I put together the changes for the Michigan commits in the Rivals 250. The only guy to move up was Jourdan Lewis.
http://touchthebanner.blogspot.com/2013/01/rivals-250-for-2013-finalized...
needs moar usage
Rivals 250 finalized for 2013
January 22nd, 2013 at 3:43 PM
#1
Rivals 250 finalized for 2013
January 22nd, 2013 at 3:53 PM | 
I wish we could've
I wish we could've
January 22nd, 2013 at 4:00 PM |
Good football player, but
Good football player, but
Good football player, but he's a little too much of a showboat for my tastes.
January 22nd, 2013 at 4:13 PM |
He just impresses me.
He just impresses me.
I admire his play he's so tough & to the point. I try to resemble my play after him. I think he'll be good.
Pennsylvania is the California of the East
January 22nd, 2013 at 4:07 PM |
strangely the usual teams had
strangely the usual teams had
strangely the usual teams had guys moves up par usual. i am completely shocked.
January 22nd, 2013 at 3:58 PM |
Mike Farrell
Mike Farrell
Mike.....Farrell.....Sucks!!! That is all.
January 22nd, 2013 at 4:06 PM |
And we also drop a spot on
And we also drop a spot on
And we also drop a spot on the team rankings to #7. It seems Rivals really slid our commits throughout the year. Wonder what the reason is?
January 22nd, 2013 at 4:12 PM |
A couple top guys got hurt
A couple top guys got hurt
A couple top guys got hurt (Fox, McCray) and didn't have a chance to show their stuff. Morris performed poorly at the UA game. Most of the other moves are fairly minimal (2-6 spots).
I also don't think a lot of our guys had outstanding seasons. I mean, the guy who put up the most impressive stats was probably Deveon Smith, but he plays against questionable competition and he was outside the top 250 anyway. Our quarterback had mediocre statistics, none of our corners grabbed a ton of picks, none of our receivers went wild with 80 catches and 1,500 yards, etc. Poggi's good but not a TFL machine. They're just a bunch of good football players who aren't really superstars.
January 22nd, 2013 at 4:17 PM |
do you think these guys might have mailed it in a little?
do you think these guys might have mailed it in a little?
they committed early. They knew what they were doing for the most part. Could it be possible that since they had something to risk, they wouldn't have put it out there as much? I don't mean lack of effort, but the proverbial out of bounds instead of taking a hit from four guys to get an extra yard?
January 22nd, 2013 at 4:20 PM |
No...I think they're all just
No...I think they're all just
No...I think they're all just a collection of good - not great - football players. They didn't put up great statistics as juniors, either, so it's not like they regressed.
January 23rd, 2013 at 10:02 AM |
Just to be clear, d. Smith
Just to be clear, d. Smith
Just to be clear, d. Smith played against 5 playoff teams and 7 teams with winning records. Not sure I would call that questionable competition.
Biggest question, where is kugler? Rivals is embarrassing when it comes to rankings.
January 23rd, 2013 at 10:58 AM |
It doesn't matter that the
It doesn't matter that the
It doesn't matter that the teams he played against have winning records. I'm talking about the athletes that he's playing against, not the won/loss records of the teams.
Patrick Kugler is the #82 overall recruit on Rivals. Not sure why you're so upset...
January 22nd, 2013 at 5:05 PM |
Average drop: 44
Average drop: 44
Just for kicks and because I needed to kill 10 minutes, I went through and calculated the average drop in ranking for our commits from their day of commitment to now.
Caveats: I didn't count anyone who was never in the top 250. For those who committed while in the top 250 and dropped out entirely (namely Tuley-Tillman, Gedeon, and Shallman), I used a final ranking of 251 for them. For those who committed before the first rankings were released (Morris and Thomas) I used their initial ranking.
The average change is -44.
Largest drop is LTT (-142). Second largest is Fox (-96).
Largest gain is Lewis (+36). Only other gain is Dawson (+34) (I used Dawson's first commitment, not the recent one).
Anyway, not claiming that this information is useful or significant in any way, like I said I just had a few minutes to kill.
January 22nd, 2013 at 4:13 PM |
You didn't mention Jake Butt
You didn't mention Jake Butt
You didn't mention Jake Butt in your move up/down. You highlighted him in your offerees section though so I guess it suffices. Sorry for pointing it out, it just really stuck out to me....
Anyway, not much change really. Everyone already in the 101 - 150 range stayed there, as well as Dawson in the 151 - 200 range, and Douglas and Charlton being at the bottom. LTT dropping wasn't overly surprising, he was so low on the list, that with the inclusions it was almost expected. I secretly hoped Hurst would have sneaked his way in there by how well he played in the semper fi bowl, but I now doubt he'll even get a 4th star. Overall, great class.
January 22nd, 2013 at 4:21 PM |
Butt is fixed.
