Great Class So Far. Who else do you want?

Submitted by Hill.FootballR… on

With the 14th commitment today from Standifer our class is really coming together well. With that said, there are still a lot of big names players with seemingly sincere interest in Michigan. I am not going to get into how many scholarships we have, we have absolutely no control over that but the coaches do and it seems as though they are recruiting close to a full class.

With that said I am going to make a list of the players I would love to add to this recruiting class. All of these guys are great players and would look great in the maize and blue. I am just curious what everyone though about positions and what players they like the most based on at least a little evidence please.

In order to get rid of the argument of scholarships or position I will let you create your class. you can chose to say we will have 21 spots and pick the 7 you would want. Or you can say we will have a 25 man class and do the same. 

Here are some names I came up that I believe we are in on: Feel free to add any name you like I very likely forgot 1 or 2 guys.

Banner (OT), Burbridge (WR), Day (DT), Diamond (OT), Dunn (RB), Garmon (RB), Garnett (OT), J. Johnson, J. Jones (DT), Kalis (OT), Magnuson (OT), Morgan (DB), Pipkins (DT), Reeves (DB), Shittu (DT), Simmons (OT), Stanford (WR), Thurston (OT), Strobel (DE), Washington (DE), Wormley (DE)

Now I personally believe we will end up with a class of around 23-25 as many players as the coaches have told recruits we want at each position. My class will consist of a combination of what i believe is realistic and what I personally would want. The coaches are obviously way more qualified to do this than i am and this is why this is just to see what everyone here thinks with over half the class already filled brilliantly. For this I will make a 25 man class case as that is the absolute maximum:

I will start at QB and RB: I believe we want one of each.But with the talent at other positions of need and the addition of Shane Morris to the 2013 class, I am starting to believe we will only take elite talent at these two positions and we will only get one. I will say we get EITHER Kiel or Dunn and at the moment i would lean towards Dunn based on the tOSU problems that have been well documented here. 

Give me Dunn.

WR: I think we will take 1 here since we don't seem to be recruiting it too hard. This is the position I feel like the choices are thin for a position of need. I love Stanford, everything about his tape made me want him. With that said, I think Burbridge is the most likely, especially if he qualifies which I believe he will. I'll say first to commit gets it but I'm going to say Burbridge.

Burbridge

OT: I haven't understood why people on here have said we should only take 4 or 5 OL's this year. It is our single biggest need. Period. We need OL badly and we are in on a ton of great ones too. The coaches said they will take 6 and I believe them and agree with them completely. Its not like we are in on much better players at any other positions to not take 6 IMHO. 

Now for the 4 I like the most and believe we have the best chances of getting. Magnuson and Diamond meet both criteria. I think we are in very solid position with both and they are 2 of my favorites so they are easy picks. The other player I think we are currently in the best position with is Thurston and I love everything this kid has to say so ill add him. After that, I feel good but not great about  our current position with the rest, so I'll take who I like the most and take Garnett. Although I think he is maybe the biggest longshot after watching all of their tape right now he stood out. With this said, any of Banner, Garnett, Kalis or Simmons and I would be more than thrilled. This was almost an impossible decision.

Magnuson, Diamond, Thurston and Garnett

DT: We are in on some great DT's and its a position of need. We are going to take 2. Pipkins is underrated. Yes underrated and he is a 4 star on every site, he will be moving up boards and although he may never get the 5th star, he will get pretty close i believe. Kid is a beast and i never understood why he was so low and not more talked about before a few of these combines where hes dominated. He isn't great against the double team thats the only thing I've heard which makes me laugh because I thought that was the point of a double team, free up other players to wreck havoc. I want him so bad. After him I think Johnson and Day are really both great and have their own strengths. I am going to take Day because I think his game film is a little better where Johnsons more impressive at combines. I will add that Shittu and Jones are 2 of my 3 favorites with Pipkins but until they have completely decomitted from Stanford and PSU respectively I don't love our chances.

Pipkins and Day

DE: I am going to be told I am crazy here. But I believe we take 2 more. Yes, 2 more. Give me Wormely for obvious reasons. Then I think we will end up with Strobel. Academics are huge for him, he just visited and tOSU was his leader. i honestly think it will come down to us and ND for his services. I will add that if we get Stanford at WR before Burbridge, we will get Washington, I would barely rather have those two but they plan on waiting still so there may not be room. That is my reasoning for this.

Wormely and Strobel

DB: Only 1 spot left. We will most likely end up with Morgan. He may not be deciding tomorrow like we thought was a foregone conclusion but I still think he decides before Reeves. We may not even lead for Reeves.

Morgan

 

Lets hear what everyone thinks of my lists. Feel free to disagree completely. i know i am only putting top tier talent on these lists and being optimistic in many cases but i think we have got into a perfect storm for recruiting this year and I think this is actually possible. 

