (3): Jabrill Peppers, 4th
Parrker Westphal, 99th
Montae Nicholson, 124th ???
Peppers and Westphal seem like good bets to take up the CB spots. Safety is so up in the air, more than any other position in this class. Nicholson seems like a decent bet. Others are bluechip prospects Adoree Jackson (9th) and JuJu Smith (40th). I suppose if DB recruiting goes really, really well, they could take four while only nabbing 2 LB's or 0 RB's.
If that class came to fruition, Michigan would have pulled in two of the top 5, four top 50's, nine top 100's, plus 11 top 150's.
What is everyone else's best guess list?
He's still reeling in offers, and he doesn't seem in a hurry to choose. There's still mutual interest between the two parties.
OK, but that;s the case at any position, ever, with almost no exceptions. I think anyone who says we don't need to take a RB would be very happy with us taking any of those guys.
if there is someone who is at a really high level and wants to come here, that's good, but taking someone just to take them is bad news when we have limited spots.
Agree with what your saying in general, but running back is a much easier position to play as a freshman than QB or OL. We could reload at RB in a hurry.
Agreed. If we took a year off at RB, we could pretty easily bring in a top back knowing he wouldn't have anyone in the year above him and a crazy OL to run behind. I'd be OK with no RB this year.
It's quicker to reload, but I also like veteran RB's as potential backups/role players. If you can spell a young guy with someone who can pass block and hit the holes, it's advantageous rather than throwing in another youngster who might screw up royally.
I just don't see it with limited scholarships, unless it is an elite caliber guy. I know hes a long shot but maybe a Bo Scarborough?? He said he wished the staff would recruit him
will eat your words once Smith hits campus, he might beat out Green this year....watch...
multiple positon other than rb. Versatility would be a reason for recuriting him.http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130328/OPINION03/303280432/1437/OPINION0363/Speed-size-Colorado-RB-Kalen-Ballage-gets-Michigan-s-attention
QB Wilton Speight
RB Kalen Ballage
WR Drake Harris
WR Mo Ways
WR Artavis Scott
TE Ian Bunting
LT Roderick Johnson
G Mason Cole
RT JBB
WE D'shawn Hand
SE Malik McDowell
DT Bryan Mone
WLB Kyron Watson
MLB Michael Ferns
SLB Noah Furbush
CB Jabrill Peppers
CB Parrker Westphal
S JuJu Smith
Noah i think could be sleeper addition if Chase Winovich doesnt join. Roderick might be go to tackle if Alex goes to ND.
...but this guy has USC (or possibly UCLA) written all over him. More likely to get Hand AND Peppers than JuJu. I hope I am mistaken and eat crow.
I think it's a pipe dream that he will come here. I think he's 90+% VT.
So I think most of you guys have filled in lists with the players most likely to end up occupying each spot, but doing that leaves an overly rosy picture of what the class will look like. After following this on the blog for a few years, it seems like saying a kid is a strong lean to Michigan is usually at best a 50-50 proposition, unless there are rumors that he is on the verge of committing. That's because it's Michigan vs the field, not Michigan vs the number 2 school. For instance - I would say our prob of landing McDowell is about 50%, with hand closer to 30%.
Would we take another SAM if Watson committed but we missed on Winovich?
It probably depends on how the numbers shake out, in terms of scholarships available. If it stays low (sub-19 or 20) then I'd say no, and Ferns might be slotted at the SAM. If it grows though, I'm sure the coaches will try to get a third LB, who would most likely be a SAM.
I don't know but I really hope we get that Tonard Brobinson that is on the front page.
Tomnard is not fast in the pocket and his accuracy is questionable when on the run. He won't see the field at Michigan.
TBB rating:101 (rating method)
QB- SPEIGHT
TB- Hilliman/Balledge
TE- BUNTING
WR- HARRIS, WAYS Scott/Williams
OT- JBB, Bars
OG- COLE
N- MONE
T-McDowell
SDE- Hand
Rush- Marshall or none
LB- FERNS, Winovich/Watson
S- Nicholson
CB- Westphal, Peppers
18 total
the same class that OP predicted?
Take one of winovich or Watson the take Robinson and play him as a DE/LBer combo guy?
Signature pictures are annoying to me, regardless of how awesome the picture is.
EDIT: By the way, I am in no means telling you to change it. It's a personal thing. I just wanted to explain the neg.