Our 2011 Recruiting Class

Submitted by kaykaybroke on

So I know that this has been discussed briefly in other threads but wanted to start one to round out the season.

As we know (or Scout knows at least) we have 14 commitments in our recruiting class, with room for about 4-6 more.. (paywalled article on scout: http://michigan.scout.com/a.z?s=162&p=2&c=1028885&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http://michigan.scout.com/2/1028885.html)

So any best guesses on how we need/ want to round out? We need a DT, S, and probably another OL, but if highly ranked recruits want to come...?

if I said who I'd personally prefer in this class, it'd be Zettel, Frost, Jernigan, Lyons, and Bryant.. some of those have been confirmed to be leaning blue, and TomVH mentions that there are two silent commits in the class, but it's still all game, and we need to finish this class off.

Best guesses/ wants/ preferences/ ?

mmiicchhiiggaann

December 24th, 2010 at 5:36 PM ^

Its going to be interesting to see what happens with a new D coordinator, assuming they keep RR, it will be good to see if he can get any players to buy in that we are not even discussing now.

neoavatara

December 24th, 2010 at 6:08 PM ^

All four you mentioned, Zettel, Frost, Lyons and Bryant are ours as long as RR stays.  

Jernigan...I won't believe he is coming until he signs on the dotted line.  I think we will pick up another DT somewhere, but probably a sleeper. 

Jon Benke

December 25th, 2010 at 12:16 AM ^

MLB 9 James Vaughters

(Tucker HS)

Tucker, GA
6-2/232/4.55 06/17/2010   Stanford
MLB 11 Anthony Sarao

(Holy Spirit HS)

Absecon, NJ
6-1/220 02/26/2010   Stanford
OT 12 Brendon Austin

(Chaparral HS)

Parker, CO
6-6/265/5.12 05/07/2010   Stanford
           
                 
       

This might be unpopular, but here are some guys I'd like to follow Harbaugh, if he is indeed the new head coach.  If we keep RR, the names people keep listing are the names we all want and hope for.  If we keep RR, I am still holding out hopes for...

Anthony Zettel, Wayne Lyons, and yes ... even Sammy Watkins.

Brightside

December 24th, 2010 at 6:10 PM ^

I can see this class finishing very strong with the right answers on the coaching staff.

A strong defensive coach with name recognition would make us instantly relevant to several recruits that aren't leaning our way at the moment...

Unfortunately, a change of head coach will turn the class on its head, and we will be starting over with about half the class...  Still could end up fine, but no sense trying to predict that mess.

jg2112

December 24th, 2010 at 6:16 PM ^

If there is a change of head coach, consider who it will be.

Harbaugh.

How many of the current class would de-commit because a BCS - qualifying coach just showed up, a coach who put different guys at the Heisman finalists ceremony in back to back years?

I highly doubt more than 2 guys would de-commit if Jim Harbaugh showed up, PLUS, he currently has 2 DT and 3 DE commits at Stanford that I would imagine want to give a look at following him to Ann Arbor. Also, Stanford and Michigan are both in Wayne Lyons's final five schools so that wouldn't be too affected.

To be honest, unless Dave Brandon gives RR a contract extension in the first half of January, Jim Harbaugh would end up with a better recruiting class at MICH in the class of 2011 than RR. Harbaugh would have about 3 weeks of momentum and a class of 21 kids, in addition to the current candidates to commit (Zettel, Frost, Bryant, others), from which to fill out Michigan's class.

So, no need to worry, unless DB doesn't give RR an extension. Then the uncertainty never ends.

PurpleStuff

December 24th, 2010 at 6:37 PM ^

Rodriguez had an even better resume when he got here and plenty of people still left the program (more current players than recruits, but still plenty of departures).  You can't assume a smooth transition, especially considering the loads of animosity that would be generated if Rodriguez is fired.

NateVolk

December 24th, 2010 at 7:21 PM ^

Besides the Mgoblog stalwarts, I haven't heard 1 Michigan fan, employee, alum, reporter or connected individual, who has expressed any animosity for the idea of firing the current coach. Most would pull the trigger now if given the chance.

If you are speaking of animosity from the recruits, we don't even know if these are guys a new coach would target anyways.

