ILwolverine

July 25th, 2011 at 6:46 PM ^

Unfortunately it appears we will drop from this spot but still an outstanding class. Bring in a few more like this and we will be a powerhouse

Wolverine Devotee

July 25th, 2011 at 6:51 PM ^

A Top-10 recruiting finish I'd be happy with. Top-5 I'd be VERY pleased.

Side question: Which one is better, Rivals or Scout? I know you've porbably heard that question a lot but I'm new to the recruiting as I've started to follow it more closely reading The Wolverine magazines.

rockydude

July 25th, 2011 at 6:57 PM ^

When they make the class rankings, all they do is add up the numbers. However, without context, the numbers don't tell the story and can be misleading.

What I mean by that is that if you had a class that entirely consisted of the top 20 safeties in the country, that would be a lot of stars, and thus would be a highly rated class, from a purely numbers-driven ranking system. However, in realiity, it would be a pretty bad class.

You can rank this class wherever you want, but I think that on a practical level, it would be tough to design a class that would be much better for Michigan than the class that Hoke and Co are assembling. 

We're getting players at need positions, and the players are all occupying different roles. For example, rather than getting 4 cover corners or 4 strong safeties, we got a cover CB, a boundary CB, a FS, and a SS. A ranking would typically reward more stars for 4 cover CBs, but I am quite satisfied with our ability to play all the DB positions instead.

The numbers will probably put us at around 8 or 10 nationally if this holds up, but I really think that for impact and value, this class will be one of the absolute best.

Beavis

July 25th, 2011 at 7:00 PM ^

I believe Tom is on record as saying this is most likely a #7-#13 (exact numbers escaping me) class when all is said and done.

I think coming out as #2 to Rivals, which has lower ratings of our recruits against Scout, is exciting.  I think it really means they believe (right now) that Kalis and Mag will get their fifth stars. 

If we don't see anything crazy happening (aka don't go 7-5 and lose our two best recruits - 2010 anyone??), this is a top 10 class for sure.  Probably closer to 5 than 10.

pdid123

July 25th, 2011 at 7:04 PM ^

I'm sure we all can agree that this is the most dominating recruiting performance by a Michigan coaching staff in quite some time. I also am proud of the fact that we once again are a big time player on the national recruiting stage. By national recruiting, I don't mean recruiting from all over the nation but rather the fact that the quality of our commits takes a back seat to NO ONE!

redhousewolverine

July 26th, 2011 at 9:10 AM ^

I believe the 2009 class was ranked 8th in the country on signing day and I read somewhere that after considering everyone who enrolled at the schools they committed to, the class was ranked 6th. Of course 4 of our top recruits (4 stars) have left the program and our 5 star is getting his first year of starting time this year, but we did get Denard out of it, so I guess this goes back to allthegreat23's point about playing Texas: we have to see it all on the field in a couple of years.

Although, the speed and just downright ridiculous surprises in recruiting have made this class very special and dominant. That being said, it will take a bunch of top recruits to keep this class a top 5. Time will tell. Also, need to keep the class together.

Trieu mentioned in an interview somewhere, the only problem with Hoke's recruiting approach might be that we might miss out on some bigger fish out there. Seeing how everything has been shaping up, he might be right.

Mr Mackey

July 25th, 2011 at 7:13 PM ^

Assuming the rest of our 5-6 commits are elite players (like it's looking will be the case), I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up with a top 5 class. Great for Hoke's first year, and a chance to repeat with Morris recruiting the heck out of the rest of the 2013 class

Beavis

July 25th, 2011 at 7:59 PM ^

Who are the 5-6 "elite" players?  Looks like we have a shot with the following guys, but I doubt we land more than 3-4 of them: Fuller (#37 overall), Dunn (#124), Burbridge (#134), Bisnowaty (#177), Diamond (#209), O'Brien (#222), and Pipkins (#246).

