A few interesting recruiting notes (3-21-12 edition)
Henry Poggi- I'm hearing that Michigan leads for his services, with Saban closing hard. My own personal thought, is that he isn't sure how he fits in at Alabama (It would take far more time that I'm willing to give to explain this). A lot more people than are being reported, are being told that Michigan's class is full outside of the LB position. Several DT prospects have been told the class is full. It's being speculated down here, that the Michigan coaches would be shocked of Poggi didn't land there. Which is why alot of kids are being told that the team is full at that position.
I tried to dig up some info about the whole Dorian O'Daniel situation, and what I did find out, I unfortunately can't talk about (Nothing major, I was just told to not talk about it). But, I will say this. I think Michigan made an error in judgement here. You don't do something to harm a relationship with a school like Good Counsel. I understand and respect Coach Hoke's first to commit philosphy, but you make room for a kid like O'Daniel. I've yet to confirm this, but I believe the relationship with Kendal Fuller has been damaged as well. The number crunch at the position is to blame of course, but if taking an extra LB is the price you pay for keeping a good relationship with a powerhouse, talent laden school like that, you take an extra LB.
Breneman vs OJ Howard- I e-mailed a good friend of mine, who is one of the better talent evaluators in the south, about which of these TE's is the better prospect. He said believe the hype about Breneman, he really is that good. His hands are the best at his position that he's seen in a LONG time. He said he absolutely stalks LB's on the second level, and is a tremendous route runner, and student of the game. Great body control for a kid his size, and it would be surprising if he doesn't make a huge impact on the next level. TE's like this don't come along that often, it's a position that kids usually don't want to play, because there's so much blocking involved. While that's an area he could use work, you'll find very few natural Tight Ends in high school, that are great blockers.
Ahmad Fulwood- My favorite WR in this entire class, and you can write that down anywhere you want. Big time talent, but unfortunately, even bigger attitude. In his defense, I've always said a WR needs a bit of an attitude to be great. His recruitment is shaping up to be quite interesting, and should come down to just about signing day. Urban Meyer has been a fan of this kid for a long time, and the trash talking between Saban and Urban for his services, is getting intense. It's no secret that Saban and Meyer are not on eachothers christmas card list, so if you love recruiting drama, be sure to follow Ahmad's recruitment.
For more info, be sure to follow me on twitter, at twitter.com/#!/Idon'thaveatwittereither
March 21st, 2012 at 12:31 PM ^
I guess it could have happened with Fuller too, but I know that it was reported re: Diggs.
March 21st, 2012 at 12:34 PM ^
That was Stefon Diggs and he is from that school as well. UM was honest with O'Daniel and told it it would be a waste of his time and money to visit. It wasn't personal. They were just full. Now what Diggs did was plain disrespectful. The GC coaches should be out of breath by now due to apologizing on Diggs' behalf to Hoke. They shouldn't blink an eye due to this O'Daniel business.
March 21st, 2012 at 12:36 PM ^
March 21st, 2012 at 12:30 PM ^
I think, at least, that the player and his HS coaches would appreciate the honesty and not have the kid wasting his time & money on trips when there wasn't going to be spot for him. I think the bigger impact will be how Blake is treated now that he's here.
But that's just my take on the limited information I get from the internet. Not sure if anything else went down.
March 21st, 2012 at 12:30 PM ^
It's hard to know how to interpret rumors when we don't know exactly how things went down. If I remember, O'Daniel tweeted that his trip to Michigan was "cancelled." But who cancelled it? I would like to think the coaches told him that they were full at his position, but he was welcome to come visit just in case a spot opens up down the line, which he may have interpreted as having his trip cancelled. In this scenario, it doesn't seem like there should be a lot of hard feelings or "damage" done.
If Michigan said, sorry pal, we won't host your visit and you'll have to eat your nonrefundable travel costs... then I could see there being some damage done. But the bottom line is that I don't think any of us really know how it went down.
The whole idea that we are telling recruits that the class is full (this is the first I've heard of DTs being told that) certainly causes anxiety this far out from signing day. But it's the right thing to do at this point with only a handful of spots left. Sounds like the coaches want to slow things down and concentrate on their remaining top targets while making sure those valuable spots don't get filled in a first-come first-served kind of way.
