LKLIII

June 5th, 2014 at 1:52 PM ^

I'm in the redshirt camp.  We already have (likely anyway) two solid backs in the 2013 class, not to mention Drake Johnson if he gets healthy.  Nobody in the 2014 class at all.  If we want to develop a "shark teeth" type of dynaic with our RB corps similar to what we eventually want for our O-Line, the team is best served getting at least one RB per class if we can.

Ty sitting out a year also takes the recruiting pressure off that position for 2015.  So in the event that Harris and Weber or Patrick don't look like they're going to the pull the trigger for Michigan, we don't necessarily have to pull out all the stops or burn a scholarship just to get SOMEBODY to avoid having a 2 year drought of RB recruits.  We still pursue our 2015 targets obviously, but if things develop poorly on the RB front for the 2015 class, it'll be easier for coaches to start focusing their time & energy on other positions once things get down to the wire.

Avon Barksdale

June 5th, 2014 at 3:22 PM ^

No excuse not to have the most talented RB group this year. RB's are supposed to be able to compete early (like as freshmen) as it's an easier transition. There is no reason that this group shouldn't be the top group in the B1G.  

Derrick Green - 5 Star Sophomore

De'veon Smith - 4 Star Sophomore

Justice Hayes - 4 Star RS Junior

Ty Isaac - 5 Star Sophomore

Drake Johnson - 3 Star RS Sophomore

Our 1st team defense should be ready to go facing a scout team of: Speight, Hayes/Johnson, Dukes/York, and all 20 of our OL from the last two years on a daily basis.

StephenRKass

June 5th, 2014 at 3:19 PM ^

It is great to have Ty Isaac on board. I really don't care whether the NCAA gives him a waiver or not. Having said that, I'm all for him playing, if he is the best back, should he be cleared by the NCAA to play now.

I also love the sense that Michigan is not slacking in recruiting. I really am looking forward to this coming season.

NoMoPincherBug

June 5th, 2014 at 3:57 PM ^

Ricky Powers told a story once in the press about his Freshman year at Michigan.  He came in as the #1 ranked RB recruit in the country.  The next year, they brought in Tyrone Wheatley, so he went to Fred Jackson to complain... Jackson told him "yes, last year you were the #1 ranked recruit, and we recruited the #1 RB this year, and next year we will recruit the #1 RB...and the year after that we will recruit the #1 RB... "

so if any RB on the roster feels threatened by Isaac coming in...well they have that little nugget to chew on.  Its business, not personal.