Let's Put Our Heads Together - Handicapping the 2014 Michigan Class

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February 26th, 2013 at 6:06 PM
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Michael Scarn
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Let's Put Our Heads Together - Handicapping the 2014 Michigan Class

Now that the 2013 class is wrapped up and 2014 commits are starting to trickle in, I thought it'd be good to get a collective picture of where Michigan's class might end up.  So, let's hear your thoughts recruiting experts, twitter stalkers, and Bama fan imposters.

Using the great 2014 offer board from Magnus at Touch the Banner, here's the names that I, as a casual follower of recruiting, have heard mentioned with Michigan frequently.  Feel free to tell me anyone that I'm overlooking that has given Michigan love (or who I've erroneously included with no actual Michigan love) and I'll edit this list.

QB - Wilton Speight - Commit

RB - Jalen Hurd, Jonathan Hilliman, Elijah Hood, Joe Mixon, Edits: Kalen Ballage, Shai McKenzie

WR - Artavis Scott, Drake Harris, Corey Holmes, Christian McCaffrey

TE - Daniel Helm (I can't remember, Edit: Tyler Luatua, "MUST ADD" Garrett Dickerson, Nic Weishar

OT - Alex Bars, Damian Prince Edit: Juwann Bushell-Beatty, Braden Smith

OG - Mason Cole - Commit, Jamarco Jones, Edit: Sam Mustipher

C - Tommy Doles

DE - Malik McDowell, Lawrence Marshall, Joe Henderson, Da'Shawn Hand (I can dream) (Edit: you guys convinced me, Mich has a good shot at him.  Mostly Aquaman convinced me.) , Jae'Sean Tate, Edit: Andrew Williams

DT - Bryan Mone - Commit

LB - Michael Ferns - Commit, Kyle Berger, Nyles Morgan

CB - Parrker Westphal, Troy Vincent, Jabrill Peppers. Edit: Adoree' Jackson

S - Montae Nicholson, Jamal Adams, Erick Smith, Edit, edit (moved from WR): Juju Smith

Again, that's a very imprecise list, so feel free to correct me.  Have at it, folks.  

If we can come to some sort of consensus (or if someone has reasoning behind an assertion) as to which are the most likely to commit at any given position (guessing at staff decisions on numbers), I'll update with a final projected class.  

Gracias Aquaman!

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February 26th, 2013 at 6:11 PM | Gelen Robinson (Score:1)
dinsdale613
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Joined: 05/20/2010
MGoPoints: 451

I think Glen's little bro could end up in the class.  I see him as a guy who could wow at some camps

I am become Tim Hardaway Jr.  Destroyer of Worlds

February 26th, 2013 at 6:14 PM | Gelen & Zinfadellin' (Score:5 Normal)
harryddunn
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"The last Saturday in November at 12 o'clock, that ball being kicked off, there’s nothing like it." - Coach Hoke

February 26th, 2013 at 6:28 PM | Good CallI can see Gelen as (Score:1)
jbibiza
Joined: 10/08/2009
MGoPoints: 1945

Good Call

I can see Gelen as either a WDE or even a SLB .  He won the state wrestling championship at 220 lbs., so I guess it depends on how much bigger he gets.  Really like his athleticism.

jbibiza

February 26th, 2013 at 6:51 PM | If he wrestles at 220, I (Score:2)
MgoBadFish
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Joined: 01/30/2012
MGoPoints: 149

If he wrestles at 220, I would bet he can put a lot of weight on top of that. I'm no wrestler but I know most of them try to stay well under their natural weight. Also, I love defensive players who wrestle, they use thier hands well and know how to use leverage, and basketball players at WR and TE btw.

February 26th, 2013 at 8:19 PM | I've been pushing pretty hard (Score:2)
WolvinLA2
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Joined: 11/13/2009
MGoPoints: 17728

I've been pushing pretty hard for Gelen. I think he'd be a solid pick up and could project at either DE spot, though I think SDE is most likely.

February 26th, 2013 at 7:22 PM | Gelen has Illini and Purdue offers now. (Score:1)
brooktrail
Joined: 05/31/2011
MGoPoints: 443

It won't be long before Sparty jumps in.

February 26th, 2013 at 8:38 PM | All your recruit are belong to us. (Score:5 Normal)
UMgradMSUdad
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When it comes to the Spartans, Illini, and Boilermakers though, all your recruit are belong to us.

