What 4 or 5 star prospects are real possible signings for Michigan?

Submitted by nowayguy on

I had seen that Michigan has 19 total recruits on Rivals and that got me wondering, is there any way the rest of those spots could be filled by four or five star guys? Is there any chance we could get Sharrif Floyd and Anthony Barr? Basically I'm hoping for some more insight then just a page from Rivals.

J. Lichty

September 30th, 2009 at 10:17 AM ^

but off the top of my head some of these kids M appears to have a good chance:

Christian Cullen; Brandon Ifill; Josh Furman; Josh Shaw; Arimide Olanyian; Seantrel Henderson (very longshot).

For more you should really check the recruiting board (under the useful stuff tab in the upper right of your screen) and a likely Wed recruitin post later today.

MLAWyer

September 30th, 2009 at 10:18 AM ^

It looks like a strong possibility that Cullen Christian and Aramide Olaniyan (sp?) could both be in this class. Both are solid 4-star guys who would be great pickups for our defense.

I'm not sure Michigan has a very good chance with Floyd or Barr.

Edit: Sorry about the repetition, looks like we replied very close together.

The King of Belch

September 30th, 2009 at 10:24 AM ^

I'm a paying Scout guy, and right now it is as fuzzy as ever. What you might look for, rather than banking or wondering about current guys UM is pursuing, is what happens during the meat of the season and after.

Rodriguez has shown the ability to close on kids late and pluck a few that are off the radar at these early points in the football and recruiting season. I suspect this will happen again with this class.

he has rpeatedly said they hope to sign a full class of 25--so that leaves six spots (without factoring in any more attrition).

I'd say the BIg Names, at this point, like Sharif Floyd or Seantrel Henderson appear to be real real longshots.

The names you have heard such as Gloster, Grimes, and the others who UM has consistenly been mentioned as being "in on" are still there. One intriguing, if not increasingly disappointing recruitment is that of Cullen Christian. He's just not biting yet, and this after (according to Scout) leading UM coaches to believe, on two previous occassions, that his committment was forthcoming. Now it drags on.

King Beaver of Scout is giving off a strong vibe that a OT of people are waiting to see how this season turns out for UM. I suspect a Big Win over Sparty would be a real shot in the arm, as that would pretty much guarantee UM going into the PSU game at 6-1, with a bowl game in the bag.

New names to look for that seem to be promising: Joshua Shaw, a 4-star CB; Josh Furman, a 4 star LB; aned a new DE who has popped up named Clarence Murphy (3-star).

It seems that UM is going to concentrate on real needs (punter Will Hagerup) right now, and take commits from Big Timers if they come, of course (per Scout)--but again, it looks like a "wait and see" thing right now as recruits (an prolly UM staff) want to see how this season unfolds.

Mr. Maize

September 30th, 2009 at 10:29 AM ^

* * * * Cullen Christian - DB
* * * * Dior Mathis - DB
* * * * Aramide Olaniyan - LB
* * * Jonathan Hankins - DT (yes, I know we haven't offered yet)
* * * Josh Furman - LB

I will go out on a limb and say Brennan Clay decommits from OU and signs with Michigan, and someone currently in the class bails. That's my bold prediction. And no, I have absolutely nothing to base any of this on.

TomVH

September 30th, 2009 at 10:39 AM ^

Besides what everyone else has said, we're not getting Anthony Barr.

Shariff Floyd is coming for a visit, but I don't think he chooses us.

Tony Grimes and his teammate, Clarence Murphy (DE), have said that they will be going to school together. Michigan is number one on Grimes list, and the only other school that has offered the pair is Wisconsin, so you do the math.

Troy Gloster (LB) is thinking about deciding this week, and is down to Michigan and WVU. I'm supposed to talk to him later today, so I'll be able to get a better vibe on him from that.

It looks like we'll get a strong push for defensive players towards the end. We've had some new kids show interest, and I think that might continue closer to signing day.

teldar

September 30th, 2009 at 4:46 PM ^

We have Courtney Avery, Terrence Talbott, Cullen? Possibly Mathis? Ifill? Shaw?
Do we take Grimes AND a 3* DE if they want to come together.

Board says we need 2. We have 2. And another up to 4 possible and that's NOT including Grimes. Do they reject Avery to take Cullen, Mathis, Ifill if they decide to come? And Grimes and his teammate in addition? Talbott is obviously part of a package deal. Unfortunately, I think he sounds like the weak part of the package.

TomVH

September 30th, 2009 at 5:07 PM ^

I don't think we're getting Ifill. I think he wants a shot at WR, and we want him to play defense.

Dior Mathis is a circus show, so who knows what's happening with him. I think he has more interest in Michigan than he leads to the public, but I just don't know what will happen in the end.

Cullen Christian, right now, seems like the biggest priority at CB. We're still in the lead with him. He's always said he wants to take his time with his recruitment, and he told me last week we're still number 1.

To answer your question, I think we take Grimes, his teammate Murphy, and Cullen. We might see some more attrition or a decommit, which would make for enough room.

They really like Avery, and I don't see him being someone they "reject." Rich Rod likes versatile athletes, and Avery plays QB right now for his HS team.

I don't see Shaw picking us, but it's a little early. Obviously, you make room for him.

We're at 19 now:

Grimes, Murphy, and Christian make 22. Add Furman and Olaniyan to that makes 24. Take a decommit or two (just speculation, not based on anything) and some attrition, we might have room for 25 total.