Thanks.
Butt is fixed.
Thanks.
January 22nd, 2013 at 5:27 PM |
Ha. This made me giggle.
Ha. This made me giggle.
Ha. This made me giggle.
January 22nd, 2013 at 8:40 PM |
Probably should have said
Probably should have said
Probably should have said "made me laugh".
January 22nd, 2013 at 4:13 PM |
Rivals motto
Rivals motto
Pay us to give you information that is already on Twitter.
“What the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve and those who stay will be champions.”
January 22nd, 2013 at 4:28 PM |
Interesting that Cameron Hunt
Interesting that Cameron Hunt
Interesting that Cameron Hunt made the list at 213. I don't think he was in the top 250 previously, so unless I'm wrong that's a pretty significant jump.
January 22nd, 2013 at 4:32 PM |
That's about where I think he
That's about where I think he
That's about where I think he belongs. I've previously been surprised that he isn't ranked higher.
January 22nd, 2013 at 5:30 PM |
Our class is a good one, but
Our class is a good one, but
Our class is a good one, but it is not spectacular. We have a bunch of solid football players but no elite athletes in the class. Easy to move kids down that don't have a wow factor.
January 22nd, 2013 at 5:45 PM |
Yes
Yes
Because getting 12 of the top 250 kids in America is nothing spectacular, not to mention the likely addition of the number 8 overall rated player.
January 22nd, 2013 at 5:57 PM |
Exactly. Great teams are
Exactly. Great teams are
Exactly. Great teams are built on large quantities of good to great players, not necessarily a handful of elite ones. A top 250 ranking basically means "predicted NFL draft pick." Having a dozen of those in one class is very very good, even if none of them are first rounders.
January 22nd, 2013 at 7:19 PM |
I guess it all depends on
I guess it all depends on
I guess it all depends on your definition of spectacular, doesn't it?
January 22nd, 2013 at 7:28 PM |
Of course. If spectacular
Of course. If spectacular
Of course. If spectacular means the best in the country by a long shot, then of course ours is not that. I don't think most definitions of the word would apply to this class, but it's without debate a very good and deep recruiting class.
If you can string together 3 or more top-10 classes, you're probably looking at a top-5 team.
January 22nd, 2013 at 6:05 PM |
I recruit better in NCAA 13
I recruit better in NCAA 13
I recruit better in NCAA 13 every freaking year! Fire Hoke!
/s
Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
- Vince Lombardi
January 22nd, 2013 at 7:00 PM |
In my opinion, we have a very
In my opinion, we have a very
In my opinion, we have a very good solid class, but it is not great. Lack of explosive players at Defensive End, Cornerback, Wide Reciever, and Running Back(unless Green commits). Games are won up front on the offensive and defensive lines, but to be a truly great team you need some playmakers.
January 22nd, 2013 at 7:45 PM |
I agree with your last
I agree with your last
I agree with your last sentence completely, but this class has "some" playmakers, and to be a great team you don't need elite playmakers at every position in every class.
Do you not consider LBs and TEs playmakers? How about safeties?
January 22nd, 2013 at 7:49 PM |
Playmakers are generally
Playmakers are generally
Playmakers are generally considered to be guys who make sacks, interceptions, touchdowns, difficult catches, big kick/punt returns, etc. I don't think this class has a ton of playmakers, either.
January 22nd, 2013 at 8:12 PM |
I get what you're saying, but
I get what you're saying, but
I get what you're saying, but not all "plays" are flashy like that. Look at Stanford - it seems like we are building a team similar to what they do, and they don't have many "playmakers" either, but they win a lot of football games.
I like sacks and picks and punt returns as much as the next guy, but I also like guys who can shed blocks, fill gaps, diagnose plays and fall forward for a first down. Are Jake Ryan and Jordan Kovacs playmakers?
That said, Taco Charlton looks like a guy who can rack up some sacks, and Stribling has a knack for the ball that not many CB recruits have had for us lately. And if Jourdan Lewis moves to WR like I'd like him to, I think he can certainly be a playmaker there. He reminds me of Manningham at that spot - not big or super fast, but smooth with great instincts and hands.
January 22nd, 2013 at 8:18 PM |
I mean, Stanford had Andrew
I mean, Stanford had Andrew
I mean, Stanford had Andrew Luck the last couple years. This year they had a safety who had 6 picks returned for 301 yards and 3 touchdowns. They also had a guy with 10 sacks, and two guys with 7.5 sacks each. I'd say they had a few playmakers...
January 22nd, 2013 at 8:23 PM |
OK - but why do we think guys
OK - but why do we think guys
OK - but why do we think guys like Dymonte Thomas or Stribling or Mike McCray or Taco Charlton can't do that? As far as DTs go, Hurst and Poggi sure look like guys who can get to the QB very well. It just seems that no matter how good our class is, people still think it's not quite good enough.
