Your "Way To Early / I Told Ya So" - 2012 Class Predictions

Submitted by Mr. Yost on

On the eve of Signing Day, I'd like to give folks a quick opportunity to shed their thoughts on this year's class (as it stands now).

Will people claim that they called that "sleeper" or that 1st round draft pick? Probably.
Will anyone remember this thread in 3-4 years? Absolutely not.

But still, for those bored and interested enough to give their predictions on this years class - LET'S HEAR IT!

  • Best Player from this class (next year):
     
  • Best Player from this class (when it's all said and done):
     
  • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com):
     
  • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career):
     
  • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class:
     
  • Best Offensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done):
     
  • Best Defensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done):
     
  • Your Favorite Offensive Player:
     
  • Your Favorite Defensive Player:
     
  • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class (please let us know what it is you're telling us - i.e. Drake Johnson was going to rush for 1,000 yards in one season, Erik Magnuson was going to be the best OL of this class, Amara Darboh was going to win a Heisman...let us know your prediction): 
     

 

Per Scout.com

Pos Nat'l
Rank
Nat'l
Rating
Name
School, Hometown
HT/ WT/ 40 Commit Date
DT 38 Willie Henry
(Glenville HS)
Cleveland, OH
6-3/273 01/30/2012
WR 82 Jehu Chesson
(Ladue Horton Watkins HS)
Ladue, MO
6-3/175 12/21/2011
WR 32 Amara Darboh
(Dowling HS)
W Des Moines, IA
6-2/200 12/04/2011
RB 77 Drake Johnson
(Pioneer HS)
Ann Arbor, MI
6-1/205 11/08/2011
DT 7 Ondre Pipkins
(Park Hill HS)
Kansas City, MO
6-3/320/4.90 08/08/2011
DE 21 Chris Wormley
(Whitmer HS)
Toledo, OH
6-5/250 07/31/2011
FB 5 Sione Houma
(Highland HS)
Salt Lake City, UT
6-0/215/4.53 07/25/2011
OT 6 Kyle Kalis
(St. Edward HS)
Lakewood, OH
6-5/305 07/10/2011
S 19 Jarrod Wilson
(Buchtel HS)
Akron, OH
6-2/190 07/08/2011
OT 58 Blake Bars
(Montgomery Bell Academy)
Nashville, TN
6-5/275 06/26/2011
S 71 Jeremy Clark
(Madisonville North Hopkins HS)
Madisonville, KY
6-4/195/4.47 06/24/2011
OT 15 Erik Magnuson
(La Costa Canyon HS)
Encinitas, CA
6-6/275 06/10/2011
DE 12 Tom Strobel
(Mentor HS)
Mentor, OH
6-6/265 06/10/2011
S 30 Allen Gant
(Sylvania Southview HS)
Sylvania, OH
6-2/205/4.60 05/31/2011
CB 14 Terry Richardson
(Cass Technical HS)
Detroit, MI
5-9.5/165/4.50 05/19/2011
DT 31 Matt Godin
(Detroit Catholic Central HS)
Novi, MI
6-6/265 05/12/2011
DE 20 Mario Ojemudia
(Harrison HS)
Farmington Hills, MI
6-2/220/4.65 05/07/2011
OLB 7 James Ross
(St. Mary Preparatory School)
Orchard Lake, MI
6-1/215 05/02/2011
OLB 4 Joe Bolden
(Colerain HS)
Cincinnati, OH
6-3/230 04/29/2011
TE 8 Devin Funchess
(Harrison HS)
Farmington Hills, MI
6-4/205 04/22/2011
OT 27 A.J. Williams
(Sycamore HS)
Cincinnati, OH
6-6/275 04/22/2011
MLB 2 Royce Jenkins-Stone
(Cass Technical HS)
Detroit, MI
6-2/215 04/16/2011
MLB 35 Kaleb Ringer
(Northmont HS)
Clayton, OH
6-1/225 04/15/2011
OT 40 Ben Braden
(Rockford HS)
Rockford, MI
6-6/319 03/24/2011
 

