Top 5 optimistic remaining recruiting targets
I’d be interested to see what everyone’s Top 5 optimistic (changed from "realistic" b/c I think discussion on how much of a longshot prospect X is doesn't add much) remaining recruiting targets are for our 2010 class. I wouldn’t classify Seantrel as realistic because it sounds like he’s probably USC bound so my Top 5 would look like this:
1. Josh Shaw, CB – shutdown corner who may be visiting for OSU, definitely a long shot but still an outside chance.
2. John Fulton, CB – we’re still in the race for his final visit so another longshot but a man can dream, can’t he?
3. Wayne Dorsey, DE – we’re in the running for this monster along with about a dozen other premium programs.
4. Cullen Christian, CB – we all know and love Cullen and him committing elsewhere would be a serious gut punch.
5. Tony Jefferson, S – UCLA commit but he’s also visiting for OSU.
We’ve got some big kids coming in for OSU and that got me thinking – what would be the best case scenario in terms of game outcome from a recruiting standpoint? An exciting win in spite of terrible DB play? Would someone like Shaw rather see clear evidence that he would be starting from day 1 or a glimmer of possible future national championships?
November 5th, 2009 at 1:38 PM ^
"I'm visiting Arizona this weekend, Michigan (Nov. 21) and UCLA (Dec. 4). Those will all be official visits and that will be it for me. I was looking at Miami too but I'm not going to be visiting there. I'm still committed to the Bruins and after my official visit there, I'll make a final decision on where I'm going but right now, I'm still all UCLA."More Here, http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4617042&name=West_Re…
November 5th, 2009 at 1:43 PM ^
Thanks for the info. Nice to see that we don't have to compete with a state where he has family already at. Sounds like he is open to possibly changing his mind but I wish our visit was the last one. It is always nice to have the last impression on a kid before he decides. Thanks again.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:40 PM ^
Personally, I think Grimes is the best corner left on our realistic offer board. I think he's better than Christian and Mathis, as well as some of the long-shot guys.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:06 PM ^
I agree completely with Grimes being the best we have a shot with, he looks like a stud in his videos and I have heard nothing to make me think any different from any of the recruiting sites.
As far as Mathis goes, I don't know a lot about him but looking at his stats and size etc, he reminds me a lot of Cissoko. Not to be an ass, but I have had enough of seeing 5'7-5'9 corners try and cover the types of receivers we generally see. Give me Grimes, Christian and Knight please!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:24 PM ^
I agree on Mathis and NOT just because of how things worked out with B. Cissoko. Honestly, I never wanted Cissoko, either. Smurf CB's scare the crap out of me. CB's who are close to (better yet, over) 6 feet are the way to go: Turner, Grimes, Christian.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:22 PM ^
1) Olaniyan
2) Christian
3) Grimes
Good news is these 3 and furman are a lock
November 5th, 2009 at 1:30 PM ^
I don't think Olaniyan is a lock for Michigan.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:34 PM ^
And I certainly wouldn't consider Knight and Furman locks, either.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:31 PM ^
out of curiosity, what happened to Cassius McDowell? I know he was injured but didn't we offer him before it happened? What are the chances he picks us because of Witty and Robinson, or doesn't the coaching staff want him anymore?
November 5th, 2009 at 1:36 PM ^
Guys like Drew Dileo, Tony Drake, and Austin White have that spot pretty much filled.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:33 PM ^
of players regardless of their interest. Then I would love to see Jeff Luc sign the dotted line. Would love Michigan to get a potentially game changing MLB.
But realistically .... my list would not be much different than all of the above. Shut-down corner(s), legit Safety prospect(s), and DL help.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:07 PM ^
I know its another long shot to say the least, but I was curious where we stood with Christian Jones at LB. That is a spot in need of serious help as far as I'm concerned. I know he hasn't set up an official to Michigan, but on Rivals it says he has no visits scheduled for the OSU weekend. Is there even an outside chance here?
November 5th, 2009 at 1:41 PM ^
and would go about as far as possible in replacing the BG hole that will be. A DL with Dorsey at one end, with a 15-20 lb gain for Roh (please), stout Martin, possible coming of age of Big Will and ever improving RVB would set the stage for what I think will be a greatly improved secondary.
Dorsey would be close to my #1 happy pill, assuming Marvin Robinson, Witty (who I think will surprise many) and Cullen make it. Dorsey is a big time NFL type guy who will contribute from day one (he would start IMO with no issues.) From what I read he's got a good attitude and tons of talent and brawn. Unfortunately he looks to want to stay in the south.
Offense is looking good BTW.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:41 PM ^
I get the feeling that the coaches are slow playing McDowell a little bit. I think they'd take him if they have slots left at the end, but he's not a priority anymore. He kind of missed the boat because he took/is taking too long to decide.