March 21st, 2012 at 12:31 PM ^
I'm still waiting on RDT's prediction that Issac would commit. Although, I don't think just because we turned away one of GC's top athletes, we would be looked down upon forever. Everyone knows how fast our recruiting class has been filling up. Spots have been limited for a long time and if O'Daniel wanted in, he should of vistied/commited first. If you like a school that much you do what it takes to be there, especially if there is mutual interest. Moving on...
March 21st, 2012 at 12:33 PM ^
March 21st, 2012 at 12:44 PM ^
I don't understand why we have to justify away every small piece of bad news we receive. It's possible the situation wasn't handled perfectly -- no one is infallible. RDT has no reason to lie and it's perfectly possible turning away a highly rated recruit from a great school like Good Counsel while holding open a spot for Levenberry would upset the Good Counsel staff.
March 21st, 2012 at 12:58 PM ^
I think the question is, Was there any "perfect" way to handle the situation?
Maybe GC coaches thought Hoke was supposed to pull a Saban maneuver and tell McCray, "Oh ya, about that scholarship offer....just kidding!!! We found somebody better. Sorry." That way, in pleasing GC, all Hoke would've done is alienate Ohio coaches. I liked DOD too, but am perfectly happy with who's on board.
Probably too many variables for us to know the whole situation, but maybe they could've allowed him to visit (assuming it wasn't an official) and told him, "listen we don't have a spot for you right now, but maybe later on." Then again, it's perfectly possible that was said and he just didn't want to spend the money without a spot to commit to. For a kid with that many offers and that much hype who clearly showed a tremendous amount of interest to be told "no thanks" when it seems pretty clear the staff would still take Levenberry might rub some people the wrong way (even though I think it's the right move if Levenberry is higher on your board). No question it's a difficult situation, and perhaps Hoke and Co. handled it the only way possible, but I think to dismiss the thought that the staff upset the GC coaches just because we (fans) trust them is a little ridiculous. We can be upset that Mich may have a harmed connection with a pipeline and not blame the coaches. We were a victim of circumstance:
March 21st, 2012 at 12:43 PM ^
I think the real question is...do you have a twitter or not?
March 21st, 2012 at 12:43 PM ^
Just to clarify, if I remember correctly Poggi is being recruited as a TE to Bama, right? I definitely don't understand that. They say that SEC lineman are quicker and stronger than their northern counterparts and Poggi seems to fit that completely. His tape is impressive in that regard, he seems very quick. And he seems to enjoy defense more, so why aren't they just trying to sell him on D?
March 21st, 2012 at 12:56 PM ^
Bummer Nick...here ya go buddy, it is glorious:
March 21st, 2012 at 12:51 PM ^
Meanwhile I am going to trust the coaches decision on DOD as I am sure they have a legitimate reason for turning him away, whether that be they have a silent commit from Levenberry/Gedeon or not. Michigan will be Michigan regardless and one Highschool will not deter Michigan from bringing the type of players we need to compete and win B1G championships.
March 21st, 2012 at 12:57 PM ^
I'd like to see Poggi wearing the #81 jersey. The next Glen Steele?
Didn't diggs bail out of a visit with no notification and wouldn't hs coaches be more appreciative of a staff notifying not to visit before hand that they are full rather then wait till after the visit?
Why would they take offense to not accepting a visit and saying we are full....essentially that means visiting would waste your time and we do not want to do that.
Although I'm not all for 'tit for tat,' that's a good point. If I remember correctly, our coaches showed up for a scheduled home visit, and Diggs was off visiting some other school. You can't tell me the GC coaches didn't know about this ahead of time... and if they did, one might argue that they could have at least tipped off the Michigan coaches before they got on their plane.
Question for yourself on your sources. In my time I have found many sources push many things......one thing I found off is that your sources are telling schools they are full outside of a a couple positions.....
Unless a few things change or the staff has a few silent commits then the source info is fwiw.....
So does this implies the WR position being filled???
How about a little insight on the reason why Poggi might not be a good fit (in his eyes)? If you get time.
Where was it said that Poggi wouldn't be a good fit?
RDT said Poggi isn't sure how he'd fit at Bama in his post.
Ah, I see that now. I read that differently the first time. Thanks.
It might be their 304 scheme.
