Your "Way To Early / I Told Ya So" - 2012 Class Predictions
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!
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Best Player from this class (next year):
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Best Player from this class (when it's all said and done):
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Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com):
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Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career):
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1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class:
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Best Offensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done):
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Best Defensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done):
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Your Favorite Offensive Player:
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Your Favorite Defensive Player:
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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 |
January 31st, 2012 at 10:55 PM ^
The thing people are forgetting about recruiting is this that you don't need to necessarily get the highest rated or most talented players, but you need to get players who fit your system and fill the future needs of your program. I honestly think Ohio's class this year is incredibly overrated. Brionte Dunn does not fit Urban Meyer's system at all, 4 of their top recruits play DE, and the AA game showed that Schutt is overrated (he got dominated by Kalis in practice). I just laugh when I see people on these boards panicking because we are taking 3 star guys. Honestly, I will take a motivated 3 star guy who is a Michigan man and fits our system (Mattison knows exactly what he needs to put togethe a defense and I absolutely believe he got it in this class) over a 4 star anyday. Regardless of whether or not Ohio's recruiting class is ranked higher than ours, I honestly feel pretty good about our chances against them for the next 5 or so years.
January 31st, 2012 at 9:13 PM ^
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Best Player from this class (next year): Kalis & Ondre get most time; Kalis starter by end of year so vote goes that way.
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Best Player from this class (5 years from now): A high ceiling player who could play some this year, but has the luxury of a red shirt. Stroebel or Wormley.
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Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Henry, the Jake Ryan who dat of 2012 (minus the flowing locks).
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Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career): One of the DLs who will likely RS. Godin, I guess.
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1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Ondre.
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Best Offensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Funchess.
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Best Defensive Player from this class (5 years from now): Wilson.
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Your Favorite Offensive Player: Darboh.
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Your Favorite Defensive Player: Bolden.
- 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): 7 draft choices among this crew, 4 in first three rounds, none lower than 5th round, and one who won't finish his career at Michigan. Boom! Predict'd.
January 31st, 2012 at 9:16 PM ^
Blake Countess, James Ross, Joe Bolden, Jake Ryan and RJS grace the cover of SI going into the 2014 season as we open up as preseason #1 under the headline "FEROCIOUS DEFENSE -Defense leads #1 Michigan into 2014".
January 31st, 2012 at 9:19 PM ^
Boner. Guess what guys? I'm taking off school tomorrow to spend NSD with all of you! Woot woot
January 31st, 2012 at 9:20 PM ^
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Best Player from this class (next year): Pipkins
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Best Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Kalis & Pipkins
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Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Ben Braden (I saw him play against my highschool team. He was a complete beast, had good technique, and showed impressive athleticism, perticularly when he out ran the RB on a downfield block, and looked like he was the fastest player on the field. Also Rockford has some of the best coaches arround, so im sure his fudementals are solid.)
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Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career): Mario Ojemudia
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1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Kalis, Pipkins
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Best Offensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Kalis
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Best Defensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Pipkins
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Your Favorite Offensive Player: Darboh & Chesson tie
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Your Favorite Defensive Player: Joe Bolden
- Your "I Told You So" Player from this class: Ben Braden (see sleeper)
I know pipkins and kalis are redundant, but does any one really convincingly disagree?
January 31st, 2012 at 9:21 PM ^
5+ sacks this year, in limited playing time
January 31st, 2012 at 9:23 PM ^
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Best Player from this class (next year): Ondre Pipkins
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Best Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Ondre Pipkins
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Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Ben Braden
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Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career): Blake Bars
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1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Ondre Pipkins, Chris Wormley, Ben Braden
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Best Offensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Ben Braden
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Best Defensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Ondre Pipkins
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Your Favorite Offensive Player: Devin Funchess
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Your Favorite Defensive Player: Ondre Pipkins
- Your "I Told You So" Player from this class: Ben Braden will be the best OL to come out of this class.
January 31st, 2012 at 9:33 PM ^
"Ben Braden will be the best OL out of this class" may be a bit extreme, considering the other OL in the class, including an almost surefire 3+ year starter in Kalis, but im glad im not the only one who sees the potential in Braden. Also Wisconsin offered him very early, and we know Wisconsin's history with offensive linemen at least as of late.
January 31st, 2012 at 9:29 PM ^
as a H.S. Sophomore....
January 31st, 2012 at 9:38 PM ^
This defense will be like Alabama's of 2011 in 4 years. We have Mattison the best D cordinator with a boatload of 4 star recruits.
