RB Recruiting
In the next week - we have both DeVeon Smith and Derrick Green visiting us. With Ty Isaac delaying his announcement, it seems we may have to choose between Smith and Green.
Personally I like Green better because of his vision and power running ability. How do we stand with him and is a commit imminent from Green (as we are speculating in Smith's case?)
in college. He runs like a tight end, he might play FB but my prediction is defense.
Issac has the rare explosiveness. Smith less explosive but uses his strong legs to get good second/third effort, hard to say which one would be more successful in college.
March 11th, 2012 at 11:00 PM ^
The coaches offered Smith a while back, when he didn't have any offers, knowing (I imagine) that he grew up a Michigan fan. They obviously have a genuine interest in him beyond gamesmanship. Ty Isaac might be the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, but if they didn't want Smith, they would have waited longer to offer a kid who may well have committed on the spot.
March 11th, 2012 at 11:17 PM ^
looks like lb recuriting is open again with bell leaving today
March 11th, 2012 at 11:19 PM ^
Like Brian said on the front page, Bell leaving has zero effect on recruiting—linebacker or otherwise—for 2013. Still 2 + Levenberry.
March 11th, 2012 at 11:19 PM ^
i guess shane jones is coming in for a vist now that bell is gone.
March 11th, 2012 at 11:25 PM ^
I've said it before and I'll say it again: the difference between a 5* player and a 4* player is not that big (usually) and can easily change between now and the fall of 2013.
While Isaac is a beast with loads of potential, I LOVE Smith for lots of reasons, and a big one is that he's a Michigan fan. I love that passion.
If Smith commits this weekend, I am completely comfortable not having Isaac in this class. Fergodsakes, look at this tape: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd7kCeT60IM
He is strong, sees the field well, and is VERY tough to tackle. Isaac has much better speed, but Smith is up to top speed quickly. Honestly, he reminds me a lot of a Jonathan Dwyer type RB, who just hits the hole hard and the mauls you all the way to the goal line.
Would I rather have Ty's talent? Sure. But it's more important to me to have the guy who really wants to be a Michigan man.
March 11th, 2012 at 11:37 PM ^
We should respect Ty for taking his time even if this means he may miss the Hoke train. This is his one choice that will definitely impact his whole life.
I am sure there are many Michigan men out there that might have committed in the NSD.
Isaac is so much like Marcus Allen that the USC visit just seems so ironic. I say its either Michigan or USC.
Love the film, and it's more impressive to me IMHO than Isaacs.
Isaac never gets touched in his long runs. His OL is good enough to blow open 3-5 yard holes, and Isaac has the speed to run away from defenders.
Smith is an absolute bruiser though, with a nice burst. That youtube film is VERY impressive.
I think it's silly to 'leave a spot' for Isaac with a guy like Smith wanting to commit.
March 12th, 2012 at 10:33 AM ^
But Smith is not going to be encountering the same undersized, poor tackling saps that are featured in his highlight film. I do like his reads / decision making, his churn and think (based on the little footage I've seen) that he certainly seems to possess the skills to be a feature back. But Isaac's speed to and through the hole is special—that is something that will give him an advantage at the next level and sets him apart from Smith.
Not so fast Highlander.... now I am sure we all love RBs who love Michigan, but go back and watch Isaac's and Smith's tapes, again... Isaac is Marcus Allen, jersey number and all. Smith looks good too, but I think the notion that you'd be completely comfortable not having Isaac, with Smith in the bag, should be revisited... because I sure wouldn't be.
And the USC visit is ironic, because thats where Allen played.
March 11th, 2012 at 11:27 PM ^
March 11th, 2012 at 11:37 PM ^
im hearing smith,( done deal) orndorff and poggi all could commit this weekend
March 11th, 2012 at 11:33 PM ^
smith is going to be the better player. plus he is a michigan fan who loves michigan thats big with the coaches . i know its big with hoke. how is smith doing in school
March 11th, 2012 at 11:42 PM ^
My guess is that the RB recruiting situation might sort itself out over the coming week, for all we know. Not knowing much about Isaac other than what I read here and elsewhere about his "tangibles", and about his stated wish to make other visits, it does leave me wondering what his thought process might be, what kind of support system he relies on at home, at school, with his high school coaches, etc.---or is he more of an independant, free-thinking type who wants to just go back home and think things thru a little bit more on his own?