My biggest concern with this class is not a coaching change to a guy like Harbaugh who has proven to be an exceptional recruiter nationwide. A larger concern is one that has been made pretty clear by Rich's first three years recruting: When it comes to picking the type of athlete we need defensively, he might not know what he doesn't know.

I am actually way more concerned with defensive recruiting if he is retained.  I am basing this opinion off of past performance as Michigan's coach. Also, how many recruits might be thinking that they won't go to Michigan or are hedging because he seems to not know how to put together a winning defense?  We have no idea really.

It is natural for everyone who wants him retained, to feel more and more like he is going to be retained right now: He is the only one playing the part and the very real embarrassment from Ohio State and the banquet isn't as raw as it was 3 weeks ago.

But the fact remains that there is no new news, which means no word from the AD.  That can't be good for the incumbent in a sport like college football where continuity matters.  I do know also that for people who wanted him gone and still want him gone, silence doesn't mean they have changed their view.  Bottom line: Rodriguez is only helping himself by this recruiting if these recruits are considered by David Brandon to be the type we need to be great again.

It is Rodriguez judgment about recruiting on defense which is partly to blame for his current lame duck status don't forget. Why would we automatically assume that that him doing more recruiting is making any difference in him keeping his job? Especially when Brandon is on record as saying that he doesn't think recruiting is harmed by the evaluation being in January.

I wouldn't get too bound up about who we recruit until we know for sure Rich is the coach for next year.

kalamazoo

December 24th, 2010 at 8:48 PM ^

- I do know many that would be happy with RR being retained that don't use this board. 

- It seems bad that Brandon is waiting, but we don't know what the Jan. announcement will hold.  Brandon could have a big press conference about how great RR is which would be the only big recruiting news in quite some time.  Michigan would have the floor and attract a lot of attention from recruits at a time when everyone will be watching ESPN following the bowl games and sportscenter.  Hell if we win the game and it is a huge, exciting success, 2011 and 2012 recruits may become quite interested.  If we lose and there's a big press conference about how RR is great and has Michigan values, it dampens the effect of a loss and increases recruits confidence.  Likewise a press conference and firing is more justified if Mich/RR lose on Jan. 1.  Either way, the optimist in me thinks there are positive things that can outweigh the negative.

- Don't underestimate the stubborness of DB to control the marketing message by controlling the media.  He said he would wait til the end of the season - he chose January to be the end of the season.  The media calling for RR's head have toned it down a notch and we are even getting a few commitments.  DB is granting interviews to Angelique at the News who is more factual/favorable to UofM.  DB is slowly gaining control of our message.  I think it is DB's stubborness at play (60%) more than a potential firing of RR (40%). 

Let's just hold out...don't know if anything is good or bad at this point that DB/RR are doing until we get the glorious 20-20 hindsight Jan 2.

Go Blue Eyes

December 24th, 2010 at 8:53 PM ^

In 2008 over half of the commitments were made before RR became the coach.  Others on this board will know better as to which committed after he became the coach but were more or less Carr recruits.  Roundtree was the most notable RR recruit in that class.  Granted he was not on defensive side but I really don't count 2008 as anything but a very small RR recruiting class and 2011 is really his third full class (providing he stays).

MichFan1997

December 25th, 2010 at 1:00 AM ^

That is the time period I began following recruiting. In the 2008 cycle, Rich Rod landed these recruits: Brandon Smith, Taylor Hill, Brandon Moore, JT Floyd, Justin Feagin, Terrence Robinson, Ricky Barnum, Roy Roundtree, Michael Shaw, and Martavious Odoms. Of these, 7 remain on the team. Of those 7, Shaw and Odoms are juniors. The other 5 are redshirt sophomores. So, on this years team, there were TWO players recruited by Rich Rod himself that are upperclassmen in terms of experience in actual game action. Everyone else ranges from a true freshman to a redshirt sophomore. This is one argument I use when defending keeping Rich Rod.

Togaroga

December 24th, 2010 at 9:33 PM ^

...really?!?

"I haven't heard 1 Michigan fan, employee, alum, reporter or connected individual, who has expressed any animosity for the idea of firing the current coach. Most would pull the trigger now if given the chance."

