Recruiting Board Going into Final Weekend

Submitted by alum96 on

For those who don't read the diary section (hand raised, I probably ignored it my first year+ here), we have an in depth recruiting board there but I decided to narrow it down to something more concise here.  If you want the long form version go here

Number of open spots is up for debate - the floor is 4X 5 6 spots (Russ departure opens a spot) (Well that escalated - Keith opens up another spot) and based on potential attrition we don't know about but coaches may know about, and decisions on offfering scholarships to Kerridges and Glasow Bros it can be higher.  We also don't know if Harbaugh will do any grayshirts (maybe it's not in his wheelhouse).  Four Five to Six remaining spots leading to a class of thirteen fourteen to fifteen seems logical.  Would not be surprised to see two of those spots goes to corners.

All face to face visits end this weekend.  Monday and Tuesday will just be phone/direct message/written letters (I see you Jay Harbaugh).

If I missed any just mention in comments and I'll edit.  Only including guys who have been or will be on campus.

 

Offense (6)

  • TE Chris Clark - NSD decision between UCLA/UM.
  • TE Matt Snyder - Nebraska commit who followed Riley from Oregon State to Neb, had official to UM.
  • TE/DE Ty Wheatley Jr - maybe it was chance but his in home visit and on campus visit involved Drevno so he migh be headed to TE or even OL down the road (rather than DE) at 260 lbs already.  Heavy pursuit of other DEs would also indicate this.
  • RB Mike Weber - former UM commit and current OSU commit. Sounds like he is battling heart vs mind on this one.
  • RB Titus Booker - Wisconsin CB commit (flipped from Indiana), will be on campus this weekend.  UM seems to be recruiting him as a speed back (legit 4.41 40).  Sticking with Wisconsin.
  • WR Ryan Davis - prospects look bad here as he is not scheduled to be on campus.
  • WR Van Jefferson - former local product, son of former Lions WR coach, and Ole Miss commit who will be on campus this weekend.
  • WR Deontany Burnett - Washington State commit who will be on campus this weekend but seems like a long shot; WSU offense is a WR dream.

 

Defense (6)

  • CB Damon Arnette - South Carolina commit. High priority or UM, battling OSU now as Urban is making a strong push.  Is on campus in Columbus for the long weekend.  First real Harbaugh/Meyer battle - of course S.C. remains in play.
  • CB Chris Williamson - Kid is blowing up in recruiting the past month; UM was in to visit again this week; looks like a terrific athlete that could play in multiple spots.  Multiple southern schools coming hard for him.  Will be at Florida this weekend for official. Will announce Monday but 7 crystal balls have turned to UF the past 48 hrs.
  • CB Iman Marshall - Most assume a very heavy USC lean, UM went in home this week and made good impression with dad.  But pulling him a few thousand miles away when favorite is a short drive is tough.  Cancelled Oregon official.
  • CB Jarius Adams - Rutgers commit who was on their campus last week and will be on ours this week.
  • CB Markel Bush - Under the radar prospect with no offers but some schools have picked up his recruitment in the last week after he returned from UM.  Some reports he was "upset" he was not offered when up here.  Guy like this could always be a grayshirt if Harbaugh was open to it.
  • DE Jake Pickard - was expecting a yes already on this WIS commit.  UM was a dream school, dad cried on visit, everything seems in place but no trigger yet.  Hosted Wisconsin in home this week.  Hmm.  (EDIT - Pickard is suddenly being forecast to Syracuse by a lot of people since the 2 UM transfers announced)  Commited to Syracuse.
  • DE (?) Ty Wheatley - see above.
  • LB Roquan Smith - Most see him as a Georgia lean, UM is basically involved due to his affinity for Durkin.   UM might finish a close second here. Would be a great get.

