Who are your favorite c/o 2012 Michigan signees? (or who are you most excited to see)

I think he sounds like a great kid and a great leader.  I like him b/c it seems like he'll succeed regardless of how his football career goes.  

Well, this is based on a combination of current ability, projected performance, and personality - so basically I can make justify order I want haha:

1. Peewee Pipkins - Dude looks to be dominant, does a freaking great Brady Hoke impression, has a great rapport with teammates, and may be the Wolverine's Vince Wilfork/BJ Raji the next four years.

2. Joe Bolden - Just seems like a great football player that's serious about winning. Can't ask for more than that. Almost hate to say it because this guy did more off the football field than on it, but his attitude about football reminds me of Pat Tillman. Plus, the Clay Matthews analogy has been used a lot already and I don't think he'll rush the QB that much...

3. Tom Strobel - Doesn't get enough publicity. Some Ohio analysts have him just a slight notch below Adolphus Washington. I love his attitude about the Michigan-Ohio rivalry. And it always feels good to grab a guy that grew up a Buckeye and was getting Buckeye interest.

Extra Credit: Devin Funchess - I think he's going to be a matchup nightmare - Aaron Hernandez please. Plus bucket hats.

Ross

RJS

Richardson

1. Has got to be Pee Wee  . . . he is going to be fun to watch and will look great in BLUE!

2. Joe "Hit Man" Bolden is going to be the real deal!

3. Super Mario is going to hit the weight room, class room and opposing QB BIG TIME!

Mario Ojemudia- Best DAMN death stare ever. That is all

In no particular order:

- Magnusson

- Bolden

- Pipkins

Can I answer Diamond, Kozan, and Diggs? No?

Ok, then

Pipkins, Darboh, & McGary.

• Pipkins . . . what a combination of size, athleticism, and personality.
• Darboh has an incredible story. Our church has had a number of refugees from Liberia, including one who plays football. I'm rooting for Darboh to do well & succeed.
• McGary. I don't care that he "dropped" to twenty. A beast under the basket is very hard to find, and having him at Michigan will definitely push us to the next level.

Pee Wee. Great talent, and from the interviews we've seen a real character.

Thanks for linking to that Ricky Powers article. Great read. Though it doesn't mention him by name, it makes me like Jarrod Wison a lot better. We forget sometimes that coming to Michigan is a truly transformational experience for kids who grow up in tough environments. I'll be rooting for Jarrod. 

but it's in no particular order and could have up to two omissions.  Sorry I couldn't narrow it down, but I am just too thrilled with each one of these recruits.

I'm really excited about Jarrod Wilson, James Ross, and Dennis Norfleet.

I like Ohio kids, Kalis and Stroebel, both spurned Ohio, and Wilson, spurned ND. But then there's Pee Wee, Bolden, Darboh and Ross......

Bo Dever. Hopefully he and Baquer Sayed (c/o 2011) can contribute to the team in the coming years.

1.  Pipkins-  could is going to be a complete stud, top 5 NFL pick someday.

2.  Bolden-  Big time LB, out of OH that I think will crank it up against ND and OSU because they looked past him.  Kid seems very instinctive and smart with great size and speed.

3.  Kalis-  anytime we pluck a OSU commit away I love it....especially when he is a 5 star!

Joe Bolden. My wife teaches at his high school and says he's an even better character kid than he is a football player. And I think we all agree he's a pretty good football player, so that says something for him.

In no particular order I would have to say Kalis, Pipkins, and Darboh. I like Kalis because I feel like he has this meanstreak to him and that he just wants to beat guys up on the field. I like Pipkins alot because I think he is going to be a great player and he has the tools to do so. I would have to say Darboh is another one of my favorites because of his story about his struggles and things living in a different country experiencing civil war. I think the kid feels blessed to be at Michigan and I hope to see him be successful both on and off the field.

No need to start a thread EVERY day.

