TomVH: LB Joe Bolden Update

Submitted by TomVH on

Ohio LB Joe Bolden (6'2", 225 lbs) was up at Michigan around two weeks ago. If you don't remember, you can see his visit reaction here. Bolden came away very impressed from the visit last time.

I spoke with him tonight and he told me that he will be back up to Michigan next Tuesday (April 12th) with his parents. He also told me that he believes he is close to a decision, he's just not sure when it will come. 

I should also point out that Michigan commit OL Caleb Stacey has been recruiting Bolden and trying to get him to come to Michigan. We'll see what happens.

Magnus

April 5th, 2011 at 3:42 AM ^

The coaches have told recruits "We're going to take six offensive linemen."  So I'm going to trust that over speculation.  Three linebackers would give us plenty.  Five linemen still wouldn't give us a stellar number of players for 2012, especially with the washout rate of offensive linemen.

7NK7

April 4th, 2011 at 10:07 PM ^

Tom thanks as always for a good update. Bolden would be a nice addition and a solid way to start our defensive recruiting for the next class. Hardworking leaders are always a plus to get, and could help some more pieces fall into place early on.

West Texas Blue

April 4th, 2011 at 10:25 PM ^

Well, outside of Demens, none of our other members of LB Corp are really proven, so I wouldn't be opposed to taking 4 LBs in this class. Will be interesting if anyone chooses to leave after spring practice. I think we'll end up with 20-21 schollies for class IMO.

Magnus

April 4th, 2011 at 10:34 PM ^

Four linebackers wouldn't be out of the question.  We lose three to graduation this year (Fitzgerald, Evans, Herron), which would leave us with the 6 current players plus the 4 freshmen.  Adding another 4 players in 2012 would bring our numbers to 14 (assuming no further attrition).  That's a little high to fill only 3 positions, but it's feasible.

Mdjohnny5

April 4th, 2011 at 11:09 PM ^

Possibility of some position switches for some of the guys currently listed under LB.  Frank Clark was also considered a possibility at TE (need some depth there).  Hopefully one of the bigger guys like Paskorz can move to DE (need depth there too).  Also it has been discussed that Desmond Morgan would make a great FB.

 

The staff isn't going to turn down RJS , Biggs, Bolden or Ringer when we have little "proven" depth.

 

 

Cigarro Cubano

April 4th, 2011 at 10:32 PM ^

I will take him any day on my recruiting list.  I want kids with character, smart & good ballplaying skills.  The coaching staff recognizes this 3.9 core gpa.  Come on.  He is looking at tradition, defensive schemes, academics.

We shall see what happens.

M-Wolverine

April 4th, 2011 at 10:38 PM ^

Could turn "we could be getting a 4* LB" into a problem. Beyond that he would probably be the highest ranking LB on the roster, isn't it nice to wonder "how are we going to fit all these great players who want to come?" rather than the "ANOTHER 3*?!?" fights? Let's get them all to actually commit (and close enough that they'll sign too), and then worry about it.

Michigania

April 4th, 2011 at 11:01 PM ^

TOM...whats your feeling on Ross and Jenkins-Stone?  Because it certainly seems that Ohio LBs appear to be more interested in Michigan, than the local two. Ross I hear grew up an OSU fan and Jenkins-Stone I hear is getting ideas of SEC-grandeur.

Bodogblog

April 5th, 2011 at 6:28 AM ^

Ringer has offers from Iowa, Ilinois, Syracuse, and West Virginia, among others.  But that may be because schools saw it as an Iowa/Michigan race early.

Bolden has offers from Tennessee, Stanford, North Carolina, Arizona, as well as Illinois, Syracuse, West Virginia and Northwestern.

If the 4 linebackers we take are the #1 and #2 in MI, and the #1 and #3 guys in OH?  Yes, we can take 4.

Lancer

April 5th, 2011 at 1:08 AM ^

but there are needs all over the field and last recruting class we really overloaded the team with linebacker prospects. we need to focus on the two lines, 2 TE's, 1 QB, 1 RB. idk  btw we may have jumped to conclusions with bolden btw, he has a sweet offer sheet. I dont mind if he picks michigan but I want those Cass Tech boys.

TomVH

April 5th, 2011 at 2:04 AM ^

Before everyone gets worried about taking too many linebackers let's see who he picks first. He hasn't told me who he's leaning towards or potentially picking so I don't know.

panthers5

April 5th, 2011 at 7:06 AM ^

not 16. Sorry not trying to be a stickler, but the number to reach at the moment is 18 not 16, and after attrition I would figure we will be looking more towards 20-21 by fall. Just a gut feeling. So if we have to take 4 LB's I don't think it will be a problem in the end. We also need do need a WR or two in this class. After this season gone are Odoms, Stonum, Grady, and Hemmingway. That leaves J. Robinson, Jackson, Stokes, Williams, Gallon, Roundtree, and Robinson (Not sure Dielo will be anything but ST).

wlubd

April 5th, 2011 at 10:16 AM ^

Not trying to be a dick but where's the 18 coming from? By my count we have 84 schollies (after Vinopal left) with 15 graduating seniors which gives us 16 to give.

Only guess I can make is that you aren't renewing a couple 4th year guys for 5th years. To each their own but maybe we should see what happens this season before crossing that bridge....

neoavatara

April 5th, 2011 at 10:25 AM ^

That we wouldn't still take Ross and RJS?  I certainly don't.  I know the numbers, but still, don't be surprised if they take 4 LB.  

And I still think we will have 20 schollies to give out. 

Tater

April 5th, 2011 at 10:29 AM ^

In this era, there is attrition even on teams that didn't have coaching change.  Nowadays, players are FB friends with their old HS teammates and players they meet along the way.  When they aren't getting the PT they wanted, an ex-HS teammate from Generic Directional University will say something like, "Hey, I know GDU isn't where you wanted to go, but I really like it here and you are tons better than the guys playing your spot here right now."

So, they transfer to GDU, play a few years, and still don't make the NFL, which is every player's original intention.  But at least they played in college.  Usually, those players are doing both teams a favor because they are freeing up schollies for new recruits and are giving the lesser schools a usable player. 

I would imagine that at least five players would leave in any coaching change year.  The number has been low so far, and that is to Hoke's credit, but I think we'll have a much better idea of where things (and players) are going after the spring game is over, or maybe after the semester ends.

panthers5

April 5th, 2011 at 10:40 AM ^

but both Rivals and Scout have 18 available schollies for next year.

 

Mike Willaims counted too maybe? Terrence Talbott is on the roster but not offically back with the team is what I have read numerous places. If he doesn't come back maybe that free's up another?

wlubd

April 5th, 2011 at 10:46 AM ^

I counted Williams in with the seniors since he's on a medical scholarship and this will be his last year anyway. That's still 16. My guess is they're either budgeting for attrition before it happens or they're thinking a couple redshirt juniors won't get a 5th year. 18 could very well be available, just don't think the math adds up right now.

Magnus

April 5th, 2011 at 11:18 AM ^

Unless Rivals and Scout are withholding information about guys who have departed, then 18 is too many.

I didn't count Mike Williams.

I've heard that Terrence Talbott is still on the team, and he's still on the roster.  So I can't remove him from the list yet.

UMICH1606

April 5th, 2011 at 10:42 AM ^

He is a Domer fan. I am sure at least an ND offer would give him pause, and maybe even OSU. Way too early to be worried about creating room for other recruits who may or may not end up here anyway.