February 26th, 2013 at 8:38 PM | All your recruit are belong to us. (Score:1 Redundant)
UMgradMSUdad
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Joined: 07/02/2011
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When it comes to the Spartans, Illini, and Boilermakers though, all your recruit are belong to us.

February 26th, 2013 at 8:39 PM | All your recruit are belong to us. (Score:2 Normal)
UMgradMSUdad
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Joined: 07/02/2011
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When it comes to the Spartans, Illini, and Boilermakers though, all your recruit are belong to us.

February 26th, 2013 at 8:03 PM | I wasn't aware of this, GR3's (Score:2 Normal)
JimBobTressel
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I wasn't aware of this, GR3's little brother plays football?

ATTN NBA Dads and Siblings: Have brothers / sons on the hoops come-up? 

Michigan = NBA Family U

February 26th, 2013 at 8:47 PM | wasn't sarcastic (Score:3 Normal)
JimBobTressel
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wasn't sarcastic

ATTN NBA Dads and Siblings: Have brothers / sons on the hoops come-up? 

Michigan = NBA Family U

February 26th, 2013 at 6:16 PM | Lol Hurd is not coming here (Score:1 Normal)
gutnedawg
Joined: 12/18/2010
MGoPoints: 359

Lol Hurd is not coming here

/°>

 

February 26th, 2013 at 6:24 PM | neither is (Score:2)
no joke its hoke
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Joined: 01/13/2011
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neither is Tate.

Vice.com

February 26th, 2013 at 6:32 PM | Fair enough, I just included (Score:2)
Michael Scarn
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Joined: 01/21/2011
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Fair enough, I just included him because I happened to see Pickerington and thought of Taco Charlton and assumed he would magically make a difference.  

February 26th, 2013 at 6:33 PM | Is it just me, or... (Score:5 Normal)
rob6reid
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Joined: 01/08/2012
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Is it just me, or do Hurd and Ty Isaac look like brothers?

 

February 26th, 2013 at 7:41 PM | First (Score:5 Normal)
da3mite
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Joined: 06/27/2011
MGoPoints: 184

First non-racist/reasonably accurate doppleganger assessment I've seen on mgoblog. 

February 26th, 2013 at 10:55 PM | Don't look at me (Score:3 Normal)
STW P. Brabbs
Joined: 08/27/2008
MGoPoints: 2409

I've been preaching for a while now that the only thing that makes Denard look like Desmond is the megawatt smile. He does, however, bear a striking resemblence to (hypothetically) skinny Kenan Thompson. Clear as day.

Disclaimer: am white.

February 26th, 2013 at 6:18 PM | players to add (Score:5 Normal)
Magnus
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WR/S John "Juju" Smith, OT Juwann Bushell-Beatty, OG Sam Mustipher, CB Adoree' Jackson.

Twitter - Recruiting Update: May 20

February 26th, 2013 at 6:36 PM | Smith (Score:2)
Erik_in_Dayton
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Joined: 12/03/2008
MGoPoints: 6784

I watched his highlights at your suggestion.  I was very impressed. He seems unusually polished for a HS kid. 

It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future. -- Yogi Berra

                         

February 26th, 2013 at 6:22 PM | Helpful List - 2014 Offers (Score:3 Normal)
StephenRKass
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I had put up a post last week requesting something similar. Last summer, MGoUser Sinsemillaplease has put together a very helpful 2014 offer list. He updated it in response to my post, adding more offers, and showing 3 of the 4 commitments (Cole hasn't been changed to a commitment yet.) This list should eventually be added to the "Useful Stuff" tab. Here is a link to his table:  http://mgoblog.com/diaries/2014-offer-list. This is slightly different from what you want, but gives you information helpful to put together a best guess list.

The M Block blog has also put together a projected list at http://www.themblock.com/p/the-projected-2014-class.html. You can look at this, and see how it compares to your list.

"It does not matter how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get up." Vince Lombardi

 

February 26th, 2013 at 7:50 PM | Nice list.... (Score:2)
JD_UofM_90
Joined: 11/09/2009
MGoPoints: 2190

thanks for the link.  I like that our pocket passer QB recruit, has a faster 40 time than "their" All American middle linebacker....

“Oh Yeah, what he said forgodsakes...”  -   -         

<

February 26th, 2013 at 6:40 PM | What about Cole's friends (Score:2 Normal)
Go.Blue.Hail
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What about Cole's friends from Florida? Artavis Scott and George Campbell. They have a chance of ending up with Cole. I know Campbell is 2015, but Scott for this year.

