Tuesday Recruitin' Doesn't Look Back Comment Count

Ace

If you're here for the Brandon post, scroll down or click here.

Real Talk

TomVH posted a lengthy article in the wake of Garrett Taylor's decommitment in which he quotes several recruits—including Taylor, Chris Clark, and Thiyo Lukusa—discussing the impact of Michigan's poor season and the accompanying uncertainty on their recruitments. As you'd imagine, it's not a fun read ($):

"I wanted to be a part of a program that knows what it takes to win and the players and coaches develop that culture. I felt like Michigan lost that while watching them play," Taylor said. "As well as the fact that I felt like Michigan wouldn't put me in the best position to get to the next level after college, especially with the problems they've had in developing their players." 

Oof. Taylor will not be reconsidering Michigan as his recruitment moves forward, which... sounds about right.

Tom also posted a rundown of the commits he believes are likely to stick at Michigan despite the turmoil in his Big Ten roundup. With only nine commits left in the class, this should come as no surprise, but the list isn't a long one ($):

Quarterback Alex Malzone, offensive lineman Jon Runyan and kicker Andrew David are prospects who would likely stay committed no matter the coach, which is good for the future. Keeping Malzone will be a big deal as current quarterback Devin Gardner will be gone after this season. 



...



Outside of Malzone, Runyan, David and most likely Brian Cole, there is a chance most of the other commitments look elsewhere. 

Complicating matters is the fact that Malzone, Cole, Clark, Darrin Kirkland, and Mike Weber have all at one point or another stated an intention to enroll in December; if Michigan's coaching situation isn't resolved by then, it would put those recruits in a tough spot.

[Hit THE JUMP for Michigan's latest 2015 offeree—a recruit who might actually come, even!]

Michigan Offers John Kelly



courtesy of Maize & Blue News

Michigan offered three-star Oak Park athlete John Kelly yesterday, almost certainly as a result of Taylor's decommitment. Kelly is being recruited as both a running back and cornerback; the Wolverines offered him as a defender, and per Scout's Allen Trieu the interest is mutual ($):

"I'm so happy right now I can't explain how happy I am," [Kelly] said.

Part of that excitement is because of his relationship with Cass Tech running back and Wolverines commit Mike Weber, a player he trains with, and has discussed playing with on the next level.

"Yes, [we talk about it] all the time and this can be a perfect opportunity for us to live out that dream. That guy is a brother to me."

Kelly is considering a visit to Ann Arbor as soon as this weekend's Indiana game. He's previously narrowed his recruitment to Minnesota and Michigan State, but this offer has changed that outlook.

Of course, holding onto Weber looks like it'll be a huge factor in landing Kelly, and with Weber still considering the Spartans there's a chance the two play together somewhere else than Ann Arbor.

Rumor Debunking

Apparently there were rumors going around over the weekend that 2016 QB commit Messiah deWeaver had flipped his commitment to Kentucky, which recently landed his Trotwood-Madison teammate Roland Walder. Scout's Dave Berk debunked that rumor; deWeaver is still monitoring what happens at Michigan before making any major decisions:

“Kentucky has been in contact with me but we’re just talking. They want me there and they just got the commitment of my good friend Roland Walder over the weekend. They want me there, but I haven’t decided if I’m taking other visits yet.

deWeaver is not ready to jump from Michigan to Kentucky just to jump and will make sure he covers all his bases before making any changes in his status.

I’ll talk with my dad and mom as well as the coaches at Michigan before doing anything,” he stressed. “Right now I haven’t talked with them (Michigan) yet or talked with my dad yet. So we’ll probably talk with [sic] week and see if I want to visit other schools or now [sic].”

No word on how deWeaver would move forward if Hoke was to be fired, unfortunately, but for now he's still a part of the 2016 class.

Etc.

2015 four-star CB Marcus Lewis is looking less and less likely as an option. He recently set up an official visit to Kentucky, and he's waiting to see how matters play out at Michigan before taking a previously planned official to Ann Arbor, per Rivals' Adam Friedman ($):

"Coach Pruitt from Georgia is always hitting me up and I've already said I'm going to go down there for an official visit," he said. "I don't know the date yet. I'm just waiting to see how things play out at Michigan."

Saline (MI) kicker Ryan Tice will be a preferred walk-on with the program beginning in January, per Tim Sullivan. Tice actually graduated from high school in 2014, but took this fall semester off while working on his kicking and waiting for an acceptance letter from Michigan. That arrived this week, and the coaches extended the preferred walk-on offer; congratulations to Tice for a spot well-earned.

Comments

Yinka Double Dare

October 28th, 2014 at 4:11 PM ^

Considering the way things have gone, we might be the first fanbase that would tweet "preach on, my man" at a decommit instead of the usual creepy angry fan thing

[DO NOT TWEET AT RECRUITS]

ThadMattasagoblin

October 28th, 2014 at 4:17 PM ^

I would also add Newsome to that list who said that he committed to the university of michigan and not the university of brady hoke. I would think Kinnel as well but I have no outside information.

