StephenRKass

March 7th, 2016 at 5:25 PM ^

Obviously, I'm happy with this offer going out to Moses. Where I'm still curious is what happened with Antjuan Simmons. He's an LB, a huge area of need, across the street, and he committed to OSU. I don't like that Weber and now Simmons have gone to Columbus. I don't like that Urban Meyer and crew are strongly in the running for solid guys from Michigan. Obviously, we can't lock down the state. In the same way that Harbaugh can cross state lines, so can every other coach. Still, I think we could do a smidge better in our footprint . . . in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

  • Top 4 in Illinois:  2 went to MSU, 1 to PSU, 1 to OSU.
  • Top 4 in Indiana:  2 went to Michigan (Peters and Evans), 1 went to OSU
  • Top 4 in Michigan:  1 went to Michigan (Onwenu) 1 to MSU, 1 to OSU, 1to ND
  • Top 4 in Ohio:  2 went to ND, 2 went to OSU
  • Top 4 in Pennsylvania:  2 went to PSU, 1 went to Pitt, 1 went to FSU
  • Top 4 in NJ:  2 to Michigan (Gary, Walker), 1 to TX, 1 to OSU
  • Top 4 in Maryland:  1 to PSU, 1 to MD, 2 to OSU
  • Top 4 in Wisconsin:  1 to Michigan (Bredeson), 1 to UW, 1 to Iowa, 1 to Syracuse

So in the Big 10 footprint (excluding MN, Iowa, Nebraska), Here's the breakdown of where the top 4 in each state went:

  1. OSU - 8 signed
  2. Michigan - 6 signed
  3. PSU - 4 signed
  4. MSU - 3 signed
  5. ND - 3 signed
  6. 7 others tied with one each

I'm not gonna complain about Harbaugh's national footprint. Having success in the southeast and on the west coast is awesome. But If Michigan added 1 recruit from Illinois, 1 recruit from Ohio, and 1 more from Michigan, we'd strengthen our reach in our natural footprint, and surpass all others.

Joined: 07/15/2008

MGoPoints: 22989

LDNfan

March 8th, 2016 at 8:33 AM ^

Why does it matter B1G footprint or not? During the recruitapalooza months I don't think any one really cared that much if the talent came from OH or FL. Harbaugh is a national brand, UM is rebuilding its national cache...and that creates national recruiting chops. Plus IIRC it was a pretty mediocre year in OH so not much effort was put into recruiting that state. Whereas it was a banner year in NJ and UM was right on top of that. 

And I say this as someone who likes to see the top local kids go to UM but with Harbaugh losing out on a local kid like Simmons this early (damn he really must have wanted to go to OSU if he signed this early) isn't nearly as big a deal as it would be if he was focused on the B1G footprint (ala Hoke) bec. theres a good chance UM will land a national recruit who isn't too shabby to take that scholarship. 

In the long run..if Harbaugh wins then the local recruits will come around but for now UM has work to do to regain its footing locally with MSU, OSU and ND all having much more recent success but it also has a national phenom in Harbaugh with ties to some recruiting hotbeds...so go national, win some championships and watch the tide turn with local HS. 

Joined: 09/28/2014

MGoPoints: 10372

M-Dog

March 8th, 2016 at 8:52 AM ^

Yeah, the 8th guy in FL may be better than the top guy in OH.  Top 4 per state does not mean much.

We did not get the Top 5 recruiting class for 2016 by missing out on all those really really good Midwest guys.  We got better guys from elsewhere that fit our open slots.

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 256994

Joelesilver

March 7th, 2016 at 5:44 PM ^

We do have to remember that this staff wasn't recruiting in or out of the big 10 footprint until a year and 3 months ago. OSU, ND, MSU, and PSU have been talking to last years recruits for 3-5 years... Give it time for the staff to get to know the kids coming up and it will work itself out. For now they are making themselves known nationally and with results on the field the recruiting will only get better. Go Blue!

Joined: 08/03/2013

MGoPoints: 145

Coldwater

March 7th, 2016 at 6:07 PM ^

I love the offer...swing for the stars, you just might hit one. Like Gary. This would've a massive get.

I'm thinking this would take a lot of Harbaugh Magic to land him.

Joined: 12/14/2008

MGoPoints: 11234