Rich Rodriguez and Recruiting

Submitted by jb5O4 on

Of course it would be nice to see Michigan loaded up on 4 and 5 stars, be in the top ten on rivals.com in recruiting, etc. But in Rich Rod's career at West Virginia he was in the rivals top 25 of recruiting only once. This was in 2007 and they only cracked the top 25 because of the signing of 5 star running back Noel Devine.

http://rivals100.rivals.com/TeamRank.asp?postype=0&sort=0&year=2010

jb5O4

January 12th, 2010 at 2:40 PM ^

I was just pointing out that Rich Rod was successful without a high ranked recruiting class. Which generally speaks of a coach's ability to develop players.

Clarence Beeks

January 12th, 2010 at 2:41 PM ^

He's already substantially bettered his recruiting numbers in his 2.5 classes than he ever did at WVU, all with losing records. I think he's doing just fine. Also, I think that list in the Rivals link might not be accurate; it appears to missing a few players (i.e. only lists 24 commits).

Clarence Beeks

January 12th, 2010 at 4:33 PM ^

Haha. Thanks. I really don't care about the points. I was more so commenting on the fact that some people obviously don't understand why the whole positive-negative thing was instituted and what the point of the voting is. It's really rather perplexing sometimes.

Blue in Yarmouth

January 12th, 2010 at 2:43 PM ^

I'm not saying I disagree with you at all.....but this point has been made eleventy billion times on this blog already. No one here is questioning this.....well, at least most aren't.

Bosch

January 12th, 2010 at 2:47 PM ^

of the rest of the recruiting classes in the Big East over that same time frame?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not concerned about RR or his recruiting but I do not really think that you can compare his situation at the two programs based on recruiting rankings.

SAvoodoo

January 12th, 2010 at 2:49 PM ^

Also you're missing the fact that WVU is no Michigan. Getting recruits to commit to WVU is a little tougher considering the lack of tradition, academics (even though there is debate as to the relevance) and conference status when compared to Michigan.

The fact that he can be successful w/o high level recruits is all well and good in the Big East but when you're trying to compete with the likes of Ohio State and trying to go to BCS bowl games every year the recruiting classes have to be up there.

SFBlue

January 12th, 2010 at 2:49 PM ^

The field in the Big East was much weaker. His top 25 recruiting class in 2007 was tops in the Big East. The Big Ten is far tougher than the Big East in terms of talent in the league.

That having been said, his first recruiting class was pretty good, even tough it was a stub year, and even with the attrition; last year was exceptional; and this year is shaping up to be solid.

SevenMile

January 12th, 2010 at 2:58 PM ^

In recruiting right now...I really like our class.

The prospects of adding Sean Parker (which is high) and Dillon Baxter (not as high, but possible) would put our class over the top and into the top ten, IMO.

I'm not gonna get hung up on stars. Our class is good, not amazing....but how many amazing classes did Carr have close to the end of his career and how many championships did he win?

Beavis

January 12th, 2010 at 3:14 PM ^

Hate to be a Debbie Downer on the situation, but we'd need BOTH Parker and Baxter to finish in the top 10 in recruiting this year.

According to Rivals (not looking at Scout since last year everyone was down on them b/c Rivals had us rated higher, but this year it's reversed - and SHOCKER! - people are talking more about Scout now):

- Adding a four star (Parker) would put us basically where Miami is (17th).

- Adding a five star (Baxter) is more muddled as no teams with five stars compare to where Michigan is now (based on total # of recruits, and # of 4 stars).

Either way, I'm not saying this is a bad class. Don't get me wrong, to finish in the top 25 overall after 3-9 and 5-7 is a minor miracle. I'm just disputing this guy's point.

helloheisman.com

January 12th, 2010 at 2:59 PM ^

WVU recruiting has improved significantly since he left also, so there's that. They are pulling in Top 25 classes with Bill Stewart, of all coaches. Maybe Rich Rod eschews rankings for his own type of players?