Edit: Looks like Scott is already up there, my bad.

February 26th, 2013 at 6:33 PM | Hand is a legit possibility (Score:5 Normal)
canzior
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..more than just a dream

February 26th, 2013 at 6:34 PM | Saeed Blacknall at WR (Score:2)
Erik_in_Dayton
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Joined: 12/03/2008
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I don't think you'd put him above Harris, Scott, or Smith as far as who you'd most like to have, but he has an offer and looks good to me. 

It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future. -- Yogi Berra

                         

February 26th, 2013 at 6:34 PM | Campbell is a 2015 kid. (Score:2)
TimStraus
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Campbell is a 2015 kid.

February 26th, 2013 at 6:35 PM | We have a better shot at Hand (Score:5 Normal)
ThadMattasagoblin
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We have a better shot at Hand than most people think.  Looking at his twitter and top 5, I would guess we are in his top 2 with VT.  He doesn't really seem interested in South Carolina, North Carolina, or Alabama.

903 wins most in college football

February 26th, 2013 at 6:38 PM | His top 2 is (Score:-1 Flamebait)
February 27th, 2013 at 12:06 AM | Why is this flamebait and the (Score:1 Flamebait)
brooklynblue
Joined: 07/25/2009
MGoPoints: 20

Why is this flamebait and the post he was responding to that was more pro Michigan and probably less accurate have a score of five?

February 27th, 2013 at 12:54 PM | Because I cant (Score:0)
February 26th, 2013 at 6:41 PM | He wants to play football, (Score:4 Normal)
turtleboy
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He wants to play football, and get an engineering degree. It really does seem to be #1 VaTech, and Michigan in the hunt.

How many times have you been on the freeway and had someone fly by you at 100 mph then end up 2 cars ahead of you at the off ramp? What's the point? -Mark Harmon

February 27th, 2013 at 8:26 AM | Anyone want to place a wager (Score:2)
Logan88
Joined: 01/05/2009
MGoPoints: 2907

Anyone want to place a wager re: Hand actually majoring in engineering in college? I can recall Brandin Hawthorne and Patrick Omameh both claiming that they intended to major in engineering when they entered UM and that didn't happen. It rarely does.

We ARE Michigan....COME GET SOME!!!

February 26th, 2013 at 6:36 PM | Juju? (Score:2)
Don
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juju

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=juju


February 26th, 2013 at 9:21 PM | tune, too (Score:1)
blueheron
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C602Xl4Wt2Q

"..."

February 26th, 2013 at 6:42 PM | Are they only going to take (Score:0)
February 26th, 2013 at 6:44 PM | Zeus (Score:2)
rockydude
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MGoPoints: 1069

How about OT Orlando Brown? He always speaks highly of Michigan, and his dad played NFL ball pretty close by. He might be in the mix at the OT spot . . . 

"Underwear Wearing Basement Dweller"

February 26th, 2013 at 6:44 PM | I'd add (Score:2)
Michigan Eaglet
Joined: 02/20/2013
MGoPoints: 414

I'd add Poland (current USC commit) to the OT position and I'm pretty sure Juju would be playing both ways, moonlighting at reciever and either safety or corner most of the time, similar to Adoree

February 26th, 2013 at 6:46 PM | I haven't seen any site (Score:1 Normal)
Magnus
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I haven't seen any site listing Poland with a Michigan offer...

Twitter - Recruiting Update: May 20

February 26th, 2013 at 6:51 PM | I'm pretty sure (Score:2)
Michigan Eaglet
Joined: 02/20/2013
MGoPoints: 414

I'm pretty sure I remember some talk about him wanting to take some visits, Michigan was specifically named, and if he visited campus then there was a very good chance he'd be offered.

February 26th, 2013 at 6:59 PM | Here's (Score:2)
Michigan Eaglet
Joined: 02/20/2013
MGoPoints: 414

Here's a link to the USC board on 247 and if you can't read the article, the first few comments are USC fans talking about him wanting to visit Michigan. I don't know if this is the one talking about the offer or not, but he definitely wants to visit and he is a top 100 player so I think he would get one.

http://usc.247sports.com/Board/29/Jordan-Poland-Has-Visits-in-Mind-13823578/1

February 27th, 2013 at 12:41 PM | (No subject) (Score:2)
Markovits is Great
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Except for the other thing. That hurts the most. But the lack of respect hurts the second most.