 

Gentleman Squirrels

January 30th, 2015 at 10:07 AM ^

Thanks for doing this! With how many kids we're still involved in this close to signing day, it was tough to keep track of all of them and their interest in UM. Really looking forward to a couple Hello posts this weekend and next week!

ypsituckyboy

January 30th, 2015 at 10:11 AM ^

I think there's a decent chance that UM is slow playing Pickard until Ty Wheatley Jr lets them know what he's going to do. I'm sure Wheatley Sr will politely ask his son to decide before signing day so that UM has some time to grab Pickard if Wheatley Jr decides to go elsewhere.

ypsituckyboy

January 30th, 2015 at 10:21 AM ^

Is it really that tough to make a freaking decision? I mean, I know choosing a college is a big choice and all, but cmon. These kids have had like 2 years to think about it and generally gone on multiple visits to the schools they're choosing from. I know the feeling of being torn between options, but at some point it's a bit much.

I can appreciate Beilein's approach, which is basically "listen, you've seen everything we have to offer and have had plenty of time...make up your mind or we're moving on."

aplatypus

January 30th, 2015 at 11:58 AM ^

you have no interest in any of the guys visiting UM for the first time this week, or the ones that got out for the first time last week huh? 

 

But... doesn't that eliminate almost every one on that board except Clark? Well dang, but you said there's no point in any of them waiting this long except ego and all so I guess Arnette, Williamson, Pickard, Smith, Marshall, etc aren't wanted here by Mad Hatter.

aplatypus

January 30th, 2015 at 1:48 PM ^

if you are going to specifically refer to someone, you should try actually refer to that person instead of a blanket statement that applies to all recruits like you made. 

And I guess I just assumed you didn't want "ego stroking" prospects holding out this long, since that's the usual line of thought.

VicTorious1

January 30th, 2015 at 2:18 PM ^

He believes you said it by implication as UM is a last/new look for players, who if they followed your suggestion, wouldn't even be looking at UM.  They would be going to one of the schools they were considering prior to Harbaugh's hiring.

VicTorious1

January 30th, 2015 at 2:32 PM ^

I think it is a big decision and one where there often isn't a clear, right answer.  I encountered similar fellings (while albeit perhaps to a lesser scale) when deciding on which law school to attend and for which law firm to work.  The latter was more similar in that firms were somewhat heavily recruiting you, and it was hard to decide.  In the end, I made my decision pretty close to the deadline.

alum96

January 30th, 2015 at 10:26 AM ^

That makes a lot of sense.  With Pickard especially.

I am confused where they want Wheatley to play - seems his visits and hosts are all offensive guys however.  So a DE like Pickard should not be affected.

Unless Pickard is way down in your pecking order it almost seems like you get him on campus and figure it out down the road. Unless his athleticism is very self limiting to 1 position at the college level.

maize-blue

January 30th, 2015 at 10:25 AM ^

My thinking as well. Pickard and Snyder probably have to wait to see what Wheatley Jr. and/or Clark does. Although, I thought a heard a recruiting guy say that Snyder was told that even if Clark committed they'd take him at TE. But, seeing as is there is no commit from Snyder, he is probably waiting. Actually they're probably just waiting on Wheatley Jr. and seeing if he goes in as a DE or TE. If he is a DE maybe Pickard gets bumped. If he is a TE then maybe Snyder gets bumped. They take Clark no matter what.

MGoMarley

January 30th, 2015 at 10:12 AM ^

This will be an interesting week or so. Unfortunately, I feel like we will be the runner up for a lot of great talent this year. BUT it will be fun to watch what Harbaugh can do with a full recruiting cycle.

LSA Superstar

January 30th, 2015 at 10:19 AM ^

Does anyone think that the Jake Pickard offer is condition on somebody bigger not accepting?  At this point I'm beginning to feel that this must be the case.  I haven't heard one person with a pulse say anything other than that we're the far and away leader, and his visit was probably our most successful visit.

PeterKlima

January 30th, 2015 at 10:30 AM ^

Nice recap. Thanks! I only have one critique. I don't think Weber is in a "heart vs mind" battle. That terminology is poor. It implies that OSU is the smart choice for him. I don't think that is the case. Neither of the situations is smarter for him or one that he "should" do if calculating the best options for him. It is heart vs. heart.




