Bye George
Lament, for 2013 is not done with you, human being with a Michigan soul dong. Per everybody, last night one of those awesome things you were hanging your hat on when the universe was all like "I'm going to put you in a Copper Bowl that doesn't even call itself the Copper Bowl" is also no longer happening:
No. 2 ranked WR George Campbell has decommitted from Michigan. He decommitted Friday, didn't want it out for awhile but that happens.
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) December 18, 2013 [THWOMP!]
Campbell (hello post) is a top ten overall sort of recruit and like Peppers, is one of the guys Michigan could use as leverage to convince other top recruits that the program's on the upswing. He's teammates with 2014 OL commit Mason Cole, who is probably hiding in a bunker right now.
[zzzZZZZWAP!]
Hope? Tim Sullivan wrote last night that his status is "no longer a solid commitment" and that he's yet to call the coaches (not paywalled), postulating this could be a ploy to take in the visitation process. Lorenz notes that Michigan is "still being considered" before mentioning another receiver M may look at. Hope is nice, but I think it's a formality.
[SPLONK!]
I don't have to remind you to be nice on Twitter, or ruthless with those who aren't.
Go now and die in what way seems best to you.
December 18th, 2013 at 8:58 AM ^
Is "Just Jump Already" going to be the new "Just pull the trigger already," although #jptta works too.
/dies
December 18th, 2013 at 6:17 PM ^
December 18th, 2013 at 9:01 AM ^
When I was 17-18 years old, I changed where I wanted to go to school 4 or 5 times. And I didn't have people calling me every day and rolling out the red carpet.
If Campbell wants to visit other schools then I think that decommitting beforehand is the best way to handle it.
December 18th, 2013 at 9:03 AM ^
You shouldn't either...
December 18th, 2013 at 10:36 AM ^
There's a LOT of other stuff that will happen well before any of these 2015 kids set foot on the field in Ann Arbor. And in terms of actual on field impact, you're looking at probably two full seasons before you'd notice the impact of having/not having someone like Campbell.
December 18th, 2013 at 9:03 AM ^
This one stings but I still like our WR talent. The offense is still filling out rather nicely at all positions as far as recruiting is concerned.
December 18th, 2013 at 9:55 AM ^
Really? Because I don't. WR is a position we need badly.
December 18th, 2013 at 10:12 AM ^
Have we forgotten about Drake Harris? Or Darboh returning? Or Funchess and Chesson? Really think we won't get anything from Canteen, York, Jones, Dukes, or Ways? This decomittment is a problem for the future.... not now.
December 18th, 2013 at 10:23 AM ^
Harris - freshman
Darboh - red shirt freshman and coming back from an injury
Chesson - potential, but still has a lot to prove
Funchess - beast mode
all those other dudes you listed - unproven
So we have ONE guy who we know for sure will produce, assuming he doesn't become a bust nex season, which I don't think he will.
December 18th, 2013 at 10:36 AM ^
But we are talking about the 2015 season here so the list you just made will actually be Sophomore (Harris), Redshirt Junior (Darboh), Redshirt Junior (Cheeson), Senior (Funchess), plus a handful of guys who haven't played yet but will have some experience.
That is three upperclassmen (plus senior slot reciever Norfleet) as opposed to this year where we had only one. Yes it hurts to lose Campbell but WR is probably the position where we can most afford it.
December 18th, 2013 at 10:33 AM ^
Campbell - HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR. Potential, still years away from a college snap.
December 18th, 2013 at 10:39 AM ^
Right, but Campbell is a 2015 kid. And he's rail thin. All of those guys listed above will be bigger, faster, stronger, and more experienced for someone like GC would ever see the field. Sure, he'd probably get some snaps as a true freshman, but its not like he's going to be the no. 1 starter in 2015. And if he was going to be, then this team will have so many problems, that we'll probably be looking for a new coach and would land Campbell anyways.
December 18th, 2013 at 11:08 AM ^
Sammie Watkins was listed at 6'1 180 on Rivals and George is listed at 6'5 198. I am not sure how valid a measure this is, but that puts Sammie at 2.47 lbs/inch and George at 2.57 lbs/inch. Sammie Watkins hauled in 82 receptions for 1219 yards and 12 TDs his freshman year. I don't think physique is that much of an issue.
December 18th, 2013 at 12:03 PM ^
Oh, I didn't know he was a 2015 kid; thought he was 2014.
December 18th, 2013 at 10:40 AM ^
With all the wide receivers currently enrolled, most of them probably being around in 2015, many of them yet unproven at the college level, your position is that a HS student is a proven commodity that will best what is already in the system?
December 18th, 2013 at 11:08 AM ^
Spock logic fail.
December 18th, 2013 at 12:04 PM ^
Please point to where I said that.
December 18th, 2013 at 12:11 PM ^
I don't think that's his position. I think his position is that we're not "fine" at WR, not that Campbell is a proven commodity. I think it's a more than fair statement. We shouldn't stop looking for the next stud WR recruit because we have a bunch of guys on the roster that haven't proven anything.
