Summary of 2011 Recruiting To Date
I posted a similar list a couple days ago and a few people asked me to keep it updated (and to add player ratings). I think it summarizes where we stand as of now and I've bolded the players various sources have said we have a very good shot at getting:
Committed (Firm)
Justice Hayes, MI RB **** [All Scout Ratings]
Brennan Beyer, MI DE ****
Kellen Jones, TX LB ****
Jack Miller, OH OL ***
Tony Posada, FL OL ***
Keith Heitzman, OH DE/TE ***
Chris Rock, OH DT ***
Tamani Carter, MN DB ***
Delonte Hollowell, MI DB ***
Greg Brown, OH DB ***
Raymon Taylor, MI DB ***
Desmond Morgan, MI LB ***
Matt Wile, CA K NR
Committed (Considering Options)
Blake Countess, MD DB **** (Also considering PSU)
De-Committed (Possibly Still In Running)
Jake Fisher, MI OL **** (Also considering MSU, OR and FL)
Offered (Hopefully Showing Interest)
Stefan McClure, CA DB **** (Announcing week of 1/24)
Antonio Poole, OH LB **** (Announcing 1/25)
Darian Cooper, MD DT **** (Contemplating visit)
Leilon Willingham, CO LB *** (Announcing 2/2, possibly earlier)
Chris Bryant, IL OL *** (Announcing 1/28)
Frank Clark, OH TE/LB *** (Announcing 1/28)
Trayion Durham, OH FB *** (1/28 visit)
Floyd Raven, LA DB *** (Visiting UM or Bama 1/28; aTm commit?)
Not Offered (Possible Interest)
Brandon Alexander, TX DE ****
Christian Heyward, CA DT ****
Ifo Ekpre-Olumu, CA DB **** (Oregon commit)
Thomas Rawls, MI RB *** (1/28 visit; announcing 1/31; eligibility issue)
Max Issaka, NJ DE ***
Jamare Mills, OH TE ***
Chris Barnett, TX TE *** (1/28 visit; Arkansas commit)
Russell Bellomy TX QB *** (1/28 visit?; Purdue commit)
Max Shortell, KS QB *** (Minnesota commit)
Christian Suntrup, MO QB *** (BC commit)
Pat Flavin, IL OL*** (Illinois commit)
UM Interested But Not Happening
Kris Frost, NC WR/LB **** (Auburn commit)
Anthony Zettel, MI OL **** (PSU commit)
Trevarris Saulsberry, FL DT *** (Tennessee commit)
Jordan Williams, FL DE *** (Tennessee commit)
Daren Kitchen, LA DB *** (SMU commit)
January 24th, 2011 at 11:07 PM ^
Thanks for doing this. Really clear picture of how this class should, might and (OMG THAT'D BE AWESOME) end up.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:19 PM ^
No problem. I understand why some people are stressed out about scholarships and filling certain positions but I'm going to give our staff the benefit of the doubt and am pumped to hear who we get between now and NSD.
January 25th, 2011 at 2:11 AM ^
I'm with you on that.
Glad people are continuing to make the effort to make this a great place.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:09 PM ^
We might need to cancel that 1/28 visit weekend because we're full. I doubt we will, but it will be interesting if we have 4 or so uncommitted recruits and one open spot. Does Hoke say, "Fellas, this is Michigan. First man who wants it gets the spot. Go."
Be honest, 2 weeks ago, who thought that would be the problem?
January 24th, 2011 at 11:13 PM ^
Absolutely kidding. But it's nice to be surprised like this, very happy to be wrong about this years class shaping up.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:18 PM ^
Be honest, 2 weeks ago, who thought that would be the problem?
I will take "Did not think that would be a problem" for $1000 Alex.
January 25th, 2011 at 1:11 AM ^
Every year there is attrition and with a new coaching change you can expect more than usual. If we have 20 spots but take 23 I think we can still safely fit them under the 85 requirement without anything shady. I mean if a guy was a 4th or 5th string slot in 2010 and his position just disappeared (and hes from the South) why would he stick around? I would hope for his sake that he would find a school that could better utilize his talents.