EDIT: I say this, "as of right now." There's been a couple new kids pop up like Mike Thornton (DT), and there's a few kids still not showing their cards like Sean Parker and Marquise Flowers, both safety prospects. Eduardo Clements is kind of still out there. He's rumored to be a silent commit, just not sure to where. There could be some movement towards signing day, and this time it could be in our favor.

teldar

September 30th, 2009 at 5:36 PM ^

This is the sort of info and thoughts that are not always available on the Board. As nice as the board and your updates are.

I wasn't sure what you were going to say about position switches and if they would take all these kids if they all committed.

J. Lichty

September 30th, 2009 at 10:49 AM ^

what coaches are on hot seat and who that likes M might that sway?

any currently comitted players that like M and are not solid with their commitments? (Torrian Wilson?)

TomVH

September 30th, 2009 at 11:00 AM ^

That's hard to say right now, until something actually happens with a coach. The recruits are aware of most of the rumors, but the coaches that might be on the hot seat are telling them not to worry.

As of now, Torrian Wilson is solid with Stanford. I think we'll see a little more interest from some kids, but I can't predict who.

MLAWyer

September 30th, 2009 at 11:13 AM ^

While we are on the subject, can anyone tell me where we stand with Eduardo Clements, and more importantly Brandon Gainer? I saw their names on the board, and I know we are in good standing with both, but we are close to set at running back I would think. I realize that we will always take good players though. I remember hearing a lot about Clements a little bit ago, but I don't recall hearing anything recently. I haven't heard much about Gainer's recruitment at all. Is he keeping it close to the vest? Are these guys visiting soon?

Obviously it would be wild speculation, but any thoughts on who Michigan might make a run at with the snake oil close to signing day? I heard the name Chris Martin a few weeks ago.

Lastly, any more info out there on Darius Winston transferring?

Before anyone negs me for the questions, I realize some things might be available on other message boards or sources, but I can only monitor so much Michigan info and just wanted to see if I had missed something.

RagingBean

September 30th, 2009 at 11:17 AM ^

I know we are operating at a scholarship deficit right now, so can we sign more than 25 recruits this year? I think I heard that we have 74 scholarship players, which means we're down 11, plus we're losing a handful of seniors. Or is that the kind of oversigning that would make us look like one of those teams from the Confederacy?

Irish

September 30th, 2009 at 11:17 AM ^

Should probably throw Sean Parker into your list as well, he still has UM in the conversation eventhough he hasn't visited yet.

And if anyone is interested Fortt is committing on Monday and it looks to be PSU, no surprise.

B

September 30th, 2009 at 11:29 AM ^

What about Marquis Flowers? I think he said a while back that he would take an official at Michigan. Michigan took 2 great recruits from the Phoenix area this year, and it would be nice to continue the trend. If he becomes a safety, he would have a good shot at early playing time.

Magnus

September 30th, 2009 at 12:40 PM ^

Josh Furman isn't really new to our radar. We offered him a while ago.

We're not getting Anthony Barr.

We probably won't get Eduardo Clements, but he's oodles better than Brandon Gainer. Clements is one of those guys that we would make a spot for - he's better than any of the running backs we currently have committed, and he can split out, too.

ken725

September 30th, 2009 at 1:02 PM ^

I have heard that in most cases you want to take at least 3 offensive linemen per class. Of the other players out there with offers, who do you guys think will commit to us. Or...do we even sign anymore O-linemen this year, I know we have had some attrition on the line this year.

I searched Rivals and only found Skyler Schofner as uncommitted with a Michigan offer. Are coaches not placing an emphasis on the O-line this year because we still have plenty of depth?

I trust the coaches to find gems like Omameh. I will sit back and listen to any thoughts you guys might have.

Magnus

September 30th, 2009 at 2:39 PM ^

Skyler Schofner - Johnstown, OH
Seantrel Henderson - Saint Paul, MN
Chaz Green - Tampa, FL
Matt James - Cincinnati, OH
Arie Kouandjio - Hyattsville, MD
Jake Kaufman - Jersey City, NJ
James Stone - Nashville, TN

These are the guys I know of. It might not be completely up to date because I've been busy lately, but it's the best that I can do right now.

I think the coaches were originally being selective because we had decent numbers and because we're going hard after Henderson. I think you'll see some new offers going out over the next couple months due to the disappearances of Wermers and O'Neill. We only have Pace committed right now.

MH20

October 1st, 2009 at 10:02 PM ^

I just saw an article on Rivals that Rashad Knight is taking an official to Michigan for the UM/OSU game. I know we as MGoBlog readers had cooled on Knight coming to Michigan in the face of seemingly-certain (at that time) FSU offer.

Does that viewpoint still stand? TOB, Tom, Magnus - thoughts?

TomVH

October 1st, 2009 at 10:49 PM ^

I actually said that the rumor about him committing to FSU on the spot was false. I was never under that assumption.

Illinois has come on strong lately for him, but he's never been to Michigan's campus before. I don't think it's fair to say anything until he gets on campus.

That game, and that atmosphere, for his first time on campus will be pretty helpful. I don't think Michigan has cooled on him, he just doesn't talk a lot about his recruitment.

Thunder71

October 5th, 2009 at 1:47 AM ^

Tom has proven time and again to be more reliable then most recruiting sites. Keep up the unbelievable work, man. I check the "Tom" tab every day to see what you've posted recently