I'm sure MSU fans convinced themselves they were fine entering the 2012 season at WR with a bunch of guys who had been in the program plus Burbridge and Arnett, yet they've had two years of extremely underwhelming WR performance.
December 18th, 2013 at 11:14 AM ^
I think it's funny how you say we need a high school junior committed because somehow he's more proven than a college redshirt freshman or high school senior.
December 18th, 2013 at 12:05 PM ^
Please point to where I said that.
December 18th, 2013 at 6:07 PM ^
You didn't say it specifically. You implied it.
But considering you had no clue that George Campbell is a 2015 kid instead of a 2014 kid, I'm just going to assume you have no idea what you're talking about and ignore the rest of this conversation.
December 18th, 2013 at 12:13 PM ^
So these young guys on the roster remain unproven, which leads you to feel butt-hurt over losing a high school junior who also remains unproven at the college level?
December 18th, 2013 at 12:21 PM ^
Please point to where I said that.
December 18th, 2013 at 12:58 PM ^
Michigan "needs WRs badly" and folks have responded telling you that, no, they have a lot of guys, to which you responded that the guys we have are young and unproven, to which folks said uh, wait a minute, George is far more unproven than anyone on the team right now.
I think I can see what you were saying, but you implied something different (that a 2015 WR recruit is somehow more important to Michigan than the freshmen/sophomores currently on the roster). I don't think Michigan is in a dire position of need at WR - though it's hard to tell right now and losing a high profile recruit always hurts.
December 18th, 2013 at 1:11 PM ^
"Dire need" is strong. What Campbell would have brought however is very rare, and teams that have it can only get so bad on offense (ie they can't crater the way Michigan did this year) because "throw it to Braylon" is actually a plausible offense. A receiver who's a matchup problem for every corner is a huge, huge weapon. Teams can choose to get burned by that guy, or overreact to him and create space for everything else in the offense.
The other guys on this roster (Drake Harris is the best hope for a breakout guy) are not that kind of guy. They will need to get open the old fashioned way: running great routes, getting clean breaks, and having the right playcall and the right QB read all work in tandem. That requires a lot more execution and makes it so fail points are that much more likely to doom a drive. To be effective a less talented receiver typically needs lots and lots of reps with the QB so that their mistakes don't doom them. They have to develop skills like kickout blocking that force defenders to play them honestly.
The big difference is speed and catching radius. Pass defense is always a gamble: how much can I play up and still catch up if they try to burn me deep? Against Jeremy Jackson the answer is "very." Against Megatron, the answer is "never--it's going to take everything I've got to stop this guy."
Also Campbell was an ace in the hole for recruiting every other position. Recruiting is very much a momentum game, and when Michigan lost Hand due to a crappy season they were more likley to lose Campbell, and losing Campbell now means Michigan has lost all momentum in convincing 2015 and 2016 (!) kids to bunch up here; current commits have to be defended, current battles are tougher to win, 5-stars who were considering MIchigan will stop entertaining the idea.
There was a moment in 2009 when Notre Dame was vanquished and it seemed Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix might join Demetrius Hart. That's laughable today--and it was unlikely then--but imagine a world where Michigan kept winning in '09 and Bama lost some game they shouldn't have (it happens in football), and then 2010's backfield was good enough to get them to 9 wins, and then in 2011... College football fortunes can change by that much from 5-star decisions, long before that 5-star steps on the field.
December 18th, 2013 at 1:40 PM ^
maybe I grossly misunderstand what you're saying, but it reads as if you're strongly implying all Campbell has to do is show up on Saturday and Michigan's offense will be all but unstoppable.
December 18th, 2013 at 2:14 PM ^
You guys are brutal. Spock said we need WRs. That is as obvi as it gets this year, even with an All- B1G receiver and TE who probably won't even be on campus in 2015 (Ranked now as the #1 TE Draft Prospect for '15 draft).
Darby I hear was killing it at practice and Butt looks decent at TE, but we have only one proven gamebreaker/weapon for the '14, '15? QBs. Drake is very possibly one although he hasn't played in an entire year, but Canteen and Ways seem to be possession WRs, not gamebreakers.
Campbell looks the part of a gamebreaker.6'5 and runs like that? Pepperish talent level at his position and he plays HS ball in possibly the best region of the best region in America. This doesn't gurantee success at the college level but don't be delusional, we need this kid and I hope Hoke doesn't let his pride get in the way of keeping at him. Don't be an ass.
December 18th, 2013 at 4:16 PM ^
Is that what I said? Darn it. I really thought there was something between "Michigan's offense this year" and "Unstoppable." You know, a realm described as "noticeably better" or "more than marginally improved."
WRs of his caliber are a coveted commodity because pure talent makes offense easier. "All but unstoppable" is a straw man and not necessary.
December 18th, 2013 at 8:05 PM ^
will attract the 4 and 5 star talent again! If Michigan wins the B1G, has one loss and makes it to the runner up round or perhaps the BCS game then they will be attracting 5 stars in '16 through '18. Who knows we may be even poaching 5 stars from other teams that had verbals! Amazing things can happen when you win!
