How will Tressel Resignation affect Michigan Recruiting

Submitted by StephenRKass on

A number of articles have speculated on how much the Tressel resignation will affect recruiting. Off the top of my head, I am immediately aware of the following having offers from both Michigan and OSU, and being individuals we have a legitimate shot at:

  • Adolphus Washington
  • Dwayne Stanford
  • Ondre Pipkins
  • Sheldon Day
  • Chris Wormley
  • Jordan Diamond

In addition, there are quite a few other offers out there from both Michigan and OSU.

  • Kwon Alexander
  • Jordan Simmons
  • Jarron Jones
  • Stefon Diggs
  • Tommy Schutt
  • Aaron Burbridge
  • Se'Von Pittman
  • Jordan Watkins
  • Tom Stroebel
  • Kyle Dodson

(I didn't even bother listing several LB prospects still listed as holding Michigan offers, given the four commits we already have.)

Lastly, there are verbal commits to OSU that we may want to now pursue:

  • Brionte Dunn
  • Kyle Kalis

With the addition of Gant today, scholarships at Michigan are getting tighter and tighter. Michigan appears to be in the running for a number of other great candidates.

How will the scandal in Columbus affect recruiting? In particular, are there any offered recruits from the state of Ohio that this really opens the door to for Michigan? We already have a solid class. This newest turn of events potentially improves things even more.

artds

May 31st, 2011 at 10:25 AM ^

How badly did USC's scandal affect their recruiting? I seem to remember that it wasn't very much. Is there anyhting that makes the OSU scandal different?

It seems like recruits are mainly interest in having a stage to showcase their NFL talents in hopes of getting drafted. A program like USC allows you to do that even without postseason play. It's arguable that OSU offers the same benefit.

jblaze

May 31st, 2011 at 10:26 AM ^

no matter what, Kiffen (& his staff) was already hired/ supposed to remain as USC's head coach, while OSU will not hire a new HC until November/ December and Fickel (assuming he does well/ better than average) will likely be hired by somebody to be the new head coach.

Since Michigan just went through this, what happens is a system guy is brought in? Meyer and Gruden will surely be rumored candidates, but their coaching styles are very different.

msoccer10

May 31st, 2011 at 12:21 PM ^

California might be a little better in terms of high school talent than Ohio, but not much. If Florida and Texas are the best states for recruiting talent, I would say Ohio comes in fourth and you could definetely get a top ten recruiting class without leaving the state.

raleighwood

May 31st, 2011 at 12:39 PM ^

USC is much more of a "glamour" program than OSU.  Recruits know that they can live in SoCal, hang out with Snoop Dogg and Will Ferrell and maybe snag a Kardashian sister.

Kids can replace OSU with UM, PSU or ND and not really miss a beat in terms of geography, tradition, stadium size....things like that.  USC is the clear leader in the West. Things aren't as clear in the Midwest.

StephenRKass

May 31st, 2011 at 10:33 AM ^

You're right, as regards the last recruiting class coming to USC. But now that the judgement from the NCAA has been upheld, I believe recruiting at USC will be adversely affected over the next few years.

It will be interesting to see if the NCAA closes the loophole used by USC (recruiting 30 in one year?) I hope OSU can't do that.

I suppose it really is too soon to tell what affect this will have.When the NCAA decides on penalties to hand down, (No bowls? Cut in scholarships? Other?) we'll find out how recruits respond.

My interest is whether some recruits won't wait around to see what the punishment will be, but will use this as a reason to consider Michigan, something they might not have done before.

HermosaBlue

May 31st, 2011 at 11:25 AM ^

Isn't the B1G limit 85 schollies plus 3 total, and 28 in any given year?  Granted, OSU may have some major attrition before their next class, but they'll still be capped, and thus prevented from pulling a Kiffin or emulating Houston Nutt's first class at Ole Miss.

bronxblue

May 31st, 2011 at 10:31 AM ^

I agree that OSU (like USC and UM) are so nationally prominent that kids will still want to play there despite sanctions, but with USC we haven't really seen how the full brunt of the sanctions will affect recruiting because last year's class was a little goofy with all the backdating and, from what I gathered, coaches were talking up the appeal and how they were likely to be spared.  Recruits may change their tune a bit once the reality of another bowlless year + less scholarships overall.  Plus, Kiffin could be gone after a couple of years, which never helps a club.

