Realistic finish to this recruiting class?
Okay now that it has happened and with only a handful of weeks remaining in this recruiting year, what is a realistic finish to this year's recruiting class? I'm not as well informed with recruiting as most people on here but I do know that we have 6 commits as of now and I've read on here that 11 is probably the total number for this class barring attrition. So I suppose my question is, at this stage in the year who could the final 5 commits potentially be?
We know HARBAUGH is a game changer and with recruits and commits already tweeting about the move it is setting up to be a very exciting 2 months to close out the 2015 class. If Durkin does come with HARBAUGH then that opens up the pipelines in both Florida and California. Could we snag Iman Marshall? Flip Mike Weber and/or Damien Harris back?
December 28th, 2014 at 3:54 PM ^
This is slightly off topic, has jim ever said anything remotely close to him not liking to recruit? Do the troll rivals have any solid source about harbaugh disliking recruiting? Just wondering if I missed something
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 28th, 2014 at 3:56 PM ^
There was a report out last week that said that recruiting was not a factor in his decision to stay or leave.
December 28th, 2014 at 5:00 PM ^
competition. He will engage with a relentless pursuit of domination and victory.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:01 PM ^
I have not seen anything that he either likes it or dislikes it. He is, however, very good at it. I imagine it's a made up justification for why he wouldn't return to college. It's weird because if he wanted GM responsibilities in the NFL, that's like adding recruiting duties.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 28th, 2014 at 4:02 PM ^
There was an article in the last week with quotes from Willy Taggart about how Harbaugh was an avid recruiter and enjoyed the competitive aspect of it. I guess we will find out soon enough.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 28th, 2014 at 4:22 PM ^
Agreed and the key word used is "competitve". He wants to Win and he gets to hand pick the men who will help Michigan do just that. BTW, it will be selecting, not recruiting. Imagine JMFH walking into the living room of some five star QB or WR and just telling him he belongs at Michigan. Holy Sh@#!! It's like ducks ih a pond and Jimmy's havng a ball personally selecting his Championship Team--with NO interference from a GM or owner in the war room. Cannot Wait!!!
December 28th, 2014 at 4:07 PM ^
I think it's because Carroll and Kelly both didn't apparently like recruiting, so that label was applied to Harbaugh as well since they're all from the PAC.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:59 PM ^
Pete Carroll is an annoying slimebag, but he hardly "didn't like" recruiting. He virtually changed the game with his techniques, his enthusiasm, his use of celeb hangers on to make SC look cool.
At Michigan Harbaugh has to play up the elite academic standing he used to such good effect at Stanford, showcase some of the historic acheivements we've accomplished and how being part of the team and the University is a lifelong relationship, and he'll get to showcase the outstanding facilities we've constructed over the past decade.
But... I did see Snoop's son is interested in visiting, so some of that might add a little something the kids would be interested in too!
December 28th, 2014 at 4:31 PM ^
That was the start of Harbaugh's formal coaching career, but he had cut his recruiting teeth for the previous seven years as his father Jack's unpaid offseason assistant at Western Kentucky, gathering enough elite players to form the core of Western's 2002 Division I-AA national title team.
So when Lemming saw what Harbaugh did without scholarships coaching the University of San Diego and then at Stanford, he knew he was seeing a recruiting force.
With Harbaugh now being heavily pursued by Michigan to take its head coaching job and return to college after four years as the San Francisco 49ers head coach, Lemming anticipates a recruiting earthquake if he returns.
"I watched him at Stanford and to me that's almost a miracle," Lemming said Wednesday. "Stanford was always lousy or just okay because of their academic standards being higher than everyone else's in Division I ball by far. Harbaugh didn't lower the standards, he just hit the road."
That doesn't sound like someone who does not like to recruit.
December 28th, 2014 at 5:13 PM ^
That is seriously one of the best things I've read about this man (other than the whole "he is our coach eeeeeeeeee stuff").
This just keeps getting better and better.
My buckeye friends keep telling me Ohio is closed. Hehe... Katy bar the door. Jim's coming.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 28th, 2014 at 3:55 PM ^
All the recruits!
December 28th, 2014 at 3:56 PM ^
We really need some bodies at DE. Make CeCe happen Jim and Durkin.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:31 PM ^
That woud be awesome. I'd also like to see what KLS has to say about this hire.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:31 PM ^
That woud be awesome. I'd also like to see what KLS has to say about this hire.
December 28th, 2014 at 3:57 PM ^
But why aren't we trying to get George Campbell back!? He's a superstar in the making.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:04 PM ^
You mean during the recruiting dead period while we are working on hiring a coach?
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 28th, 2014 at 4:08 PM ^
It's not totally "dead." They can still contact recruits; they just can't talk to them in person. I think Harbaugh gets a full class of solid players, including one or two surprises.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:15 PM ^
I understand but in reference to alum96's question, who is making that contact? DeBord? There hasn't been anyone to reach out while getting the new coach installed.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 28th, 2014 at 4:08 PM ^
poor hands, shady uncle.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:37 PM ^
Is the uncle truly shady? Or did he want whats best for George? Stay home in SEC country/FSU or go to Michigan (where we havent exactly been very impressive). Also, to say his hands are poor in a gross hyperbole. All-american potential.
December 28th, 2014 at 5:17 PM ^
He has elite size and speed but his hands have gotten worse during this year which is why he's been dropping in rankings.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:17 PM ^
See: small class, small need at WR, Brian Cole, not as good as initially advertised. Am I missing anything?
