How much does winning and losing impact a recruits choice: Derrick Green
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?
September 10th, 2012 at 12:25 PM ^
September 10th, 2012 at 12:56 PM ^
Given the situation here when Hart decommitted, however, you can hardly blame him. He was an early entry and would have been going to a place that was poised to fire its coach.
September 10th, 2012 at 1:47 PM ^
What makes Dee Hart as good or better than Fitz? What have you seen from Hart other than his recruiting bio.
September 10th, 2012 at 2:19 PM ^
Norfleet saw something from Hart on special teams. Dee Hart would definitely be getting near first string carries here alongside Fitz.
September 10th, 2012 at 2:25 PM ^
So one tackle by Dee Hart on special teams legitimizes an opinion that he'd be getting first-string carries at Michigan this year. Compelling evidence.
September 10th, 2012 at 2:55 PM ^
the fact that Vincent Smith is still on the field in any offensive capacity means there are at least some plays that would belong to Hart. I think it's awesome that Vincent Smith is tough as nails and gritty, but I like my running backs to be able to catch or juke somebody.
September 10th, 2012 at 3:20 PM ^
Apparently the ND game from last year is a distant memory? As I recall he both caught the screen pass and juked the crap out of the ND defenders on his way to the end zone. When used correctly he is very effective.
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.
September 10th, 2012 at 12:26 PM ^
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.).
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.
September 10th, 2012 at 2:07 PM ^
Wasn't there the story that DGreen looked at Tulley-Tillman and said "Man, you're big." LTT laughed and said there are four more like him upstairs.
Here's hoping but moving forward regardless.
September 10th, 2012 at 5:42 PM ^
Green did tweet something after our loss to Alabama. The loss didn't seem to bother him. He said something along the lines of us needing a running back and him being able to fill the void.
September 10th, 2012 at 8:26 PM ^
September 10th, 2012 at 12:40 PM ^
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.
September 10th, 2012 at 1:05 PM ^
September 10th, 2012 at 1:14 PM ^
If you'd witnessed how Gene Chizek did Iowa State and his recruits there, you wouldn't feel bad for the guy at all. He made one hell of a mess and Iowa State was fortunate that Auburn wanted him. He's like Lane Kiffin with less winning.
September 10th, 2012 at 3:10 PM ^
While you might not be Mark Messmer, don't think you're fooling anyone into thinking you're not Mark Messner, Mark Messner.
September 10th, 2012 at 12:54 PM ^
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.
September 10th, 2012 at 1:46 PM ^
Yes. If you remember nobody wanted him to begin with until he had the perfect QB and won a championship. It won't take long at all, especially with Saban down the road.
September 10th, 2012 at 1:48 PM ^
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.
September 10th, 2012 at 4:39 PM ^
It would be interesting if Auburn offered Dantonio. Mentioning Dantonio and Saban of course brings MSU to mind. Do you think the challenges Saban and Dantonio have had were inherent with limitations at MSU? To put this another way, what do you think of Saban and Dantonio as coaches?
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.
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.
September 10th, 2012 at 3:40 PM ^
September 10th, 2012 at 12:59 PM ^
Never ever ever try to predict decisons that are made by 17 and 18 year olds.
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.
September 10th, 2012 at 1:04 PM ^
LOLOLOLOL at anybody that wants to go play for Chizik right now. Anybody.
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.
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?
September 10th, 2012 at 2:13 PM ^
I think it was Josh Garnett and the medical program.
September 10th, 2012 at 2:43 PM ^
For me it was the exact opposite. Diamond going to Auburn for the obvious $$$$ made sense. Garnett picking Stanford over Michigan because they have a better medical school (wtf?) was a headscratcher. Let alone the difference between UM med and Stanford med is nearly indistinguishable.
September 10th, 2012 at 2:52 PM ^
Garnett is from Washington. If it is indistinguishable, maybe it made sense for him to pick a school that was closer to home.
September 10th, 2012 at 2:56 PM ^
This and his sister being close was probably an overriding reason. How far is it by plane From Stanford to Washington?
September 10th, 2012 at 3:03 PM ^
There was a rumor that he had a girlfriend who was or is going to Stanford too. It is probably less than or about 2 hour flight from Palo Alto to Seattle.
September 10th, 2012 at 3:13 PM ^
Ah the girlfriend rumor. I heard about that as well and forgot about that. Detroit to Seattle is about 4 hrs.
September 10th, 2012 at 1:11 PM ^
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.
September 10th, 2012 at 1:22 PM ^
September 10th, 2012 at 2:33 PM ^
Yes it is ridicules. Especially when a player is as dominate as he is.
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.
September 10th, 2012 at 1:43 PM ^
September 10th, 2012 at 2:16 PM ^
The rules of grammar say you know something. Spill it!!
September 10th, 2012 at 5:21 PM ^
You guys are right, it was total proper grammar and this was total flamebait. I isn't not sorry that I didn't never say he wasn't wrong.
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.
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.