Rodriguez's Jan/Feb 08 Recruiting

Submitted by Dreisbach1817 on

Something struck me as I was looking back at the 08 class -- the one where Rodriguez took over in December 07 (officially Jan 08 after Capital One Bowl) and had basically 1-2 months to recruit: 

The players we got in that 1 month period are critical members to this team.  In fact, what RR was able to pull off is somewhat remarkable considering what vast shift in philosophy this program was undergoing.  Here is a list of players worth noting:

JT Floyd - starting CB

Odoms - starting WR

Omameh - starting G (but he can't be good, he's only a 2 star on Rivals...)

Terrance Robinson - reliable slot WR (who should be fielding punts in my opinion)

Roy Roundtree - starting WR (don't mind if we do, Purdue)

Michael Shaw - starting RB

Kevin Koger - starting TE - Scout/Rivals has this as an earlier commit but if I recall, RR was able to convince him to stay when he was about to go somewhere else.  I could be wrong..

      EDIT: Looks like Koger was a solid commit when RR came aboard, so maybe not as crucial for him.

Barnum - future starter

All in 1 month's time.  Had Brandon Smith panned out this would have been even more of a Home Run. 

It is also worth noting that most coaches are hired much earlier than RR was back in December.  My point is that we could be in far worse shape right now considering the change UM underwent during that year.  Maybe RR's Jan/Feb 08 impact wasn't noticed right away, but it has clearly paid off.  One may argue that most of these impact players are on offense, which is a vaid point (if not criticism).  But clearly this was a successful and critical month for UM football.

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Michigan4Life

September 22nd, 2010 at 9:33 PM ^

LC's recruit, not RR's recruit.

Also Brandon Smith is overrated by recruiting services.  He's really slow and was more of a LB than S.  Even at LB, he didn't look all that good.

Joined: 07/29/2010

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umhannon

September 22nd, 2010 at 9:37 PM ^

I remember this period also from the origination of snake oil. Which still makes me laugh when I read or write it. Sadly, it just doesn't come up in casual conversation enough.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 5391

MichFan1997

September 22nd, 2010 at 9:52 PM ^

on T-Rob being a "reliable" slot receiver at this point. Dude has 2 catches in his career. I still like him and he's only a sophomore though, so I'll reserve judgement.

Joined: 08/04/2008

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dlevs01

September 22nd, 2010 at 10:01 PM ^

but all that list really confirms is what blog followers who believe in rr already knew and what idiots elsewhere should have known. RR knows EXACTLY what he is doing on offense.

The problem is he needs a coordinator to run the D and the fact that he even picked shafer to begin with terrifies me about as much as the GERG is scaring me now.

RR will terrorize opponents with his offensive knowledge combined with michigan level recruiting but defense is what will ultimately decide his job

Joined: 09/12/2010

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Sambojangles

September 22nd, 2010 at 10:10 PM ^

Two words: Terelle Pryor.

RR did well with the other guys, but his main target through that whole process was the best recruit in the country, and he missed. I don't want to deal in what-ifs, but if Pryor had come here, wow those two months would have been quite a haul.

Joined: 12/15/2008

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yossarians tree

September 22nd, 2010 at 10:19 PM ^

Give that man a SEE-gar!

If RR can field a defense that is a typical of Michigan over the last 25 years, he will have restored the power to the point possible given that we now live firmly in the 85 scholly era.

Joined: 08/19/2010

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cazzie

September 22nd, 2010 at 11:52 PM ^

Yes. RR will do even better this time unencumbered by all this bullshit grief and drama that he has had to undeservedly put up with until now. Looks good to me.

That list of contributing players is remarkable. It speaks  well  to RR's talent to see talent where others don't. And teach and train and coach up the young students and make them men.

Let's see...good eye for talent...great recruiter, (especially late, even with a ton of baggage)...an innovator and student of the game...a proven winner... and an ability to keep on going hard even with all the grief and ridiculous drama. Now we have a super QB and an exciting, hard working, selfless, intelligent,  young team, All in for RR and for each other.  With a winning record, a (warm?) bowl game, and total coaching job security. That should help a lot with recruiting.

Great Recruiting + Great Coaching + Great Program = Victorious Champions

Sounds good to me.

I think that the Darkness is over.

Joined: 01/26/2009

MGoPoints: 542

Magnus

September 23rd, 2010 at 6:48 AM ^

I know I'm a Negative Nancy, but...

Taylor Hill, LB - never made it through fall camp and playing for Youngstown State

Justin Feagin, QB/WR - wannabe drug dealer

Boubacar Cissoko, CB - Carr recruit who Rodriguez had to convince to stick around.  Now in jail.

Rodriguez pulled in some solid recruits, but he also had his fair share of clunkers.  When you add to that the fact that an inordinate number of kids transferred/quit football after his arrival, the net gain is a little bit murky.

Joined: 07/17/2008

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