 

flysociety3

January 31st, 2012 at 8:09 PM ^

 

  • Best Player from this class (next year): Ondre Pipkins

     
  • Best Player from this class (5 years from now): Ondre Pipkins

     
  • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Willie Henry

     
  • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class: Jeremy Clark

     
  • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Kyle Kalis

     
  • Best Offensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Jehu Chesson

     
  • Best Defensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Joe Bolden

     
  • Your Favorite Offensive Player: Jehu Chesson

     
  • Your Favorite Defensive Player: Jarrod Wilson

     
  • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class: Jehu Chesson

mgowill

January 31st, 2012 at 8:12 PM ^

I'm really, really, really bad at predictions.  I will however make one in response to your thread.

 

Those who stay will be champions.

 

I will enjoy reading the responses though.  Good thread!

Philbert

January 31st, 2012 at 8:15 PM ^

 

  • Best Player from this class (next year): ondre pipkins

     
  • Best Player from this class (5 years from now): Kyle Kalis

     
  • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Matt Godin

     
  • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career): Jeremy Clark

     
  • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: kalis, pipkins, wormley

     
  • Best Offensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Jehu Chesson

     
  • Best Defensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Wormley

     
  • Your Favorite Offensive Player: jehu just cause everyone will probably chant his name after a catch

     
  • Your Favorite Defensive Player: Bolden

     
  • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class: Wormley will be the real deal if he sticks at a DE. If he moves in side, I think he will struggle a little. Just from what I have seen. I know everyone says he can be 300 and plug holes but I think hes best when hes allowed to pin his ears back and come hard off the edge. 

Mr. Yost

January 31st, 2012 at 8:15 PM ^

Best Player from this class (next year):

Ondre Pipkins

Best Player from this class (5 years from now): 

Depends on your definition of "best"...

Most talented - Ondre Pipkins

Best career at Michigan - Joe Bolden 

Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com):

Ben Braden

Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career):

Kaleb Ringer

1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class:

Ondre Pipkins (Joe Bolden & Kyle Kalis in the 2nd round)

Best Offensive Player from this class (5 years from now):

Kyle Kalis

Best Defensive Player from this class (5 years from now):

Depends on your definition of "best"...

Most talented - Ondre Pipkins

Best career at Michigan - Joe Bolden

Your Favorite Offensive Player:

Amara Darboh

Your Favorite Defensive Player:

James Ross

  • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class (please let us know what it is you're telling us - i.e. Drake Johnson was going to rush for 1,000 yards in one season, Erik Magnuson was going to be the best OL of this class, Amara Darboh was going to win a Heisman...let us know your prediction):

    I told you James Ross and Joe Bolden would be the best LB tandem since Hawk and Carpenter at Ohio...and they'll win MULTIPLE 1st Team All-B1G Honors
  • Fhshockey112002

    January 31st, 2012 at 8:18 PM ^

     

    • Best Player from this class (next year): RJS

       
    • Best Player from this class (5 years from now): Kyle Kalis

       
    • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Jeremy Clark & Sione Houma

       
    • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class: Matt Godin

       
    • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Kyle Kalis, Ondre Pipkins, RJS

       
    • Best Offensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Amara Darboh

       
    • Best Defensive Player from this class (5 years from now): RJS

       
    • Your Favorite Offensive Player: Kyle Kalis

       
    • Your Favorite Defensive Player: Jarrod Wilson

       
    • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class: Jeremy Clark

    what would Bo do

    January 31st, 2012 at 8:19 PM ^

     

    • Best Player from this class (next year):

      Pipkens
    • Best Player from this class (5 years from now):

      James Ross
    • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com):

      Chesson
    • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class: Mario Ojemudia
    • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Kalis

       
    • Best Offensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Kalis

       
    • Best Defensive Player from this class (5 years from now): James Ross

       
    • Your Favorite Offensive Player: Kalis

       
    • Your Favorite Defensive Player: Pipkins

       
    • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class: Ross, Bolden, and RJS all become starters and all get drafted much like Hawk, Schlegel, and Carpenter from Ohio a few years ago.  

