BYE BYE BIG WILL?
Looks like Big Will Campbell won't be joining the U of M crew this spring. Too bad and DANGIT ALL TO HECK. I know RR will come through with someone else, though. Time to put on snake oil slicks, right?
http://www.freep.com/article/20081228/SPORTS06/81228025/1054/SPORTS06
December 28th, 2008 at 6:35 PM ^
We dont ned RichRod 2 wste ne snakeoil on nonMichgan men!
December 28th, 2008 at 6:36 PM ^
Man, trying to have faith here but sure seems like RR is in over his head in the bigger pond that is Michigan football.
December 28th, 2008 at 6:42 PM ^
I don't know why it's so important that Will signs with us? We still have two very good DT commits and the #8 Recruiting class according to Rivals so everyone just CHILL.
December 28th, 2008 at 6:44 PM ^
but, some of the events of the last few months hint toward some being in over their skis a little.
Every coach loses a few big recruits, but it stings a little more when they are so important at such a vital time for the program (RR's first class).
Tana Patrick, Sam Montgomery or Tajh Boyd would ease the burn a little.
December 28th, 2008 at 6:52 PM ^
yea, thats what I mean, I think RR is a good coach but the "entire" program things that go with Michigan seem to be a bit more then maybe he bargained for.
December 28th, 2008 at 6:46 PM ^
Barack Obama defeated Hillary Clinton in the Democratic Presidential primary, gas prices are up, and there may be some sort of economic crisis on the horizon.
Will Campbell de-committed a long time ago. Remember? When he said he was opening up his recruitment? And that he wasn't committed to Michigan? That did happen.
December 28th, 2008 at 6:53 PM ^
Yeah, we know he decommitted a while ago, but he never ELIMINATED us from consideration until now.
December 28th, 2008 at 7:00 PM ^
thank god for mike barwis, the man who can make 3 star recruits into killing machines. thank god for him.
December 28th, 2008 at 7:19 PM ^
Maybe the recruits out of Michigan are looking for a change of climate. I mean you take Nick Perry and Ronald Johnson out to warm sunny USC for a visit in December when its frigid here and they're sold. I just cant help but think that it "may" have played a factor in Will's decision. I mean Miami??? Now I know we have struggled this year but I DO believe that we are a far better program than Miami. And if education was REALLY big in his decision making then I think he seriously made the wrong choice.
December 28th, 2008 at 7:22 PM ^
if education was a deciding factor than this doesn't make sense. lsu and florida are jokes. miami is not bad at all but doesn't carry the weight like a mich degree.
December 28th, 2008 at 9:42 PM ^
Florida is a top 50 school.
December 28th, 2008 at 7:27 PM ^
I saw the video - and the whole thing seems fishy. First of all, taking Michigan out of the running now is completely idiotic. It makes zero sense. These guys love the attention - you think he would take Michigan out of the idiotic hat ceremony early and get barraged by calls from fans, idiots, family members, miscellaneous morons. I think he is absolutely screwing with the fan base. He could barely prevent himself from laughing at the interview. He has known for a while that he is going to Michigan. Plus when USC stops recruiting you, then you know something is up. They pursued RoJo and Nick Perry till the bitter end (landing them both) - Pete Carroll isn't just going to concede what is probably the best recruit in Michigan because he doesn't have a need (which he does). Panic is you must but this appears to be a young kid smart enough to know he can really jerk us around.
December 28th, 2008 at 7:28 PM ^
education is never a deciding factor. per brian's recruiting fluf translator:
"Academics are extremely important to me" - I don't care about academics in the slightest.
"No, seriously, the academic reputation of a school is critical in my decision making." - My mom is in the room.
December 28th, 2008 at 7:36 PM ^
He meant it, they believed him, they pitched the whole thing on the fact that their academics are better than you'd think, had him meet the provost and another athlete who'd won a Rhodes. QED.
