FreddieMercuryHayes

March 17th, 2012 at 8:45 PM ^

Smith will be very good. But I have a feeling Isaac will be elite with his size and speed combo. I really hope Isaac will still take a serious look at us. If not, then I feel a little sad. We are recruiting phenomenally on the lines but I feel the skill positions are not quite up to that standard (exception is Morris). I hope I'm proven wrong. And, yes, feel free to moderate me to Bolivia.

FreddieMercuryHayes

March 17th, 2012 at 11:24 PM ^

But if you want to win NCs, don't you need to take that risk and hope Isaac reaches that higher ceiling then? Smith seems more like a capitulation to "very good", but not to the level of "the best".

clarkiefromcanada

March 17th, 2012 at 11:46 PM ^

16 year old high school students, both elite althletes and you're projecting one guy (who plays lesser competition) as better than another guy (who is pretty much his equal in the ratings). Both of them are excellent; I'll be happy with either and if Isaac chooses to go Blue then great...

Your logic related to "if you want to win NC's" you need to risk on high ceiling athletes is ridiculous. Give me a team of "low ceiling" four star players and some real depth and the National Championships will come (with some luck, lack of injuries etc.). 

Calling a great high school athlete who chooses to commit to Michigan "a capituation to very good but not to the level of the best" is asinine.

Please return your three star mafia card ASAP.

FreddieMercuryHayes

March 18th, 2012 at 1:03 AM ^

You realize that every team that has won an NC in the rivals/scout era has had a #1 recruiting class except for Auburn? If you seriously want to compete on the highest level you need to take the risk on the highest level prospects. There will eventually be a team that disproves the trend, but I would rather play the odds.

We're really talking about a more philosophical debate about would you rather consistently win conference championsips, or pop up every now and again and win NCs. Would you be satisfied with another Bo era of 13 B1G chsmpionships in 21 seasons but a terrible bowl record and no NCs, or would you rather risk it all for an NC? I really don't gave an answer to that, and it's an honest question every fan base should ask.

no joke its hoke

March 18th, 2012 at 5:50 PM ^

go ahead and take your low ceiling 4*, ill take the high ceiling 5* and you can watch play for a nation championship. 

 

                                                      signed,                                   

                                                                      USC,LSU,and Alabama

clarkiefromcanada

March 18th, 2012 at 7:33 PM ^

Maybe I should have invited simplistic analysis to follow my comment. 

The point is that nobody knows, really, if there is any actual variance in talent between these two kids. You have a small sample of recruiting analysts saying one guy is 5 star and another is 4 star. The five star plays inferior competition and *might* have a higher ceiling. He's 16, however, so in both cases there is no guarantee. I'll take 4 star depth all day and take my chances on the coaching staff figuring out which guy has the higher ceiling (as opposed to Alan Trieu and the rest of your heroes).

stephenrjking

March 17th, 2012 at 11:50 PM ^

Not every player on a NC team is a 5* worldbeater. Our loaded defense from 1997 had one all-world guy, some solid NFL talent, and guys like Glen Steele whose NFL experience was only slightly more significant than yours or mine. Alabama and LSU played in the title game with decidedly average quarterbacks, and while perhaps their fans had the same gripe you do they seemed to be just fine for most of the year. 

GoBluePhil

March 17th, 2012 at 8:49 PM ^

Ty Isaac is a good TB but his running style is different than Smith's. Isaac runs more upright and leaves the football vulnerable to direct hits. He is fast but would have to adjust his running style for college. Smith runs lower and with more power. Would like to have both but am very happy with Smith. We need toughness and power and he will make defensive backs think twice about the head on collisions. Great pick up by the staff.

RakeFight

March 17th, 2012 at 9:33 PM ^

Couldn't agree more.  I think Smith has a huge future ahead of him, particularly in a pro-style offense.  I would love to have both Smith and Isaac, but now that we have Smith, I won't be disappointed if we don't get Isaac too... keeping in mind that before this year's unprecedented recruiting phenomenon, I think most of us would have be ecstatic to have Smith.

Todd Plate's n…

March 17th, 2012 at 8:49 PM ^

I know 'we' love Isaac and nobody really knows if we will take another rb,, but give me a guy that sees AA Nd commits on the spot (with this guys talent) any f'ing day of the week

JT4104

March 17th, 2012 at 8:50 PM ^

I really feel like Isaac was alwaysgoing to end up at USC. Not sure why just a gut thing though.

I'll take Smith though....I honestly never thought there was that much difference between the 2.

RioThaN

March 17th, 2012 at 9:25 PM ^

Honestly, I have never watched highlights of prospects until they commit to Michigan, I find it rather pointless, let's be happy with who we have, Smith wants to wear the winged helmet and I like him just for that, the coaches know what they're doing, we'll see what happens with Isaac in the future, but a bird in hand is worth way more than two in the bush, I'm not really looking forward for rollercoaster recruitment in which we end up with our hands empty.

TheGhostofYost

March 17th, 2012 at 8:58 PM ^

If we don't get Isaac, it will only be because he didn't want to come.  There is no way the coaches would turn him down.

white_pony_rocks

March 18th, 2012 at 10:20 AM ^

lets also remember that these guys have their senior year left to play.  i know we are bringing shallman in as an offensive player but if he just blows up on the defensive side of the ball next season the coaches would def give him consideration as a defensive commit. nothing is set in stone this early in the process

MichiganMan14

March 17th, 2012 at 9:08 PM ^

Don't judge players off of hype alone. Smith can play. He is a Michigan kid with an attitude and I love it! Beat Ohio. Isaac come on down! We need a stable of backs! I