    husker4life

    January 31st, 2012 at 8:21 PM ^

    Not even in top 25. I'm actually scared of 2012 right now. Losing to SC didn't help either :(. Picking up Seisay was big though he's a very talented and quick CB.

    husker4life

    January 31st, 2012 at 8:38 PM ^

    a lot of athletes here in Lincoln are big on baseball even though Omaha or Lincoln have no professional team. I still have a lot of faith in Martinez and see him as our leader at QB still. It's kind of like your scenario with Henson going to play in the minors after he left Michigan. Columbus team wasn't it?

    Also with that said it doesn't mean I'm a Royals fan lol. I've been a Cardinals fan for as long as I can remember lol. World Series Champs ;)

    bmacdude

    January 31st, 2012 at 8:21 PM ^

     

    • Best Player from this class (next year): Joe Bolden

       
    • Best Player from this class (5 years from now): Kyle Kalis

       
    • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com):Allen Gant

       
    • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career):

      Mario Ojemudia
    • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Joe Boldin, Ondre Pipkins
    •  
    • Best Offensive Player from this class (5 years from now):

      Devin Funchess
    • Best Defensive Player from this class (5 years from now):

      Ondre Pipkens
    • Your Favorite Offensive Player: Mags
    •  
    • Your Favorite Defensive Player:Pipkens

       
    • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class  
    • Stefon Diggs......jk, Joe Bolden Big Ten Freshman of the Year

    MichiganMan_24_

    January 31st, 2012 at 8:28 PM ^

    • Best Player from this class (next year) ...Joe Bolden
    •  
    • Best Player from this class (5 years from now): ..Kyle Kalis
    •  
    • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Jehu Chesson/Drake Johnson
    •  
    • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career): ..Willie Henry/Jeremy Clark
    •  
    • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: ..Ondre Pipkins
    •  
    • Best Offensive Player from this class (5 years from now): ..Kyle Kalis/Devin Funchess
    •  
    • Best Defensive Player from this class (5 years from now): ..Ondre Pipkins/RJS
    •  
    • Your Favorite Offensive Player: ..Amara Darboh/Erik Magnuson
    • Your Favorite Defensive Player: RJS/Biggs
    •  
    • Your "I Told you so"  ..Chris Wormley/Jarrod Wilson Cefvn;kewnvieruvhreipufherpifuerhfpiuhncfqpiuhfcnpihhhh  jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj

    WolvinLA2

    January 31st, 2012 at 8:32 PM ^

    I'm not going to answer all of them (because a lot will be repeats), but I think Jeremy Clark will be one of the sleepers.  I also think he'll end up growing and playing somewhere other than safety, maybe outside linebacker. 

    I touched on this in another thread, but Jeremy Clark is just recently 6'4" and likely still growing into that height.  He's at safety right now because he's only 195lbs, but after a redshirt year and another year or two in the program, I could see him weighing 235 or more no prob, possibly 250. 

    A kid who is 6'4", 240 with speed is a dangerous player, and I think it could be him. 

    trueblue22

    January 31st, 2012 at 8:32 PM ^

    Denard is having facial reconstruction, cutting his dreads and changing his name. He is the surprise recruit. He will be joining the 2012 class as a wide receiver and redshirt his freshman year so he can catch passes from Shane Morris for 4 years.

    BrownJuggernaut

    January 31st, 2012 at 8:38 PM ^

     

    • Best Player from this class (next year): Jarrod Wilson

       
    • Best Player from this class (5 years from now): Kyle Kalis (he'll probably be in the NFL, FWIW)

       
    • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Ben Braden

       
    • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career): Matt Godin

       
    • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Darboh, Pipkins, Kalis, Wilson

       
    • Best Offensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Kalis

       
    • Best Defensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Wilson

       
    • Your Favorite Offensive Player: Amara Darboh

       
    • Your Favorite Defensive Player: Jarrod Wilson

       
    • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class (please let us know what it is you're telling us - i.e. Drake Johnson was going to rush for 1,000 yards in one season, Erik Magnuson was going to be the best OL of this class, Amara Darboh was going to win a Heisman...let us know your prediction): Jarrod Wilson will have 20 interceptions in his Michigan career. I think he can get 3-4 this upcoming season. Michigan will become Ballhawk U in the next few years.