As for OSU, yes they have a wealth of local talent, but at the same time Southern California is quite a bit different than mid-Ohio.  Kids will go to USC because of the weather, the coeds, the school, the state, etc.  With Ohio, yeah some kids will want to stay close to home, but others will look around and figure they might as well go to PSU/UM/ND if they want to stay in the midwest and actually have a chance at winning championships and playing in big-time bowls.  Kids are definitely loyal to an extent, but they also don't want to sit on the sidelines while everyone else has showcase games on national television.  

MichFan1997

May 31st, 2011 at 10:40 AM ^

they might be hurt less by the quality of their recruit, but the fact that they're going to be able to take so few kids. They are limited to 15 per year over 3 years, and that's not even including that they can't take 15 this year because of their new 75 limit. Around 2016, when this class is seniors (assuming redshirts) that means USC is going to have under 45 players who are sophomores. Even assuming they fill all 3 classes at their 15 limit, that's 45 non-freshman, and 40 freshman once they return to an 85 cap. That's not even including busts in their upperclass group. It's gonna really really hurt them down the line.

Magnus

May 31st, 2011 at 10:38 AM ^

I have been wondering if OSU's sanctions will be heavier than USC's.  USC's violations seemed to be a couple huge ones, whereas OSU's show a pattern of misbehavior over the span of about a decade.  Maybe I'm a homer, but OSU seems like the worse party.

StephenRKass

May 31st, 2011 at 10:45 AM ^

The pattern, going back to Isaac at Youngstown State, through Maurice Clarett, now including Pryor and a host of others, seems to show systemic disregard for NCAA guidelines.

I wonder what else is going to come out. Specifically, if more photos (think:  Bruce Pearl) show up, with many OSU players hanging at Fine Line Tats, that won't be good. If every OSU player with a sleeve of Tats needs to provide documentation on where, when, by whom, and with what money they did the work, that could be interesting. If pics and Tax douments and State records on auto registrations show widespread auto abuse, well, that wouldn't be good.

On the car thing, how in the world does the coaching staff claim ignorance when they can physically see the rides of the players? The club trillion piece points to this.

Lastly, rats will do anything to escape a sinking ship. If the scandal has reached critical mass, I wouldn't be surprised if more tattoo parlor and auto dealer employees step up to the plate with damning information.

 

thisiscmd

May 31st, 2011 at 11:31 AM ^

Showing a pattern back to Youngstown State is bad for Tressel but might help OSU in offsetting all the blame to Tressel. Hard sell though for sure. It'll be interesting to see how hard they go after OSU as a whole. I never can tell what the NCAA is going to do because they are insanely inconsistent with their decisions.

Michigania

May 31st, 2011 at 11:07 AM ^

USC's situation, from what I know, can be attributed more as a one time thing with Reggie Bush, whereas OSU was systemic...  repeated violations both en masse and over a decade. Selling memorabilia by so so many players and for so long, and with so many players getting the deals on the cars... that is systemic... and far worse than USC.

turtleboy

May 31st, 2011 at 1:33 PM ^

only went into effect this week after an incredibly long appeals process. Now their class of 9 commits is almost full instead of just getting started and they haven't adressed any of the needs created by transfers and a 1/2 dozen juniors leaving for the NFL draft. Plus the coaches were probably feeding 2012 kids a line about winning the appeal and now might have a change of heart like Kalis and Dunn are having. It's complicated and recruits like stability.

thisisme08

May 31st, 2011 at 1:39 PM ^

Also have to remember USC signed like 30 kids the last class and backdated 6-7 early enrollees knowing full well they wouldnt have the ability to sign a full class once the sanctions hit. 

I'm to lazy to look up OSU's last class numbers but considering they are in the same boat we are w/ a small class, this could be interesting if they go the same route as USC.

HAIL 2 VICTORS

May 31st, 2011 at 10:26 AM ^

Once the NCAA puts a TV and or Bowl Ban on Ohio that will be the screws that shake kids loose.  Already we have Dunn's ear and sounds like Kaylis is grumbeling.  Besides kids that have verballed the effect on kid's still on the fence is huge. 

The meal is cooking now just watch it brew and eventually bubble over.

bronxblue

May 31st, 2011 at 10:40 AM ^

I really do wonder about a TV ban.  OSU is a HUGE draw across the midwest, and those are markets that the NCAA/B10/ESPN really cannot afford to lose on a week-by-week basis.  And if you are unable to televise the UM-OSU game because of it, there would be riots in almost every town across America.  So while I wouldn't be surprised about a multi-year bowl ban, not seeing OSU on TV seems impossible.

