Michigan #1 for Jordan Payton

Submitted by althegreat23 on

This was posted as a comment in another thread but I thought this deserved its own thread. There's also an paywall article on The Wolverine:

http://michigan.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?ReturnTo=&sid=&script=content.asp&cid=1249755&fid=&tid=&mid=&rid= 

Hopefully sometime shortly after the Notre Dame (or sooner) we'll be posting a "Hello: Jordan Payton" thread.

maizenbluedevil

August 9th, 2011 at 6:59 PM ^

I doubt it will be sooner than the ND game.  AFAIK he hasn't even been to campus yet, it'd be pretty crazy for a kid to commit to a place he's never even been.  (Although not unheard of.  Magnuson did it, IIRC.)

Mr Mackey

August 9th, 2011 at 7:01 PM ^

IMO, we should still take 2 WRs despite the Stonum news. It's not guaranteed he's coming back, and we need that depth. Not sure if the coaches agree, but it'd be interesting with Darboh seeming to be leaning blue and visiting for WMU with his family and Payton coming for the ND game. Getting those two would be great

FreddieMercuryHayes

August 9th, 2011 at 7:30 PM ^

The counter argument to this is that WR is one of the positions that true freshman can actually contribute right away, although they usually have to be pretty good (i.e. Mario, Braylon, Terrell, etc.)  But, say a DT can pretty much never be a decent contributor their true freshman year.  So, one could argue that we should pass on a WR in favor of another lineman, because in 2013/2014 our depth looks scary in those places as well, but they need more time to develop.

jmblue

August 9th, 2011 at 7:41 PM ^

Braylon only caught three passes as a freshman.  Terrell caught 14.  Manningham made a bigger impact but (outside of the PSU game) wasn't really a go-to guy - he had 27 receptions, or just over two per game.

Even stud WR recruits often don't play that much as freshmen. It takes them time to learn the playbook and get on the same page as the QB, and a lot aren't good enough blockers as well. If a frosh WR becomes a major contributor, it's a bonus.

SanDiegoWolverine

August 9th, 2011 at 7:21 PM ^

Why does anyone think Stonum staying should mean one less WR recruit?  The majority of freshman don't contribute and if a frosh is starting he's either a future all-american or your team if pretty aweful (see last year) at that position.

2012 WR recruits will either not overlap at all (redshirt) or only overlap by one year. Fact of the matter is none of us are sure about any of our current players starting in 2013 at WR so grabbing at least 2 high level wide outs is a must.

WolvinLA2

August 9th, 2011 at 7:40 PM ^

That's true, but they still don't often contribute very much.  How many times in the last 15 or so years has M had a true freshman receiver get more than about 10 catches for the whole season.  Odoms was an anomoly for sure, but he was the only slot receiver the team had. 

Elmer

August 9th, 2011 at 8:18 PM ^

Ruuning back seems to be the easist.  WR greatly depends on the offense.  If the routes have a lot of options that both the QB and WR need to read, then it's a lot tougher for a freshman to effectively play.  

Volverine

August 9th, 2011 at 8:23 PM ^

"Michigan is up there. So far, they are my favorite. I'd say Michigan is 1 and Cal is probably 2," Payton said. "I like everything about [Michigan]. I like the school, I like the coaches… I like all that stuff."

Little Brown J…

August 9th, 2011 at 7:48 PM ^

I think Payton would be a huge get for us for many reasons.  For one, he and Darboh are the two receivers that I most want.  But besides the obvious need for receivers, I think Payton also helps us more in future recruiting. He goes to Oaks Christian, which has put out many D1 prospects the past few years and this could be huge in getting a pipeline to that talent-rich school for future recruits.

maizeandblue21

August 9th, 2011 at 8:31 PM ^

but we need both so it is no big deal. i am willing to bet darboh will commit as soon as he visits because nobody goes to the western game unless they have intentions of committing

GO BLUE MP3

August 9th, 2011 at 11:50 PM ^

Payton see's what we have in Denard and Devin and what we have coming in with Shane and I think he likes what he sees.  We have a real good shot at landing him and Darboh and solidifiying this class as one of the best in the country!

Umichmadness

August 10th, 2011 at 12:33 AM ^

LETS GOO!!!  this is great to hear....a commitment from a WR like payton would fill out our class (save the elite prospects), and give full attention to fall camp and the future classes.  It seems that recruits are really feeling hoke's down-to-earth, prideful nature. I love it

michfan6060

August 10th, 2011 at 12:54 AM ^

Awesome! It's a pretty big deal if we are leading before a kid even steps foot on campus and sees the big house.