January 22nd, 2013 at 8:32 PM |
I'm not sure they can't. But
I'm not sure they can't. But
I'm not sure they can't. But Thomas is a strong safety, so he might not have that many chances in pass coverage. Stribling isn't known for his speed. I'm not that high on McCray. Hurst and Poggi don't look like big-time superstars. Maybe Charlton can be that guy who gets a lot of sacks, maybe Lewis can get the picks and big returns, but the recruiting sites generally aren't in love with these guys we're mentioning. It's not just a few of us who think these guys lack playmaking ability.
January 22nd, 2013 at 8:46 PM |
And all of Stanford's
And all of Stanford's
And all of Stanford's defensive players were 5 stars? The sites might not be "in love" with them, but they seem to all be in the top-150ish players in the country, so they must think they have some playmaking ability. It just seems that if a guy isn't a univeral 5-star, you think he's destined for mediocrity. And I'm not saying all of these guys will be superstars, bu the odds are in my favor that some of them will.
January 22nd, 2013 at 9:49 PM |
Are we talking about being
Are we talking about being
Are we talking about being Stanford? Or are we talking about being Alabama? The phrase I heard above was a "truly great" team, and I'm not sure that Stanford falls in that category. If we're talking about a national championship-quality team like Alabama, then these guys don't seem to be up to par. If we're talking about being Stanford, then yeah, maybe these guys can develop.
I'm not disappointed at all with the class. I've said many times that the offensive and defensive lines are going to help us be a good team, regardless of the playmakers. But to take that next step, from "good" to "great," we need guys like Amari Cooper and T.J. Yeldon and Dee Milliner.
January 22nd, 2013 at 10:03 PM |
I think we need to talk
I think we need to talk
I think we need to talk Stanford before we can talk Alabama. Stanford finished ranked #7 after a Rose Bowl win, a year after Luck left, so I think that's a spot Michigan fans would be pretty psyched with. Alabama is a dynasty right now, and most years there's not a team like that. It's possible Stanford was a play away from being the team to play Bama this year, though.
In your mind, is the national champion the only "great" team? Because there's no team outside of Alabama this year that we wouldn't compete with having talent like our 2013 class brings.
January 22nd, 2013 at 11:24 PM |
Personally, I think the word
Personally, I think the word
Personally, I think the word "great" is overused. So yes, I would say Alabama was the only great team. After all, the next tier is teams like Ohio State, Notre Dame, Georgia, Texas A&M, etc. Very good teams? Sure. But when I think "great," I don't think a Notre Dame team that barely beat Pitt and barely beat a Michigan team that threw 5 picks, most of them stupid.
I agree that Michigan fans would and should be happy with a season like Stanford's before taking the next step, but that wasn't really my point. I'm looking at true greatness, not the kind where "You're a great team if you finish in the top 10."
January 22nd, 2013 at 11:19 PM |
Have to go with a Stanford 1st
Have to go with a Stanford 1st
I have to agree with Wolvin. I would love Michigan to get back to the top of the food chain with the SEC schools, but they just aren't there. We have to be a Top 10 team before we are near an Alabama. Hell even a Georgia. Michigan might be able to beat half the SEC this year. They really need to find a way to lure more dynamic players to Michigan. I hate to bring up bad memories but Clowney changed the game with one hit.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:29 AM |
Poggi
Poggi
Am I the only one who thinks he is WAY under rated? I know he is highly touted, but I think he looks like a future top 20 draft pick. I know. Way to early to tell. Hey. That's why they are called predictions.
January 22nd, 2013 at 8:05 PM |
Build it and they will come
Build it and they will come
Not to be cliche, but the lines are the foundation for any great team, and as we know, linemen take longer to develop at the collegiate level (especially o-linemen).
We have brought in the meat the last two recruiting cycles and will hopefully be adding some elite skill position players around that. RBs and WRs can come in and play in year 1 or 2 and be serviceable to great.
If we are indeed trying to replicate the Alabama manball model, we seem to be on the right track. Morris should develop well under Borges and with solid protection could develop into the pocket QB role.
Based on the last two recruiting cycles we can expect to look like Stanford next year. If we pull in the elite WR, Corners, and RBs in the next class and going forward we will start to lookmore like Bama, LSU, Florida.
BILG
January 22nd, 2013 at 9:17 PM |
I really like what we are
I really like what we are
I really like what we are building, but it is ok for me and others to think that there are some glaring holes that still need to be filled. I believe Michigan will be a top 10 team again sooner than later, but damn we need some skill players.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:06 AM |
You've stated a valid concern
You've stated a valid concern
We lack the top 50 prospects at WR, CB, DE and FS. Beyond just rankings, we don't have the prospects that you EXPECT to make game-changing plays in key games.
