How much does winning and losing impact a recruits choice: Derrick Green

Submitted by Chi-Blue on

So as you read most of the recruiting talking heads it is assumed that the battle for Derrick Green's services is down to us and Auburn. If so how much does the impact of wins, loses, and general perception of where the team is headed affect the recuits choice of schools? Comparing schedules over the next little bit . . .

Michigan - 1-1

UMASS

@ Notre Dame

 BYE

@ Purdue

 

Auburn - 0-2

ULM

LSU

Arkansas

In case you missed it, ULM just beat #8 Arkansas. Yes John L. Smith, and yes they had their QB injured, but ULM played a really good game. That being said as schedules are looked at LSU will beat Auburn, and Arkansas will have their QB back by the time they go to Auburn. If things go as planned and we are 4-1 in through our first five, and Auburn is 1-4, does that change things for Green? What is your opinion?

 

dennisblundon

September 10th, 2012 at 12:25 PM ^

Dee hart is the 3rd or 4th string rb in Alabama. He would be at worst sharing snaps with Fitzgerald this year. Basically all bets are off when it comes to recruits decisions. I hope he chooses the school that fits him best regardless of record.

NotMarkMessmer

September 11th, 2012 at 11:59 AM ^

I haven't forgotten that Smith didn't do anything special on that play.  It was designed very well, the pass was on the money (thankfully, or it would have been intercepted after it bounced off his hands), the blocks were great.  To Smith's credit, he set up the blocks very well -- but that's a trait that ANY Michigan running back should have.  Just because he succeeded there (what were his other big plays last year?) doesn't mean he's best man for the job.

Maybe I'm still bitter about watching him drop a TD pass in Iowa City last year when I was surrounded by Hawk fans.

aiglick

September 10th, 2012 at 12:26 PM ^

Think it depends on the recruit. Lots of factors that could make an impact on the most important decision to date in Derrick's life.

Hope he makes the right choice for him and thinks carefully because at the end of the day I dislike decommittments and dropouts though I know the latter is a fact of major college football.

Magnus

September 10th, 2012 at 12:31 PM ^

Green doesn't say a ton, but I don't get the feeling that winning championships is #1 on his list.  If it were, then he would have already committed to Alabama or USC, both of whom have offered him.  If Auburn goes 0-12, that would be bad for their chances.  But ultimately, I think it's going to come down to other reasons (playing time, how he fits in the offense, NFL future, etc.).

StephenRKass

September 10th, 2012 at 12:44 PM ^

Well put, Magnus. I would add, as regards Michigan, Green would be wise to look at projections rather than this years W-L record. Specifically, with Toussaint gone, and with the incoming Offensive Linemen, Green would potentially be looking at an excellent situation for PT behind an excellent line. I would hope that Green would do similar analysis with Auburn. Between that, and the campuses, and the coaches, and his teammates, he should go where he is most comfortable and fits well. Honestly, if he fit better at Auburn, I'd prefer Green go there. However I do think he'd fit just fine at Michigan.

ShruteBeetFarms

September 10th, 2012 at 12:47 PM ^

would look at the OL recruiting classes from the past few years (plus the current recruiting class) as well as the depth chart of running backs already on the roster.

After this season, the insane Auburn fans will probably have Chizek on the hot seat.

 

Needs

September 10th, 2012 at 12:58 PM ^

Would they really fire a coach two years after an undefeated, national championship, season? Even for Auburn, that seems hasty. I do think there would be some grumbing, but I have to believe that a championship wins a coach at least three years before any serious job complaints get lodged.

Perkis-Size Me

September 10th, 2012 at 1:55 PM ^

At the rate Saban is going, I just don't see Chizik catching up. The only reason Auburn has a win in the last 4 years is Cam Newton. I don't think he'll be fired if he has a meh season this year. He's still recruiting pretty well, and managed to snatch Reuben Foster away. But if he can't find a way to beat Saban, he's gone within a couple years.

