Lakeyale13

January 20th, 2016 at 3:49 PM ^

I have zero respect for this kid. I don't care so much that he has decommitted and then chosen another school twice, I care that this kid really comes off as almost a pathological liar. Seriously, not a big deal if you want to visit other schools, just don't declare over and over that your not talking to other coaches, won't listen to any other coaches, and not take a visit to UT Austin. Headcase.

Joined: 11/16/2014

MGoPoints: 27177

gh81

January 20th, 2016 at 4:39 PM ^

Karma coming back to bite us.  Maybe he feel that he'll get more playing time at UT.  If everybody thinks that we shouldn't be upset with what happened with Swenson because he'll be able to get more playing time elsewhere, can we be upset when a recruit makes that decision on his own and not waiting for the staff to tell him that at the last minute?

Joined: 08/22/2011

MGoPoints: 141

Roc Blue in the Lou

January 21st, 2016 at 12:04 AM ^

Karma??  First, we had Hoke's No Visit policy and many on this board felt it was a foolhearty practice...the results?  We rarely grabbed the NSD guys who may have refrained from an earlier verbal, given Hoke's policy.  Now, Harbaugh gives these guys the respect of reasonable decision making--take your visits, do what you need, but we will also be keeping our eyes and ears open to the best talent in the country--and we clammor and rabble rouse that a player is taking a visit as a reaction to JH's policy.  Enough.  These are not babies.  They should be given the freedom to visit, search, explore, and know that at this Big Boy University, our Coaches are visiting, searching and exploring as well...and it sure as heck isn't for the airline miles.  We will find the best, most talented, most motivated, most committed beast- ballers in the country and not apologize for it.

Joined: 12/09/2013

MGoPoints: 2107

gh81

January 21st, 2016 at 10:35 AM ^

I never complained about Hoke's policy, and actually prefered it.  His recruiting classes were all highly ranked, and while most of the class was filled early he always left spots available for highly rated guys at the end- we just didn't usually land them.  All this does is show recruits in following cycles that there is no point in committing to UM earlier than 2 weeks before NSD.

Joined: 08/22/2011

MGoPoints: 141

Roc Blue in the Lou

January 21st, 2016 at 11:02 PM ^

Dude, it's not like wine, getting better beause of age....we don't need the longest held class, it's like steak--we want the BEST class, and if that is butchered right before or at signing day, i'm ok with that.  Loyalty is not the hallmark of recruiting.  Honesty (and i believe JH was honest with Swenson), vision (knowing how you want to build your team, and JH is a BEAST at this), and talent evaluation are the keys.  Sorry, but this isn't boy scouts where everyone fits in, or your local athletic association where we are introducing boys and girls to sports and everyone gets a trophy.  This is Big Boy, Big Time, Big University college football for a team that has its designs on the CFP and the Trophy.  Swenson will get his free education somewhere, and glad he will, but there is no right to be on this championship contender...that must be earned.  And the competition didn't stop two years ago, just because he announced early.

Joined: 12/09/2013

MGoPoints: 2107

ijohnb

January 20th, 2016 at 2:01 PM ^

the fact that he committed after we got punked by OSU made me like "huh?"  Whatever, this recruiting cycle is truly getting ridiculous.  I am getting to the "we will get who we get and that is fine" stage now.

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 69986

The Mad Hatter

January 20th, 2016 at 2:26 PM ^

And while I may come off a bit harsh on occasion I don't like to see people have their dreams taken away from them.  I want nothing more than for Michigan to compete on the highest level and win multiple NC's, but there's a way to be a person.  Maybe it's not possible to win with honor and integrity anymore?  Maybe it never was.

I don't know, maybe I shouldn't feel bad for the kid since he's going to end up getting a full ride scholarship somewhere, which is a lot more than most people get.  But something about this whole thing just doesn't sit right with me.  Pull the kid's scholarship offer if you must, but do it as early as possible and be crystal clear about what's happening.  Tell his parents.  None of this slow-playing maybe he'll take the hint BS.

 

EDIT: Response to String.  I don't like how Les recruits either, and you won't ever hear me defending it.  But I don't think he'd try to pull that shit at Michigan.

I still fully support Coach Harbaugh and this situation doesn't make me think any less of him.  I'd just rather it not become a habit.

Joined: 02/17/2015

MGoPoints: 112109

ijohnb

January 20th, 2016 at 2:27 PM ^

that is making me more inclined to come down where you stand is all of this Jordan Elliot/Nate Johnson business where a kid commits and then just takes other officials and sets a time to announce on NSD like he never committed at all.  And then on the other side you have a kid of supposedly comparable ability that cannot wait to sign and you pull the plug on him.  Just doesn't seem equitable (or wise for that matter).

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 69986

True Blue Grit

January 20th, 2016 at 3:14 PM ^

The recruiting game and all the "rules" has changed completely.  Commitments don't mean what they used to and the schools are treating it that way.   Even when someone commits, it means nothing as far as schools continuing to recruit them.  Kids continue to listen and schedule visits.  So, the coaches have said "fine", we'll just recruit other kids and take the best ones on NSD.  It stinks for kids like Swenson who stick with one program throughout the process.  But the coaches probably think it's all fine in love and war.  I don't really like the way it's becoming, as I'm kind of old school.  However to compete on the highest level, every scholarship is very important and they can't be filled with so-so players.  

Joined: 01/21/2011

MGoPoints: 32337

westwardwolverine

January 20th, 2016 at 2:03 PM ^

Do we end up with a single recruit this year? I doubt it. 

Hell of a run for the Michigan football program, but it seems to coming to an end. 

Joined: 11/26/2013

MGoPoints: 9007