February 26th, 2013 at 6:48 PM | I find it funny that you say (Score:5 Normal)
Real Tackles Wear 77
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MGoPoints: 546

I find it funny that you say "I can dream" when it comes to Hand when he is much more likely to sign with UM than most of the others on that list

LSA '11
February 26th, 2013 at 7:06 PM | I guess I just get gun shy (Score:3 Normal)
Michael Scarn
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Joined: 01/21/2011
MGoPoints: 1193

I guess I just get gun shy about number one overall players as they (way over-generalizing) are the most dramatic and long recruiting processes. 

February 26th, 2013 at 6:52 PM | I'm pretty sure (Score:2)
Michigan Eaglet
Joined: 02/20/2013
MGoPoints: 414

I'm pretty sure I remember some talk about him wanting to take some visits, Michigan was specifically named, and if he visited campus then there was a very good chance he'd be offered. Edit: responding to Magnus above

February 26th, 2013 at 7:08 PM | Im hoping this is the class (Score:1)
MAIZEandBLUE2002
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MGoPoints: 1785

Im hoping this is the class that finally adds an elite WR. I do like the guys they have brought in and feel some of them are very underrated. But with the offense shifting to more of a pro style, and with the qbs on the roster, youd have to assume that more elite wr prospects will be attracted to that.

THOSE WHO STAY WILL BE CHAMPIONS

February 27th, 2013 at 8:33 AM | What I find odd/frustrating (Score:2)
Logan88
Joined: 01/05/2009
MGoPoints: 2907

What I find odd/frustrating is that OSU didn't have any trouble landing several elite WR/ATH types even though they had a worse (by passing yard/game) passing "attacks" than UM last season. Coupled with Meyer's use of the QB extensively as a runner, you would think OSU would have the same trouble landing WR's that UM had because of Denard.

I expect that WR recruiting will pick up for UM after recruits are actually able to see Michigan incorporate their preferred offense on the field during the season. Up till now, WR recruits have basically been asked to take a "leap of faith" re: UM and a more aggressive passing game.

We ARE Michigan....COME GET SOME!!!

February 27th, 2013 at 9:14 AM | Urban Meyer had some good (Score:2)
Magnus
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Joined: 07/17/2008
MGoPoints: 27477

Urban Meyer had some good wide receiver production at Florida, mainly in the form of Percy Harvin.  But Aaron Hernandez (a hybrid player), Riley Cooper, Louis Murphy, Andre Caldwell, etc. all had pretty good seasons catching the ball.  Dontre Wilson and Jalin Marshall could both play that Percy Harvin role, so it's a very enticing opportunity for kids with that skill set.

Twitter - Recruiting Update: May 20

February 26th, 2013 at 7:01 PM | Just curious...if a good portion of these targets commit.... (Score:2 Normal)
Cali Wolverine
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Joined: 01/13/2013
MGoPoints: 378

...with the "current" size restriction for this class at about 16, how good is this class compared to Home's 2012 and 2013 classes? Is this a potential top 5 ranked class (if we land a Hand), or will this class rank more in the 5-10 range?

February 26th, 2013 at 7:04 PM | IIRC, most of those team (Score:2)
swan flu
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MGoPoints: 1114

IIRC, most of those team ratings only take a team's top 20 or so recruits into account, so in that sense we could still have a top 5 class if we pull in 16 great prospects.

Tenim un nom el sap tothom. Barca, Barca, BAAARCA!

February 26th, 2013 at 7:31 PM | We'll have at least 20 (Score:5 Normal)
WolvinLA2
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We'll have at least 20 recruits in this class.

February 26th, 2013 at 7:21 PM | No way to project if it'll be (Score:4 Normal)
turtleboy
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MGoPoints: 3218

No way to project if it'll be a top 1-5 or top 5-10 class until after next season is well underway. I'd be very surprised if the coaches don't pull at least a top 10 class. Team 135 should easily grow past 20, though. Attrition happens like clockwork, even though we don't look for it, and should open up 2-4 more spots as it always does. If we're close on some top targets who want to wait till NSD to commit we have 4-5 RS Juniors who have yet to be much more than special teams players, who the coaches likely wouldn't extend a 5th year to after 2013, as well.

If the class tops out with attrition at 20 i'd say it'll rank in the top 10. If the class grows past 20 nearer to 25 commits then id say top 5.

How many times have you been on the freeway and had someone fly by you at 100 mph then end up 2 cars ahead of you at the off ramp? What's the point? -Mark Harmon

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