Brimley

May 31st, 2011 at 1:22 PM ^

Part of the big June that Tom VH hinted at?

Seems like a quality kid, too.  With all the crap going down the last couple days, it's good to see a kid like this who truly loves the game and has some academic prowess v.--well, you know.

dnak438

May 31st, 2011 at 1:35 PM ^

I'm not asking for specifics, but what is it -- other than personal characteristics -- that has made the current staff so successful on the recruiting trail? It is the switch to a more pro-style system on offense and defense, the good vibes around the Michigan program and a sense that the program is turning itself around, the improved facilities at Michigan, or some magical combination of all of the above? It seems like Hoke and Mattison and Funk and the rest of the staff are just doing amazing jobs. Are you surprised at how successful they have been?

TomVH

May 31st, 2011 at 1:43 PM ^

With someone like Magnuson you have Coach Funk to thank. Funk has been recruiting him since he was a sophomore and they have an outstanding relationship.

Part of their success is the relationships they've built previously with players and high school coaches. Add that in to the fact that they're at a big time school like Michigan and they now have a great shot at the top level talent at the schools they've previously recruited and the kids that they've been recruiting.

It's tough to recruit top athletes to a place like San Diego State, but it doesn't mean you can't try and show what kind of person you are for the future. Mattison has been known as a great recruiter, and you combine that with his experience in the NFL and the fact that he has a National Championship ring with Florida, it's a pretty easy sell for him.

I'm surprised more with how fast they're getting kids to commit, and how they've gotten kids to change their timelines to pull the trigger. They've had a little luck and some help with the midwest being loaded, but they haven't whiffed on anyone yet.

winged helmet

May 31st, 2011 at 2:12 PM ^

Why do you think Hoke has been so much more successful than RR?  Was it the Midwest relationships?  The lack of a Mattison assistant with success in the NFL?  Is it also the approach - going after so many highly rated players?  Obviously it's a combination of everything, but it just seemed like RR was recruiting Michigan as if he was still at WV, while Hoke is recruiting like he's at the accomplished and historied university that Michigan is.

 

**this is in no way bashing rr, just curious as to why recruiting has changed so drastically this year.

mongoose0614

May 31st, 2011 at 2:26 PM ^

The old staff stunk with HS coaches.  I have family who coach at prominent, talent producing HS's.  Their comment to me in March was...................... haven't seen UM in 3 years under RR but we have seen Michigan 3 times since Hoke took over.

Makes a good bit of difference when the kids see playing time and the national media isn't hammering that RR job is on the line for the last two years.

Hoke has a love for more than just football but for UM.  

turtleboy

May 31st, 2011 at 2:15 PM ^

Tom VH said it pretty well. A number of factors are playing into the coaches hands right now, but the defining characteristic in their success at recruiting is their genuine personalities. They are affable, genuine guys who connect with kids and know what they're looking for so they can build the relationships early. Coach Hoke was recruiting Mike Martin when he was still at Ball State from the start and almost pulled him, interesting that he's coaching him in the end. The kids all say that the coaches just talk to them and ask them how they are, talk about family values, talk to them with their parents involved, and seperate themselves from the coaches touting scheme or trophies or starting time. They just make recruits feel comfortable, and they trust them. It's all the difference in the world when the coaches are the draw over the program instead of coaches just selling the program on its own.

ish

May 31st, 2011 at 1:30 PM ^

this is a double post.  but it at least gives me a chance to get re-excited about this huge road grader.

B Edwards 17

May 31st, 2011 at 1:41 PM ^

Kind of funny, people over on the 247 blue board are underestimating TomVH. They believe since one of the 247 guys thinks he will stay out west, that he is going to Oregon or Cal. One Cal poster refuses to believe Michigan is a real player. For your enjoyment.

http://247sports.com/Board/30/MODS-Erik-Magnuson-2470944/1

"LOL at Michigan fans. Trying to tell Justin that Michigan leads when he just told you that he thought he'd stay out west."

turtleboy

May 31st, 2011 at 2:03 PM ^

Things are starting to get interesting. The coaches are pushing hard for Zach Banner, Jordan Diamond seems to favor Michigan, Erik Magnuson is a Michigan lean, and now you throw Kyle Kalis having buckeye misgivings into the mix? Would we take an extra OT and skip out on another position? On top of that we have Jaleel Johnson in the mix at DT, Ondre Pipkins leaning our way, Jarron Jones will visit and says he's up for grabs, the coaches are leaning heavily on Aziz Shittu, and now Sheldon Day is back in the game with Columbus in flames. Do we also take an extra DT and skip out on another position or take on the extra DE's in the mix? If we pass on a kid who was considering tUOS do they then go to ND or MSU? How big is this class going to get? I'm fired up about this. This is awesome.

Kal

May 31st, 2011 at 2:05 PM ^

I've been thinking about this too.  Don't forget Stanford and Washington. I know we're supposed to take a QB every class, but with Morris already signed up and spots diminishing it'll be interesting to see what the coaches do.

TampaBLUE

May 31st, 2011 at 1:58 PM ^

Don't care if this topic was on before, it got tomVH to post 4 times.
Also I think "something to keep an eye on" is something to keep an eye out for. Amirite?