December 18th, 2013 at 2:43 PM ^
Campebell is unproven as well at the College Level. Sure it stings to be spurned by one of the top Juniors in the country, however there is still a chance that he looks around and recommits to Michigan. In any case, Michigan has plenty of time to either keep recruitng George, or replace him with someone else. Considering Campbell wouldnt be entering school until 2015, the impact is not immediate. While Michigan hasnt landed a Top 5 WR, there are many prospects already on the roster or coming in as part of the Class of 2014. All we can do is respect his decision and wish him the best!
December 18th, 2013 at 10:23 AM ^
others haven't been proven to show that they can be a receiving threat. Saying that WR is set is silly IMO because they haven't shown anything on the field yet.
December 18th, 2013 at 10:31 AM ^
It's College Football - 0 teams enter the season with a proven player at every position. That's what makes it fun. Darboh is probably really good, and Butt is going to be an impact player in the REC game.
December 18th, 2013 at 10:57 AM ^
I would say WR is unproven until they show it on the field. Can't say Drake Harris or Darboh would be studs when they never set foot on the field. That's just as silly as thinking Saban will leave Bama for a MAC school.
December 18th, 2013 at 9:03 AM ^
I'm sure this is somehow my fault for critisizing Hoke and not the recruiting or offensive playcalling, or the crappy season we had. So, sorry everyone!
December 18th, 2013 at 9:08 AM ^
he ends up Blue but wish him the best regardless. Seems like a great kid who will do well no matter where he goes.
December 18th, 2013 at 9:14 AM ^
is going to be swimming with the sharks going after big name national recruits, we should expect more waffling like this and more late period signings. thinking a 16 year old kid is going to be set with his committment 15 months before signing day and few official visits elsewhere is wishful.
December 18th, 2013 at 9:50 AM ^
With early commits come early decommits, especially when you're going after the top guys. Hate to see something like this just when our collective egos need a holiday break, but in reality this (probably) isn't a sign of impending doom (I hope).
December 18th, 2013 at 9:15 AM ^
December 18th, 2013 at 11:10 AM ^
So, your head is about to crash into the windshield and you're worried about the car?
December 18th, 2013 at 9:18 AM ^
December 18th, 2013 at 9:19 AM ^
but if his decommitment is entirely due to one disappointing season, it says to me that his commitment to the University of Michigan—not just the football program, but the entire institution—wasn't particlularly strong in the first place.
I don't think this proves the kid is a bad person; he's a Florida kid (i.e., no winter) with a number of currently elite programs located within a few hours drive in the deep South and who has family members telling him to look elsewhere. I always think it's unfortunate when a kid turns down the opportunity to get a degree from the place I graduated from, but the reality is that academic considerations are frequently secondary in these situations.
December 18th, 2013 at 9:49 AM ^
"I don't think this proves the kid is a bad person"
It doesn't even hint at it. Anyone who thinks otherwise is not dealing with a full deck.
December 18th, 2013 at 9:20 AM ^
Who can blame the kid for wanting to be wined and dined, travel, coeds. If he is meant to be Blue he will come to AA. A big season in 2014 would certainly help, sorry to be captain obvious.
December 18th, 2013 at 9:21 AM ^
Wasn't he just on campus for the Ohio State game? That was just over 2 weeks ago.
December 18th, 2013 at 9:29 AM ^
just over recruiting period. A five star recruit is the equivalent of a pre-season ranking. George Campbell may end up being awesome or he may be Justin Turner. I hope for him that he becomes awesome and does so as a Michigan Wolverine but there are just too many variables for things like these to be seen as a big deal everytime it happens. Just get good players and coach them up. We get good players. Now it is time for the other part of the equation.
December 18th, 2013 at 10:50 AM ^
I couldn't give less of a shit at this point. MSU gets mostly recruits we've never even heard of and they become All Americans. I want to see results on the field. I'm done worrying about any recruiting from now on.
December 18th, 2013 at 12:08 PM ^
Amen.
December 18th, 2013 at 1:22 PM ^
MSU's 3* talent (with just a handul of 4* and 2* players) handled OSU's roster of 5* studs and is now playing in the Rose Bowl. Stars do matter, as you can't coach things like speed, size and agility, but what does MSU that we don't? Stability. Stability, combined with the fact that they are not generally bringing in mega-recruits, has allowed them to pretty much redshirt their incoming classes yearly. It has also allowed for development of players over years as opposed to trial-by-fire. Contrast this with our past 5-6 seasons, where decent true freshman are routinely playing, whether ready or not, and learning on the field.
This is a critical point to keep in mind for all of those clamoring for a coaching change just for the sake of a coaching change. Program stability is a very important thing. Combine that stability with the staff's good recruiting and we should be in for some very good year, once we get through this unfortunate and interminably long transition period.
December 18th, 2013 at 3:04 PM ^
I agree with your overarching piont, but any track and field coach, or basketball coach, and I woudl bet football coach would tell you that you can coach speed, size (save height) and agility. That's what fundamentals and the weight room are all about.
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