This why I think the staff will take 22 or 23 commits if they can get them.
January 25th, 2011 at 3:50 AM ^
This is what I've been thinking, the attrition that is going to happen (how much we will see) will probably come once practice resumes and through the summer into fall. Once the kids start to see their place on the team, or lack of one is when a problem might start, considering we have not seen anyone leave yet.
January 25th, 2011 at 8:04 AM ^
January 25th, 2011 at 10:44 AM ^
January 24th, 2011 at 11:15 PM ^
Compared to what was being posted 2 weeks ago.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:16 PM ^
January 24th, 2011 at 11:16 PM ^
Wow, for the first time in....well....quite a few months I've actually been excited about our class!
January 24th, 2011 at 11:17 PM ^
Clark is considered "a silent" but I have to wonder if we would be better off respectfully saying no thanks, like we did to Lucien and Flowers. If Barnett wants in, he's a much better TE prospect, and if not, we already have Morgan, Jones, Poole and Willingham (likely) at LB.
If our number is indeed 20, a great finish would be our 14 plus Fisher, Barnett, Cooper, Poole, WIllingham..and Durham I guess, since it sounds like he is a done deal.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:20 PM ^
Yeah, I seem to agree with everything you've been saying lately. I like Clark as a player, and I would be excited about him if he committed, but more so if he was one of three or fewer LBs. I wouldn't be upset if we did that, especially if we took the guys you mention. Although I wouldn't mind trading one of them for a QB. Oh, also you forgot Chris Bryant, who is likely Blue (and we need him to be).
January 24th, 2011 at 11:25 PM ^
to Clark. Then we can pretty much say bye bye to any future recruits from Glenville. It has been said that he spent most of his time with Mattison during his official. I would guess that means they want him to play LB. I would definitely like Clark to be in this class because I believe he will be a good defensive player for us with his size. Also, i think and hope this is the hurdle we finally get over with Glenville prospects. Therefore, I think it is a mistake to pull his scholarship, especially when it has been stated that Ted Ginn Sr. has a lot of respect for Hoke.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:32 PM ^
In all fairness, that happens all the time, and it's not considered unethical. If you want to accept a scholarship, you accept it. If you take too long and someone else takes your spot, you're SOL. Coach Hoke would have every right to say "Sorry Frank, while you were waiting, Antonio Poole accepted your scholarship" and I'm sure these recruits know that that's a possibility, especially this late in the process.
January 25th, 2011 at 2:04 AM ^
Honestly I don't know why any "good not great" type players with good offers don't commit earlier in the process.
Yea the guys getting recruited like Terelle Pryor out of high school have tons of options, but if you're a hypothetical 3* with a few offers, why not take the best school/team almost immediately?
January 25th, 2011 at 10:38 AM ^
I'm confused about the Lucien and Flowers thing. Don't we need WRs with two of our most talented leaving after next season?
January 25th, 2011 at 10:59 AM ^
January 24th, 2011 at 11:20 PM ^
January 24th, 2011 at 11:24 PM ^
That's cute. I thought it was Auburn at first. Then I realized that the symbol for Auburn was "3rd Party check."
January 24th, 2011 at 11:26 PM ^
January 24th, 2011 at 11:43 PM ^
Thanks, I don't have access to Scout or Rivals so all mad propers go to this site.