You need to get out more.  Of all the UM fans that I know, I'd say it is split 50/50 on whether or not they'd like RR to be back next year.  The vast majority of those who I know that want him kept are alums under the age of 60.  Many of them would have animosity if RR was canned...myself included.  I think Harbaugh would be successful at UM, but I would still be very disappointed/upset if RR was not given one more year to do the job.  I know I'm not alone in that. 

LatinForLiar

December 24th, 2010 at 11:14 PM ^

"he seems to not know how to put together a winning defense...It is Rodriguez judgment about recruiting on defense which is partly to blame for his current lame duck status don't forget."

Uhmm...did you forget the Decimated Defense? Most of our troubles can be traced to injuries, academics, NFL Draft etc., not recruiting.

Also, I was not embarrased by the banquet, and I think most people who say they were will think whatever espn tells them to think.

Wolfman

December 25th, 2010 at 12:46 AM ^

I'm getting pissed at these so called, "Michigan Men," and that's w/no disrespect to those of you that graduated from the school because you are, in every sense of the phrase, qualified to be labeled just that.  However, I recall a post by Curt Stephenson on the Rivals site that so many objected to and with cause. He stated that a "Michigan Man, as he learned from Bo, had to be a fb player." Now wtf he was drinking I had no idea. There were many other criteria he listed also, but to think if Gerald Ford had not snapped the ball, he wouldn't have qualified is absurd. Arthur Miller and many others jump to mind, and the man from W.VA, who simply built this program early and almost perfectly, never played a down here. It was almost embarrasing to read such a claim, referencing Bo, who  knew as well as the man mentioned above that w/o a united fan base, you don't really have an "elite" program.  And that's just one case of the utter nonsense these so-called "Michigan Men," with the best interests(???) of the school have been espousing in one form or the other since RR's first year at the helm. Many of them don't realize their actions are embarrassing the school a hell of a lot more than what's occurred on the football field.

There are certain elements, and they come in all shapes, that think they know what's best for this football program. Immediately after Carr stepped down they began to show their claws, most noticeably Rosenberg. RR opened up the team to everyone as a show of "good faith," and parasites such as the asshole named above couldn't wait to start their feast. They didn't care that he inherited a roster of offensive players that were virtually no good to him and anywhere from only 21 to 24 defensive players, depending on how you choose to count it. To think a program of M's stature had neglected that side of the ball to where we were virtually a full recruiting class away from a full roster indicates someone was asleep at the wheel. 

As to the local media, all I have to say is Columbus writers didn't let a thing out about the recently rreported actions regarding the OSU fb players. This went back to  2009 and the nation learned about it together, nearly two years later. Compare that to a writer that does not possess enough loyalty to his alma mater that he'd rather have it go  on record as a "major violator" of rules simply because he doesn't care for the man who replaced the last of Bo's family.  He, imo, is much more of a disgrace to Michigan than RR could ever be. RR was facing a hell of a lot more than restocking our roster.

Dave Brandon should have shown what a "Michigan Man" really is supposed to be and reiterated his words that "RR is going to be here a long time," that he spoke in October instead of bringing recruiting to a "wait and see" game. This is not in the best interest of the program no matter how you want to look at it.  It's very difficult to  concentrate on coaching when you can't trust the words of your AD. Under the circumstances of having players guessing for two straight years in regard to his future, it's remarkable that RR has been able to get the commitments he has.

And now Michgan fans are supposed to be excited that a real "Michigan Man" might coach our team? I'm not buying that parcel of swamp land. IIRC, he's the same one that threw the program under the bus with his statements about our admissions standards being watered down for our athletes. How the fuck is he the best candidate for the job now? Oh, my bad. He's won fb games. We can simply change the definition of "Michgian Man" again to fit him now.

I simply don't know what a Michigan Man is any longer. I do know, however, the actions of so many that think they uenquivocally personify that distinction should step back and let the man, a proven coach, finished what he started, minus all the bullshit from the outside.