/end rant

compelling stories or personalities stick out, but I just can't bring myself to make a favorites list just yet. Hell, I have a hard enough time with the current team.

I clicked the Powers link hoping it was a new article. I read it again, it is well worth the read. Seeing former players go back into the community and make a difference is almost priceless.

I hate to go with such a generic answer, but, I have to go with everyone that will be on either side of the line. I can't wait to see what those guys can do in a year or two.

The three I think Michigan needs the most on the field.  A big time safety, DT, and OL.  Therefore; Jerrod Wilson, Pipkins, and Kalis.  No question. 

Joe Boldens hair.

He and Jake Ryan should do a local AA barber shop tv commercial. Salon Selectives for sure.   

You have to love Darboh's story, and I like Pipkins attitude and Boldens game. I will go with those three.

Definitely Pipkens is a top choice.  I really like his enthusiasm.

But I have to give props to Norfleet.  Being such a late offer, and knowing that he may not see the field (for a while at least), he easily could have felt insulted that we only offered after we lost others.  But he didn't. 

Spoken like a true Michigan Man.

Ondre Pipkins is definitely my favorite at this point.

For one, he is an exceptional talent at a spot of need.  For another, he has completely bought into Michigan.  He obviously has pride in Michigan, its legacy, and his place in its history and future.  I expect him to be a big-time contributer and a vocal leader his time here.

With that said, the character of Darboh and Chessun, as well as their pasts, make them extremely easy to root for.

Lastly, as far as my excitement level for seeing the guy on the field, that would go to Mario Ojemudia.  I'm expecting great things.

Magnusson, Pipkins, and Bolden in no particular order.  Magnusson and Pipkins have been spewing Blue since the day each of them comitted.  I love the enthusiasm.  Bolden just seems like a really smart player.  His performance in the All American workouts and game really elevated my excitment to see this kid at the next level.  

Overall, we have a great class with or without Diamond or Kozan.

I think Darboh deserves some recognition for his past and the high character guy he appears to be.

Pipkins - likely the best player in this class



Norfleet - couldn't understand why he wasnt getting a look from us given his monster stats and superb camp performances. I know the conventional wisdom is that hoke just likes bigger backs, but Ronnie Hillman was his starter at SDSU.



Kalis- excellent prospect who will be making Ohio fans all butt hurt for years to come

Kalis because he listens to Pavarotti.  I like those who excel at distributing violence, but do it with class. 

Darboh and Chesson because of their incredible stories.

Braden because he was first (I think?)

Pipkins, ojemudia, bolden



Pipkins- great personality, and is going to be a monster on the dline for us

Ojemudia- has to add some weigh but I'm really excited about his potential as a great pass rusher, there are so many ways we can use him the coaches must be excited

Bolden- watched him in the allamerican game and really liked his downhill style f play, I've also heard he's a great leader

You can't teach elite speed.  This kid has it and will be the surprise recruit in this class. 

Ben Braden because he and Rockford kicked my high school alma mater, Grandville High School's ass.

Ondre Pipkins because I love his personality, Hoke impression, and I just love defensive linemen because thats what I played when i played.

Kyle Kalis because he's a monster that could be a tackle or guard.

This is like choosing your favorite son or daughter.

In no particular order:

Pip-for soon to be making life a living hell for opposing offensive lines

Kalis-"There will be blood on the field, and it won't be mine."

Darboh and Chesson-we needed wideouts, but more importantly, their life stories and the kind of people they are.

Every single one of those guys who play in the trenches and decided to GO BLUE! 

DEF PEE WEE!!

Three guys I think will play on Sunday that are off that radar:

Jeremy Clark. The league likes 6 foot 4 safeties. And the kid can run.

Mario Ojemudia. 6 foot 4 inch, 245 pound rushing outside backer in a pro 3-4 defense.

and last but not least...

Ben Braden. BIG strong tackle. Will toil in relative obscurity in the league for 10 years.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it...