NittanyFan

June 27th, 2016 at 12:21 PM ^

Oh wait --- he was the De La Salle (my alma mater) RB who was a Michigan target (and eventual recurit) from 30 years ago.  

30 years --- I'm getting old.

True Blue Grit

June 27th, 2016 at 1:32 PM ^

If they had the star rating system back then, he would have been a 5* almost certainly.  He was part of an epic Michigan haul of running backs in 1986 that has not been equalled since: Jefferson, Tony Boles, Leroy Hoard, Jarrod Bunch, David Key, Huemartin Robinson, and Tracy Williams.  (Interesting to note this class also included Warde Manuel and Greg McMurtry).   I was never sure why Bo took so many backs in that class - 7 out of 23.  Unfortunately, Jefferson's Michigan career was sort of a disappointment as he was hampered by injuries including a broken leg.   Of that group though, Boles, Hoard, and Bunch ended up being the stars

True Blue Grit

June 27th, 2016 at 6:37 PM ^

a run-first coach.  So, he obviously placed a high premium on good RB's vs. WR's.  But this was also a time when he had The Harbaugh as his QB, who was a pretty good passer.  My guess as to why he took so many backs that year was he just had an extraordinary number of commitments from the guys at that position he recruited.  And and that time, being a different era of recruiting, Bo accepted all commitments unconditionally (or almost so). 

Coldwater

June 27th, 2016 at 12:21 PM ^

This will be an interesting kid to follow his career. Great athlete, great track hurdler, a little on the thin side. He was hurt for a lot of his junior year. Michigan wanted him as a defense of back, but he went to a place where he can play running back. We'll see if Syracuse keep him there.



He was counted on to be a big piece of the in-state 2017 class.

Magnus

June 27th, 2016 at 1:16 PM ^

Yep. I was a little surprised that the Pipeline 9 thing became, well, a thing. It kind of makes it seem like they're the only nine players in the state who are worthy of Michigan offers. I think at this point, Michigan has offered 13 or 14 in-state prospects, so that term went out the window. Paea was okay with it, but Simmons wasn't.

Magnus

June 27th, 2016 at 1:40 PM ^

When I read about it, I believe a recruit said that the coaching staff was calling them "the Pipeline 9." So I got the vibe it came from the staff, not the players themselves. If the players came up with it, then there's nothing you can do about it if it hurts other players' feelings.

ghostofhoke

June 27th, 2016 at 4:28 PM ^

I'd bet we can blame Twitter or other social media for it becoming "a thing" without full explanation or intent. Can't ever control how it works with high schoolers, that's the bottom line. It doesn't surprise me that one kid would be upset by it and another wouldn't care. Personally I'm just glad to see not all offers are committable at all times and maybe we don't find ourselves in the same situation where the staff catches flack for what looks like the pulling of offers--even though we all know they were either justified or blown out of proportion. Either way, I'm glad to hear that maybe offers are subject to other factors as they transpire.

Magnus

June 27th, 2016 at 1:14 PM ^

Yeah. He probably could have committed at one point and could have been a part of the class (excluding a David Reese situation), but he waited himself out of a spot. I think he wanted to see what other big offers he could get, and none came that were as big or bigger. 

Syracuse actually got a couple commits this week that were guys who chose them as "fallback" options. Ft. Lauderdale (FL) St. Thomas Aquinas WR Joshua Palmer named Michigan his leader at one point, but he wasn't a take at this point, either.

LSAClassOf2000

June 27th, 2016 at 12:33 PM ^

"It's a tremendous honor and a blessing to have that offer," Stritzinger said. "Being recruited by coach (Tyrone) Wheatley, it's a great deal (with) him being from the area and me and him keeping contact like we do. It's a fun thing."

Good luck to him, and what a fun story that has to be for the future, being recruited by both Tyrone Wheatley AND Mike Hart. Nice indeed. 

BursleysFinest

June 27th, 2016 at 12:59 PM ^

I know Rutgers is our biggest rival and everything, but Syracuse is slowly taking their place for my East Coast sports hatred needs.   In all seriousness, good luck young man!

Rabbit21

June 27th, 2016 at 1:15 PM ^

I could feel that one coming given the way the class was filling up. Kind of a shame as he seemed to be one of the most enthusiastic. Best of luck to him with Mr. Hart.




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jaydubya

June 27th, 2016 at 1:28 PM ^

Just wanted to post this photo of our own Grant Perry making a nice grab against solid coverage by Stritzinger.  Seemed relevant enough.