The Other Brian

August 1st, 2008 at 3:21 PM ^

Kirkpatrick won't be picking Michigan no matter what happens.

The number of "scholarships available" is never set in stone. There will be attrition after this season, and the number will no doubt go up.

And for those of you obsessed with the star system, what's that trendy thing recruitniks say? Something like "a 3 star from Florida is a 4 star anywhere else".

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 1420

chitownblue (not verified)

August 1st, 2008 at 3:18 PM ^

This commitment seems weird to me. We have plenty of safeties, at this point, and this kid isn't all that.

Joined: 12/12/2017

MGoPoints: 0

chitownblue (not verified)

August 1st, 2008 at 3:23 PM ^

I know nothing about the kid, so I'm totally talking about my ass, and am willing to be disproved. BUT, I guess I'm just surprised when we get what seems to be a middling recruit at a position where depth is not scarce, and we have offers out to better players.

Joined: 12/12/2017

MGoPoints: 0

Tacopants

August 1st, 2008 at 3:37 PM ^

Building up our Florida Rep/pipeline high schools?  I think Greg Matthews was from this school.  After all, we don't need any more 5'8 150 lb kids but we have offers out to a few more of those, and apparently the 2 Pahokee kids are about to commit to M as well.

Maybe Shafer anticipates more of a need for DBs to play 3-3-5, or that some of the tons of Safeties we're recruiting will be strength trained into linebackers.  What might happen is that 2 of the 4 LBs coming in this year will be converted to DEs, and then Jones/random other safety is converted into a fast OLB through Barwising.  Scout lists him at 6'2.5 and 200 lbs with a 4.5 40.

Or maybe its the supersecret all DB defense to counter the A11 offense.

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 3579

imafreak1

August 1st, 2008 at 4:22 PM ^

"so I'm totally talking about my ass"

 Chitowneblue, it is with great regret that I inform you that you have talked precious little 'about' your ass. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say how breathlessly I await some actual ass talk from you.

Joined: 07/02/2008

MGoPoints: 2844

The Other Brian

August 1st, 2008 at 3:39 PM ^

Why would Shafer be anticipating needs for a 3-3-5? He's never run it before (unless Rodriguez is putting pressure on him in that regard, which would be a bit disappointing in my opinion).

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 1420

Tacopants

August 1st, 2008 at 3:59 PM ^

I wouldn't be totally suprised if they pulled it out.  If you really do look at the incoming LBs though, Marcus Witherspoon at least is probably going to end up becoming a DE/OLB hybrid, maybe one of the other ones as well.

It's also not uncommon for athletes to be rated at safety to come into college and "grow" into playing LB.  Purely speculative, but Bell or James, or both will probably end up at WLB.

Cheer up, at least he's not 5'7 and 140 lbs.

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 3579

chitownblue (not verified)

August 1st, 2008 at 3:44 PM ^

Yeah - I don't think we're running a 3-3-5. With Smith in the last class, Floyd quite possibly a safety, Williams a RS freshman, Turner in the fold, and a "flier" on Bell, I guess I don't see the need for this kid. But, you know, whatevs.

Joined: 12/12/2017

MGoPoints: 0

chitownblue (not verified)

August 1st, 2008 at 3:54 PM ^

I'm just thinking this kid's future may be something other than Safety. Or maybe Bell's or Turner's is. We've got a bunch of those who, next year, will be in their first or second year of eligibility.

Joined: 12/12/2017

MGoPoints: 0

Tacopants

August 1st, 2008 at 4:05 PM ^

Greg Matthews is also Orlando Edgewater.  Michigan probably as a good relationship with the coaches.  They could have just taken him to make everybody in the area happy.  Not many schools produce BCS level talent year after year, and if Orlando Edgewater/Pahokee pan out, it might expand exposure in Florida, leading the way, of course, to ultimate victory.

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 3579

Tacopants

August 1st, 2008 at 6:55 PM ^

Edgewater as a beachhead in Florida it is then.  Hopefully RR can establish M at Trotwood-Madison, Cass Tech and a few other of those schools who churn out 3* and above talent.  If it makes the recruiting battle that much easier, why not go for it?

Joined: 07/06/2008

MGoPoints: 3579

Skapanza

August 1st, 2008 at 4:16 PM ^

...a possible move to linebacker? His film almost entirely consists of replays of him blitzing off the end or chasing down RBs. It seems curious for tape of a kid being recruited as a DB, and makes me think he might very well move to LB.

Also, the first thing Shafer said about the 3-3-5 was that he wouldn't run it here. A lot of people have said the 3-3-5 was a way to get the most out of crappy players, but with enough good players, it wouldn't be necessary. Plus, 3-3-5 doesn't seem to me, with my barely-above-layman's-eye, to be a blitz-heavy form, the way Shafer likes to run at the QB.