Support is the one ingredient RR never received from those that should have given it abundantly and without  qualification. The question that keeps crossing my mind is why RR still wants to coach at a school whose alumni and former players have gone out of their way to let him know he'll never meet their standards, albeit standards that change every other week.

burtcomma

December 25th, 2010 at 1:51 AM ^

and thus travel in a small and unvaried bubble.  I've heard lots of opinions and verbage from various alumni, fans, and other interested parties both in favor of RR and in favor of JH and adamately certain we should toss RR and also vehemently opposed to bringing that punk JH in to be our coach and all of whom have nothing to do with the MGOBLOG community. 

What really matters is what the record of the team is in 2011, not who the coach is, as if the team goes 10-2, people will be in general thinking things are headed in the right direction and if the team goes 7-5 or 8-4, thinking whatever DB did was stupid assed.....

dr_B

December 25th, 2010 at 11:30 AM ^

Nate,

I know many alums that have faith in Coach Rod!

I am an alum that feels the prospect of returning to a traditional offensive will breed years of football mediocrity.  Evidenced by the Lloyd years and his record against The Vest.

Recruiting teens must be a very difficult task.  As a an Orthodontist I deal with 45 to 50 teenagers a day.  Young men and women generally lack confidence or have two much of it.  They lack the life skills required to be productive adults.  Evidenced by the poor decisions some athletes have made in the past (T. Pryor, R. Bush, Bobo). 

Being an outsiders -- we don't know what is going on behind closed doors but we know Michigan athletes that have made poor choices have been asked to leave the team and have been dicsiplined (W. Hargerup) even when it was detrimental to team performance.  As a military officer I know this is the most effective type of discipline.  When the team suffers for an indivuals actions that individual either assimilates or is banished from the unit.  This is effective leadership. Tate is a great example!   I think Bo would have embraced this type of coaching.  Michigan State does not buy into this type of player development and they will continue to have discipline problems.  This may have been a source of the attrition with players with the coaching change.  Furthermore, the "team" has come together and they play hard for each other and appear to love their coach.  They will become better football players with experience.

Coach Rod defensive recruiting has been good according to rankings and performance.  We had true freshmen playing all over the field because of injury.  Freshman are not physically ready to perform at the D-1 level.  Most young men are not skeletaly mature until they are 21 or 22 yo, including elite athletes.  Musculoskeletal development in men takes time, hormones and effort in the weight room (Black, Ash and the linebackers will improve with time).  If an individual is physically mature at that age they were an early bloomer and upside is very limited.  Bottom line don't judge the defensive quality of recruits, yet.   

Firing a coach after three years sets a very poor precedent.  If JH were to come after this season and leaves for the NFL in a few years.  Who wants to come to Michigan and have three years?

jg2112

December 24th, 2010 at 7:50 PM ^

Harbaugh has shown infinitely more flexibility with his offensive schemes than Rodriguez has. Luck ran the spread this year, Harbaugh ran the spread read at San Diego, Gerhart did power-ball last year. I don't think Michigan has one single offensive player that wouldn't be successful in a Harbaugh offense. The only guys who might get less time are the slot receivers.

AAB

December 24th, 2010 at 8:22 PM ^

that this is the exact same thing people said about Rich Rodriguez before he came right?  That Ryan Mallett would have incredible success in Rodriguez's offense, that Rodriguez was incredibly flexible, that he ran the ball with Pat White and Woody Dantzler but threw all over the field with Shaun King. 

God, the extent to which Harbaugh supporters act like he walks on water and is such a frigging sure thing when he's essentially Rich Rodriguez with less of a track record and more DUIs makes me want to scream. 

RONick

December 24th, 2010 at 8:40 PM ^

BUT he's a Michigan Man!!!!!!

/s

I agree completely.  Look, I love Jim Harbaugh and would support him as the coach.  However, I don't think that he is God's gift to coaching and I also don't know that he is any better of a football coach than Rich Rodriguez.  With a longer track record, I personally still find Rich Rodriguez to be the more appealing coach.

I say give RR an extension with a clause that reduces the buyout for the next year.  Give him a chance to succeed for once and see what he can do with an experienced offense and a new, more capable DC.