SFBlue

January 12th, 2010 at 4:49 PM ^

Rodriguez had built up the brand equity, making Stewart's job easier. Still, I was surprised to see them pull from California, Ohio.

Rich Rod does appear to go for his own guys. This has worked thus far for guys like Odoms and Roundtree, neither of whom were highly rated. Vincent Smith, as well.

I note further that that safety from Louisiana was a 5-A first team all-state, but when Michigan offered him a scholarship nobody else had offered him and he was a virtual unknown to the recruiting services.

And yes, although this topic has been covered before, debate on this point is always good, as further developments happen on the recruiting trail, post-season awards and games, etc. Plus, it's the off-season. What else are we going to talk about, Vampire Weekend and Jersey Shore?

clarkiefromcanada

January 12th, 2010 at 3:00 PM ^

We win and four/five star guys show up. RichRod has been recruiting uphill and still doing (mostly) okay given the subpar last two years. I am sure he'd be happier taking 5 star defensive linemen rather than "coaching up" 3 star mafia candidates but the recruiting landscape after losing, even at Michigan, is a difficult one.

CRex

January 12th, 2010 at 3:29 PM ^

I personally wonder if the offensive portion of our class will always be slightly underrated. RR is going to recruit players for his spread offensive, whereas Rivals and Scout seem to favor players designed for a "pro style" set (the guys we got under Carr, the people Carroll took at USC, Tressel-ball players, etc).

Undefeated dre…

January 12th, 2010 at 3:31 PM ^

One other point -- even now, Michigan has the #2 class in the Big 10. So while the SEC and Big-12 continue their overall recruiting DOMINATION, Michigan is positioned reasonably well in the conference.

bronxblue

January 12th, 2010 at 3:38 PM ^

I look at that list and all I see is Tennessee #6 and waiting for the major recruiting violation charges in a year or two. Of course, we actually have a Fulmer Cup out there and Tennessee never seemed to be hit with sanctions, so maybe this is just par for the course.

As for UM, I really don't care where the class shakes out in national rankings. There are some good players coming in, and I have faith that RR will put them in a position to win. If this team goes 7-5, 8-4 + win a bowl game, I'm cautiously optimistic that the recruits will jump at UM. I also expect that with USC losing Carroll and whatever is happening at Florida with Meyer, the next few years might be a boon of sorts for schools like UM, ND, and other northern schools that recruit in Cal and Florida.

The NUTcracker

January 12th, 2010 at 4:07 PM ^

Porn stars, Rock stars, Movie Stars, fuck a bunch of stars. I want players. People that will come up and smack someone in the mouth. I don't care about stars. Didn't everyone ask what the hell was going on when recruited a no star out of Louisiana? Then the kid got stars? The system is suspect. If Rich Rod recruits players that show the fire he does on the sidelines we will be fine.

Beavis

January 12th, 2010 at 4:39 PM ^

I'm with you 100% on your point that a kid can be bumped up a star, or even two, based on who he signs with.

However, I believe there is factual evidence shown on this blog before about how 5 stars pan out better than 4 stars, and so on....

That being said - in a year like this, fuck the stars. We have some SERIOUS positional needs and this class (as of right now) fills them. If we got Baxter and Parker, we could not have had a better class (realistically). If we get only one of the two, I'm still giving RR and co. an A-. If neither, they get a B+. Anyway you shake it, I'm very happy.

ShockFX

January 12th, 2010 at 6:01 PM ^

It has less to do with some "information age" and more to do with the normal things. You know, like smoking the reefer and not going to class. That and/or deciding not to play football at Michigan.

The NUTcracker

January 12th, 2010 at 5:44 PM ^

Yes I agree I would rather have a highly touted recruiting class. I would love to see Baxter and a bunch of other 5 star recruits come North. I guess I just want people with heart. And for next year I am hoping we get to be picky about who we take because of solid foundation building from last year and this year. Hoping. Wishing. Dreaming. Please