Witz57

March 18th, 2012 at 2:32 AM ^

With the high quality defense Hoke and Mattison are building and the o-line coming in, I love the idea of our offense adding a tough, bruising back like Smith so it can ball-control and just beat teams to death.



Also, when the fancy graceful stuff isn't working we're really going to appreciate how effective a lot of kinetic energy moving in a straight line is.

goblueinMO

March 18th, 2012 at 8:27 AM ^

16 Commits for a recruiting class that won't officially sign letters of intent for another 11 months!!!  That is bizarre!!!  The fact that 13-14 of them are already 4 Stars and there may be a couple blooming concesus 5 Stars in the group as well is AMAZING.  You sure wish this was a year you had 25-26 slots instead of 21-22.  

If we do take Ty as a 3rd RB and then Levenberry as a 3rd LB, doesn't that leave us too few slots for our remaining needs in the Secondary and Defensive Line?  Nonetheless, great work on the part of the Michigan Coaching Staff.  I don't know how they are creating the urgency with the recruits to sign, but it is great to see.  

Keep it going BLUE!!!

tmzenn

March 18th, 2012 at 11:57 AM ^

In a pro style offense, I would imagine a rb like Smith is the most important kind of rb to have. I know that controlling the clock is a lot better on a teams defense and helps in the hard fought close games. It is always nice to have a homerun hitter, but the grind it out back has to be the most important.

WestMichiganWo…

March 18th, 2012 at 12:40 PM ^

I think the fact that he is from Ohio. and he did have an offer from Meyer, is being understated, this is a big pickup for the sheer thought that Ohio isnt getting him, add in the fact that he is a true manball back and I think this is a very nice pickup

Cold War

March 18th, 2012 at 2:00 PM ^

Why does a kid lowly rated by the services have such an impressive offer list?

 

Nice, quality back. I have to believe this doesn't impact Ty much.

Bo Knows

March 18th, 2012 at 4:22 PM ^

I like this pick up a lot, however it is making me think how much the coaches really like Shallman at RB.  From their videos Smith looks like an even better bruiser than Shallman.

MaizeMN

March 18th, 2012 at 7:56 PM ^

I don't get it.  You seem to undervalue these  recruits despite visual and other opinion/evidence.  While I get that recruiting is dicey and subjective, I don't "get" where you're coming from with some of these kids.  Kugler, Smith...?  What is your basis for these evaluations? Slow offensive recruits;  I trust the staff is recruiring needs, speed notwithstanding.  Maybe some prefer they recruit speed at the expense of other skill sets. but don't count me among those.

Magnus

March 18th, 2012 at 8:59 PM ^

Kugler was rated as a "Very good starter in the Big Ten; a good chance of All-Big Ten; and a likely NFL draft pick."  If that's not good enough for you, then I don't know what to tell you.

I obviously don't like Smith as much as you do.  Neither do Rivals and 247 Sports.  Meanwhile, Scout seems to lean more your way.  There are differing opinions on him.  You don't have to "get it."  But you should understand that he's not a shoo-in for awesomeness.

MaizeMN

March 18th, 2012 at 8:42 PM ^

Seriously?  I tend to agree with the empirical evidence presented via film and professional opinion; but since I disagree with the M-Go blogger recruiring gurus, it's flamebait? I've been following Michigan football since I was 4 years old.  I saw the 24-12 "upset of the century', and all the other countless debacles and redemptions. My opinion may be in the minority (or not) but my degree and heritage earn the right to share it. When this kid runs for 1000-plus, or earn shis degree as a Michigan Man, remember his journey and be glad he decided to join the Michigan family.

MaizeMN

March 18th, 2012 at 9:38 PM ^

No prospect is a shoe-in (shoo in);  when a kid goes Blue, he/she is part of the Michigan family.  I choose to embrace those commitments and welcome them, whether athletic boon nor bust. God Bless Walter Smith, et al. It doesn't matter if "...it's good enough for me."  If it's (recruits) good enough for Hoke. Borges and Mattison, it's good enough..

Magnus

March 19th, 2012 at 11:18 AM ^

That's fine.  You're free to welcome them into the Michigan family.  I welcome them, too.  I want them all to be successful.  I will root for them every step of the way. 

But some of these kids WILL fail to pan out on the football field.  There's no way around it.  It's going to happen.  Some will be successful, and some will be mildly successful, and some will probably be booted off the team or transfer.  That's the way life goes.

I don't have to be a fan in the same way you do to be a fan.