Monocle Smile

December 24th, 2010 at 8:45 PM ^


God, the extent to which Harbaugh supporters act like he walks on water and is such a frigging sure thing when he's essentially Rich Rodriguez with less of a track record and more DUIs makes me want to scream.

I would give you +1000 if I could and will be posting this quote in public (internet) areas.

burtcomma

December 25th, 2010 at 1:19 AM ^

Exactly, the next hot coaching prospect and for that matter the next hot recruit that is always around the bend is going to fix everything.

It's all about how great the next guy is going to be without any thought as to a realistic evaluation of the current players or current coaches strengths and weaknesses and opportunity to improve and grow.

AAB

December 24th, 2010 at 8:17 PM ^

Harbaugh's class at Stanford is pretty good, but it's not like, knock your socks off good, and I'd be shocked if firing Rich Rodriguez didn't cost the class Crawford and Dee Hart at the very least, so any recruiting done by Harbaugh would have to replace a 5 star and a 4 star safety, in addition to getting the guys we currently lead for but who are hesitating on commiting because of the coaching uncertainty.  And the only guy that Harbaugh would potentially put us in a better position for is Wayne Lyons. 

LatinForLiar

December 24th, 2010 at 11:19 PM ^

"How many of the current class would de-commit because a BCS - qualifying coach just showed up, a coach who put different guys at the Heisman finalists ceremony in back to back years?"

Well you might only think it will be one or two guys, but the fact is that more than that have already stated that they WOULD leave if there were a coaching change. Do you think they were just kidding? Do you really think D. Hart wants to be the next Toby Gerhart? 

Timnotep

December 24th, 2010 at 6:12 PM ^

saying Haha was waivering... but then it also said that he and Dee would likely end up at Florida, which I don't see hapening since UF won't be running the spread

ken725

December 24th, 2010 at 6:20 PM ^

If I had to guess the silent commits might be Frost and Zettel.  They seem like the two that have been high on Michigan for the longest time.  It would also be nice to be Bryant in this class as well.

 It also seems like the coaching staff wants to sign a TE in this class.  The only TE I can think of that are available are Jack Tabb and Frank Clark.  I just checked rivals offer list and it seems like we also offered Andrew Peterson.  I haven't heard of his name yet, but he is a two star with some nice offers (Arkansas, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Utah)

http://rivals.yahoo.com/michigan/football/recruiting/player-Andrew-Pete…

AnthonyThomas

December 24th, 2010 at 6:22 PM ^

I think Bryant, Zettel, Taylor and Frost will be Blue come signing day (assuming RR is still the head coach, which still seems likely).

That's an OL, DE, and a DB. Frost will get a chance at receiver but he probably ends up at linebacker.

So assuming those guys are on the list, that really just leaves a TE, WR, and DT at positions of relative need. It sounds like we're in good position for Devin Lucien and Hakeem Nicks at WR. Jack Tabb has moved his committ day to January, which bodes well for us (either way, it appears Ricardo Miller will become a tight end before long). That leaves DT as the big question mark. Darian Cooper is still a possibility, or maybe the coaching staff have one of the DE commits in mind as possible DT. Someone mentioned Willie Beavers in an earlier thread. I think the coaches already have Chris Rock in mind at DT (this is complete conjecture, of course). If Zettel signs then that's three DE (if Jack Miller becomes and OL), and Rock isn't as athletic of a pass rusher as Zettel or Beyer.

These are my opinions based on the little evidence us commonfolk can attain when it comes to recruiting.

Umich4Life

December 24th, 2010 at 6:59 PM ^

Call me crazy but I still think we have a shot with Sammy Watkins & Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix.  I'd bet $$ that one of these players will be in AA next year.  Assuming RR is still our coach of course.  

Strangely, it seems that we've all taken an emotional chill-pill (not for long).  Hopefully we'll stomp some serious msu @$$ and make even the staunchest RR detractors agree that we should go one more year and see what happens.  Go Blue!

Tater

December 24th, 2010 at 7:58 PM ^

Hopefully we'll stomp some serious msu @$$ and make even the staunchest RR detractors agree that we should go one more year and see what happens.

Sadly, RR's staunchest detractors will never stop complaining. If RR discovered a cure for cancer, they would complain about "all the people he killed by not finding it sooner."