Might be wishful thinking on my part, but I wouldn't be surprised if he, after taking a step back and thinking about his choices, after going over the pros and cons of committing to U of M, with his parents and/or coaches and/or others he relies on for wisdom and advice, that the situation clarifies itself. He might just need 24 hours, 48 hours, or the rest of the week to get there, or it might take a week or more and that visit to USC to clarify the situation for him. I do know one thing---Hoke has to have an advantage over Kiffin at this point when Isaac (or any other potential recruit) compare the two Head Coaches with each other---and that's even before Hoke pulls out his secret weapon and points at him!
As we all know, he spent the entire weekend at U of M, so it's highly likely that he came in contact with more than just a few of the current players, current commits, and potential future commits, he also got a chance to see what the campus is like and get an idea what the general student body is like. As Michigan fans, we all are focused on the huge run of success that seems to be going on all over the world of U of M Athletics; Isaac, on the other hand, just finished soaking in a weekend of direct contact with it all!
As hard as it is to wait, given our recent string of recruiting success, I remain optimistic that Isaac will commit, and it will be relatively soon.
March 11th, 2012 at 11:44 PM ^
smith is a much better player than dunn was last year who everybody wanted. smith is going to be in this class.
March 11th, 2012 at 11:48 PM ^
While I haven't made any comparisons between Smith and Dunn, I'd like to know the rationale behind this statement?
March 12th, 2012 at 12:05 AM ^
I haven't heard any major Ohio analyst say this, and for the most part, they love Smith. Smith is supposed to be very similar to Dunn, but Scout/Bucknuts both had Dunn rated higher.
um coaches would tell you that smith is better than dunn off the record
um coaches would tell you that smith is better than dunn off the record
Stop posting.
March 11th, 2012 at 11:53 PM ^
Since it's modestly on topic, I was talking with a HS football coach in Michigan about the two players this weekend and he had an interesting take on it. He observed Isaac had this skill and that skill and clearly was an elite recruit, but there was one question in his mind- how well can he break tackles? He observed, and showed me footage which generally backed up his point, that Isaac is so damn good at the HS level that almost no one touches him. Good news, to be sure, but unsustainable at the next level. Smith on the other hand has a proven ability to break tackles, carry the pile and earn hard yardage. This wasn't to say he liked one better than the other, he liked both.
None of this refelects my opinions, or expertise. It was interesting to hear someone with some level of knowledge compare the two. Looking at the footage, his point was well taken. I think either would be fine prospects, just different.
March 12th, 2012 at 12:26 AM ^
Watching Isaac's tape, on some of the plays he seemed to be brought down pretty easily, while Smith runs through everyone in his. However with the potential dominance our oline could have in the future, Isaac's ability to hit the hole quick and explode to the second level could make the breaking tackle issue a moot point.
I agree with you, they are different style runners but both look like great players and I'd be happy with either one.
March 12th, 2012 at 12:01 AM ^
That would drag it to at least April.
like i said before people smith is going to be in this class. get over it people. this is a done deal afer next saturday
March 12th, 2012 at 11:10 AM ^
To "April"....man, are we entering a brave new world...
hold out for Isaac no matter what. Ty Isaac gives me comparisons of Darren McFadden when he was at Arkansas. Total game changer but can split out to WR unlike anything I have ever seen. Sometimes you have to be patient and take a risk by doing nothing. Be secure in the fact that this is Michigan. This is obsurd to be a supposed leader for this savage of a talent to let him possibly get away. DO NOT LET THIS ONE GO!! He is the type of player that makes OC's more innovative in their ability to call games and can you imagine having the Original Innovator himself, Big AL, calling games with this talent. OUCH for opposing DC's.
smith is going to be your RB . this is a done deal. now lets move on
WE WANT SMITH, WE WANT SMITH, WE WANT SMITH CLAP CLAP CLAP
March 12th, 2012 at 10:08 AM ^
Because I don't think we've given you the chance to weigh in as of yet and I really want to hear what you have to say…
I say wait for Ty, he's worth it. We already have guys like Smith on the team i.e., Fitz, Rawls, etc. A guy like Isaac comes along once every blue moon, so in my opinion you wait for him.