Magnus

May 31st, 2011 at 10:45 AM ^

Yeah, I doubt a TV ban will happen.  That not only hurts the program, but the program's opponents.  It's bad for the whole league and for college football itself.

I'd rather see them lose scholarships and vacate games than be banned from anything, even bowls.

Turd_Ferguson

May 31st, 2011 at 10:33 AM ^

Not trying to thread-jack or anything, but I can't start my own thread and thought some might enjoy this-  a great article on how this kind of stuff affects the fans of college football.  It mentions Michigan and the Fab 5 stuff.

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncf/blog?name=mcgee_ncf_ryan&id=6607685&_slug_=for-osu-fans-long-lasting-stain&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncf%2fblog%3fname%3dmcgee_ncf_ryan%26id%3d6607685%26_slug_%3dfor-osu-fans-long-lasting-stain

neoavatara

May 31st, 2011 at 10:39 AM ^

The Big 10 has stricter rules...they could not pull a 'USC' and take 30 recruits. 

I personally think our window is not that wide here.  We need to hit fast and hard at those interested.  After a few months, everything will seem hunky dory down in TSIO, and commits will still come.  

I am sure Hoke and Co. are going to go after these guys quickly. 

Michigania

May 31st, 2011 at 11:10 AM ^

the window is the size of texas.....     never underestimate the power of the media and of repetition....  this OSU stuff not only will get worse, but will go on in the 24/7 media through august...   it is only starting, my friend....  michigan in short order, will take its rightful place as the top team in the midwest, as it was, prior to the cheater tressel.

AA2Denver

May 31st, 2011 at 10:49 AM ^

Irregardless (not a word, but so what?), Michigan has a great class going and are in pretty good shape with all the kids listed before Tressel resigned. I think it effects OSU somewhat this year in that they will not have a top ten class, but I imagine they will still be top five in the B1G. 

Let's face it, Hoke and his staff have proven they can recruit very well.  Kids are lining up to come to UM and believe in the program. However, the biggest boon for UM recruiting will be beating key rivals this fall and establishing the program as a top tier BCS threat again. OSUs problems help tremendously, but winning is still the biggest determinant of recruiting success. 

 

Dix

May 31st, 2011 at 10:49 AM ^

I know its a joke, but does anyone really expect the family values card to lure kids away from OSU?  Given what has been going on, I have to question whether the kids that committed to OSU did so for valid reasons as opposed to the under-the-table benefits that would likely be available during their tenure at the school. 

 

We were spared a bullet when Tressel got Pryor and we didn't, but Pryor seems to just be the centerpiece, and prime example of a larger problem there.  Do we really want to fill our team with the types of players Tressel has been bringing on board at OSU.

King Douche Ornery

May 31st, 2011 at 11:35 AM ^

First of all, it's not EVERY player at Ohio State. I guarantee Michigan has a lot of the same "types of players" that go to Ohio State.

Secondly, a lot of times it's what they can get away with. It's a "chicken or egg" argument. You get a few kids doing what they did at OSU, and before long, others want in, OR they know the coaches don't care, so they're all, "Hey, what can I get for my jockstrap?"

I know, I know. NOW's the time when we get all judgmental and perfect on the world, but let's not paint every kid who goes to OSU as having character issues just to make ourselves seem even more holier-than-thou than we already are.

MGoKalamazoo

May 31st, 2011 at 10:51 AM ^

Personally, I don't see a whole lot of damage this class in relation to the needs of Michigan. Obviously OSU will have to resort to DEFCON 5 to have any hope of pulling together a reasonable if respectable B1G Ten class. Michigan has their guys and will never have to worry about that school down south poaching from the crew.

MichiganExile

May 31st, 2011 at 10:51 AM ^

I would expect this to be a bigger deal in the long run than just this year. Tressel had Ohio pretty much on lock-down during his tenure for the top-flight talent. Unless they get Meyer (and that is a big IF) I don't see OSU duplicating that over the next decade. Michigan has traditionally won with a good deal of Ohio talent. I'm hoping to see the program get back to that.

jackw8542

May 31st, 2011 at 10:53 AM ^

Had Jalen Rose on a little while ago.  His comments were, at first, that this is all overblown and he feels bad for Jim Tressel (probably the one person for whom I have the least compassion), but he went on to say that this may just be the tip of the iceberg.  He thinks it is a situation of this being the smoke but there really being a fire that will soon be discovered.  I'd like to see more stuff come out about free housing, free girls and details about the cars.