CLord

September 10th, 2012 at 2:24 PM ^

Auburn, like Michigan, has what appears to be a very bright future with insane recruiting hauls coming in.  We will have Urban Meyer, and Auburn will have Les and Nick to deal with in coming years.  Regardless, it is has been way, way overdue for Michigan to land a blue chip RB recruit.  It bottles my mind how we've whiffed on all five stars with the Dunns and Isaacs of the world over the last several years.  Kevin Grady doesn't count because he was just that big of a bomb.  God what I wouldn't give to have  TJ Yeldon lined up... That kid looked NFL ready at what 18-19?  Insanely talented.

ken725

September 10th, 2012 at 2:32 PM ^

Most of the blue-chip RB are from the south and it is very hard to pull those types of players from SEC country. 

2013 is a pretty rare cycle because 2 of the top 5 RB on Rivals.com are from VA (Green) and IL (Issacs). 

Before that you have to go back to 2010 when Silas Redd and Braylon Heard were # 4 and 5. 

JHey

September 10th, 2012 at 1:02 PM ^

Look at Laquan Treadwell, he could come into Michigan and be an instant star.  We desperatly need WRs, and we have a top notch QB coming in with the same class.

UMterry

September 10th, 2012 at 1:07 PM ^

makes it a no brainer.   No offense to Rawls, Norfleet, Hayes, etc.  None of them have shown anything yet and Fitz will be gone soon enough.   Similar to OL recruiting.   Sure it's Michigan Fergodsakes, but we cleaned up the last two years in OH, MI and IL because of depth.   If Hoke continues to dominate on the OL recruiting year after year, I'd be suprised.

thisisme08

September 10th, 2012 at 1:08 PM ^

I've given up trying to make logic fit what recruits do.  Sometimes it does make sense such as Zach Banner (degree program) but most of the time ala J. Diamond you go WTF?

 

go16blue

September 10th, 2012 at 1:11 PM ^

Depends on the recruit's priorities, and just as importantly what the coaches are trying to sell. Michigan is telling Green that we will be a great, power running team in a few years. If this team (which is different from what Hoke is selling recruits in some ways) drops some games it probably wont matter. But if a team like Alabama, which sells itself as being a juggernaut and winning championships every single year, drops 3 or 4 games in a year, that could hurt them more.

oakapple

September 10th, 2012 at 1:21 PM ^

Winning a national championship 2 years ago helped Auburn. Going 3-9 in 2008 hurt Michigan. But a few wins here or there, above or below the program's historical norm, don't really make a difference. I mean, look at Notre Dame: they've been mediocre for decades, but continue to land great recruiting classes. That wouldn't be possible if recruits only cared about the results on the field.

 

not TOM BRADY

September 10th, 2012 at 1:22 PM ^

I dont get all this talk the 17-18 year old is going to make the decision that is best for him. For people to get upset with them is ridicules. I just think some people need to realize that.

Steve Lorenz

September 10th, 2012 at 1:24 PM ^

All the actual factors recruits consider would technically favor Michigan in this situation (outside of playing in the SEC, which has become an allure for top recruits to showcase their abilities). Michigan is a better academic university, has excellent tradition, he'd play early, he will have a great offensive line to run behind and he's developed a relationship with a lot of Michigan's current 2013 class. 

 

All that being said, I can say with no confidence I have no clue where he'll choose and I've talked to him 7 or 8 times throughout his recruitment. 

CLord

September 10th, 2012 at 2:30 PM ^

I believe the fact that Green dyes his hair Maize is all the evidence we need of his true intent.  Also the manner with which he goes with the double biceps flex after each TD, emulating BWC when he made his announcement, also forebodes Green going Blue.  It couldn't be more obvious.

EGD

September 10th, 2012 at 2:07 PM ^

The Auburn situation really does have all the elements of a classic deal-with-the-devil story.  Hopefully Green will see that and realize he doesn't want to join Chizik in suffering eternal pain at the hands of Saban throughout his college years.