His Dudeness

October 29th, 2014 at 9:09 AM ^

Wheatley Jr might come too. Also if we get any sort of capable DC I think KLS will be on board as well.

In the end though it is far better to get the right coach than to get five or six kids.

These kids are literally 17 years old. It just doesnt matter.

 

Mr Miggle

October 29th, 2014 at 12:50 PM ^

stopped putting out any more offers. I don't see how that helps the next staff. They should focus on keeping wavering players in place until things settle out. Grant Perry will be there if the next coach wants him. If Hoke survives by some miracle, he'll be in a better position to recruit and finish the class than he is now.  

BlueinOK

October 28th, 2014 at 4:18 PM ^

It's nice to see the guys who will stick around regardless of what happens with the coaching staff. There will be some great players in this class, and it's going to be small anyways so it won't hamper the future much...unless a new coach comes in and cleans house like Charlie Strong.

ifis

October 28th, 2014 at 8:19 PM ^

the part about player development and making it to the next level are both absolutely wrong, especially on defense.  it would behoove us not to repeat that meme, although other considerations were probably enough to get Taylor to decommit anyways.  Best of luck to him. 

ifis

October 29th, 2014 at 6:50 AM ^

Both Glasgow brothers where unranked (recruiting wise), walk-on project players who didn't know a damn thing about football when they showed up at our program.  Now, they are both good football players

Frank Clark was a 3 star  220 pound tweener when he showed up.  Now he's a bona-fide all-conference defensive end who will get drafted by the NFL.

I'd write more, but I'm on my way out the door.  Bottom line - the 'don't develop players' meme is overstated, although it might be true at a few offensive skill positions.

His Dudeness

October 29th, 2014 at 9:16 AM ^

All due respect to the Glasgow brothers but just because they start on our team doesnt mean they are good at football. They may play because the coaches like their "toughness" in practice...

I am starting to think maybe our coaches can't evaluate players? Furman, Rawls, etc. I know their level of competition might be less where they are but that's hard to say looking at how awful the B1G is.

 

 

FatGuyTouchdown

October 29th, 2014 at 3:00 PM ^

I played against the Glasgow brothers while they were at Marmion Academy, and I can assure you they knew a damn thing about football. To say they didn't is asinine. The reason they didnt get ranked is because they were both multi sport athletes, and undersized. And Im not sure if Id call them good, just because they start on a 3-5 team

dragonchild

October 28th, 2014 at 6:40 PM ^

I'll believe it when I see it.  Any rational being would fire Hoke but Michigan these days has been the furthest example from rational in all of sports.

You're asking me if the people running Michigan are smarter than elementary school children.  We now know the AD himself is sending e-mails only a grade-schooler would be dumb enough to send, so that doesn't feel like a safe bet.

Cranky Dave

October 28th, 2014 at 4:25 PM ^

Just to a school, thats absurd. Would people take a job just because of the company? No you look at the role youd have the manager and the people youd work with. i think the only smart thing for UM commits is to look around and keep options open.

AZ-Blue

October 28th, 2014 at 4:36 PM ^

I'd clarify what that meant as (1) committed to Michigan as a school and then (2) coaching secondary.  You need to capture a commit on both fronts but it's school first ie, history of wins and players at next level thru various coaches, the gameday experience (stadium/fans) and then the infrastrucure.  You can dump Hoke and that won't change.

WIth that said, it's going to take one rock solid Michigan-loving recruit (ie, Peppers) to land him now unless his other options are nothings.

Cranky Dave

October 28th, 2014 at 5:03 PM ^

To continue my analogy I would think long and hard about working at a company with a shitty overall reputation even if my immediate manager and team was great. I was talking about the commit who said basically that he doesnt care who the next coaching staff is. Doesnt seem wise to me

alum96

October 28th, 2014 at 4:43 PM ^

The quote from Taylor - while IMO parallel to a lot of complaints we've heard here and not incorrect - sounds like it is spoon fed from an Urban Meyer powerpoint presentation.   I fogot the name of the CB from Cass Tech that went to OSU but he basically said the exact same things in an SI blog about a year ago.   Spielman basically said the same thing on national TV this week.

But again its not too far off the truth - which is why I have been sort of amazed at how Brady has been recruiting up until August 2014. 

alum96

October 28th, 2014 at 4:38 PM ^

Also want to say I am not worried about DeWeaver.  Right now I want the new coach to pick his own QB for 2016.  That is a long way to go and this is the most important position on the field.  He might be 180 degree different than the guy the new coach would want in terms of style, substance, or his evaluation of his play.  You live and die by your QB in many cases as Brady Hoke will be dying from.