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unWavering

January 30th, 2015 at 11:31 AM ^

I hate to be that guy, but OSU is the smarter choice right now if he wants to be on a nationally prominent team. UM may get there, and most likely will with Harbaugh, but we haven't been competitive for almost a full decade now and OSU is coming off a natty with no signs of slowing down.

So really, I couldn't blame Weber one bit if he chose OSU. We have to earn our way back.

turd ferguson

January 30th, 2015 at 12:06 PM ^

But what makes a school a "smart" choice involves a lot more than which school has a higher probability of getting to a title game in the next 4-5 years.  Among a million other things, the components of a smart choice could be about setting himself up for non-football life with a high-quality degree, being coached well, having an opportunity to play, being in a social setting that's healthy, having access to a support structure, etc.

unWavering

January 30th, 2015 at 1:19 PM ^

I completely agree. Which is why I led with the qualifier of "if he wants to be on a nationally prominent team." There are certainly more factors at work for him, but let's not pretend that UM is as attractive as OSU in terms of football right now.

readyourguard

January 30th, 2015 at 10:32 AM ^

I think it's time to consider the Glasgow's as tendered athletes.  I know as well as anybody that walkons are only guaranteed one year of grant-in-aid when given a scholarship, but at this point, they're locked in.  I would expect Kerridge is in the same boat.

alum96

January 30th, 2015 at 10:55 AM ^

I consider those 3 scholarships taken but I am just presenting all outcomes.

One last outcome is you 'oversign' by 1-2 kids now, knowing a few people are going to leave by end of spring practice.  You don't need to be at 85 scholarships on NSD, you can be over.  Again, how gray of an area that is - and would Harbaugh do that.  We don't know.  Hayes came out of nowhere and there may be other Hayes as well.

Dallas Walmart…

January 30th, 2015 at 10:34 AM ^

Insane.  There are way more than 4 players on this list that I think most of us would really want.  I would be thrilled to add Weber, Clark, Marshall and Wheatley to the class, but at the same time really disappointed if I learned that a guy like Smith wanted to come and we didn't have room.

alum96

January 30th, 2015 at 10:58 AM ^

If Smith wants to come they will find a spot for Smith. I am surprised Smith has not made a decision - it basically seems like GA .. or if not GA, then UM.

I think Wheatley Jr yes or no triggers a lot of other dominoes.  And the mess at CB needs to be figured out.  We'll know Monday on Williamson - sounds like UF for now but if he is off the board you get a clearer picture on Adams for example.  And Arnette if all the crystal ballz go to OSU by Monday you assume he is off the board.

gasbro

January 30th, 2015 at 10:46 AM ^

this is precisely the list I would guess too.

It will be mildly deflating if we finish second for Marshall, Clark, Weber, (?Smith), but have to shrug it off as late to the party.

Too bad Booker cancelled and that TTech commit isn't coming - as they had speed to burn that would be a nice addition. Hopefully, Isaac is a difference maker.

gasbro

January 30th, 2015 at 11:20 AM ^

he seemed to say that we have a chance with all the big ones so tune in on NSD, but my impression was that we may very well finish second for all of them.

re: Clark, he said that it seemed Clark had previously decided on UCLA but agreed to revisit UM more for his parents sake - but now with Harbaughs, he seems to be coming around and it's up in the air. I think a lot of people on here would agree that Clark seems more allured by UCLA.

Likewise, Weber seems to be uncertain. He said he wore OSU tshirt to school event yesterday, but then admitted to reporters that he had thinking to do.

On Marshall, he seemed to thinks USC still leads, but that he and family are genuinely intrigued by UM.

I don't think he said much about Smith.

 

He clearly said that he likes our chances for Clark and Weber better than for Marshall and to tune in on NSD as we could get any, all or none of these guys. It just sounds like the odds for all 3-4 big ones are not in our favor.