I don't think Payton considers us strongly enough at this point to put him on the list.  In the end I don't see how we don't take 1-2 3 stars out of the schollies left (one 3* WR is a lock in my mind - although I couldn't tell you which of the ones we've offered).

In the end - Top 5 ranking pretty much assumes Kalis and Mag get their fifth stars.  We land both Pipkins and O'Brien and they move into the top 200 (Pipkins has a legit shot at top 100 IMO).  And out of the other 3-4 available, we nab a top ranked guy we probably don't think we'll get at this point (Fuller, Peat, Banner, or Garnett), Burbridge qualifies, we take a low 4-star (I think Wormley gets there), and a 3-star WR. 

Mr Mackey

July 25th, 2011 at 8:09 PM ^

"Elite" was probably the wrong word. We have a chance to get one of the players you listed, because if Fuller visits and Denard in the system is working, that could influence him. And if our last OL spot is not taken, we can get Banner and Garnett out here for a visit. Once they visit, we have a legitimate shot. I agree with you in your assumptions though, which is why top 10 is more likely. I'm just saying it's possible to be top 5, which would be nice.

Just curious, what site are your rankings from? Usually Diamond is ahead of Bisnowaty, so it's just kind of interesting to see it the other way around

Little Brown J…

July 25th, 2011 at 7:52 PM ^

I find it interesting that Rivals says our top 3 remaining targets are Andrus Peat, Devin Fuller, and Yuri Wright.  Do they actually look at each school's most important targets or do they just pick the 3 highest rated recruits that have that school listed as "interested"?

Indiana Blue

July 25th, 2011 at 10:55 PM ^

This recruiting has ALL been accomplished prior to Hoke and Mattison even coaching one single game.  This is simply beyond anyone's expectation ... ANYONE!

If ... yes it is a rather large IF, U of M plays beyond the consensus opinion in 2011 (which I believe is like 7-5 or 8-4) then I believe 2012's class will become the "low" standard for 2013.  We may be talking about the best recruiting classes in the B1G for years!  This better have all U of M fans salivating at the potential ....

Go Blue!

CorkyCole

July 25th, 2011 at 11:20 PM ^

If you go by avg. star rating, our class is T5 currently at 3.5, or T6 if you include Cal's giant class of 4. Must note though that it looks like Auburn and USC are only tied or lower than our star rating due to one unranked guy in each of their classes (although USC's class will be limited, so it may not matter). I'm assuming our avg. star rating stays about the same by the time it's all said and done.  I think a top 7 is easily graspable in this sense.

Look Up_See Blue

July 26th, 2011 at 12:10 AM ^

This is a good ranking for UMich. I think they will drop a few spots but still have a top 10 class come February.  All of the recruiting sites are subjective. I know the Mothership has Michigan ranked 5th for the 2012 class. Is there a site that is more credible than others? I always thought Rivals was THE site for recruiting information, but i'm not sure anymore. Anyone have any ideas on this?

BrewCityBlue

July 26th, 2011 at 12:41 PM ^

Rivals WAS considered the "best" around these parts. It is all changing now from a combination of a couple things, and i'm not sure if anyone really knows how it will effect things a couple years from now. Those couple things that have changed are...

1. Rivals not having a dedicated Midwest recruiting analyst anymore

2. The advancement of 247 as a viable scouting service

 

Here is a basic breakdown, that i think would encapsulate most people's opinions..

ESPN still sucks

Scout is pretty good but noone likes how they handle their ranking of 5 stars

Rivals is the standard bearer but their recent lack of a midwest scout is concerning

247 is on the rise and i personally think they will be the best in a few years once they're more established. 

74polSKA

July 26th, 2011 at 7:53 AM ^

Does anyone know why some of the sites, including Rivals, are still counting Clark's greyshirt against this class?  My understanding was that he would count on 2013's class.

I still think some of these guys will move up before the final rankings.  Either way, this class is a very pleasant surprise, especially the size of the guys.  Good luck in your senior seasons men.