January 25th, 2011 at 8:04 AM ^
January 24th, 2011 at 11:28 PM ^
One thing to keep in mind since we had some kids wash out of last year's class, is that Greg Brown can be applied to last year's number if they end up needing an extra spot for someone they really want since Greg is already enrolled this semester.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:37 PM ^
Umm...no. That only applies if you are over the limit in one class. It makes no difference if we count Brown on last years number, we still cant go over 85, and thats what the issue will be.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:37 PM ^
January 24th, 2011 at 11:41 PM ^
I'm figuring Countess stays with us, Fisher leaves us (hoping Hoke can sway him with the in-home) and Poole, Clark, Willingham, Durham, and Bryant commit to us soon. If Fisher's a no that gives us 19 with Rawls a possibility. At this point if we're figuring on 20 as the number we want, that means if Fisher commits we're at 20 and maybe 1 spot for the first man to grab it (between McClure, Raven, Rawls, and maybe Cooper). I'd say give that one last scholarship to Cooper, McClure, Raven, Rawls in that order or if all 4 by some miracle want to come we take all 3 of the guys on D and take a light class next year.
It's a shame that Rawls would do all that work to get eligible and not have a scholarship available for him, but that's the nature of recruiting. If your grades or scores aren't good enough, your spot can't be held.
January 24th, 2011 at 11:45 PM ^
If Watson and Grady aren't renewed we have 21 available, I'm dumb. Cooper's not likely and there's no way all 4 of those guys want to come to UM anyway, but I say the 3 guys on D get priority over Rawls.
January 25th, 2011 at 1:17 AM ^
Even with a complete shift in offensive and defensive strategy? Not to mention a change in the parts of the country we are recruiting and the type of athlete we are going after. Between now and September I wouldn't be surprised to see 4-6 players either transfer or not qualify or just decide (as some 5th year seniors do) that they are done with football. How many transfers or non-qualifiers did we have from Dec 07' to Sep 08'?
January 25th, 2011 at 2:58 AM ^
But you can only go 3 over the limit of 85 scholarships and then you must be back down to 85 by August. It is a dangerous game to play and I'm not sure the coaching staff would really like to go over 85 hoping/looking for kids to leave. It's better to get to exactly 85 and give the extra scholarships to walk-ons rather than pushing kids out. Unless the coaches know for a fact certain kids are going to leave, they shouldn't go over 85.
January 25th, 2011 at 10:37 AM ^
Given that Rawls' high school coach is Fred Jackson's son, I'm guessing that even though he announced on 1/31, UM has already added him in. Which raises the question of whether or not Brady will give 21 scholarships, counting on something washing out. Either way, I think (and hope) that Rawls is already in the fold. If not, now is not the time to be delaying your commitment announcement (happy trails, Hakeem Flowers!).
January 24th, 2011 at 11:54 PM ^
January 25th, 2011 at 12:02 AM ^
Relax. Let me explain.
Right now there are 65 scholarship players on the roster, which is where everyone is getting the #20 from. HOWEVER, this is only a baseline number for us to start with.
Mike Williams is almost certainly unwilling to return from his concussions to risk further brain damage practicing for a team he won't ever see the field for again.
21.
Steve Watson is also unlikely to return. From what I understand, it's generally up to the player to decide if they want to return but not many guys usually do when a coaching change occurs. We don't have any confirmation with this guy, but chances are he won't be back.
22.
Early enrollees don't count towards this years scholarship count. I present to you, Greg Brown, already on campus.
23.
It's %100 that we have at least 21. About 95% that we have 22. And what, maybe 60-70% we have 23.
Also, Big Ten rules allow for teams to sign 3 over the space available provided they arrive at the 85 player limit by August and have documented thoroughly how they got there. (Got that info from the Steward Mandel article today on oversigning, no link sorry go check it out.)
So, if the staff knows of any guys who will be transferring they could technically push it up to 26 (that ain't happenin' though it is something interesting.)
So, with 23 spots open, 14 guys officially committed, and 5 more pretty much in the fold, that leaves us with maybe 4 spots for BELLOMY, BARNETT, FISHER, COOPER, and MCCLURE.