December 28th, 2008 at 7:40 PM ^
to prove the rule. Obviously, the truth is between both your views. There are a few out there that actually care about academics. The awful truth is that the vast majority of those that say academics are king are completely full of shit. Just look at the shitty (academically) schools they end up at.
December 28th, 2008 at 7:52 PM ^
Anytime you use that or always, you are doomed in an argument, especially with me.
December 28th, 2008 at 7:37 PM ^
I just watched the video and I think he will end up at LSU. Too bad none of our recruits down there brought their snake oil with them! Should be interesting to see if we get any surprise recruits. As of now I dont see us getting anybody that is going to come as a shock. God I hope im wrong....
December 28th, 2008 at 7:41 PM ^
I guess he's going to become part of Les Miles's DAMN STRONG FOOTBALL TEAM - except
1) LSU stacks DTs like we stack RBs
2) The D absolutely tanked this year w/out Bo Pelini.
December 28th, 2008 at 7:44 PM ^
He's considered to be a big time left tackle recruit, too. He isn't necessarily going to be a DT if he goes to LSU.
December 28th, 2008 at 7:56 PM ^
his de-commit time many times but, we have been told ever since it origin ally happened by people in the know such as Sam Webb, who knows as much as anyone about Michigan's recruiting status, that Big Will was "just looking for a good time." We were told that he just wanted to take some visits and see what else was out there, but he would, in the end, come back to Michigan. There apparently was no doubt that he would come back.
The young man is free to choose whatever school he wants for whatever reason he wants to. I think the problem for me and many others is the ever-growing trend of highly touted recruits committing then de-committing in favor of schools that the Michigan faithful deem as a lesser choice.
I'm not saying the sky is falling, or that Michigan won't win 7 or more games next year because of these kids' choices, but the series of events of transfers, de-commits, firing/resignings, and the like contribute to the questions and doubt that follow a multitude of undesirable events.
As the ups and downs of a recruiting season are as accessible as the daily weather report, I and some others may see the outcome as a season of competition against the best programs in the country. I want us to have a top-5 class. I want to see us get that most-coveted recruit and steal one from Carroll or Tress or Meyer. Not that it means anything on the field, because not every 5-star Tim Tebow turns out (Clausen or Mallett). But those of us that follow, support and rise and fall with Michigan Football, would like see the tide turn in our favor sooner rather than later. So, I for one hang onto the analysis of Sam Webb, Tom Beaver and Tom VH to try to get a good feel for what is really happening with the recruiting season.
December 28th, 2008 at 9:38 PM ^
You just lost all credibility if you have already written off Clausen and Mallett as 5-star failures.
December 28th, 2008 at 7:56 PM ^
neverrrrrrrrrrr!
do you know who i am, OC?
December 28th, 2008 at 8:12 PM ^
Anybody wanna wait until January 3 to figure out the real story?
Anyone?
*crickets*
December 28th, 2008 at 8:20 PM ^
Jan 3 will be the 'real' story?
December 28th, 2008 at 8:23 PM ^
He's supposed to make his announcement at the AAA Bowl on January 3.
December 28th, 2008 at 8:52 PM ^
he signs on the line that is dotted, i'll believe it when i see it.
ever since he committed (almost 2 years ago?) i've been rolling my eyes with all the 'committments' we've seen. call me in Feb.
December 28th, 2008 at 9:40 PM ^
... weren't there a bunch of people here breathlessly asserting that Big Will was registered already at UM? What happened to that as proof? And weren't we also admonished that since his Mom didn't make the trip down to Miami that the Hurricanes weren't really in the running?
Ever since he decommitted I've been very skeptical that he would end up here. Nothing that's happened since changes that.
Should Campbell end up at another place this is a big blow to RR. It's one thing to lose someone from Texas, but losing the top in-state guy is much worse. There will be a silver lining if he ends up at LSU, though — he'll still be coached by a Michigan man.