Joined: 07/10/2008

MGoPoints: 2591

Marques Slocum…

August 1st, 2008 at 4:31 PM ^

That is exactly my point, these 3 stars he used to get at wvu aren't going to do shit against o$u 5 star shirtless freaks. I just wish he would wait on some 3 stars to give the oppurtunity for maybe one or two 5 stars to come in...

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 82

NCWolverine

August 1st, 2008 at 4:45 PM ^

Who does UM want with the 6 remaining scholies. QB Newsome should enroll early, which means his schollie doesn't count against this year's total, if I remember correctly.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 134

mjv

August 1st, 2008 at 5:00 PM ^

I'm not concerned about RR using too many spots on 3* kids. We should operate under the assumption that he knows what he is doing. He witnessed the greater recruiting access that Michigan provides at the end of recruiting last year. He will be able to figure out who he wants and eliminate offers appropriately. Instead of thinking the sky is falling because we RECEIVED a commitment, we should view it as a positive. He knows how many scholarships are available and the opportunity cost of each one he applies to a committed recruit.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 3656

Thrillhouse

August 1st, 2008 at 6:16 PM ^

6 three star recruits. it's august and we're one away from matching last year's total of three star and lower commits. maybe we shouldn't put much stock in these numbers, maybe we should. but i'll say this, i expect atleast a few of these kids to get additional stars once the season starts, especially someone like teric teric jones who has had very little exposure. also, both sites regularly add stars to low-rated kids that commit to big programs, an act which draws attention to how inherently circle jerky and retarded rivals and scout really are. and yes, it'll also be retarded when i'm relieved that rivals has decided to add a star next to someone's name as it has no bearing whatsoever on their $killz. but that's just the way this shit goes.

Joined: 07/01/2008

MGoPoints: 1121

Bane of Gargamel

August 1st, 2008 at 6:43 PM ^

I'm currently opperating under the possibly mis-guided belief that the coaching staff is less worried about the number of stars after a recruits name and more worried about the recruit himself (work ethic, personality, etc.) Frankly, I was a little relieved when we didn't land Pryor - not that I in any way hope bad things for the kid - but, based on some of the things he has said and done, he has "possible entitled prick" written all over him. Give me Kevin Newsome - a kid who doesn't seem to be afraid of competition and is willing to whatever work he needs to make himself more competative. (Newsome is a 4* where Pryor was 5, right? If not, please forget about my comment and maybe just pretend that I wrote something that was actually compelling.)

Joined: 07/31/2008

MGoPoints: 179

Farnn

August 1st, 2008 at 6:46 PM ^

Another thing to remember before freaking out about all of the 3 star recruits is that these kids haven't even played their senior seasons yet. One would expect that a lot of the rankings will change by January as some of the kids will have improved a lot over the summer, and others will have been injured or not meet expectations. The last time anyone saw most of these kids play in actual football games was months ago, and I am sure they have all improved going to camps and training over the summer.

Joined: 07/07/2008

MGoPoints: 12788

bsb2002

August 2nd, 2008 at 9:47 AM ^

floyd and turner will be corners and one of jones or bell will wind up at lb (maybe both). i dont think we're overloaded at safety at all actually. i'm fine with this kid

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 512

marco dane

August 2nd, 2008 at 11:25 AM ^

...if we were talking about BE's commitment I can imagine the talk would belike then...please don't put tomuch stock into the ratings ie~Brett Gillmore. I trust R2 and staff can *coach them up* into solid Big X/star players. Nothing in his past has shown us any difference so lets sit back and enjoy the recruiting process.

Joined: 07/01/2008

MGoPoints: 3687

chitownblue (not verified)

August 2nd, 2008 at 11:37 AM ^

Marco, there are always exceptions to the star ratings, obviously. But argument by anecdote (David Harris/Bradent Englemon were two stars, thus ratings are meaningless) ignores the overwhelming truth that highly ranked players are infinitely more likely to be successful. Does this mean Mike Jones won't be? No, obviously not. Read this article: http://www.athlonsports.com/college-football/13422/nfl-stars-how-recrui… A player receiving 5-stars has roughly a 50% chance of being drafted in the 1st three rounds of the NFL draft. 4-stars have a 9-11% chance. 3-stars a 3.6% chance, and two stars less than 1%. They get things wrong, but they are reasonably predictive of success.

Joined: 12/12/2017

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hennedance

August 6th, 2008 at 4:43 PM ^

and the 6th best safety in 2003. But I imagine Jones as an Ernest Shazor-like player given his height and size. I do think that he lacks some coverage skills. (his rivals video is comprised solely of him lining up on the line of scrimmage and blitzing...thats it)

Joined: 07/17/2008

MGoPoints: 467