Rounding out the recruiting class

Submitted by TK on September 17th, 2021 at 11:20 AM

So we are getting a lot of recruiting news lately and we probably aren’t that far from filling up the class. Here’s my quick breakdown and if anyone can help fill in the blanks I would appreciate it. We have a recruiting board but it hasn’t been updated in a bit. 
To me this looks like a class that lacks a little star power currently (three 4*s compared to twelve 3*s) but I have a feeling many of the 3 stars are guys that the staff values much more than their rankings. 
Sitting at 16 commits and I will guess a total of 22 give or take a couple.

QB: 1. Probably done here. Denegal isn’t a super prospect but adding an elite is a tough pull after getting McCarthy. Makes getting an elite in 2023 important. 

RB: 1. Same situation. Probably done here but we will have at least Corum and Edwards next year and maybe Haskins as well. 
 

WR: 2. Probably add one more with Walker looking likely, we will see if Trent ends up in the class as there are rumors he has work to do.

TE: 2. Should be done here.

OL: 2.  Looking solid to add Conerly and I’m assuming we will want to add one more. 
 

DT: 1. Looking to add Grant and Deone Walker. Anyone know their time frames?

DE: 2. We have Eugenio and Henry and will probably add Josephs. 
 

LB: 2. We have Alexander and Micah Pollard. Alexander is certainly a sleeper type and Pollard is an example of a guy the staff probably likes a lot more than his ranking. We probably need one more but I’m not sure who we are looking at.

CB: 3. Johnson, Pollard and Jones are a very solid trio. Looking to add Domani to the mix to make this a great group. 
 

S: 0? Maybe Jones plays safety but right now looks like a nickle. We need 1 or 2 and I’m not sure who is likely right now. 
 

 

 

MGoBoard

Mercury Hayes

September 17th, 2021 at 11:24 AM ^

I have nothing to add to the recruiting roundup, but projecting which players might return is a silly exercise two weeks into the season. Just enjoy the ride and figure it out later.

Joined: 08/18/2010

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Gentleman Squirrels

September 17th, 2021 at 11:28 AM ^

Grant is deciding in the next week or two. Deone Walker will take longer to wrap up. He wants to visit Bama. Also add Hastings and Nolan to targets in the DT board, even if one of them is a long shot

OL: Michigan is targeting Washington OL Mark Nabou. Depending on how DT targets play out, Deone Walker could be an OL as well

WR: Dane Key is another target but Walker is much more likely. Also seems like Harbaugh told Walker that they really like him at WR but he can play that or S, whichever he prefers.


LB: Lander Barton is the main target besides Josh Josephs

S: Damani Dent. And Kody Jones can play both safety or nickel corner

Joined: 06/03/2014

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mwolverine1

September 17th, 2021 at 12:13 PM ^

I wish we had more targets at LB but in the meantime we are going all out for Lander Barton. I see Josephs as an EDGE, though he and Pollard have some versatility to do linebacker things (Henry and Eugenio are less versatile, but better as pass rushers). 

There is also Cody Hagen at WR. Would've liked to see him visit this past weekend, but we will have to get him on campus to have any sort of shot.

At DB we also have Ephesians Prysock (just made his top 5), Austin Ausberry (just visited), and Zeke Barry (Arizona commit). All are fairly versatile but probably best at safety. We will see if any schedule officials to Michigan.

I like Hastings and hope we can get him on campus again, but it sounds like he's feeling UF (he also just got a UGA offer). Robby Harrison has also gotten interest but I don't know if he has visited and I haven't heard anything new recently.

Joined: 11/23/2009

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njvictor

September 17th, 2021 at 11:29 AM ^

In regards to safety, I could definitely see one of Pollard, Johnson, or Jackson sliding back there. All 3 of them have the size, athleticism, and range to be a safety. Dent and Walker are also being recruited there as well I believe

Joined: 07/20/2017

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King Tot

September 17th, 2021 at 11:37 AM ^

I do not believe TE is done as I believe we are still pursuing Delp.

Dent (and I believe Walker) are targets at safety.

I imagine the staff wants to take another RB but is unlikely to reach for one.

I am pretty sure Pollard is considered more of and EDGE like Henry, Eugenio, and Josephs.

WR (especially if Trent can't make the grades), OL, S (Walker would help), and ILB are the areas that seem to be the areas where there is the most work to do.

Joined: 11/29/2016

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markusr2007

September 17th, 2021 at 12:06 PM ^

Following college football recruiting achievements for your favorite team while there is consistently high roster attrition of 4- and 5-star players due to high outbound transfers and low, underwhelming inbound transfers, is like telling a little kid to happily go outside and catch fireflies.

Except they're not fireflies. They're angry killer bees. And you disturbed their slumber. Dammit Bobby, why did you do that???

Joined: 10/21/2008

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OSUMC Wolverine

September 17th, 2021 at 12:19 PM ^

High School recruiting doesnt matter much anymore as kids can transfer whenever they want. NIL offers will be rolling in all the time for kids to transfer to other schools---recruiting will be a 3-5 year adventure for every player now. Six to seven figure contracts will be pulling multiyear starters from non-top ten teams to top ten types to fill gaps---will be the new norm.

Joined: 09/06/2008

MGoPoints: 4403

outsidethebox

September 17th, 2021 at 1:05 PM ^

Yikes. I hope it's not this bad...but it might be too close for comfort. This landscape could become quite tricky. So when Alabama, Georgia and LSU are syphoning high performing players from NE/SW College, resulting in a couple of their 5 stars jumping into the portal, we had better be prepared to scoop them up.

Joined: 01/23/2017

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maizenblue92

September 17th, 2021 at 12:25 PM ^

I don't get why people think that having one elite QB prospect one year should affect your recruiting of the position the next year so much you can't get at least another mid to high four star? High-end teams bring in good QBs they want every year because with the transfer rules if the depth chart isn't clear it is easy to just go somewhere else.

Joined: 01/01/2009

MGoPoints: 19715

skegemogpoint

September 17th, 2021 at 12:36 PM ^

Really think LB is thin after Jennings flipped to MD last year and Burnham ended up picking ND. These were two big misses. Getting Barton on board would be huge - big opportunity here for him.  

Joined: 07/08/2008

MGoPoints: 503

AZBlue

September 17th, 2021 at 2:54 PM ^

Don’t hold Your breath on Barton imo.  Unless he silent committed and they want to keep things quiet to avoid backlash in Utah I think things don’t look good.  There was not a single mention of him in the hour-plus podcast recapping the weekend by Lorenz, Webb, and Marich.

I would be intrigued to see if Burnham rethinks his ND commit if their season goes the way it seems to be headed…

Joined: 09/14/2008

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Blueinsconsin

September 17th, 2021 at 1:24 PM ^

There's a couple others not listed here like Damani Dent at S and Dane Key at WR. Of course Walter Nolen for DT too..This class can either be really good or the possibility to be Alabama-like amazing.

Joined: 08/24/2011

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UWSBlue

September 17th, 2021 at 3:23 PM ^

Based upon the last few years, some of these guys are saying all the right things but will end up Roll-Tiding south. The challenge is figuring out which ones.

Joined: 08/11/2012

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