Bolden & Ringer to be early enrollees - What does that do for recruiting

Submitted by James Burrill Angell on

Article behind a paywall indicating tha Kaleb Ringer and Joe Bolden are both going to enroll early at Michigan so they can go through spring practice. If this is the case that means their scholarships don't count towards the 2012 class and we can sign two more than the Big Ten maximum of 25 guys correct? (so its 27  assuming that the scholarships are available).

MGoBoard

CRex

September 26th, 2011 at 2:29 PM ^

Enh, if we have to start a pair of true freshman DTs next year, we're screwed.  As it stands I'm staring at a line of BWC and Pipkins/Wilkins/Washington/Ash with trepidation.

If we reach the point on the depth chart where DOB plays next year we're equally screwed if we toss in Wormley, Godin, etc at the 3 Tech spot.  I don't really see how another 3Tech makes anyone sleep better about the line.  Another NT would be nice but I don't think we have a shot at any this year, so I'm nervous about the line right up until we get another we get another NT or two in 2013.  If Pipkins or Ash have the same kind of struggles as BWC, it's panic time on the NT side.

So in terms of using a scholarship on DOB it doesn't buy us much.  I'd rather invest in other areas this year.

Joined: 09/28/2009

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Bodogblog

September 26th, 2011 at 3:17 PM ^

of a boulder, rolling through the line and occupying blockers.  Someone big who can move, but mostly someone big who can knock people around.  I thought this was DOB.  Call it NT or 3T.  We don't really have any 3T's on the roster right now, so a recruit at that spot would be welcome.  A young Mike Martin to pair with Pipkins would be perfect.

Right now GMAT is playing every warm body he thinks can help, including true freshmen.  Since Ash and Wilkins (another 5T people are talking about moving to 3T) are getting zero time in this environment, and QW is getting very little, there is every reason to take another true DT this year.

Joined: 06/08/2010

MGoPoints: 26674

CRex

September 26th, 2011 at 3:41 PM ^

I'm looking at it more long term.  We might bone ourselves with lack of depth this year by not taking DOB.  However if we end up with Pipkins, DOB, Wormley, and Godin as DTs, plus Ash and Wilkins right in front of them, that's 6 scholarships for two starting jobs.  I dislike spending that many scholarships so close to one another.  

In terms of long term success and keeping the depth chart well stocked, I'd rather not take another DT.  I think we need to bite the bullet and get what mileage we can out of Ash/Wilkins so as to get proper spacing back on the depth chart.

 

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 9010

Bodogblog

September 26th, 2011 at 4:24 PM ^

But not Wormley.  He seems like a SDE all the way, as does Strobel.  And while Godin's tape looks very good to me, I'd still be buying an elite player at that position.  Especially since GMAT seems to love rotations.  DL and OL are the most important in my mind.  We're loading up on OL, and I assumed we'd do the same with DL.  For me, everything starts there.

Joined: 06/08/2010

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Seattle Maize

September 26th, 2011 at 7:18 PM ^

I agree and would also say that if the coaches dont see DOB as the kind of talent they are looking for at 3tech then they would be better off waiting and getting someone who they really like at the position for 2013. Im not saying that DOB isn't good or anything just that if the coaches truly don't have him rated as highly as we do then there is no point in just taking bodies that fill up roster space.

Joined: 03/24/2011

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Magnus

September 27th, 2011 at 8:36 AM ^

We would have senior Will Campbell, redshirt junior Quinton Washington, redshirt sophomores would be Ash and Wilkins (who has been playing SDE even though he's listed at DT), and then freshmen would be Pipkins, Wormley, Godin, and potentially O'Brien.

Personally, I think that would be a pretty good spread.  And history suggests that at least one of Pipkins/Wormley/Godin/O'Brien wouldn't last beyond one or two seasons, due to injury, transfer, academic ineligibility, etc.

Joined: 07/17/2008

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Webber's Pimp

September 26th, 2011 at 3:19 PM ^

Thank you. You are the first poster on this board who has pointed out the obvious. This team needs beef up front. We've been pushed around on the DL for the 3 years RRod was here. This year it's been a little better but w/ Martin and RVB graduating I cringe at having to play a true frosh from day 1 next season. I'll never understand how we turned away Schutt's visit and I laugfh at those who seem to think the staff is "cooling" on Danny O. I'd take Danny O over pretty much any recruit we have left on the board (save for maybe Banner). Brady Hoke has done a wonderful job recruiting thus far but we haven't solved all of our problems just yet. This game is won in the trenches and we need to have size and depth at these positions.

Joined: 09/12/2010

MGoPoints: 2692

Wolvermarine

September 26th, 2011 at 2:40 PM ^

Does anyone have a breakdown of what positions the freshman linebackers will end up at?

 

Bolden is a MIKE, that is all I know for sure.  I would imagine Ross ends up at WILL, but what about RJS and Ringer?  

Joined: 04/12/2011

MGoPoints: 257

Mdjohnny5

September 26th, 2011 at 3:11 PM ^

This is good to hear; there should be good competition for some of the backup LB spots if these kids can get a jump start.  Truthfully I have been hoping to hear more about O and D linemen interested in enrolling early.  Our O-line is so thin next year that injuries could push true fresman into the starting lineup; sure would be nice if a couple of them were a little ahead of the learning curve.

 

 

Joined: 01/20/2010

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