StephenRKass

May 31st, 2011 at 11:02 AM ^

Call me a cynic, but I think often in a bad situation, someone is offered up as a sacrificial lamb, and everyone is told to move on, nothing to see here. In this case, Tressel is obviously the one being hung out to dry. Having said that, on rare occasions, the digging doesn't stop, and a lot more comes out. As regards rides and tats, someone has got a lot of splaining to do. If this extends to housing and girls, things are only going to get much, much worse. It makes the NCAA look very bad, and if they're embarassed, they could really bring the hammer down on Ohio State.

I'd be thrilled is that happened, and don't fill a lot of pity for OSU. Having said that, people living in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

The NCAA already looked bad for letting Auburn and Newton go scot-free. They could be looking for someone to nail, and that someone could just happen to be Ohio State. If the NCAA makes OSU the poster child for penalties, it won't hurt Michigan, but it could be a message (to the SEC et al) of a different enforcement pattern coming outy of the NCAA.

CincyBlue

May 31st, 2011 at 10:59 AM ^

USC Recruiting limits are now just starting since the appeal has been turned down. 

I agree with Magnus. OSU could be considered a repeat offender and the NCAA could come down very hard on them.

Tressel is done coaching in college. He will get a "show" penalty for coaching in college football and probably will get a ban for 5-10 years. I believe Kelvin Sampson from IU got 8 years.

OSU might have to replace it's entire current football staff due to the "poison fruit" theory. This staff was Tressel's staff (he even has family members on staff) and they all might have "blood on thier hands" since none of these things were a big secret and nobody came forward.

 

 

Baldbill

May 31st, 2011 at 11:16 AM ^

I have been wondering on this as well. If the pattern of ignoring all these offenses has been going on, it can't all be set at JT's feet. How can anyone realistically not look at much of the rest of the staff as complicit.

 

cjm

May 31st, 2011 at 11:04 AM ^

I think I am most encouraged that we don't need this scandal to be good at recruiting.  I am excited about Hoke's ability (and his recruiting team) to put up a great class without having to rely on other school's issues.  I'm perfectly fine with us getting some of these kids from OSU of course.

BIGWEENIE

May 31st, 2011 at 11:08 AM ^

Everyone on the talk shows this morning think this is going to blow away USC for how bad OSU will get hammered.If you havent read the SI article when you do this will show how the vest was out of control.

Promote RichRod

May 31st, 2011 at 11:11 AM ^

in recruiting a lot worse than USC for another reason in addition to those discussed above - the issues for OSU spread far and wide throughout the program.  Recruits (and more importantly, their parents) could rationalize the USC problem as a few bad apples involved in isolated incidents.  OSU has a serious problem involving drugs, illegal benefits, the IRS and the FBI etc etc with nearly everyone on the team and in the surrounding city.  The team environment is shady and the local businesses are shady and possibly dangerous.  It's a whole culture of corruption, not some overprivileged single player that accepted lavish benefits from a coach that is now in the NFL.

Add in the harsh penalties and the shitty climate and lack of an established coach...would you want to send your kid there?  If you were a star with plenty of options would you want to take your chances that OSU will rise again?

jackw8542

May 31st, 2011 at 11:22 AM ^

may also affect OSU's coaching search.  It is troubling that so many OSU athletes were hanging out - as it was noted on sports talk radio this morning - in the very worst part of Columbus with a bunch of folks previously in prison for serious felonies.  As a parent, I would not want to send my kids into that kind of environment out of fear of the kind of peer pressure that might be experienced.  If I were a coach, I might be leery of having to deal with a culture that had resulted in a high percentage of the football players hanging in that kind of environment.  I may be wrong, but it has always seemed to me as if the Michigan coaches did make a serious effort to keep kids away from those kinds of situations and to punish them for being in the wrong place or doing bad things even if they were not NCAA violations.  It has always seemed to me as if part of being a coach included molding the character of the folks on your team.  I would be interested in anything anyone else knows about how this has been handled at Michigan.

Wolverine 73

May 31st, 2011 at 12:40 PM ^

is that the media are trying to outdo each other in finding more improprieties.  So long as they do not lose interest because Tressel is gone (perhaps the gambit osu was playing?), they will continue to dig.  After years of complicity by the media in Tressel's conduct, the buckeyes are finally fair game in Ohio.  This may get much worse.  And Pryor is going to be the gift that keeps on giving.