marlon

July 28th, 2011 at 1:24 PM ^

From what I've read, the staff would not accept Burbridge's commitment until his academic situation was more concrete.  And that's how it should be.  If he's going to occupy a "spot" as a committed recruit, Michigan should be reasonably certain he'll qualify for admission.

michfan4borw

July 28th, 2011 at 1:32 PM ^

we wanted AB and so putting spin on his selection of MSU comes off as pretty lame.  AB seems to be a stud WR with four stars.  What's funny to me though is how stars all of a sudden matter after AB and Pittman picked MSU. 

In reply to by michfan4borw

turtleboy

July 28th, 2011 at 1:47 PM ^

The coaches wanted him, and 24 other WRs, there's a difference. I would have liked his commitment, but he was the only top instate kid I thought sparty would land for a long time now. People got their hopes up for him months ago, but that's on them. It's okay to be disappointed, but the coaches were/are probably focused more on other targets they've offered. He's a good kid, but he might not qualify and the coaches are probably looking for more of a sure thing. Case in point, Hoke keeps offering more WR's, and other WRs are attending the BBQ.

michfan4borw

July 28th, 2011 at 1:54 PM ^

you wrote, and I also wanted him to join Michigan.  I now realize though that holding a spot for a player who may not even qualify academically is not smart given the few spots that remain in this class.  That said, his commitment to MSU makes it that much more difficult to put sparty in its place. 

In reply to by michfan4borw

backusduo

July 28th, 2011 at 3:33 PM ^

I wanted AB, but not because we can't get a similar caliber WR, but to block MSU from getting a quality recruit.  The great thing about us taking over Michigan recruiting and making inroads to Ohio, is that we are not only getting quality recruits, but taking players off of MSU and OSU's roster.  Rich Rod might have gotten comparable talent, but they came from areas that didn't weaken our rivals. 

Losing AB is not the same as Kyle Kalis leaving OSU however.  With KK we took a great OL from OSU, that they are not going to be able to replace, and so that is a big win twice over.  Losing AB means MSU got a great WR (potentially if he ever qualifies), but it doesn't mean we won't be able to replace him with the same caliber of WR, it just means we'll both be carrying an equal player.  I like when you not only win, but it steals the ability of the other team to be competitive. 

SoCalWolverine

July 28th, 2011 at 12:52 PM ^

There's plenty of other good WR targets out there, I'm not heartbroken by this. Plus, he may not actually ever qualify anyways. Is he still coming to the BBQ for free food? lol

Moleskyn

July 28th, 2011 at 12:55 PM ^

Sounds like he was making some progress with his grades, so hopefully he got that all squared away. Good luck to him; hope he has a nice career, except for when he plays us.

UMaD

July 28th, 2011 at 1:34 PM ^

Score one for Sparty.  He was always presumed to be destined for MSU, but when Funchess/Ojemudia commited, it seemed to give us a window.

He seemed to be the most talented of all the WR we're pursuing, but I don't think anyone is real certain on who the best of the WRs will be in then end.

Belisarius

July 28th, 2011 at 1:10 PM ^

For what it's worth, the rumor is he wanted us, the grades were always a problem, and the BBQ was a part of that. The staff (if the story is correct) wouldn't take his committment because of said grade problems, as with Pittman, and, as with Pittman, Burbridge turned to a school he felt wanted him.

MichiganExile

July 28th, 2011 at 1:18 PM ^

That Pittman rumor needs to be put to bed. He plans to enroll early. He doesn't have the problems with grades that has been overblown.

IF he tried to commit to Michigan and was told he needed to get his academics in order it was the staff's way of nicely saying "Sorry but we're full up at your position."

MichiganExile

July 28th, 2011 at 1:32 PM ^

That's exactly why I don't believe that rumor anyway. The facts don't add up to him needing to get his grades in order.

I don't really even believe he tried to commit here but if he did (big IF) I'd say that the staff probably straight up told him they were full up. The whole grades things is probably some disgruntled Michigan fan's way of saying he isn't good enough to go here which simply isn't true.

Belisarius

July 28th, 2011 at 1:42 PM ^

Again, I don't know or pretend to know, but questions about Pittman's grades were circulating around the Scout message board long (and if I understand it, the OSU boards as well) long before he signed on with MSU. So it was not out of the blue. Likewise with Burbridge, whose grades were the subject of frequent debate for a long, long while now. talking about it might constitute a case of sour grapes, but not so blatant as to emerge from nothingness. I suppose we'll find out the right of it when they do or do not qualify.

Belisarius

July 28th, 2011 at 1:52 PM ^

No. Verity means truth, from the Latin "veritas," which is what I mean to indicate. Voracity refers to the quality of being voracious, as in hungry, insatiable, etc. You're probably thinking of veracity, rather than voracity, which indicate the quality or habit of accuracy.

FreddieMercuryHayes

July 28th, 2011 at 1:37 PM ^

While grades may have been an issue with Burbridge and why didn't push for the commitment earlier when he really liked us, that is not the case with Pittman. Pittman's coach even confirmed in an interview that UM told Pittman that we were full on his position, and thus cooled. We have Roh, Black, Beyer, and Brown and Mario committed earlier. I really don't believe it was grades.