    Cheesecake Wizard

    January 31st, 2012 at 8:38 PM ^

     

    !

    • Best Player from this class (next year): Pipkins

       
    • Best Player from this class (5 years from now): Darboh

       
    • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Allen Grant, Jehu Chesson

       
    • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career): AJ Williams, Blake Bars

       
    • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Pipkins, Royce Jenkins-Stone

       
    • Best Offensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Darboh

       
    • Best Defensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Pipkins

       
    • Your Favorite Offensive Player: Darboh

       
    • Your Favorite Defensive Player: Royce Jenkins-Stone

       
    • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class (please let us know what it is you're telling us - i.e. Drake Johnson was going to rush for 1,000 yards in one season, Erik Magnuson was going to be the best OL of this class, Amara Darboh was going to win a Heisman...let us know your prediction):  Sione Houma gets a cult-like following.

    Skiptoomylou22

    January 31st, 2012 at 8:42 PM ^

     

    • Best Player from this class (next year): Joe Bolden

       
    • Best Player from this class (5 years from now): KMFK (Wildcard: Strobel)

       
    • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Allen Gant/ Blake Bars

       
    • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career): MO

       
    • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Kalis, Bolden, (wildcard manchild) RJS

       
    • Best Offensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Starbo

       
    • Best Defensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Strobel 

       
    • Your Favorite Offensive Player: KMFK/DarBO

       
    • Your Favorite Defensive Player: Joe Bolden/ Jarrod Wilson

       
    • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class (please let us know what it is you're telling us - i.e. Drake Johnson was going to rush for 1,000 yards in one season, Erik Magnuson was going to be the best OL of this class, Amara Darboh was going to win a Heisman...let us know your prediction):  Darboh will pickup the offense within 1 year and become a go to threat such as Braylon, Avant, MM of recent memory. He will be a 2 time B1G All American (2nd then 1st)
    • Opportunities to look stupid: Kalis will be three time all big ten / Drake Johnson will be an undisputed starter before his career is over.
    •  

    WingsNWolverines

    January 31st, 2012 at 8:47 PM ^

    our other possible commits sounds like he might have a future in recruiting when he's done at Michigan lol

    Michigan Moonman

    January 31st, 2012 at 8:49 PM ^

  • Best Player from this class (next year): Erik Magnusson

     
    • Best Player from this class (5 years from now): I like Joe Bolden...he will be a steady and smart linebacker.  But Pipkins gets the nod.

       
    • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Ben Braden-our first 2012 commit.  I wish him well for showing the way to the rest of the 2012 recruits!

       
    • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career): BWH
    •  
    • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Pipkins.  An active big man, so I hope he stays healthy.  Remember how scary our d- line was when Martin was injured last year?

       
    • Best Offensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Shane Morris....oh wait, he is next year's class.  Amara Darboh 

       
    • Best Defensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Pee Wee Pipkins

       
    • Your Favorite Offensive Player: Amara Darboh--Great Name, Great Story, Great Michigan Man.

       
    • Your Favorite Defensive Player: Pee Wee Pipkins--I am bias to the guys with good nicknames. 