We might have a few surprise playmakers in the class; we definitely have a lot of quality and depth in the class.
The upside is the staff is able to focus more on playmakers for 2014 with the foundation in place.
"Everybody wants to be a hero, so to speak. But it takes everybody." - Charles Woodson
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:25 AM |
Well
Well
Couldn't agree more, but it's a hunch that gallon, Dileo, Funchess, and Gardner will provide a very solid stop-gap for next year. Our linebackers are gonna be insane next year. Our d line should be deep, and our o line should be a strength instead if a weakness. Countess will be back and Taylor got experience a year ahead if schedule. Combine all that with the big ten bit being great and our toughest games at home, and u think we are do for a big year. I also think Borges will finally get to run his offense. Now, some have no faith in him, and he might prove them right, but I think we will see great things and be a good draw to some elite skill position talent. Green would make me feel better though
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:35 AM |
I get what you're saying, but
I get what you're saying, but
I get what you're saying, but every team has some pretty big holes. Alabama had one good WR (really none the year before) and this year their secondary was pedestrian outside of Miiliner, and they were one of the best teams in a decade. Look at any other team in the top-10 and you'll find a couple position groups that aren't all that great.
I agree our WRs and CBs aren't going to turn heads for a while unless someone overachieves (though I think Jourdan Lewis will be very good at whichever of those he ends up) but our safeties should be good with Jarrod Wilson and Dymonte Thomas and even if we don't get Derrick Green our RB group should be good with the holes they'll have to work with.
No team has future NFLers at every spot, and we'll be no different. But we'll have big talent at a lot of positions and enough depth at the others that whoever emerges will be a very good player.
January 23rd, 2013 at 10:13 AM |
D.smith d3 player of the
D.smith d3 player of the
D.smith d3 player of the year
M McCray d2 defensive player of the year.
Not sure I agree with the we see these guys at combines crowd. Lewis was drooled over by Saban, not sure why people are so low on him. Taco went nuts this year, his ceiling has yet to be touched. At weak side we have Clark, Mario, and taco. If we land Marshall, that may be the most talented and deepest we've been at weak side in a very long time. Did anyone actually watch poggi? Kid was everywhere in the all star game. Hurst was said to have had a very good all star experience.
I think some are really selling these kids short at this point. You can't nail a super star at every position. Not realistic. You build from the inside out, as we a re doing, and sprinkle in good skill guys.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:37 PM |
Poland Seminary d3 playoffs
Poland Seminary d3 playoffs
Poland Seminary d3 playoffs in probably the best regiona in all of d4 with 17 teams with 6-4 records or better, including teams like Cardinal Mooney who didn't get in.
Warren Harding d1 playoffs, enough said.
Struthers finished 6-4 #9 in same region as Poland
Niles McKinley #2 in region d3
Hubbard #7 in same region as McKinley
Lakeside d2 school
Canfield d2 school
Boardmon d1
I'm not sure I follow.
Michael Ferns I would say didn't play many athletes, but saying someone from d3 in Ohio who plays several good d1-d2-and d3 schools doesn't play good athletes, is like saying no one in Michigan plays anyone.
January 23rd, 2013 at 12:59 PM |
...and Harding appears to be
...and Harding appears to be
...and Harding appears to be the only one with any notable athletes in the 2013 class.
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:44 PM |
lol, ok, if you're not
lol, ok, if you're not
lol, ok, if you're not playing d1 football, might as well just not play because the quality sucks unless you are playing at St. Iggy, Mentor, St. Eds, Pickerington, Upper A, Colerain, St. X, Moller.
This is a silly assumption, because all of those teams aren't loaded with d1 talent the level of competition is not good. D3 Ohio Football is as good as 90% of the football played in America.
Bring the state champs in Michigan over to Ohio, we will see how those loaded with talent Cass teams play against the best D3 squads. Ask Catholic Central what they thought of big boy football when they played Moller. Ask De La Salle how their game with St. Iggy went.
January 23rd, 2013 at 1:51 PM |
And what do St. Ignatius and
And what do St. Ignatius and
And what do St. Ignatius and Moeller have to do with Warren Howland? Nothing. They're in the same division of football, just like Michigan is in the same division as Eastern Michigan. Does that mean Eastern Michigan and the MAC are good competition?
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:10 PM |
What is your point? D3
What is your point? D3
What is your point? D3 football in Ohio is as good as 90% of football being played across America.
No way Cam Burrows is as good as another D1 Db because he plays D2.
No way McCray is as good as Gedeon because one is D1 the other D2.
We are screwed, of all of our Ohio commits, only one comes from D1.
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:12 PM |
Dorial Green-Beckham played
Dorial Green-Beckham played
Dorial Green-Beckham played against awful competition, so does Ty Issac, they both suck too.
Got Ben Boulware. He's so good.
Pennsylvania is the California of the East