CONCLUSION: We have plenty of space for all of our needs people. RELAX
January 25th, 2011 at 12:40 AM ^
The only problem I really see with your calculations is the backdating of Greg Brown. It's my understanding that backdating his scholarship would provide an extra slot for this class (allowing us to bring in 26 players rather than the 25/class limit) but only if we had room under the 85 person cap, which unfortunately we don't. Of course I could be completely confusing the rules again, wouldn't really surprise me.
January 25th, 2011 at 12:50 AM ^
January 25th, 2011 at 9:41 AM ^
If we oversign, the players that need to worry are the scholarship walkons and the fifth years.
If Hoke gets a last minute call from Cooper or a National Signing Day surprise from some star like Frost or Zettel, then he will have to tell either Hemingway, Hugye, Herron, VanBergen, Leach, McColgan, Kovacs, or Morales that there won't be a scholarship for them.
Chances are we would only oversign if the player was special and we would have until Summer to find a scholarship. After Spring camp we may lose a few and then it wouldn't be an issue. If no one leaves then Hoke has a hard talk with one of the above players.
January 25th, 2011 at 8:09 AM ^
For the 5 guys in the fold, are you saying Willingham, Clark, Poole, Rawls and Bryant? I think we have a real good shot for Durham, and I think we need Fisher, Cooper and Bellomy to close out the class. That is 23, but as others have said, I don't think your list is adding up. The Greg Brown point is wrong, as it wont count against the max 25 for this year, as we can backdate it to last years class, but it still counts against the 85. I could see a few guys who were on scholarship as walkons not have that 1 year scholarship renewed, as well as some normal attrition with the coaching change, so hopefully we can get 23, if not a full 25. We'll see soon enough, but it sure has been exciting coming down the homestretch following a dismal late December and early January.
January 25th, 2011 at 8:16 AM ^
January 25th, 2011 at 9:49 AM ^
BRAVO
January 25th, 2011 at 10:39 AM ^
Good stuff. Thanks.
January 25th, 2011 at 12:24 AM ^
You are also not counting any attrition. Some current players may not like a position change or see that someone has jumped them on the depth chart, so they decide to tranfer.
In fact, there were many "sky is falling" people on this blog who predicted massive attrition with a coaching change and having another 2-3 year rebuilding project. To date, we have had zero players transfer/leave secondary to the coaching change.
While it is likely we may get a few before the 2011 start of the season, it won't be Doom. Actually, we could use some (selective) attrition to allow for additional recruits on the offensive side of the ball in this class. Personally, I would prefer a few more big bodies-lineman- on both sides.
January 25th, 2011 at 8:39 AM ^
January 25th, 2011 at 11:45 AM ^
January 25th, 2011 at 1:33 AM ^
But other than that I like!
January 25th, 2011 at 7:38 AM ^
it seems like there is a ton of information out there and your summary pulls it all together nicely. It is indeed an exciting week to be a Michigan fan. Can't wait for today's (possible) committment.
"Antonio Poole, come on down!" (Actually, I guess it would be 'up'.)
January 25th, 2011 at 8:00 AM ^
January 25th, 2011 at 8:56 AM ^
I fully expect Hoke to fill the class out at 23. This is only my opinion, and I have heard from a few reputable users on here that the midwest class for next year should be amazing, but you don't leave spots open hoping for something to happen a year from now. I think hoke plans on the 2 non renewing schollies because it looks like we already have the last 6 spots filled and from a standpoint of who we have at qb, not saying they arent amazing, but not ideal for borges to work with, kinda like how RR didnt have the qb's he wanted (except robinson and gardner are actually good), I think he's going to deff have to take one in this class
edit - not saying the qb will ever start over robinson or gardner, but might as well have him in the system as long as possible for when they leave
January 25th, 2011 at 9:18 AM ^
Do you think there is a chance Gibbons and/or Seth B. will have their scholarships cut with the addition of Wile thus giving us 1 or 2 more spots to use for talent this yr or next? I know Seth B. is only a walk on so you would think after the horrible job the 2 did last yr that at least one won't or shouldn't be back. Just curious on peoples thoughts