       
    •  Your "I Told You So" Player from this class: Jeremy Clark will play both ways in his senior and junior year (Wide Receiver & DB)

    TXmaizeNblue

    January 31st, 2012 at 8:59 PM ^

    Best Player from this class (next year):
    <br>Pipkins
    <br>
    <br>Best Player from this class (5 years from now):
    <br>Kyle Kalis
    <br>
    <br>Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com):
    <br>Sione Houma
    <br>
    <br>Late Bloomer from the 2012 class:
    <br>Willie Henry
    <br>
    <br>1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class:
    <br>Kyle Kalis
    <br>Ondre Pipkins
    <br>
    <br>Best Offensive Player from this class (5 years from now):
    <br>Kyle Kalis
    <br>
    <br>Best Defensive Player from this class (5 years from now):
    <br>Ondre Pipkins
    <br>
    <br>Your Favorite Offensive Player:
    <br>Eric Magnuson
    <br>
    <br>Your Favorite Defensive Player:
    <br>Ondre Pipkens
    <br>
    <br>Your "I Told You So" Player from this class:
    <br>Sione Houma. He will be starting by his sophomore year, and will play a critical role in the offense - pounding in td's from inside the 5, used in short passing routes, and lead blocking for that 5 star running back that Michigan will finally get.

    brandanomano

    January 31st, 2012 at 9:07 PM ^

    Best Player from this class (next year):

    Joe Bolden

    Best Player from this class (when it's all said and done):

    Ondre Pipkins

    Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com):

    Drake Johnson, Ben Braden

    Late Bloomer from the 2012 class:

    Kaleb Ringer

    1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class:

    Pipkins, Magnuson, Bolden

    Best Offensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done):

    Amara Darboh

    Best Defensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done):

    Pipkins

    Your Favorite Offensive Player:

    Skiill Position: Drake Johnson

    Oline: Kyle Kalis (thanks to his interview with Tremendous)

    Your Favorite Defensive Player:

    Royce Jenkins-Stone

    Your "I Told You So" Player from this class

    Drake Johnson will rush for 2,500 yards in his career.

    Here2CWoodson

    January 31st, 2012 at 9:04 PM ^

    Well, here it goes.

     

    • Best Player from this class (next year): Ondre Pipkins

       
    • Best Player from this class (when it's all said and done): James Ross

       
    • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Willie Henry

       
    • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career):

       
    • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Kalis, Pipkins

       
    • Best Offensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Kyle Kalis

       
    • Best Defensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): James Ross

       
    • Your Favorite Offensive Player: Amara Darboh

       
    • Your Favorite Defensive Player: James Ross

       
    • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class: This class will produce 5 all Big Ten defensive players, 2 of them being All Americans.

    Hill.FootballR…

    January 31st, 2012 at 9:06 PM ^

     


    • Best Player from this class (next year): Kyle Kalis

       
    • Best Player from this class (5 years from now): Ondre Pipkins

       
    • Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Blake Bars

       
    • Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career): Matt Godin

       
    • 1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Pipkins, Kalis, Wormley, Wilson and Bolden

       
    • Best Offensive Player from this class (5 years from now, still on the team): Amara Darboh 
    •  
    • Best Offensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Kyle Kalis
    •  
    • Best Defensive Player from this class (5 years from now, still on the team): Jarrod Wilson
    •  
    • Best Defensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Ondre Pipkins

       
    • Your Favorite Offensive Player: Devin Funchess because he is from my hometown and he fills a great team need.

       
    • Your Favorite Defensive Player: Ondre Pipkins

       
    • Your "I Told You So" Player from this class: Pipkins and Kalis will both start at some point next year. Both will then leave after 4 years as will Joe Bolden who will play next year. All three will be first round picks and will be followed the following year by Wilson  and Wormley. By the time this class leaves us, the BIG will be the Big 2 (Michigan and Ohio State), Medium 2 (Nebraska and Wisconsin) and the Little 8. Other than next year, which is weird since it can't happen, there will be at least 3 rematches between Michigan and Ohio State in the next 4 years. Which means we play Ohio State for the BIG title.

    CorkyCole

    January 31st, 2012 at 9:06 PM ^

    I'm just excited to see this defensive class grow. I know everyone seems to be freaking out about Ohio lately, but I really feel like we have something special starting.  You have to realize that Meyer is a BIG name, so the attraction for top recruits will naturally be there.  I think Hoke is just getting started as far as building up his cred.  I think he has a chance at reaching that same status and getting the same kind of attention with top recruits.  We can already see that starting here with this first full class of his.