 

 

rockydude

June 1st, 2011 at 11:56 PM ^

Seems like a reasonable list to me. I would say that the big question mark in my head (and some other boarders) is, will we get Stanford and Washington or Wormley and Burbridge? Either outcome seems possible, but it is tough to say which. I agree, Reeves is looking less likely. Diamond and Magnuson both have the right vibe so far, which would be great.The DTs are a little harder to read, but I agree with these choices, if I had to pick. As far as the additional O-linemen, that's just too hard to say. Also, Dunn could go either way, and some of his choice may be influenced by whether we get some of the other Ohio guys. Heck of a class so far though, any way you look at it.

Jon Benke

June 2nd, 2011 at 12:40 AM ^

LB:James Ross, Royce Jenkins-Stone, Joe Bolden, Kaleb Ringer

DE:Matt Godin, Chris Wormley, Mario Ojemudia, Pharoah Brown, Adolphus Washington

DT:Ondre Pipkins, Jaleel Johnson

DB:Terry Richardson, Wayne Morgan, Anthony Standifer, Allen Gant

OL:Erik Magnuson, Jordan Simmons, Jordan Diamond, Ben Braden, Caleb Stacey

WR:Dwayne Stanford, Aaron Burbridge

TE:Devin Funches, A.J. Williams

AAB

June 2nd, 2011 at 12:01 AM ^

Morgan, Wormley, Strobel, Pipkins, Johnson, Magnuson, Diamond, Thurston is the most realistic if we have 22 scholarships.  I think people are overestimating the OSU carnage.  Don't see Kalis, Dunn, Washington, or Stanford ending up anywhere but OSU.  

turd ferguson

June 2nd, 2011 at 12:30 AM ^

I'm afraid I agree on the OSU thing.  I have a feeling that this will be a rallying point for kids from Ohio (i.e. pride / "us against the world"), but elite recruits from the rest of the country will figure "why deal with that?" and look elsewhere.

ryebreadboy

June 2nd, 2011 at 1:36 AM ^

FWIW, Stanford was quoted as saying "it's definitely a big letdown" regarding the Tressel firing by ESPN here. I think we have a solid shot with him, he seems really high on Michigan, and Washington definitely likes us as well. But who knows, you may be right, since Fickell was able to persuade Kalis to stick around.

El Jefe

June 2nd, 2011 at 8:13 AM ^

I agree with the statement that Kalis and Dunn stay with Ohio State.  For some reason, I don't see either kid decommitting.  With Stanford and Washington, I think they end up in the winged helmet when it is all said and done.

 

This would be one hell of a class:

LB:James Ross, Royce Jenkins-Stone, Joe Bolden, Kaleb Ringer

DE:Matt Godin, Chris Wormley, Mario Ojemudia, Pharoah Brown, Adolphus Washington

DT:Ondre Pipkins, Jaleel Johnson

DB:Terry Richardson, Wayne Morgan, Anthony Standifer, Allen Gant

OL:Erik Magnuson, Jordan Simmons, Jordan Diamond, Ben Braden, Caleb Stacey

WR:Dwayne Stanford, Aaron Burbridge

TE:Devin Funches, A.J. Williams 

redhousewolverine

June 2nd, 2011 at 9:28 AM ^

I think you are right. Even if Washington doesn't choose Ohio, then we would have to compete against Bama and Auburn. Nonetheless, unless serious sanctions come down it is unlikely we get any of them.

JimLahey

June 2nd, 2011 at 12:03 AM ^

I find it very interesting that there seems to be a lack in interest from the board on Joshua Garnett. He's hardly ever mentioned and yet he seems to have genuine interest in UM. What baffles me is that this is despite him being the highest ranked recruit at O-line that we're in on at #22 in the nation.
Normally when a likely 5-star player expresses interest in us we collectively freak out and beg Tom for information every day. Not the case with Garnett though. What gives?

Hill.FootballR…

June 2nd, 2011 at 12:18 AM ^

I agree with that point. But as for your question as for where the hype is. I believe it is because his name isn't quite as recognizable, we hadn't heard anything about him until recently, and mostly because we already had heard so much about Banner from Washington people on here seem to get attached. All of these OL's we are in on are awesome players though I am excited.

redhousewolverine

June 2nd, 2011 at 9:31 AM ^

As the previous poster mentioned, it wasn't until Tom updated us that most people knew Garnett was so interested in us. Everyone had already heard of Banner and particularly that he is 6'9 300 already, which tends to stand out in people's minds. Plus, we are in on a lot of top linemen, so it is hard to choose who we want. Good problem to have though.

Logan88

June 2nd, 2011 at 8:56 AM ^

This is not intended to bag on Kiel, but it seems odd that a guy who is already rated a 5 star QB prospect and is a year ahead of Morris would be "intimidated" by Shane's commitment.