I disagree that turning down a player will rupture a relationship with a powerhouse high school. Michigan is trying to restore a reputation with high school players and become a national power again. Alabama is a school right now that can turn down anyone and still get the best of the best, even if it's another kid from the same program. I was questioning it at first, but who are we to question Brady Hoke after he far exceeded everyones expectation.
We all questioned the hire. Even if someone didn't, they didn't expect 11-2. I don't think any other hire would have had the immediate results that Hoke and Mattison have had. I respect what they are doing and am not questioning anything.
RDT,
You have a good reputation on this blog, but these look like unsubstantiated rumors (more later). And unfortunately these posts go to millions of RSS readers. I don't think you intended to spread on a Michigan fan blog, nor do the Michigan fans appreciate your spreading, bad rumors that are inconsistent with the high integrity reputation and tactics of our coaching staff. Any comments Mgoblog users make to your post unfortunately do not go out on the feeds.
As far as the specific rumors:
I believe that Michigan probably leads for Poggi. I do not have any direct sources. But it would be uninformed to say that Michigan is full at DT. Anyone who knows Mattison's defence knows that we need a great 1-tech DTs for nose. Poggi is not a 1-tech. We have a few 1-techs on the board and a few others that may be capable. But to suggest that we are telling folks that we are full at DT sounds like a bad rumor. It is possible that we are full at 3-tech or 5-tech DTs if we are confident of Poggi. But suggesting that would be a rumor. Every other source says Michigan's DT recruiting is heating up. Unless you talked to the coaches or a few recruits directly these are all rumors.
The same problem about this generic analysis of position needs exists when people talk about our LBs. We may be full at a specific type of LB, but just like DT the coaches are very specific about our needs and are not just recruiting LBs and DTs. They are recruiting the best athletes that can be fit a specific scheme so we need to make we use that assumption when we try to externally evaluate and speculate about whats going on. So in the case of DoD we may be full at the LB position for which he is best suited...but not at others. Who really knows.
As far as the DoD communication situation I would also treat that as a bad rumor: First, other sources contradict your point of view. Second, you have not talked directly to DoD. Third, your sources are most likely to be Bama fans and therefore biased.
The bottom line is that's its not helpful to anyone to spread bad rumors. It's not good for the coaches, the players, or the fans.
A better post would have been to say "there are a few missinformed rumors floating around .... and here are some facts that suggest why they are not likley true"
Unless you have specific sources, your post is just as likely to be a rumor as RollDamnTide's. And considering the fact that you signed up less than two weeks ago, I'm not exactly inclined to buy your side of things, either.
At the end of the day, we want M to succeed.
Michigan told OT/DT Darius Latham we were full because the coaches believe he's a better offensive line prospect than a d-lineman. Obviously, we ARE full at o-line.
What have you heard about Nkemdiche? Is this a Bama/LSU battle? Is he leaning one way or other? Heard he is announcing soon...
Re the DOD decision, I would imagine the 2014 kids at Cass Tech have to be a factor. No point in not looking ahead a bit.
COUNTESS TO THE RESCUE!!!
for the updates. Always interesting to read.
It's very hard to believe "A lot more people than are being reported, are being told that Michigan's class is full outside of the LB position." Where is the source for this? We've got 16 verbal commits, NSD is 11 months away, and the 2013 class is "full"? Wow, we've got a former offensive lineman as one of our starting DT's this year, we've got virtually no depth at all at the position, we just shifted two DE's to DT, and we're "full." Yes, something is full of something, but it's not the 2013 class and it is certainly not the 2013 DT commit list.
I think you're underestimating the depth at defensive tackle. Beyond 2012, we have Washington, Black, Ash, Pipkins, and Henry to go along with any of the "defensive ends" that bump down to tackle (Wormley, Godin). That's a minimum of five guys to play two positions, and word is that Wormley is already planning to play tackle. If the coaches are confident about Poggi and/or another guy, then they might be telling certain guys/coaches that they no longer have a need at the position.
March 21st, 2012 at 10:14 PM ^
if we're telling DT prospects that "the class is full." Hoke, Mattison, Montgomery want to rotate defensive linement throughout a game. If we're facing a hurry-up spread offense, this will be a greater imperative. We will need 4 quality DT's plus 2 back-ups in case of injury. Hoke has repeatedly said we were lucky avoiding injuries with the lack of depth last season; we can't always count on such luck.
OK, 'fess up, you're not an Alabama fan, you're a Michigan fan...