MGoOpinion: Harbaugh recruiting and early commits in the 2017 class

Submitted by Gentleman Squirrels on

So in the last two weeks, we've all discussed Harbaugh's recruiting strategies and we've all developed some opinion on Harbaugh pushing away lower rated recruits for more higher caliber ones. I believe most of the questionable attrition is over in the 2016 class.

I wanted to move attention to the 2017 class, where we have 5 commits so far - JaRaymond Hall, Kurt Taylor, Carter Dunaway, Jeremiah Holloman, and Benjamin St-Juste. I think Hall, Taylor and Hollomon are unlikely to be removed, mostly because they are national caliber recruits with (or with potential to get) P5 offers. However, I wanted to get the board's opinion on Dunaway and St-Juste. I remember both of them being questionable offers, with Dunaway having played little and St-Juste having little scouting due to Canada. Would we be comfortable if either of them were pushed out? St-Juste already reclassified to 2017 to make sure he would be ready to play at Michigan. And Dunaway is a son of a Craig Dunaway, a former player under Bo. 

***NOTE: I don't want any commits to leave and hope that all 5 of these recruits sign come signing day in 2017***

The Bos of Me

January 26th, 2016 at 1:03 PM ^

NJ.com article today "Recruits beware: Jim Harbaugh's word means nothing at Michigan". 2017 recruits already starting to hear the negative pitch. I'm not taking a position in the tactics, per se, just saying that certainly will be used by coaches and others with an agenda (e.g. Clicks). Whether it impacts actual 2017 recruiting depends on a lot of things, including results on the field and the individual kid. Sorry mobile and new poster that can't yet link.

benjamint1024

January 26th, 2016 at 2:21 PM ^

I've been lurking on a ton of these threads, as well as listening to various podcasts that have discussed these situations at length.  I also have an opinion on the situation.  

We've not seen the team that we all love in this situation before.  We've had high level of interest from recruits, but not like this.  We started off needing to fill +/-25 spots.  Those are a lot of bodies.  So, we went and got some bodies.  Now, newer bigger and more talented bodies have come up because Harbaugh and the guys went out and kicked some tail on the field this year.

So, I've felt all along, that recuiting is like a try out.  We offer you a spot, you keep your word, develop, and that spot is still there.  Keep your nose out of trouble, your spot is still there.  Nobody better then you shows interest, your spot is still there.  If any one of those 3 things is not the case, guess what, no spot.  Grow up and move on.  It will not be the last time something you wanted is gone.  

I do not feel sorry for the decomitts.  It is a good life lesson for them.  The coaching staff should not either.