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 28th, 2014 at 4:33 PM ^
I think theres always room for a 5* reciever.
December 28th, 2014 at 3:58 PM ^
Top 20 ranking and at least one 5 star.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:37 PM ^
Good gravy, let the unrealistic expectations begin. He's an NFL coach who hasn't done any recruiting in years. It's not like he was recruiting at another school and had relationships built that he can use to flip kids to Michigan. He's got less than two months to start from basically scratch to mostly flip guys already committed else where. If he can bring back a couple guys that decommitted without losing anyone else, and fill the rest of the spots with decent 3 star talent, I'd be pretty happy.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:47 PM ^
I'm not sure you really get it.
Jim Harbaugh is one of the top 10 coaches in all of football. He's easily top-5 in the college game. He's got star power. These expectations aren't unrealistic, they are in line with who is coaching at Michigan.
I can understand this being an unusual feeling having just had Brady Hoke on the sideline, but we're in territory we may haven't been in in a long time.
December 28th, 2014 at 5:00 PM ^
I don't think *you* understand how recruiting works. Kids don't just sign up for the hottest name. They have to build a relationship and feel comfortable with the person that will basically be running their lives for the next 4-5 years. And is not just the HC either, the relationship with the entire staff is just as important, as is familiarity with players and fellow commits.
December 28th, 2014 at 5:09 PM ^
Yes.. You are right. The head coach has no pull in getting recruits. A month is far too little a time to wow a teenager. Excellent point.
/s
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 28th, 2014 at 6:40 PM ^
Right, I forgot how Urban Meyer signed no one after he became the coach at OSU.
Which, in case you haven't realized, is the caliber of coach Harbaugh is. Now maybe it won't be quite as good because he has less time, but its not unrealistic at all to expect a very good class.
So again: I don't think you really get what's happened here. It'll sink in.
December 28th, 2014 at 7:04 PM ^
You do remember urban was basically full time recruiting since November while Fickle kept the seat warm for him right?
December 28th, 2014 at 8:32 PM ^
He was hired on November 22nd. There is about a month of difference. He brought in around 9-10 4* + players. Harbaugh has a month with a small class.
Again: Its Jim Harbaugh. Its as name brand a coach as you can get. It makes a huge difference. You're just wrong about this.
December 28th, 2014 at 10:24 PM ^
Yes, a month different, or another way to look at it is twice as long. A lot of those guys were guys ohio were already in on. Harbaugh will (hopefully) do the same and resign some decommitted guys plus maybe a couple others on the board, but top twenty class (especially with our class size) with a 5 star? I just don't see it. I guess we'll find out soon enough.
December 28th, 2014 at 5:14 PM ^
Maybe you have unrealistic expectations if you think he's going to be the only coach recruiting. What about all the assistant coaches? Don't they have built relationships with recruits?
December 28th, 2014 at 5:43 PM ^
The assistants are going to be largely new and just getting the lay of the land too. Many will also be from the NFL from the sounds of it. Yeah, some might be able to take a recruit or two with them, but you have less pull as you move down the food chain.
Look, I'm not saying harbaugh isn't going to be a huge boon to recruiting, he will be. But transitional classes are tough sledding, even for top 5/top 10 coaches.
December 28th, 2014 at 6:45 PM ^
With a month extra, Meyer landed 9 4-star or better players to Ohio State.
So is it really that unrealistic that Harbaugh adds 4-5 4* or better players in a month's less time?
Its okay for people to be upbeat.
December 28th, 2014 at 3:59 PM ^
Thank GOD we have a "realistic" thread. Those other 5 threads were just fluff.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:02 PM ^
I'm not sure about Weber....I worry about his not wanting to change plans again. It would be ironic if we end up with Harris and OSU snags Weber. Marshall would push this class up several notches; however, it is so hard to pull those guys in from the West Coast.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:02 PM ^
I'm not sure about Weber....I worry about his not wanting to change plans again. It would be ironic if we end up with Harris and OSU snags Weber. Marshall would push this class up several notches; however, it is so hard to pull those guys in from the West Coast.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:07 PM ^
One thing you've forgotten. Jim Harbaugh is a god in California and Ann Arbor.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:02 PM ^
Mid top 20 class because of size only. Michigan will get who they want. Some who previously opted out, will come back. There will be at least a couple of pleasant surprizes due to new assistants bringing some kids, and maybe some CA flips because of JH's connections.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:02 PM ^
This question has been posted like 8 fucking times the past few days.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:15 PM ^
My God you're a BAMF! :)
December 28th, 2014 at 4:19 PM ^
And you've presumably clicked on the same fucking thread eight fucking times.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 28th, 2014 at 4:05 PM ^
There have been 3 threads on this same subject in last 4 days. I suggest waiting to see the actual impact he has on recruiting now before starting another thread about what his impact will be on this class.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
December 28th, 2014 at 4:03 PM ^
Here's the depth chart, updated recently (posted in a thread today):
http://mgoblog.com/content/michigan-depth-chart-class-0
May help you see where we need to fill in with recruits. One comment from the other thread is the lack of D depth in 2 years.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:04 PM ^
Take a look at our DE 2-Deep and you'll just shake your head.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:04 PM ^
Webb and Harris are gone.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:09 PM ^
You may want to get the name right if you're going to make statements that emphatic. Otherwise it makes you look foolish. It's Weber, not Webb.
December 28th, 2014 at 4:49 PM ^
Martell Webb and Manny Harris are gone.