I'm kind of hoping one of our receivers decommits and we can take McDowell... I think he's a Martavious Odoms clone.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:47 PM ^
I'm not so sure about that. In a recent article on rivals ($) McDowell said Michigan's coaches were still recruiting him the hardest.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:47 PM ^
Here's saying there will be a fair amount of poaching in January. We have immediate playing opportunities all over the defense.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:47 PM ^
1. Defense
2. Defense
3. Defense
4. Defense
5. Defense
November 5th, 2009 at 1:50 PM ^
It seems like Christian, Grimes, and Murphy are the most likely to commit based on everything we are reading. But others I'd like to have are Jefferson, Riley or Parker, Knight, and Beau Allen or Thornton. I have a weird feeling too that if Stills is interested in committing then maybe Williamson is the odd man out. Like every year we can all hope for some surprises, we've gotten some nice ones the past couple years.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:33 PM ^
For what it’s worth (admittedly not a whole hell of a lot) here is my ranking of the Top 25 guys who still have UM on their board based on our current needs. Clearly many are very unlikely but they are all still uncommitted as of now:
1. Seantrel Henderson, OL
2. Joshua Shaw, CB
3. Johnavon Fulton, CB
4. Wayne Dorsey, DE
5. Anthony Barr, RB
6. Cullen Christian, LB
7. Tony Jefferson, S
8. Shariff Floyd, DT
9. Marquis Flowers, S
10. Aramide Olaniyan, LB
11. Dietrich Riley, S
12. Josh Furman, LB
13. Gabe King, DE
14. Mike Thornton, DT
15. Dominique Easley, DE
16. Chris Dunkley, WR
17. Dior Mathis, CB
18. Kenny Stills, WR
19. Brandon Gainer, RB
20. Rashad Knight, CB
21. Jatashun Beachum, DT
22. Skyler Schofner, OL
23. Beau Allen, DT
24. Sean Parker, S
25. Tony Grimes, CB
Anyone think guys are way out of order or want to weigh in on most likely commits? Any big omissions?
November 5th, 2009 at 2:42 PM ^
I don't believe he projects as a LB
November 5th, 2009 at 2:38 PM ^
Floyd has basically said no.
Michigan has basically said no to Schofner.
Grimes should be higher.
Easley has already committed to PSU (unless he decommitted and I don't know about it yet).
November 5th, 2009 at 2:57 PM ^
Good catch on Easley - it's so hard to keep track of all the players who are opting for Happy Valley instead of the sweet, sweet Deuce. Do you agree that Grimes should be lower than the other CBs Shaw, Fulton, Christian (typo on the LB vs. CB), Mathis, and Knight?
November 5th, 2009 at 3:24 PM ^
I would rank the corners like this:
1. Shaw
2. Grimes
3. Fulton
4. Christian
5. Mathis
Knight is being recruited as a safety.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:57 PM ^
Give me 2 out of the 5 on this list and I would be ecstatic.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:29 PM ^
There are 5 positions that I feel we need 1 more body.
DT: Jatashun Beachem seems most likely. If not, Thornton or Allen may be possibilities.
DE: Wilkins I believe will play the "quick", and Paskorz will be a true DE. I think we need one more true DE. Clarence Murphy may be that player if he comes with Grimes. Tobi Okuyemi is another possibility.
LB: I think Marvin Robinson projects here so we arent in dire need, but we still lack a middle linebacker prospect. But then again, we havent really offered any so maybe Greg Robinson isnt seeking that type of player. Olaniyan is probably our top LB on the board, but I'm not sure how likely he is. Furman or Tyrone Cornelius are 2 good possibilities. So one of the 3.
CB: I'd love to sign both Christian and Grimes and I gladly would if one of them can play safety. As bad as our CB situation is, the safety situation is worse. I'd say CC or Grimes or both, depending on whether or not we can get another saftey.
S: Rashad Knight, Bobby Swigert, Tony Jefferson, Marquis Flowers, Lorenzo Waters, Sean Parker. We need one of these guys, the most likely is Knight.
As far as the number of recruits we sign, that is still debatable. 25 seems like a safe number but you never know. With RR announcing Kovacs will be on scholarship, we currently have 62 players on scholarship next year. Plus 20 recruits, that means we are at 82 for next year, or 3 left. However, I dont expect Cone, Wright or Patterson back, and maybe not Sheridan either. So we could be at 25 or 26. It will be interesting to see what happens for the 2011 class because as of now we will only have 11-13 scholarships available for that class. So the staff better be smart with who they offer.
November 5th, 2009 at 8:37 PM ^
I fully anticipate that 2 or 3 guys currently on the roster will leave of their own volition in addition to the RS Juniors you alluded to not being asked back.
Completely 100% speculation about guys who might leave would include: Terrence Robinson (4th or 5th on depth chart at slot), J.B. Fitzgerald (3rd on depth chart at ILB) and Brandon Smith (not sure what position he is even languishing on the bench as at this point).
November 5th, 2009 at 10:43 PM ^
I could definitely see TRob leaving (and at this point it might be a good thing considering we have 7 slots and he has done nothing), but I sure hope the other 2 can make it. I had Brandon Smith pencilled in as a starter next year, maybe I am way off. Does anyone have a clue who takes over for Stevie Brown next year?
November 6th, 2009 at 4:04 AM ^
You probably shouldn't have penciled in Brandon Smith, considering the fact that he's playing WILL and Jonas Mouton is returning.
November 6th, 2009 at 4:48 PM ^
1. Christian
2. Big Tex
3. Furman
4. Grimes
5. Murphy