January 31st, 2012 at 9:48 PM ^
Your "I Told You So" Player from this class: Darboh will be the next WR to wear the #1 and win the Biletnikoff... and Pipkins will set a Michigan record for number of times as a judge for Mock Rock
January 31st, 2012 at 9:49 PM ^
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Best Player from this class (next year): Pipkins
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Best Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Pipkins
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Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Chesson
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Late Bloomer from the 2012 class: Ojemudia/Henry
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1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Pipkins, Magnuson
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Best Offensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Magnuson
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Best Defensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Pipkins
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Your Favorite Offensive Player: Houma
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Your Favorite Defensive Player: Bolden/Ross
- Your "I Told You So" Player from this class: Magnuson is two-time All-Big 10 and one-time All-American
January 31st, 2012 at 10:04 PM ^
Football versions of:
Zach Novak (gritty and always around the ball): Joe Bolden, Tom Strobel
Jordan Morgan (pleasant surprise after a little developing): Ben Braden
Stu Douglass (solid in his role): AJ Williams
Trey Burke (early emerging star): Jarrod Wilson
Tim Hardaway (underrated with star potential): Mario Ojemudia
Evan Smotrycz (tons of potential but just needs time to get it all together): Chris Wormley
Sorry, thought it was too easy to pick Kalis and Pipkins so I went a different route
January 31st, 2012 at 10:04 PM ^
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Best Player from this class (next year):
Pipkins -
Best Player from this class (when it's all said and done):
Kyle Kalis -
Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com):
Braden or Willie Henry (sorry i could'nt choose one, even though its cheating) -
Late Bloomer from the 2012 class
Blake Bars -
1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class:
Kalis and Pipkins -
Best Offensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done):
Kalis -
Best Defensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done):
Pipkins -
Your Favorite Offensive Player:
Amara Darboh -
Your Favorite Defensive Player:
Chris Wormley - Your "I Told You So" Player from this class
- I think Wormley could end up being dominant. First team All Big Ten his Senior year.
January 31st, 2012 at 10:11 PM ^
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Best Player from this class (next year): Joe Bolden
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Best Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Ondre Pipkins
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Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Jeremy Clark
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Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career): Allen Gant
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1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Ondre Pipkins, Joe Bolden, Kyle Kalis
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Best Offensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Kyle Kalis
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Best Defensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Ondre Pipkins/Joe Bolden
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Your Favorite Offensive Player: Drake Johnson
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Your Favorite Defensive Player: Joe Bolden
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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):
Not to jockey off the example given in this question, but I am going to say that Drake Johnson becomes a prolific all conference/all-american level return man, and a very solid change of pace/flanker style back.
January 31st, 2012 at 10:24 PM ^
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Best Player from this class (next year): Ondre Pipkins on defense, Amara Darboh on offense
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Best Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Ondre Pipkins and Kyle Kalis
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Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Matt Godin on defense, Drake Johnson on offense
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Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career): Jeremy Clark
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1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Kyle Kalis, Ondre Pipkins
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Best Offensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Drake Johnson
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Best Defensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Ondre Pipkins but not by a bunch.
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Your Favorite Offensive Player: Amara Darboh
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Your Favorite Defensive Player: Ondre Pipkins
- Your "I Told You So" Player from this class: Drake Johnson and Jeremy Clark
- Most underrated on Offense (when it's all said and done): Sione Houma
- Most underrated on Defense (when it's all said and done): Allen Gant
I really hope Jeremy Clark shines somewhere after what Tim wrote about him. I also think Drake Johnson is highly underrated. You'll also notice I added two more categories at the end. I think both of those guys will contribute a ton but get overlooked because this is such a great class. They may not end up being the stars or leaders, but I think they'll quietly leave their marks.
Also, no disrespect to any other recruits. There are so many great ones to choose from and it's really hard telling who will do what with so much talent. I don't think I've seen Ringer mentioned, but he could be a beast at linebacker.
January 31st, 2012 at 10:25 PM ^
As far as I told you so, I think Drake will become an elite return man and a WR that no one expects him to be. I'll say he has over 1,000 yards receiving one year.
January 31st, 2012 at 10:32 PM ^
Don't really have a place to put this, so I will throw it here. Josh Helmholdt just said that signing day is going to be more interesting for Michigan, and for everyone to be paying attention early in the morning. Stated that this would be good news.
Certainly hope whatever he is referring to ends up happening.
February 1st, 2012 at 8:06 AM ^
their predictions on this years class - LET'S HEAR IT!
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Best Player from this class (next year): Ondre Pipkins
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Best Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Tom Strobel
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Sleeper from the 2012 class (3* or lower, per Scout.com): Matt Godin
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Late Bloomer from the 2012 class (aka Stevie Brown, Prescott Burgess, etc. - player doesn't come on until late in career): Allen Gant
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1st Round Draft Pick(s) from this class: Kyle Kalis, Ondre Pipkins
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Best Offensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Amara Darboh
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Best Defensive Player from this class (when it's all said and done): Joe Bolden
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Your Favorite Offensive Player: Erik Magnuson
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Your Favorite Defensive Player: Chris Wormley
- 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): Terry Richardson supplants Honey Badger as the small, go-to kick returner/nickel DB in the hearts and minds of college football fans everywhere. And he won't have nearly as annoying a nickname...