Hill.FootballR…

June 2nd, 2011 at 12:30 AM ^

I know our chances with Kiel arent that bad. i think we have a good shot at him. Just think OSU could get in trouble and although I agree with the minority on here that the OSU sanctions aren't going to affect them as much as some think. Dunn was considering us before any of that happened. He has visited recently and says he may visit again. So i give the o so slight edge to Dunn at the moment. 

As for you JimLahey- I like your two picks a lot. The only thing I will say is what year wouldnt you want to #1 QB the most? I guess I will say make my obvious top 5 and say Kiel, Dunn, Garnett, Magnuson and Pipkins.

This goes with your ideal (to good) shot at which drops Kalis, Shittu and Jones until further notice.

redhousewolverine

June 2nd, 2011 at 9:37 AM ^

Ya, I also don't know why more people don't want Gunner. Qbs are tougher to project and take more time than RBs so I feel we could more easily get away without a RB and land a top one next year, especially after we lose some of our depth at the spot. Although, it seems like Gunner wants immediate playing time, which would be tough with Gardener either going to be a redshirt sophomore or junior when Gunner steps on campus.

Plus, imagine having a QB named Gunner. Think of the possibilities: "Gunner zips another ball into another receiver." "That ball looks like it was shot out of cannon, Bob!" "Gunner rifles another one to the receiver." "It's like he's shooting bullets out there today, Tom!"

ken725

June 2nd, 2011 at 12:25 AM ^

One name that hasn't been mentioned yet is Jarrod Wilson.  From the start I wanted him to be part of this class.  Lately it seems like that wont be happening because of the limited spots available at DB.  

It feels like it has been ages since we recruited a true center fielder type of FS.

Hill.FootballR…

June 2nd, 2011 at 12:33 AM ^

Ken I almost added him to the list. Him and O'Brien almost made it. But i can't see a way either of those 2 make it into this class at this particular time. if Morgan drops back his decsion date to way later, then things could change but we have 1 spot left and Morgan is most likely right now. Plus i truly think you need to give Gant a chance. He is one of a handful of players I have seen in person and I truly think he is underrated. Just me though so guys i respect a lot like Magnus disagree completely.

Wettin 3's

June 2nd, 2011 at 2:19 AM ^

 

OT:

Joshua Garnett

Jordan Diamond

Erik Magnuson

OG:

Jordan Simmons

WR:

Dwayne Stanford

Aaron Burbridge

DE:

Adolphus Washington

Chris Wormley

DT:

Sheldon Day

Ondre Pipkins

DB:

Wayne Morgan

ryebreadboy

June 2nd, 2011 at 3:57 AM ^

From what we've been hearing, I'd say it's as reasonable as anyone else's.  All of those guys are high on Michigan, and hopefully the ones that were also high on OSU have been deterred by the firing (or will be deterred by the sanctions).  I hope Stanford and Washington can reschedule their visit for the near future (I'm still advocating for June 10th, so they can meet Magnuson and Jones and decide to "Superfriends" it up).  All that aside, I really think we need a good showing on the field this year because some of those guys are planning officials to Michigan that would really be helped by us crushing some rivalry games.

BrandonGarrison

June 2nd, 2011 at 4:56 AM ^

RB- Bri'onte Dunn

WR- Dwayne Stanford

TE- A.J. Williams, Devin Funchess

OL- Caleb Stacey, Ben Braden, Erik Magnuson, Jordan Diamond, Paul Thurston,          Zach  Banner

DE- Mario Ojemudia, Pharoh Brown, Adolphus Washington

LB- James Ross, Kaleb Ringer, Royce Jenkins Stone, Joe Bolden

CB- Terry Richardson, Wayne Morgan

S- Allan Gant, Anthony Standifer

DT- Matt Godin, Chris Wormley, Ondre Pipkins

And the last one goes to Aaron Burbridge if he qualifies, or Sheldon Day or Aziz Shittu

 

I dont know what the Bball roster looks like right now but what is the possibility of Banner getting a Bball Scholarship and Michigan FB pulling in 26 recruits.  He says he wants to play both sports in college. 

umhero

June 2nd, 2011 at 7:47 AM ^

I agree we will end up with 26 (see my post below), but the NCAA counts anyone who plays football on scholarship against the 85 player football limit even if they play another sport as well.  

Also, I'm prety sure Wormley is a DE not a DT.

true blue thou…

June 2nd, 2011 at 5:48 AM ^

Put me in the catergory that these problems TsiO are having . Is going to hurt more than people think. Just last night we hear Ncaa is down there again... And now the hearing is pushed backed to Oct .  So ask your self if Im a big time recruit with NFl aspirations Do I want to chance so much on so much uncertainty? So I definitely think we are going to get some of them .  With that being said if I could only have 1 i'd take Dunn

GoBlue

 

 

uncertainty