(and in a touch of potential irony, if Mark Stoops is the next football coach at UM it probably is going to be moot)

I have a different view on Malzone because it is a 2015 slot, and finding anyone else for that class would be impossible.  But for 2016 there s plenty of time. 

Bullhead20

October 28th, 2014 at 4:40 PM ^

Nice work from Ace, as usual. Not surprising that recruits are noticing the lack of development of current players under this coaching staff. It's amazed me that he landed big time recruits this past year.

Hopefully Peppers absence is injury related and not due to him wanting out.

ChicagoGangViolins

October 28th, 2014 at 4:41 PM ^

 
I wanted to be a part of a program that knows what it takes to win and the players and coaches develop that culture. I felt like Michigan lost that while watching them play
 
Sad to lose a prospective member of our community but "real talk" may expedite positive changes.  We can hope.
 

jmdblue

October 28th, 2014 at 4:59 PM ^

NBA, NHL, whatever.... and for a very few that dream may be realistic, but for the vast majority of these kids it just ain't gonna happen.  I know this is old ne, but I wish kids chose schools with more than the pros in mind.  It would serve them far better.  

clarkiefromcanada

October 28th, 2014 at 4:46 PM ^

My faith in the Les Miles/Jim Harbaugh/John Harbaugh/some other guy is strong.

New coach (not part of "the process"), hired by an AD not named Dave Brandon and retained prior to January 10 will be helpful.

 

JFW

October 29th, 2014 at 10:06 AM ^

Do you really think that's possible?

That's a tight timetable to get a new AD, get him set up, and give him enough time to get a new coach who is quality.



I'm skeptical. I think change is needed but I think we'll be damned lucky to come out of this well. Between the two positions we'd like replaced, the timetable, and the dearth of coaching candidates out there we are in treacherous waters.

I'll admit to being in a pessimistic mood.

CoverZero

October 28th, 2014 at 4:52 PM ^

Geeze Hoke, his staff and DB's incompetence is starting to add up to be the same as NCAA sanctions and lost scholarships.

Michigan should just fire both of them now and start the coaching search.

Yard Dog

October 28th, 2014 at 4:59 PM ^

I know he's visiting MSU, but MSU has Madre London as a redshirt and a commitment from Larry Scott for 2015.  Weber will have heavy competition for carries at MSU.  Even with Isaac coming on board, the other backs haven't shown anything to date, so Weber's chance to play seems much better with the Maize and Blue.  Hoke and Co. need to double the efforts with Weber, no matter their coaching future. 

Now about those blocking issues...

BornSinner

October 28th, 2014 at 5:32 PM ^

Can someone explain to me how the hell KENTUCKY of all teams is somehow poaching recruits from UM ND OSU territory? 

 

HIRE MARK STOOPS MEOWWWWW!!!

alum96

October 28th, 2014 at 5:57 PM ^

In my coaching diary of Stoops he put back to back top 25 classes ... at Kentucky.  Keep in mind the first year he was hired in November so it was a 3 month class and he still pulled it off.   Guy's name is massive in Ohio at this time and their family is legendary in Youngstown area.

I wish Stoops had 1 more year of resume at UK because right now it is like trying to judge Harbaugh in year 2 at Stanford, when he was 5-7 with no major win.  You see some nice signals but you have no idea how it will turn out.  Both had taken over desolate programs but it wasnt until year 3 you really saw Harbaugh making serious strides with those wins over USC and Oregon.  Very unfair right now to try to judge Stoops as he has a team coming off back to back 2-10 seasons.  If he had 1 more year of say 9-4 at UK under his belt with a win or two versus a big name (Georgia, LSU etc) IMO he'd be a shoo in to be "target #2" after Harbaugh. 

The flip side to that is that if he did have 1 more year experience and was a hot candidate he'd probably be Florida's #1 target since Mullen and the Florida AD don't seem like buddies.  So there is an upside of him flying under the radar.   Right now he is sort of a high risk/high reward hire.

The next 4-5 weeks might make life very interesting for Stoops depending on he does.

Stay.Classy.An…

October 28th, 2014 at 6:07 PM ^

I just don't see the point in getting butt-hurt because another recruit decided to go elsewhere. I'm completely fine with it. It might be nice to get guys who are coming in ready to give their all for Michigan. With a coach who can make them hungry to win, instead of doing his best walrus impression for 60 minutes.

Stay.Classy.An…

October 28th, 2014 at 11:37 PM ^

Not necessarily. I'm just saying, let's put the tear in our beer and move past it. It's no surprise we are losing recruits. This powderpuff coaching staff would lose recruits if they were coaching the Puppy Bowl, and all they would have to do is make sure nobody pooped on the field. Which, coincidentally happens every Saturday. I digress.